AUSTRALIA: Several rail projects have been allocated funding in the 2019-20 New South Wales budget, which was presented on June 18. The state government is providing A$812m as part of a A$1·8bn package over four years towards the New Intercity Fleet. The RailConnect consortium of Hyundai Rotem, Mitsubishi Electric Australia

RUSSIA: GATX Rail Vostok has taken delivery of 26 molasses wagons of a new design developed by United Wagon Co. UWC said the Type 15-6900-04 developed by its All-Union Research & Development Centre for Transportation Technology and manufactured at its TikhvinChemMash site was the only 1 520 mm gauge wagon of its type

For every late train there is a reason. Some are straightforward, others more complex, and each knock-on has an affect around the network, but with each delay comes a cost. Phil Marsh explains the work of the Delay Attribution Board, which adjudicates for the industry on the more complex cases

The tiny independent nation of Barbados has an operating railway once more after a gap of more than 80 years. Keith Fender and Glen Beadon look at the Caribbean island’s troubled railway history and the development of the latest venture.  BARBADOS’ first female Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, opened

CHINA: China Railway Corp was officially restructured as China State Railway Group Co on June 18, with China Railway and CR as its official English-language short name and abbreviation. China Railway is a solely state-owned enterprise with registered capital of 1·74tr yuan, established in accordance with company law. Its responsibilities include

THE war of words between South Western Railway and the RMT has become more heated on the second day of five 24-hour walkouts.The dispute over on-train staffing and the future role of guards has been running for months, but the latest action is the most intensive yet. Although the RMT claimed

RUSSIA: An agreement for the development of diesel-battery hybrid shunting locomotives has been signed by Russian Railways, Transmashholding and lithium-ion battery manufacturer Rusnano. RZD has expressed interesting buying 131 hybrid shunters over six years, subject to approval of the prototype. These would be used at major stations and in depots. ‘In the

Diversity gapASLEF has launched a new report called ‘On track with diversity’ – which the union said reveals a ‘glaring gap’ between those in the driver's cab at the front of the train and the communities they serve. ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘When I stood up at our

UK: Grand Union Trains has applied to the Office of Rail & Road for a track access agreement which would enable it to launch a Cardiff Central – London Paddington open access passenger service from late 2020. The proposed hourly service would call at Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway,