News – Page 298
-
NewsModular multi-function wagons on test
GERMANY: Trials have begun with a modular platform wagon that can be adapted for use with a variety of cargoes. In a joint development programme called M2, DB Cargo and wagon leasing group VTG have completed initial dynamic tests with the first vehicles and will now commence noise and static load testing.
-
Rail Business UKFirst of a Kind funding awarded for 25 rail innovation projects
UK: The Department for Transport and Innovate UK have announced the 25 projects which are to share £9·4m of funding under the 2020 round of the First of a Kind rail industry innovation programme.
-
Rail Business UKEast Coast Trains Class 803 production begins
UK: Production of the five Class 803 trainsets which FirstGroup subsidiary East Coast Trains has ordered for its future London to Edinburgh open access service is underway at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe factory.
-
Rail Business UKHS2 Ltd launches innovation accelerator
UK: HS2 Ltd announced the launch of an ‘innovation accelerator’ programme on June 16 aimed at attracting start-ups and small businesses to put forward ideas to be incorporated into the first phase of the high speed line between London and the West Midlands. The project promoter ...
-
NewsMBTA seeks cost certainty with Keolis commuter rail contract extension
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Fiscal & Management Control Board has approved an extension of Keolis’ contract to operate commuter rail services. The eight-year contract began on July 1 2014, with two two-year options for extension, both of which will now be exercised to take the contract ...
-
Rail Business UKWabtec to cut up to 450 jobs at Doncaster
UK: Wabtec announced plans to reduce its workforce at Doncaster by up to 450 employees on June 16. The company will enter into a 45-day consultation period with employee representatives and trade unions to discuss the proposal and improved work practices. It is envisaged that the jobs ...
-
-
NewsTransitio orders double-deck EMUs
SWEDEN: Local authority owned rolling stock leasing company AB Transitio has awarded Stadler a SFr133·3m order to supply a further 12 four-car double-decker electric multiple-units for use on Mälartåg regional services west of Stockholm from autumn 2021. The firm order announced on June 16 has been placed ...
-
NewsAverage speed of Russian rail freight increases to 466 km/day
RUSSIA: The average speed of consignments across the Russian Railways network increased to 466·3 km/day in May, 16·3% higher than the same period last year and 28·4% above May 2018, RZD has announced. For shipments over distances of more than 2 600 km the average speed reached ...
-
Metro Report InternationalNorth American Transit Alliance formed
NORTH AMERICA: Six public transport operating groups have formed the North American Transit Alliance, which aims to promote ‘innovative transportation solutions that ensure transit is safe, clean, and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead’. First Transit, Keolis, MV Transportation, National Express, RATP Dev USA and Transdev ...
-
NewsSNCF launches ‘unprecedented’ regional rail and tourism campaign
FRANCE: What SNCF terms an ‘unprecedented relaunch’ of its TER regional passenger services was announced on June 12 as the country starts to open up after the coronavirus pandemic. Branded ‘TER de France’, the campaign is being led by SNCF in conjunction with regional authorities acting through ...
-
Rail Business UKFace coverings now mandatory on trains in England
UK: It became mandatory for public transport passengers in England to cover their nose and mouth on June 15. Government advice remains to avoid public transport where possible, however mandating the use of face coverings is intended to help prevent infected people from spreading coronavirus as lockdown ...
-
NewsWorld rail freight news round-up
Oil refiner Slavneft-Yanos has ordered a batch of Type 15-6913 molten sulphur tank wagons for delivery from United Wagon Co’s Tikhvin plant in late October. Australian Rail Track Corp has started work on a 300 m extension to Mount Murray loop on the ...
-
Rail Business UKData-driven performance and short term planning projects funded
UK: RSSB has announced the three winners of funding under the second round of its Data Sandbox+ programme, which aims develop data-driven ways of improving operational performance, and two projects to be funded under the Dynamic Train Planning competition. The selected Data Sandbox+ projects are: Utilising ...
-
NewsTalgo orders ECx onboard systems
GERMANY: Talgo has awarded EKE-Electronics a contract to supply its Trainnet train communication & management system for the ECx trainsets ordered by Deutsche Bahn. The €550m DB order finalised in February 2019 covers the supply of 23 17-car loco-hauled ECx 230 km/h push-pull trainsets to enter service ...
-
NewsElectrically heated molten sulphur wagons delivered
RUSSIA: Ivanomorsk TPK has taken delivery of a batch of UWC TikhvinChemMash molten sulphur wagons for use by Norilsk Nickel. This follows the delivery last year of wagons for sulphuric acid traffic. UWC said the Type 15-6913 molten sulphur wagon was one of the most technologically sophisticated ...
-
NewsRhätische Bahn orders 20 Capricorn EMUs
SWITZERLAND: Rhätische Bahn has placed a SFr172·9m firm order for Stadler to supply a further 20 four-car Capricorn electric multiple-units. The order announced on June 12 has been placed using an option on a SFr361m contract for an initial 36 of the 11 kV 16·7 Hz EMUs ...
-
NewsAncala to acquire Hector Rail from EQT
SWEDEN: Mid-market investment manager Ancala Partners LLP’s European Infrastructure Fund II has reached a definitive agreement to buy rail freight operator Hector Rail from EQT. The transaction announced on June 12 is expected to be completed in Q3 2020. Stockholm-based Hector Rail was founded in 2004 and ...
-
NewsCalgary – Banff passenger service to be studied
CANADA: Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada Infrastructure Bank to investigate the feasibility of introducing a passenger rail service between Calgary and Banff, which were last linked by regular inter-city trains in January 1990. The proposal envisages the construction of dedicated ...
-
NewsCo-operative group seeks to launch Lyon – Bordeaux open access service from 2022
FRANCE: Nascent open access operator Railcoop lodged a formal application with the Autorité de Régulation des Transports on June 9 to launch a Bordeaux – Lyon inter-city service using the conventional route via Périgueux and Montluçon. Photo: Christophe Masse A direct Lyon - Bordeaux service could be revived ...