IRAN: Tehran Urban & Suburban Railway Co signed a €360m contract with China Northern Locomotive & Rolling Stock Industry Group for 455 metro cars and 160 double-deck coaches on March 26. CNR said the contract is its largest-ever export order.

CNR has delivered 1?408 coaches and 432 metro cars to customers outside China since 2001. The rolling stock for Iran will be built by Changchun Railway Vehicle Co, which supplied TUSRC's existing fleet.

TUSRC had called tenders for the supply of a further 65 seven-car metro trainsets for use on metro lines 1 and 2. The 455 cars will be of three types, including steel and aluminium-bodied vehicles.

The 160 additional double-deck coaches will be hauled by 25?kV electric locos on suburban rail Line 5, and according to CNR will incorporate a revised designs of communication and braking systems.