Europe rail industry news
Latest railway industry news from Europe, including operations, infrastructure, rolling stock and policy.
Noise and energy consumption cut during SiC tram testing
GERMANY: A ‘sharp’ reduction in motor noise and a 10% drop in energy consumption were observed during a year-long test of Infineon Technologies silicon carbide power semiconductors in one of the two traction converters fitted to a Siemens Mobility Avenio tram in München.
ERTMS axle counter framework contract awarded
NETHERLANDS: ProRail has awarded Thales its ‘Generic Axle Counter System for ERTMS’ framework contract, which covers the supply of axle counting systems for use in ERTMS deployment projects over eight years plus the provision of 25 years of maintenance.
Kaliningrad tram fleet renewal agreed
RUSSIA: An order for 16 PKTS 71-921 Corsair trams for the metre-gauge network in Kaliningrad is to be financed by Sberbank’s leasing subsidiary under a 2·9bn rouble leasing deal running for 10 years from their delivery at the end of February 2022.
Szeged tram-train service inaugurated
HUNGARY: The country’s first public tram-train service between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely has started revenue service ahead of the introduction of a full timetable in January.
Brenner Base Tunnel exploratory bore reaches the border
ITALY: Celebrations were held in the Brenner Base Tunnel on November 24 to mark tunnel boring machine ‘Serena’ reaching the Austrian border, after completing the 14·1 km exploratory drive on the Italian side of the project over the past 3½ years.
Quantum algorithms to optimise train scheduling
GERMANY: DB Netz and Cambridge Quantum are co-operating to explore the use of quantum computing to optimise train rescheduling at times of disruption.
ETCS takes priority as Bane NOR postpones Brynsbakken expansion
Urban rail grants allocated to Italian cities
Germany – Poland cross-border upgrade begins
EU’s Global Gateway to offer ‘values-driven’ alternative to China’s Belt & Road Initiative
Europe’s Rail takes over railway research portfolio
Uppsala council approves tram plan
Groundbreaking launches work on German side of Fehmarn Belt tunnel
TSO-Eiffage consortium wins Paris track and electrification contract
Medway orders more locos and wagons
Herringbone night train coach design concept
Battery EMUs ordered to replace diesel on partially electrified network
STM launches infrastructure services division
Smart maintenance: Locomotives find a new lease of life
Ricardo to support delivery of ‘iconic yet also practical’ Latvian EMU fleet
Norwegian passenger tendering competitions cancelled
Titagarh Firema metro cars arrive in Catania
‘New era’ as German coalition prioritises rail spending over road
CAF to acquire Alstom multiple-unit ranges and Reichshoffen plant