The Trafford Park Metrolink line is helping people travel more sustainably, while also boosting regeneration and economic opportunity across Greater Manchester. Since opening in 2020, the line has encouraged thousands to switch from cars and …
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How battery trains could replace Britain’s diesel fleet (TheEngineer)
…The history of battery trains dates all the way back to the 1890s, with several successful iterations through the first half of the 20th century before diesel started to dominate. Early chemistries ranged from nickel-iron …
Continue readingHydrogen Airships: Potential International Difficulties (ISOPolarAirships)
Airships have yet to reemerge as commercial transport, despite their numerous ecological, humanitarian, security, and business applications. A barrier for some business models is the regulation of lifting gasses. Regulations in many countries require airships …
Continue readingA new link & high speed rail station under Florence (Mediarail)
Florence is about to undergo a major overhaul of its rail hub. To avoid high-speed trains having to turn around through the existing station, a new underground link is being created beneath the historic heart …
Continue readingTwo C19 railway tunnels enlarged w/ tunnel widening machines (NewCivilEng)
Two 19th century railway tunnels in Germany are being enlarged and renovated with minimal disruption to services, thanks to an established construction method enabled by a newly-launched Herrenknecht system. The 34th edition of construction and …
Continue readingThe unconventional life of late railway writer Ian Marchant
One of my colleagues at LR Towers lent me a book, saying it’s an interesting take on the trainspotter hobby that doesn’t fall into traditional genres. It’s part memoir, part travelogue, part punk music history, …
Continue readingOn-train thermal camera tech aims to detect rail faults long before they disrupt services (E+T)
A thermal imaging camera attached to the front of a South Western Railway (SWR) train is helping detect faults on the line before they start causing major delays. The year-long trial also sees a camera …
Continue readingFunding for further trials of repurposed London Clay as low-carbon cement alternative (GroundEngineering)
High Speed 2 London tunnels team Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture bags funding from Innovate UK’s £3.2M pot for trialling repurposed London Clay as an alternative to carbon-intensive Portland cement. The Skanska Costain Strabag Joint …
Continue readingEstimating impact of new rail station openings on through-passenger demand (InstForTransportStudies)
Abstract When a new rail station is built on an existing line, it causes an increase in in-vehicle time – typically, between 2 and 4 min – for all existing trips that now stop at …
Continue readingThe ABC triangle of mobility (EnvironmentInternational)
Abstract The use of cars in cities has many negative impacts, including pollution, noise and the use of space. Yet, detecting factors that reduce the use of cars is a serious challenge, particularly across different …
Continue readingNetwork Rail delivers UK’s first low-carbon track renewal in south London (RailTechnology)
Network Rail has completed the UK’s first low-carbon track renewal, replacing 1,150 yards of plain line track between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill using a suite of sustainable materials – a milestone that supports its …
Continue readingPublic Transportation & Gig Workers (PedestrianObservations)
An argument about public transportation fares on Bluesky two weeks ago led to the issue of gig workers, and how public transportation can serve their needs. Those are, for the purposes of this post, workers …
Continue readingFirst platforms installed at Old Oak Common (RailEngineer)
On Thursday 29 May, HS2 revealed the first section of platform to be installed for Britain’s new high-speed railway. In the underground box at HS2’s Old Oak Common station, engineers have begun installing the platform …
Continue readingRevolutionary Modular Footbridge Set for Installation at Stowmarket Station (RailTechnology)
Greater Anglia is preparing to install a pioneering modular footbridge at Stowmarket station, marking a significant milestone in UK rail infrastructure. The new ‘AVA’ footbridge—designed with accessibility at its core—will feature integrated lifts and is …
Continue readingFeast-famine electrification, w/ Noel Dolphin: Podcast (Freewheeling)
Why does electrification in the UK cost so much more than in the rest of Europe? And why does it always seem to go wrong? In today’s episode, I talk to Managing Director (UK) of …
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