How a Regional Operator in Denmark Has Trained a Record Number of Train
Denmark's regional rail operator Lokaltog announced an accelerated recruitment drive, planning to train a record 40 new train drivers in 2026. The push follows service frequency upgrades on nine lines and the upcoming introduction of 24 battery‑powered multiple units, with four more under procurement. Over the past five years the company added about 100 drivers to a current workforce of 290, but expanding evening and night services have heightened staffing pressure. Lokaltog also revamped its employer branding and opened admission to high‑school graduates, aiming to increase gender diversity among drivers.
EUR 66 Million for Signalling on the Córdoba–Bobadilla Conventional Line
Spain’s rail infrastructure manager Adif has signed a €65.8 million (≈$71.7 million) contract to modernise signalling on the Valchillón‑Torres Cabrera‑Fuente de Piedra segment of the Córdoba‑Bobadilla line. The work will install a single‑track automatic block system linked to a centralized traffic control (CTC) platform and...
Moscow Opens Second Diametric Tram Line
Moscow opened its second diametric tram line, T2, linking Chertanovskaya metro station with Novogireevo. The 79‑station corridor serves more than two million residents across 13 districts and connects to 31 metro stations, the Central Ring Railway, the MCD and four...
Czechs Put Siemens and Škoda Multi-System Locomotives up for Sale
Czech national railway operator České dráhy announced the sale of its surplus multi‑system locomotives, including six Siemens 1216 (Taurus) units and several Škoda‑built Class 380 units. The 1216 series, built between 2007‑2011, delivers 6 MW at 230 km/h and is certified for operation in...
ÖBB Rail Connections to Vienna International Airport Support Regional Development
ÖBB’s rail network to Vienna International Airport carried about 10.5 million passengers in 2025, a 70% rise since 2014 and now accounts for 40% of airport travelers. The service generates roughly $17 million in annual economic value and cuts CO₂ emissions by...
CER: Railways Can Reduce Europe’s Energy Dependence
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) released an analysis linking rail expansion to Europe’s push for energy independence. It quantifies current savings—144,000 barrels of oil per day for freight and 220,000 barrels for passengers—along with €4.5 bn ($5 bn)...
Alstom’s First Multilevel III Railcar Arrives in New Jersey
Alstom has delivered the first Multilevel III double‑decker railcar to NJ Transit, kicking off a major fleet renewal for one of the nation’s busiest commuter networks. The new car will undergo testing before up to 40 additional units join a total...
Rail Baltica Enters a Key Phase in Kaunas
Lithuanian rail manager LTG Infra has launched design work on the Kaunas Node, a pivotal and technically demanding segment of the Rail Baltica corridor linking Poland to Latvia. The project must reconcile the European standard gauge (1,435 mm) with the legacy Baltic...
New Sections of the Franz-Josefs Line Enter the Modernization Phase
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has begun a phased modernization of the historic Franz‑Josefs Line between Vienna and Gmünd, suspending service on key sections from April 2026. The first phase covers the northern stretch from České Velenice to Sigmundsherberg, followed by...
ORR: UK Rail Productivity Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Office of Rail and Road’s latest report shows UK rail productivity rose 3% in 2024‑25, yet total costs remain 21% above 2014‑15 levels. Passenger operators improved 2% but face a 40% cost increase, with rolling‑stock leasing and maintenance costing...
CEF Funds for the Digitalisation of Rail Capacity in Portugal
Portugal’s rail infrastructure manager Infraestruturas de Portugal has secured €600,000 (≈$654,000) in European Connecting Europe Facility funding to digitise rail capacity management. The initiative will deliver the Infrastructure Register (RINF) and integrate it with a new technical cadastre, targeting full...
VIA Rail Is Modernizing 56 Sleeper Railcars
VIA Rail announced a $150 million program to modernize its entire fleet of Château and Manor sleeper railcars, covering 56 units over the next five years. The upgrades, performed by CAD Railway Industries, will refresh interiors and essential systems on the...
Europe Is Traveling More by Train, but Freight Remains on the Road
Eurostat data shows European passenger rail usage rebounded in 2024, reaching 8.3 billion domestic trips and 443 billion passenger‑kilometres—a 5.8% rise over 2023 and the first post‑pandemic level above 2019. Per‑capita travel averaged 958 km domestically, with Hungary, Austria and France leading. In...
GATX Introduces the ACTS Solution for Freight Railcars
GATX Rail Europe is rolling out the ACTS (Abroll Container Transport System) solution to modernize its freight railcar fleet and expand intermodal capabilities, especially for waste and industrial logistics. The modular wagons feature four rotating platforms that can handle 5.95‑meter...
The Israeli Startup Aiming to Become the “Tesla of Trains”
Israeli startup Voltify raised $30 million in seed funding to commercialize a system that converts diesel locomotives to battery‑electric power without traditional overhead lines. The solution pairs battery‑driven engines with on‑the‑go charging stations and renewable microgrids, aiming to slash rail operators’...
