British engineering contractor John Laing Group is to acquire a controlling interest in M40 Trains, which operates the Chiltern Railways franchise linking London, Aylesbury and Birmingham. Subject to approval by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, Laing will buy the 23% stake owned by venture capitalist 3I, and another 35% from the management buy out team, lifting its stake from 26% to 84·4% at a cost of £6m.
CAPTION: Czech Railways inaugurated electric operation on its 91 km route between Brno and Ceska Trebov
