UK: Construction of Siemens Mobility’s replacement signalling technology manufacturing, engineering and research facility in Chippenham was officially launched with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4.

USA: Norfolk Southern has launched RailGreen, offering freight shippers verified certification of supply chain emissions reduction through the use of biofuels for carbon insetting.

FRANCE: Alstom has announced an ‘unprecedented’ plan to invest more than €150m to increase production capacity to meet the French and international demand for its Avelia very high speed trainsets and deliver on its ongoing commitments.

News from the world rail freight market.

UK: The Rail Innovation Group has published a Skills Beyond Scale report highlighting the impact of SMEs in the rail industry and calling for government action to unlock the full potential.

GERMANY: The Land of Bayern has announced plans to replace diesel traction on 462 km of non-electrified lines with battery and electric traction by 2036.

AUSTRALIA: Vossloh has opened a plant at Bendigo in Victoria to produce switches and components for projects in the south and east of Australia.

EUROPE: High Speed 1 concessionaire London St Pancras Highspeed has announced a International Growth Incentive Scheme designed to encourage new and existing train operators to introduce services and increase passenger volumes on the route between London and the Channel Tunnel.

ITALY: The launch of domestic high speed rail services within Italy will support plans for French national passenger operator SNCF Voyageurs to grow foreign activities from 22% of its business in 2024 to 30% in 2030, CEO Christophe Fanichet said at the restart of Paris – Milano services.

SINGAPORE: The second phase of the Singapore Rail Test Centre been completed, offering facilities for train commissioning and the comprehensive testing of signalling, telecoms, power, control and other systems under realistic local conditions.

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

UK: Training and assessment services provider The Rail Academy has acquired an 80% controlling stake in Rail Recruiter from Business Daily Group, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive one-stop-shop for recruitment and training.

EUROPE: Through services between Paris and Milano restarted on March 31, after 19 months of work to repair the damage caused by a major landslide near Maurienne in August 2023.

PANAMA: AP Moller-Maersk’s APM Terminals division has bought the Panama Canal Railway Co from a 50:50 joint venture of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and crane manufacturer Lanco Group/Mi-Jack.

TURKEY: The E39000 ‘national suburban trainset’ is unveiled by state-owned manufacturer Türasaş at its Sakarya factory.

UK: Arriva Group has ordered nine electric-diesel-battery hybrid trains to replace its open access operator Grand Central’s entire fleet.

UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board includes a focus on digital transformation to help the industry embrace new technologies in its Annual Business Plan for 2025-26.

POLAND: Locally owned regional train operator Koleje Mazowieckie has placed two orders for electric and diesel multiple-units to modernise its fleet.

UK: Industry association Logistics UK has warned that the role of rail freight in driving economic growth must not be overlooked, after the Prime Minister announced funding for ongoing transport projects in northern England.

UKRAINE: National railway Ukrzaliznytsia has awarded Bulgarian company Express Service a €6m contract to supply 10 battery-powered shunters and spare parts.