Spain’s transport minister and Adif president resigned after a fatal high-speed collision on the Madrid–Seville line. The line remains closed while investigators examine LZB protection failures and control-centre actions. Spain plans additional safety measures, including second-controller validation, new software, more staff training, and future ERTMS Level 2 installation.
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Spanish infrastructure manager Adif has awarded the operation of the Vitoria-Jundiz intermodal terminal to Terminal Intermodal Jundiz, a consortium led by Medlog Spain Logistic with port and regional partners. The terminal covers 55,000 m² and is expected to grow from 4,723 ITUs in 2025 to 60,000 annually from year three.
Spain approved €30 million in aid and advance compensation for victims of the Urda high-speed rail crash near Toledo. The decree sets €72,121.46 per fatality, injury compensation by insurance scale, and temporary price caps on travel alternatives and accommodation linked to affected trips.
A rear-end collision between an Iryo train and a Renfe AVE train on Spain’s Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line near Toledo killed at least 50 people and injured about 179. Adif suspended traffic on the corridor while emergency response and investigation work continued.
Renfe named Siemens Mobility the winner of a tender for up to 40 high-speed trains in Spain, with a rendering shown of the Velaro Novo design.
UIC released a report on how liberalisation affects high-speed rail affordability, using Spain as the main case study and comparing Italy, France and Germany. It finds lower average fares, wider service choice and higher ridership in Spain, while stressing that results depend on local market and regulatory conditions.
At IRSC Lisbon 2026, UIC presented work on safety culture, cyber resilience, risk assessment harmonisation, wayside monitoring, AI for level crossings, and safety management for Portugal’s future Lisbon-Porto high-speed line. The conference highlighted international cooperation on railway safety and innovation.
Amorim Cork Solutions supplied under ballast mats for a railway infrastructure project in Pampilhosa do Botão, Portugal, to help control vibration in a track transition zone beside a bridge. The mats were selected for their elastic support and ability to reduce vibration transmission under repeated train loading.
Renfe has awarded Siemens a contract for 30 seven-car Velaro Novo high-speed trains. The trains will run up to 350 km/h, seat 520 passengers each, and be delivered over 62 months, with the first five due within 40 months.
UIC lists the Regional Assembly Europe Assistants (RAEA) meeting on 24 Nov 2026 from 13:00 to 15:00.
UIC lists the 43rd Regional Assembly Europe on 3 December 2026, scheduled from 14:30 to 17:00.
The Polar Express train ride will return to South Devon Railway from 27 November to 23 December, with themed journeys, characters, entertainment, and visits to Father Christmas. Tickets are expected to sell quickly.
Modal Group and Dunkerque-Port opened a EUR 25 million intermodal terminal at Loon-Plage in Dunkirk, with four 750-metre rail tracks and services to Lyon. The terminal handles containers, semi-trailers and swap bodies, and a Lyon–Piacenza extension is planned for 2027.
Ukraine’s ministry, Ukrzaliznytsia and the PPP Agency signed a memorandum to prepare two railway projects in Zakarpattia: a 1,435 mm standard-gauge electrified line from Uzhhorod to the state border via Pavlovo, and modernisation of the Korolevo–Khust route. The work will be supported by the World Bank PREPARE programme.
LNER unveiled Azuma 801214 named ‘Remember’ at Newcastle Central Station as a Remembrance tribute to Armed Forces service members. The livery includes images of veterans from past and recent conflicts, with input from Reveille, Imperial War Museums curators and the UK Ministry of Defence.
GWR and Transport for Wales will run extra trains and reservation-only services to Cardiff Central for Wales’ Autumn Rugby Internationals on 7, 14 and 21 November, with queueing and revenue checks in place due to expected crowding.
ÖBB and SBB have extended their partnership to 2036 to continue daytime long-distance and joint night train services between Austria and Switzerland, including routes linking Vienna, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg and other European cities. The companies say cross-border passenger numbers have grown over the past decade.
A collision near Urda on Spain’s Madrid–Seville high-speed line is under investigation after an LZB control failure and an alleged decision to let one train resume normal running. The line remains closed while Renfe runs replacement services.
UIC says the ERPC main group meeting in Rome will bring together procurement leaders from across the European rail sector.
Northern is supporting the Poppy Express on trains in Yorkshire, with volunteers selling poppies to raise funds for the Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Day. Free travel is also being offered to veterans and military personnel for remembrance services on 8 November.
Southeastern held its annual Remembrance Service in Dover on 4 November, with veterans, cadets and railway colleagues attending. The operator also reminded veterans, serving personnel and bereaved family members that they can travel to Remembrance services for free.
The European Commission approved €29.3 million in German state aid for a new intermodal freight terminal at Stolberg Hauptbahnhof near Aachen. The terminal, part of the Euregio Railport project, is planned to open in 2035 and handle 740-metre freight trains, supporting rail freight flows to and from Benelux ports.
EAO will host a webinar on 12 November 2026 to review product innovations shown at InnoTrans 2026, including a third-generation Series 56 push button, a Universal Sound Module, charging solutions, Seat Reservation System updates, touchless operation and LED indicator strips.
GBR Anglia is offering free return travel for veterans and serving military personnel attending Remembrance services on 7–8 November on c2c and Greater Anglia, with similar support from London Northwestern Railway. The offer also now includes one immediate bereaved family member, using proof of eligibility and a complimentary ticket process.
EBRD will fund €50 million for rehabilitation of Montenegro’s 39 km Golubovci–Bar railway section, including track, stations, bridges, signalling, telecommunications and power upgrades. Separately, ŽPCG and Stadler are progressing discussions on the design of three new electric multiple units.