Further HS2 rethink reportedTHE Prime Minister is considering building the northern sections of HS2 first, according to reports. He announced a wide-ranging review of the scheme on Wednesday, to be led by former HS2 chairman Douglas Oakervee and Lord Berkeley, with complete cancellation said to be an option. The Times

ESTONIA: The Ministry of Economic Affairs & Communications and the Ministry of the Environment are preparing a railway electrification strategy after receiving cabinet backing for the development of proposals.  The government envisages that electrification works could be undertaken in 2022-28, supporting the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from

Photo: Ben Jones. Arriva Rail North has confirmed that some of its unpopular ‘Pacer’ railbuses will be required beyond the December 31 withdrawal deadline. Delays in the delivery and commissioning of new CAF Class 195 DMUs and Class 331 EMUs, which entered limited public service six months late on

USA: The federal government has approved more than $272m of funding for 10 ‘state of good repair’ projects, the Federal Railroad Administration announced on August 21. The money is intended to co-fund works to improve publicly-owned railway infrastructure and the performance of inter-city passenger services. FRA said the selected projects all

SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways and BLS AG have reached ‘an amicable solution’ to share the operation of long-distance services, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Transport, Energy & Communication announced on August 22. This will enable BLS to re-enter the long-distance passenger market with effect from the December 2019 timetable change. The

RMT calls strikes at Merseyrail, WabtecNEW strikes have been called on Merseyrail by the RMT, after talks over train despatch failed to find a solution. Members of the union will walk out for 24 hours on Saturday, and on 3, 5 and 30 September, and on 2 and 4 October.

RMT calls strikes at Merseyrail, WabtecNEW strikes have been called on Merseyrail by the RMT, after talks over train despatch failed to find a solution. Members of the union will walk out for 24 hours on Saturday, and on 3, 5 and 30 September, and on 2 and 4 October.

Late August saw the final regular workings of France’s most powerful diesel locomotives. Ben Jones looks back at their varied career.  AFTER the devastation of the Second World War, the railways of France recovered quickly during the 1950s. Electrification was a priority, with most of the

SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has awarded Deutsche Bahn a contract to refurbish 93 Einheitswagen IV coaches at its Wittenberge and Neumünster workshops from 2020. The first of the EW IV coaches were delivered to SBB in 1981, and they are expected to remain in service until the 2030s. The operator began

THE Telford Steam Railway (TSR) is hopeful that a proposed redevelopment of the former Ironbridge power station could see steam-hauled services return to Coalbrookdale and the banks of the River Severn once again. The 350-acre power station site was acquired for development in 2018 by the Harworth Group, a project