SWISS rail freight operator SBB Cargo is equipping its entire fleet of freight wagons with RFID technology in a bid to meet future market demand.

BULGARIA’s Transport Ministry announced on November 7 that it has launched a project for the construction of a 23km double-track railway connecting its capital Sofia with the town of Ellin Pelin.

COUNCILLORS in the Finnish city of Tampere voted by a majority of 41-25 on November 7 to approve construction of the city’s first light rail line.

British operators are having to radically rethink their approach to station design and management to tackle capacity challenges and respond to the changing needs and expectations of passengers. Interserve transport director Kevin Murgatroyd considers what lessons could be drawn from their approach for others contemplating station upgrade plans.

AZERBAIJAN Railways (ADY) announced on November 7 that it has completed the 8.3km line from Astara to the Iranian border on the western shore of the Caspian Sea.

A new double-deck train concept presented by the German Aerospace Center and Andreas Vogler Studios at InnoTrans offers a fresh approach to overcoming Brtiain’s passenger rail capacity problems, as Kevin Smith discovers.

With construction 75% complete, preparations are now well in hand for the launch of operations on London’s Crossrail east-west link. Crossrail operations director Howard Smith updates Keith Barrow on progress with this huge project.

LATVIAN Railways (LDZ) and the Latvian Ports Transport and Logistics Council have unveiled a plan to expand the electrified network from 257km to 839km and replace all existing dc electrification with ac equipment.

CHINA Railway Corporation (CRC) announced on November 7 that China’s rail freight volume rose for a third successive month in October, to a 21-month high.

THE Management Authority for Urban Railways of Ho Chi Minh City (MAUR) is planning to hold a workshop on November 21-22 for contractors interested in bidding for packages to construct tunnels and stations on metro Line 2.