Brazil: Ferrovia Sul Atlântico, private operator of Rffsa's former SR5 and SR6 regions (RG 2.97 p72), has announced a two year rebuilding programme for 100 diesel-electric locos.

Europe: Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle services show continuing recovery after last year's fire disruption, with 123915 private vehicles carried in February, 48% more than the previous month. Eurostar and through freight traffic grew by 27% and 18% respectively.

Germany: Work was due to begin last month on a DM130m maintenance depot for ICE trainsets in Berlin Rummelsburg; the depot should open in summer 1998.

DB subsidiary Berlin S-Bahn GmbH is planning to launch express S-Bahn services on selected routes next year. First will be the east end of S5 between Lichtenberg and Strausberg. Other possible routes include S1 north to Oranienburg and S8 to Bernau in 1999.

Great Britain: On March 6 Transport Minister John Watts announced that piggyback semi-trailers would be included in the 44 tonne road allowance for container and swapbody traffic accessing railheads. English Welsh & Scottish Railway expects to begin moving John G Russell trailers between London and Glasgow on Thrall Eurospine wagons (RG 1.97 p15) in May.

Racal-BRT is to install 1200 km of optic fibre cables and build 60 hilltop radio transceiver stations as part of a modernisation programme of the former British Rail Telecommunications network.

Serco Ltd has purchased Railtest, the British Rail infrastructure and vehicle testing subsidiary.

Hungary: Three local partnerships are to be formed by MAV, local authorities, voluntary organisations and private businesses to study promoting greater tourist use of the Balassagyarmat - V