Latest news – Page 1182
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NewsBombardier buys PKP stake in signalling venture
POLAND: Bombardier Transportation acquired Polish national railway PKP's remaining 60% stake in the Bombardier Transportation (ZWUS) Polska joint venture on February 25, the first of a series of privatisations PKP Group is planning for this year. The joint venture produces EBI Lock interlocking, EBI Gate level crossing and EBI Track ...
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NewsBacteria to clean ballast
UK: Environmental Scientifics Group and Waste Management Total Solutions have completed a trial using bioremediation to clean ballast at First Great Western's St Philip's Marsh depot in Bristol. Bioremediation uses cultivated oil-degraded bacteria and microbes to digest waste material, releasing carbon dioxide and water. A mix of biocatalysts and nutrients ...
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NewsAlcácer cut-off opens
PORTUGAL: Trains began using the Alcácer Bypass across the Sado River in December, completing what infrastructure manager Refer describes as ‘the most important investment in the network in recent years’. The 29 km bypass cuts 6·7 km from the South Line from Lisboa towards the Algarve. It is intended to ...
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NewsTransport for London to launch contactless payment in 2012
UK: Transport for London is upgrading its smart card reader software to enable passengers to pay for travel using contactless credit and debit cards. Underground, Docklands Light Railway, tram, London Overground and bus services will be covered by the end of 2012, and discussions are underway with train operating companies. ...
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NewsAmtrak selects Nomad for on-train wi-fi programme
USA: Amtrak has selected Nomad Digital technology for the expansion of its AmtrakConnect passenger wi-fi service. Nomad supported the initial launch on Acela Express last year, and on Cascades trains in the Pacific Northwest during January. Amtrak's Ivy City and Penn Coach Yard workshops will install wi-fi equipment in more ...
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NewsDelhi Airport Express rail link opens
INDIA: The Airport Express linking Indira Gandhi International Airport with New Delhi station opened to passengers on February 23. The stations at New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, IGI Airport and Dwarka Sector 21 are now open, with intermediate stops at Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aerocity to follow later this year. Trains ...
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NewsTwo standard gauge main lines recommended
THAILAND: Government officials in Bangkok are expected to recommend that the Chinese-backed programme to build a network of standard gauge main lines across the country be initially restricted to two routes. The two lines promoted by the Working Committee preparing the Memorandum of Understanding would link the ...
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NewsTransnet takes delivery of GE locomotives
SOUTH AFRICA: A ceremony at Transnet Rail Engineering's Koedoespoort works in Pretoria on February 21 marked the formal delivery of the first two of 100 GE Transportation C30ACi diesel locomotives ordered by Transnet Freight Rail in December 2009. According to GE they are the first diesel locomotives with AC traction ...
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NewsTEN-T rail funding allocations announced
EUROPE: The European Commission announced the projects selected to receive €170m of trans-European transport network infrastructure co-funding grants on February 21. The grants are based on the TEN-T annual and multi-annual calls published on May 19 2010. They are intended help EU member states build missing transport links, remove bottlenecks ...
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NewsGSM-R assembly moves from China to Europe
AUSTRIA: Kapsch CarrierCom is to transfer the production of GSM and GSM-R equipment from China to Wien by the second half the year, the company announced on February 18. This is expected to improve supply chain performance and allow faster use of customer feedback.A review of production was launched after ...
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NewsCross-border construction soon
LAOS: The Laotian government has asked consultants assessing the environmental impact of the planned 481 km line to link Kunming with Vientiane to accelerate their work to allow construction to begin in April. Local reports put the cost of the railway at US$7bn, with completion planned for 2015. The new ...
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NewsMEPs create forum to promote rail
EUROPE: A discussion group created by MEPs to promote rail industry issues is to be launched in Strasbourg on March 9. Rail Forum Europe was formally established on February 16 to provide a cross-committee setting where ‘constructive dialogue can take place to improve the understanding of rail-related issues and facilitate ...
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NewsTrack Tec buys turnout manufacturer
POLAND: Concrete sleeper manufacturer Track Tec Group has purchased turnout manufacturer KolTram for €25m, the companies announced on February 22. KolTram is based at Zawadzkie in southwest Poland. It recorded sales of €16m in 2010, with export orders from countries including Germany and France. In April 2009 an agreement was ...
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NewsNetwork Rail announces restructuring to devolve control
UK: Infrastructure manager Network Rail is to be restructured to create 'a number of new, powerful, devolved business units', Chief Executive David Higgins announced on February 21. The new structure is aimed at better aligning with the needs of NR's customers and passengers. Route directors will become managing directors, 'running ...
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NewsFirst tram-train arrives in Lyon
FRANCE: The first of 24 Citadis Dualis tram-trains for the TER network west of Lyon arrived at the L'Arbresle maintenance centre on February 18, having left Alstom’s assembly plant in Valenciennes two days earlier.Two more vehicles will be delivered to SNCF in Lyon during the next few weeks. The three ...
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NewsBucuresti metro expansion tendering
ROMANIA: Bucuresti metro operator Metrorex has announced its intention to call tenders for a 2·26bn lei, 30-month contract to build the first section of metro Line 5 between Eroilor and Statia Piata Iancului. The line will eventually link Drumul Taberei in the southwest to Pantelimon at the eastern end ...
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NewsPublic asked to name Montréal metro trains
CANADA: Montréal metro operator STM unveiled the design of its future trains on February 18, and is preparing to launch a publicity campaign across stations, local media and Facebook to find a name for the fleet. A consortium of Bombardier and Alstom was awarded the C$1·2bn contract ...
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NewsTurkish metro project management transferred
TURKEY: The decision taken by the Council of Ministers in June 2010 to transfer responsibility for urban rail projects to the Ministry of Transport has now been enacted. The intention is to relieve the pressure on municipal budgets created by the high cost of metro investments, especially in Istanbul and ...
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NewsSEPTA smart card funding
USA: Unable to obtain federal or state grants towards a new smart card fare collection system, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transport Authority plans to borrow $175m to pay for the equipment. SEPTA has prequalified three suppliers - ACS Transport Solutions, Scheidt & Bachmann and Cubic Transportation Systems - and hopes ...
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NewsGE and Tessco agree Positive Train Control partnership
USA: Wireless and telecoms specialist Tessco Technologies has signed a 'long-term partnership' with GE to develop Positive Train Control products. The two firms will work together to produce, market and sell 'integrated, turnkey PTC' products. 'Tessco brings a unique combination of state-of-the-art communication and radio frequency technology', commented Pierre Comte, ...