Britain hit by biggest rail strike since 1990s

Five trains meet on five-track main line

LONDON — Most trains in Britain have been cancelled or rescheduled as of today (Tuesday, June 21) due to a widespread strike. The action involves some, but not all, railway workers at 13 passenger companies, plus national rail infrastructure company Network Rail and the London subway (Tube) system. In total, around 40,000 people are striking. […]

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Wandering cow finds its way to Scottish station platform

Light brown cow stands on station platform

GLASGOW, Scotland — Perhaps the next train was a milk run. Rail operator ScotRail posted photos on its Twitter account Monday of a cow which had escaped from a field and ended up on the platform of a Glasgow station, setting off a pun-filled exchange between the rail company and its Twitter followers, one of whom […]

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Railroad Development Corp. names new managing director for international business development

Head shot of man in coat and tie

PITTSBURGH — Railroad Development Corp. has appointed Dr. Juan de Dios Oleachea as managing director, international business development. He will lead business-development activities in selected markets, with Latin America and mining-related opportunities worldwide as initial targets. Oleachea is a founding shareholder of Peru’s Ferrocarril Central Andino, where he has served as chairman since its formation […]

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Siemens leaves Russian market as result of Ukraine war

Two high-speed trainsets in shop building

Multifaceted manufacturing firm Siemens has announced plans to leave Russia after over 170 years. The move is part of the continuing response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine [see “War in Ukraine sees massive rail destruction …,” Trains News Wire, June 1, 2022]. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Roland Busch said in a May press statement: […]

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London’s $24 billion ‘Elizabeth Line’ opens under city center

Station sign for new London Elizabeth Line

LONDON — Delayed by construction problems and then the pandemic, London’s new high-tech, east-west rail line, the Elizabeth Line connecting existing routes on both sides of the city, finally opened to passengers today (Tuesday, May 24).   Initially, the brand-new central section from London’s Paddington station in the west to Abbey Wood in the city’s […]

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San Diego Trolley equipment finds new life in Argentina

SAN DIEGO — Metropolitan Transit System is donating up to 39 second-generation light rail vehicles to Mendoza, Argentina, as it makes way for a new order of trolleys. The Siemens SD100 vehicles, which began entering service in 1995, will become part of the Metrotranvia Mendoza light rail fleet. “As MTS modernizes its Trolley fleet, we […]

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Genesee & Wyoming christens new Gulf of Mexico rail ferry

Ship loaded with railcars at dock

MOBILE, Ala. —  With the sound of shattering glass and a big splash of champagne, Genesee & Wyoming short line CG Railway on Wednesday christened one of its new rail ferries that can haul up to 135 freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. Virginia Reeves, a 34-year G&W employee who works in corporate communications, […]

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London Crossrail’s Elizabeth Line set for May 24 opening

New, not-yet-open subway station

LONDON — The underground portion of London’s long-delayed Crossrail project is scheduled to open May 24, agency Transport for London has announced. Initial plans for the route to offer 12 trains per hour between Paddington and Abbey Woods Mondays through Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with continuing work in the off-hours and on […]

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