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.
MRT Corp awarded the RM2.69 billion Civil Main Contract 2 for the Penang LRT Mutiara Line. The package covers a 5.5km extension from Macallum to Penang Sentral, including a 3.05km sea-crossing bridge. The project is under construction and reported 16% complete.
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.
UIC held a webinar on 3 November 2026 on rail’s role in suicide prevention, covering effective interventions, means restriction, staff training, data sharing and new technologies such as fencing, lighting, CCTV and real-time track intrusion alerts.
The European Commission approved €29.3 million in German state aid for a new intermodal freight terminal at Stolberg Hauptbahnhof near Aachen. The terminal, part of the Euregio Railport project, is planned to open in 2035 and handle 740-metre freight trains, supporting rail freight flows to and from Benelux ports.
Wabtec has reached 1,000 locomotives built at its Contagem plant in Brazil. Vale ordered 50 Evolution Series locomotives in 2025, and Wabtec also signed a USD 254 million deal with MRS Logística in September 2026 for locomotives, spare parts and maintenance through 2032. Some units are exported to Australia and Uruguay.
MRT Corp has awarded a RM2.69 billion civil main contract to a JV of CCCC, TRC Construction and Ufuk Semarak for the Penang LRT Mutiara Line cross-sea extension. The 5.5km package includes a 3.05km sea bridge linking Macallum on Penang Island to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai.
Alstom said first-half revenue rose 3% to €9.3 billion and orders rose to €11.0 billion, but it cut its 2026/27 outlook. The company cited technical issues and testing requirements on the Coradia Max platform and revised margins on selected rolling stock projects.
Renfe has awarded Siemens a contract for 30 seven-car Velaro Novo high-speed trains. The trains will run up to 350 km/h, seat 520 passengers each, and be delivered over 62 months, with the first five due within 40 months.
Alstom says the new-generation TGV, known in France as TGV M, has entered commercial service. It is the first train based on Alstom's Avelia Horizon very high-speed platform and builds on the company's long history in high-speed rail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UIC lists the 27th Africa Regional Assembly on 2 December 2026, from 15:00 to 17:00.
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.
British rail staff assaults rose 12% to 11,289 in 2025-26, with many incidents linked to late shifts. The article says operators can reduce risk through roster planning, station lighting, CCTV, body cameras, safe spaces and stronger incident reporting and follow-up.
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.
Great Northern will double off-peak train frequency between Moorgate and Hertford North from 14 December. Services will run every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, with faster running into London and limited stops at Bayford and Crews Hill.
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.