West Coast Main Line

From the archive: Richard Branson sets out his vision for Virgin Rail in 1997

by

Mark Lancaster

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6th August 2026

In the May 1997 issue of The Railway Magazine, Editor Nick Pigott interviewed Richard Branson about Virgin Rail, the West Coast and CrossCountry franchises, proposed new trains and the challenges facing the newly privatised railway. Branson also discussed railway investment, Railtrack and his childhood interest in trains. Original introduction THE NEW RAILWAY BARONS: Richard Branson…
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Diverted West Coast trains to use historic rail line for first time in decade

by

Alex Bestwick

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22nd September 2025

A historic railway line will be used by diverted West Coast Main Line (WCML) trains for the first time in over a decade.
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West Coast Mainline part-closed due to flood damage

by

Alex Bestwick

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3rd January 2023

Flooding has damaged part of the West Coast Mainline – meaning no trains will run between Carlisle and Glasgow until January 6, Network Rail said.
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Helicopter footage reveals Storm Christoph impact on railway

by

Sam Hewitt

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25th January 2021

Network Rail’s helicopter team is surveying the railway as flood waters recede across the North West after Storm Christoph.
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Locomotive Services buys Class 86 and 87 from ETL

by

Sam Hewitt

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8th January 2020

TWO former West Coast AC electric locomotives have been bought by Locomotive Services Limited from Electric Traction Ltd (ETL). The last mainline Class 87 – No. 87002 Royal Sovereign – along with 86101 Sir William A Stanier FRS had been hired by ETL to GB Railfreight for working empty stock from the Caledonian Sleeper between London Euston…
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Tornado’s 2020 tour diary takes shape

by

Sam Hewitt

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7th January 2020

PEPPERCORN ‘A1’ Pacific No. 60163 Tornado looks set to have another busy year on the national network in 2020 as more dates are added to the locomotive’s main line calendar. The first confirmed booking is the ‘Fen & Fells Flyer’ on April 4, which starts diesel-hauled in Cambridge, running via Ely, March and Peterborough, and down…
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West Coast looks forward with Avanti

by

Sam Hewitt

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6th January 2020

Words: Ben Jones NEW trains, more services and a better customer experience are the priorities for Avanti West Coast (AWC), which replaced Virgin Trains on December 8. First-Trenitalia’s West Coast Partnership joint venture will operate the country’s busiest inter-city railway until March 31, 2031, during which time it will also become the shadow operator for…
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Endangered crayfish rescued during Cumbria viaduct work

by

Sam Hewitt

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25th October 2019

WORK to reinforce a 173-year-old railway viaduct is helping to protect endangered crayfish in Cumbria. The Grade-II listed Docker Garths Viaduct, on the West Coast Main Line at Lambrigg, is currently being reinforced to repair damage from water erosion, at a cost of £750,000. Work includes the diversion of the Flodder Beck river to allow…
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HS2 bill up to £88billion as completion date slips to 2040

by

Sam Hewitt

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6th October 2019

By Ben Jones HS2 Ltd has advised the Government the first phase of High Speed 2 to Birmingham could open five years later than planned in 2031, and the overall cost of the project could rise to £88billion. Phase 2b to Manchester and Leeds has also been pushed back, with completion now expected in 2040…
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Three Type 3s – to the sea!

by

Sam Hewitt

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1st October 2019

THREE Class 37s at the head of a heavy freight train used to be a regular sight in South Wales and around Glasgow in BR days, but such a trio has always been a rare event on passenger trains. On August 11, the Branch Line Society completed its two-day ‘Type 3 to the Sea’ trip…
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