Network Rail’s air operations team have successfully flown a drone Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for 25 kilometres over dry land – believed to be the furthest such civilian drone flight in Britain.

Passengers are reminded to plan ahead as long-term improvements will be delivered over five days between Southampton and Bournemouth starting on Monday 1 November.

Passengers travelling between Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport are advised to check before they travel this weekend as Network Rail continues work on a major upgrade of the Brighton Main Line.

Scotland’s Railway is asking passengers to check before travelling as forecast severe weather will mean speed limits and reduced services on some routes between Wednesday and Friday (October 27-29).

Rail passengers travelling on the West Coast main line between England and Scotland and on Cumbrian branch lines are being warned of major travel disruption due to very wet weather.

Network Rail and GWR are trialling a new information service designed to provide passengers with more enhanced travel information about train services during delays and disruption. 

Work gets underway next week on a project to improve Byram footbridge in Brotherton to make sure it remains fit for purpose for years to come.

• Wilston Samuel Jackson – known as Bill to his friends and family – became Britain’s first black train driver in 1962, and went on to drive famous trains and locomotives such as the Flying Scotsman and The Elizabethan
• Ceremony at King’s Cross attended by Wilston’s family, Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines and ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan
• Rail industry continuing efforts to boost diversity during Black History Month, as ASLEF figures show just 10% of train drivers in England, Scotland and Wales are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds