Transport Secretary sets out five priorities for Shadow Great British Railways in 2025
UK: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander set out five priorities for Shadow Great British Railways in her first major rail-focused speech in the role.
FirstGroup makes its case for open access alongside Great British Railways
UK: FirstGroup has set out its case for retaining a ‘thriving’ open access sector as part of the restructured railway, arguing that privately-funded services without government contracts can drive growth across all operators including those to be controlled by Great British Railways.
Korean network grows as second Seoul – Busan route completed
SOUTH KOREA: The national network has expanded with the opening of two strategic links in recent weeks.
Rail freight operators propose four measures to boost growth
UK: Ahead of consultation on the government’s rail reform bill, operating group association Rail Partners and its five freight members have published A Greener Track making four proposals to support growth.
CN tests medium-power hybrid locomotive
CANADA: CN has unveiled a 3 200 hp diesel-battery hybrid locomotive developed with Knoxville Locomotive Works.
Titagarh Firema unveils EMUs for the Lazio region
ITALY: The first of 38 electric multiple-units ordered by the Lazio region have been unveiled at Titagarh Firema’s Caserta factory.
Funding finalised for first phase of Côte d’Azur railway enhancement programme
FRANCE: Funding has been finalised for the first phase of the Ligne Nouvelle Provence d’Azur project to upgrade the busy Marseille - Nice corridor to support a 66% increase in the number of daily services.
Technology: HS1 explores potential of digital twins
High speed line concessionaire HS1 Ltd has been working with partners to assess an AI-supported digital twin model that can help integrate multiple aspects of its business.
World rail freight news round-up
News from the world rail freight market.
Rob Whyte appointed Managing Director for Alstom UK & Ireland
UK: Alstom has announced the appointment of Rob Whyte as Managing Director UK & Ireland with effect from February. He was previously Managing Director in the Nordics.
Indian industrial group acquires Danish train toilet maker
Data-Driven Infrastructure: Intelligent bolts monitor bridge behaviour
Hitachi to acquire Omnicom rail asset monitoring technology business
Five manufacturers invited to bid for Northern Trains fleet renewal contracts
First Montréal Charger loco delivered to Exo
India: Using Lidar to support automated operations
Railway supply industry news round-up
Park Signalling to develop SSI design workstation
Wagons ordered under SBB Cargo fleet standardisation strategy
GO Transit coach refurbishment contract awarded
Signalling: Low-cost ETCS to support regional roll-out
Hong Kong links enhanced in latest expansion of Chinese high speed network
Chemins de Fer du Jura interlocking contract awarded
Relief for Southeastern passengers as train toilets to be installed
Mexico: Tren Maya is up and running
Waberer’s acquires majority stake in GySEV Cargo
UAE – Oman railway systems integration contract awarded
Platform scans to facilitate level boarding of new trains
Swietelsky buys Harry Needle Railroad Co
Interview: It is time to embrace open source software
