PARIS — French national rail operator SNCF reported it has completed repairs from Friday’s series of infrastructure tracks, with the high-speed TGV lines operating as planned today (Sunday, July 28) and full service anticipated for Monday. Fiber-optic cables used for system used for signals and switches were cut or damaged in arson attacks at three […]
Type of Train: High speed rail
Investigators seek culprits for French TGV sabotage (updated)
PARIS — Investigations are underway in France to identify who carried out a series of targeted arson attacks at key points on the country’s TGV high speed rail network in the early hours of today (July 26), hours before the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games to be held on the river Seine […]
Environmental approval now complete for LA-San Francisco high speed route
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High Speed Rail Authority has approved the final environmental document for the 38-mile Palmdale-Burbank segment of the project, providing the last environmental clearance needed on the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Authority CEO Brian Kelly called the approval, at a meeting of the authority board of directors on […]
Concrete tie maker to open plant in North Las Vegas
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A German manufacturer of concrete railroad ties will open a factory in North Las Vegas to help supply the Brightline West project, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. PCM Railone AG, which production facilities in 12 countries, specializes in track systems and concrete ties for projects that go 186 mph or […]
VIA Rail Canada Siemens Venture Trainset
From Ottawa, Ontario (OTTW), to Montréal, Québec (MTRL), join Trains.com staffer/frequent rail voyager Kent Johnson for a quick overview of VIA Rail Canada’s all-new Siemens Venture trainset (5-car)! Amidst Business Class amenities from station to station, you’ll get to see the perks of being aboard the quickest and cushiest train on VIA Rail Canada’s Corridor […]
California high speed project seeks $450 million in federal funds
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High Speed Rail Authority has applied for $450 million in federal grants to continue construction of the project in the state’s Central Valley. Some $446 million of that would come from the Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. The Authority has also released the final […]
New high speed rail line between Liverpool and Manchester planned
LEEDS, England — Marking the 200th anniversary of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway Co., the first intercity passenger rail line in the world, the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester announced the all-new Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board on May 22, 2024. This new venture also brings forth plans for an improved high speed rail line […]
Siemens to build high speed trainsets for Brightline West
LAS VEGAS — Siemens Mobility has been selected as the “preferred bidder” to build the initial trainsets for the Brightline West high speed rail project, Brightline announced today (Wednesday, May 1). Siemens will build 10 “American Pioneer 220” trainsets and receive a 30-year contract for maintenance at a facility in Sloan, Nev., under the agreement. […]
Brightline West groundbreaking hailed as ‘start of high-speed rail industry in U.S.’
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The moment for Brightline West has arrived. But to Brightline founder Wes Edens — as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others — a groundbreaking ceremony today on a lot a short distance south of the Las Vegas Strip marked more than just the official start of construction on the […]
Brightline West groundbreaking set for Monday
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Brightline West project is about to get its official kickoff. While various surveying and other preparation work has been in progress for several months, a formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for Monday in Las Vegas at the planned site for the high-speed project’s Las Vegas station. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline […]
California High-Speed Rail board approves Request for Proposals for trainsets
SACRAMENTO — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has taken the next step in purchase of its first trainsets, with the authority’s board approving a Request for Proposals earlier this week for the first equipment that will operate on the line in the state’s Central Valley. Approval of the request means the Authority will solicit proposals […]
California high speed rail project faces $4-7 billion shortfall to complete first segment
SACRAMENTO — The head of the California high speed rail project told state legislators Tuesday that the project looks to be $4 billion to $7 billion short of funds needed to complete the initial Central Valley segment, and may need as much as $100 billion more to build the full Los Angeles-San Francisco route. KCRA-TV […]