3/10 Indian railway adventure (part 2), pressing deadline for HS2 and tribute to Professor Rod Smith

We have two great interviews in this episode.  Christian visits the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, UK, and hears from Tom Ingall about the 'Reunification' project for this leading heritage operator [01:48].  Christian then talks to Caroline Seton about London's Forest e-bike hiring and sharing company and its hopes to expand across the capital [21:07].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian finds that Germany has had problems reminiscent of the UK with a major railway project [38:47]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

In the midst of a flurry of UK Government transport funding and policy announcements, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine: the current status of Britain's high speed railway project, HS2 [2:25]; just how realistic are expectations for driverless cars [14:40]; and which schemes are so far known to be on the receiving end of Ministers' chequebooks [23:30].  Christian also reflects on the progress of his original idea to pedestrianise London's famous Oxford Street [46:40]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the return to public ownership of England's South Western Railway [2:09], discuss how Belgium's approach to road space and safety could promote cycling in the UK [11:25], link the lawlessness of parking on England's pavements with Robert Jenrick MP's highlighting of fare evasion [20:10] and update listeners on the investigations into the Heathrow Airport power failure [35:55]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian experiences in person London's brand new Silvertown Tunnel and the mandatory cycle shuttle bus [2:18]; elaborates on striking new figures for the construction costs of HS2 [09:55]; releases a narrative of his book 'Liberation Line' by engaging AI bots [19:35} and welcomes proposals to lower the age requirement for train drivers in Great Britain [43:40]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

One of the most exciting transport projects anywhere in the UK is the South Wales Metro which is now fully taking shape and promises to transform travel in and around the Cardiff Capital Region.  In an extended interview, Christian hears from the person widely acknowledged as the visionary behind this metamorphosis - Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University - about the commitment and determination needed from him and many others to reach this point as well as lessons which can be applied elsewhere in Wales and the wider UK [1:40].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian questions whether tougher punishments for reckless cyclists really should be a priority for legislation [31:30].  Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian reports back to listeners on the latest leg of his worldwide exploration of high speed rail networks, this time with the extraordinary progress made in the People's Republic of China [1:22].  Mark Walker and Christian discuss the impact of and explanations for the recent total shutdown of London's Heathrow Airport as a result of a fire in the electricity distribution network [22:41].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian looks forward to the possibility of competition on rail services between the UK and continental Europe [29:52]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

In an episode all about roads and cars, Christian and Mark Walker discuss the troubles facing electric vehicle giant Tesla as the company's reputation becomes entwined with that of its leader, Elon Musk [1:40].  Christian interviews Transport Action Network founder and director Chris Todd on why the UK Government should cancel the vastly expensive Lower Thames Crossing road and look at public transport alternatives instead [13:00].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian looks at the possible impact on taxi fares throughout Great Britain of legal action being taken by private hire operator Uber [27:30]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian brings listeners the second part of his report on rail developments in India with particular reference to the city of Mumbai [2:15]; Mark Walker and Christian discuss the growing pressure for a decision on how to replace HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe [19:03]; in a tribute from the departure lounge, Christian reflects on the life and work of Professor Rod Smith [26:09]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian reports live from India in the first part of his latest exploration of the country's vast and diverse railway system [1:23].  The new UK Government's consultation on establishing its own version of 'Great British Railways' is discussed by Christian and Mark Walker [6:53].  Richard Dilks - Chief Executive of CoMoUK - speaks to Christian about the opportunities for and challenges facing shared transport and those who wish to make use of the emerging options [27:16].  Almost literally from the departure lounge, Christian's final thought is on the dub(ai)ous pleasures of changing 'planes at a certain airport [46:55]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian and Mark analyse the speech from UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP and her proposals on London Heathrow Airport, the Lower Thames Crossing and East West Railway [1:42].  Christian interviews Abi Taylor and Joe Thomas on the campaign for family-friendly trains in Great Britain [17:38] and Steve Montgomery, Managing Director of First Rail, on his company's ambitions to run more open access services [34:35].  In his final thought, Christian asks what sort of competitive landscape is being created for selling train tickets [44:59]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast  Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social