When Britain’s railways were declining in the 1980s, the then state-owned British Rail ran a series of adverts proclaiming “This is the Age of the Train.” It was a mis-placed slogan then, but would apply to many of the world’s railways today.

Increasingly congested roads, the rising size of cities, globalisation, the liberalisation of many rail markets and increasing environmental concerns are all helping to boost rail use in many parts of the world.