GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has resumed acceptance of ICE 4 trainsets with immediate effect, Siemens Mobility and Bombardier Transportation announced on July 17. The national operator had stopped accepting delivery of further ICE4 trainsets in April after Bombardier’s quality management procedures determined that some coach body welds had not been carried out

UK: Organisations from across the rail sector have responded to Keith Williams’ speech in Bradford on July 16 during which he provided an update on the strategic review of the rail sector which he is undertaking for the government. Rail Delivery Group ‘Businesses, communities and passengers across the country have told us

CANTERBURY & Whitstable Railway (C&WR) 0-4-0 Invicta left its long-term home in the city of Canterbury on June 16 to become the star exhibit in the Whitstable Community Museum and Gallery. The veteran locomotive was constructed in 1829 at Robert Stephenson & Co’s Forth Street works in Newcastle immediately after

In the first of an occasional new series, Andrew Royle looks back to a forgotten railtour over London Transport’s Metropolitan line in 1954. SIXTY-FIVE years ago it was possible for an enthusiasts’ special train to attract the attention of the wider public – even at a time when steam traction

PORTUGAL: Prime Minister António Costa and Housing & Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos attended ceremonies on July 16 to mark completion of two electrification schemes on routes north of Porto. Both projects are part of the government’s Ferrovia 2020 investment plan.A 14·2 km section of the Porto – Pocinho Douro

TRANSPORT secretary Chris Grayling has signalled his support for reducing the railway responsibilities of the DfT, as set out in principle by Rail Review chairman Keith Williams over the past couple of days.Mr Grayling is giving evidence to the Transport Committee. He said: ‘I think the Department should do much less.

HUNGARY: Stadler’s factory in Dunakeszi has rolled out the first Kiss double-deck electric multiple-unit for national passenger operator MÁV-Start, which has so far ordered a total of 19 under a 2017 eight-year framework agreement for up to 40. Testing is to be undertaken in Germany and the Czech Republic, with entry

Three Saturday strikes set to go ahead on East MidlandsSTAFF at East Midlands Trains are set to walk out on the next three Saturdays in a dispute over what the RMT describes as ‘pay discrimination and contract issues’. The first strike will be staged this week, on 20 July. The

COMPONENTS: TE Connectivity has introduced the RSTI 68 surge arrester which is designed to be mounted directly on the transformer, saving space on a train roof. The company said roof space is at a particular premium on double-deck trains, and having cleaner rooftop profiles also improves aerodynamics, especially at higher speeds. The

KEITH Williams has been giving more details of his Rail Review for the Department for Transport at an event in Bradford.But although he said ‘I won’t be setting out my recommendations today’, he went on to reveal one of them: ‘One thing I am not considering is giving Network Rail