Today's Railways UK 294: August 2026

£6.75

The August 2026 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:

Grand Central Looks to the Future: Open access operator Grand Central has made huge strides over the past three years to improve its operating performance. With a brand new train fleet on order from Hitachi, the company is now looking to build on these achievements. Andrew Dyson reports.

Smart and to the Point!: Greater Anglia hosted the first public open day at Norwich’s Crown Point depot for almost 40 years on 6 June. Robert Pritchard finds out how the depot maintains its fleet of Stadler units used on the operator’s Intercity and local services.

The Name Behind the Nameplate: Hixon: In the latest in his series looking at the story behind nameplates, John Binch looks at the CrossCountry Voyager unit named “Hixon” after the 1968 rail crash at this location.

The Hastings Miniature Railway: The fantastic Hastings Miniature Railway is a small railway with quite a story to tell! Phil Barnes tells the story in words and pictures.

The “Grids” at 50: Josh Brinsford looks back at the lives of the Class 56s as they enter their fifth decade, and at what the future might hold for the class.

Wabtec Marks Impending Closure of Doncaster Site: Wabtec’s historic Doncaster works, known to many as “The Plant”, is due to cease railway engineering operations at the end of 2026, marking the end of its 170-year manufacturing and repair history. Kevin Jagger and Robert Pritchard report from the recent open days.

News stories this month include:

• Driver killed and many injured in Bedford collision
• RAIB report says sanding systems could have prevented Talerddig crash
• TfW’s tram-trains enter service
• Work starts on Cardiff tram-train route
• Cambridge South station opens
• Heatwave disrupts rail network
• Rail usage levels highest since 1920
• Govia Thameslink Railway nationalised
• Still no start date for East West Rail
• Chancellor pledges funding for new and better stations along EWR route
• LNER Azuma tested on Midland Main Line
• Sinkhole closes Brighton Main Line
• Woman killed as train hits car on crossing
• London Mayor hopes TfL will take over Great Northern locals “sooner rather than later”
• New Long Marston test circuit opens
• ROG Class 93s operate trials for GoExpress
• Railway Industry Association calls for rolling programme of electrification
• Hidden river under Sheffield station revealed
• North Clyde electrification set for upgrade
• GWR launches Security Operations Centre
• Old Tyne & Wear Metro stock prepares to bow out
• TfL consults on DLR Thamesmead extension
• GBRf Class 99s set for July introduction 
• TfW Class 231s to be converted to bi-modes
• First Class 222 for ScotRail arrives at Litchurch Lane for refurbishment
• EMR unveils first refurbished Class 360
• TfL targets August introduction for new 345s
• LNER honours Sir Nigel Gresley with Azuma naming
• GWR 2-6-2T 4150 on test at Severn Valley
• Heatwave shuts some heritage railways
• 46010 overhaul reveals parts from long scrapped “Peaks” and Class 25
• Swanage Railway launches appeal to convert coaches for wheelchair access
• 31210 makes preservation debut at Worth Valley
• Summer Diesel Festival marks West Somerset Railway 50th anniversary