Andrew Grantham

Saudi Arabia Railways' updated business strategy running to 2035 includes an 8 000 km expansion of the network, becoming financially self-sustaining and partnering with leading technology suppliers, CEO Dr Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik tells Railway Gazette International.

Railways from around the world are taking an interest in a prototype stainless steel footbridge which is designed to make construction and maintenance cheaper, faster, less disruptive and more sustainable.

With cross-border rail ticketing being cited as a priority for the next European Commission, Andrew Grantham discusses the complexities of achieving seamless bookings and the industry's struggle to meet growing demand for sustainable mobility options.

UK: Alstom and SLC Rail have spoken exclusively to Rail Business UK about their plans to launch an open access train service between London Euston and Wrexham which would make use of the latest technology, seek to exploit new business opportunities and benefit from changes in the passenger market.

UK: Researchers are using a London Underground train to test whether quantum inertial navigation systems could be used to provide accurate location information for condition-based monitoring, train control and signalling applications without needing satellites or lineside equipment.

POLAND: The CPK project has invited passenger train operators to provide feedback on future rolling stock requirements.

EUROPE: Rail freight facility development and capacity enhancement projects are included in 38 schemes to upgrade transport infrastructure for dual civilian and defence purposes which have been selected to receive €807m of Connecting Europe Facility funding.

POLAND: The government has approved high speed rail and airport project promoter Centralny Port Komunikacyjny’s rolling stock strategy, which envisages the purchase of more than 100 electric multiple-units.

USA: Autonomous battery wagon developer Parallel Systems has started testing its second-generation vehicle, which it plans to use for pilot trials on existing railways both in the USA and internationally.

With the first construction contracts to be let shortly and orders for more than 100 high speed trains to follow, Marcin Horała, Secretary of State at Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure, explains how international expertise will be needed to support the CPK programme.