PARIS — French rail unions Sud Rail, CGT, and CFDT have called for a national strike by rail workers on July 6, Reuters reports. The unions said in a joint statement that workers “are sharply hit by exploding inflation. We must act to obtain wage increases.” The French call for a strike came as most […]
Zone & Region: International
In response to high gas prices, rail tickets are discounted across Europe
Governments in Europe have been turning to discounted and almost-free train travel for those facing huge rises in energy costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has pushed gas and electricity prices to levels never seen before. The aim of such policies, happening at the same time European economies are seeing near double-digit inflation for […]
Britain hit by biggest rail strike since 1990s
LONDON — Most trains in Britain have been cancelled or rescheduled as of today (Tuesday, June 21) due to a widespread strike. The action involves some, but not all, railway workers at 13 passenger companies, plus national rail infrastructure company Network Rail and the London subway (Tube) system. In total, around 40,000 people are striking. […]
British government drops another part of planned high speed network
LONDON — Plans for a strategic link between Britain’s new High Speed 2, or HS2, line and existing routes were quietly dropped in a decision published June 6 — the day British Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly survived a vote of confidence by his own lawmakers. The response from the rail industry in the UK […]
Wandering cow finds its way to Scottish station platform
GLASGOW, Scotland — Perhaps the next train was a milk run. Rail operator ScotRail posted photos on its Twitter account Monday of a cow which had escaped from a field and ended up on the platform of a Glasgow station, setting off a pun-filled exchange between the rail company and its Twitter followers, one of whom […]
Railroad Development Corp. names new managing director for international business development
PITTSBURGH — Railroad Development Corp. has appointed Dr. Juan de Dios Oleachea as managing director, international business development. He will lead business-development activities in selected markets, with Latin America and mining-related opportunities worldwide as initial targets. Oleachea is a founding shareholder of Peru’s Ferrocarril Central Andino, where he has served as chairman since its formation […]
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern run interline intermodal test train carrying produce from Mexico
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern want to haul produce grown in Mexico to destinations in the Midwest and Canada. The railways ran an interline intermodal train from Laredo to the Midwest this week to test the truck-conversion concept, CP Chief Marketing Officer John Brooks told an investor conference on Tuesday. The train — CP […]
Siemens leaves Russian market as result of Ukraine war
Multifaceted manufacturing firm Siemens has announced plans to leave Russia after over 170 years. The move is part of the continuing response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine [see “War in Ukraine sees massive rail destruction …,” Trains News Wire, June 1, 2022]. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Roland Busch said in a May press statement: […]
War in Ukraine sees massive rail destruction, passenger trains reinstated, armored trains
Ukrainian rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) has continued to operate services across the country despite Russian attacks which have damaged both tracks and electrical equipment used to provide traction current. Railways continue be a major part of the war for both Ukraine and Russia. Here’s a look at recent events: UZ faces employee deaths, significant damage […]
London’s $24 billion ‘Elizabeth Line’ opens under city center
LONDON — Delayed by construction problems and then the pandemic, London’s new high-tech, east-west rail line, the Elizabeth Line connecting existing routes on both sides of the city, finally opened to passengers today (Tuesday, May 24). Initially, the brand-new central section from London’s Paddington station in the west to Abbey Wood in the city’s […]
San Diego Trolley equipment finds new life in Argentina
SAN DIEGO — Metropolitan Transit System is donating up to 39 second-generation light rail vehicles to Mendoza, Argentina, as it makes way for a new order of trolleys. The Siemens SD100 vehicles, which began entering service in 1995, will become part of the Metrotranvia Mendoza light rail fleet. “As MTS modernizes its Trolley fleet, we […]
Genesee & Wyoming christens new Gulf of Mexico rail ferry
MOBILE, Ala. — With the sound of shattering glass and a big splash of champagne, Genesee & Wyoming short line CG Railway on Wednesday christened one of its new rail ferries that can haul up to 135 freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. Virginia Reeves, a 34-year G&W employee who works in corporate communications, […]
