All articles by Railway Gazette International
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Track to be upgraded for battery trains
DENMARK: Infrastructure manager Banedanmark is to undertake track renewals on the 67 km route between Skjern and Holstebro to facilitate the introduction of Siemens Mobility Mireo Plus B battery trains, which will have a higher axle load than the current diesel multiple-units. Project Manager Morten Sylvest ...
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Rail spending capped in cautious Indian budget
INDIA: Emphasising a continued focus on economic growth, the government has allocated Rs2·52tr for capital expenditure in the national rail network during the 2025-26 financial year starting on April 1. This is the same as the allocation for 2024-25, despite earlier expectations that gross budgetary support ...
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Abu Dhabi – Dubai high speed rail construction tenders called
UAE: The executive councils of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have signed a co-operation charter for the development of a 150 km high speed rail link between the cities which would be designed for 350 km/h running to offer a 30 min journey time. The Abu Dhabi ...
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Trenitalia France sets sights on Marseille in year of expansion
FRANCE: This will be one of the most important years for the Italian national train operator’s French open access business, according to Trenitalia France CEO Marco Caposciutti. From February 14, it will be able to double capacity on its busiest services by operating its Frecciarossa trainsets ...
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VTG takes full ownership of Retrack Slovakia
SLOVAKIA: VTG has strengthened its position in the Germany – eastern Europe rail freight market by acquiring the remaining shares in Retrack Slovakia and its Hungarian and Czech subsidiaries from Rail Services Slovakia. Retrack Slovakia was founded as Carbo Rail in 2016 through the merger of ...
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Wagon services to be offered at Texas storage site
USA: Union Tank Car Co is to provide wagon cleaning and repair services at 225 Rail’s storage facility at Pasadena in Texas. The site has space to store 1 000 wagons. The repair facilities will be able to handle various wagon types, including tanks and hoppers. ...
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Arenaways restarts passenger services in Piemonte
ITALY: Arenaways launched revenue services under a public service obligation contract on the 49 km Cuneo – Savigliano line south of Torino on January 25. The inaugural journey was attended by Alberto Cirio, President of the Piemonte region, along with other local dignitaries, the regional management ...
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‘Landmark’ research project seeks to understand FRMCS-ERTMS integration
EUROPE: The ‘landmark’ FP2-MORANE-2 research project has been launched to test Future Railway Mobile Communication System technology under real conditions in Europe. FRMCS is the emerging telecoms standard being coordinated by UIC and partners to enable railways to make better use of next-generation communications technology including ...
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SNCF Voyageurs wins France’s first tendered inter-city operating contract
FRANCE: Incumbent SNCF Voyageurs has beaten Spain’s RENFE and high speed start-up Le Train to win the government’s first tendered contract for the operation of Intercités services on the conventional rail network. The contract announced on January 28 runs for 10 years from December 2026. It ...
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Phoenix Rail rises with acquisition of Lehigh Valley Rail Management
USA: Infrastructure investor Ancala has launched short line rail business Phoenix Rail, with its first deal being the acquisition of Lehigh Valley Rail Management which owns short line and terminal facilities at Bethlehem and Johnstown in Pennsylvania. Phoenix Rail is led by CEO Alex Yeros, COO ...
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ICF orders Alstom traction equipment for Vande Bharat sleeper trains
INDIA: Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has awarded Alstom a contract to supply Mitrac traction components and other electrical equipment for 17 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets. Alstom will produce the equipment at its Maneja site, with a prototype to be delivered by August 2026 followed ...
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Basque region looks to growth as it takes control of suburban rail services
SPAIN: Responsibility for RENFE suburban rail services around Bilbao and San Sebastián was transferred from the national government to the Euzkadi autonomous region at the start of January. RENFE Viajeros will remain as the operator under a contract running to December 31 2027. It has committed ...
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Wabtec awarded second TransGuinéen Railway loco order
GUINEA: Iron order mining company Winning Consortium Simandou has awarded Wabtec a US$248m contract to supply Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives for use on the TransGuinéen Railway. Wabtec said the dual-cab diesel locos would be powered by a 4 500 hp Evolution Series engine offering fuel efficiency ...
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Latest Luxembourg Rail Protocol ratification ‘is a game changer for Africa’
SOUTH AFRICA: The country has ratified the Luxembourg Rail Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, which is designed to make it easier for the private sector to finance rolling stock.
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Fort Bliss rail yard expansion contract awarded
USA: The United States Army Corps of Engineers has awarded Granite a $71m contract to expand and update the rail yard serving the Fort Bliss military site at El Paso in Texas. This will add loading spurs, expand the vehicle staging area and create a secondary ...
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Leo Express trains to be converted for dual-voltage operation
CZECH REPUBLIC: Leo Express has awarded original manufacturer Stadler a contract to convert its five 3 kV DC Flirt electric multiple-units to also use 25 kV 50 Hz electrification. The dual-voltage capability will enable Leo Express to continue operations on the Prague – Ostrava route after ...
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Saudi Arabia Railways train equipped for ETCS Level 2
SAUDI ARABIA: The first Saudi Arabia Railways train to be fitted with CAF’s latest Auriga ETCS equipment has entered passenger service on Saudi Arabia Railways’ Riyadh to Dammam network, following a two-year programme of design, testing, certification and training. The whole fleet will be able to ...
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SNCF Réseau orders lower emission steel rails
FRANCE: Infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau has awarded Hayange-based Saarstahl Rail a €1bn contract to supply rail rolled from steel which sister company Saarstahl Ascoval will produce using an electric arc furnace in Saint-Saulve. Along with the use of recycled steel this is expected to cut CO2 ...