Railway technology and innovation news
The latest technology and innovations from rail industry manufacturers, suppliers and service providers worldwide.
Diesel-powered rail vacuum machine ordered
NORWAY: State-owned railway engineering contractor Baneservice has awarded Swedish company Railcare a SKr30m order to supply a Railvac diesel-operated vacuum excavator.
Spring has sprung for GWR passengers
UK: A new design of seat cushion incorporating small metal springs instead of foam is to be fitted in the first class area of a Great Western Railway Class 166 diesel multiple-unit this month, with roll-out across the rest of the class planned.
Moovit adds inter-city transport planning and ticketing
EUROPE: Travelling planning app company Moovit has partnered with Distribution Technologies to offer its users the option to buy tickets for long-distance travel. Its rail, bus and ferry operators in 40 countries, including Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, RENFE, Trenitalia, Italo, RegioJet and Eurostar.
SNCF to use Wabtec automated inspection technologies
FRANCE: Passenger operator SNCF Voyageurs is to expand its use of Wabtec’s KinetiX automated inspection technology. This will add TreadView, WheelView and BrakeView lineside inspection systems to the existing axle maintenance and acoustic bearing monitoring used at 13 depots.
New operating system deployed in level crossing upgrade
UK: Network Rail has completed the modernisation of Skerne Road level crossing at Driffield on the Hull to Scarborough line, including installation of an operating system which is the first of its kind outside a trial site on the Anglia route.
Eurostar targets Chinese market with WeChat payment option
EUROPE: Eurostar has worked with EuroPass and payment company PayXpert to launch a ‘mini-program’ enabling people to buy tickets through the WeChat messaging app which is popular with Chinese travellers.
Cost-Reducing Dynamic Electrification System demonstrated
ScotRail launches Tap&Pay ticketing app
Transition zone management method wins UK patent
Railway time and date standard issued
‘Landmark’ research project seeks to understand FRMCS-ERTMS integration
High Speed 2 SME Innovation Accelerator gets underway
ICF orders Alstom traction equipment for Vande Bharat sleeper trains
Saudi Arabia Railways train equipped for ETCS Level 2
Composite fishplate certified to latest standard
New Year bug halts Spanish high speed train fleet
Hitachi to acquire Omnicom rail asset monitoring technology business
Park Signalling to develop SSI design workstation
Platform scans to facilitate level boarding of new trains
Digital twins help ScotRail reduce station and depot energy consumption
Heavy steel train tests digital automatic couplers in real-world conditions
Amtrak track renewals train ready for delivery
Chicago commuter rail network upgrades communications
Automated wheel shape monitor to detect wear