Correction: A previous version of this story linked HIRD Rail Services to the HIRD Group, founded in 1952. This is not correct and the HIRD Group, and all other companies associated with them (Trough Tec Systems and Hird Rail Development), remains fully operational.
A UK railway firm has entered liquidation.
HIRD Rail Services, a former subsidiary of the HIRD Group, had liquidators appointed on Friday, February 27.
It is a supplier of specialist track-related products and services, including IBJs (Insulated Block Joints), heritage rail supplies, and network-approved new rails to the railway industry.
A notice published in the London Gazette on Wednesday, March 4, shared that Gareth Howarth and Philip Lawrence of AMS Business Recovery had been appointed as joint liquidators.
Unlike administration, which seeks to rescue a struggling company, liquidation involves closing down the operation, disposing of its assets and settling debts with creditors.
All assets and the business were transferred to voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd, and the assembly of IBJs will continue under them.
The official announcement in the Gazette states: "At a general meeting of the members of the above-named Company, duly convened and held at the place, time and on the date specified above, the following resolutions were passed as a special resolution, and an ordinary resolution respectively: that the Company be wound up voluntarily, and the Joint Liquidators be appointed."
voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd, which purchased 100 per cent of the shares in Hird Rail Services in July 2025, told the Express: “To clarify the legal position, following the acquisition Hird Rail Services Limited entered an orderly, solvent liquidation, during which all business operations and assets were transferred to voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd.
“All employees were retained as part of this transfer, and manufacturing activities continued without interruption.
"The Doncaster site remains fully operational and has become a competence centre for insulated joint technology within the voestalpine Railway Systems Group. Assembly of insulated block joints continues under voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd, with business operations proceeding as normal.
“Hird Rail Services Limited has since been formally wound up following completion of the transfer and integration into the global production and logistics network of voestalpine Railway Systems."
Other transport and travel businesses to have entered liquidation in 2025 and 2026
A number of transport and travel businesses have entered liquidation in 2025 and 2026.
This includes a number of airlines which have ceased all flights and operations, such as:
- Blue Islands Limited (November)
- Air Kilroe Limited t/a Eastern Airways (November)
- Play Airlines (September)
Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have also ceased trading in 2026, resulting in the cancellation of flights and holiday packages to destinations around the world.
The four UK travel companies that have closed down in 2026 (so far) are:
- Regen Central Ltd
- Gold Crest Holidays
- Asiara UK Ltd
- Simply Florida Travel Ltd
All four have ceased trading, according to Companies House, and have lost their Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL).
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