All Analysis articles
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In depthComment: Tensions around Swiss tunnel regulation reflect SERA challenge
Switzerland’s recent changes to its national wagon safety regulations following the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment have sparked a debate over how far national interests should override pan-European interoperability ambitions, says our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthInfrastructure: Scour monitoring helps to bridge the gap
Field trials are currently under way with an AI-assisted real-time monitoring system able to detect the emergence of scour that could undermine the safety of railway bridges over flowing water.
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In depthInfrastructure: Embracing nature can enhance rail’s soft resilience
The International Union of Railways is urging more railways to adopt Nature-based Solutions as a means to enhance the resilience of infrastructure in an era when both the natural world and man-made assets are under severe pressure from climate change.
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In depthComment: To merge or not to merge
Union Pacific’s $85bn proposal to acquire Norfolk Southern has reignited merger speculation across the US rail industry, with activist investors urging rival operators to explore consolidation options amid changing market dynamics. However, this M&A frenzy could yet prove a risky distraction for the sector, warns Senior Editor Chris Jackson.
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In depthMarket Analysis: Driverless metro market set to surge
A projected boom in fully automated metro projects over the next decade offers valuable business opportunities, believes management consultancy Roland Berger.
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NewsConcerns over PSO contracts directly awarded before tendering rule change
EUROPE: Concerns have been raised over the signing of directly awarded train operating contracts in several countries, shortly before the expiry of a provision in the Fourth Railway Package regulation on competitive tendering.
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In depthChina: High speed fleet production peaks
In an analysis of the world market for high speed rail, SCI Verkehr finds that construction of high speed trains for China’s huge network has now peaked but after-sales activity is growing in importance as the fleet starts to age.
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In depthPassenger trains: OECD study highlights distortion in the world rolling stock market
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development has found that governments across the globe intervene in the rolling stock market in numerous ways to support their own industries.
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In depthComment: Greek train crash highlights a tragic system failure
A horrific head-on collision at Evangelismos on the Athens – Thessaloniki main line raises many questions about investment in railway safety and the human factors implications facing front-line employees.
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In depthHungary: Fight of the giants
Stadler and Transmashholding have been vying to take over Dunakeszi Járműjavító, to support local assembly deals. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthIndia: Time to let go
Indian Railways’ in-house production units are at a crossroads, with the government floating plans to spin them off. Raghu Dayal explains.
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NewsDoll to leave DB as Arriva sale falters
Photo: Deutsche Bahn AG/Pablo Castagnola GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has announced that Alexander Doll, Board Member for Finance, Freight Traffic & Logistics, will leave the business on December 31. Doll’s departure was agreed on November 18 at an extraordinary meeting of the Supervisory Board. A new chief financial ...
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NewsTravel industry confirms rail ‘renaissance’ in Europe
INTERNATIONAL: Assertions that long-distance rail services in Europe are rapidly becoming more popular as passengers eschew flying for environmental reasons were amply confirmed at the Rail Innovation Forum organised by Amadeus at its head office near Nice on October 9-10. Speakers from across the travel industry highlighted ...
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Editorial CommentComment: Jumping on the night train
After years of decline, overnight trains in Europe could be on the cusp of a renaissance. Rail is increasingly being hailed as a sustainable alternative to short-haul flying, encouraged in part by the flygskam (flight shaming) movement that originated in Sweden, and bolstered by the success of ...
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NewsLegal row over track safety rule change
BELGIUM: Infrastructure manager Infrabel said on July 30 that it had been forced to defend itself and changes in its maintenance policy in a case brought before the Brussels Francophone Business Court by freight operator Lineas. Services run by Lineas and other operators had been affected by ...
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SponsoredRobust cyber-security plans keep trains running on time
SPONSORED CONTENT: As primary movers of people and goods, railways play a central role in the economic and social life of most countries, writes Karsten Oberle, Head of the Global Railway Practice at communications group Nokia. Railways have also become an attractive target for potential cyber attacks, ...
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NewsEyre grain lines are not closed, insists GWA
AUSTRALIA: Unequal treatment of road and rail was a major factor behind the decision to suspend services on the 1 067 mm gauge network in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, according to operator Genesee & Wyoming Australia. The 700 km network was mothballed at the end of May after GWA’s only ...
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NewsSão Paulo state seeks to relaunch passenger network
BRAZIL: A state-wide X-shaped network of passenger services could be reintroduced to the main line network in São Paulo under plans being developed by Governor João Doria. The initial service would link São Paulo with Campinas, a distance of around 100 km. The proposals envisage adapting existing ...
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NewsSwitzerland: Competitive stress
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways CEO Andreas Meyer believes that SBB could be forced into a position where it became a residual operator if the federal government were to pursue further its policy of on-rail competition. In an interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung on May 29, Meyer reiterated ...
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Rail Business UKOpportunities amid uncertainty in the UK rail market
UK: Railway Industry Association Chief Executive Darren Caplan sees good opportunities for UK firms in both the home and export markets, despite a period of uncertainty. Speaking to Railway Gazette at the Railtex exhibition in Birmingham on May 15, Caplan stressed that the record £48bn settlement for Network ...