Direct Rail Services' ten Class 88 electro-diesel locomotives entered service in 2017. A regular working through York is train 6S31, the 13.42 permanent way engineers' train from Doncaster to Millerhill (Edinburgh). On 30 April 2018 this train was headed by 88002 "Prometheus"

Virgin Trains' franchise on the East Coast Main Line was terminated in June 2018, and operations reverted to state ownership with LNER branding. On 8 August 91120 awaits departure from London King's Cross with the 11.00 to Edinburgh.

New Bombardier electric unit 345011 at Shenfield, with the 12.14 to London (Liverpool Street) on 11 June. These units will run through the new Crossrail tunnel under Central London when it opens.

Most trains on the c2c lines between London (Fenchurch Street) and Essex are operated by Class 357 units. This is 357035, seen at Southend Central with the 13.57 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street via Basildon, on 11 June.

By the spring of 2018, new Hitachi Class 800 bi-mode trains had taken over about half of GWR express services from HSTs. 800022 pauses at Reading on 4 May with the 13.15 Paddington to Cardiff.