A study of a hypothetical ultra-high-speed rail line connecting Portland, Seattle and Vancouver – three key cities in the Pacific Northwest – has found that it could promise vast economic benefits. But, will local authorities bite?

Also in this issue, we find out more about how Toshiba Digital’s AI-powered digital twin software could help improve timetabling and punctuality for Greater Anglia trains in the UK, and explore the evolution and influence of London’s contactless Oyster card for metro payments.

Plus, we take a look at why the UK’s much-delayed Crossrail project is being hampered by major signalling complexities, and take a look at a wider look at the effectiveness of crowdfunding for rail projects around the world.

Finally, we trace the history of the North America’s busiest commuter railroad, explore potential solutions to overcrowding on packed commuter lines, and showcase award-winning station designs from this year’s Prix Versailles awards.

Joe Baker, editor