Man charged with arson on railway

[Steve]

A man accused of arson attacks on the rail network which cost an estimated £20m in repairs and compensation is due in court.
Former rail worker Alan David Nicol, 46, of Yardley, Birmingham, is charged with starting 12 fires.
He also faces 11 charges of aggravated criminal damage and obstruction on the rail network relating to a series of fires which started in 2004.
He is due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham.
Services halted
Mr Nicol was charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with a fire at a signal relay building in Rugeley, Staffordshire, on 3 November.
A signal substation was destroyed resulting in the cancellation of more than 100 services.
The charges of criminal damage relate to a series of incidents in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire throughout the summer of 2004 and recent weeks in 2005.
Earlier this month rail bosses offered £50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the fires.