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Lubomir Cech

Posts 3 394
Readers 62 493 962

Lubomír has been in media, public relations, and communications for 18 years. Over the last 5 years, he has focused on rail journalism, market intelligence, and content production. As a Chief Editor, Lubomír is mainly focused on special content - statistic charts, overviews or distant world-wide markets.

Passenger Rail

HS2 reveals Class 895 interior concept at Derby rail event (video)

HS2 plans to display the concept interior of its Class 895 high-speed train for the first time, as part of the ‘Railway 200’ anniversary event hosted at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works from 1 to 3 August 2025. The site will be opened to the public for the first time in nearly five decades.

August 1, 2025 · 2 min read

Rolling Stock

Romania receives two more modernised locomotives from Softronic

These deliveries bring the total number of refurbished units under the program to eight out of a planned 19.

July 31, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

WECO Rail shifts intermodal shuttle operations to duisport

Intermodal flows from Austria change its destination in Germany.

July 31, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

Another freight rail operator in Norway ends operation

BLS Rail AS, the Norwegian subsidiary of Sweden-based BLS Rail AB, has filed for bankruptcy.

July 31, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

The first intermodal train on a new Koper – Debrecen route

A new direct rail freight link between the Port of Koper and the Debrecen Intermodal Terminal (DIT) has been launched, with the first train arriving in Hungary on 28 July 2025.

July 31, 2025 · 1 min read

Business

Rail Cargo Group signs long-term agreement with Sona terminal near Verona in Italy

The deal positions RCG as one of the main operators at the logistics hub

July 31, 2025 · 1 min read

Passenger Rail

PKP Intercity reports over 40 million passengers in first half of 2025

From January to June 2025, PKP Intercity transported 9% more passengers compared to the same period in 2024 and a 31% rise over 2023.

July 31, 2025 · 2 min read

Business

85 billion USD: The costs of the first Transcontinental Freight Network made of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern

A joint network would span over 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers).

July 30, 2025 · 2 min read

Passenger Rail

3 operators with new open access passenger services of on British East Coast Main Line from December 2025

The UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has granted approval for a set of additional open access services to be introduced on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from the December 2025 timetable change.

July 30, 2025 · 1 min read

Rolling Stock

This is Škoda Group’s new single- and double-deck high-capacity train

The modular composition allows selection of single-deck only or a combination of single- and double-deck coaches.

July 30, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

First Middle Corridor block train arrives in Istanbul from Chinese Chongqing

On 21 July, the first ultra-express China-Europe block train running via the Middle Corridor arrived in Istanbul, completing a 22-day journey from Chongqing.

July 30, 2025 · 1 min read

Passenger Rail

Crack in a frame of Talgo train, Renfe reorganizes Avlo services

Following bogie component inspection, Renfe had to reorganize Madrid–Barcelona route of its low-cost branch.

July 30, 2025 · 1 min read

Rolling Stock

RS Lease buys two Softronic Transmontana locomotives

The Slovak rolling stock leasing company breaks the Siemens Vectron-only rule in its fleet.

July 29, 2025 · 1 min read

Business

SNCF Group posts net profit of EUR 950 million in first half of 2025

The French state-owned railway operator SNCF recorded a net profit of EUR 950 million in the first half of 2025.

July 29, 2025 · 3 min read

Passenger Rail

Kuyavian-Pomeranian region awards two contract to Arriva, buys Pesa EMUs and plans hydrogen trains

Arriva win two routes operation Brodnica–Rypin and Wierzchucin–Laskowice Pomorskie from 2026 to 2030.

July 28, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

Lineas will operate 6 out of 9 Port of Antwerp Railport areas

Lineas has been awarded control over four additional areas—zones 3, 4, 5, and 6B—within the Port of Antwerp under the framework of the Railport tender.

July 28, 2025 · 2 min read

Passenger Rail

Ukrzaliznytsia buys 100 new passenger wagons from Kryukovsky Railway Car Building Works

The supplier is expected to complete delivery within 2.5 years of receiving advance payment—which includes certification procedures for the new generation wagons.

July 28, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

First container train from Shanxi to Azerbaijan via middle corridor

A container train carrying photovoltaic module sets has been dispatched from Jinzhong, Shanxi Province (China) to Baku (Azerbaijan) via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also referred to as the Middle Corridor.

July 28, 2025 · 2 min read

Infrastructure

Rauma Line in Norway closed until September after landslide hits Verma station

Train services on Norway’s Rauma Line (Raumabanen) between Dombås and Åndalsnes are suspended until at least 31 August after a landslide severely damaged infrastructure near Verma station.

July 26, 2025 · 3 min read

Freight Rail

The big East Coast-West Coast merger: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern enter talks

Both carriers stressed that there is no guarantee an agreement will be reached or that definitive terms will be agreed upon, and they do not plan to provide further updates unless disclosure becomes necessary.

July 25, 2025 · 2 min read

Rolling Stock

This is the first Romanian Alstom Traxx locomotive for ARF

The locomotive of Romanian railway reform authority heads to testing.

July 25, 2025 · 2 min read

Technology & Innovation

Intermodal timber container from Austria targets short-haul rail logistics

The prototype allows the loading of round timber, wood chips, and similar cargo, and enables direct transfer from truck to rail without additional loading infrastructure.

July 25, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

SBB Cargo restructuring: Cost reduction and new operating model

The transformation affects combined transport, single wagonload services, partner train operations, and workforce distribution, particularly in the canton of Ticino.

July 25, 2025 · 5 min read

Freight Rail

Komatsu starts intermodal rail transport using own containers in Japan

Komatsu has launched a rail transport operation using its proprietary 20-foot containers for construction and mining machinery parts.

July 25, 2025 · 2 min read

Technology & Innovation

Derailment tests for digital automatic couplers underway in TÜV Süd site in Görlitz

The campaign began in June 2025 and focuses on verifying DAC safety in S-curve conditions using physical load testing.

July 24, 2025 · 2 min read

Rolling Stock

EU approves EUR 300 million support scheme for freight wagon purchases in Slovakia

The measure is based on the EU’s state aid framework and is intended to increase the use of rail for freight transport.

July 24, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

Pol-Miedź trans moves 3,500 tons of stowing sand daily to Rudna mine using two trains

Pol-Miedź Trans continues to provide rail transport for KGHM’s mining operations beyond copper concentrate and ore.

July 24, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

Mercedes-Benz continues using DB Cargo for rail transport needs

The cooperation between the automotive manufacturer and the rail freight company has been ongoing for over two decades.

July 24, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

New international freight train launched between Vietnam and China

A new international rail freight service connecting Guoyuan Port (Chongqing, China) with Hanoi (Vietnam) has officially started operations.

July 24, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

Transnet and UMK sign 10-year contract for manganese transport by rail

The deal is structured under the third phase of the Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA 3), which governs rail and port access for bulk manganese exporters.

July 24, 2025 · 1 min read

Passenger Rail

Renfe reports the strongest ever H1 in its history: 277.4 million passengers

Renfe transported a total of 277.4 million passengers across its services in the first half of 2025, representing a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

July 23, 2025 · 2 min read

Passenger Rail

First Amtrak Cascades Airo trainset leaves Californian Siemens factory for testing

The unit is headed to Pueblo, Colorado, where it will undergo a testing and certification process. Service entry is scheduled for 2026.

July 23, 2025 · 2 min read

Business

Lineas gets €61 million loan from Belgian government to stabilize operations

The funding will be provided through SFPIM, Belgium’s sovereign wealth fund, which holds a long-term stake in the company.

July 23, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

ČD Cargo will release 700 employees and reduce rolling stock as freight volumes continue to decline

The company presented its plan during a meeting with trade union representatives on 21 July 2025.

July 23, 2025 · 3 min read

Freight Rail

Europorte operates biofuel-powered trains for Vicat on Xeuilley–Chelles route

The change follows a shift introduced over the past few months.

July 23, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

10,000th truck transported by rail via r2L multiuse connector on Brzesko–Rhein route

The milestone vehicle was a MAN truck transported on the Brzesko–Rhein route between Poland and Germany.

July 22, 2025 · 1 min read

Infrastructure

EUR 76 million allocated for standard gauge construction on Mostyska II - Lviv–corridor

The project should improve international rail connectivity and offering additional capacity for intermodal and transit traffic between Ukraine and the EU.

July 22, 2025 · 1 min read

Passenger Rail

Passenger rail news from PKP Intercity, České dráhy and MÁV

Polish, Czech and Hungarian national carriers announce vehicle upgrades, international service configurations, and station-level capacity works.

July 22, 2025 · 3 min read

Freight Rail

Rail Cargo Group adds round trips on TransFER Genk–Curtici route, cancels two others

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) is adjusting its intermodal network.

July 22, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

Captrain France and BAI Rail open a new route for unaccompanied trailer traffic

A new combined transport rail service between Cherbourg (Manche) and Mouguerre (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) has started operations.

July 22, 2025 · 2 min read

Freight Rail

GulfLink joint venture launches operations in Central Asia

The company is majority owned by AD Ports Group (51%), while KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), holds the remaining 49%.

July 22, 2025 · 2 min read

Business

HELROM files for preliminary insolvency, continues operations on key corridors

The company will undergo a restructuring phase while maintaining core operations along its East–West and North–South intermodal routes.

July 21, 2025 · 1 min read

Infrastructure

Stuttgart 21: New through station will open in December 2026

Long-distance services, except those on the Gäubahn line, and approximately half of the regional services will be rerouted via the new through station.

July 21, 2025 · 2 min read

Business

Agorastore will auction 10 Alstom BB 27000 locomotives from Fret SNCF fleet

The auction announcement precedes the formal public auction, scheduled to occur in November 2025.

July 21, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

ČD Cargo discusses centralization of timber loading as wagonload volumes decline

ČD Cargo has entered talks with the Association of Forestry and Wood Processing Enterprises regarding the organization of future timber transport.

July 21, 2025 · 3 min read

Freight Rail

Olavion with first multi-system Vectron for cross-border operations

Polish freight operator Olavion, part of the UNIMOT Group, has taken delivery of its first multi-system Vectron locomotive.

July 21, 2025 · 2 min read

Passenger Rail

Metronom secures Hanse network lot 1 contract until 2033

The agreement for northern Germany runs until 2033.

July 21, 2025 · 1 min read

Passenger Rail

Titagarh Firema delivers 16th train for Napoli suburban lines

The transfer took place from the company’s Caserta manufacturing site to Naples Campi Flegrei station.

July 19, 2025 · 1 min read

Freight Rail

BNSF opens direct intermodal service from Los Angeles to Houston

BNSF Railway has introduced a new intermodal service linking Los Angeles and Houston with third-day delivery capability.

July 18, 2025 · 2 min read

Technology & Innovation

Network rail begins to equip freight locomotives with ETCS

The locomotive entered the installation phase at EMD Longport, marking the start of a broader rollout under the National Freight ETCS Programme (NFP).

July 18, 2025 · 2 min read