News from the world rail freight market.

UK: The Centre for Transport in Cities initiative has been launched to bring rail research bodies at universities in Huddersfield and Leeds into a ‘strategic alliance’ with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

SPAIN: High speed infrastructure manager ADIF Alta Velocidad has awarded contracts for the remodelling and expansion of Valladolid-Campo Grande station to accommodate a predicted increase in passenger traffic.

Growing rail’s role in the Spanish logistics sector was the focus of UIP’s Wagon Keepers’ Summit in València. While the global trend for ‘nearshoring’ offers a huge opportunity, many speakers were frustrated at enduring problems in connecting Spain to the pan-European rail network. Nick Kingsley reports.

UK: Ongoing infrastructure problems arising from soil moisture deficit caused by unusually dry weather mean South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids are to be reduced.

FRANCE: The first of eight Citadis TBB trams ordered for the future Brest Line B is to be delivered during August.

FRANCE: The first of eight Citadis TBB trams ordered for the future Brest Line B is to be delivered during August.

AUSTRIA: What steelmaker Voestalpine says is the world’s first steel rail produced with net-zero CO2 emissions using mix of scrap and hydrogen-reduced pure iron has been laid at Linz Hauptbahnhof.

CHINA: Hong Kong’s government and MTR Corp have signed an agreement covering the phased construction of the Northern Link project, with completion targeted for 2034.

CHINA: Hong Kong’s government and MTR Corp have signed an agreement covering the phased construction of the Northern Link project, with completion targeted for 2034.

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

BRAZIL: Alstom has delivered the first of 22 six-car trainsets it is supplying for São Paulo Metro Line 6 (Orange).

POLAND: Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship has awarded Arriva a contract to operate regional passenger services on two lines which are to reopen in December 2030 to reconnect communities currently lacking rail access.

BRAZIL: Alstom has delivered the first of 22 six-car trainsets it is supplying for São Paulo Metro Line 6 (Orange).

UK: A year-long trial is to be undertaken with a monitoring system designed to help operators better understand the rail-wheel interface and move towards proactive adhesion management.

The development of more flexible rolling stock that could be deployed on day and night services offers economic and timetabling benefits, as well as attracting more long-distance travellers to rail, suggests Harald Buschbacher.

SPAIN: Catalunya operator FGC has awarded Stadler Valencia a contract to supply seven Tramlink V3 trams styled to fit with the landscape of the Camp de Tarragona area.

EUROPE: A doubling of Connecting Europe Facility transport grants and a review of the EU Agency for Railways’ mandate are among key priorities outlined by EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas in an exclusive interview.

UKRAINE: National railway Ukrzaliznytsia has awarded Kryukovsky Railway Car Building Works a contract to supply 100 coaches, including five new-generation vehicles with extended service life and improved features.

UK: West Midlands Trains is to transfer to the public sector on February 1 2026, the Department for Transport has confirmed.