Deutsche Bahn is making progress in its digital efforts. Soon 280 digital signal boxes – interlockings – will control train traffic in Germany.

Austrian train operating company WESTbahn has purchased 15 Stadler KISS double-decker trains. The contract for these intercity trains also includes a comprehensive maintenance provision to ensure the fleet is highly available.

connect@rail provides extensive condition monitoring of test train components.

Alstom Ubunye, a joint venture of Alstom, has inaugurated a modernised rail factory in Ekurhuleni near Johannesburg in South Africa.

British Steel’s Rail Technologies team has been commended for its technological innovation to improve the safety and efficiency of railways at the recent Global Light Rail Awards.

It says that it will not rely on international supply chains for its UK operations. Instead, Talgo UK will build British trains in Britain and revitalise the necessary areas of the UK supply chain. Talgo has called this its ‘all Britain’ strategy. With Brexit looming, avoiding continental supply chains might also have other pertinent advantages.

ABB, a leading provider of integrated automation solutions, is introducing a new augmented reality platform to improve the ability of ABB and its customers to speed response times, extend asset lifecycles, improve production performance and ensure operational excellence. ABB Ability Remote Insights for service is being introduced at the Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific EXPO in Singapore, Oct. 22-24.

On 19 October 2019 Avignon’s first tramway opened to the public. Line 1 has ten stations over 5.2km. The tram line runs from Jean Jaurès to Saint-Chamand Plaine des Sports.

Alstom Ubunye inaugurated its rail factory in South Africa on 17 October 2019. Located in Ekurhuleni, the official opening ceremony took place in the presence of David Makhura, Premier of Gauteng, Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, who is a Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance and Economic Development in Ekurhuleni, and Aurélien Lechevallier, the French Ambassador in South Africa. Also in attendance were Alstom Chairman and CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, along with 100 guests and 565 employees.

Rolling stock manufacturer Hitachi Rail has published concepts for ‘train stations of the future’, which could use robots and digital technology to improve passenger experiences.