EUROPE: The first of five ETR1000 high speed trainsets being modified to operate Trenitalia’s planned open access service between Milano and Paris is expected to begin test running in France next month, following the completion of retrofitting work. The trainsets are being fitted with TVM cab signalling and KVB automatic train

I THOUGHT you might be interested in another ‘category’ of coaler – one which comes under the header of ‘do it yourself’! From the Manchester Locomotive Society collection and dated May 27, 1958, is this picture taken at Perth, when the normal coaling stage was out of action.

USA: Italian state railway group FS has established FS Italian Railways USA Inc with the aim of developing its activities in the North American market. FS said the mass transit, high speed and freight markets ‘offer interesting growth possibilities, especially in the large metropolitan areas’, thanks to an increase in investment

USA: Italian state railway group FS has established FS Italian Railways USA Inc with the aim of developing its activities in the North American market. FS said the mass transit, high speed and freight markets ‘offer interesting growth possibilities, especially in the large metropolitan areas’, thanks to an increase in investment

By Nick Pigott As the most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive in the world at the time, Kestrel promised a motive power revolution… but it turned out to be ‘too good for its own good’! Shunned by BR despite its 125mph speed potential, it vanished behind the Iron Curtain where it

GERMANY: Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn has awarded Alstom a €45m contract to supply eight Coradia Lint diesel multiple-units for use on Netzes Elbe-Spree regional passenger services from December 2022. Announcing the order on June 20, Alstom said the 140  km/h DMUs would be its first with a powerpack complying with EU Stage V

‘Falling prop shaft’ damaged Glasgow signal cablesDISRUPTION to train services from Glasgow Central is reported to have been caused by a prop shaft which fell off a Class 156 diesel unit, damaging signalling cables. The incident happened yesterday near Shields Junction on the line to Paisley. At least 100 trains

SPAIN: The European Investment Bank approved a €100m loan on June 13 to part-finance the planned €201m procurement of 26 electric and five electro-diesel trainsets for use by RENFE on suburban and rural services on the former FEVE metre-gauge network in northern Spain. EIB said the replacement of life-expired rolling stock

THERE are new calls for Arriva’s Northern franchise to be terminated. More politicians in north east England are now echoing previous messages from the Mayors of Manchester, Liverpool and North of Tyne, and also the TSSA union, who have all said they want transport secretary Chris Grayling to end the

GERMANY: Schleswig-Holstein transport authority NAH.SH has selected Stadler to supply 55 Flirt Akku battery multiple-units to operate regional services and provide 30 years of maintenance. Announcing its selection as preferred bidder on June 19, Stadler said that it will reveal more details when the contract is signed, which is expected