The section of line between Haywards Heath and Lewes which has been closed by the derailment of a Southern train to Eastbourne since 13 August will reopen on 1 September, Network Rail has announced. Thirty people on board the train were injured, two of them seriously, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch is continuing to analyse the evidence. Work is currently underway removing the three overturned coaches, using rail-mounted cranes.

Rough riding had been reported at the site near Lewes where a train from London to Eastbourne became derailed on 13 August. The last three vehicles left the rails and overturned in a field by the line. Thirty people were injured, and of these 20 required hospital treatment. Two of them were seriously hurt.

Virgin Trains has made a significant step towards running international services, because the Office of Rail and Road has given preliminary approval for a new framework track access agreement through the Channel Tunnel. The move is set to spark serious competition on international services, because Trenitalia has announced plans to launch trains from London to the continent in 2029, while Eurostar also has expansion plans.

Two derailments last week have left lines blocked in Sussex and Essex. Inspectors from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been examining the evidence from both sites, and there has been speculation that the very hot weather may have been a factor. National Rail has also reported problems with overhead wires on the East Coast Main Line.

Greater Thameslink Railway interim CEO John Whitehurst says the root cause of last night’s derailment near Lewes will be the subject of an ‘open investigation’. Twenty people were injured in the crash, two of them seriously, when the three trailing cars of a Southern train became derailed and overturned in a lineside field.

The number of trains running on some routes has been reduced because of the very hot weather, but there was better news from East Midlands Railway, which is planning to restore some of the services which were axed in response to problems with the new Class 810 Aurora fleet as well as the established Class 222 Meridians. EMR said some intercity services withdrawn last month will be running again from 31 August.

The Prime Minister has hinted that he is ready to reform rail fares. Regulated rail fares in England were frozen until next March by the government of Andy Burnham’s predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.

The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators has warned that Great British Railways will need to respect local devolution while also maintaining a consistent approach throughout the country. In a new report, CIRO has set out its objectives for the organisation. CIRO says it recognises the ‘significant opportunities’ presented by bringing track and train closer together under a single organisation, but also says that reform needs to be accompanied by the right leadership, culture and methods of making decisions

The Italian operator Trenitalia has unveiled plans to launch services between London and Paris in 2029. Trenitalia said it has ordered 19 high speed trains from Hitachi.

Most trains in north west England are running again this morning, following yesterday's power cut in Manchester. This affected the Rail Operating Centre, where back up systems did not step in immediately. Network Rail is now investigating why its power contingency plan did not work as it should.

A proposal for for trains on East West Rail to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector have failed to break the deadlock between the Department for Transport and the RMT, which has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central.

A working group has met for the first time to prepare a feasibility study examining the potential for a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe. The Scottish Government had committed itself in its last manifesto to look at such a scheme.

The rules about 16-17 Railcards have been changed, so that they give young people a longer period of half-price travel. Until now, these Railcards had expired when the holder reached the age of 18, but from 17 August the cards will be valid for a year after purchase, even if they have been bought one day before the holder reaches 18.

A new station was officially opened in Devon on 31 July, and trains started calling the following day. Okehampton Interchange is on the outskirts of the town, where the new ?18 million station has a 200-space car park, sheltered cycle storage and a covered bus interchange, with electric vehicle charging points also planned.

HS2 Ltd has renegotiated two major contracts in a bid to reduce the costs of the project, but chief executive Mark Wild warns ‘there’s more to do’.

The RMT has called its 70 members at Manchester Piccadilly who work for Avanti West Coast out on strike again, in a dispute over the allegedly unfair dismissal of one of their colleagues. The 24-hour walkouts are set to be staged on 1 and 29 August, and again on 10 October.

Trains have returned to a south Devon station which was badly damaged by fire on 21 July. Trains are running again between Paignton, Newton Abbot, Exeter and Exmouth, but intercity services which usually run to Paignton are terminating at Exeter St David’s or Newton Abbot.

The Office of Rail and Road has revealed details of how it will cope with railway reforms, and is inviting views before a formal consultation is launched later this year. The creation of Great British Railways will end the need for contracted National Rail operators to have individual licences, but there still be around 50 others, holding about 90 licences between them.

The Devon holiday resort of Paignton could be without trains during the start of this year’s peak summer season, after the station was badly damaged by a fire. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the cause was suspicious, and three boys aged 13, 15 and 16 have been arrested on suspicion of arson.

Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions on some lines in the east of England, after prolonged dry weather caused the soil under the railway to shrink. Engineering work to repair the uneven railway which results will be causing some timetable changes from early August.