News – Page 323
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In depthZimbabwe: The long wait goes on
An agreement for Russia’s United Wagon Company to supply 100 wagons offers fresh hope for investment in National Railways of Zimbabwe. However, a proposed US$1bn recapitalisation programme collapsed in October, further delaying much-needed enhancements. Daisy Jeremani reports from Bulawayo.
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NewsRM Rail to begin series production of covered van design
RUSSIA: Wagon manufacturer RM Rail has obtained certification for its Type 11-1268 van design, and expects to begin series production in March. The design offers an axleload of 23·5 tonnes, a capacity of 68 tonnes and a floor area of 52·8 m2. The wide-opening door is suitable ...
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Metro Report InternationalDaugavpils tramway opens new alignment
LATVIA: City transport operator Daugavpils Satiksme has opened a replacement single-track tram alignment for part of route T3 on February 05. The new 2·2 km section between Brāļu kapi and the eastern terminus of Stropu ezers provides direct access to the city hospital, replacing the previous 1·1 ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail awards major signalling framework contracts
UK: Network Rail has awarded five geographical framework contracts for major signalling renewal programmes: Alstom (Southern Region and Eastern region); Siemens Mobility (Scotland Region and North West & Central region); Hitachi Rail STS UK and Linbrooke Services joint venture (Wales & Western region). The frameworks ...
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NewsRailway supply industry news round-up
United Metallurgical Co’s Vyksa Steel Works produced a record 951 000 wheels in 2019, up 11% on 2018. Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail has awarded Hit Rail a 10-year contract to host and operate the Common Interface which provides interoperable connectivity between railway companies ...
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NewsIle-de-France seeks to open RER network to competition by 2030
FRANCE: Ile-de-France is seeking to accelerate the opening up of local rail services to competition, regional President Valérie Pécresse announced on February 5. In line with the provisions of the EU’s Fourth Railway Package, the French regional passenger market is being liberalised with effect from January 1 2023. Under the ...
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NewsRecord capital expenditure for Indian Railways in 2020-21
INDIA: A 17% year-on-year increase in capital expenditure for Indian Railways in 2020-21 was announced when Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman presented the national budget on February 1. The Ministry of Railways said the emphasis would be on continuing capacity enhancement works, and accelerating implementation to make ...
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NewsKansas City signalling equipment manufacturer acquired
USA: Strait Lane Capital Partners has sold signalling equipment manufacturer J&A Industries to signalling and level crossing supplier CDL Electric Co. J&A Industries General Manager Mark Biehl and the existing management team will continue to lead the Kansas City-based business. ‘J&A Industries’ patented mast ladder platform is ...
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NewsDB unveils refurbished Kiss EMU
GERMANY: The first refurbished Stadler Kiss double-deck EMU for Deutsche Bahn was formally unveiled at Berlin Hbf by the head of DB Personenverkehr Berthold Huber on February 5.
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NewsTalgo to supply coaches for DSB’s Hamburg service
DENMARK: National operator DSB has selected Talgo to supply a fleet of locomotive-hauled coaches to operate international services to and from Hamburg.
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NewsAlstom signs battery-electric multiple-unit contract
Source: Alstom Design & Styling GERMANY: Alstom has been awarded a €100m contract to supply and maintain the first battery-electric version of its Coradia Continental multiple-unit family. The 11 three-car BEMUs have been ordered by Mittelsachsen transport authority ZVMS, which has taken out a €49m loan from ...
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NewsConversion of local railway into a busway to be studied
Source: Lokaltog DENMARK: A feasibility study for converting the Østbanen local railway in eastern Sjælland into a busway is to be undertaken following an agreement between Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht and the regional council. The jointly-funded DKr3·5m study is to be undertaken in parallel with ...
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NewsAustralind DMU design revealed
AUSTRALIA: The design of the diesel multiple-units ordered for Transwa’s twice-daily Australind service has been unveiled by Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan. ‘The sleek new design will make the journey between Perth and Bunbury more comfortable for residents and tourists alike, encouraging more people to ...
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Metro Report InternationalDetroit People Mover runs counter-clockwise for first time in 11 years
USA: The Detroit People Mover is operating counter-clockwise for the first time since 2008. According to the Detroit Transportation Corp, a major rail replacement on the circular line led to a reverse direction operational testing in December 2019. The testing ‘determined that there is an advantage to ...
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NewsCanadian Pacific aims to outpace its peers in 2020
CANADA: Canadian Pacific Railway has announced record revenue of C$7·79bn for 2019, a 7% year-on-year increase. Diluted earnings per share increased 29% to a record C$17·52. The operating ratio was 59·9, an improvement from 61·3 the previous year. ‘Global economic uncertainty caused by geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges ...
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NewsEurostar confirms start date for Amsterdam – London through services
EUROPE: Cross-Channel high speed train operator Eurostar has announced the start dates for through services between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and London. This follows an agreement between the governments of the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands enabling the operation of juxtaposed border controls at the Dutch departure stations, ...
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NewsRegioJet to develop central maintenance depot
CZECH REPUBLIC: Independent operator RegioJet is to develop a central rolling stock maintaince depot for its fleet on a former scrap metal yard site which it has acquired in Praha’s eastern suburb of Dolní Měcholupy, close to Praha-Hostivař station. The site will be available for use by ...
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NewsPolarteknik acquires Train Door Solutions
EUROPE: Finnish door and partition wall manufacturer Polarteknik Oy has acquired UK pneumatic and electrical door systems servicing specialist Train Door Solutions Ltd under a deal completed on January 31. Established in 1999, Milton Keynes based Train Door Systems was previously owned by Nigel Mason, Vanessa Mason ...
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Metro Report InternationalBarcelona Metro opens first elevated station
SPAIN: On February 1, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona inaugurated a 1·6 km southern extension of metro Line 10 containing its first elevated station. The new €40m Zona Franca stop is located in the industrial district of Sants-Montjuïc and is expected to serve 3 600 passengers daily. Barcelona’s ...
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NewsRail and air associations to co-operate on ticketing
INTERNATIONAL: The International Union of Railways and the International Air Transport Association have signed a memorandum of understanding covering co-operation in standard setting and interoperability, with a focus on data exchange to support intermodal travel. Areas for co-operation include: journey planning; reservations; ticketing, including irregular operations ...