Levenmouth rail link officially opened
UK: The reinstated Levenmouth railway was official inaugurated by Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney on May 29, ahead of the start of passenger services on June 2.
‘Audacious’ contract to revive Nancy – Contrexéville route
FRANCE: The Grand Est regional authority has awarded a contract to facilitate the rehabilitation and reopening of the 89 km route from Nancy to Contrexéville by December 2027.
Avril high speed trains enter service
SPAIN: The first 10 Talgo S106 Avril high speed trainsets entered passenger service with national operator RENFE on May 21.
Russian and Chinese railways plan strategic co-operation
INTERNATIONAL: A strategic co-operation agreement was signed by Russian Railways Chairman Oleg Belozerov and his China Railway counterpart Liu Zhenfang when Russia’s President Putin visited China during May.
Geosistemas to design Salgueiro – Suape section of Transnordestina railway
BRAZIL: Geosistemas Engenharia e Defesa has been declared the winner of a tender to develop engineering design and construction proposals for the 544 km Salgueiro – Suape section of the Transnordestina project in Pernambuco state.
Interview: ‘Welsh rail services are improving rapidly’
UK: Transport for Wales Rail’s Chief Operating Officer Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde is optimistic about progress being made in transforming passenger services across the country, despite the financial and operational headwinds facing the Welsh transport sector.
Hitachi tests battery train as a potential rail decarbonisation pathway
UK: A Class 802 electro-diesel inter-city trainset which has been retrofitted with a battery in place of one of its three engines is being tested by Hitachi Rail, operator TransPennine Express and leasing company Angel Trains.