View source for 2011 in rail transport

{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{More citations needed|date=July 2011}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Year in rail transport|Rail transport 2011|prev=2010|curr=2011|next=2012|decade=2010}}

==Events==

=== By month ===

==== January events ====
* {{flagicon|China}} 10 January – Regular through passenger service from [[Wuhan]] to [[Wanzhou]] over the complete new [[Yiwan Railway]] in China starts. The line features {{convert|288|km|mi|abbr=on}} of bridges on a total length of {{convert|377|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://news.ifeng.com/gundong/detail_2010_12/20/3595647_0.shtml "最难修铁路”宜万铁路通车"] ("World's most difficult to build railway" opens for service) {{in lang|zh}}</ref>

==== February events ====
* {{flagicon|UK}} 19 February – First public passenger train operates throughout between [[Caernarfon]] and [[Porthmadog Harbour railway station|Porthmadog Harbour]] over the restored [[Welsh Highland Railway]].
* {{Flagicon|India}} 23 February – Opening of the [[Airport Express Line (Delhi Metro)|Airport Express Line]] in [[Delhi]].<ref name="hindu open">{{cite news |date=21 February 2011 |title=Airport to be 20 minutes from Connaught Place from Wednesday |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article1477411.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United States}}{{flagicon|UK}} 28 February – [[Wabtec]] announces that it has acquired [[Brush Traction]], the English-based locomotive builder and maintainer, for US$31 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/index.php?id=44&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12884&cHash=5f46c108eb |title=Wabtec buys Brush Traction |accessdate=28 February 2011 |date=28 February 2011 |work=[[Railway Gazette International]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001104830/http://www.railwaygazette.com/index.php?id=44&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12884&cHash=5f46c108eb |archivedate=1 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== March events ====
* {{flagicon|Japan}} 12 March – [[Kyushu Shinkansen]] opens between [[Hakata station|Hakata]] of [[Fukuoka]] and Shin-Yatsushiro, with [[Osaka]] and [[Kagoshima]] direct bullet train starting.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 March 2011 |title= |script-title=ja:九州新幹線全線開通 博多－鹿児島中央 計画決定から３８年 / 西日本新聞 |trans-title=The entire Kyushu Shinkansen line opens Hakata-Kagoshima Chuo 38 years after the plan was decided |url=http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/231204 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314014305/http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/231204 |archive-date=14 March 2011 |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=nishinippon.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Japan}} 27 March – The [[Sakura-dōri Line|Sakuradori Line]] serving [[Nagoya]] is extended {{Convert|4.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Nonami Station|Nonami]] to [[Tokushige Station|Tokushige]].<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ja:2011年3月27日 桜通線野並・徳重間開通 |url=http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/sakuraline/index.html |access-date=1 December 2010 |publisher=Transportation Department City of Nagoya |language=ja}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} 30 March – In [[Busan]], [[Busan Metro Line 4|Line 4]] of the [[Busan Metro]] opens for service connecting [[Minam station|Minam]] and [[Anpyeong station|Anpyeong]] ({{Convert|10.8|km|mi|abbr=on}}).<ref>{{cite news |date=30 March 2011 |title='국내 첫 무인경전철' 부산도시철도 4호선 개통 |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0004986721 |website=[[Naver]] |language=ko}}</ref>

==== April events ====
* {{flagicon|China}}{{flagicon|Germany}} March–April – [[Eurasian Land Bridge]] test run from [[Chongqing]] to [[Duisburg]] ([[Deutsche Bahn|DB]]) via [[Alashankou]] crossing, [[Kazakhstan]], Russia, [[Belarus]], and Poland, covering {{convert|10300|km|0|abbr=on}} in 16 days.<ref>{{cite web|first=A. |last=Samuel |url=http://www.rail.co/2011/04/06/db-freight-train-arrives-from-china-into-duisburg-after-10300km-journey/ |title=DB freight train arrives from China into Duisburg after 10300km journey |publisher=Rail.co |date=2011-04-06 |accessdate=2012-04-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320215252/http://www.rail.co/2011/04/06/db-freight-train-arrives-from-china-into-duisburg-after-10300km-journey/ |archivedate=20 March 2012 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United States}} April 17 – A [[BNSF Railway]] coal train rear-ends a maintenance-of-way train near [[Red Oak, Iowa]], both crew members of the coal train were killed. The cause was the crew being half asleep. 
* {{flagicon|Spain}} 19 April – [[Zaragoza tram]] starts its commercial operation.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tranviasdezaragoza.es/noticias-descargas/noticias/arranca-el-servicio-comercial-del-tranvia|title = Arranca el servicio comercial del tranvía|publisher = Tranvías de Zaragoza|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110421081337/http://www.tranviasdezaragoza.es/noticias-descargas/noticias/arranca-el-servicio-comercial-del-tranvia|archivedate = 2011-04-21|date = 2011-04-19|language=es}}</ref>

==== May events ====
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} 1 May – [[Veendam railway station]] opens in the Netherlands.
* {{flagicon|United States}} 1 May – [[Tide Light Rail]] begins service in [[Norfolk, Virginia]].
* {{flagicon|United States}} May 24 – a [[CSX Transportation]] intermodal train rear-ended a [[Union Pacific Railroad]] manifest train near [[Mineral Springs, North Carolina]] killing both CSX crew members. The cause was the crew of the CSX train passing a dark signal

==== June events ====
* {{flagicon|Germany}} 6 June – Munich–Augsburg railway is upgraded to four-track.
* {{flagicon|Norway}} 16 June – An [[NSB Class 73]] burns up after catching fire in a burning show shed at [[Hallingskeid Station]] on Norway's [[Bergen Line]].<ref name=mill>{{cite news |url=http://www.bt.no/nyheter/okonomi/Sveising-kostet-250-mill-2534319.html |last=Eidsvik |first=Øyvind Lefdal |title=Sveising kostet 250 mill. |date=8 July 2011 |work=[[Bergens Tidende]] |language=Norwegian |accessdate=20 July 2011 |archivedate=11 July 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711142027/http://www.bt.no/nyheter/okonomi/Sveising-kostet-250-mill-2534319.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United States}} 20 June – [[A-train (Denton County)|A-Train]] commuter rail service begins in northern Texas.<ref name=opening>{{cite web|url=http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/a-train-railway-begins-rolling.html|title=A-train railway begins rolling, carrying commuters from Denton to Carrollton|date=20 June 2011|accessdate=20 June 2011|first=Matt|last=Peterson|work=The Dallas Morning News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701183458/http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/a-train-railway-begins-rolling.html|archive-date=1 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|China}} 22 June &ndash; [[Shenzhen Metro]]'s [[Line 5, Shenzhen Metro|Line 5]] opens.
* {{flagicon|China}} 28 June &ndash; Phase 2 of [[Shenzhen Metro]] [[Line 2, Shenzhen Metro|Line 2]] connecting [[Window of the World Station]] to [[Xinxiu Station]] opens for trial runs.
* {{flagicon|China}} 30 June – [[Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway]] opens in China.

==== July events ====
* {{flagicon|China}} 23 July – [[Wenzhou train collision]]: At least 39 people are killed when a [[China Railway High-speed]] train collides in rear with a preceding stationary train halted by a [[lightning strike]], throwing two coaches off a [[viaduct]] close to [[Wenzhou]] in Zhejiang province.<ref>{{cite news|title=China: Dozens die as bullet trains collide in Zhejiang|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14262276|work=BBC News|date=24 July 2011|accessdate=24 July 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110723215422/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14262276| archivedate=23 July 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==== August events ====
* {{flagicon|United States}} 7 August – [[TRAX (light rail)#West Valley and Mid-Jordan extensions|West Valley and Mid-Jordan extensions]] of [[TRAX (light rail)|TRAX]] open in the [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], area.
* {{flagicon|Norway}} 15 August – The [[Gevingåsen Tunnel]] on Norway's [[Nordland Line]] opens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/no/Prosjekter/Prosjekter/Ferdige-prosjekter/Gevingasen-tunnel/Prosjektartikler/Forste-tog-gjennom-Gevingasen/ |title=Første tog gjennom Gevingåsen |last=Svingheim |first=Njål |date=15 August 2011 |language=Norwegian |publisher=[[Norwegian National Rail Administration]] |accessdate=1 February 2012 |archivedate=2 February 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202175144/http://www.jernbaneverket.no/no/Prosjekter/Prosjekter/Ferdige-prosjekter/Gevingasen-tunnel/Prosjektartikler/Forste-tog-gjennom-Gevingasen/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Israel}} 19 August – The first line of the [[Jerusalem Light Rail]] opens to passengers.
* {{flagicon|Norway}} 26 August – The [[Bærum Tunnel]] and section of track between [[Lysaker]] and [[Sandvika]] on Norway's [[Asker Line]] is taken into use.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tu.no/bygg/article290054.ece |title=Snart kjører toget her |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=24 August 2011 |last=Strande |first=Mona |language=Norwegian |accessdate=11 September 2011}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|UK}} 31 August – Opening of [[Docklands Light Railway]] extension from [[Canning Town station|Canning Town]] to the new [[Stratford International station]], taking over the [[North London Line]] infrastructure (which closed on 9 December 2006) and linking the Docklands area with domestic and international high-speed services on [[High Speed 1]] and with the [[2012 Olympic Games]] site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/extensions/stratford/details.asp?id=38 |title=DLR on track for Stratford International as £67m contract awarded |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927185600/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/extensions/stratford/details.asp?id=38 |archivedate=27 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Docklands Light Railway|url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/extensions/stratford/details.asp?id=28|title=Stratford International extension approved|accessdate=25 October 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126063618/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/extensions/stratford/details.asp?id=28|archivedate=26 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/press-centre/press-releases/press-releases-content.asp?prID=1038 |title=Major contract award signals start of work on DLR Stratford International Extension }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== September events ====

* 9 September 
** {{flagicon|South Korea}} – in [[Busan]], the [[Busan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit|Busan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit Line]] opens for service.<ref>{{cite news |author=최병길 |date=29 August 2011 |script-title=ko:부산~김해경전철 다음달 9일 개통 |trans-title=Busan-Gimhae Light Rail to begin its operation from the 9th of next month |url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/economy/2011/08/29/0302000000AKR20110829086200052.HTML |accessdate=8 September 2011 |newspaper=[[Yonhap]] |language=Korean}}</ref>
** {{Flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} – In [[Dubai]], the [[Green Line (Dubai Metro)|Green Line]] opens for service.<ref name="emirates247">{{cite web |date=10 September 2011 |title=Dubai Metro Green Line opened on Friday |url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dubai-metro-green-line-opens-2011-09-10-1.417629 |accessdate=18 May 2021 |website=www.emirates247.com |publisher=Emirates24/7}}</ref>

* {{flagicon|United States}} 27 September – [[Brookhaven Rail Terminal]] opened on [[Long Island, New York]], a 28-acre facility for bulk commodities

==== October events ====
* 8 October
** {{flagicon|Singapore}} – The [[Circle MRT line]] becomes fully operational.
** {{flagicon|France}} – [[Paris Métro Line 8]] is extended from {{stn|Créteil–Préfecture}} to {{stn|Pointe du Lac}}.
* {{flagicon|India}} &ndash; Banihal-Qazigund railway tunnel ([[Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel]]) a part of its [[Udhampur]] – Srinagar – [[Baramulla]] rail link project, opened in October 2011, India's longest and Asia's second longest railway tunnel and reduced the distance between [[Quazigund]] and [[Banihal]] to only 11&nbsp;km. The 10.96&nbsp;km long railway tunnel, passes through the [[Pir Panjal Range]] of middle [[Himalayas]] in Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news| title=India's longest railway tunnel unveiled in Jammu & Kashmir| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-longest-railway-tunnel-unveiled-in-Jammu-Kashmir/articleshow/10354892.cms| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629075419/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-14/india/30278754_1_jawahar-tunnel-tunnel-excavation-baramulla| url-status=live| archive-date=29 June 2013|location=India| date=14 October 2011| work=[[The Times of India]]| access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Mar/31/banihal-qazigund-railway-tunnel-to-be-complete-by-december-42.asp |title = Banihal Qazigund railway tunnel to be complete by December Lastupdate:- Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com  |accessdate=2011-12-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907034751/http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Mar/31/banihal-qazigund-railway-tunnel-to-be-complete-by-december-42.asp |archivedate=7 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-longest-railway-tunnel-unveiled-in-Jammu-Kashmir/articleshow/10354892.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629075419/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-14/india/30278754_1_jawahar-tunnel-tunnel-excavation-baramulla | url-status=live | archive-date=29 June 2013 |location=India | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=India's longest railway tunnel unveiled in Jammu & Kashmir | date=14 October 2011}}</ref>

==== November events ====
* {{flagicon|Norway}} 7 November – A new {{convert|7.8|km|sp=us|adj=on}} segment of the [[Vestfold Line]] with double track between [[Barkåker]] and [[Tønsberg (town)|Tønsberg]], including the [[Jarlsberg Tunnel]], is taken into use.<ref name=open>{{cite news |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostafjells/vestfold/1.7865935 |title=Vestfoldbanen åpnet etter seks uker, men ikke uten problemer |last=Tørrestad |first=Yngve |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=7 November 2011 |language=Norwegian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111132228/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostafjells/vestfold/1.7865935 |archivedate=11 January 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United States}} 8 November - The new [[Chicago 'L' rolling stock|5000-Series rail cars]] (5001-5706), built by [[Bombardier Transportation]] of [[Plattsburgh, New York]] are placed in revenue service on the [[Chicago Transit Authority]] elevated-subway rail system. 

==== December events ====
* {{flagicon|France}} 11 December – [[SNCF]] opens [[LGV Rhin-Rhône]].
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} 11 December – [[Sassenheim railway station]] opens in the Netherlands.
* {{flagicon|China}} 28 December – [[Hangzhou Metro]] opens in China.

=== Unknown date events ===
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* {{flagicon|Australia}} – The aging [[Hitachi (Australian train)|Hitachi]] trains in Melbourne are completely phased out.
* {{flagicon|China}} – China high-speed Rail faces with crisis after train crash. Several executions happen in governments, train speeds are reduced from 350&nbsp;km/h to 300&nbsp;km/h and from 250&nbsp;km/h to 200&nbsp;km/h. Expansion of high-speed corridors became uncertain, but will see the second boom in next few years.
* {{flagicon|Japan}} – JR East phases out [[113 series]].

== Industry awards ==

=== Japan ===
; Awards presented by the Japan Railfan Club
* 2011 [[Blue Ribbon Award (railway)|Blue Ribbon Award]]: [[Keisei Electric Railway]] [[Keisei AE series (2009)|AE series]] ''[[Skyliner]]'' EMU
* 2011 [[Laurel Prize]]: [[Tokyo Metro 16000 series]] EMU

=== North America ===
;2011 [[E. H. Harriman Award]]s
{| class="wikitable"
! Group !! Gold medal !! Silver medal !! Bronze medal
|-
| A || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| B || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| C || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| S&T || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|}

;Awards presented by [[Railway Age]] magazine
* 2011 [[Railroader of the Year]]: [[Charles Moorman|Wick Moorman]] (NS)<ref name="Railway Age 2011">{{cite journal|url=http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/norfolk-southern-ceo-wick-moorman-named-railway-age-railroader-of-the-year.html |title=Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman named Railway Age Railroader of the Year |date=9 December 2010 |journal=Railway Age |accessdate=13 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211140902/http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/norfolk-southern-ceo-wick-moorman-named-railway-age-railroader-of-the-year.html |archivedate=11 December 2010 }}</ref>
* 2011 [[Regional Railroad of the Year]]:
* 2011 [[Short Line Railroad of the Year]]:

=== United Kingdom ===
;[[Train Operator of the Year]]:
* 2011: [[South West Trains]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2011/south-west-trains-operator-of-the-year/ | title=South West Trains voted Passenger Train Operator of The Year | publisher=rail.co.uk | accessdate=28 October 2017 }}</ref>

==Deaths==
* 15 January – Francesco di Majo, designer of the [[Pendolino]] (born 1910).<ref>{{cite news|title=Francesco di Majo|work=The Times |location=UK|date=23 February 2011|page=47}}</ref>
* 4 May – [[Richard Steinheimer]], American railroad photographer, dies (b. 1929).
* 10 July – [[William D. Middleton]], well-known American rail-transport writer (b. 1928).
* 29 July – [[Richard Marsh, Baron Marsh]], chairman of [[British Rail]] 1971–1976, dies (b. 1928).
* 20 October – [[Roger Tallon]], designer of the [[TGV]] (born 1929).<ref>{{cite news|title=L'homme du TGV et pionnier du design industriel, Roger Tallon, est mort|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/carnet/article/2011/10/20/roger-tallon-designer-du-tgv-et-pionnier-du-design-industriel-s-en-va_1591621_3382.html|newspaper=[[Le Monde]]|date=20 October 2011|accessdate=30 October 2011}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2011 in rail transport| ]]