📡 Railways of Tomorrow

Digital Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Connectivity

Author

RailPulse Tech
February 06, 2025

🚀 Hello, The FP2-MORANE-2 project advances FRMCS for European rail digitalisation, Latvia's funding shortfall threatens Rail Baltica’s progress and EU compliance, and a feasibility study moves the Morocco-Spain undersea rail link closer to reality.

Across regions, key projects include new high-speed lines, sustainable rail investments, and expanded cross-border networks, shaping the future of global rail transport.

TOP STORIES

Future-Proofing European Rail: The FP2-MORANE-2 Project
The FP2-MORANE-2 project is advancing the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) to replace GSM-R by 2030. Co-funded by EU-Rail and SNS JU with EUR 13.5 million, it will test FRMCS in labs and real-world conditions, ensuring readiness for integration into the 2027 Control Command and Signalling TSI (CCS TSI). Led by UIC, the project unites rail operators, suppliers, and mobile networks to enable automation, ETCS, and next-gen telecom services, driving Europe’s rail digitalisation and sustainability goals.

Latvia’s Funding Crisis Puts Rail Baltica at Risk
Latvia's failure to secure EUR 9 million in co-financing by January 30 could lead to a suspension of Rail Baltica activities across the Baltic states, as RB Rail would halt all projects incurring further costs. The shortfall threatens critical infrastructure developments, including the European gauge mainline and Riga transport hubs, while also jeopardising compliance with EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) agreements. Non-compliance may trigger reimbursement obligations to CINEA and financial liabilities to Estonia and Lithuania, further destabilising the project's execution.

Morocco-Spain Undersea Rail Link Moves Forward
The Morocco-Spain undersea rail link is moving closer to reality with a feasibility study awarded to Herrenknecht Iberica. The planned tunnel, which would surpass the Channel Tunnel in length, aims to connect Morocco and Spain, enhancing the transport of goods and people between Africa and Europe. It would feature high-speed passenger and freight trains running in opposite directions, with trucks and cars also able to board. The project, backed by the EU, is managed by the Spanish state-owned Secegsa.

Regional Highlights

Europe:

  • 🇬🇧 The UK’s Rail Safety and Standards Board have set out requirements and guidance for the use, interpretation and formatting of time and date information across the network.

  • 🇫🇷 SNCF Voyageurs won a 10-year contract to operate the Nantes-Bordeaux and Nantes-Lyon Intercités lines.

  • 🇪🇸 Spain’s new 86.5 km high-speed line between Venta de Baños and Burgos, launched by Adif AV, reduces journey times between Madrid and the northern part of the country, with a maximum speed of 350 km/h

  • 🇪🇺 EU Member States risk missing out on significant funding for essential rail upgrades and fleet renewals under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

  • 🇸🇰 VTG has fully acquired Retrack Slovakia, enhancing its operations and reinforcing its position in the crucial rail corridor between Germany and Eastern Europe.

  • 🇨🇿 Prague plans to invest EUR 7.5 billion in constructing two railway tunnels totaling 10.6 km and five underground stations to enhance its transportation infrastructure.

  • 🇩🇪 Schleswig-Holstein has begun preliminary planning for the electrification of the Marschbahn railway line between Hamburg and Westerland, with implementation expected in the early 2030s.

  • 🇲🇰 North Macedonia has opened the 31-kilometer Kumanovo–Beljakovce railway section, marking the first phase of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity for cargo and passenger services.

Aisa:

  • 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Railway and Arsenale unveil the Dream of the Desert, a luxury train redefining premium rail travel in the Middle East.

  • 🇰🇼 Kuwait has contracted Proyapi for the design of its 111 km railway linking Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, part of the GCC railway project, due for completion by 2030.

North America:

  • 🇲🇽 A Mexican court has ordered a halt to Tren Maya’s Lines 5 and 7 due to environmental risks, but the ruling comes too late as deforestation has already impacted over 6,300 hectares, one line is operational, and the other is set to begin service in February.

📡 Satellite Connectivity for Trains
Enhancing Connectivity and Efficiency

Satellite technology, particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, is improving rail connectivity by providing reliable internet access in rural and remote areas, where traditional cellular networks often fall short.

Key Benefits

  • Consistent Passenger Experience: LEO satellite solutions ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity for passengers, enhancing onboard services like real-time updates, entertainment, and seamless ticketing.

  • Improved Operational Efficiency: Reliable satellite connectivity supports real-time monitoring of train systems, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing unexpected downtime.

  • Cost-Effective: LEO satellites offer an affordable alternative to traditional geostationary satellites, making them a viable option for rail operators with limited infrastructure budgets.

Real-World Applications

  • ScotRail: In Scotland, ScotRail is testing satellite-based internet on trains to improve connectivity for passengers and support operational data monitoring.

  • Czech Railways: Czech Railways is experimenting with satellite technology to boost onboard internet for passengers on its high-speed trains.Applications

Considerations

  • While LEO satellites offer significant advantages in rural areas, urban regions with reliable cellular networks may not need satellite connectivity. A hybrid approach combining cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi technology will likely provide the best overall performance.

In summary, satellite technology, especially LEO satellites, helps improve train connectivity by providing reliable internet for passengers and enhancing operational capabilities. This technology is especially beneficial in underserved areas, making it an effective solution for modernizing rail networks.

Statistics of the Week

  • US freight railroads moved 454,797 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending January 25, down 2.5% from the same week in 2024.

  • The 2024 Economic Impact Analysis Report from the California High-Speed Rail Authority highlights that 99% of FY2023-2024 spending went to California businesses, creating 109,000 job-years and USD 8 billion in labor income, with the Merced to Bakersfield section projected to generate 333,000 job-years and USD 70.3 billion in economic activity.

  • FGC saw a 47% increase in freight transport in 2024, surpassing 1 million tons, with a 59% rise in potash transport on the Súria-to-Port of Barcelona route, and a 23% increase in freight movements, replacing 42,000 truck journeys.

  • Getlink reported total revenue of EUR 1.614 billion for 2024, with Eurotunnel's revenue increasing by 3% to EUR 1.166 billion and Europorte's revenue rising by 12% to EUR 168 million; Eurotunnel's railway network earnings grew by 7%, while Europorte's fourth-quarter revenue rose by 15%, driven by steady freight demand and network maintenance.

Upcoming Events

Spotlight on Influential Voices

  • In the latest Railnatter episode, Gareth Dennis reflected on a tough 2024 but highlighted 2025 as a year of opportunity, covering rail reform, devolution, level boarding, #Rail200, and the growing demand for more UK rail services.

  • The influencer Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain (@RailwayQueen) shared that "Pointing and Calling", used on Japanese railways, reduces human error by nearly 85%, according to the Japanese Railway Technical Research Institute.

Share your thoughts

Rail talk never stops! Have a fact, opinion, or question that needs the spotlight? Let us know—your insight could steer next week’s newsletter!