All articles by Nick Kingsley
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In depthData-Driven Infrastructure: Intelligent bolts monitor bridge behaviour
Strainlabs’ IoT condition monitoring technology is being trialled to monitor the condition of magnets installed on the Øresund Bridge linking Denmark with Sweden.
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In depthInterview: It is time to embrace open source software
Set up by UIC and three national railways, the recently formed Open Rail Association is seeking to grow its membership to drive adoption of open source software in the rail market, as Swiss Federal Railways’ CIO Jochen Decker and Nicole Göbel, Chief Executive of Deutsche Bahn’s information technology arm DB Systel, explain to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: A waning appetite for competition
While the EU’s third and fourth railway packages sought to liberalise the passenger rail sector within the bloc and influence it beyond, the establishment of a competitive dynamic within the European market seems less assured than it has for some time, argues Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: Delivery is the priority
One of the key messages of InnoTrans 2024 was that railways need to focus on delivery to justify the scale of investment and maintain the political support the industry is looking for.
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In depthInterview: ‘No limit’ on the potential of French high speed market
While its planned high speed services linking Bordeaux with Rennes and Nantes are still in gestation, French new entrant Le Train believes it can establish itself as the largest private operator in an increasingly crowded domestic market. CEO Alain Getraud and Deputy Chief Executive Catherine Pihan-Le Bars explain their vision to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: Contrasting approaches to fixing things
The transport ministers of Britain and Germany are taking contrasting approaches to addressing the problems facing their railways. Dr Volker Wissing believes management reorganisation cannot solve DB’s problems, but his counterpart Louise Haigh is taking the opposite view with Labour’s rail reforms. Nick Kingsley suggests they could learn much from each other.
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In depthInfrastructure: Developing a rail resilience framework
Arup has developed a policy document aimed at helping the rail sector to reframe its approach to climate resilience by embracing ‘whole-system’ thinking. Co-author Juliet Mian explains to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: Private train operators seek the light
The collapse of Midnight Trains has raised questions about the viability of new entrants in Europe’s open access rail market, despite the optimism surrounding ventures like Le Train and Proxima. Nick Kingsley reflects on the challenges and potential for future success in this competitive landscape.
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Rail Business UKInterview: ‘Open access works in Europe and it works here’
UK: Martijn Gilbert, head of FirstGroup’s Lumo and Hull Trains businesses, says the open access model is a proven success, and makes the case for further expansion whatever rail reforms may lie ahead.
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In depthInterview: Rail Europe finds its niche
Divested by SNCF and SBB more than two years ago, distribution and ticketing business Rail Europe is focusing on its core remit of facilitating international rail bookings, with 80% of its revenue coming from non-European travellers. CEO Björn Bender sets out his strategy to Nick Kingsley.
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Rail Business UKHigh Speed: Birmingham prepares to welcome truncated HS2
Viaducts, depot sites and tunnels are taking shape at the Birmingham end of the 225 km High Speed 2 route. But doubts over completion of what was Phase I of the curtailed scheme continue to swirl. Nick Kingsley reports from Washwood Heath.
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In depthComment: Rail policymakers' eyes on June's European elections
June’s European elections loomed large over the Connecting Europe Days in Brussels at the start of April, as EU policymakers and industry leaders discussed funding priorities for the next multi-annual framework and the future of the TEN-T network. Nick Kingsley shares his key takeaways.
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In depthInterview: Eurofima adapts to a changing market
Eurofima Chief Executive Dr Christoph Pasternak explains to Nick Kingsley how the supra-national rolling stock financing body is tweaking its strategy to reduce its reliance on the European state railways that currently make up its shareholders.
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In depthComment: Multilateral initiatives still matter
Globalisation is facing a challenge in the railway industry as countries prioritise domestic production of trains. Nick Kingsley explores the drawbacks of this approach and the continued importance of international co-operation.
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In depthComment: Rail is resurgent despite turbulent times
While emerging markets have long held promise, rail investment is now happening in countries where even in the recent past it would have seemed implausible. Nick Kingsley highlights examples from Iraq to Mongolia.
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In depthUSA: Manhattan congestion charge is key to New York investment
New York MTA hopes its congestion charging scheme will go live in mid-2024, which could provide a revenue stream to kick-start investment in renewal and expansion of the Subway network, as Benjámin Zelki and Nick Kingsley explain.
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In depthAutomation: Robel embraces robots
Robotics and automation are driving the development of the next generation of Robel’s track maintenance and measuring technology. Nick Kingsley reports from Freilassing.
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In depthComment: A long way from København
Comparing COP15 in København to the recent COP28 summit in Dubai reveals a shift in the visibility of rail in climate discussions. Nick Kingsley reflects on COP28’s commitment to the transition away from fossil fuels and how addressing transport pollution remains an urgent challenge.
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Rail Business UKDeliver gauge clearance in Kent to boost northern economy, urges Channel Tunnel operator
UK: The Channel Tunnel risks remaining ‘essentially inaccessible’ to rail freight without investment to enhance the loading gauge of the conventional main line through Kent, the CEO of Eurotunnel’s parent company Getlink has warned.
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In depthComment: Freight’s miserable year
According to UIRR, the European rail freight industry is facing a downturn. Our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley highlights the critical importance of intermodal transport for the future of rail freight and the need for policy support to decarbonise global supply chains.