All articles by Nick Kingsley
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In depthComment: Demography is destiny
The demographic challenges facing many countries around the world mean that rail’s ability to cost-effectively deliver benefits in low-density regions such as rural Japan or much of France is in the spotlight, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley warns.
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Rail Business UK‘Five firsts’ celebrated at Tuxford as UK rail sector seeks role in hydrogen economy
UK: Network Rail and industry partners held an event at Tuxford in Nottinghamshire on December 3 marking the first use of rail to transport hydrogen on the main line network.
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Rail Business UKInterview: ‘We are waking Merseyrail up’
As its 25-year agreement to run electric suburban services around Liverpool nears its end, Merseyrail has become a model for how local control of rail operations can bring tangible benefits to the community, as its Managing Director Neil Grabham explains to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: Tensions around Swiss tunnel regulation reflect SERA challenge
Switzerland’s recent changes to its national wagon safety regulations following the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment have sparked a debate over how far national interests should override pan-European interoperability ambitions, says our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthInfrastructure: Composite sleepers make a comeback
Norfolk Southern is among the US railroads looking afresh at the latest iteration of the composite sleeper. Greg Janson, President of supplier Triton Ties, explains to Nick Kingsley how a combination of recycled plastic and glass fibre material can offer durability and environmental gains compared to using wooden or concrete sleepers.
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News‘Unilateral’ Gotthard Base Tunnel safety changes still threaten European rail freight, trade bodies warn
SWITZERLAND: Wagon owners remain concerned about changes to the rules governing freight trains passing through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. They say these have been imposed unilaterally by the Swiss authorities and pose a risk to the viability of pan-European rail freight.
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NewsERTMS alignment and asset cost challenges temper optimism over FRMCS migration
INTERNATIONAL: The complexity of the task of moving from bold vision to the reality of a truly digitalised and connected rail ecosystem was in evidence at UIC’s Future Railway Mobile Communication System conference. Nick Kingsley reports from Paris.
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In depthTrain control: PTC 2.0 could offer an alternative to ‘unaffordable’ ETCS
With its planned acquisition of Frauscher Sensortechnik, Wabtec is pushing further into the train control market, and it hopes its PTC 2.0 concept could offer a lower-cost alternative to ETCS for railways around the world. President of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business Nalin Jain explained the thinking to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthComment: All eyes on Asia
Messe Berlin’s announcement of the launch of InnoTrans Asia in 2027 is not the first sign that the rail market is eyeing a ‘pivot to Asia’, argues our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthSpain: International links are key to freight revival
Growing rail’s role in the Spanish logistics sector was the focus of UIP’s Wagon Keepers’ Summit in València. While the global trend for ‘nearshoring’ offers a huge opportunity, many speakers were frustrated at enduring problems in connecting Spain to the pan-European rail network. Nick Kingsley reports.
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In depthCanada: GO Transit grapples with fleet uncertainty
Ontario transport authority Metrolinx is adopting an iterative approach to modernising its commuter rail fleet as the scope of the GO Expansion programme continues to evolve. Nick Kingsley reports from Toronto.
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In depthComment: Rail freight’s push for visibility
There are welcome signs that the rail freight sector is starting to seize the opportunity to become a key element in the global logistics sector, argues our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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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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In depthCanada: VIA Rail issues rallying call as CN dispute drags on
Amid a fraught relationship with its principal host railroad Canadian National, passenger operator VIA Rail is looking for help from the government, regulators and its suppliers as it seeks to improve reliability and enhance its offering. Nick Kingsley reports from Toronto.
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In depthFreight: Satellite technology seeks to add value in telematics
French private freight operator Europorte has joined forces with IoT and satellite technology specialists to launch a comprehensive telematics platform to monitor freight train operations. Chairman Raphaël Doutrebente explains Track Value to Nick Kingsley.
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Rail Business UKHS2 Ltd CEO confident ‘reset’ will succeed
UK: HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild has set out his aim to reset the project over the course of the next year to ensure that a realistic cost and schedule can be maintained for the outstanding work on the high speed line.
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In depthComment: Turbulence on the tracks
The US rail market must adjust to the unpredictable world of ’Trumponomics’, where major projects are scorned, yet domestic manufacturing and ‘onshoring’ is welcomed, says our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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NewsAmtrak CEO Gardner leaves as operator pushes back against Musk’s privatisation drive
USA: Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced on March 19 that he was stepping down from the national passenger operator with immediate effect.
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In depthDecarbonisation: ‘Rail risks being left behind’ in emerging hydrogen economy
Birmingham University spin-out Vanguard STS launched its HydroShunter locomotive on January 31 before convening a round table to assess the prospects of hydrogen traction gaining ground in rail applications. Nick Kingsley joined the discussion.
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In depthComment: Rail needs to find Another Way
Amid geopolitical turbulence, governments in Europe and beyond will need to ramp up their defence spending urgently, potentially squeezing the funding avilable for rail and wider civilian infrastructure. However, a push for more efficiency offers opportunities too, believes our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.