ÖBB and SBB extended their passenger rail cooperation to 2036, covering more than 30 daily direct services and six night train routes from Zürich. Passenger numbers on the joint services have grown strongly over the past decade, alongside ÖBB’s rollout of new Siemens-built Nightjet trains.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chiltern Railways said it will run over 90% of services on 12 November despite RMT industrial action, with some Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa services reduced or suspended. The operator also said all East West Rail services will have two staff on board.
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.
The Transport Minister said the East Coast Rail Link is projected to generate RM418 million in operating revenue from passenger and cargo services by 2029.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Malaysia has approved funding for preliminary work to extend the under-construction East Coast Rail Link by 32km to the Thai border.
UIC Rail Expert Group meeting 2026 will be held on 18–19 November 2026 in Hamburg, Germany, hosted by DB InfraGo.
Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and Vintage Trains Charitable Trust have formed a partnership to mark the society’s 75th anniversary. The collaboration was highlighted by twinning two Birmingham-built carriages during a heritage steam special. The Talyllyn Railway also received a £3.7m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant in January for engineering facility upgrades.
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.
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.
Bala Lake Railway in North Wales will run two Santa steam trains on 12–13 December 2026. Pre-booked passengers will travel from Llanwchllyn to Bala Pen-y-Bont and visit Santa’s Grotto; children receive gifts and adults get a hot drink or cherry.
Batley station in West Yorkshire has been upgraded with a new footbridge and lifts, replacing the subway to provide step-free access as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Further works, including waiting shelters and car park reopening, will continue into spring 2027.
Transport for Wales has proposed a Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro with new stations, extra services, a new platform at Swansea, track links and signalling-related enabling works. Phase A and Phase B plans are open for public feedback until 13 December 2026, with funding still to be secured.
Ground movement near Bentley on the South Western Railway line will require urgent embankment strengthening work from 6 to 8 November, with buses replacing trains between Farnham and Alton and speed restrictions in place before the work starts.
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.
Anthony Loke said ECRL is projected to generate RM418 million in revenue by 2029, with cargo services contributing 70% and passenger services 30%.