SNCF Réseau has raised €100m issuing a 100-year green bond. The French infrastructure manager said this was the longest-ever green bond, overtaking 60-year bonds issued by Energias de Portugal and Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg. Projects eligible for financing will include maintenance and work to optimise energy use and expand the network. HSBC led the transaction.

Law firm DLA Piper’s UK and Japanese offices advised Hitachi Rail on the £400m contract to supply 33 five-car inter-city trainsets for Abellio’s new East Midlands Railway franchise. The funding package is being led by Rock Rail, with debt provided by a consortium of Aberdeen Standard Investments, Aviva, Scottish Widows and Sun Life.

NetRail has appointed Peter Bjerager as Managing Director with effect from September 1. He joined the company last year and is currently workshop manager in Malmö.

The International Federation of Consulting Engineers has signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with the Philippines Department of Trade & Industry for the training of government engineers and other construction professionals in the use of FIDIC contracts.

Network Rail-approved civils and drainage supplies specialist Scott Parnell has opened a depot in Leeds to serve customers in northern England.

Sheffield-based transport software company 3Squared has appointed Lucy Prior as Business Engagement Director. ‘Lucy has a wealth of knowledge of the rail industry from rolling stock to plant, from track to digital and importantly knows how to create business partnerships’, said Managing Director Tim Jones.

The Greenbrier Companies published its inaugural Environmental, Social & Governance report on August 20. 'Corporate responsibility, environmental stewardship and strong governance have become increasingly integral components to customer, shareholder and employee satisfaction', said Chairman & CEO William A Furman. 'I am pleased to see our recent achievements published for review by investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders.'

Elizabeth Keller Arnold has been appointed to the board of FreightCar America with effect from August 16. 'Keller has held various leadership roles in multiple global industrial companies, providing her with extensive corporate finance and accounting experiences, as well as a wealth of operational knowledge', said Chairman William D Gehl.

Apex Rail partner Christian Forster has been appointed to the management committee of the Rail Working Group. He has previously worked on financing rolling stock for Thameslink and Eurostar and refinancing the portfolios of Alpha Trains and VTG.

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