List view / Grid view
28 July 2006 | By James Abbott, Technical Editor
Consultancy practices have an important role in providing technical expertise for railway projects around the globe. Historically, Europe’s big state railways were self-sufficient. All the engineering skills were on hand in-house: when a new project was sanctioned by the government, the state railway would generally be able to design and…
31 May 2006 | By Jesper Hansen, CEO, Banedanmark
Infrastructure matters; the statement has gained increased significance for the users, owners and operators on the Danish tracks. After years of neglecting both track renewal and signal system, Denmark is now at a crossroad: either passengers must become accustomed to new, but lower standards, or the Danish politicians must get…
31 May 2006 | By Eigil Sabroe, Chief Technical Officer, Banedanmark
Approximately 2,700 trains are in operation on the Danish tracks every day.They make use of over 3,240km of tracks, cross 2,342 bridges and intersect with roads at numerous points. The technology involved is mostly of the standard proven type,with a general inclination towards high quality.This is not a land of…
31 May 2006 | By Juha Kansonen, Project Manager, RHK
The major Finnish railway direct line project from Kerava to Lahti will be completed on 3 September 2006.The direct line is the most important railway project in Finland for over two decades and new technical solutions have been introduced with the guidance of the Finnish Rail Administration (RHK),who is responsible…
31 May 2006 | By Jon Frøisland, Director of Infrastructure, Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket)
A second pair of tracks through the western suburbs of Oslo is currently under construction to remove the biggest bottleneck on the Norwegian rail network. The first phase was completed in August 2005. The 19.5km section on the Drammen line is the National Rail Administration’s principal investment project this decade.With…
31 May 2006 | By James Abbott, Technical Editor
A steady succession of small rolling stock orders is keeping interest alive in the Nordic market.A decade ago, the Nordic countries were seen as a beacon of hope by Europe’s rolling stock manufacturers,with some large replacement orders coming up. But those orders are now behind us, with the Italian manufacturer…
31 May 2006 | By Sven Hornschuh, Marketing Director, Bombardier
In 1994 at the KTH (Swedish Royal Institute of Technology) in Stockholm, an interdisciplinary project group was set up to develop the regional rail vehicle concept of the future as part of an overall concept designed to improve the operational efficiency of rail transport services in Sweden.
31 May 2006 | By Josef Bazala, Chairman and CEO, Czech Railways
Czech Railways entered 2006 as a company driven by dynamic changes. Never in the history of the Czech Republic’s national railway carrier has the company experienced such tremendous dynamics, characterised by launches of new services, a massive modernisation of its fleet and infrastructure, and the primary focus on customers.
31 May 2006 | By Milanko Šarancic, Director General, Serbian Railways
Today, Serbian Railways cover the entire railway network in Serbia, and with approximately 22,000 employees and all available capacities, it is the biggest railway enterprise in the Balkans and one of the biggest in this part of Europe.
31 May 2006 | By Not known
The Swedish government has clearly indicated its commitment to railways as one of the most important means of transportation for the future. As a consequence, Banverket has been provided with resources to carry out an enhancement program needed to fulfil the transport policy objectives.
31 May 2006 | By Luis Garcia Tassias, Head of GSM-R, ADIF
GSM-R is a communication system for railway operations based on the standard ETSI GSM of public radio with additional railway features defined in the EIRENE (FRS, SRS) and MORANE specifications.These specifications have been developed by mandate of UIC and in collaboration with ETSI, to ensure interoperability between railway networks of…
31 May 2006 | By Dave Pointon, Managing Director, Union Railways
The UK’s first high speed railway,The Channel Tunnel Rail Link, is entering the final phase of construction. Dave Pointon, Managing Director of Union Railways, reviews progress and looks ahead to finishing the job in 2007.
31 May 2006 | By Erland R.Tegelberg, Director of Development & Technology, Strukton Railinfra
Politically inspired developments in the rail infrastructure environment in the 1980s and 1990s have led to varying degrees of privatisation of construction and maintenance activities.
3 April 2006 | By Dr. Karsten Derks, Spokesman of the Board, DB Bahnbau GmbH
Efficient and effective vehicle maintenance is a key competitive factor for any railway undertaking operating freight rail services. To this end maintenance must be consistently geared towards operations. Flexibility in respect of time and location, quality and ideal cost structures are success factors that bring about the most efficient use…
3 April 2006 | By Dr. Tobias Heinemann, Head of Marketing DB Regio AG and Kai Gotthardt, Senior Specialist Tender Management
The market for regional passenger transport in Germany has changed tremendously during recent years. Liberalisation began in 1996 with the law to regionalise local transport. New competitors emerged and quickly gained a substantial market share. Currently, however, the market is facing some major challenges. Competition is becoming more intense, the…
