RUSSIA: ‘This is truly a step into the future’, said Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov when automated operation of an electric multiple-unit was demonstrated at the Pro//Motion.Expo trade fair at the Shcherbinka test centre near Moscow on August 28. ‘It was made by Russian engineers, in our technical centres and

TALYLLYN Railway’s (TR) June 15 Anything Goes gala lived up to its billing with a variety of operations encompassing steam-hauled freight trains, diesel-hauled passenger operations, and a car travelling up the line aboard a wagon! Talyllyn engineering manager Chris Smith sits in the driving seat of his Mini as it

THE Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s Class 52 No. D1010 Western Campaigner is seen alone in Williton diesel depot, West Somerset Railway, on June 22.  For nearly a quarter of a century this loco, when in the shed (completed late 1997), has had Class 35 No. D7018 for company. However, on

UK: The West Coast Partnership contract was formally signed by the Department for Transport and First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Ltd on August 28. The 70:30 joint venture of transport group FirstGroup plc and the Trenitalia UK Ltd subsidiary of Italy’s national railway holding group FS had been named preferred bidder

EUROPE: Conor Feighan became Secretary General of the European Rail Freight Association on August 26, succeeding Acting Secretary General Carole Coune. Feighan has joined ERFA from the FEPORT association which represents terminal operators and private port companies. He has had previous roles at the European Parliament and the European Economic &

The leader of the biggest rail workers union has followed up his re-election with a warning that a wave of strikes and other forms of industrial action will go ahead. Mick Cash won the support of thousands of transport workers to serve another five years as general secretary of the