• US manufacturer MotivePower rolled out its first low-emission genset locomotive at its plant in Boise, Idaho, on January 22. Designated MP21B, the 2 100 hp Bo-Bo demonstrator is powered by three Cummins QSK-19 engines and equipped with Wabtec's Q-Tron QES III microprocessor-based control system. After commissioning on the Idaho Northern Railroad, the loco is due to be delivered to an un-named Class 1 operator in mid-February for trials in revenue service
  • A high-level committee with representatives from SNCF and RFF has been set up to consider proposals for a high speed line to be built to the south of Paris to link LGV Atlantique with LGV Interconnexion, which bypasses the city to the east. The line could include a station serving Orly Airport.
  • Rail Cargo Austria and GySEV signed the HF102·5bn contract to purchase MÁV Cargo on January 2 in Budapest (RG 1.08 p9). The consortium has undertaken to invest HF43·5bn in developing the Hungarian freight business, according to Miklos Kamaras of MÁV Cargo.
  • Short line operator Patriot Rail Corp announced the purchase of its third railway, Utah Central Railway, on January 3. Established in 1995 to use former Union Pacific track, UCRY has 55 km of owned and leased rail line which connects with UP and BNSF. Traffic includes sugar, asphalt, lumber, plastic, steel, gas, grain and chemicals, totalling 8 500 carloads in 2007.
  • Following severe damage caused by heavy rains, repairs costing 9m naira are being made to the standard-gauge line linking Nigeria's Ajaokuta steelworks to the port of Warri.

  • CAPTION: El Salvador's national railway Fenadesal has begun operating two return commuter services each morning and evening on the 12·5 km route between San Salvador and Apopa. The return fare is US$0·10. Next month the service will be extended to Nejapa, and in the longer term to the provincial capital of Sonsanate. The 914 mm gauge rolling stock is being refurbished for the service, including the adoption of advertising liveries Photo: Jamie Guest

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