Climate and the rail industry – Page 3
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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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In depthJapan: Rural railways struggle against a changing climate
Recent storms have caused huge damage in parts of Japan, wrecking some rural railways and forcing others to close. Mike Bent examines how local lines can be revived against the odds.
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![Freightliner 66503 with containers[1][1][1]](https://d1c4d7gnm6as1q.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/8/4/2/61842_freightliner66503withcontainers111_851010.jpg)
Rail Business UKGovernment will consider rail freight operators’ proposals for last-mile electrification
UK: The government will consider industry proposals for last-mile electrification into freight terminals which would enable operators to take advantage of existing and future main line electrification when procuring new locomotives, Rail Minister Huw Merriman has told Rail Business UK. Speaking at an event to announce ...
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NewsFunding secured to support locomotive orders
EUROPE: Private equity investor RIVE Private Investment has structured a €300m financing platform for the acquisition of ‘innovative’ locomotives for lease. This will initially support existing orders for: 15 Siemens Mobility Vectron Dual Mode electro-diesel locomotives; 20 Alstom Traxx MS3 locomotives, which RIVA said would ...
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Rail Business UKScottish rail electrification framework procurement underway
UK: Network Rail has begun procurement for a framework contract covering the ‘efficient, consistent development, delivery, entry into service and handback’ of electrification to decarbonise rail operations in Scotland. This forms part of the Aberdeen Route Upgrade Electrification programme worth £250m-£300m and the £50m-£60m electrical safety ...
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NewsBattery-electric multiple-units included in largest Mireo order
GERMANY: Siemens Mobility has been awarded orders totalling €500m to supply 75 Mireo electric and battery-electric multiple-units for use from December 2026 on Mitteldeutschen S-Bahn 2025plus services centred on Leipzig. Diesels are not permitted in the Leipzig City Tunnel, and the use of BEMUs will enable ...
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Metro Report InternationalCanberra tramway extension contract signed
AUSTRALIA: The major works contract for Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A has been signed with tramway PPP concessionaire Canberra Metro, the Australian Capital Territory announced on December 7. Stage 2A will extend the line 1·7 km from Alinga Street along London Circuit West, adding three new ...
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Rail Business UKLong-term and overseas opportunities for rail apprentices
UK: The Transpennine Route Upgrade programme is ‘an investment in people’ and ‘it really is important that these projects leave a legacy of skills’, Rail Minister Huw Merriman said when he announced the latest tranche of funding. Speaking on December 4, Merriman said ‘if you look ...
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Rail Business UKRail plans in Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal
UK: Electrification from Hull to Sheffield and Leeds, journey time reductions, a parkway station and more local input into rail priorities are included in a proposed devolution deal signed by the leaders of East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull City councils and the Department ...
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In depthResilient Infrastructure: Protecting Japan’s national network from earthquakes
The Railway Technical Research Institute is striving to find ways of making Japan’s railways safer and more secure against damage from earthquakes.
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NewsHiivr Rail autonomous wagon unveiled in Western Australia
AUSTRALIA: Western Australia rail infrastructure concessionaire Arc Infrastructure and US technology partner Parallel Systems have unveiled a prototype autonomous container wagon following three years of development. The battery-powered wagon branded Hiivr Rail was demonstrated to government and industry stakeholders at the Kenwick Freight Rail Facility in ...
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Rail Business UKRevolution Very Light Rail vehicles ordered for passenger trials
UK: Leasing company Eversholt Rail has awarded Transport Design International contracts to build three pre-series battery-powered Revolution Very Light Rail railcars for trial passenger operation. This follows successful tests with a diesel-battery hybrid RVLR demonstrator vehicle at Ironbridge over the past two years. RVLR is being ...
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Rail Business UKLatest tranche of Transpennine Route Upgrade funding confirmed
UK: The release of a further £3·9bn tranche of funding for the ongoing £11·5bn Transpennine Route Upgrade was confirmed by Rail Minister Huw Merriman on December 4. The Department for Transport indicated that work on TRU would be accelerated through the cash injection and noted that ...
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Rail Business UKRail Charging Facility to enable battery trains to use local power supplies
UK: Porterbrook has announced a £1·7m deal with Siemens Mobility to purchase a Rail Charging Converter, a modular and containerised system developed to enable a battery-powered train to be recharged from standard local power supply cables in places where 25 kV 50 Hz overhead electrification is ...
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NewsCross-border passenger services resume after eight years
EUROPE: Passenger services have restarted on the 45 km line linking Subotica in Serbia with Szeged in Hungary after an eight-year hiatus. An inauguration ceremony was held at Palić station in Serbia on November 28 and was attended by Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport & Infrastructure ...
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NewsSteel works locos converted to battery power
USA: Innovative Rail Technologies has converted two industrial shunting locomotives used at United States Steel Corp’s Edgar Thomson and Clairton sites from diesel to battery power using its Advanced Technology Li-Ion Adaptive System turnkey propulsion and control package. This is intended to reduce fuel consumption ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail awards East Kilbride electrification contracts
UK: Network Rail has awarded the main works contracts for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project, which includes electrification of the line near Glasgow. The announcement on November 22 follows the confirmation of Scottish government funding in September, The contracts totalling £61·5m have been awarded to Story ...
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NewsCRRC sets out cost savings from high-power battery shunting loco
CHINA: CRRC Zhuzhou has rolled out a lithium iron phosphate battery powered industrial shunting locomotive ordered by Lianyang Iron & Steel Group. The manufacturer said the 1·5 MW locomotive unveiled on November 16 is the most powerful battery-only shunting locomotive in China, with the ...
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Rail Business UKEurostar depot equipped with moveable overhead electrification
UK: Electrification specialist Furrer+Frey has completed a project to install moveable conductor bar at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in east London. A total of 1·5 km of movable overhead has been installed on the eight depot tracks. It can be moved out of the ...
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Rail Business UKElectrification hopes sidelined in RSSB sustainability strategy
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has launched a Sustainable Rail Blueprint, which it says will support the rail industry in making progress on environmental and social sustainability challenges. According to RSSB, the industry faces a challenge not just to deliver net ...