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].

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:

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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