EUROPE: Virgin has set out details of its plans to launch high speed train services through the Channel Tunnel, and says it is ready to confirm an order for Alstom trainsets which would enable the start of services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during 2030.

AUSTRALIA: National, state and territory transport ministers have backed the adoption of ETCS for national interoperability, as well as plans to streamline rolling stock approvals and enable the Rail Industry Safety & Standards Board to lead the setting of technical standards.

USA: A traditional Hawaiian blessing officially marked the start of construction of the next section of the Honolulu Skyline automated light metro.

UK: A ‘pioneering’ approach to rail project delivery by the South Rail Systems Alliance achieved a 42% reduction in carbon emissions during a two-week possession at Stoke Gifford near Bristol.

ROMANIA: The first of 16 Alstom Traxx Universal locomotives ordered by national railway reform authority ARF is undergoing dynamic testing at the Făurei test centre.

GERMANY: The search is underway for a new Deutsche Bahn Chief Executive, after federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder announced that incumbent Richard Lutz will finish his term early.

UK: Greater Anglia says it is the first train operating company to introduce a streamlined booking process enabling disabled and older passengers to pre-book assistance at the same time as buying tickets on the Greater Anglia website.

ITALY: Lombardia regional passenger train operator Trenord has launched an account on the WeChat social media and messaging app which is popular with Chinese visitors.

News from the world rail freight market.

Pandrol has deployed its latest low-vibration trackform and floating sleeper mats on two extensions of the light rail network in the historic centre of Firenze. The company’s Technology Manager for Sustainable Resilient Systems Ernesto San Vicente explains how the challenges of the deployment were overcome.

ITALY: Pre-feasibility studies have been presented for a 22 km light rail line to link Brescia with its hinterland to the northeast, including Lake Garda.

ROMANIA: Infrastructure manager CFR SA has awarded the Asocierea RailWorks consortium of Arcada and Alstom a €450m contract to modernise the line from București to the Bulgarian border.

INDIA: Train detection and lineside equipment control system manufacturer Frauscher Sensortechnik launches construction of a factory in Mysore with a groundbreaking, blessing and tree planting ceremony.

INTERNATIONAL: Siemens Mobility subsidiary Hacon has begun rolling out the latest generation of its HAFAS journey planning app.

This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.

UK: Accessibility, comfort and convenience were priorities when designing the interiors of the future Class 895 trainsets for High Speed 2 services, according to the Hitachi-Alstom High Speed manufacturing joint venture.

UK: Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has written to train operators saying that she has accepted in full the recommendations of the Office of Rail & Road’s review of revenue protection practices.

CANADA: The government of Ontario and transport authority Metrolinx have awarded North End Connectors the tunnelling contract for the Toronto metro’s Yonge North Subway Extension project.

INTERNATIONAL: The opening up of all regional transport routes, including the long-mooted Zangezur Corridor – now renamed the Trump Route for International Peace & Prosperity – is included in a joint declaration agreeing to end the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

MAURITANIA: The European Investment Bank has approved a US$125m loan to support a investment in a heavy haul railway linking the mining area of Zouerate with the coast.