Slovakian operator Express Group has bought from ŽOS Zvolen two refurbished Škoda Type 61E electric locos previously operated by ZSSK Cargo. These will be used for expansion into the 3 kV DC area in northern Slovakia and Poland. Express Group also plans to acquire a third Siemens ES64F4 loco in the coming months.
United Wagon Co announced on March 30 that it had completed the acquisition of a 19·9% stake in First Heavy Haul Co, which has a fleet of more than 28 000 wagons, mainly high axleload open designs. The shares were acquired in exchange for Vostok1520 which UWC sold to First Heavy Haul Co in December 2016. UWC said it intended to participate in the strategic management of First Heavy Haul Co.
Green Cargo has introduced a new IT system, PICit, providing booking and track-and-trace services for its Norwegian domestic traffic.
US short line operator RJ Corman Railroad Group has dropped plans to develop a rail-served intermodal port on the Cumberland River in Clarksville, Tennessee, in partnership with zinc company Nyrstar Clarksville. The estimated cost had risen from $7.5m to in excess of $11m, as a result of which the project 'no longer creates a viable economic benefit for our company' said Chairman Fred Mudge on March 10.
On March 20 Croatian manufacturer Đuro Đaković Specijalna Vozila signed a €5·3m contract to supply four-axle Zacns calcium carbonate emulsion tank wagons to Atir Rail in September and October this year.
Polish broad gauge freight line operator PKP LHS and Belarusian company Belintertrans have signed a forwarding agreement which aims to boost intermodal traffic by offering a unified corridor from Russia to Poland.
Roland Spedition is to launch a twice weekly service linking the Wilhelmshaven container terminal on Germany’s North Sea coast with Bremen, Nürnberg, Enns, Linz, Wien and Graz.
Orlen Group has awarded Newag a 13m złoty contract to rebuild two SM48 (TEM2) diesel locomotives to the ST48 (15D) design, and a SM42 locomotive as a Type 6Dg.
