Features & Analysis – Page 25
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In depthMy Life in Rail: Verena Schraml
Germany has more work to do to spread the message that rail roles are increasingly attractive for women, explains Verena Schraml, a local operations manager for Go-Ahead Deutschland, based in Stuttgart.
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In depthItaly: Speeding up rail schemes
As part of its post-Covid recovery strategy, the Italian government has launched a wide-ranging programme to accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects, and rail is set to be a prime beneficiary. Christian Scasso investigates.
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In depthHigh Speed: Sapporo in sight as tunnellers tackle Hokkaido’s hills
Construction of the 212 km second phase of the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo offers the prospect of a 5 h journey time from Tokyo once the line is completed in 2030-31. Mike Bent investigates.
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Rail Business UKViewpoint: Help needed to restore HS1 as the UK’s ‘green gateway’
Britain’s sole high speed railway and its link to continental Europe, High Speed 1 can lead the transport decarbonisation charge, but it needs support to bounce back from Covid-19 first, argues HS1 Ltd Chief Executive Dyan Crowther.
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In depthHigh Speed: Competition enlivens the European market
Instead of our regular World Speed Survey, we offer a snapshot of high speed rail developments at a time when the world is still grappling with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Murray Hughes investigates.
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In depthIndia: DFCs poised to unlock IR freight reforms
Completion of the first two Dedicated Freight Corridors will provide much-needed capacity, but Raghu Dayal believes they will also enable Indian Railways to transform its freight operations and marketing strategies.
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In depthIndia: On the path to digital signalling
The use of Digital ATC on the Mumbai – Ahmedabad high speed line promises a step change in safety technology.
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In depthIndia: National Rail Plan aims to drive modal shift
Infrastructure investment and policy initiatives outlined in the Ministry of Railways’ draft National Rail Plan are expected to increase Indian Railways’ market share from 26% to 45% over the next 30 years. Raghu Dayal investigates.
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In depthIndia: Building towards a high speed network
With construction of the Mumbai – Ahmedabad high speed line starting to ramp up, National HSR Corp is finalising detailed project plans for another seven corridors, as outgoing Managing Director Achal Khare* explains to Chris Jackson.
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In depthCentral & Eastern Europe: Rail at heart of recovery package
Railways across central and eastern Europe stand to benefit as member states submit their national post-Covid recovery plans to the EU in order to access temporary stimulus funds. Toma Bačić provides a snapshot of proposals from five countries.
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In depthComment: Modal shift still key to rail’s green agenda
In the transport sector, the urge to decarbonise is manifesting itself in an increasingly frenetic push for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology to replace internal combustion in everything from cars to small aircraft. These offer significant potential for decarbonising rail too, but should not be prioritised over the need to deliver modal shift from more polluting forms of mobility, argues our Managing Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthAfrica: Traxtion eyes growth potential
New investment opportunities are opening up in the African rail sector, and as the continent’s largest private freight operator Traxtion wants to lead the charge, CEO James Holley tells Chris Jackson.
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In depthInterview: Alternative traction can deliver decarbonisation in Europe
Alstom’s decision to focus on ‘net zero’-compliant traction technology as long ago as 2014 is firmly bearing fruit in Europe, the company’s Vice-President for Regional Rolling Stock Brahim Soua* tells Nick Kingsley.
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In depthTanzania: The race is on
International contractors are forging ahead with construction of Tanzania’s first 1 435 mm gauge railway, with a view to opening East Africa’s third standard gauge network before the end of this year. Toma Bačić investigates.
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In depthTraction: Going the last mile
In recent years, many operators have introduced electro-diesel locomotives fitted with a ‘last mile’ diesel generator module for short-distance operation away from the traction supply. Battery and supercapacitor options are now available which offer the potential for full decarbonisation, reports Dr Alex Luvishis*.
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In depthTraction: Road trials showcase battery loco potential
A three month trial of a Wabtec battery-electric loco hauling freight trains over a 585 km route in California has highlighted the potential for battery traction to reduce emissions from US rail freight, as project leader Alan Hamilton explains to Dave Lustig.
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In depthElectrification: Brandenburg study proposes wiring islands
Hybrid battery-electric trains could be running on the Berlin – Neuruppin – Wittenberge route by 2028, according to a study undertaken for the District of Ostprignitz-Ruppin by the Innoverse transport consultancy. Marketed as Prignitz Express, the 180 km route is now the only remaining diesel-operated Regional Express service in Brandenburg. ...
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In depthElectrification: ‘Frugal’ approach pares down wiring costs
SNCF Réseau’s Aix-en-Provence – Marseille line will be partly electrified in 2022-24 to allow the operation of local services by battery-electric multiple-units. Murray Hughes investigates.
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In depthTraction: On course to Mission 100%
India’s ambitious national railway electrification programme is moving forward rapidly as IR seeks to complete the wiring of its broad gauge network by the end of 2023 and reach net zero carbon emissions within the next decade.
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In depthItaly: ERSAT moves into the roll-out phase
Having amassed nearly 10 years of cumulative experience of satellite technologies for use with ERTMS, including virtual balises and radio frequency interference, RFI has gained sufficient confidence to start work on its first operational application.