GWR Archives - International Railway Journal

GWR

February 3, 2026 | Technology

Battery train enters passenger service in Britain

Great Western Railway (GWR) deploys class 230 train on Greenford branch in west London.

August 20, 2025 | Technology

British operator claims new distance record for battery traction

Great Western Railway battery train covers 320km on a single charge.

March 13, 2025 | Analysis

British operators make the case for DMU replacement

BEMUS combined with partial electrification is the favoured solution, as Robert Preston reports.

February 11, 2024 | Fleet

British fast-charging battery train starts trial runs

The two-car train has started test running on the national network ahead of regular non-passenger operation later this spring.

February 17, 2023 | Fleet

Great Western Railway purchases Vivarail assets

Rolling stock and intellectual property acquired to secure battery trials.

May 4, 2022 | Fleet

Modifications required for class 80X fleet to combat cracking

Cracks discovered in Britain’s Hitachi-built inter-city fleet in May 2021 prompted a review by the Office of Rail and Road into what happened. As Richard Clinnick reports, a long-term repair programme will now commence to rectify the issue.

January 24, 2022 | Fleet

FirstGroup issues tender for bi-mode locomotives

The new locomotives would replace traction at two operators.

November 17, 2021 | Infrastructure

Passenger trains return to British line after almost 50 years

Daily services will operate on the Okehampton route following £40m reopening project.

November 10, 2021 | Fleet

British Hitachi tri-mode trains to begin trials next year

GWR and TPE class 802s to be retro-fitted with a battery replacing a diesel engine.

August 20, 2021 | Main line

British government issues new contract notices for two main line operators

West Coast Partnership deal would include the start of HS2 operations.

1 2 3 … 5 Next »

Rail market intelligence to unlock your business potential.

Sign up for the IRJ Rail Brief Newsletter