PARIS — Global technology firm Thales is on the verge of selling its rail signal business to Hitachi for about $2 billion, Reuters reports. The French firm, which provides electronic systems for aerospace, defense, and digital security applications, plays a significant role in European railways, with its European Train Control System used in 42 countries. […]
Spurred by the growth in home delivery during the pandemic, the desire by legislators to reduce goods vehicle use in cities, and a shortage of drivers in several countries, rail operators in Britain, Italy, and Germany are looking at offering new services with rebuilt equipment for parcels and light freight. Two different projects in the […]
QINGDAO, China — Rail manufacturer CRRC has built its first maglev train, capable of a top speed of 600 kilometers per hour (373 mph). The train was unveiled this morning in the coastal city of Qingdao. Reuters reports the top speed would make the Chinese train the world’s fastest ground transportation, and could make possible […]
Portions of the rail network in Western Europe could be out of service for months or years after massive flooding that has left hundreds dead across a swath of western Germany and Belgium. Rail service has been suspended after the floods that saw rivers running 3 yards higher than previous records in some cases and […]
LEEDS, England — British freight operator Freightliner, owned by Genesee & Wyoming since 2015, has secured funding from the British government to convert a diesel locomotive to operate with hydrogen and biogas fuel. Funds for the conversion of one of Freightliner’s fleet of 113 EMD built Class 66 locomotives come from a British government First […]
What was your first train set or locomotive? As a kid I had a Märklin train, but I never had a layout, just a circle of track I put on the floor when I wanted to play with my trains. When I became a teenager, I lost interest in my trains and sold them. I […]
Contradicting national leader, three local union groups support CN-KCS voting trust; another union also expresses support Three local committees of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union Transportation Division(SMART-TD) representing Canadian National workers have filed letters of support for the CN-Kansas City Southern voting trust proposal, CN says in a press release. The union’s […]
A man declared dead in a 2010 derailment in India that killed 148 people has been found to be alive after 11 years and has been detained by authorities who are now investigating the matter. The International Business Times reports that Amritavan Chowdhury, age 38, was being held by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation after […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Protests are once again blocking Kansas City Southern de Mexico’s main line to the Port of Lazaro Cardenas. “The main rail line on the Caltzontzin District has been blocked due to civil protests, completely unrelated to our company, occurring on or near the Kansas City Southern de Mexico’s track, impeding our […]
Death toll in Pakistan rail accident at least 56 The death toll in Monday’s crash of two passenger trains in Pakistan has risen to at least 56, the Associated Press reports, although some news organizations are reporting a higher figure. Another 23 passengers are still being treated for injuries. The accident occurred when several cars […]
At least 40 dead after passenger train derails, is hit by another train in Pakistan At least 40 people are believed dead after a rail accident today in southern Pakistan. The BBC reports the accident in Sindh province saw one train derail onto an adjacent track, where it wsas then hit by a second train. […]
Deal will provide $33 million for Huron Central route repairs The threatened closure of Ontario’s Huron Central Railway appears to have again been averted. Northern Ontario Business reports the co-chair of a task force working to save the 173-mile line between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury says the railroad is “comfortable that it will in […]
