Germany's Aerospace Centre in Göttingen is investigating concepts for the so-called Next Generation Train with a view to developing a very-high-speed double-deck train. Anitra Green visited the centre to see how the project is progressing.
After a quarter of a century of sustained investment, Spain's high-speed network continues to extend its reach to new areas of the country. But with the country in the grip of a devastating economic crisis, plans for further expansion are in a state of flux. Fernando Puente evaluates the prospects of the world's third largest high-speed network.
Preliminary testing is underway of the Frecciarossa 1000, Italy's new 360km/h high-speed train at Bombardier's Vado Ligure plant. Kevin Smith takes an in-depth look at the design features of what will be Europe's fastest high-speed train when it enters service in 2016.
ILE-DE-FRANCE Transport Authority (Stif) has approved a proposal by Paris Transport Authority (RATP) to automate Metro Line 4, following the successful introduction of driverless operation on Line 1 in December 2012.
GERMAN Rail (DB) and Siemens launched a pilot project today for what they describe as the "signalbox of the future" using open-interface signalling architecture.
THE boards of French National Railways (SNCF) and Belgian National Railways (SNCB) have decided to make Thalys, their jointly-run high-speed operation, a stand-alone company in 2015, subject to European Commission approval.
SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) has awarded Siemens a SFr 9.3m ($US 9.8m) contract to design and supply mobile reactive power compensation systems, which can be deployed anywhere on the Swiss mainline network.
THE European Commission's (EC) Mobility and Transport Directorate has appointed All Ways Travelling, a consortium of transport industry bodies and suppliers, to develop and validate a model for a pan-European passenger transport information and booking system.
AUSTRIA's railways experienced a mixed fortunes in 2012 with falling freight volumes offset by rising passenger traffic, according to the annual report from the country's rail regulator Schienen-Control, which was published on July 10.
SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) is planning heavy overhauls on its entire fleet of 119 Re460 electric locomotives by 2022 in a SFr 230m ($US 238m) programme which will be carried out at the SBB workshops in Yverdon-les-Bains.
