The August 2025 issue of Today's Railways UK is packed with interesting articles and features, plus all the very latest news from across Britain’s railway network. We also include all our regular monthly sections covering light rail, heritage railways, preservation and railtours, with readers’ letters and our grumpy old man also in attendance.
Feature articles this month include:
A Real Inspiration!: Robert Pritchard attends the launch of Railway 200’s exhibition train, named “Inspiration”, at the Severn Valley Railway, the first stage of its year-long tour of the country.
How West Midlands Trains Operates Its Fleet: Robin James and Robert Pritchard look at the units used across the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway networks and the services they operate.
LNR Launches 730/2s Into Service: Robert Pritchard reports on London Northwestern Railway’s launch of its new Class 730/2 EMUs into service and looks at the services that they will work and what they are like for passengers.
The South Downs Light Railway: In April the South Downs Light Railway marked 25 years of operation in its present form, having been regauged and redeveloped from the “failed” 7¼ inch gauge Riverview Miniature Railway. Phil Barnes pays a visit to the SDLR and discovers what is on offer for visitors.
A Mixed Eight Years for SWR: South Western Railway is the first operator to be nationalised under the Government’s legislation to create Great British Railways. Alan Yearsley looks back at the achievements (or not) of First Group and MTR Rail during their nearly eight years of operating SWR.
Whittlesea Semaphores Whittled Away: Richard Horner reports on the Whittlesea resignalling scheme, which removes some of the last extant semaphores in the East Anglia region.
News stories this month include:
- Record Government cash boost for regions’ light rail and metro systems
- Reeves approves £10bn in classic rail enhancements
- Class 222 Meridians for Lumo’s new Stirling route
- Lumo plans new London–Hereford service
- Northern to host Heaton open weekend
- Year’s delay in launching new Piccadilly Line trains
- HS2 opening swlips past 2033 as Transport Secretary cites “litany of failure”
- Royal Train to be axed
- Landmark deal to end mobile signal blackspots
- Transport Secretary secures £500M rail contract with British Steel
- First freight on East-West route as new Northampton terminal opens
- Track and train united on Southeastern
- Maintaining older trains “more expensive” – Siemens Mobility CEO
- Stansted Airport plans rail capacity boost
- First electric test trains on Bolton–Wigan line
- Winchburgh station back on track?
- Disruption on CrossCountry as RMT goes on war footing
- Limited space for new cross-Channel operators at Temple Mills – ORR
- ORR calls for revenue protection enforcement reform
- Barry depot reactivated
- South Wales overspeed signallers unaware of speed restrictions – RAIB
- Coventry Very Light Rail unit on trial
- Half of Tyne & Wear Metro Class 555 fleet delivered as more old cars go for scrap
- First two GBRf Class 99s land in UK and start testing
- Rail Operations Group Class 93s all delivered as testing ramps up
- 69016 in British Transport Police livery
- 37403 works Aberdeen Sleeper
- Northern unveils Northumberland Line branded Class 158
- Further delay for EMR Class 810 “Auroras”
- More Class 701s in service with SWR
- Final pair of Renatus Class 321s for disposal
- Class 357 named after Wilko Johnson
- Planning permission granted for GCR connecting line
- 34007 on track to return to Mid Hants
- Severn Valley Railway to convert to a Charitable Community Benefit Society
- Cholsey & Wallingford Railway runs commuter service for Railway 200
- Steady progress with Poulton & Wyre Railway DMU
- New future for Railbus RB3 in Wales
- Western Region feel at West Somerset Railway diesel gala
- Britannic Explorer luxury train to launch in July
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