High Speed Rail

HS2 has invited engineering and environmental consultants to tender for the second phase of the controversial high-speed network. The bidding process aims to set up a new Professional Services Framework (PSF), which will start work after the Secretary for Transport...

Crossrail has launched a Building Information Modelling (BIM) academy to provide training to suppliers in the software which is leading the way in railway design technology. Collaborative 3D design has been a core contractual requirement for Crossrail since it began...

A full-size model of the new Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train is making its way to InnoTrans after being officially unveiled in Italy. The Frecciarossa 1000, which is being built by Bombardier and AnsaldoBreda, is the newest member of Bombardier’s Zefiro...

The construction of a high-speed rail line along Australia's East Coast has moved a step closer, with ministers discussing a payment plan to break up the multi-billion dollar project. During a question and answer session at the Canberra Business Council...

The much-vaunted high-speed service between Milan and Naples in Italy got underway on April 28. Launched by independent operator NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori), the initial route runs from Milan Porta Garibaldi, via Bologna, Florence (Firenze) and Rome to Naples Centrale. To run the service, NTV purchased a fleet of 25 new 11-car AGV (Automotrice à [...]

Design and ergonomics consultancy CCD has been appointed by Parsons Brinkerhoff to provide human factors expertise to HS2. The consultancy has been tasked with describing the 'door to door' passenger experience that HS2 should deliver. CCD will look at the design...

Andy Milne spells out four reasons why the rail industry and Britain needs High Speed Two. As the surge of national optimism reached its crescendo at the London Olympics the great and the not so good were lining up to oppose the plan to build a high-speed railway between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Leave [...]

The Indian Government is planning to introduce measures to fast track the development of a high-speed rail network in the country. The push came at a recent meeting where officials decided that development of key infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail...

Japan's bullet train technology is coming to the UK, with the Department for Transport expected to announce a £1 billion order with Hitachi before the Olympics. The carriage shells will be built in Japan and then assembled in the UK,...

Stop HS2 campaigners have said that electrification plans outlined by the government further undermine the business case for high-speed rail. Yesterday, David Cameron and Nick Clegg officially announced an additional £4.2 billion programme of investment in Britain's rail network between...