Main line rail industry news – Page 56
-
NewsInnoTrans 2026 already more than 85% booked
INNOTRANS: More than 85% of the exhibition space at InnoTrans 2026 has already been booked, according to organiser Messe Berlin. The 15th InnoTrans will take place in Berlin from September 22 to 25 2026. The five segments will comprise Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors ...
-
NewsMoovit adds inter-city transport planning and ticketing
EUROPE: Travelling planning app company Moovit has partnered with Distribution Technologies to offer its users the option to buy tickets for long-distance travel. Its rail, bus and ferry operators in 40 countries, including Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, RENFE, Trenitalia, Italo, RegioJet and Eurostar. ‘Collaboration is key to ...
-
NewsDB secures digital signalling capabilities with long-term framework contracts
GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has awarded four long-term framework contracts which are designed to ensure the stable supply and deployment of digital signalling systems including interlockings, ETCS and control systems.
-
NewsSelf-monitoring turnout research targets safety and reliability
CZECH REPUBLIC: Track component manufacturer DT-Výhybkárna a strojírna has launched a three-year research project aimed at developing an ‘autonomous turnout’ which can monitor its own condition and predict any problems before they can cause a failure. Emphasising that turnouts are among the most heavily stressed infrastructure ...
-
NewsSNCF to use Wabtec automated inspection technologies
FRANCE: Passenger operator SNCF Voyageurs is to expand its use of Wabtec’s KinetiX automated inspection technology. This will add TreadView, WheelView and BrakeView lineside inspection systems to the existing axle maintenance and acoustic bearing monitoring used at 13 depots. KinetiX combines machine vision, laser scanning, acoustic ...
-
NewsÖBB orders more Mireo EMUs
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways has awarded Siemens Mobility a firm order to supply a further 30 Mireo electric multiple-units for use on commuter and regional services from 2029. The order for 25 three-car and five four-car trains announced on February 11 has been placed under a ...
-
NewsHydrogen loco development to incorporate genset and hybrid technology
USA: Sierra Northern Railway has acquired the assets of diesel-battery hybrid and genset locomotive supplier RailPower, which it will use to develop hydrogen locomotives for short line and industrial applications. SNR is the freight division of the privately owned Sierra Railroad Co, which in turn holds ...
-
NewsMore Talgo acquisition proposals announced
SPAIN: A Basque consortium has submitted an offer to acquire a 29·8% stake in Talgo, and the Polish state investment fund which owns Pesa Bydgoszcz is to submit a separate proposal to acquire 100% of the Spanish rolling stock manufacturer. Indian group Jupiter Wagons is also ...
-
NewsŠkoda Group orders ABB traction batteries
CZECH REPUBLIC: ABB is to supply Škoda Group with its newly introduced Pro Series traction batteries for installation in a fleet of battery-electric multiple-units being produced for Czech national operator České Dráhy. The order with a book value of just under US$20m was confirmed in Q4 ...
-
NewsExtension of Tren Maya to Belize and Guatemala proposed as rail freight investment ramps up
Photo: Michael Dreyer MEXICO: President Claudia Sheinbaum has set out plans to extend Mexico’s 1 477 km Tren Maya network to Belize and Guatemala, adding approximately 300 km of new lines. To be delivered in stages, the proposed expansion plans announced on January 29 follow discussions ...
-
NewsHerat – Kandahar railway design contracts awarded
AFGHANISTAN: Acting Minister of Public Works Mohammad Issa Sani has signed five contracts for domestic companies to produce detailed designs for a 737·5 km railway from Herat to Kandahar. The contracts announced by the ministry on February 6 have a total value of 264m afghanis. The ...
-
NewsTrans-Pennine container service aims to transfer freight from road to rail
UK: Direct Rail Services and PD Ports have launched a trial rail freight service between Teesport and Manchester Trafford Park using ultra-low IDA wagons which can transport 9 ft 6 in high cube containers across the Pennines without requiring gauge enhancement works. On February 5 Jo ...
-
NewsHafeet Rail awards freight terminal and wagon contracts
OMAN: UAE to Oman railway project promoter Hafeet Rail has awarded contracts for the construction of two freight facilities and the supply of wagons. It has also reached an agreement for the transport of aggregates on the future line. Larson & Toubro and Power China are ...
-
-
NewsEurostar targets Chinese market with WeChat payment option
EUROPE: Eurostar has worked with EuroPass and payment company PayXpert to launch a ‘mini-program’ enabling people to buy tickets through the WeChat messaging app which is popular with Chinese travellers. This offers Chinese customers ‘a familiar and convenient’ way to buy tickets, said Tuesday-Ann Castle, Head ...
-
NewsTrain operating contract to bring a ‘generational change’ to battery traction
GERMANY: The selection of DB Regio for a contract to operate Mittelthüringer Akku-Netz passenger services using battery-electric multiple-units ‘marks the beginning of a generational change in the traction technology used in local rail passenger transport in Thüringen’, according to the Land’s Infrastructure Minister Steffen Schütz.
-
-
NewsAdelaide train services return to the public sector
AUSTRALIA: The government of South Australia has taken the operation of suburban passenger train services in Adelaide back into the public sector, ending the contract with Keolis Downer. Tram operations are to follow. The KDA joint venture of Keolis and Downer has run the rail services ...
-
NewsDragon locomotive leads leasing company’s central European expansion
POLAND: Leasing company Akiem has unveiled the first of 30 Newag Dragon-2 locos ordered to support its expansion in the central European market. Akiem said it was the first European lessor to ‘invest massively’ in new locomotives for central Europe, which represents 20% of its customer ...
-
NewsFirst battery Vectron locos ordered
SWITZERLAND: Widmer Rail Services company JeMyn has placed the first order for two Siemens Mobility Vectron electric locomotives with a battery module. This will enable zero-emission last mile freight and shunting operations on non-electrified tracks. Financing for the order announced on February 5 is being provided ...