What's in the news lately?
~Labour nationalises Rod Stewart's railway, despite the star's protests (thedailymash.co.uk/politics/labour-nationalises-rod-stewarts-railway-20250529257401/)
~First HS2 platforms installed at Old Oak Common station (mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/first-platforms-for-britains-new-high-speed-railway-installed-at-old-oak-common-station/)
~The Great Northern route is now entirely 'digitally signalled' (networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/great-northern-route-to-city-of-london-transformed-into-uks-first-signals-free-commuter-railway/)
~Network Rail are looking to replace the ageing 'yellow fleet' - including the Flying Banana (newcivilengineer.com/latest/network-rail-engages-on-1-2bn-contract-to-replace-yellow-fleet-with-new-monitoring-tech-12-05-2025/)
~New London-Stirling open-access service due to launch next year (https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/71488/new-london-stirling-service-expected-to-launch-mid-2026/)

Cool stuff to do:
~lner.co.uk/our-destinations/popular-destinations/trains-to-york/things-to-do-in-york/ - take a trip at 125mph from King's Cross to York. Make sure to spend an hour or two in the National Railway Museum near York station, and take in York Castle and the city's Viking history exhibits afterward.
~avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/destination-guides/lake-district/ - journey through the Dales into Oxenholme, and go mountain biking through the gorgeous natural scenery of the Lake District national park.
~www.sleeper.scot/destination/ftw/ - take the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Fort William, then change onto the westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip/ Jacobite steam train that'll take you over the famous Glenfinnan 'Harry Potter viaduct'.
~scenicrailbritain.com/lines/st-ives-bay-line/ - the St Ives Bay Line will take you to the sandy beaches of Cornwall.
~cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle/ - visit the largest castle in Wales, a short walk from the station.