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Two million miles and counting: railway's 'Flying Banana' helps keep passengers moving through autumn and winter
- The New Measurement Train (NMT) or ‘Flying Banana’ has now covered more than two million miles since it was launched onto the rail network in 2003.
- The train scans the tracks at speeds of up to 125mph, identifying any developing faults before they can become safety or performance issues.
- The NMT is an integral part of the effort to prepare Britain's railway for severe weather - as preparations continue for predicted challenging autumn and winter conditions, fuelled by the El Niño effect.
Major train stations in Britain forecast to generate £1.5bn a year by 2036 - driven by wellness retail boom
- New report predicts more than 870 million customer visits to retail venues at 19 major stations by 2036
- Expected to drive £1.5bn of annual retail sales, up 45% on 2026 figures
- Wellness focused buys alone are forecast to hit £123.6m by 2036 – up 30% on where they are now
Latest News
Public feedback helping to shape Midlands Rail Hub plans
Permanent improvements to the urban environment in Digbeth are being proposed as part of Midlands Rail Hub plans to transform the railway in the West Midlands.
Passengers urged to check before travelling to and from London Euston this Christmas
Network Rail is urging passengers making journeys to and from London Euston this Christmas to check before they travel, while railway upgrades take place.
Two million miles and counting: railway's 'Flying Banana' helps keep passengers moving through autumn and winter
- The New Measurement Train (NMT) or ‘Flying Banana’ has now covered more than two million miles since it was launched onto the rail network in 2003.
- The train scans the tracks at speeds of up to 125mph, identifying any developing faults before they can become safety or performance issues.
- The NMT is an integral part of the effort to prepare Britain's railway for severe weather - as preparations continue for predicted challenging autumn and winter conditions, fuelled by the El Niño effect.
More than 100,000 miles of track treatment to keep Anglia moving this autumn
More than 100,000 miles of track treatment is planned across East Anglia and parts of London this autumn and winter as GBR Anglia carries out essential engineering and maintenance work to keep the railway resilient and passengers moving.
Major train stations in Britain forecast to generate £1.5bn a year by 2036 - driven by wellness retail boom
- New report predicts more than 870 million customer visits to retail venues at 19 major stations by 2036
- Expected to drive £1.5bn of annual retail sales, up 45% on 2026 figures
- Wellness focused buys alone are forecast to hit £123.6m by 2036 – up 30% on where they are now
THREE MONTHS TO GO: Brighton Main Line investment will close railway between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes for nine days over February half-term
Buses will replace trains as a significant investment on the Brighton Main Line over the February half-term will improve the reliability of the route into the future.
Railway war memorials return home to London Euston ahead of Armistice Day
Two historic war memorial plaques honouring railway workers who served during the First and Second World Wars have returned home to London Euston, more than two decades after leaving the station.
Update: Barking freight train derailment – advice for customers
c2c passenger services from Barking to Dagenham Dock, Rainham and Purfleet, alongside London Overground services on the Suffragette line from South Tottenham to Barking Riverside, will restart on Wednesday 11 November, following the derailment of a GB Rail freight train on 23 October.