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.
Business

UP and Norfolk Southern seek STB merger approval

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have formally applied to merge their rail networks, seeking approval from the Surface Transportation Board. The proposed transaction would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the United States.

January 5, 2026 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

First phase nears end on Hamburg–Berlin line

The first construction phase of the large-scale overhaul on the Hamburg–Berlin railway line is nearing completion around five months after works began. Focus is now shifting from track renewal to signalling systems and station upgrades.

December 26, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

MIB Logistics targets road-to-rail shift

Czech logistics provider MIB Logistics is focusing on shifting freight flows from road to rail, offering end-to-end rail transport, siding services and last-mile solutions. The company targets a wide range of commodities while responding to ESG and sustainability requirements.

December 19, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

Czech minister urges EU action on rail freight

Czech Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik has called for a European debate on the future of rail freight, arguing that current EU policies are accelerating its decline. In an interview with the Czech News Agency, he points to high electricity prices and distorted competition with road transport as key issues.

December 19, 2025 · 5 min read
Passenger Rail

EuroCity trains reach Poland–Ukraine border

Germany and Poland have launched a new EuroCity corridor linking Leipzig with Wrocław, Kraków and Przemyśl near the Ukrainian border. The service expands cross-border long-distance rail between the two countries by 50%.

December 18, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Vietnam selects Siemens for high-speed rail

Vietnam is moving forward with its first high-speed rail projects after VinSpeed and Siemens Mobility signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement. Siemens is expected to act as technology partner for rolling stock, signalling and core rail systems.

December 18, 2025 · 2 min read
Passenger Rail

ÖBB launches faster Vienna–Trieste Railjet

ÖBB has launched a new, faster Railjet connection between Vienna and Trieste following the opening of the Koralmbahn. The route significantly reduces journey times and strengthens rail links between Austria and Italy.

December 18, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Poland’s largest FLIRT deal reaches final stage

Koleje Mazowieckie has ordered 11 additional FLIRT electric multiple units from Stadler, completing the largest rolling-stock investment programme in the operator’s history. The framework agreement now covers a total of 75 trains.

December 17, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Belgian rail network fully upgraded to ETCS

Belgium has completed the nationwide rollout of ETCS, upgrading its rail network to European interoperability standards. The project positions the country among the first in Europe to deploy ETCS across a complex, live network.

December 16, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

Modalink boosts Antwerp–Italy capacity

Lineas and FS Logistix have launched Modalink, a joint venture managing Antwerp Mainhub Terminal to strengthen intermodal services between Belgium and Italy. The initiative aims to increase capacity on one of Europe’s busiest North–South freight corridors.

December 15, 2025 · 2 min read
Insights

SCI: Diesel still dominates freight locomotive market

Diesel locomotives continue to dominate rail freight operations despite growing interest in alternative drives, according to a new study by SCI Verkehr. High costs and complex approval procedures are slowing the transition, particularly in Europe.

December 15, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Ivan Bednárik set to become Czech transport minister

Ivan Bednárik, a senior rail executive with experience across freight, passenger and infrastructure management, is expected to become the next Czech transport minister. His career spans leadership roles at ČD Cargo, České dráhy and Slovakia’s infrastructure manager ŽSR.

December 15, 2025 · 3 min read
Rolling Stock

Mount Rigi orders four rack railcars

Stadler has signed a contract with Mount Rigi Railways for four additional rack-and-pinion trains. The order extends the modern fleet to the Goldau–Rigi Kulm line, following earlier deliveries on the Vitznau route.

December 14, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Austria: ÖBB, Post expand locker network

ÖBB and Austrian Post are launching a programme to install roughly fifty 24/7 parcel lockers at railway stations across Austria. The rollout includes the first off-grid lockers powered by roof-mounted photovoltaic modules.

December 10, 2025 · 2 min read
Passenger Rail

DB and Eurostar plan direct London–Germany

Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Eurostar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a direct high-speed service between London and major German cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt, with operations targeted for the early 2030s.

December 9, 2025 · 2 min read
Passenger Rail

ČD expand night network to Ukraine border

České dráhy (ČD), the Czech national railway carrier, will introduce a new night service from Prague to Przemyśl from 14 December. The route offers direct access to southeastern Poland and coordinated onward connections to Ukraine.

December 6, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

DB InfraGO cuts board to six divisions

The supervisory board of DB InfraGO has approved a major restructuring of the organisation from 1 January 2026, reducing the number of board divisions from eight to six. Several new executives have been appointed to lead key infrastructure and station-related portfolios.

December 4, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Wabtec buys Frauscher for €675 million

Wabtec has finalized its acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group, expanding its footprint in train detection and signalling. The Austrian-based company will join Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence division.

December 3, 2025 · 2 min read
Insights

SCI: Freight slump hits rolling-stock maintenance

A new SCI Verkehr study shows that Europe’s freight-rail crisis has reached the rolling-stock maintenance sector. While the global MRO market continues to grow, European workshops serving locomotives and freight wagons face structural pressure.

December 3, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

RCG adds new Tuzla–Rijeka and Budapest links

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group has added two new TransFER connections, linking Tuzla with the port of Rijeka and launching a new non-stop route between Budapest and Curtici. Both services strengthen end-to-end transport chains in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

December 3, 2025 · 2 min read
Business

Future Czech PM's company buys Rotterdam ammonia terminal

Agrofert company, owned by likely future Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš, is acquiring OCI Ammonia Holding B.V. for €290 million. The deal includes Rotterdam’s ammonia import and storage terminal and a Europe-wide distribution platform.

December 1, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

Nymwag completes Indian factory

Nymwag has completed construction of a new freight-wagon plant in Kolkata, developed through a joint venture with Texmaco. Trial production starts in November 2025.

December 1, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Polish Zabrze gets €27.5m intermodal terminal

Zabrze will gain a modern intermodal terminal. CLIP Terminals has signed a contract with the TorKol consortium (the lead contractor), Poleko Budownictwo and GFS Engineering to implement the project at a cost of €27.5 million.

November 27, 2025 · 2 min read
Infrastructure

Czech police probe railway contracts

Czech police investigators (NCOZ) carried out searches at the headquarters of Správa železnic, the Czech state-owned manager of national and regional rail infrastructure. According to Odkryto.cz, the case concerns large railway construction contracts.

November 25, 2025 · 2 min read
Freight Rail

PKP Cargo keeps 19% intermodal share

PKP Cargo has confirmed its strong position in Poland’s intermodal market, reaching 19.1% by mass and 18.6% by transport performance in H1 2025. The results come during the company’s restructuring process.

November 25, 2025 · 2 min read
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