Sweco to Design Rail Nordica, Finland’s Rail Link to the European Network
Sweco has been awarded a €9 million contract (about $9.8 million) to plan Rail Nordica, a new standard‑gauge railway linking northern Finland with Sweden and the wider European network. The project, funded with €20 million (≈$21.8 million) from the Finnish state, will run from Haparanda‑Tornio to Kemi between 2026 and 2030. By adding a European‑standard line alongside the existing broad‑gauge track, the initiative aims to streamline cross‑border freight, enhance supply‑chain security, and support military mobility. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will oversee the design, environmental assessment, and geotechnical studies.
Trains in Serbia Have Been Suspended by the Government for Political Reasons
Serbian state‑owned rail operator Srbija Voz halted all train services nationwide on Saturday, citing a temporary suspension with no public explanation. The move precedes a large student protest in Belgrade demanding President Aleksandar Vučić’s resignation, marking the third rail shutdown...
Lithuania Signs Contracts for Two Rail Baltica Regional Stations
Lithuania’s rail infrastructure manager LTG Infra awarded two design‑and‑construction‑supervision contracts to Italy’s Sintagma for the upcoming Rail Baltica regional stations in Jonava and Panevėžys (Gustonys). The Jonava stop is valued at €2.18 million (about $2.4 million), while the larger Panevėžys station project is...
Poland to Launch Tender for AeroExpress Trains
Poland's Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) will issue a tender later this year for AeroExpress trains capable of 200 km/h to link Warsaw, the new Central Airport, and Łódź. The conventional rolling stock is chosen to keep acquisition and operating costs low...
How Can Semi-Trailers that Cannot Be Lifted Directly by a Crane Be Loaded Onto Trains? Demonstration at Railport Arad
Railport Arad demonstrated a new “clamshell” loading system that enables semi‑trailers lacking crane‑lifting points to be placed onto specialized railcars. The solution, shown at the Club Feroviar conference in Curtici, expands the terminal’s ability to handle a broader range of...
Azerbaijan Begins Reconstruction of Key Central Railway Line
Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) has begun a major rehabilitation of the Yevlakh‑Barda line, the first substantial upgrade since 1967. The aging corridor currently limits speeds to 10‑60 km/h, but the reconstruction will modernize track, signaling and safety systems, enabling higher speeds and...
Britain Unveils First GBR-Branded Train
Britain unveiled its first Great British Railways (GBR)‑branded train—a Southern Class 387 unit—in Brighton, signalling the rollout of a unified public rail brand. The launch coincides with the integration of Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express into publicly owned rail...
Agreement Signed to Complete the BTK Rail Corridor
Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a protocol on 18 May to finalize modernisation of the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Kars (BTK) rail corridor, with ministers Rashad Nabiyev and Mariam Kvrivishvili overseeing the agreement. The deal launches the BTKI Railways joint venture, tasked with operating the...
A New Section of REM Montréal Inaugurated
Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM) opened a 14‑km western extension, adding four new stations in Pointe‑Claire, Kirkland and Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Bellevue. The inauguration, attended by Quebec’s transport minister and senior executives, marks the network’s growth to 64 km and 23 stations, with a...
The Rocchetta Tunnel Advances the Naples–Bari High-Speed Rail Project
The 6.5‑km Rocchetta Tunnel, the longest on the Apice‑Hirpinia stretch, was fully excavated by Webuild using the high‑power “Futura” TBM. The tunnel, built over 1.5 years at an average 16 m per day (peaking at 29 m), required more than 32,500 prefabricated concrete...
SNCF Begins Public Consultation for Southern Alps Rail Performance Project
SNCF Réseau and SNCF Gares & Connexions have opened a public consultation for the Southern Alps Rail Performance project, a €325 million (~$351 million) modernization of the 280‑km line between Aix‑en‑Provence and Briançon. The plan includes replacing 120 km of track, refurbishing 85...
ČD Raises EUR 500 Million Through a Eurobond Issue
Czech national railway operator České dráhy (ČD) closed a €500 million Eurobond issue on May 15, 2026, offering a 3.75% fixed coupon and maturing in September 2031. Investor demand surged to over €1.8 billion, with roughly 150 institutional investors participating, delivering the lowest spread...
Stadler Is Testing New Wheels to Reduce Vibrations on TINA Trams
Stadler and Swiss operator BLT have cut primary noise from its TINA low‑floor trams by 3.7 dB, effectively halving sound levels to match the older Tango fleet. The reduction was achieved through damping elements, wheel‑profile tweaks, brake adjustments and bodywork changes,...
Alstom May Sell the Kassel Plant Where Traxx Locomotives Are Manufactured
Alstom is exploring the sale of its Kassel locomotive plant, a historic German facility that employs about 800 staff and produces the widely used Traxx electric locomotives. The discussions are in early stages, with no buyer identified and the company...
Westbahn Calls for the Rapid Implementation of the European Single Rail Ticket
Westbahn, Austria’s leading private rail operator, is urging the European Commission to fast‑track the European Single Rail Ticket as part of the new EU rail package. The company argues that a unified, non‑discriminatory ticketing platform would let travelers book cross‑border...
SIM Factor Delivers Simulators to PKP Intercity
Polish long‑distance operator PKP Intercity has installed four new train‑driver simulators, bringing its total to seven locations across Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław and Poznań. The contract, valued at over 2.1 million zlotys (about $500,000), equips more than 900 drivers and candidates with 1:1...
Athens Is Bringing Back Metro Trains that Are over 40 Years Old
The first refurbished train for Athens Metro Line 1 is slated to begin passenger service in July after static and dynamic testing. STASY is overhauling 14 trains that are more than four decades old, extending their operational life by roughly 25...
Alstom Reports Record Orders but Acknowledges Issues with some Train Contracts
Alstom announced a record $30 bn of new orders for FY 2025/26, a 39% jump year‑over‑year, pushing its order backlog to roughly $114 bn. Despite the surge, adjusted EBIT margin slipped to 6.1% and free cash flow fell to €336 m (about $366 m) as...
Poland Wants to Adopt the Japanese Model for Train Stations and Rail Services
Polish state‑owned railway PKP S.A. and Japan’s JR East signed a memorandum of cooperation on May 6 to exchange expertise in station management, digitalisation, and passenger services. The partnership will explore transit‑oriented development, energy‑efficient infrastructure, and AI‑driven maintenance. Joint workshops, study...
Etihad Rail Prepares the Public for the Launch of Passenger Trains
Etihad Rail has launched a nationwide safety campaign ahead of its first passenger rail services, slated to begin in 2026. The initiative uses TV, digital platforms and community outreach to teach safe behavior around rail infrastructure, with a special focus...
ČD Retires “Hydra” DMUs After More than 55 Years of Service
Czech national railway ČD has withdrawn its 854‑series “Hydra” diesel multiple units after more than 55 years of service. The last scheduled run took place on May 7 on the Kladno‑Rakovník segment. Hydra railcars will be succeeded by three‑car 814.2 Regionova...
Lumo Launches New London–Stirling Rail Route
Lumo will launch a new low‑cost London‑Stirling rail service on May 25, 2026, traveling via Preston on the West Coast Main Line. The route offers fares as low as $19 for the Preston‑Stirling leg and $30 for the full London‑Stirling journey,...
Work on Catalonia’s Rail Network Is Proceeding as Planned
Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport announced that the €170 million (≈$184 million) emergency plan to repair Catalonia’s Rodalies commuter rail network is on schedule. More than 400 specialists are addressing over 100 sites, including tunnel consolidations, embankment stabilizations, and corrosion‑resistant upgrades...
MÁV Is Bringing Back the Retro Night Train to the Adriatic Sea
Hungary’s state rail operator MÁV will relaunch the Retro Istria Express night train from Budapest to the Slovenian and Croatian Adriatic coast daily between June 26 and August 30, 2026. The service offers budget‑friendly fares, with tickets starting at €20 (≈$22) and...
PKP Intercity Has Received Nearly All of Its Trains Through the NRRP
Polish long‑distance operator PKP Intercity has tapped nearly 84% of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) allocation, receiving about $480 million in EU funds for a major rolling‑stock overhaul. The programme, worth roughly $745 million, includes the delivery of all 56...
TransLogistica Romania 2026: Setting the Stage for the Fifth Edition of the Region’s Leading Logistics Hub
TransLogistica Romania announced its fifth edition, set for September 8‑10, 2026 at Romexpo in Bucharest. The expo will prioritize rail and multimodal connectivity, positioning the country as a strategic gateway between East and West. Organizers aim to foster high‑level partnerships while tackling...
China Wants to Build a High-Speed Undersea Rail Tunnel
China is evaluating a 123‑125 km undersea high‑speed rail tunnel across the Bohai Strait, linking Dalian and Yantai. The route would shave travel time from six‑to‑eight hours down to roughly 40 minutes, integrating the corridor into the nation’s broader high‑speed network....
Consortia Selected for the Rail Link to Melbourne Airport
The Victorian government has shortlisted two consortia to compete for the final work package of the Melbourne Airport rail link, a project that will upgrade the West Footscray‑Albion corridor and transform Sunshine Station into a major hub. The selected groups...
The Grand Est Region Inaugurates New Trains for the Sillon Lorrain Rail Corridor
On May 4, 2026, the Grand Est region inaugurated five‑car double‑deck EMUs for the Fluo Grand Est service on the Sillon Lorrain corridor to Luxembourg. The region purchased 16 additional trainsets for about €118 million ($127 million), raising seat capacity from 313...
Madrid Is Preparing the First Fully Automated Metro Line in Its Network
Madrid’s regional government is investing €8 million (≈$8.7 M) to retrofit platforms at all 28 stations of Line 6, the network’s busiest circular line, paving the way for full driverless operation by 2027. The upgrade includes automatic platform doors, new signaling, and accessibility...
Türkiye Will Use Solar Energy to Manufacture Freight Railcars
Turkey’s state‑owned TÜRASAŞ will power its new freight‑car factory in Sivas with a 4.5 million kWh solar plant, enabling the production of strategic railcars such as tank transporters and fuel‑supply units. The solar facility will meet the entire campus electricity demand, mirroring...
GBRf’s Class 99 Locomotives, Nearing Commercial Launch
GBRf’s new Class 99 bimodal locomotives received an interim declaration of compatibility from Network Rail and the first six units were delivered, enabling driver‑training ahead of a summer 2026 commercial launch. Built by Stadler, the locomotives can run on overhead electric...
The Costa Verde Express Returns to the Spectacular Routes of Northern Spain
Renfe has kicked off the 2026 season of its Costa Verde Express luxury tourist train, starting with a three‑day Oviedo‑Bilbao journey on May 6. From May 9 through October the train will run a six‑day, five‑night round‑trip between Bilbao and Santiago de...
Siemens Mobility Has Delivered Its 100th Vectron Locomotive to Polish Operators
Siemens Mobility delivered its 100th Vectron locomotive to Polish operators, christening the unit “Aleksander” under a 2024 framework agreement with leasing specialist CARGOUNIT. The locomotive is the 52nd Siemens unit in CARGOUNIT’s fleet, which now controls roughly half of all...
Food Waste From Trains and Stations Converted Into Biogas in the UK
Greater Anglia reported that it diverted 104,000 kg of food waste across its network during April 2025‑March 2026, a sharp rise from 23,900 kg the year before. The waste, collected from stations, trains and depots, is processed by partner Carlisle Support Services through anaerobic...
How the U.S. Is Preparing for the World Cup
U.S. transportation officials have launched an online guide for Northeast Corridor rail travelers ahead of a packed summer in 2026 that includes the FIFA World Cup, America 250 celebrations, Sail 250 and the MLB All‑Star Game. The corridor, stretching from Washington, D.C.,...
The Boston Metro Is Switching to Digital Signalling
Knorr‑Bremse’s KB Signaling division is in the final phase of a digital signalling overhaul for the MBTA’s Red and Orange lines, targeting completion by the end of 2026. The program will install AFTC5 Audio Frequency Track Circuit systems at all...
The First Electric Metro Line in Continental Europe Celebrated Its 130th Anniversary
Budapest’s historic M1 line marked its 130th anniversary this month, commemorating its debut on May 2, 1896 as the first electric metro on the European continent. The "kisföldalatti" remains a daily commuter route and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated alongside its...
Three New Metro Stations Are Opening in Sofia This Summer
Sofia will open three new metro stations—Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, Vitinia, and Gen. Vladimir Vazov—along a 3‑kilometre extension of Line 3 this summer. The addition is expected to serve more than 45,000 daily riders, cutting travel time to the city centre to...
Siemens Delivers First Electric Locomotives to India
Siemens Mobility has delivered the first of 1,200 D9 electric freight locomotives to Indian Railways, marking the kickoff of a €3 billion (≈$3.3 billion) project. The new 9,000‑horsepower units can haul up to 5,800 tons at 120 km/h and meet European EN 14363 safety standards....
The First X’trapolis 2.0 Electric Tram Begins Service in Melbourne
Alstom’s first X’trapolis 2.0 electric tram entered service in Melbourne on May 5, 2026, marking the rollout of a EUR 300 million (≈ USD 327 million) order for 25 six‑car units. Built at Alstom’s Dandenong and Ballarat plants, the train can carry up to 1,225 passengers and features...
Contract for Railway Digitalization in Indonesia Using 5G and AI
Indonesia’s state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia, digital solutions firm PT Solusi Sinergi Digital, and Huawei have signed a strategic MOU to roll out 5G and artificial‑intelligence technologies across the national rail network. The agreement targets a pilot on...
A First in the UK: Delays, Cancellations, and Schedule Changes Displayed Automatically
British rail operator Southeastern has become the first UK train company to automatically display real‑time delay, cancellation and schedule‑change messages at stations and on trains. The upgrade, funded by a £260,000 (≈ $330,000) investment, automates message creation in seconds, replacing a manual...
Switzerland: Passenger Rail Travel Hits a New Record
Switzerland’s passenger rail network logged a record 5.79 billion passenger‑kilometers in Q1 2026, a 5 % increase over the same period last year. The rise came despite a seasonal 5.2 % dip from Q4 2025, underscoring strong demand for public transport. In contrast, rail freight...
The EBRD Is Investing USD 125 Million in Bonds Issued by KTZ
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will invest up to $125 million in a Eurobond issued by Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, KTZ. The bond, sized at $1 billion, is listed in London and Kazakhstan and will finance modernisation of passenger...
SNCF Is Required to List Trains Operated by Competitors on the Connect Platform
The French Senate adopted a transport framework bill requiring SNCF Connect to list services from independent long‑distance operators, ending its exclusive control over digital ticket sales. The measure targets the rail ticket market’s fragmentation and aims to give passengers a fuller...
Alstom Launched a Program to Hire People with Disabilities
Alstom has launched its first long‑term internship program, ASPIRE, to hire people with learning disabilities at its Derby Litchurch Lane plant. The interns will work on the £60 million (≈ $76 million) CrossCountry Voyager train modernization project, refurbishing 312 carriages. The program partners...
Further Major Works Announced on the Transpennine Route
Network Rail will launch a two‑phase upgrade of the Huddersfield‑Leeds segment of the Transpennine route in May and June 2026. The works will renew 11.5 km of track, lay 50,000 tons of ballast, install over 100 electrification foundations, and extend platforms at...
UZ Cargo Poland Is Involved in the Development of the Middle Corridor
UZ Cargo Poland joined the Trans‑Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR) working group on April 23‑24, signaling its commitment to shaping faster Asia‑Europe rail routes. The Warsaw‑registered firm offers a 48‑hour container service linking Georgian ports to Ukraine and integrates Black Sea...
CER Wants More EU Funding for Railway Investments
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is urging the European Parliament to allocate more predictable, long‑term funding for rail in the 2028‑2034 multi‑annual financial framework. CER wants the Connecting Europe Facility to reach at least €100 billion (about...