Cando buys Savage Rail to create a last mile network spanning North America
NORTH AMERICA: Cando Rail & Terminals has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Savage Rail to create what it says will be ‘North America’s market leader in first and last mile rail operating services and terminal infrastructure’.
VR sells rolling stock as part of Finnish passenger rail market opening
FINLAND: National operator VR has signed an agreement for the vehicles it uses on tendered services to be transferred to state-owned rolling stock owning body Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto as part of the government’s plans to open the passenger rail market to competition.
Fortescue commissions battery heavy haul locomotives
AUSTRALIA: Iron ore miner Fortescue has begun commissioning two Progress Rail battery locomotives which it says house the world’s largest land-mobile batteries each with a capacity of 14·5 MWh.
Management course launch invokes spirit of British Rail graduate scheme
UK: The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators has launched a pilot management training programme designed to develop operational leaders with a whole-system understanding of the rail sector.
Modi inaugurates completed Delhi – Meerut RRTS
INDIA: The 82 km Regional Rapid Transit System linking Delhi and Meerut and the Meerut Metro are formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Replica composite columns installed on Tasmanian railway bridge
AUSTRALIA: Two 5·2 m tall ornamental columns have been installed on TasRail’s historic Longford bridge to replicate originals which were removed in the 1960s to increase clearances.
Trainline CEO Jody Ford to step down
INTERNATIONAL: Third-party rail and coach ticket retailer Trainline has begun the search for a new CEO after Jody Ford announced his intention to step down after more than six years at the company.
Keolis retains Virginia Railway Express operating contract
USA: Following a competitive procurement process, current operator Keolis North America has been awarded a new contract to operate Virginia Railway Express commuter services.
Austrian Federal Railways restructuring planned
AUSTRIA: The Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility & Infrastructure has tasked Austrian Federal Railways with developing a restructuring plan to make the national railway more agile, efficient and future-proof.
Lithuanian battery-electric trainset unveiled
LITHUANIA: The first of six 1 520 mm gauge, three-car battery-electric multiple-units that Stadler is supplying for national passenger operator LTG Link was unveiled at Kaunas station on February 14.
European transport associations make joint call for a €100bn Connecting Europe Facility
EUROPE: An open letter signed by 45 European transport organisations has urged the EU to commit to an enlarged Connecting Europe Facility under the bloc’s next multi-annual budgeting process.
