Rephonic
Artwork for Green Signals
HS2
Network Rail
Great British Railways
Department For Transport
West Coast Main Line
Northern Powerhouse Rail
Railways Bill
Transport Select Committee
Eurostar
Heidi Alexander
Transport For Wales
Virgin Trains
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
Jacobite Steam Train
Northern Rail
Office Of Rail and Road
ASLEF
LNER
UK Railways

Green Signals is a show about railways - its politics, its economics, its people and history. We turn over the issues of the day and talk to the people making the decisions that affect all our lives. We also dig into many of the amazing events in the history of an industry that spans nearly 200 years. Nigel Harris (former Managing Editor and Events Director of the leading industry and opinion form... more

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Artwork for Green Signals

Latest Episodes

Why does heat wreak havoc with the railway? And what can wedo about it?

A so-called ‘near miss between two trains at Clay Cross turns out to be nothing of the sort…

And the National Audit Office makes someremarkable recommendations on HS2

** Book ... more

Bedford train crash latest – What do we know? And, crucially, what don’t we know yet?

RAIB releases its report into October 2024’s Talerddig rail accident – and there are a few surprises …

And the ORR rejects Alliance Rail again over its Marchwood ... more

YouTube

The Great Central Railway is unique. It is the only main line double track heritage railway in Europe. And it’s brilliant!

However, they are not standing still. They have an ambitious and exciting plan to reunify the two surviving sections of the Gr... more

The dramatic freight only railway line from Saltburn to Boulby potash mine on the Cleveland coast is a truly spectacular railway. Once forming much of the Saltburn to Whitby line, the 12 mile branch to Boulby is a railway delight with steep gradients... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Malcolm Holmes
General Manager, Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway
Episode: Reunifying the Great Central - Europe’s only main line double track heritage railway
Tom Ingle
Project volunteer leading the fundraising effort
Great Central Railway reunification project
Episode: Reunifying the Great Central - Europe’s only main line double track heritage railway
Tim Shoveler
Chairman of Heavy Haul Rail
Heavy Haul Rail
Episode: We ride a Class 70 to Boulby - Rare track, freight only, semaphore signals. Wow!
Tom Cairns
Founder of RealTimeTrains
RealTimeTrains
Episode: 141. Is the Government’s Rail Reform failing? And how do we fix it?
Tim Bentley
Managing Director
Wabtec UK
Episode: Real people doing real engineering - at Wabtec UK
Andy Horton
Managing Director of W H Davis
W H Davis
Episode: Building Freight Train wagons in the UK at W H Davis
Ian Yowett
Alliance Rail Managing Director (interviewee on ORR decision)
Alliance Rail
Episode: 138. HS2 planned to use tech that “hasn’t been invented yet”… Really?!
Lawrence Bowman
Leader of South Western Railway and Network Rail, Wessex
South Western Railway / Network Rail Wessex
Episode: Running an integrated railway - South Western Railway MD Lawrence Bowman interview
Sir Tim Lawrence
Chair of the trustees of the Science Museum Group
Science Museum Group
Episode: Artificial Intelligence is coming to the railway - But what does it mean?

Hosts

Nigel Harris
Host of Green Signals; rail industry commentator with long-standing involvement in rail policy and operations
Richard Bowker
Co-host; former rail industry leader and chair/CEO roles, brings strategic and governance perspectives

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 169 ratings
  • Please turn up the volume

    Great podcast mixing business and a bit of gricing (more of the former for me please). But it’s so so quiet and almost impossible to hear when walking through London. Please adjust the volume

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Simon P…
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Awesome …

    Knowledgeable rail experts covering a wide range of topics.

    For me a ‚Must‘ to listen to every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WorldTravellerCH
    Germany2 years ago
  • Just an everyday passenger …

    … and accidentally just stumbled upon this podcast but really helps me understand the complexity behind getting me to work and back home again at night.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Soehbcziueb
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • One of the best and informative podcasts out there

    This podcast has given me a greater understanding of how the railway system works, the complexities of having the government involved, the ticket issuance and the rolling stock all delivered by two candid men who should be running the country.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TBrassey
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Hosts that know their subject but are not too proud to invite experts to assist them in the stories related to the railway of today.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ach
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Candid discussions with hosts and guests offer clear perspectives on government decisions and rail policy.
The show helps ordinary passengers understand the complexities behind getting to work and back home.
Rail experts provide deep insights across a broad range of topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

141. Is the Government’s Rail Reform failing? And how do we fix it?
Q: Is rail reform really working or is it failing?
The hosts suggest that while some changes are visible (like newly released arterial trains), there are still deep structural issues and cost pressures that may undermine the promised benefits, making the reform feel more iterative than transformative.
Running an integrated railway - South Western Railway MD Lawrence Bowman interview
Q: What are the biggest challenges you're anticipating in delivering the timetable refresh and fleet modernization?
Bowman discusses the need for stakeholder engagement, funding constraints, the necessity of a clear business case, and the ongoing work to build a reliable, scalable timetable.
Running an integrated railway - South Western Railway MD Lawrence Bowman interview
Q: You started at South West Trains and now you find yourself back here again. Can you give us an overview of your time in the railway?
Bowman outlines his career progression across multiple operators, culminating in leading SWR and Network Rail Wessex, and explains how frontline leadership and infrastructure experience informed his approach to running an integrated railway.
Running the world’s largest integrated transport system – in conversation with Andy Lord
Q: What role does the Elizabeth Line play in enabling Crossrail 2 and broader capacity upgrades for London?
Andy highlights how Elizabeth Line demonstrates the value of new infrastructure for capacity, growth, and regional development, and explains how future projects like Crossrail 2 are framed around freeing capacity and delivering economic benefits across London and the wider region.
Running the world’s largest integrated transport system – in conversation with Andy Lord
Q: Has TfL recovered from the pandemic, and what does the current ridership look like?
He notes a sharp post-pandemic rebound with ridership back to roughly 90-92% of pre-pandemic levels overall, while some modes like buses show variability; the Elizabeth Line has been a standout success, with continuing growth and economic benefits.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Green Signals

What is Green Signals about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A probing, policy-forward rail show that intercuts high-stakes industry debates with technical and historical context. Across recent episodes, conversations frequently center on governance, public ownership vs private operation, large-scale modernization efforts (including GBR, HS2, and integrated timetables), as well as the application of AI and data to safety, maintenance, and customer experience. Guests span regulators, operators, engineers, researchers, and policymakers, which yields a rich mix of candid industry analysis, practical case studies, and bold takes on future rail strategy. A standout trait is the willingness to challenge official narratives, compare reforms across time, and spotlight both heritage and innovation in rail.

L... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Green Signals?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Green Signals:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. The News Agents
3. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
4. The Rest Is Money
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of Green Signals are there?

Green Signals launched 3 years ago and published 232 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Green Signals?

Recent guests on Green Signals include:

1. Malcolm Holmes
2. Tom Ingle
3. Tim Shoveler
4. Tom Cairns
5. Tim Bentley
6. Andy Horton
7. Ian Yowett
8. Lawrence Bowman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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