Coronavirus impact on railways: 18 March
RailTech continues to cover the influence of coronavirus on the European rail sector. Below you can find some highlights of Wednesday, 18 March. The updates from Tuesday, 17 March, are available here. Today’s key issue is...Read more
First order for Mireo battery-electric trains
German regional rail transport authority Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) has ordered 20 Mireo Plus B bi-mode trains. They will be able to run using energy from overhead wires and battery hybrid drive. It is the...Read more
How European railways react to coronavirus
While European airlines cancel their flights to Italy and other countries, railway operators try to keep up the work as normal as possible. However, the international train traffic to and from Italy has been suspended....Read more
Report from a night-time trial on a hydrogen train
On Saturday, 7 March, a Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train was shown to the press and public in Groningen. Every night until 14 March, ProRail, Arriva, Alstom and Dekra Rail are conducting trials with this sustainable...Read more
Hydrogen train on test tracks in Netherlands
The Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train has been rolled out on the railway network of the Netherlands. Starting from 27 February, it is performing the overnight test trips on the Groningen – Leeuwarden line. On 7...Read more
European shift to train travels reduces CO2 emissions by 8.4 million tonnes
If travellers took the train en masse instead of taking the plane to travel from one European city to another, CO2 emissions would be up to 10 per cent lower. A saving is around 8.4...Read more
Three bridges to be replaced on Hamburg S-Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to demolish three old railway bridges on the Hamburg S-Bahn network. The new installation will be constructed instead of the Bille bridge by the mid-March, while the new facilities will replace...Read more
DB Regio digitises planning and dispatching
DB Regio, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, is moving further in digitalising its operations. This time the company has introduced the digital solution for planning and dispatching its services. The new system is applicable for...Read more
DB continues ETCS installation in high-speed trains
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is continuing to upgrade its high-speed trains with the European Train Control System (ETCS). To this end, Alstom will equip 19 ICE1 trainsets with new signalling onboard equipment by September 2021. As...Read more
Alstom bids a price for Bombardier rail unit
Alstom has appraised the rail business of Bombardier at 7 billion dollars (around 6.5 billion euros). This price, as some media report, was offered by the French rolling stock manufacturer for the first time. However,...Read more
Deutsche Bahn hires 25,000 new employees
German national railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) intends to hire 25,000 new employees in 2020. It is a record level for DB’s recruitment campaigns. This figure includes 4,700 young professionals. Train drivers, maintenance workers, IT...Read more
More German operators prefer hybrid trains
The German railway market is shifting towards the hybrid trains and locomotives. In a few weeks after DB Cargo had purchased 50 hybrid shunters, another German operator embarked on the same path. Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS),...Read more
Two companies will design final section of Rail Baltica in Estonia
RB Rail joint venture has selected the contractors to design and supervise the final section of the Rail Baltica project in Estonia. This task will be performed by the consortium of OBERMEYER Planen + Beraten...Read more