All News articles – Page 194
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News
African projects deserve support
CONSULTANTS are to be briefed shortly on the requirements for a feasibility study into a new railway linking Kasese in Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and eventually Zambia (RG 9.04 p507). The scheme, which would introduce the benefits of rail transport to Rwanda and Burundi, enjoys ...
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Transmitton acquired
Transmitton has been acquired by Siemens from the Alchemy backed ICSGroup. The British-based control and asset management systems maker will become part of Siemens Transportation Systems. ’Our combined experience across areas such as rail electrification, communications and station management make us a natural fit’, said Kevin Tutton, STS (UK) Managing ...
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Network Rail accepts a pair of High Output Ballast Cleaners
INTRO: The first of two RM900RT High Output Ballast Cleaners underwent a series of demanding checks and tests to obtain an Engineering Acceptance Certificate for use on the UK networkBYLINE: Peter Howells CEng FIMechE and Dr Bernhard Lichtberger*BYLINE: * Peter Howells was Principal Executive Consultant, AEA Technology Rail until June ...
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Metros September 2005
Canada: On July 17 Ottawa city council approved an environmental assessment of the proposed 31 km north-south light rail route from the Rideau Centre to Barrhaven. Bids for the C$675m project could be submitted next year for opening in 2009. China: The State Council has approved the Harbin metro project. ...
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Shadow running boosts Swiss confidence in Level 2
THE RACE is on for the first route to carry passengers in regular service using ETCS Level 2. Strictly speaking, this milestone has already passed as Swiss Federal Railways operated a pilot Level 2 system on its Olten - Luzern line in 2002-03, but SBB subsequently dismantled the equipment.German Railway ...
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Zimbabwe split
THIS MONTH is due to see the Zimbabwe government take over responsibility for ownership and financing of rail infrastructure, with the implementation of the Railways Amendment Act 1997.The Act provides for the transfer of NRZ-owned infrastructure and land to the state, leaving National Railways of Zimbabwe to focus on its ...
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Small transmission
VOITH TURBO has developed the L311 reV2 transmission for use on specialist rail construction and maintenance vehicles and small locomotives with input power ratings up to 600 kW.The L311 reV2 is specifically designed for use in very confined installation spaces. It offers eight power take-offs suitable for a wide variety ...
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Substation signing
SECHERON and Rowe Hankins Components have announced an agreement for the development of DC substations in the UK.The deal marks an expansion into the trackside equipment market for the British supplier of on-train speed monitoring, circuit protection and event recording technology.Swiss-based Sécheron has supplied substation equipment to London Underground and ...
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Smart services
EAST JAPAN Railway passengers can now use Suica smart card tickets (RG 2.04 p103) to pay for an extensive range of services at stations in the Tokyo area. Currently accepted at around 1000 outlets, the card payment facility is being rolled out sequentially at all 36 stations along the Yamanote ...
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Roanoake revival
FREIGHTCAR America Inc inaugurated a new wagon manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia, on June 9. The East End Shops have been leased from Norfolk Southern and extensively upgraded at a cost of $5·5m to handle the assembly of various different types of wagons.Virginia Governor Mark R Warner and NS Chairman ...
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Renfe restructures
UNDER ITS new strategy to meet competition from other operators and achieve break-even by 2009, Renfe’s Freight business unit is to cut its workforce by 20%. Of the 500 posts, 400 will be transferred to other business units.At the same time, the loco fleet is to be reduced from 443 ...
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Pointers
Tenders for Cargo Slovakia were due to be submitted by July 29 (RG 5.05 p241). Amongst the expected bidders is ÖBB subsidiary Rail Cargo Austria, which would become the third biggest carrier in Europe by volume after Railion and PKP Cargo if it added the Slovak company’s 50 million tonnes ...
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PNR study
REHABILITATION of Philippine National Railways’ Main Line South from Calamba to Legaspi moved a step closer with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on July 6.Watched by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, PNR General Manager Jose Sarasola signed an accord with the President of ...
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people
On June 28 the UIC General Assembly ratified the appointment of Luc Aliadière as Chief Executive. He took over from Philippe Roumeguère on July 1.At the general meeting on June 16 Wilhelm Patzner was elected to the board of UIRR, the International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport Companies, following the ...
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Mexico suburban to be re-tendered
THE MEXICAN government has reaffirmed its commitment to the capital’s proposed suburban rail link after both bidders were disqualified from the tendering process. Communications & Transports Secretary Pedro Cerisola insisted on July 11 that the project would not be cancelled, and said that new tenders would be called Civil engineering ...
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Metros
Canada:On June 27 Calgary city council approved the 3 km Northeast light rail extension from Whitehorn to Westwinds-McKnight (RG 1.05 p10). The C$75m route will open in 2007. The 3 km Northwest extension from Dalhousie to Crowfoot with one station will follow in 2008.On June 30 Ottawa municipality announced plans ...
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Mobile ticketing in Malaysia
MALAYAN Railway, mobile communications company Celcom and New Technology & Innovation Sdn Bhd launched My Info Train on June 2. The SMS mobile ticketing service allows passengers to obtain timetables and fares, then reserve and cancel inter-city tickets. A range of games and entertainment services is also available.’Not only is ...
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Refined refinery locos
THE LIFE of three U26C Class 34-400 locos used at the Sasol Synfuels refinery in Secunda, South Africa, is being extended in an upgrading contract awarded to DCD Dorbyl's Rolling Stock Division. An extra 15 to 20 years use is now expected from the refurbished locos, which were completed in ...
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Intelligence
Australia:On June 24 QR announced the purchase of Melbourne-based container and logistics firm CRT Group, which specialises in plastics and food products. FreightLink began a container service between Melbourne and Adelaide on July 4, connecting with services to Darwin.Belgium:SNCB-Holding announced on June 24 that it had signed a memorandum of ...