GE wins US$60m signalling contract

BRAZIL: Mining company Vale has awarded GE Transportation a US$60m contract to overhaul signalling and communication systems on the EFVM network.

To be completed by 2010, the project covers the port of Tubarão and 600 km of metre-gauge double track between Vitória and iron ore mines in the state of Minas Gerais.

GE will replace relay-based equipment up to 30 years old with ElectroLogIXS interlockings, Electrocode track circuits and Cab-X cab signalling. According to GE this will increase capacity by 23% by allowing trains to run closer together, and will simplify future upgrading works.