All In depth articles – Page 10
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In depthTraction Technology: Are hydrogen locomotives the next big thing?
Several US and Canadian railroads have teamed up with suppliers to investigate the potential for hydrogen as an alternative to diesel traction for heavy freight operations. Dave Lustig investigates.
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In depthBrazil: making more use of urban railways
Better utilisation of under-used main line railways is seen as key to developing cost-effective urban and suburban rail networks that can relieve road congestion in Brazil’s fast-growing cities. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthInfrastructure: A change of track
Advances in turnout design, greater use of digital technologies and a strong focus on performance are helping to improve the capacity and reliability of Sweden’s rail network. Chris Jackson reports from Örebro.
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In depthCanada: Generational change will transform travel
A multi-billion dollar investment programme will change the way people use public transport in Canada’s most populated area, with GO Expansion bringing frequent all-day electric train services to routes across the Toronto region.
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In depthInfrastructure: Belgium learns to live with extreme weather
Infrabel CEO Benoit Gilson reflects on the devastating floods which paralysed the Belgian network in mid-2021, and explains how the infrastructure manager has started to adapt its operations and harden its assets to cope with the impact of extreme weather.
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In depthTechnology: Siemens Mobility targets Destination Digital
Emphasising the importance of optimising railways as an integrated system, Siemens Mobility is developing its data capabilities, and opening up software interfaces to facilitate cross-industry co-operation. Chris Jackson reports from Braunschweig.
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In depthEurope: Bringing unaccompanied freight to the UK through the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel concessionaire Eurotunnel is planning new rail services to meet growing demand for the unaccompanied transport of lorry trailers between continental Europe and inland destinations in the UK, Christian Dufermont, Freight Commercial Director, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Freight, tells Railway Gazette International.
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In depthSignalling: OCORA aims at onboard simplification
This month is due to see the second release of the OCORA specifications being developed by an international working group to facilitate a standard ‘reference architecture’ for onboard Command Control & Signalling systems.
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In depthSénégal: Rites deal supports passenger revival
Grands Trains du Sénégal’s ambitions to restore passenger services on sections of the Senegalese network will be boosted by support from Indian consultancy Rites.
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In depthAfrica: SNCC restores passenger services in DR Congo
Passenger services have been reinstated on the 1 067 mm gauge line from Lubumbashi to Kananga following the arrival of modern rolling stock from China. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depthInterview: Gautrain sees a stable path to growth
Having made a positive socio-economic impact since opening a decade ago, the 1 435 mm gauge Gautrain network serving Johannesburg and Tshwane is seeing passengers return gradually after the pandemic. Benjámin Zelki asks William Dachs, CEO of the province’s organising authority Gautrain Management Agency, how he sees the future.
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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.