Hitachi Rail Spain and Hitachi Rail Turkey signed a contract to supply, install and commission signalling systems on Turkey’s Ankara-Istanbul line at T26 and Bilecik depot. The scope includes interlockings, the Traffic Control Centre, telecommunications expansion, and ETCS Level 1 and 2.
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.
Penang’s Mutiara Line LRT Macallum–Penang Sentral alignment, including a 5.5km marine bridge across the Penang Strait, is scheduled to start construction in 3Q2027 after MRT Corp completes tender evaluation this month. The alignment is targeted for completion by December 2031.
Alstom announced the first ETCS Level 2 passenger service in Romania, using a Traxx Passenger electric locomotive and ETCS Level 2 trackside infrastructure between Buftea and Brazi on the Bucharest–Budapest line. The service began after the locomotives entered passenger operation in September 2026.
The Malaysian government has approved over RM250 million to support ECRL development in Kelantan, including RM30 million for a new bus terminal at Kota Bharu ECRL Station and more than RM200 million for preliminary works on a proposed extension to Rantau Panjang.
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.
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3 (23 km) and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro Phase-II projects worth about ₹13,500 crore. The new phase covers four corridors: Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A, aimed at expanding metro connectivity across Pune.
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.
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.
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.
Kelantan plans industrial and logistics development around the ECRL station in Cherang Tuli, Pasir Puteh, including processing industries, warehousing, a logistics hub and a proposed dry port in Bandar Baru Tok Bali. The state also wants supporting roads, distribution centres and last-mile logistics facilities.
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.
Singapore will expand the Singapore Rail Academy’s role from November with standardised training, wider eligibility, and new certification pathways for engineers, technicians and operations staff. The changes, developed with LTA and rail operators, are meant to support MRT network expansion, upgrades and future technology adoption.
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.
Porterbrook and GB Railfreight have signed a deal for 56 new MWA box wagons to be built by WH Davis in Nottinghamshire. The first wagon is due for completion by September 2027, and the wagons will carry recycled material to 7Steel’s Cardiff site.
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.
Severn Valley Railway says its Halloween services sold out and Christmas steam specials are booking quickly. The heritage railway is offering Elf Express and Santa Steam experiences with live entertainment, storytelling and children’s gifts.
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.
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.
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.
Schneider National will shift its primary eastern US intermodal rail service from CSX to Norfolk Southern under an agreement announced on 29 October 2026. Freight is expected to move in November 2026, and Norfolk Southern says it has been preparing terminal capacity and track adjustments for the added traffic.
A World Bank Kenya Economic Update says the Mombasa–Nairobi SGR could have saved up to US$900 million if built at Tanzania-like costs. The report cites procurement irregularities, land speculation and corruption, and says governance weaknesses have raised public spending and borrowing costs.
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.
Australia’s ARTC reported faster Sydney–Melbourne freight times after network maintenance works. Inland Rail started track laying on the Illabo–Stockinbingal section, Queensland Rail announced freight incentives from January 2027, Western Australia advanced legislation to buy back its freight network, and Transport for NSW opened an EOI for new electric multiple units under the Future Fleet programme.