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Modern Railways
@modernrailways.keypublishing.com
Updates from the team at Modern Railways magazine, which has provided news, views and analysis on the UK's railways for 60 years.

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December 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
FREE GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS 🎁 🎄
This Christmas, treat the railway enthusiast in your life (or yourself!) to a 12-month subscription to Modern Railways.
Plus you'll receive a FREE GIFT (worth £25!) to make it extra special.
👉 shop.keypublishing.com/pages/xmasmr
December 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Excitement is building for the Modern Railways #GoldenSpanners awards, which reveal Britain's most reliable train fleets. We'll be revealing the winners this afternoon and the results will be at www.modernrailways.como as soon as they're announced - keep checking in!
November 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
B23 stock withdrawn over braking concerns: www.modernrailways.com/article/tfl-...
November 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
South West England could be on the cusp of a resurgence in rail freight thanks to stone traffic and lithium mining, as ANDY BOWES-RODEN reveals: www.modernrailways.com/article/sout...
October 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The October edition of Modern Railways is out now - and it's a crackerjack of an issue! With EXCLUSIVES from Richard Clinnick, Andy Bowes-Roden, Roger Ford, Ian Walmsley and much, much more, you really won't want to miss this. Also available online:t www.modernrailways.com/article/mode...
September 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
68007 has been wrapped in a special livery celebrating 30 years of Direct Rail Services. The loco was unveiled at a special event at Carlisle Kingmoor, where it was also renamed 30 Years of DRS. Pic courtesy of DRS.
September 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The October issue of MR is landing with subscribers now - and it's a belter! We reveal Northern's huge fleet plans, report exclusively on GWR's battery world record run and Avanti West Coast's S&C diversions. Out next Thursday in all good newsagents!
September 19, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Network Rail has released new aerial images showing the first six months of progress on Okehampton Interchange station, which is set to open in 2026.
July 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Northern has announced it will name a train after rugby league legend and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Rob Burrow. The naming will take place later this year.
July 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
It's not long until the August edition of Modern Railways lands with subscribers, and here's a sneak preview of the cover with GBRf's stunning Class 99. Don't forget - you can save money by subscribing: for the latest offers and a FREE e-issue click shop.keypublishing.com/products/mod...
July 18, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Birmingham Northfield MP and TSC member Laurence Turner is an avid reader of MR, and he has his July issue to hand. "As someone who has the privilege of scrutinising the Government's rail policies, I couldn't do without it," he says. Thanks so much, Laurence!
July 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
With the Royal Train due to be axed, ANDY RODEN - who has been on the train and reported on it - says a new 'Train for Britain' is needed more than ever: www.modernrailways.com/article/time...
July 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
A tender notice for the modification of Laira for '175s' and withdrawal of the Castle sets has been issued. Work set to begin next year. Testing/training of the 175s began last week, as this Colin J.Marsden shot of 175002 at Newton Abbot shows.
June 30, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The July issue of Modern Railways is out NOW! We reveal Wales' big ambitions, the REAL reasons the Class 810s are delayed, and ask how many test tracks the UK really needs. All this and more, online at www.modernrailways.com/ and at all good newsagents!
June 26, 2025 at 10:53 AM
NEW ISSUE OUT NOW! The latest issue of Modern Railways is on sale now

Get your copy of the June 2025 issue today at newsagents, supermarkets, WHSmiths or direct from the Key Publishing Shop at a reduced rate and with FREE postage! bit.ly/3SfsIxq...
May 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The June Modern Railways is out NOW. In this issue, Roger Ford reveals why the ECML is full, Richard Clinnick visits the UK's newest test track, Andy Roden goes batt(eries) to the future - plus the best news, analysis and comment - available online here: www.modernrailways.com/article/mode...
May 22, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The next issue of Modern Railways is out this Thursday - and it's a cracker! @Captain_Deltic reveals how the ECML is bursting at the seams, @Clinnick1 and @AndyRoden1 report from their top secret visit, and we launch our fundraising gala. Available from all good newsagents soon!
May 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
It's official - join us and our partners the Severn Valley Railway and GB Railfreight for a charity gala on 6-7 September! For more details, click the link! www.modernrailways.com/article/modern-railways-gbrf-...
May 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The final Class 807 has been unveiled. The artwork celebrates ethnicity of employees and communities across its network. A competition to name 807010 will take place. Digital artist Baraka Carberry created the design and says it's “scenes of people, culture, colours, and joy."
May 1, 2025 at 7:26 AM
BREAKING: ANOTHER open access bid as Grand Central plans Newcastle-Brighton services from December 2026. Story below.... www.modernrailways.com/article/arri...
April 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander made her debut appearance at the #TransportCommittee today, discussing electrification, devolution, open access and (very, very briefly) freight. Our snap report here - EXCLUSIVELY for digital subscribers. www.modernrailways.com/article/alex...
April 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As Tornado is tested with ETCS, ANDY RODEN argues owners with deep pockets will pay to keep their locos operating on the main line. What are your thoughts on the future of main line steam? 🚂 #Tornado #MainLineSteam #RailwayInnovation www.modernrailways.com/article/torn...
April 22, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Post press is always busy on Modern Railways and it's no different this week. Here's 390112 on this morning's 07.33 to Manchester Piccadilly, taking our Editor north. Meanwhile, do keep an eye on our websites this week for exclusive digital content.
April 14, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Confirmed by Romic Group that 8 Cl.43s and 10 Mk.3s are being exported from Gt Yarmouth to Mexico. The power cars are 43027, 43153/160/162/194, 43238, 43312/319. The Mk 3s being shipped are all former CrossCountry vehicles.
April 8, 2025 at 12:03 PM