Bombardier celebrates 175 years in UK
Commemorates the milestone at its manufacturing site in Derby, England. The manufacturer showcases heritage locomotives it designed in Derby and more recent train technologies and current vehicles, including trains being delivered to London Underground.

Bombardier Aventra train for London Crossrail
Bombardier Transportation is celebrating a landmark anniversary at its U.K. rolling stock manufacturing site in Derby, England.
Bombardier’s site in Derby is commemorating 175 years of train manufacturing in the city. In an event attended by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Patrick McCloughlin MP; the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Fareed Hussain; local dignitaries, key customers, suppliers and national and local media, Bombardier showcased the technologies of the past, present and future produced in Derby.
Renowned heritage locomotives designed in Derby, such as ‘the Midland Compound’ and ‘Tornado’ were reunited at the Derby site in a combined presentation of innovation featuring iconic legacy trains, as well as more recent train technologies and current fleets being manufactured by Bombardier. These included the transformational sub-surface line trains being delivered to London Underground — the first to feature air-conditioning on the Tube — as well as latest Southern and London Overground builds.
In addition, Bombardier presented its Bombardier Aventra train technology, which has been chosen for Transport for London’s Crossrail rolling stock contract as announced in February. Bombardier will deliver 65 nine-car trains and construct a new purpose-built depot at Old Oak Common. The deal also includes maintenance provision for the fleet of trains.
“With the award of the Crossrail project in the 175th year of train manufacture in Derby, we are immensely proud to continue the tradition of designing and manufacturing high performance trains for the U.K.,” Francis Paonessa, managing director of Bombardier Transportation in the UK, said.
More Rail

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →
OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor
The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.
Read More →