India’s West Central Railway has begun trials with a WDM2G genset locomotive rebuilt from a WDM3D by DMW Patiala. It has three 800 hp Cummins QSK-19 engines and a maxiumum speed of 105 km/h. Fuel consumption is expected to be 20% lower than a conventional locomotive.
DB Regio has been awarded a contract to operate passenger services on the 20 km Klostermansfeld – Wippra (Wipperliese) line on behalf of the German Land of Sachsen-Anhalt for five years from December 2013.
CSX Corp has purchased the Eastern Associated Terminal phosphate export facility in Tampa, Florida, from Ingram Barge Co.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways has cut fares in air-conditioned classes by up to 57% for three months in an effort increase ridership.
The Australian state of Victoria has released a freight and logistics plan, which includes studies for a South Eastern Rail Link to the Port of Hastings, a Mildura – Broken Hill link and support for modal shift to rail.
The 100 km line between Hunchun in China and Makhalino in Russia re-opened to freight on August 2. The line was first opened in 1999 but services were suspended in 2004.
Nigeria's Vice-President Namadi Sambo has said China Civil Engineering Construction Corp will complete the new US$874m Abuja – Kaduna standard gauge railway in December. A Chinese government loan of US$500m is part-financing the project.
The German Land of Saarland is to directly award incumbent DB Regio a contract to operate regional services around Saarbrücken for four years from December 2014.
