Features & Analysis

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    In depth

    Infrastructure: Developing a rail resilience framework

    2024-08-12T11:09:00Z

    Arup has developed a policy document aimed at helping the rail sector to reframe its approach to climate resilience by embracing ‘whole-system’ thinking. Co-author Juliet Mian explains to Nick Kingsley.

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    In depth

    Comment: ‘Not cheaper, just easier’

    2024-08-09T06:54:00Z

    With cross-border rail ticketing being cited as a priority for the next European Commission, Andrew Grantham discusses the complexities of achieving seamless bookings and the industry’s struggle to meet growing demand for sustainable mobility options.

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    In depth

    Rail Logistics: Freight trains are getting smarter

    2024-07-25T06:00:00Z

    While the complex migration to operation using digital automatic couplers lies ahead, Europe’s freight trains are already being digitalised. Reinhard Christeller presents a snapshot of the benefits in safety, productivity and cost effectiveness.

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    In depth

    Europe: Rail Baltica makes progress despite cost increase

    2024-07-22T06:17:00Z

    Construction of the long-planned 1 435 mm gauge north-south rail corridor through the Baltic States is ramping up rapidly, despite a near-trebling of the forecast cost and continuing uncertainty over some sections of the route. Toma Bačić reports from Tallinn.

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    In depth

    Kazakhstan: Transit freight drives KTZ expansion

    2024-07-19T06:00:00Z

    New line construction and fleet renewals have cemented Kazakhstan’s position as a key node in the Eurasian transit market. Further expansion is now in hand, with more investment planned by 2030, reports Vladimir Waldin.

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    In depth

    Rail Logistics: Kazakhstan eyes transit corridor growth

    2024-07-17T06:00:00Z

    Sitting astride several Eurasian landbridge corridors, Kazakhstan has been well placed to develop rail freight flows between China and Europe, as well as north-south connections to India and South Asia. Vladimir Waldin investigates.

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    In depth

    Romania: New rolling stock to support rail market reforms

    2024-07-11T06:00:00Z

    Romania’s Railway Reform Authority is procuring new multiple-units to operate regional and inter-regional services under competitively tendered PSO contracts, but this is only part of a wider market opening strategy, ARF President Ștefan Roșeanu explains to Benjámin Zelki.

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    In depth

    Interview: Arenaways rides again

    2024-07-10T06:00:00Z

    More than a decade after an abortive attempt to enter the Italian inter-city passenger market, private operator Arenaways is back, with approval to launch seven open access services and PSO contracts to revive operations on two local railways in Piemonte. Chief Executive Matteo Arena explains the company’s renaissance to Benjámin Zelki.

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    In depth

    Interview: Full service and multi-system in demand

    2024-07-09T06:00:00Z

    Polish leasing company Cargounit is seeing growing demand for multi-system electric locomotives and bi-modes with a last mile capability, and CEO Łukasz Boroń tells Benjámin Zelki that customers are increasingly looking for full-service packages.

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    In depth

    France: Fret SNCF faces an uncertain future

    2024-07-05T06:00:00Z

    Christian Scasso assesses the changes that are set to transform France’s nationalised rail freight operations in 2025.

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    In depth

    Comment: Private train operators seek the light

    2024-07-04T06:00:00Z

    The collapse of Midnight Trains has raised questions about the viability of new entrants in Europe’s open access rail market, despite the optimism surrounding ventures like Le Train and Proxima. Nick Kingsley reflects on the challenges and potential for future success in this competitive landscape.

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    In depth

    Interview: Rail Europe finds its niche

    2024-06-14T08:00:00Z

    Divested by SNCF and SBB more than two years ago, distribution and ticketing business Rail Europe is focusing on its core remit of facilitating international rail bookings, with 80% of its revenue coming from non-European travellers. CEO Björn Bender sets out his strategy to Nick Kingsley.

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    In depth

    Africa: Reviving Sénégal’s run-down network

    2024-06-13T07:00:00Z

    Dakar’s TER suburban service kickstarted a rail revival in Sénégal, but further progress hinges on the direction of transport policy chosen following the presidential election in March. Murray Hughes reports.

  • 1-PRASA-train-Cape-Town-Fish-Hoek-Line-image-Benjámin-Zelki
    In depth

    Interview: ‘The commuter experience will be back to its best’

    2024-06-11T07:00:00Z

    South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator is tasked with overseeing safe and secure rail services on a network ravaged by vandalism and asset theft over recent years. RSR is also implementing the government’s plan to open up the Transnet network to new entrants. Acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi explains the scale of the challenge to Benjámin Zelki.

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    In depth

    Australia: Sydney – Newcastle plan marks another high speed attempt

    2024-06-10T07:00:00Z

    Australia’s High Speed Rail Authority has been tasked with drawing up proposals for a new line between Sydney and Newcastle, as the first step in developing a 1 750 km route linking urban and regional centres along the East Coast corridor.

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    In depth

    Air-Rail Links: Better connectivity would benefit southeast Asia

    2024-06-07T07:00:00Z

    A report by the Aviation Studies Institute of Singapore University of Technology & Design recommends replacing short-haul air routes by high speed lines in southeast Asia to improve sustainability. It also finds that airport-rail links in the region are less common than elsewhere and that better rail connectivity would yield benefits.

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    In depth

    Freight: ‘Nobody is writing us a cheque for €13bn’

    2024-06-06T06:00:00Z

    European policymakers and the larger rail freight operators are confident that the Digital Automatic Coupler programme can move from vision to reality by 2028. Nevertheless, significant financial and logistical barriers remain. Toma Bačić reports.

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    In depth

    Czech Republic: Ostrava link leads revised core network plan

    2024-06-05T07:00:00Z

    With limited progress being made on the planned new line between Praha and Dresden, Czech infrastructure manager Správa Železnic is taking forward an initial section of high speed line in the east as part of plans to develop a 400 route-km high-performance backbone. SŽ’s Deputy Director for High Speed Lines Jiří Merta explains the state of progress to Benjámin Zelki.

  • Whoosh_High-speed_Train,_from_Halim_to_Tegalluar,_Over_Kopo-credit Naufal Farras
    In depth

    Comment: High speed rail’s global appeal

    2024-06-03T10:30:00Z

    Momentum in the global high speed rail market is tilting towards emerging economies as the established networks in China, Europe and Japan reach maturity. Our Consultant Editor Murray Hughes reflects on the latest technical and developmental trends in the sector.

  • TBM-blessing-ceremony-of-Elizabeth,-now-digging-the-second-bore-of-HS2’s-Bromford-Tunnel
    Rail Business UK

    High Speed: Birmingham prepares to welcome truncated HS2

    2024-06-01T07:13:00Z

    Viaducts, depot sites and tunnels are taking shape at the Birmingham end of the 225 km High Speed 2 route. But doubts over completion of what was Phase I of the curtailed scheme continue to swirl. Nick Kingsley reports from Washwood Heath.