---
title: Why do some British trains still rely on old levers?
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omYfLDlt-MA
source: youtube-com-tomscottgo
published: 2026-06-08T15:00:05Z
updated: 2026-08-31T20:06:07Z
first_seen: 2026-09-08T10:17:10.166315Z
authors:
- Tom Scott
summary: |-
  At Network Rail's Manchester classroom, I learn why it's very rare for trains to collide... and try out signalling for real. | ▶️ The next episode is on Nebula right now: https://nebula.tv/videos/tomscott-can-a-70yearold-telescope-still-be-useful | 🗺️ England series map: https://www.tomscott.com/england/

  🟥 MORE FROM TOM: https://www.tomscott.com/
  (you can find contact details and social links there too)
  ❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: https://lateralcast.com/ https://youtube.com/lateralcast/
  👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: https://youtube.com/techdif

  Written and presented by
  Tom Scott

  Producers
  for Penny4 https://penny4.co.uk/
  Cambria Bailey-Jones
  Guy Larsen

  Studio Associate Producer
  Heloise Lowenthal

  Studio Director of Photography
  Jamie MacLeod

  Studio Gaffer
  Frank Hammond

  Head of Post
  for Breadbox Studios https://www.breadboxstudios.co.uk/
  Mandy Celine

  Associate Post Producer
  Isla McTear

  Senior Editor
  Jamie MacLeod

  Assistant Editor
  Alex “J’Rassic” Bate

  Sound Supervisor
  Dan Pugsley

  Sound Assistant
  Maggy Apodaca

  Subtitles by So Speedy https://www.sospeedy.co.uk/

  With thanks to the Historic County Borders Project https://www.county-borders.co.uk/

  Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors https://osm.org/copyright

  Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images

  Executive Producer
  Tom Scott

  © Pad 26 Limited MMXXVI
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---

At Network Rail's Manchester classroom, I learn why it's very rare for trains to collide... and try out signalling for real. | ▶️ The next episode is on Nebula right now: https://nebula.tv/videos/tomscott-can-a-70yearold-telescope-still-be-useful | 🗺️ England series map: https://www.tomscott.com/england/

🟥 MORE FROM TOM: https://www.tomscott.com/\
(you can find contact details and social links there too)\
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: https://lateralcast.com/ https://youtube.com/lateralcast/\
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: https://youtube.com/techdif

Written and presented by\
Tom Scott

Producers\
for Penny4 https://penny4.co.uk/\
Cambria Bailey-Jones\
Guy Larsen

Studio Associate Producer\
Heloise Lowenthal

Studio Director of Photography\
Jamie MacLeod

Studio Gaffer\
Frank Hammond

Head of Post\
for Breadbox Studios https://www.breadboxstudios.co.uk/\
Mandy Celine

Associate Post Producer\
Isla McTear

Senior Editor\
Jamie MacLeod

Assistant Editor\
Alex “J’Rassic” Bate

Sound Supervisor\
Dan Pugsley

Sound Assistant\
Maggy Apodaca

Subtitles by So Speedy https://www.sospeedy.co.uk/

With thanks to the Historic County Borders Project https://www.county-borders.co.uk/

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors https://osm.org/copyright

Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images

Executive Producer\
Tom Scott

© Pad 26 Limited MMXXVI