Features & Analysis – Page 2
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In depthPoland: Mountain link reopening reflects regional resurgence
The reopening earlier this year of a short branch line in the Sudety mountains is the latest indication of significant progress being made to enhance regional passenger services in the Dolnośląskie region of southwest Poland. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthBelgium: A 10-year learning journey in ETCS deployment
Infrabel is nearing the end of a complex programme to roll out ETCS train protection across its network, using a variety of modes to accelerate the deployment and learning some valuable lessons along the way.
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In depthFreight: FS accelerates push into European logistics
Rebranded as FS Logistix, Italy’s state-owned rail freight business is aiming to position itself as a freight forwarder operating across the entire European logistics chain, as CEO Sabrina De Filippis tells Toma Bačić.
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In depthPoland: Urban prosperity drives rail investment
Growing wealth across the country has led to mounting concern about car dependency and urban pollution. As a result, many Polish cities are turning to suburban rail to provide more sustainable local mobility. Michael Dreyer rounds up developments in cities outside Warszawa.
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In depthHungary: ETCS deployment makes slow progress
The maximum speed on two Hungarian lines has been increased to 160 km/h following the introduction of ETCS Level 2, and officials report progress with its deployment by Chinese contractors on the Budapest – Beograd corridor. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthComment: A change of direction
The future of the German rail network is once again in the spotlight. With Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder describing DB’s situation as ‘dramatic’, our Senior Editor Chris Jackson explains why all eyes wil be on Berlin in September as a potentially major policy reset looms.
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In depthItaly: EU funding deadline looms over major projects
Numerous rail projects are under way across Italy, thanks to Covid recovery funding, but slow progress means that some schemes may not meet the EU deadlines for completion. Toma Bačić investigates.
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In depthTrain control: PTC 2.0 could offer an alternative to ‘unaffordable’ ETCS
With its planned acquisition of Frauscher Sensortechnik, Wabtec is pushing further into the train control market, and it hopes its PTC 2.0 concept could offer a lower-cost alternative to ETCS for railways around the world. President of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business Nalin Jain explained the thinking to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthSouth Asia: Trans-continental rail vision battles fraught geopolitics
South Asia remains one of the world’s least integrated regions, but despite a complex geopolitical situation the development of cross-border rail links continues to make slow progress.
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In depthTrack maintenance: Addressing the railway’s weakest link
A newly patented geopolymer technology is being deployed to repair and strengthen rail infrastructure. While the initial focus is on the transition zone, supplier Geobear sees wider potential too.
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In depthTrack maintenance: Automated turnout inspection boosts safety and cuts costs
An advanced camera-laser scanning system and accurate location positioning allows for more consistent inspection of switches and crossings without the need for line closures or staff on the track.
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In depthHigh speed: Investing to meet demand
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp is investing in technology to manage surging demand while it awaits the arrival of more trains. THSRC’s Vice-President for Investor Relations Elaine Tsou explains the plans to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthFirenze: Low-vibration trackform protects historic urban core
Pandrol has deployed its latest low-vibration trackform and floating sleeper mats on two extensions of the light rail network in the historic centre of Firenze. The company’s Technology Manager for Sustainable Resilient Systems Ernesto San Vicente explains how the challenges of the deployment were overcome.
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In depthTaiwan: Kaohsiung operator extends its portfolio
Tasked with building and operating the city’s first two metro lines, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp has since expanded its revenue base with a project management subsidiary and by issuing merchandise in honour of a popular staff member, as KRTC President Ya-Chou Wang explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthResilience: Transforming track maintenance in the face of climate change
Network Rail’s Eastern Region is pioneering a range of automated track inspection and monitoring systems, aimed at improving performance and resilience to extreme weather events whilst helping to reduce costs.
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In depthNew Taipei: Urban rail supports low-density growth
New Taipei Metro Corp manages three urban rail lines with four more under construction in the municipality surrounding Taipei. NTMC President Kuo-Chi Wu explains to Benjámin Zelki how the urban rail network has developed, and how it plans to grow in the medium term.
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In depthComment: All eyes on Asia
Messe Berlin’s announcement of the launch of InnoTrans Asia in 2027 is not the first sign that the rail market is eyeing a ‘pivot to Asia’, argues our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthSpain: International links are key to freight revival
Growing rail’s role in the Spanish logistics sector was the focus of UIP’s Wagon Keepers’ Summit in València. While the global trend for ‘nearshoring’ offers a huge opportunity, many speakers were frustrated at enduring problems in connecting Spain to the pan-European rail network. Nick Kingsley reports.
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In depthDesign: Creating more than just a night train
The development of more flexible rolling stock that could be deployed on day and night services offers economic and timetabling benefits, as well as attracting more long-distance travellers to rail, suggests Harald Buschbacher.
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In depthSouth Africa: Transnet inches towards competitive future
Creation of a new infrastructure manager and the establishment of a rolling stock leasing company are key steps towards the planned restructuring of South Africa’s rail sector, but progress has been very half-hearted, reports Neil Ford.