Transnet Freight Rail is investing unprecedented amounts in new assets. Paul Ash speaks to chief executive Siyabonga Gama about the state-owned railway's bold plan to win traffic back from South Africa's roads.

Variations in temperature and ground conditions can significantly reduce the lifespan of rails. However, Tata Steel's Railcote solution is proving beneficial to prevent erosion and damage in urban environments as well as in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, as Katharine Hawkswell, product marketing manager, and Kevin Graham, researcher, at Tata Steel explain.

Several companies are benefiting from what is being dubbed a railway renaissance in Africa as new opportunities emerge in markets across the continent buoyed by a rush for mineral wealth. But things are far from simple, as Paul Ash explains.

To accommodate increasing demand and network extensions, Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) engaged in a project to upgrade its track-circuit based signalling system to communications-based train control (CBTC). Mr L Y Lam, advisor to BTS, and Dr Chaisak Srisethanil, BTS' project and engineering director, chart the evolution and highlight the major challenges of this innovative project.

The reliable operation of diesel locomotives in desert conditions demands specific adaptations to cope with extreme temperatures, low humidity, and sand ingress. David Babinec, locomotive model line manager for EMD explains the development of motive power for some of the toughest environments on earth.

January 1 sees the start of a major restructuring of French railways with a return to integration of train operations and infrastructure albeit within a holding company organisation. In an exclusive interview with IRJ, Jacques Rapoport, who heads the new infrastructure subsidiary, explains the benefits of the new setup to David Briginshaw.

The publication of a government report on the finances of TGV has ignited debate in France on the future development of the high-speed network. Keith Barrow examines the main findings of the report.

Low-price long-distance buses are proving stern competition to rail operations across Germany to the extent that Veolia's InterConnex service was withdrawn in December. Christian Schreyer, Veolia Verkehr's CEO, outlined his views on the situation to Kevin Smith.

The saga of Danish State Railways' heavily-delayed AnsaldoBreda IC4 DMUs took another turn last month with the publication of an independent report on the measures required for full fleet deployment. Keith Barrow looks at the report's main findings.