VolkerRail began life as a British Steel subsidiary known as Grant Lyon Eagre Ltd.

In 1996 Grant Lyon Eagre Ltd teamed up with Railbouw, based on their existing partnerships, specifically the track renewal works for the London Underground, and became GrantRail.

[4] In June 2006 GrantRail won the contract to complete the £20 million upgrade of the Network Rail track in the Nuneaton area.

The project was set for 24 months and required the installation of 36 new point ends of switches and crossings, the recovery and plain lining of 37 switch and crossings units, installation of significant lengths of plain line track, signalling mechanical installations, design and erection of 100 new overhead line (OLE) structures, and 19 kilometres (12 mi) of new OLE conductors.

This new upgrade would allow Network Rail to increase its line speeds and capacity enhancements between Euston and Glasgow.

The project took place in Bicester MoDs’ Barracks, which operates a non-explosive military storage and distribution hub.

This meant that any member of staff that was working on the project had to be security vetted by the MoD before they would be issued the permits to access the site.

Members of staff were also subjected to the strict security requirements of working in an operating barracks, however there was the added benefit of being protected by armed guards!

[9][10][11] Work continued on the line after the official opening; the upgraded signalling system began use in September 2008.

During the project, harder wearing steel will be installed to ensure a longer lifespan, estimated at 25–30 years.

Supertram has operated the system since 1997 and has turned it into a successful tram network which is now used by around 15 million people every year.

Package 6, worth £67 million, will provide the Stratford International extension, which will run to Canning Town and be connected to the Beckton and future Woolwich Arsenal DLR routes.

The work will include the conversion of the line between Canning Town and Stratford to Docklands Light Rail Operation, upgrading existing stations to DLR standards, construction of four new stations, and interface with new signalling installation construction.

[16] In June 2008 the M-Pact Thales consortium was awarded Greater Manchester's Metrolink phase 3a extension project contract, worth over £350 million.

This major expansion scheme will input almost 32 kilometres (20 mi) of new Metrolink tram lines with new routes and stops.

The consortium is currently carrying out preparatory surveys, exploratory works, and detailed civil engineering for the project.