NORTHERN Ireland transport minister Mr Danny Kennedy announced on June 2 that two infrastructure contracts have been awarded for the £46m second phase of the Coleraine – Londonderry upgrading project.

HOTEL and luxury travel operator Belmond has announced plans to launch a luxury train which will tour the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from mid-2016.

PROPOSALS for the expansion and modernisation of Northern Ireland's railway network have been revealed in a new 20-year strategy which was launched by Mr Danny Kennedy, Northern Ireland Assembly minister for regional development, on May 19.

TRANSLINK Northern Ireland Railways is carrying out a trial with Irish Rail's Plasser & Theurer RM-90-IR ballast cleaner on the Newry – Poyntzpass section of the Belfast – Dublin line.

TRAIN services are to be stepped up on two corridors in Northern Ireland with the introduction of a new timetable on January 6. This follows the entry into service of a fleet of 20 class 4000 dmus supplied earlier this year by CAF, Spain.