Rail News
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), with Siemens Mobility, has updated its entire fleet of 25 Class 717 Great Northern trains to run in passenger service using an updated specification of the in-cab digital signalling software, European Train Control System (ETCS). The trains now operate on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate in London using ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (also referred to as version 3.6.0). This specification of ETCS allows more flexibility for services to operate in a high-traffic area.
Source: Rail UK
Hitachi Rail has opened its Newton Aycliffe factory to the public for the very first time. The sell-out event, which took place on Saturday, 4 October, saw the rail manufacturer welcome attendees for a celebration of its storied history in unison with Railway 200. Visitors to the site were offered a seldom-experienced behind-the-scenes at Hitachi Rail’s production facility, which is located alongside the Stockton and Darlington railway. Tickets for the event sold out in less than 72 hours, with 40 attendees.
Source: Railway News
7 October 2025. India.Bharti Airtel to offer cybersecurity protection services for Indian Railways
The technology stack will feature technologies together with ‘Make in India’ cybersecurity offerings.
Global communications solutions provider Bharti Airtel’s B2B arm has been awarded a contract to deliver cybersecurity protection services for the digital infrastructure of India’s railway network. The multi-year deal, awarded by the Indian Railway Security Operations Centre (IRSOC), will cover the protection of various types of data, including customer identities, payment information, ticketing records, train tracking data, freight details, and signalling databases.
Source: Railway Technology
7 October 2025. Hongkong. Lion dance launches Hong Kong Northern Link metro expansion project
Hong Kong metro operator MTR Corp. held a dancing lion eye-dotting ceremony and performance on October 3 to bring good fortune to the construction of the Northern Link Main Line, which is now officially underway, and to mark the start of detailed design for the Northern Link Spur Line. Two lines,the Northern Link Main Line will connect the existing East Rail Line at Kwu Tung with the Tuen Ma Line at Kam Sheung Road to form a loop connecting the New Territories and the Kowloon urban area.
Source: Railway Gazette International
Mitsubishi Electric will use its Serendie digital platform to analyse the current power consumption of LRT-1. Mitsubishi Electric is working on an energy conservation-focused technical-cooperation project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Hankyu for Manila Light Rail Transit Authority’s Line 1 (LRT-1) in the Philippines. LRT-1 is a passenger railway in Metro Manila is operated and maintained by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC). JICA initiated a partnership with Hankyu following a request from LRMC.
Source: Railway Technology
Etihad Rail has announced the introduction of the United Arab Emirates’ first passenger rail service, which will be operated by Keolis. The partnership aims to create ‘a new international standard for passenger experience’ by combining Keolis’ experience with Etihad Rail’s infrastructure. Focusing on several key areas; the joint venture will also look to implement best practices, as well as establish strong operations that prioritise passenger comfort and convenience. Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, said: The UAE is on the cusp.
Source: Railway News
3 October 2025. United Kingdom. New £46 million depot opens in Yorkshire
A state-of-the-art £46.5 million facility built to keep trains running for passengers has opened in Yorkshire. The 175-year-old Hillhouse Sidings in Huddersfield has been transformed into a light maintenance depot, as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). Northern staff are now working to maintain, repair, and clean trains at the site, with most of that work taking place overnight so services are ready for the following day. Known as Hillhouse Light Maintenance Depot, it was officially opened by Northern.
Source: Rail UK
Bangkok Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has rejected a proposed amendment to the contract for the high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. The amendment sought to change the state’s co-investment payment method to a “pay-as-you-build” scheme, which Phiphat said contradicted the original contract terms. The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, signed under a joint investment contract between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). and Asia Era One Co, a CP Group-led consortium, on October 24, 2019.
Source: The Star
