Poland’s Pesa to acquire Germany’s tram maker in state-backed expansion
Polish rolling stock manufacturer Pesa Bydgoszcz has agreed to acquire German tram builder HeiterBlick GmbH, marking another state-backed Polish industrial move into Europe’s largest rail market. Pesa will purchase 100% of Leipzig-based HeiterBlick for an undisclosed sum, according to Piotr Małczuk, president of Poland’s state-owned development fund PFR, which controls Pesa. The acquisition of the […]
Budapest-Belgrade trains by spring? Hungary’s section could open in February, pending a safety audit
Hungary says passenger services on its section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line could begin in mid-February if a German TÜV audit gives the green light. Officials say the move could pave the way for the return of direct Budapest–Belgrade trains later this spring after a long closure. However, scrutiny remains high after the Novi Sad […]
Rail Baltica: LTG Infra blocked again from signing €100m signalling contract after Alstom challenge
A Lithuanian court has again prevented LTG Infra from signing a contract worth more than €100 million with Fima and Czech company AŽD Praha for signalling modernisation on the Kaunas–Polish border section of Rail Baltica. The signing ban, sought by rivals Alstom Baltics and Belam-Riga, is delaying the start of works that the Lithuanian infra […]
Lazio signs €160m deal to install ERTMS on Rome–Viterbo line
After years of reduced service linked to safety restrictions on single-track sections operated with legacy signalling, Lazio is moving to overhaul the Rome–Civita Castellana–Viterbo line in Italy under a €160m agreement to install ERTMS Level 2. The Lazio Region has signed a €160 million agreement with Italy’s infra manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and regional […]
No, Norway did not just launch ‘the world’s first panoramic Northern Lights night train’
Breathtaking AI-generated images of a ‘new panoramic Northern Lights night train’ have been doing the rounds online. They’re striking, highly shareable, and almost believable. But in exclusive comments to RailTech, the General Manager of Arctic Train – which operates a real Northern Lights Train experience out of Narvik – confirms the pictures are no more […]
Italy braces for 24-hour national rail strike this weekend
Italy’s national rail network is set for 24 hours of disruption as FSGroup, Trenitalia and Trenord staff stage a nationwide strike from 9:00 PM on Friday, January 9, to 9:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Subscribe to gain access to all news Already have a subscription? Log in. Choose your subscription Considering a corporate […]
ETCS and electrification stall: Germany’s rail network falls further behind neighbours
Germany’s rail modernisation is stalling, with just 1% of tracks equipped with ETCS and electrification stuck at 55%, far behind neighbours like Belgium and Italy. A new report from the Federal Network Agency reveals rising costs, fragmented governance, and regulatory delays raising questions: Can Germany meet its 2040 ETCS target, or will its rail network […]
How can Europe’s railways reach net-zero? Be part of the conversation at RailTech Europe
As Europe heads toward net-zero emissions, the rail industry must transform infrastructure, operations, and policy to meet climate targets. RailTech Europe 2026, taking place in the Dutch city of Utrecht on March 4-5, dedicates its first conference day to this important topic. With expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and interactive debates, Day 1 of the […]
India’s hydrogen train: a major step or a niche experiment in a 99% electrified rail network?
India’s first hydrogen-powered train, an 8-coach trainset built in Chennai’s state-owned Integral Coach Factory, stands ready for launch. Yet, as India nears 99% electrification of its broad-gauge network, the question arises: Do hydrogen trains really make sense for India, or is it just a high-tech showcase project? Subscribe to gain access to all news Already […]