About the author

David Briginshaw

David Briginshaw joined IRJ in 1982 as associate editor, and was appointed editor-in-chief in 2001. He has travelled the world extensively interviewing many of the CEOs and senior managers of the world's railways and transit systems which has given him an in-depth knowledge of the global railway industry. David Briginshaw is currently consulting editor and associate publisher of IRJ.

September 25, 2013 | David Briginshaw

Don’t fear change, embrace it

MUCH of last month's UIC conference in Paris on GSM-R was devoted to the situation in Europe, where interference and lack of capacity have become important issues. There were also several presentations on the much-debated evolution of GSM-R. However, only a small amount of time was allocated to speakers to discuss developments outside Europe and consider wider issues, which was a pity because it is always good to be exposed to new thinking.

September 23, 2013 | High-speed

DB International wins Saudi HS consultancy contract

SAUDI Railways Organisation (SRO) has awarded a contract to DB International to supervise infrastructure design work, rolling stock production, and project management for the 450km Mecca – Jeddah – Medina high-speed line.

September 23, 2013 | Track

Hannover - Berlin HS line to reopen early

GERMAN Rail (DB) is to reopen the Hannover – Berlin high-speed line on November 4, several weeks earlier than expected.

September 20, 2013 | Freight

RZD wagon sell-off was “mistake” says Yakunin

THE president of Russian Railways (RZD), Mr Vladimir Yakunin, says he wants to get back into the business of running its freight trains and that splitting up the fleet between the new companies which were spun off from RZD was a mistake.

September 19, 2013 | Main line

French plan €15bn network modernisation

FRENCH Rail Network (RFF) has submitted a six-year €15bn plan to modernise the railway network to the deputy minister of transport, Mr Frédéric Cuvillier.

September 18, 2013 | Middle East

Saudi landbridge consultancy contract awarded

SAUDI Public Investment Fund, which is responsible for funding the construction of the 950km railway between the Red Sea port of Jeddah and the capital Riyadh to create a coast-to-coast landbridge, has awarded an eight-year contract consultancy contract to Fluor Corporation and Parsons Brinckerhoff.

September 12, 2013 | High-speed

First 1 million Ouigo tickets sold

FRENCH National Railways' (SNCF) Ouigo low-fare TGV service has reached a significant milestone since its launch on April 2 with the sale of the first 1 million tickets.

September 9, 2013 | Policy

French railway reform - minister urges patience

FRANCE's transport minister Mr Frédéric Cuvillier says that French National Railways (SNCF) and French Rail Network (RFF) must be patient as the new law to bring the national operator and infrastructure manager together under a new umbrella organisation is "progressing according to constitution procedure."

September 9, 2013 | Rolling stock

Irish Rail reconfigures fleet to cut costs

IRISH Rail (IE) is launching a scheme designed to reduce fuel and maintenance costs by €3.2m a year. This is on top of €16m annual savings already achieved.

September 4, 2013 | North America

UP launches aerodynamic container for double-stack trains

UNION Pacific (UP) has unveiled the production version of its Arrowedge tapered container which it plans to put into service this month on a double-stack container train between Joliet, Illinois, and Long Beach, California.