First electric train reaches Tel Aviv Savidor
ISRAEL: Israel Railways operated its first electric test train to Tel Aviv’s Hashalom and Savidor stations on April 5, following energisation of the 25 kV 50 Hz overhead line equipment on the core cross-city Ayalon Corridor.
EU funding to support Madrid – Lisboa link
EUROPE: More EU funding has been allocated to enhancing rail links between Portugal and Spain. The EU co-financing is part of a €1·4bn package of European Green Deal projects in seven EU states that was announced by the Commissioner for Cohesion & Reforms Elisa Ferreira in mid-March.
ZTR and BlackBerry partner to launch rail asset monitoring platform
MONITORING: Locomotive modernisation technology specialist ZTR and security software company BlackBerry have launched a remote wagon monitoring system designed to provide operators with greater insights into the fleets.
Paulista concession extension to be signed
BRAZIL: Transport Minister Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas has authorised the national land transportation agency ANTT to approve a 30-year extension of Rumo Logística’s concession to manage and operate the Paulista network.
3D-printed handles aim to reduce hand contact with train doors
RUSSIA: Attachments designed to enable train toilet and cab doors to be opened with an elbow or lower arm rather than a hand, and thus reduce the risk of spreading germs or a virus like Covid-19, are being tested by Russian Railways.
Design contracts awarded for Latvian section of Rail Baltica
LATVIA: On behalf of the Ministry of Transport, Rail Baltica project promoter RB Rail has awarded two contracts for design and design supervision services for the remaining two sections of the corridor in Latvia.
