A new independent analysis has laid out the most comprehensive roadmap yet for expanding direct high-speed rail services between London in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. The #CrossChannelRail Final Report, published on 17 November 2025, is the result of an unusually detailed investigation that included visits to sixty-three stations across the continent, technical assessments…
Tag: Hitachi
Travellers in Europe increasingly open to choosing trains over planes for short-haul journeys
A study published in May 2025 suggests that many travellers across Europe are increasingly open to choosing trains over planes for short-haul journeys, particularly when high-speed rail alternatives are available. A study commissioned by Hitachi Rail, based on responses from over 11,000 people in Europe and North America, found that around two-thirds of Europeans support…
ITALY | Trains in Sicily
March 2025. We’re embarking on a train trip to Sicily. We fly from Brussels Airport to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport with ITA Airways. Then we take an Intercity Notte sleeper train by Trenitalia from Roma Termini Railway Station across Italy to Syracuse. Yes, the train is loaded on a ferry to cross the…
CHANNEL TUNNEL | UK and Germany renew London-Berlin vows, Virgin Trains promise Alstom Avelia Stream train sets
Summer break in politics? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a ‘Joint declaration of intent between DfT and Federal Republic of Germany: direct international rail connection‘ for a direct London to Berlin train. In the mean time, Virgin Trains‘ Richard Branson announced a contract with…
GREAT BRITAIN | Network Rail tests steam locomotive with digital ETCS safety system
April 2025 has seen the start of testing at speed for the world’s first operational steam locomotive to be fitted with European Train Control System or ETCS technology. Tests are being done by Network Rail, the railway infrastructure (the tracks) in Great Britain. So England, Scotland and Wales. Not Northern Ireland.
Eurostar calls for UK national strategy and investment to shape future of Channel Tunnel Rail and promises 50 new trains
Eurostar is calling for a long-term national strategy and significant infrastructure investment to support international rail growth, warning that without coordinated action, the United Kingdom could squander a major opportunity to expand sustainable cross-Channel travel. The appeal comes as competition to enter the Channel Tunnel rail market intensifies and pressure mounts to end Eurostar’s decades-long…
TRAINS IN SPAIN | Iryo in Infinita class from Córdoba to Seville
Six days. Five overnight stays in five cities in Spain. Lunch in Paris. Stopover in Barcelona. Then Córdoba, Seville, Granada and Málaga. An Andalusia Whirlwind Tour where we visit the Mezquita and the Alhambra. We’re touring Andalusia in October 2023 to follow the trend of travelling to hot spots outside summer, as we did with…
Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028
Recently, we read quite a few big announcements regarding trans-continental train travel in Europe. We love those, but we’re also apprehensive. Let’s take a look.
Trenitalia orders new Hitachi Frecciarossa trains suited for France, Belgium and the Netherlands
The Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) also known as Trenitalia has placed a 861 million euros order with Hitachi Rail for a further 30 Frecciarossa ETR1000 high speed train sets. There is a 287 million euros option for another 10, bringing the total to 40.
Trenitalia aspires to run trains from Milan to Brussels and Amsterdam
From 18 December 2021, Trenitalia operates a daily high speed train service between Milan, Turin, Lyon and Paris. In the future the subsidiary of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) also wants trains from Italy to Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Trenitalia has also ambitions in the United Kingdom and in Spain.
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