Northern Rail Corrects Wylam Pronunciation, Avoiding AI

- Northern Rail has corrected the pronunciation of "Wylam" in its on-board announcements, changing from "Will-em" to "Why-lam." The correction, implemented in June 2025, followed passenger feedback. This update is part of a broader effort to ensure accurate station name pronunciations, with the company re-recording announcements for 34 stations in August 2023. Northern Rail confirmed it does not use artificial intelligence for its voiceovers, distinguishing its approach from other rail operators. This decision comes amid industry discussions about AI in train announcements, such as ScotRail's introduction of an AI announcer, "Iona."