Features & Analysis – Page 27
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In depthTraining & Skills: Supporting recovery and the EU Green Deal
Reflecting on the importance of research and innovation in shaping a more sustainable rail sector, outgoing ERRAC Chair Alberto Parrondo considers the strategic priorities which need to be addressed by the new Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.
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In depthTraining & Skills: Training the world’s rail welders
Last year, Pandrol opened a railway welding centre of excellence in Raismes, northern France, which is already proving its worth as training methods change during the pandemic. Nick Kingsley reports.
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In depthTraining & Skills: Time to HOP on board
Innovation and digitalisation are changing young people’s perception of railways, while opening up attractive career opportunities. Work is underway to rethink rail-related training and education, in order to provide the skills needed to shape sustainable mobility for the future.
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In depthInterview: Digital becomes tangible
There is a window of opportunity to combine increased public funding with the demonstrable operational benefits of digital technology in order to drive modal shift to rail after the pandemic, Knorr-Bremse’s Board Member for Rail Systems Dr Jürgen Wilder explains to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthSwitzerland: GoldenPass Express launch postponed to 2022
After repeated delays, Montreux-Oberland Bahn has chosen to further postpone the start date for its gauge-changing GoldenPass Express panoramic trains between Montreux and Interlaken until the end of 2022. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depthSwitzerland: Lötschberg Base Tunnel flood damage repaired
Swiss operator BLS resumed normal services through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel at the end of February after completing repairs in the wake of flooding in the eastern bore last year. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depthMünchen – Zürich: an island no longer
Electrification of a 155 km section of the München – Zürich corridor and the rerouting of inter-city trains to bypass the island in Lindau has reduced journey times between the two cities to 4 h, with hopes of further cuts to come, reports Toma Bačić.
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In depthIreland: Iarnród Éireann looks to post-Covid bounce
CEO Jim Meade believes the Irish national railway is well-placed to expand after the coronavirus pandemic, with the government committing to significant investment. Tony Miles reports.
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In depthInfrastructure: Norway’s first slab track commissioned
Construction of a long single-bore tunnel to alleviate capacity problems in the Bergen area included the laying of the first ballastless track in Norway.
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In depthTurkey: Freight won’t wait
Restrictions on road haulage due to the pandemic have driven a sharp increase in Turkey’s rail freight traffic, particularly on international corridors, reports David O’Byrne. Further growth is expected to follow the completion of rail-served logistics centres across the network.
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In depthUSA: Living with extreme weather
Building on many years of experience, US railroads large and small have developed cost-effective approaches to dealing with the impact of extreme weather incidents and other natural disasters, but continue to evolve their response strategies. Dave Lustig investigates.
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In depthInfrastructure: Getting to grips with climate change
As part of a broader weather resilience and climate change adaptation strategy, Network Rail has been reviewing its management of earthworks and structures. It has also put in place environmental initiatives aimed at mitigating its own impact.
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In depthComment: Sending the wrong signal
Policymakers need to learn lessons from the apparent collapse of the agreement to build a high speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, suggests Managing Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthSignalling: ADIF opens ‘pioneering’ multi-network control centre
ADIF has opened an integrated control centre in the northern city of León which is intended to centralise the management of traffic on a disparate set of routes of different gauges and power supplies. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthAlgeria: Recovery elusive as expansion plans await funding
With no passenger trains operating in the 10 months from March 2020 to January 2021, the future for Algeria’s national operator SNTF looks uncertain. Christian Scasso contrasts political aspirations with a bleak outlook on the ground.
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In depthItaly: Building a Roman node
The imminent reopening of a moribund railway in the northern suburbs of the Italian capital and start of construction of a multimodal hub at Pigneto are signs that a multi-year programme of investment in the Roma suburban network is making headway. Benjámin Zelki provides an update.
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In depthNorway: Onboard testing drives ETCS rollout
The completion of hardware durability testing and start of trial running with a new generation of onboard equipment in October mark key steps in Norway’s national ERTMS programme.
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In depthSouth Korea: KRRI eyes smart trains from 2030
Korea Railroad Research Institute has started testing 5G-based autonomous train control technology at the New Transport Science Technopolis in Osong, with a view to introducing ‘smart trains’ on key routes from 2030. KRRI Chief Researcher Dr Jeong Rag-gyo outlines the project objectives and key findings to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthComment: A zeal to electrify
The scale and pace of delivery of India’s vast national electrification programme could serve as an inspiration for other countries, argues Managing Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthCatering: Making the customers smile again
Roger Williams, Chairman of International Rail Catering Group, shares his view on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on rail catering and strategies to recover customer confidence.