This week has seen a massive improvement for passengers, with the opening of the refurbished station at New Street in Birmingham. £750 million has been spent on a huge new glass and steel domed roof covering the atrium – a modern take on the largest glass and iron roof in the world, measuring 65m x 256m, which Victorian designers constructed for the station when it was originally opened in 1854. Photo by Michael Tombs for Railfuture.

Good news for Railfuture's aspiration to see Robin Hood Line services extended through Warsop and Edwinstowe to Ollerton, to serve proposed business parks on the site of the now-closed Thoresby Colliery near Edwinstowe, and Center Parcs near Ollerton.

HS2 Limited have recently published their fourth attempt at a plan for Euston station, with an increased cost, massive property demolition and more disruption over a longer timescale. However there is an alternative - Euston Express would provide the necessary capacity sooner whilst costing £1.5Bn to £2Bn less and avoiding significant disruption. (Image DfT.)

Network Rail published the final Sussex Area Route Study last week, following the consultation at the beginning of this year. The study recognises the strength of feeling for Uckfield - Lewes reinstatement - 44% of the consultation responses mentioned it - and considers the potential of the Uckfield route and the Lewes Horseshoe to relieve the Brighton Main Line.

The financial performance of the national rail industry continues to improve, helped by ongoing growth in passenger volume, as shown by the crowds flooding off the first off-peak trains of the day at Waterloo.

An exciting new work experience pilot scheme has been launched today by East Midlands Trains as Amelia Humphries (24) and Mitchell Grant (20) embark on a four-week work experience trial with members of the Derby station team.

David Cameron opened the new Hitachi train assembly plant at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham yesterday, saying the railways had returned home to the North East.

International rail travellers either love the SNCF jingle or hate it. Our policy director Ian Brown really quite likes it if not always what follows it!

Former London Underground District line trains are being transformed at Vivarail’s Long Marston base in Warwickshire. A prototype green and yellow rebuilt coach, centre, is flanked by unrebuilt coaches, left and right. In the depot, more coaches are being transformed.