Teresina suburban rail renewal makes progress
BRAZIL: The state of Piauí has reported progress on a series of investments to enhance the metre-gauge diesel suburban line in its capital, Teresina.
Double-deckers enter service on Chuo Rapid line
JAPAN: East Japan Railway is to launch regular operation of double-deck cars on its busy Chuo Rapid line services between Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nakano and the capital’s western suburbs.
Alstom awarded California Metrolink operation and maintenance contract
USA: Southern California Regional Rail Authority has awarded Alstom a combined Train Operation & Maintenance Services contract for its Metrolink passenger rail services.
RBS orders tailor-made Stadler trains
SWITZERLAND: Bern suburban operator Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn has awarded Stadler a SFr190m contract to supply 20 custom electric multiple-units to replace its oldest vehicles and increase capacity on Solothurn – Bern RegioExpress route RE5.
Second Melbourne loop tunnelling contract awarded
AUSTRALIA: The A$1·7bn Tunnels North contract for Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East was announced by Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority on November 9.
Stadler trains ordered to expand TEX Rail fleet
USA: Trinity Metro has ordered four more Stadler Flirt diesel multiple-units to increase capacity on the TEX Rail line from central Fort Worth to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Next London Overground operator sought
UK: Transport for London has invited requests to participate in the procurement of the next London Overground operating concessionaire.
Istanbul’s Marmaray service to be extended west to Çerkezköy
TURKEY: Plans to extend the Marmaray suburban rail service to Çerkezköy 75 km west of Istanbul have been announced by Minister for Transport & Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
Metro Trains Melbourne invests in facilities for female staff
AUSTRALIA: Metro Trains Melbourne is investing A$1m in toilets, showers and changing rooms to accommodate the increasing number of women in its workforce.
Legal changes aim to streamline Californian rail electrification projects
USA: The Governor of California has signed legislation designed to accelerate electrification by exempting zero-emission railway projects on existing lines from requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, which can lead to legal delays.
London Overground line branding roll-out begins
UK: Transport for London began rolling out new line names and colours on the London Overground network on November 20. This will replace the previous system where the various routes on the complex inner-suburban rail network were not distinguished with individual branding.
New Elizabeth Line operator aims to offer ‘the best of Tokyo and London’
UK: Transport for London has selected the GTS Rail Operations Ltd joint venture of rail and bus operator Go-Ahead Group (65%), recently part-privatised operator Tokyo Metro (17·5%) and diverse Japanese business group Sumitomo Corp (17·5%) for the next concession to operate Elizabeth Line services.
Lima to launch commuter rail service with withdrawn Caltrain fleet
PERU: Lima municipality is to launch a commuter train service on the railway between Callao on the Pacific coast and Chosica in the capital’s eastern suburbs in 2025, using a fleet of diesel locos and double-deck coaches withdrawn from service by California’s Caltrain.
Adaray suburban rail service launched
TURKEY: Republic Day on October 29 was marked by launch of Adaray suburban services between the city of Adapazarı and Arifiye, over an 8·5 km branch from the Istanbul – Ankara main line.
Dublin commuter rail enhancement design contract awarded
IRELAND: Iarnród Éireann has awarded AtkinsRéalis a contract to provide design services for the DART+ West and South West projects, which are part of the DART+ programme to expand the Dublin Area Rapid Transit network of electrified commuter rail services.
Metro-North unveils bi-mode locos to increase electric operation
USA: New York MTA has unveiled the first of the Siemens Mobility SC42-DM Charger electro-diesel locomotives which will enable it to increase the use of electric traction on Metro-North Railroad commuter services.
NJ Transit unveils first Multilevel III double-deck EMU car
USA: The first of NJ Transit’s Multilevel III double-deck electric multiple-unit cars was unveiled by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at the operator’s Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny on October 30.
Cluj-Napoca cross-city rail project progresses
ROMANIA: Cluj-Napoca city council approved the results of a feasibility study into a 48·8 km suburban rail scheme linking Bonțida with Gârbău via the city’s main station.
Stadler to upgrade Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn signalling
SWITZERLAND: Stadler Signalling and Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn signed a partnership agreement on October 16 covering modernisation of the railway’s signalling using Stadler’s Eurolocking signal and train control.
DART begins construction of Silver Line depot
USA: Dallas Area Rapid Transit held a groundbreaking ceremony for the rolling stock maintenance depot for its future Silver Line commuter route on October 24.