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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.

The article argues that rail emergency exit systems should still function without connectivity or power, citing EU interoperability rules and the IEC RAMS framework. It says physically independent mechanisms can complement digitally enabled systems in trains.

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.

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.

Opinion piece argues that ECRL’s high cost, loan burden and limited ridership or cargo capacity make its financial return doubtful, and says its value should be judged by wider economic spillovers rather than operating profits.

Stadler has begun commissioning the first RBe 546 FLIRT EMU for Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn in Switzerland. The 17 three-car units were ordered in September 2024, with type testing in 2027 and commercial service planned from May 2028.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has completed its acquisition of the Brecon Mountain Railway in Wales. The two heritage narrow-gauge railways will keep their separate identities and locomotive fleets, while sharing engineering knowledge, maintenance, restoration work and facilities at Aberystwyth.

Anthony Loke said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is projected to generate RM418 million in operating revenue from passenger and cargo services by 2029.

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.

Canada has shortened the timetable for Roberts Bank Terminal 2 at the Port of Vancouver to 2035, with a final investment decision expected by mid-2027. The project includes a widened causeway with road and railway infrastructure, while the federal government is also developing a broader rail strategy for the port.

UIC will hold an online New Technologies Working Group Meeting on 24 Nov 2026 from 14:00 to 17:00.

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.

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.

GBR Anglia is offering free return travel for veterans and serving military personnel attending Remembrance services on 7–8 November on c2c and Greater Anglia, with similar support from London Northwestern Railway. The offer also now includes one immediate bereaved family member, using proof of eligibility and a complimentary ticket process.

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.

Premium PSU will present its full auxiliary and services power conversion range for rolling stock at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, including AC/DC supplies, DC/DC converters, inverters, VFDs and DC-UPS. The products are engineered to EN 50155 and related railway standards and built in Barcelona.

At Wandsworth Town station, piling for new lift shafts has been completed as part of a £19.8 million step-free access upgrade. The island platform is back in use, and the station is expected to become fully accessible in summer 2027. The project is funded by the UK Department for Transport and Wandsworth Council.

Indian Railways reported higher coal and overall freight loading in October, CONCOR ordered 12 rakes of container wagons from Golden Rock Workshop, DP World expanded double-stack services from JNPA, and the Rowghat iron ore line was commissioned. A new East-West dedicated freight corridor is under study.

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.

A Southco guide explains monitor mounts, torque control methods, and selection factors such as weight, vibration, safety factor, and end-use environment for applications including kiosks, vehicles, and industrial equipment.