Mass cancellations as Hitachi trains grounded by cracks
UK: A significant number of train services were cancelled over the weekend of May 8-9 after cracks were discovered in electric and electro-diesel trains constructed by Hitachi Rail for several operators.
NI Railways targets zero emissions by 2040
UK: Translink is to assess the options for procuring zero-emission trains in support of its recently published Climate Positive Strategy, which sets out an ‘ambitious’ target to achieve a 50% reduction in train, bus and building emissions by 2030, net zero emissions by 2040 and to go beyond this to ...
East Midlands Railway to launch electric trains and increase regional services
UK: East Midlands Railway is to launch its EMR Connect sub-brand with the May 16 timetable change, covering its new electric service between London St Pancras and Corby.
Real-time passenger counting using on-train CCTV
UK: South Western Railway is testing the use of CCTV cameras, AI technology from PoS Insights and onboard wi-fi from Icomera to produce continuous estimates of passenger numbers on its Siemens Desiro EMU cars.
Local station improvements make a real difference to passengers
Major projects have more glamour, but smaller changes desired by local passengers can have disproportionate impact on the user experience, says Charlie Morse, Senior Chartered Engineer at SNC-Lavalin.
Caledonian Sleeper services return to full timetable
UK: Caledonian Sleeper has confirmed that it will be restoring its full timetable from April 29, after a lengthy period of running a single daily train between London and Inverness via Edinburgh.
Fatigue cracks sideline GWR Class 800s
UK: Great Western Railway has taken some of its Class 800 inter-city trains out of service following the discovery of fatigue cracking in the yaw damper bolsters on a number of vehicles.
Island Line reopening delayed by ‘unforeseen difficulties’ with Class 484 software
UK: The reopening of the Isle of Wight’s Island Line following modernisation work is to be delayed, as a result of ‘complex software issues’ with the Vivarail Class 484 electric multiple-units, South Western Railway has confirmed.
Real-time loading information provided as Hull Trains restarts
UK: Hull Trains emerged from its three-month ‘hibernation’ as English coronavirus restrictions were eased on April 12, and has begun publishing real-time information on how busy its services are.
Challenges ahead as Chaudhry-van der Velde becomes TfW Rail Managing Director
UK: Transport for Wales has confirmed the appointment of Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde as the next Managing Director of TfW Rail.
Cross-border Irish rail review to study sustainable expansion
EUROPE: A Strategic Rail Review is to be commissioned to examine the potential for enhancing and expanding the island of Ireland’s rail networks, the republic’s Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon have announced.