Today’s Railways Europe 303 – May 2021

The May 2021 issue of Today’s Railways Europe contains all the very latest news and features from throughout mainland Europe, plus all our regular monthly features. This month’s issue includes a major article looking at the familiar British-derived electric locomotives that have been operating in Poland for well over half a century, and another examining the growing number of Chinese-built locomotives entering service across Europe.

We also visit Switzerland to see some of the most breathtaking scenic routes and our final article takes a look at the economics of rolling stock ownership in a challenging market. As usual, our comprehensive news sections bring all the very best from main line railways, tramways and heritage lines.

Feature articles this month include:

PKP Class EU07/EP07: Polish Workhorses with a British Pedigree: British manufacturers played a key role in the development of electric traction in Poland both before and after World War II, culminating in the production under license of hundreds of Class EU07/EP07 locos and their variants. Keith Fender charts the history of these locos, some of which are on course to notch up more than 60 years of service.

Chinese Traction in Europe: Thanks largely to the extraordinary investment in China’s main line and urban rail systems over the last 20 years, CRRC Corporation has grown rapidly to become the world’s largest rolling stock supplier, challenging established firms in markets around the globe. Nick Lawford surveys CRRC’s growing activities in Europe.

Walking Alongside the BLS: Getting the best views of railways in the Swiss landscape often means taking to the footpaths and heading into the hills. Combining his passion for walking and railways Peter Marriott explores five scenic routes with views of BLS lines.

Refurbish, Sell or Scrap? The Basic Economics of Train Ownership: Eurostar’s financial crisis and the recent scrapping of TGV PSE sets have reignited debate around the storage and disposal of surplus high-speed stock by state-owned train operators. Mike Guerra, technical director of the London Sleeper Company, explains why the high cost of ownership often rules out a new life for older rolling stock.

News stories include:

• Eurostar financial crisis rumbles on
• Brussels–Praha overnight services announced
• Passenger trains return to Haparanda on the Sweden/Finland border
• Danish State Railways to order at least 100 EMUs from Alstom
• Utrecht–IJsselstein light rail line reopens
• New tram lines for Lyon and Brest
• Warszawa Glówna station reopens
• Freight returns to the Zillertalbahn
• New Stadler EMUs ordered for Circumvesuviana
• Slovakian Bobina returns to the main line
• 1890 Swiss tank locomotive back in steam
• Serbian narrow gauge steam to operate this summer