Great Northern will increase off-peak services between Moorgate and Hertford North to four trains per hour from 14 December, creating a 15-minute turn-up-and-go frequency at most stations on the route.
An opinion piece says the ECRL is nearing a defining moment in Malaysia, with passenger service due to start on 12 December 2026. It highlights expected travel-time savings, dynamic fare pricing, concessions and the importance of first- and last-mile connectivity around stations.
Anthony Loke said ECRL is projected to generate RM418 million in revenue by 2029, with cargo services contributing 70% and passenger services 30%.
TRC Synergy said its subsidiary has a 30% interest in a joint venture awarded the RM2.69 billion Penang LRT CMC2 package. The five-year contract covers design and construction of a 5.5km sea-crossing viaduct, a navigation span, an elevated station and related works for the Mutiara Line.
Hitachi Rail signed a contract to supply railway signalling systems for the T26 tunnel and Bilecik depot on Turkey’s Ankara–Istanbul line.
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.
Malaysia has approved funding for preliminary work to extend the under-construction East Coast Rail Link by 32km to the Thai border.
CPKC signed a five-year agreement to increase steelmaking coal shipments from British Columbia to Vancouver export terminals. CN expanded its Vaughan, Ontario fuel terminal to handle more than 15,000 railcars a year. Audi chose a Norfolk Southern-served site in Georgia for a EUR 3.6 billion factory.
CRRC Dalian and Temoinsa won an order in Chile for four CDA3 diesel locomotives. The locomotives have a maximum speed of 120 km/h, are intended for routine infrastructure maintenance, and will replace ageing equipment. First delivery is expected in about 18 months.
SYSTRA, as part of the RMTC joint venture led by Parsons, has been awarded PMCM consultancy for the Riyadh Metro Red Line extension in Saudi Arabia. The project will add 5.4 km, eight stations, mostly underground tunnels, and connect Diriyah to the wider network.
ZSSK plans to invest €43.9 million in six battery-electric shunting locomotives for Bratislava and Žilina, with delivery planned by end-2030. Slovakia’s finance ministry recommends battery traction over diesel on lifecycle-cost grounds, ahead of ETCS-only operation on key corridors from 2031.
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.
Hanoi has signed EPC turnkey contracts for five driverless metro lines, Lines 1, 2, 8, 10 and 14, totalling about 253.5 km. The programme targets GoA4 automation, CBTC, depots, and digital delivery tools, with completion planned for 2030.
Malaysia and Singapore held a joint emergency response exercise for the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link on 27–28 October 2026 at RTS Wadi Hana Depot. The drill tested firefighting, medical triage, casualty evacuation, and cross-border coordination by agencies from both countries ahead of passenger service start.
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.
Kia Sales Malaysia said three future models for Malaysia will use a turbocharged petrol hybrid powertrain. The Sportage facelift is confirmed as one, while the Carnival is likely another and the K4 sedan/fastback may be the third.
Azerbaijan Railways signed a contract with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive to buy four new passenger trains.
TRC Synergy’s JV CCCC-TRC-UFUK accepted a RM2.69 billion contract from MRT Mutiara Sdn Bhd for Penang LRT Mutiara Line Package CMC2. The five-year scope covers a sea crossing viaduct with navigation spans, an elevated station, and associated works from Macallum to Penang Sentral.
TRC Synergy said its subsidiary is part of a consortium awarded a RM2.69 billion contract for Penang LRT Mutiara Line Civil Main Contract 2. The 5.5km package includes a 3.05km sea bridge linking Macallum on Penang Island to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai.
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.
Parsons, with Systra and Egis in the RMTC joint venture, has been awarded project and construction management services for the Riyadh Metro Red Line Extension in Saudi Arabia. The 8.4-km extension will add five stations and connect King Saud University to Diriyah South.
Eurostar appointed Christophe Fanichet, former CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, as its new CEO. He will oversee a EUR 2 billion fleet investment programme, including up to 50 Alstom double-decker high-speed trains under the Celestia programme, with first service expected in May 2031.
Sydney Metro Southwest has opened passenger services, completing Sydney’s 66 km metro line with 31 stations. Alstom supplied Metropolis trains, Urbalis CBTC signalling and maintenance services for the extension, and also maintains the fleet at Metro Trains Sydney’s Tallawong depot.
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.
Amtrak has launched its Winter Wanderlust sale, offering up to 30% off fares on U.S. routes for travel between 1 December 2026 and 14 March 2027. The sale runs until 12 November and applies to Coach and Acela Business Class bookings.