China: ‘Eight by eight’ network nears completion with latest wave of openings
High speed line construction in China continued unabated during 2025, and the country now has more than 50 000 route-km in operation, while a further 10 000 km is envisaged for completion in the next five-year plan period. Toma Bačić investigates.
Rhätische Bahn makes plans to handle significant traffic growth
SWITZERLAND: Rhätische Bahn is planning fleet replacements and infrastructure upgrades to equip it to handle fast-increasing leisure traffic on the highly scenic Bernina line.
DB Cargo UK reorganises management team around four areas of focus
UK: DB Cargo UK has reorganised its senior management team, with CEO Andrea Rossi saying the changes would ‘strengthen accountability and ensure we are set up to continue to deliver best in class services’.
Trackbot ready to work on live ETCS installation
NETHERLANDS: The partly-automated Trackbot machine developed to speed up ETCS installation is now ready to begin working on live signalling schemes, according to Strukton Rail.
FS Group completes the acquisition of Titagarh Firema
ITALY: The national railway’s FS Fabbrica Italiana Treni subsidiary has finalised the acquisition of rolling stock manufacturer Titagarh Firema from India’s Titagarh Group.
Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail project works underway
AUSTRALIA: The ActivUs consortium of Acciona, CPB Contractors, UGL, SMEC and WSP has begun the design and construction phase of the major works package for Queensland’s Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail project.
Railway supply industry news round-up
This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.
ScotRail seeks financing options for replacement suburban trains
UK: ScotRail has begun the process of selecting a company to finance and own the electric and battery-electric multiple-units which it plans to order to replace much of its suburban fleet from the early 2030s.
Work begins on next phase of Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration programme
UK: Colas Rail UK has begun construction of an 800 m section of Very Light Rail track between Coventry University Technology Park and the railway station as part of the city council’s VLR pilot programme.
Alstom and Mälardalen University renew strategic industrial-academic partnership
SWEDEN: Mälardalen University and Alstom have renewed a long-standing strategic partnership for collaborative research and education.
Alstom Boa trains enter service on Lille metro Line 1
FRANCE: Alstom Boa rubber-tyred light metro trains have finally begun entering passenger service on Lille’s automated Line 1, as part of a long-running programme to upgrade the line.
