THE Institute of Railway Research (IRR) at Britain’s University of Huddersfield has unveiled a new 150-tonne bogie test rig, which it says is the only one of its type in Europe. and inaugurated the Centre for Innovation in Rail.

THE economy and infrastructure secretary of the Welsh government, Mr Ken Skates, has announced that four companies have been pre-qualified for the new Wales and Borders railway franchise which will start in October 2018.

EUROSTAR has submitted an official notification to the Belgian rail regulator for its planned London - Amsterdam services, including details of the proposed timetable for the route.

NEWCASTLE-Upon-Tyne transport authority Nexus will launch a public consultation next month on plans to renew the Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet as it prepares a bid for funding from Britain’s Department for Transport (DfT).

AS part of its continuing devolution strategy, British infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has announced a major management restructuring, which includes creating a new managing director for its northern portfolio to oversee plans for substantial upgrades in the north of England.

ABELLIO announced on October 5 that it has concluded contracts worth more than £600m with Stadler Rail and leasing company Rock Rail to procure and finance 58 multiple units for Britain’s new East Anglia franchise.

BRITISH design agency PriestmanGoode has unveiled two train seating concepts which seek to maximise capacity and comfort for passengers on services which frequently suffer from overcrowding.

BRITAIN’s Department for Transport (DfT) announced on September 29 that Arriva Cross Country has secured a three-year direct award contract to continue operating the Cross Country franchise from October 2016 until October 2019.

THE 120th and final M5000 LRV for Manchester’s Metrolink light rail network left Bombardier’s plant in Vienna on September 27 on the first leg of its journey to Britain.