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Network Rail has appointed Hawkins\Brown, working with 5th Studio, to lead a masterplan for Oxford station. The plan will assess new entrances, improved onward travel links and capacity upgrades as passenger numbers rise, driven partly by East West Rail and other service increases.

Belgian freight operator Lineas has extended lease contracts with Ermewa for about 4,000 freight wagons across its European network. The renewal continues a sale-and-leaseback arrangement first agreed in 2021 and comes as Lineas works through financial restructuring after government rescue support.

Hitachi Rail opened a new C$30 million, 125,000-square-foot headquarters and center of excellence for signalling and systems in Toronto, Canada. The facility is intended to support the company’s signalling and systems work in the Canadian market.

FS Logistix ordered six more CZ LOKO EffiShunter 1000 diesel-electric locomotives for Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal. The four-axle Class D744 units will be used for shunting at ports and terminals, freight on non-electrified lines, and rescue duties. The group already operates earlier EffiShunter orders.

Hitachi Rail marked the opening of the first operational section of Chennai Metro Phase II, a 15 km, 11-station elevated corridor powered by its CBTC signalling for GoA4 driverless operation. The wider Phase II signalling contract, awarded in 2023, covers 119 km of metro lines.

Singapore will revamp its Rail Academy from November, partnering five educational institutions and consolidating training from LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit into a common curriculum. The scheme will create clearer pathways for rail workers to earn formal diplomas, degrees and new sector certifications, with WSQ certification starting in early 2027.

Network Rail will spend £1.75m to renew 1,300 metres of track, sleepers and ballast on a bridge between Rishton and Accrington in East Lancashire. The East Lancashire line will close on 22, 28 and 29 November, with rail replacement buses operating during the work.

East Midlands Railway says the Derwent Valley Line between Derby and Matlock will close from 14 to 22 November 2026 for £3m of Network Rail upgrade works, mainly track renewals at Whatstandwell, Cromford and Matlock Bath. Over 3,500 sleepers and 6,400 tonnes of ballast will be installed.

Network Rail has issued travel advice for Manchester Christmas Markets, which open on 6 November 2026 and are expected to draw heavy crowds on Northern and TransPennine Express services. Passengers are advised to plan ahead, use earlier return trains, and expect extra staff at Manchester Piccadilly.

UIC Rail System Forum held a plenary in Paris on 22 October 2026 to update its governance and work programme. Members agreed to a new architecture from 2027, with greater focus on rolling stock and energy strategies, stronger safety integration, and more member-driven priorities.

Opinion piece on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), saying the project is approaching a defining moment in Malaysia’s infrastructure development and discussing benefits for passengers.

Hitachi Rail opened its new Canadian headquarters in Scarborough, Toronto, to serve its signalling and systems business. The company is delivering the Ontario Line and Hazel McCallion Line, and modernizing TTC Line 2 signalling after a $400 million contract award in July.

The Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway in Middlesex will run Santa Specials on 12-13 and 19-20 December, with tickets booked in advance. The article also notes the railway won a 2023 HRA Infrastructure Award for a new coach shed and maintenance facility.

Network Rail has advised passengers to plan ahead for heavy festive travel in Birmingham. Christmas markets and events are expected to increase use of Birmingham stations, with staff available at New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill, while some services to New Street will be suspended from 24 to 28 December 2026.

UIC will hold its 9th Zero Waste Workshop in Paris and online on 19 January 2027 on critical raw materials and rail resilience. The event will discuss rail supply-chain dependencies, circular economy approaches, and draft EU Agency for Railways findings on circular economy in rail.

Network Rail will renew more than 4 km of track and carry out maintenance and bridge works on Scotland’s West Highland Line between Helensburgh, Fort William and Mallaig from 6 to 17 November. The work will disrupt services, with replacement buses provided on affected sections.

Kenya Railways has begun vehicle transport on the Standard Gauge Railway between Mombasa and Nairobi, moving 21 cars on its first service. The operation uses adapted vehicle wagons alongside container trains and is being developed with Autobarn East Africa for about 700 vehicles a month.

Ports & Rail Week 2026 will be held on 24-25 November 2026 in Durban, South Africa. The event will focus on port and rail infrastructure, intermodal connectivity, green transport, digitalization, AI, automation, PPPs, and safety in African transport corridors.

Danish State Railways awarded ELL a EUR 26.35 million lease contract for up to 12 Siemens Vectron AC locomotives for regional and long-distance passenger services. The contract includes maintenance, spare parts and availability support, with initial entry into service expected from December 2026.

Alstom says the new-generation TGV, known in France as TGV M, has entered commercial service. It is the first train based on Alstom's Avelia Horizon very high-speed platform and builds on the company's long history in high-speed rail.

UIC said it will participate in COP31 to promote rail’s role in climate action, focusing on carbon-credit methodologies and including rail in national adaptation planning. It also highlighted the MoveCredits Coalition and joint work with UITP and Alstom on rail and public transport climate finance and resilience.

Malaysia has approved funding for preliminary work to extend the under-construction East Coast Rail Link by 32km to the Thai border.

India’s first indigenous bullet trainset, B28, is taking shape at BEML’s Bengaluru facility for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. The train is designed for a maximum test speed of 280 km/h, with rollout expected by end-2026 or early 2027 and a tentative inaugural run on the Surat–Vapi section in August 2027.

UIC describes rail-related climate work under COP action plans on freight modal shift, urban transport, and infrastructure resilience. It cites a new study on National Adaptation Plans showing rail is often mentioned but rarely backed by costs or funding, and says COP31 discussions will address green freight corridors and carbon markets.

Trafikverket outlined Sweden’s winter rail maintenance setup for 14,400 km of track, including 32 maintenance contracts, 3,200 workers, 960 vehicles, heated switches, snow-melting machines and new hot-air de-icing systems. Contractors must respond within 60 to 120 minutes depending on time and route.