News | Railvolution
Liebherr 2026
Akiem 2026

News

filtered by: tags.tag UK

Grand Central fleet approval brings digitally-signalled high speed services closer
Grand Central fleet approval brings digitally-signalled high speed services closer

On 22 October 2026, the first digitally-signalled high speed services in the country have moved a step closer with Grand Central’s Class 180 fleet receiving the regulatory approval known as APiS for the ‘first in class’ fitment of ETCS. 

East Coast's ETCS in a new era
East Coast's ETCS in a new era

Digital in-cab signalling has been used by passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line for the first time.

The whole fleet of new Tyne and Wear Metro trains officially in service
The whole fleet of new Tyne and Wear Metro trains officially in service

All 46 new Tyne and Wear Metro trains have been officially handed over for customer service, marking the final phase of the 362 million GBP project.  

Alstom secures 15-year services contract extension from Greater Anglia
Alstom secures 15-year services contract extension from Greater Anglia

On 15 October 2026, Alstom has signed a 15-year extension to its Train Services Agreement (TSA) with Greater Anglia in the United Kingdom for the operator’s Class 720 Aventra fleet.

Alstom to modernise more CrossCountry (Super) Voyagers
Alstom to modernise more CrossCountry (Super) Voyagers

On 13 October 2026, Alstom has secured contracts worth approximately 80 million GBP to maintain and modernise eight additional Class 221 Super Voyagers that will join the long-distance CrossCountry fleet from early 2027.

Virgin ordered trains for its future cross-Channel high-speed rail
Virgin ordered trains for its future cross-Channel high-speed rail

On 9 October 2026, Alstom and Virgin have signed agreements to cover the supply of 12 Avelia Stream high-speed trains together with long-term maintenance services.

Virgin offers first glimpse of new cross-Channel service planned from 2030
Virgin offers first glimpse of new cross-Channel service planned from 2030

Virgin has offered a first glimpse of its plans to reimagine cross-Channel travel, releasing a new image of a striking black and red train and sharing some early clues about what customers can expect on board. 

Sizewell C: first commercial freight train arrives on site
Sizewell C: first commercial freight train arrives on site

Sizewell C has reached a major construction milestone with the arrival of the first commercial freight train via its new Green Rail Route (GRR).

Eurostar introduced first e300 with ETCS OBU into service
Eurostar introduced first e300 with ETCS OBU into service

Eurostar received authorisation from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to bring the first e300 train fitted with the on-board ETCS into service.

Alstom and TransPennine Express sign contract for Adessia Stream BEMUs
Alstom and TransPennine Express sign contract for Adessia Stream BEMUs

On 11 September 2026, Alstom has signed contracts worth 1.2 billion EUR with TransPennine Express (TPE) for the supply and long-term maintenance of a new fleet of BEMUs.

First new Aventra entered passenger service on Elizabeth line
First new Aventra entered passenger service on Elizabeth line

On 28 August 2026, the first of 10 new Class 345 Aventra Elizabeth line trains has begun passenger service in London.

HS2 launches final viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street station
HS2 launches final viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street station

On 14 August 2026, HS2 engineers have completed the first major phase of work to launch the Duddeston Junction Viaduct over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines.

Working group to explore Caledonian Sleeper services to mainland Europe
Working group to explore Caledonian Sleeper services to mainland Europe

In August 2026, a working group has met for the first time to deliver a feasibility study examining the potential for a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe.

The ORR gave the green light for Virgin Trains international services
The ORR gave the green light for Virgin Trains international services

The Office of Rail and Road has announced that on 13 August 2026 it decided to pre-approve a new framework track access agreement between HS1 Limited and VTE OPCO Limited (Virgin Trains).

DB Cargo UK looking for a new owner
DB Cargo UK looking for a new owner

DB Cargo UK is looking for a new owner who can provide access to additional capital, broader market opportunities and the scale required to support the next phase of development.

----1---- (VINCI)