Karel Novak

Karel Novak

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Karel has more than 25 years of experience in news and press media. For many years he was Editor in Chief of Newsroom of Czech National TV Broadcast. As Head of Strategy, Karel is responsible for overal coordination of newsroom team and general content of Railmarket News.
Rolling Stock

MBC orders two hybrid metre-gauge locos

MBC has ordered two additional hybrid metre-gauge locomotives from Stadler for future freight operations on the Bière–Apples–Morges line. The new units are scheduled for delivery in late 2028.

November 25, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

Sector warns: Save Combined Transport

Leading companies and associations have launched the 'Save Combined Transport' initiative, warning that current rail network disruptions in Germany risk pushing freight back onto the roads. The sector calls for stable conditions, workable diversion routes and fair pricing.

November 24, 2025 · 2 min read
Technology & Innovation

Signalling deal for Madrid–Extremadura HSL

The Hitachi Rail–Sistem consortium has secured a €126.5 million contract to install signalling and traffic management systems on the Talayuela–Plasencia section of the Madrid–Extremadura High-Speed Line. The deal also includes four years of maintenance.

November 24, 2025 · 1 min read
Technology & Innovation

Pioneer DAC project launched

Ten European partners have launched the Pioneer DAC Train (PioDAC) project in Copenhagen, setting up the first large-scale commercial testing of the Digital Automatic Coupler. VERS will manage installation and maintenance monitoring.

November 24, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Poland probes sabotage on major rail route

An explosion destroyed part of the Warsaw–Lublin railway line on Sunday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed. Authorities are treating the incident as sabotage, according to reports from Novinky.cz and Reuters.

November 17, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Siemens and SBB sign major signalling deal

Siemens Mobility and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have signed a framework agreement for the large-scale digitalisation of signalling systems across Switzerland, paving the way for more efficient and resilient rail operations.

November 17, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Arlanda Express selects SISCOG for operations

A-Train AB, the company operating Sweden’s Arlanda Express service, has selected SISCOG’s integrated planning software to streamline train and staff operations on the Stockholm–Arlanda Airport route.

November 8, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

UIRR warns as EU scraps CT Directive plan

The European Commission intends to withdraw its proposed amendment to the Combined Transport Directive, triggering criticism from UIRR and raising questions about the future of EU intermodal policy.

October 23, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Hitachi Rail backs key Bulgaria corridor

Hitachi Rail will provide technical support for the maintenance of signalling systems on the Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad corridor, reinforcing one of Bulgaria’s most strategic rail routes.

October 23, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Bavaria Gets €4bn Rail Upgrade in 2026

Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure company DB InfraGO will invest more than €4 billion into Bavaria’s rail network in 2026, renewing 500 km of track and over 200 switches to modernise routes and reduce long-term disruptions.

October 21, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Progress on Bakty–Ayagoz Rail Line

Officials from Kazakhstan and China met in the Abay region to discuss the progress of the Bakty–Ayagoz railway line, a major infrastructure project designed to expand the country’s transport and logistics network.

October 16, 2025 · 1 min read
Freight Rail

PKP Cargo Boosts Market Share in August

PKP Cargo Group has strengthened its position on the Polish rail freight market, increasing its share of transported cargo to 26.74% in August 2025 — a rise of 1.48 percentage points month-on-month.

October 15, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Evelyn Palla Reboots DB Communications

A new chapter for Deutsche Bahn has begun, with CEO Evelyn Palla at the helm. She has revamped the company's communication and marketing leadership to align with her ambitious reform agenda.

October 15, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Rail Baltica Takes Shape in Lithuania

Track laying has officially begun on the Rail Baltica section in Lithuania’s Jonava district, marking a major step in building the European-gauge railway that will connect the Baltic States with Western Europe.

October 15, 2025 · 3 min read