Berlin goes back to the future with Dora

If this train looks a little old-fashioned, well that's because it is, writes Brian Byrne. In fact, it's one of three 60 years-old sets of locomotives and carriages which the city of Berlin is refurbishing to go back into service.

The trains are slated to run on the city's newest and most controversial line, the U55 which is currently being completed after a stoppage when money ran out for what was to be a showcase line between the former East and West areas.

The U55 will have only three stops, between the Main Station and the Brandenburg Gate. Apart from the fact that it will cost far less to refurbish the old trains instead of buying new rolling stock, the city hopes they will attract tourists to the line.

The trains are officially designated D and DL type, and when in operation in the 50s and 60s they acquired the affectionate names of 'Dora' from their users.

There are still Doras running, by the way. In North Korean capital, Pyongyang. And the Berlin connection there is that the city sold 105 of the trains to the Koreans in the late 1990s.

'The Tube' celebrates 150th anniversary

It's 150 years since the opening of the first line in London's famous and much-used Underground, writes Brian Byrne.

'The Tube' was initially a 3.5 miles line between Paddington and Farringdon, opened in 1863 in order to help transport a population which had grown to 2.5m.

A contemporary reports said some 40,000 people travelled the line on day one, very many of them curiosity passengers.

The trains were steam-powered, and the journeys were fairly sooty and noxious despite serious efforts to improve ventilation. Electric trains were introduced in 1905, which solved the problem.

Sail/Rail to 2,400 UK railway stations

Irish Ferries have come up with an incentive to those who are showing an increasing interest in ship and train arrangements between Ireland and Britain.

Using ship and train, passengers can travel from any rail station in Ireland to Dublin and onwards to some 2,400 rail stations in Britain sailing to Holyhead on Irish Ferries cruise ferry or DublinSwift fast ferry services.

To encourage demand, Irish Ferries has introduced a 10% reduction in SailRail prices with free-of-extras fares beginning from €35 per person each way (children half-price), inclusive of all taxes. This puts the Dublin to London fare at €40 single and Chester, Liverpool and Manchester at €36.

A one call books all service operates at 0818 300 400.

China chooses fast trains

China has begun operating what is, by several measures, the world's fastest rail line. From Technology Review.

Mobile plans for London Tube

Plans are in the works to install cell phone coverage across the British capital's transport system ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Communications minister Lord Carter has put the idea of mobile coverage on the London Underground back on the government agenda—only months after it emerged a planned Tube mobile trial had been shelved indefinitely.

I guess we haven't travelled enough in London recently to realise there's a problem. From Business Week.

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