Immersion operation underway for German-Danish Fehmarn Belt tunnel
EUROPE: The first concrete element for the Fehmarn Belt tunnel has departed its Danish work harbour for immersion to the seabed. The operation marks a critical step in better connecting the Danish and German railway networks, as well as continental Europe and Scandinavia. The 217 m long element left the Danish harbour in Rødbyhavn on […]
Adif signs for Mermec track inspection railcar for Spain’s narrow-gauge network
SPAIN: Infrastructure manager Adif has ordered a €14.1m track inspection railcar from MerMec España for used on the metre gauge network in the country’s north. The contract with MerMec España, the Spanish arm of the Italian brand, covers the supply of the custom designed 80 km/h railcar, the installation of safety, communications and monitoring systems […]
Stadler delivers first Flirts from record order for Poland’s capital region
Stadler has delivered the first nine of 75 Flirt electric multiple-units ordered by Warszawa area regional train operator Koleje Mazowieckie, with entry into service on routes from the capital to Dęblin and Skierniewice planned for May. Koleje Mazowieckie initially ordered 50 Flirt EMUs from Stadler in 2024, then added a further 25 units through two follow-up […]
Thai domestic regional DEMU under development
THAILAND: The Rail Technology Research & Development Agency is working on the development of a domestic diesel-electric multiple-unit, RTRDA Chairman Chotchai Charoenngam announced at the Asia Pacific Rail 2026 conference and trade fair in Bangkok on May 6. The project is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Rail Transport and State Railway […]
Snälltåget kickstarts direct daytime Hamburg-Copenhagen-Stockholm train
Swedish private rail operator Snälltåget launched its new direct daytime train between Stockholm, Copenhagen and Hamburg this week, adding a daytime alternative to the operator’s existing night train between Stockholm, Hamburg and Berlin. The daytime train, which took off on its maiden voyage on Monday, 4 May 2026, runs in both directions, leaving Hamburg Hbf […]
Train-centric CBTC to increase Lausanne metro capacity
SWITZERLAND: Lausanne transport operator Transports Publics de la Région Lausannoise has awarded Alstom a €295m contract to modernise automated light metro Line m2 to provide more capacity to meet growing demand. The 6 km Line m2 from Ouchy to Croisettes which opened in 2008 climbs 338 m during the 18 min journey, with gradients of […]
Battery trains and military mobility: Belgium approves 4 new rail investments
BELGIUM: The federal government has approved an addendum to Infrabel’s Performance Contract, enabling four new rail investment projects up to 2032. These include €27.5 million for battery train infrastructure and €21.5 million for improving military mobility. The Belgian government on 24 April approved an update to Infrabel’s €68.1m Multiannual Investment Plan for 2023-2032 Four completely […]
US army wagon tracking and monitoring contract awarded
USA: The US Army Transportation Command has awarded AssetLink Global its Rail Car In-Transit Visibility contract to provide tracking and remote monitoring of wagons owned by the Department of War.This includes load and impact detection sensors. The contract ‘is a strong validation of our increasing focus on the rail sector’, said James MacLean III, CEO […]
Den Haag wants international passenger links back before Dutch EU presidency
NETHERLANDS: The city of Den Haag has issued a report calling for the reintroduction of a direct passenger service to and from Brussels by 2029. Officials are hoping to link the Dutch seat of government with the Belgian capital before the Netherlands takes up its Presidency of the EU Council in three years’ time. While […]
Interrail expands the ability to book passholder fares and seat reservations
EUROPE: Interrail rail pass company Eurail has partnered with ground transport ticket distribution technology specialist Distribusion to expand access to passholder fares and seat reservations for rail and ferry networks. While Interrail is famous for facilitating spontaneous travel, the growth of reservation-only train services has significantly limited its effectiveness in some countries such as France […]