RailAdvent reviews a 2026 Amberley Publishing book about Black Jack, a Fowler traction engine built in Leeds in 1897 and kept by the Boughton family. The book recounts its working life, wartime service, restoration, and appearances at steam rallies.
Kenya Railways has begun vehicle transport on the Standard Gauge Railway between Mombasa and Nairobi, moving 21 cars on its first service. The operation uses adapted vehicle wagons alongside container trains and is being developed with Autobarn East Africa for about 700 vehicles a month.
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.
SJ has opened bookings for its 2026/27 winter timetable. Direct sleeper trains between Stockholm and Narvik will return from 13 December 2026 under a new agreement with Trafikverket. SJ also plans overnight services to Umeå and Duved, plus a new train-and-bus connection from Stockholm to Sälen.
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.
VIA Rail Canada completed the modernisation of its Toronto Maintenance Centre, funded by a US$310 million Government of Canada investment. The upgraded facility supports maintenance of VIA Rail’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets and existing equipment, with expanded bays, heavy-maintenance tools and a new vehicle monitoring system.
The article says ETCS timeline changes should be managed through connected asset data, scenario planning and workbank updates so infrastructure, fleet and renewal plans stay aligned. It argues that planning tools can help identify affected assets, compare sequencing options and track assumptions as delivery milestones move.
The article discusses the AI city concept presented at Huawei Connect 2026 in Shanghai, where governments use digital foundations, AI agents, and unified data platforms to improve city services. Examples from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Angola, and Saudi Arabia highlight proactive governance, emergency response, and automated public-service workflows.
ZF Aftermarket says its ProVia commercial vehicle spare parts brand will expand with transmission parts already added and clutches and air compressors next. By 2027, the range is planned to triple with more than 830 additional part numbers across Europe, IMEA and APAC.
Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall held sold-out Fireworks Spectaculars on 30 and 31 October, attracting thousands. The railway said the 2026 event was its most successful yet and that tickets for the next event, expected in 2027, will go on sale later in the summer.
Pune Metro Line 3, a 23.2-km PPP corridor linking Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar, opened on 3 November as the first metro project under India’s 2017 New Metro Rail Policy. Siemens supplied systems integration, CBTC, electrification and depot equipment; Alstom supplied 22 three-car trainsets.
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.
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.
CFL multimodal launched an intermodal rail service between Bettembourg-Dudelange and Wrocław on 20 October 2026, operating four round trips per week. It also increased its Bettembourg–Lübeck service from three to four weekly round trips after recent operational disruption.
EBRD will fund €50 million for rehabilitation of Montenegro’s 39 km Golubovci–Bar railway section, including track, stations, bridges, signalling, telecommunications and power upgrades. Separately, ŽPCG and Stadler are progressing discussions on the design of three new electric multiple units.
Jupiter Wagons said it won about EUR 138 million in new business in India for 2,583 freight wagons for Indian Railways and 405 ACT2 automobile carriers for GATX India and Chetak International. The Ministry of Railways also issued a separate tender for 5,800 BOBRN wagons, with no award yet announced.
Network Rail has advised passengers to plan ahead for heavy festive travel in Birmingham. Christmas markets and events are expected to increase use of Birmingham stations, with staff available at New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill, while some services to New Street will be suspended from 24 to 28 December 2026.
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.
KTM unveiled the 2027 1390 Super Duke GT EVO at EICMA 2026 with a 1,350 cc engine, semi-active suspension, AMT and touring equipment. It is expected in dealerships in early 2027, while KTM Malaysia has listed it locally but has not confirmed launch timing or pricing.
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.