"Landmark Moment" for Cornwall's Railway
Cornwall’s rail network will see a major boost from May 17, 2026 as the first phase of the Mid Cornwall Metro programme launches with a near doubling of services on the Par–Newquay branch line.
The enhanced timetable will deliver 15 weekday services between Par and Newquay, alongside 14 Saturday and eight Sunday trains — the highest frequency seen on the route since the 1960s. Direct summer services between London Paddington and Newquay will also return.
The £57 million Mid Cornwall Metro project, funded by Cornwall Council and the UK Government, aims to improve rail connectivity between Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn. The scheme is designed to create a more sustainable transport corridor across central Cornwall, improving access to employment, education, and public services.
Infrastructure upgrades delivered by Network Rail include the reinstatement of platform 2 at Newquay station and the construction of a new passing loop, enabling two trains to operate simultaneously on the branch.
The service improvements are also supported by the introduction of Class 175 trains, providing increased capacity and improved passenger comfort.
Cornwall Council said the scheme would support more sustainable travel choices, while GWR described the launch as a “landmark moment” for Cornwall’s railway.
A second phase of the project is due next year and will extend services through to Truro, Penryn, and Falmouth.
Switzerland Potential Direct High Speed Service to the United Kingdom
Swiss and French rail operators have taken a further step towards launching a potential direct high-speed rail service between Switzerland and London, signing a letter of intent to explore the project’s development.
SBB, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar said the agreement builds on a cooperation partnership signed earlier this year between SBB and SNCF Voyageurs aimed at strengthening cross-border rail services and developing new international routes.
The operators see strong market potential for direct rail links between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, citing growing demand for international rail travel and increasing passenger interest in alternatives to air transport. London is currently the most popular air destination from Switzerland.
According to the partners, journey times of around six hours between Zurich and London, five hours from Basel and five and a half hours from Geneva could meet traveller expectations and attract significant demand.
The planned route would operate via France, with Eurostar bringing more than 30 years of experience in Channel Tunnel operations between continental Europe and the UK.
The next phase of the project will focus on analysing operational concepts and potential timetables before defining the key requirements for implementation.
However, several challenges remain before services could begin, including border control arrangements, infrastructure requirements, international agreements and the availability of suitable rolling stock and train paths. The companies said a launch would not be possible before the 2030s.
Vy, DSB and Deutsche Bahn announce Norway-Germany link, launching Summer 2028
More than 20 years after the last direct trains linked Norway and Germany, a new international service connecting Oslo with Copenhagen, Hamburg and Berlin is to be launched in summer 2028.
The route, announced on May 9, is being developed through a partnership between Vy, DSB and Deutsche Bahn, reflecting growing momentum behind cross-border rail travel in northern Europe.
Planned to operate twice daily throughout the year, the service will use Deutsche Bahn’s new Talgo ICE L trainsets, equipped with first class accommodation, family areas and onboard catering. End-to-end journey times between Oslo and Berlin are expected to be approximately 14-15 hours, placing the route among Europe’s longest direct daytime rail services.
Vy CEO Gro Bakstad said the new link would strengthen Norway’s rail connections with continental Europe and could eventually support the introduction of further international services. Flemming Jensen, CEO of DSB, said the project demonstrated the importance of collaboration between national operators in developing stronger European rail networks.
According to the preliminary operating plan, trains would call at Moss, Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, Halden, Trollhattan, Gothenburg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmo, Copenhagen Airport, Odense, Kolding, Padborg, Hamburg and Berlin.
Journey times are expected to reduce further following the opening of the Fehmarn Belt fixed link between Denmark and Germany, which is officially scheduled for completion in 2029, although current estimates indicate the project may not open until 2031.
Image courtesy of Raphael Krammer, Wikimedia CC 4.0
