Features & Analysis – Page 11
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In depthPassenger Rolling Stock: Lightweight railcar deploys composite components
The UK’s Very Light Rail demonstrator vehicle has made extensive use of composite components in the bodyshell, production of which can now be automated to reduce costs.
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In depthBenelux: Faster timings in prospect with ICNG fleet
Part of the fleet of Intercity New Generation trainsets now being tested by Netherlands Railways is destined to replace the locomotive-hauled ICRm sets currently in use on Amsterdam – Brussels services via HSL-Zuid, trimming up to 40 min off the journey. The rest of the 200 km/h fleet will be deployed on domestic routes.
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In depthPassenger Rolling Stock: Building better trains in India
Indian Railways is developing a new generation of passenger coaches aimed at weaning travellers away from rapidly growing air and road services. Raghu Dayal investigates.
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In depthSouth Africa: PRASA revival hangs by a thread
Infrastructure theft and vandalism brought South Africa’s passenger railways to their knees during the pandemic lockdown of spring 2020. Restoration of PRASA’s Western Cape suburban services is now offering hope for the future, but in populous Gauteng the outlook seems bleak, with many routes rendered inoperable. Benjámin Zelki visited in early 2022.
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In depthComment: No time to delay
The rail industry is emerging from the pandemic facing an urgent need to prioritise investment and ensure tangible operational, productivity and technological benefits are delivered within the next five years, argues our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthMongolia: Gobi coal exports poised to switch to rail
Despite significant delays caused by the pandemic and a challenging local climate, commissioning of the infrastructure for Mongolia’s Tavan Tolgoi – Gashuun Sukhait Railway is due to start next quarter. The country’s largest current railway construction project will see exports from one of the world’s largest coking coal mines transfer from road to rail.
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In depthSouth Korea: Medium speed network takes shape
Development of a ‘medium high speed network’ is now in full swing in South Korea, along with the upgrading of other corridors for both high speed and suburban traffic. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthEuropean policy: Capacity directive could be game-changer
With legislation being considered to enhance capacity on Europe’s rail network, Murray Hughes asks Forum Train Europe Managing Director Edgar Schenk and Senior Project Manager Sebastián Čarek how this would improve rail’s ability to compete against road and air.
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In depthHigh speed: New line plans revisited as Macron promises more
President Macron has promised ‘a decade of the TGV’ in the 2020s, and work is due to start soon on three more high speed lines. Toma Bačić investigates.
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In depthInterview: ‘Give us the infrastructure and we will invest to grow’
UK: Despite the challenges of the pandemic, private operator GB Railfreight is investing for growth amid a strong recovery. But as CEO John Smith tells Tony Miles, more needs to be done by policymakers to ensure the company’s two decades of expansion can continue unabated.
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In depthHigh speed: Completing South Korea’s core network
Construction teams are at work on the final stages of South Korea’s core high speed network. Quadrupling of the busiest section of the Gyeongbu line between Pyeongtaek and Osong began earlier this year and work on the last section of the Honam line to Mokpo is due to be finished by 2025, explains Benjámin Zelki.
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Rail Business UKUK: Chiltern Railways looks beyond a short-term recovery
Extensively modernised around three decades ago, the Chiltern network is now the last purely diesel-operated route out of London, and despite enhancements it will soon be in need of significant renewals. Chiltern Railways Managing Director Richard Allan discusses the prospects with Tony Miles.
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In depthInterview: Korail goes in search of market share
Better on-board services and improved post-pandemic hygiene rank high among passengers’ demands, Korail President & CEO Na Hee-Seung tells Benjámin Zelki.
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Rail Business UKScotland: Setting priorities for a new era
The return of passenger services to public control, along with government targets for decarbonisation and freight modal shift, promise a positive future for Scotland’s rail network. Tony Miles talks to Transport Scotland and Scotland’s Railway about the benefits and challenges of renationalisation.
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In depthFrance: Newcomers still face market entry hurdles
With France’s passenger market finally open to competition, a report from regulatory body ART finds that various barriers still hinder access for new entrants. Jérémie Anne asks ART President Bernard Roman what lessons have been learnt and what lies ahead.
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In depthJapan: Facing a rural railway conundrum
Population decline, urban migration, rising car ownership and better local roads mean that traffic on many of Japan’s rural railways is falling. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism is addressing the issue and an action plan is to be drawn up by July. Mike Bent investigates.
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Metro Report InternationalChina: Express metros serve growing conurbations
As Chinese cities continue to expand, a new generation of express metro lines has emerged to serve the medium-distance niche between classic urban metros and high speed lines. Toma Bačić investigates.
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In depthTrack Maintenance: Sittertobel renovation improves track forces
Schweizerische Südostbahn worked with industry partners including Getzner Werkstoffe to renovate its historic Sittertobel viaduct and install a more optimised track structure. The benefits of the changes have been quantified in series of tests assessing the rail deflection generated by passing trains.
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In depthTrack Maintenance: Rail Health Strategy pays off
By aligning its inspection, maintenance and renewal regimes using a holistic systems approach, Translink NI Railways’ permanent way department has delivered a significant reduction in rail defects, improved track quality and extended asset life.
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In depthComment: A force for good
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sadly reiterated the role that railways have played in armed conflict for more than 150 years. Nevertheless, the industry has rallied round to support both the Ukrainian railway sector and the people affected by the war, reflecting rail’s overwhelming influence as a force for good in modern society.