It is sometimes easy to forget the turn-around in rail’s fortunes over the past two decades – so it’s worth stepping back occasionally to consider the amount of network expansion going on, from light rail like Manchester Metrolink, to HS2, to Crossrail, to short in-fill stretches of track that can unlock huge amounts of extra capacity and journey options.

It really wasn’t long ago that the thinking in the industry was one of managing decline – and instead, capital investment is at mammoth levels. Operating costs are another matter, of course, and one covered here and elsewhere extensively.

So, ignoring the sniping and justifiable criticism over delays and construction nuisance, it’s worth welcoming the Metrolink expansion this week, as just the latest in a series of planned extensions to the UK’s heavy and light rail networks.

The pace of this network growth and re-opening plans will never be enough to satisfy most of us who care about this industry – but every new service, and every new passenger won, takes us on a little further.