Since their invention in 1804, railroads have played an important role in transportation. The first steam-powered locomotive began operation on February 22, 1804, to haul men and materials from the Pen-y-Darron Iron Works to Abercynnon, nine miles away. In 1825, the Stockton & Darlington Railroad Company began operation as the first public passenger railway, opening the door to a number of public and private rail ventures. Recently, rail technology has entered a period of significant technological growth with innovations in high speed technology, passenger transport, automated people movers and other forms of transit.

Along with these significant breakthroughs is the development of improved operating methods. Today, many rail operators rely on GPS systems to manage train movements, reducing both the traditional high cost and challenges of developing systems control and communications, while offering greater flexibility in scheduling. Another recent development is the use of sophisticated train scheduling software, which allows system administrators to analyze train schedules, manage volume and improve customer service. As demand for rail transit continues to grow, many rail lines have instituted demand-driven pricing, including computerized ticketing services, allowing greater flexibility in traffic management.

The Berger Group has embraced these changes and worked with regional and national transportation planners to incorporate new systems and technologies into recent construction and upgrades. Our success has been internationally recognized, with Engineering News Record naming Berger the largest international transportation firm for the past three years. In this issue of BergerWorld, we celebrate our recent accomplishments and look ahead to the many changes which will shape this important mode of transport worldwide.