News – Page 492
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NewsHydrogen is a technically feasible alternative to electrification, Toronto study finds
CANADA: It be would technically and economically feasible to operate the Toronto area’s future Regional Express Rail passenger services using hydrogen fuel cells instead of conventional overhead electrification, a study has concluded. The lifetime costs would be similar, but the use of hydrogen would be a ‘world first’ on such ...
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NewsBelgrano renewals reach 400 km
ARGENTINA: The Ministry of Transport announced on February 21 that its track renewals programme on the 1 000 mm gauge Belgrano network had completed 400 km of the 535 km to be upgraded under the first phase. Involving the replacement of wooden sleepers with concrete, new rail and reballasting with ...
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NewsGWR leads the pack at 20th Rail Business Awards
UK: Great Western Railway was announced as Rail Business of the Year and ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes was named Industry Leader of the Year at the 20th Rail Business Awards. Hosted by Railway Gazette at London’s Hilton hotel on Park Lane on February 22, the event bought together ...
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NewsRailway supply industry news round-up
On February 12 CEN, CENELEC and the European Union Agency for Railways signed a renewed agreement for co-operation in the provision of technical documents covering safety and interoperability. Jacobs Engineering Group and Atos have announced a non-exclusive collaboration agreement to provide predictive, condition-based maintenance services Strukton Rail has completed the ...
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NewsEuston Master Development Partner selected
UK: High speed line project promoter HS2 Ltd announced on February 22 that Network Rail and the Secretary of State for Transport had selected Lendlease as the Master Development Partner for London Euston station. The MDP is to work with the Greater London Authority and London Borough of Camden to ...
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Metro Report InternationalGovernment revises Grand Paris Express construction timetable
FRANCE: Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne have confirmed changes to the planned construction timetable for the Grand Paris Express automated metro. Announcing details of the revised construction schedule on February 22, the government reaffirmed that the 200 km project would go ahead in its entirety, but ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo metro CBTC test train equipped
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Electric announced on February 22 that it had installed wayside and onboard radio equipment for a trial of CBTC signalling on part of the Tokyo metro. Mitsubishi will work with operator Tokyo Metro to test the equipment on a three-station branch of the Marunouchi Line between Nakano-sakaue ...
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NewsSofia – Plovdiv route modernisation funding
BULGARIA: The European Commission has allocated €471m from the Operational Programme Transport & Transport Infrastructure for a three-phase project to modernise the 51 km Elin Pelin – Kostenets section of the Sofia – Plovdiv main line. This aim is to enhance the double-track electrified route to permit freight trains to ...
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NewsAmey takes over ‘key’ Carillion rail contracts
UK: Amey Rail Ltd acquired ‘a significant number’ of Network Rail infrastructure contracts previously held by Carillion Construction Ltd on February 22. This follows Carillion’s entry into liquidation on January 15. The contracts include Infrastructure Projects Central Panel work for the East Coast and Midland main lines, Crossrail (Old Oak ...
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NewsModertrans delivers first updated Moderus Beta tram
POLAND: MPK Wrocław has taken delivery of the first of 40 Moderus Beta trams of a new design at its Borek depot. This is the first new-look Moderus Beta tram that Poznań-based supplier Modertrans has produced. The 27% low-floor tram features redesigned front ends, LED lighting and AC traction ...
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Metro Report InternationalMumbai metro Line 3 electrification contracts awarded
INDIA: Mumbai Metro Rail Corp signed contracts on February 21 for the power supply works and electrification of metro Line 3. Larsen & Toubro won the power supply contract. A consortium of Alstom Transport India and Alstom Transport is to electrify the line with a 25 kV AC rigid ...
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NewsFive consortia shortlisted for Cross River Rail
AUSTRALIA: The Queensland state government has shortlisted ‘a strong field of national and multinational companies’ to bid for the two main works packages to build and equip the A$5·4bn Cross River Rail link in Brisbane, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad announced on February 20. The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority invited ...
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NewsUK railway news round-up
In a trading update issued on February 21, FirstGroup said like-for-like passenger revenue growth at its First Rail division was stable at 3·2% in the half year to September 2017, and the division 'continues to deliver a strong contribution notwithstanding ongoing infrastructure challenges'. GWR is negotiating a further two-year direct ...
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NewsModified Yermak locomotive on test
RUSSIA: Trials are underway with a three-section 3ES5K Yermak 25 kV 50 Hz locomotive rated at 9·2 MW which has been modified by TMH’s Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Works. The locomotive has been fitted with VIP4000D traction converters developed by Elektrovypryamitel and Irkutsk State University of Communications, controlled by software ...
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NewsUK railway research network established
UK: A parliamentary reception on February 20 marked the formal launch of the UK Rail Research & Innovation Network, bringing together railway industry bodies and eight universities. Through a £92m funding package, these partners are to work together to establish four ‘world class’ centres of excellence focused on rolling stock, ...
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Metro Report InternationalMore Grand Paris Express contracts let as delays are confirmed
FRANCE: Société du Grand Paris has announced the award of construction contracts for sections of Lines 14, 16 and 17 which need to be completed in time for the 2024 Olympic Games. Worth €1·84bn, the work has been placed with a group formed of Eiffage Génie Civil, Razel Bec, Eiffage ...
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NewsAlstom ships first Lusail tram
QATAR: Alstom has shipped the first tram for Lusail from its La Rochelle factory in France. It will travel by ship from the port of Barcelona in Spain to Doha, and is expected to arrive next month. In 2014 Qatar Rail awarded a contract to a consortium ...
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NewsBaku suburban railway planned
AZERBAIJAN: Funding is to be provided for the development of a circular suburban rail service on the Abşeron Peninsula from 2019, President Ilham Aliyev announced on January 29. The 100m manat project will include upgrading the existing railway between Baku and Sumqayıt via Biläcarı, as well as bringing back into ...
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NewsSagami Railway Series 20000 enters service
JAPAN: Sagami Railway put into service on February 11 the first of its Series 20000 EMUs, which have been designed for future through running to Tokyo. Sotetsu Corp has ordered a fleet of six 10-car and nine eight-car Series 20000 EMUs to replace its older Series 7000 units. Built at ...
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NewsEurostar runs Amsterdam preview service to mark start of ticket sales
EUROPE: Cross-Channel high speed train operator Eurostar ran a preview service between London St Pancras and Amsterdam Centraal on February 20, to mark the opening of ticket sales for the regular twice-daily service which is scheduled to begin on April 4. Conveying invited guests and travel industry representatives, the 08.31 ...