Network News
@networknews.org.uk
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Updates on the latest news stories concerning the rail industry in the UK (and sometimes beyond!) Mostly on YouTube: youtube.com/@networknewsuk Managed by @mikewillsee.bsky.social
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Thank you all so much for 5000 Subscribers!
A screenshot from YouTube showing that the channel 'Network News' has reached 5,000 subscribers.
networknews.org.uk
New video:

Recently, the opening date of Blyth Bebside was confirmed - the 19th of October 2025.

In this video we discuss what passengers can expect of the new station, and evaluate the success of the Northumberland line as a whole!

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Blyth Bebside Station Opening Date Confirmed: The Northumberland Line's Latest Addition!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

In yet another blow the HS2 project, it seem that the HS2 rail line will no longer be using platform edge doors, but on the bright side, it is looking at longer trains to avoid a reduction in capacity north of Birmingham:

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HS2 ABANDONS Platform Edge Doors As It Moves To Mixed Fleet Of Trains
YouTube video by Network News
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Reposted by Network News
mikewillsee.bsky.social
New Video! (sort of)

I've made an appearance over on Banks Rail's channel for a video discussing the difficulties faced by LNER's Azuma fleet, and indeed the 80Xs more generally, so if that sounds of interest to you, you should definitely give it a watch:

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ECML: The most Expensive Train procurement in UK History (ft. @NetworkNewsUK )
YouTube video by Banks Rail
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networknews.org.uk
Chiltern Railways has announced it will be acquiring 13 sets of Mk5A carriages from Beacon Rail to replace their currently fleet of Mk3 Carriages and to boost overall capacity on their services.

More information available in the video below:

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Chiltern Railways Confirms Acquisition of Mk5A Sets from Transpennine Express
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
Thank you all so much for 5000 Subscribers!
A screenshot from YouTube showing that the channel 'Network News' has reached 5,000 subscribers.
networknews.org.uk
New Video!

Recently the ORR revealed which open access operators would be given the go-ahead for the December timetable change, and in this video we break down what was proposed, and what's actually been approved:

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Lumo's Glasgow Extension APPROVED But Hull Trains' Sheffield Path Denied! | Open Access News
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

Today, C2C became the second operator to be nationalised by the UK government as part of their plans to establish Great British Railways. This video delves into exactly what's changed, and what the future might hold for C2C as it integrates into GBR:

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C2C Nationalised By UK Government As Plans for GBR Move Forward
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

Today, the ORR announced its conclusions regarding the future of open access along the WCML, confirming that all three of the major applications have been rejected!

To find out exactly what's been proposed, and why it's now been rejected, watch the video below:

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Major Blow for Open Access as All Three WCML Applications Rejected by ORR!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

This time we're taking a comprehensive look at ALL the transport projects included in the #spendingreview

This video took quite a while as there was far more to it than I realised at first, so make sure to check it out as I think it's one of my better ones:

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BILLIONS for Rail & Tram Investment Across Britain: 2025 Spending Review Explained!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
Just finished my script on the announcements in the Spending Review

Video will be out today or tomorrow depending on how long it takes me to edit it!
networknews.org.uk
New Video!

As part of Labour's plans to establish Great British Railways, South Western Railway have officially become the first operator to be nationalised:

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South Western Railway Becomes First Operator to be Nationalised!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
The initial order is for 9 trains, but apparently there is an option to increase this number in the future if their applications to run additional services (e.g. Cleethorpes) are granted.
networknews.org.uk
New Video!

Recently Grand Central has been making headlines, with plans launched for new trains and new routes serving destinations such as Cleethorpes, Newcastle, and Brighton!

In this video, I'll discuss exactly what's been proposed, and how likely it is to happen:

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Grand Central's Future Explained: New Trains, More Routes, and Increased Frequency!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

The Silvertown Tunnel is opening in less than a week, promising major changes for buses, cyclists, and motorists in the Greenwich area. So in this video, I discuss what these changes are, and how they might affect you:

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Silvertown Tunnel Opening Explained: Everything You Need To Know!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

There's less than a week to go until the opening of Newsham Station, so here's what you need to know:

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Newsham Station Opening Soon: The Northumberland Line's Latest Addition
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
Thanks Steve, glad you enjoyed it!
networknews.org.uk
New Video!

This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities!

I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support:

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Great British Railways Takes Major Step Forward: 2025 Nationalisation Update
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
Yeah, it was a pleasant surprise to see another rail YouTuber there!
networknews.org.uk
New Video!

After a long campaign, and many years of uncertainty, it's finally been confirmed that the Portishead line in Bristol WILL be reopening!

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Portishead Line Reopening Confirmed!
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
New Video!

I'm a bit late to the party in reporting on this, but this video aims to break down the transport implications of Rachel Reeves' latest announcements on her efforts to grow the economy:

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Reeves' Plan for Growth: What Does it Mean for Transport?
YouTube video by Network News
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networknews.org.uk
Victoria has its own struggles in terms of lack of concourse capacity leading to people waiting on the platforms instead, but I definitely think there's potential to divert more services there. For example, does the Manchester - Glasgow service *really* need to go along Castlefield to the airport?
networknews.org.uk
Castlefield Corridor; an infamous section of railway with too many delays and not enough capacity!

I too have concerns about capacity, but the truth is there's only so much you can do with two tracks anyway. The right solution in the long term is a new line to take expresses off the corridor!
networknews.org.uk
I discuss it in a bit more detail in the video, but in essence it enables you to simplify the track layout to reduce conflicting moves.

It also enables the platforms to be extended without needing to widen the viaduct as seen in previous plans to rebuild Oxford Road.