Siemens demonstrates driverless trains and streetcars in Germany

White commuter train with no engineer in cab

HAMBURG, Germany — Rail equipment firm Siemens has launched two types of driverless train operations in Germany, introducing a commuter train in the northern port city of Hamburg and a fully autonomous streetcar in Potsdam, just west of Berlin. The company is working toward making both technologies commercially available within a few years, as is […]

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Chihuahua al Pacífico

Dirty orange diesel locomotives

Chihuahua al Pacífico Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico chop-nosed 515 and unadulterated sister 509 work a freight at La Junta, Chihuahua, in March 1975. The government-owned railroad began service in 1961 and became part of Ferromex in 1998. Keith E. Ardinger photo […]

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Britain to develop PTC equipment for heritage steam and diesel equipment

British train with steam locomotive

LONDON — British rail infrastructure owner Network Rail has appointed two specialist contractors to deliver an industry-first “pathfinder” project fitting positive train control to heritage steam and diesel locomotives. The consortium of Atkins (part of the SNC-Lavalin Group) and Thales is undertaking the work as part of Network Rail’s “East Coast Digital Programm” which will […]

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German rail drivers agree to new contract

Deutsche Bahn logo

BERLIN — German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and the union representing train drivers have agreed on a new contract, ending a dispute that saw the nation hit by three rail strikes in less than a month. Broadcaster DW reports the deal with the GDL union was announced by the premiers of the German states of […]

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Third German rail strike ends

Deutsche Bahn logo

BERLIN — Germany’s third and longest rail strike in a month ended Tuesday morning, with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn saying it would work quickly to restore full operations. Broadcaster DW reports about 19,700 train drivers had taken part in the walkout that began Sept. 1 and was the second-longest ever for the rail network. […]

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Court turns down bid for injunction to end German rail strike

Deutsche Bahn logo

FRANKFURT, Germany — A labor court rejected national rail operator Deutsche Bahn’s effort to end a strike by train drivers on Thursday evening, turning down DB’s bid for an injunction to halt the third strike by the GDL union in less than a month. The strike began Wednesday by freight operators and widened to passenger […]

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German rail operator seeks injunction to end strike

German_Trains_Lassen

FRANKFURT, Germany — National rail operator Deutsche Bahn is seeking an injunction to end the third strike in a month by German train drivers, saying the action is not within “the relevant legal framework.” TheLocal.de reports the Frankfurt am Main labor court will hold a hearing on the injunction Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. local […]

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Germany faces third national rail walkout

White high speed train rounds curve to arrive at station

BERLIN — Germany will face a third nationwide rail strike in less than a month, as the union representing train drivers said it would stage a one-week strike beginning Wednesday. TheLocal.de reports the GDL union will strike freight services as of Wednesday afternoon, with passenger traffic targeted as of 2 a.m. Thursday. The strike will […]

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Europe’s railways face up to decarbonization

Blue passenger train in shop building

In Europe, a widespread consensus has developed among politicians and national governments that climate change is a real and present danger, and that it is primarily caused by human activity, both historic and now. Addressing this concern could spell major changes for railway activity across the continent. While much of the historic climate damage from […]

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Report delayed on fatal Mexico City subway accident

Orange and white "M" logo

MEXICO CITY — Risk management and auditing firm DNV has requested a two-week extension to complete a report on the fatal collapse of a Mexico City metro rail line in May. Reuters reports the Norwegian firm said the follow-up report to an earlier document indicating a structural failure led to the accident is “the most […]

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