High speed rail industry news – Page 3
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Rail Business UKHS2 bridge manoeuvre reflects Birmingham approach route progress
UK: A 1 631 tonne bridge for High Speed 2 has been successfully rotated and moved into position over Lawley Middleway in Birmingham, marking significant progress on the line’s elevated alignment into the city centre.
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NewsAmtrak’s first NextGen Acela high speed train enters service
USA: National passenger operator Amtrak has put the first of its long-awaited NextGen Acela trainsets into passenger service on the Northeast Corridor.
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NewsNext Salerno – Reggio Calabria high speed line contract awarded
ITALY: RFI has awarded a €1·6bn contract for the construction of a 22·2 km double-track connection mostly in tunnel between Cosenza and Paola.
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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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NewsVirgin sets out details of plans to launch Channel Tunnel train services in 2030
EUROPE: Virgin has set out details of its plans to launch high speed train services through the Channel Tunnel, and says it is ready to confirm an order for Alstom trainsets which would enable the start of services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during 2030.
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Rail Business UKHigh Speed 2 train interiors designed for accessibility, comfort and convenience
UK: Accessibility, comfort and convenience were priorities when designing the interiors of the future Class 895 trainsets for High Speed 2 services, according to the Hitachi-Alstom High Speed manufacturing joint venture.
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NewsLiséa begins construction of €200m Marcheprime train maintenance centre
FRANCE: LGV Sud Europe Atlantique infrastructure concessionaire Liséa has begun construction of a train maintenance centre at Marcheprime as part of plans to enable more services to operate on the Paris – Bordeaux route.
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NewsSAR seeks 20 high speed trainsets for Haramain high speed line
SAUDI ARABIA: SAR has invited expressions of interest in the supply of 20 high speed trainsets to support the strategic development of the Haramain High Speed Railway.
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NewsCalifornia to sue Trump administration over high speed rail funding cut
USA: Governor Gavin Newsom says the state will launch legal action after the Trump administration confirmed on July 15 its intention to strip at least $4bn in federal funding from the California High Speed Rail Authority.
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NewsTaskforce to study launch of direct UK – Germany trains
EUROPE: The British and German governments are to establish a joint taskforce to study the requirements for the launch of direct passenger trains services between the countries within the next 10 years.
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NewsDomestic rail innovation on show at Chinese trade fairs
CHINA: An array of domestically-produced rail technology was shown at two major trade fairs held in Beijing in July, including the UIC World Congress on High Speed Rail.
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NewsHigh speed train operator Velvet aims to offer simplicity, delight and innovation
FRANCE: New entrant Proxima has unveiled Velvet as the brand name for its future open access high speed train services in France.
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NewsProductivity trumps sustainability for business travellers
EUROPE: The ability to use a train as a rolling office space is the key factor driving business customers to pick rail over other modes when they travel for work, according to a survey commissioned by Amex GBT.
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NewsAselsan to supply traction components and train control equipment for Turkish fleets
TURKEY: Aselsan has signed contracts to supply traction equipment for various types of rolling stock at the Eurasiarail trade show.
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In depthWorld Speed Survey 2025: China still ahead as Whoosh joins the club
Railway Gazette International’s biennial survey of the world’s fastest scheduled passenger trains finds that no less than seven countries now run trains at more than 300 km/h, but China is still the global frontrunner in the speed stakes. Jeremy Hartill investigates.
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In depthChina: High speed family gets ready to move faster
China’s first lines designed for 400 km/h operation are now under construction, and two 450 km/h variants of its domestically developed Fuxing high speed train family started test running earlier this year. Toma Bačić investigates.
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Rail Business UKGovernment sets out plans to sort out ‘appalling mess’ at High Speed 2
UK: Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has told the House of Commons that she plans to address a ‘litany of failure’ around the High Speed 2 programme.
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NewsCalifornia High Speed Rail Authority rebuts ‘misleading’ FRA compliance report
USA: The California High Speed Rail Authority has rejected the premise of a Federal Railroad Administration compliance report which has sought to strip the project of around $4bn in funding.
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In depthHigh speed: Alto aims higher
Canada’s Toronto – Québec City passenger rail project is to be taken forward as a dedicated high speed line requiring up to 1 000 km of new alignment. However, many challenges must be overcome to make the plan a reality, as Nick Kingsley explains.
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Rail Business UKViewpoint: Buy tilting trains and finish Delta Junction to salvage HS2, says Gibb
UK: Procurement of a fleet of tilting trains and a focus on Birmingham – Manchester services are key to making the most the descoped High Speed 2 scheme, former Virgin Trains executive Chris Gibb tells Rail Business UK.