All Rail projects articles
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In depthJapan: Extending the Hokuriku Shinkansen
JR West and JR East inaugurated a 125 km extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga on March 16. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthPortugal: South International Corridor nears completion
Trains have started running on the first section of the 80 km Évora – Elvas direct line, which is now expected to open in 2025, shortening the TEN-T corridor serving ports in southern Portugal and paving the way for a revival of international passenger services. André Pires reports.
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In depthInterview: Heavy haul line expands Mongolia’s rail capacity
Interviewed about the challenges of building a heavy haul freight line through the Gobi Desert, CEO of Bodi International Dolgormaa Bukhbat highlights the harsh Mongolian climate and the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on logistics and construction.
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In depthChina: Water Rabbit delivers network growth
More than 3 500 km of new railway was opened in China during 2023, expanding the national network to almost 160 000 route-km. Toma Bačić reviews recent developments.
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In depthIndia: Maintaining the metro momentum
By February 2026, Mumbai hopes to have more than doubled its metro network, while Indore, Bhopal and Patna are set to open their first lines. A landmark of India’s ongoing metro boom is the imminent opening of the Agra metro, the first tranche of which will serve the Taj Mahal. Benjámin Zelki looks ahead.
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NewsConstruction of Seoul express Line C starts as part of the ‘first year of the GTX era’
SOUTH KOREA: Construction of Line C of the Great Train Express commuter rail network in Seoul started on January 25 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Uijeongbu attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol. The 86·5 km Line C will link Suwon in the south with Uijeongbu and Deokjeong ...
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NewsDaejeon suburban railway construction starts
SOUTH KOREA: Construction has started on the 35·4 km first phase of the Chungcheong Province suburban railway serving Daejeon.
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NewsLuzon inter-regional railway study underway
PHILIPPINES: The Department of Transport and the national PPP Center have commissioned Systra and PwC Philippines/Isla Lipana & Co to undertake studies for the North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway Project.
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NewsWork begins on third Kazakhstan – China railway
KAZAKHSTAN: Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov has formally launched the construction of a third cross-border railway link to China. The 272 km double-track line from Ayagoz to Bakhty and a new border crossing near Tacheng in northern Xinjiang is scheduled to open in 2027. It would connect ...
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NewsSeven consortia submit Kuala Lumpur – Singapore High Speed Rail proposals
MALAYSIA: Seven consortia comprising 31 companies submitted concept proposals for the revived Kuala Lumpur – Singapore High Speed Rail project by the January 15 deadline. The request for information issued by the Ministry of Finance-owned project promoter MyHSR Corp in July 2023 invited local and international ...
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NewsPresident inaugurates first phase of Tren Maya
MEXICO: Revenue services have started running on the 473 km first phase of the ambitious Tren Maya project between Campeche and Cancún, following a formal inauguration by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Unveiling a commemorative plaque at San Francisco station in Campeche ...
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In depthEastern Europe: Rebuilding Serbia’s cross-border links
The Subotica – Szeged line across the Serbian-Hungarian border was due to reopen for passenger traffic in October following suspension of services for upgrading. Attention is now focused on rebuilding the Serbian part of the Beograd – Budapest main line, writes Toma Bačić.
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In depthUSA: Coastal corridor offers a growth blueprint
With Amtrak seeking to develop medium-distance corridor services linking selected city pairs across the USA, Dave Lustig looks to southern California, where inter-city passenger trains offer an attractive alternative to gridlocked highways.
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In depthCanada: PPP model underpins High Frequency Rail aspirations
Canada’s High Frequency Rail programme is now at the procurement stage as the government seeks a PPP partner to deliver mostly dedicated tracks for inter-city passenger trains in the 1 000 km corridor between Toronto and Québec City by the mid-2030s. Nick Kingsley reports.
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In depthItaly: Bringing rail and air closer together
Infrastructure manager RFI is embarking on a programme to complete rail links to airports in Venezia, Bergamo, Brindisi, Olbia and Alghero by the end of 2026, while a major reconfiguration of the rail network around Milano Malpensa is also in hand. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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In depthItaly: Deadline catalyses enhancement programme
No less than €24·7bn has been allocated to rail investment from the EU’s Recovery & Resilience Fund, giving RFI the opportunity to accelerate a vast programme of enhancements across the network. However, the RRF funding comes with a strict 2026 deadline for project completion. Benjámin Zelki investigates the largest elements of the plans.
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In depthEurope: Approach route impasse threatens Lyon – Torino link
Plans to boost rail traffic between France and Italy through the Mont Cenis base tunnel maybe in jeopardy as the French government dithers over the choice of approach route. Christian Scasso reports
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In depthComment: Cost control must improve
Australia’s Inland Rail programme is the latest megaproject to face major cost control challenges, reflecting a wider problem for promoters of major infrastructure schemes. The case for developing railways is arguably more compelling than ever, but the industry must offer realistic proposals which can be put into practice cost-effectively, believes our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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NewsKing opens Norway’s longest railway tunnel
NORWAY: Bane Nor’s 22 km Follobanen high speed line between Oslo and Ski was officially opened by King Harald V on December 12, the day after the start of revenue operations with the annual European timetable change.
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NewsYakutia Railway agrees Magadan extension strategy
RUSSIA: A planned 1 600 km extension of the regionally-owned Yakutia Railway to serve the Magadan region in the far east of the country is to be taken forward in three phases, with the first section expected to open around 2035. A co-operation agreement setting out a ...