Railway News

East Midlands Railway and the RMT union have suspended a planned strike over safety concerns with the new Aurora Class 810 trains as of 11 September 2026. Limited industrial action remains possible if safety issues persist.

From September 20, 2026, UK rail passengers can use their tickets on other train operators' services free of charge after cancellations. This rule applies to CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, and Chiltern Railways but excludes East Midlands Railway initially.

A planned 24-hour strike over safety issues with East Midlands Railway's new Class 810 trains has been suspended after management concessions. The RMT union warns an action short of strike remains scheduled for 20 September if safety faults continue.

Polish train drivers initiated a nationwide protest on September 11, 2026, reducing speeds at level crossings to 20 km/h. The action follows a fatal train-lorry collision on September 9 at Sokolniki Suche that killed one passenger.

A Russian drone attack targeted a passenger train two kilometers from Ukraine's Poland border on September 13 or 14, 2026, narrowly missing a diplomatic train carrying Boris Johnson and Carl Bildt. The attack underscores escalating Russian strikes on Ukraine's western border infrastructure amid a war ongoing for over four years.

RMT union members at East Midlands Railway suspended a 24-hour strike planned for 16 September 2026, citing progress in negotiations over safety concerns with the Aurora (Class 810) trains. The dispute, ongoing since April 2026, involves reported faults including unsolicited brake applications and Aux On/Off failures, with further union action possible on 20 September.

Polish train drivers began a nationwide go-slow protest on September 11, 2026, crossing every level crossing at 20 km/h. The protest follows a fatal collision at Sokolniki Suche on September 9 that killed a passenger and injured several others.

RMT union members suspended a 24-hour strike vs. East Midlands Railway over Aurora Class 810 train safety defects. Action short of strike is planned for Sept 20 if brake faults persist.

The planned 24-hour strike by RMT union members against East Midlands Railway on September 11, 2026, was suspended hours before it was due to start. The dispute concerns safety faults on the new Aurora Class 810 trains introduced in December 2025.

Brussels Airport resumed international high-speed rail service on 7 September 2026, with Deutsche Bahn trains running from Cologne through several cities to Antwerpen-Centraal. A February 2026 agreement with Brussels Airlines enables passengers to book combined rail and flight tickets connecting over 180 global destinations.