Development of the South Wales Metro project around Cardiff is progressing apace, and the start of electric operation marks a significant milestone in the programme, as Chris Howe explains.

CZECH REPUBLIC: The Ministry of Transport has selected a preferred design option for two railway tunnels to be built under Praha with a total length of 10·6 km.

News from the world rail freight market.

GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has awarded Smart Mobile Labs a framework contract for the planning, deployment and operation of secure private 5G networks.

NORWAY: State-owned railway engineering contractor Baneservice has awarded Swedish company Railcare a SKr30m order to supply a Railvac diesel-operated vacuum excavator.

AUSTRALIA: Mackay Sugar has awarded British company Clayton Equipment a contract to supply five diesel-battery hybrid locomotives and radio-controlled brake vans for use on its vast 610 mm gauge rail network in Queensland.

This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.

UK: Egis has acquired railway electrification design and engineering consultancy Overhead Line Engineering Ltd, saying the Derby-based company’s deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience ‘in an industry where specialist expertise is scarce’ would be a valuable addition to the group.

USA: Keolis Commuter Services has issued a request for proposals for the supply of seven battery-electric multiple-units for use on Boston’s Fairmount Line from 2028. It is also seeking proposals to finance the order under a leasing agreement.

EUROPE: Leasing company Northrail’s parent RIVE Private Investment has awarded Siemens Mobility a framework contract for the supply of Vectron locomotives. A firm order has been placed for an initial 15 to be delivered in 2026-27, and this includes an eight-year comprehensive full-service agreement.

UK: A new design of seat cushion incorporating small metal springs instead of foam is to be fitted in the first class area of a Great Western Railway Class 166 diesel multiple-unit this month, with roll-out across the rest of the class planned.

EUROPE: High speed line concessionaire London St Pancras Highspeed and Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel have announced a ‘landmark’ partnership which aims to grow high speed rail services between the UK and continental Europe.

ASIA: Agreement has been reached to start construction of a railway to fill the gap between the Mongolian and Chinese railheads at the Gashuun Sukhait border crossing.

CANADA: The Cadence consortium has been selected to co-design and build, finance, operate and maintain a 300 km/h high speed railway between Toronto and Québec City, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced.

FRANCE: The government has called for expressions of interest in contracts to supply locomotives and coaches to renew the national night train fleet.

UK: ‘Operations are central to everything in rail, and we believe that if CIRO succeeds, the railway is better for it’, said Phil Sherratt, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators as it publicly launched its refreshed mission and values in mid-February.

EUROPE: A new approach to the roll-out of ERTMS is urgently needed, according to the European Rail Freight Association.

EUROPE: A new approach to the roll-out of ERTMS is urgently needed, according to the European Rail Freight Association.

This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.

Rail Business UK looks at the details of the government’s rail reform plans, which would restructure the industry and establish Great British Railways as a new body bringing together infrastructure and operations in the biggest shake-up of the sector since privatisation.