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.
African rail updates include a EUR 355 million Wabtec support agreement for Transnet locomotives, TAZARA’s five-year recovery plan, Ghana opening Tema–Mpakadan to private freight operators, TransNamib revising fleet renewal plans, and Algeria inviting bids for a 310 km railway section.
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.
Transport for Greater Manchester will start redeveloping Bury Interchange later this month in two phases. The first phase includes a new footbridge, lift access to Metrolink platforms, platform resurfacing, canopy replacement, and upgrades to lighting, signage, CCTV, passenger information displays and ticketing facilities.
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.
MCMC is testing internet coverage along the 378km Phase 1 East Coast Rail Link route from Gombak to Kota Baru, including 16 stations and tunnels, ahead of the Dec 12 launch. Maxis, appointed by MRL as the 4G infrastructure provider, has presented its implementation plan.
A coal train derailed near Otira on New Zealand’s Midland Line, damaging the track and rolling stock and prompting a TAIC investigation. TranzAlpine passenger services are cut back to Arthur’s Pass with bus connections to Greymouth until an estimated Nov. 20.
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.
MRT Corp has awarded a RM2.69 billion contract for CMC2, covering design and construction of a 5.5km Penang Mutiara Line extension from Macallum Street to Penang Sentral, including a 3.05km sea-crossing bridge. The 22-station project is 16% complete and is expected to open in 2031.
MRT Corp awarded a RM2.69 billion civil main contract to a CCCC-TRC Construction-Ufuk Semarak joint venture for the Penang LRT Mutiara Line cross-sea extension from Macallum to Penang Sentral. The 5.5km package includes a 3.05km bridge and is targeted for completion by December 2031.
Services between Leeds and York resumed after a nine-day closure for TransPennine Route Upgrade works. The works included replacing Common Lane Bridge at Church Fenton, installing new power lines for future electrification, and other track, overhead line and drainage upgrades on the East Coast Main Line.
CSX expanded its Chambersburg intermodal terminal after volumes rose from 159,000 units in 2023 to 192,000 in 2025. The railway added a rubber-tyred gantry crane, two reach stackers and more parking space, and is now enlarging the maintenance facility. Further expansion options are under review.
NYC subway ridership hit 3.14 million on Marathon Sunday, the highest Sunday in MTA records and 109% of the comparable pre-pandemic level. Late October also set post-pandemic records for daily, weekend and weekly subway ridership, helped by extra service and staffing.
Network Rail will replace the 160-year-old Selhurst railway bridge in London over the Christmas period. The old bridge will be removed using self-propelled modular transporters, and Selhurst Road will be closed from 12 December to 10 January while the station remains open.
Network Rail completed nine days of work to renew and strengthen Saxmundham junction on East Suffolk Line, converting it from manual to powered operation and upgrading signalling and infrastructure. The improvements support increased freight traffic to the Sizewell C construction site and resumed Greater Anglia services between Halesworth and Ipswich.
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.
Network Rail completed drainage renewal and related maintenance on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire after two weekend possessions. The programme included 300 metres of drainage at Chapman’s Bridge near Shipton, work on track, power lines and points, vegetation management, and a new bridge at Church Fenton for overhead line preparation.
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.
UK Railtours will run December trips in East Anglia, London and Kent using paired Class 37 locomotives. Swietelsky and Europhoenix will provide traction, RailAdventure will operate the locomotives, and Eastern Rail Services will provide Mark 2 coaches. Tickets are available through the UK Railtours website.
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.
Siemens Mobility and Lufthansa Technik Defense have proposed a medical evacuation train for more than 150 patients, including intensive-care cases. The concept uses Vectouro coaches and a Vectron X locomotive, with a dual-mode option under consideration, for cross-border use on Europe’s standard-gauge network.
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.
TfL and Time Out released London After Dark, a report on how the Night Tube has supported London’s night-time economy. The study found 88% of surveyed Londoners stayed out later because public transport was available, and London was ranked first among 26 European cities for nightlife and public transport.
SRI Rail Invest ordered a Vectron Dual Mode locomotive for delivery in late 2027 or early 2028. In a separate deal, it arranged financing for Projektbahn to acquire former ICE 2 vehicles from DB Fernverkehr.
Severn Valley Railway will host Class 55 Deltic D9015 Tulyar from 13 to 16 May 2027 during its Spring Diesel Festival, marking 40 years since the line’s first diesel gala. The locomotive returned to passenger service in 2026 after a 30-year restoration.