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Parallel Lines

by Anna-Jane Hunter and Tony Miles

News Commentary Technology

Season 1

Episode 16 - The Weather

This episode sees Anna-Jane and Tony welcome Professor Brian Haddock to Parallel Lines for a discussion on how to run a railway during extreme weather, climate change and reducing budgets. With so much to discuss it's no surprise that this episode is a little longer than usual!

Episode 15 - Mental health

Anna-Jane Hunter and Tony Miles discuss mental health and well-being, with a particular emphasis on railways and the workplace, with Lucy Prior MBE from the Mental Wealth Company.

Episode 14 The Greatest Gathering

Tony and Anna-Jane are in Derby for the launch of The Greatest Gathering, talking to Alstom about staging the event, meeting the people who came up with the idea and worked to make it happen and encountering a few industry friends on the way. A chance to reminisce over some historic trains ends with a guided tour underneath a preserved electric unit.

Episode 13

Tony Miles and Anna-Jane Hunter investigate train refurbishment with Jenny Dempsey, Managing Director of Diamond Rail Services. With passenger rolling stock expected to last for something in the region of 30 years the interiors will have to cope with millions of passengers during their lifetime. From time to time this will mean a complete refresh of the passenger environment and Jenny explains what this entails.

Parallel Lines Episode 12

Anna-Jane Hunter and Tony Miles mark International Women in Engineering Day by talking to two women in railway engineering. Looking particularly at trains themselves, just what does it take to keep a fleet of trains operating, what are the challenges behind the scenes and why is it often more complicated than passengers think?

Parallel Lines Episode 11

Tony and Anna-Jane are at the 2025 Women in Rail Awards, staying well into the early hours to get the reaction of some of the attendees at the end of a very successful, enjoyable and important evening.

Parallel Lines Episode 10

Anna-Jane Hunter and Tony Miles discuss the state of the UK's railways in early 2025, progress with creating GBR, thoughts from the Secretary of State for Transport on resolving ongoing industrial unrest and much more. Thoughts also turn to Ireland and a positive feeling in the country about its rail network. Finally; is the Government in favour of Open Access train operators or not?

Parallel Lines Episode 9

Anna-Jane and Tony reflect on the early impact of the new Government's plan for Britain's railways, train performance, punctuality and a host of other railway-related topics as 2024 draws to a close.

Parallel Lines Episode 8

Anna-Jane and Tony turn to politics with their guest Olly Glover MP. Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Didcot and Wantage, Olly has spent all his working life on the railways, including time with Train Operating Companies and Network Rail. Since recording the podcast Olly has been chosen to serve on the cross-party Transport select committee.

Parallel Lines Episode 7

Anna-Jane Hunter and Tony Miles are joined by the legendary railway journalist and industry commentator Roger Ford for a look at the next steps for rail in the UK and the challenges facing Great British Railways as the new Government's plans are developed.

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