Rail investment: a brief history in 20 headlines

Thursday 15th January 2026

“Cynicism”?

It’s hardly surprising.

Roger French

Blogging timetable: 06:00 TThS

8 thoughts on “Rail investment: a brief history in 20 headlines

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  1. A wonderful reflection by Roger on Northern Rail fairytale. Starmer’s political broadcast last night was pure fantasy. Where’s he going to next as the man wanders the world.??

    the Wandering Busman.

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  2. This seems to be the spirit of the times. Probably now is the moment for coming up with rail – and bus – infrastructure projects which can be substantially completed before the next election. If a Farage led government is next, who is to say what will not be cancelled?

    If the main point of NPR is a faster route connecting Manchester and Leeds, get a simpler route designed and started a.s.a.p. If it is to give Bradford a better rail connection, that can be done – just make the prime consideration that it must be done quickly – even if we end up with not such a good final outcome.

    In London, Crossrail 2 is already in the long grass: it may be the best long-term option, but if it is never built that is no compensation. But there are other ways to link terminals – how about connecting the Waterloo Wimbledon suburbans to the Overground Weavers from Liverpool Street, by enlarging the Waterloo and City tunnels. Don’t go in for Elizabeth Line style gold-plating (no awards for architects) just the minimum necessary to get the line up and running quickly!

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  3. Why is it so difficult to improve the service between Liverpool and Manchester history indicates that there were 4 lines built between Manchester and Liverpool. All 4 seem to still exist in some form but only two provide through services

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  4. It is bizarre that electrification west and north form Sheffield is now being proposed a few months after wires on the MML was ‘paused.’ (Euphemism).

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