Amtrak changes long-distance rolling stock fleet replacement strategy
USA: Amtrak has revised its long-distance rolling stock fleet replacement strategy, with its previous plan to acquire double-deck coaches dropped in a favour of transitioning to a universal single-deck fleet.
France: Urbanloop promises personal transit
With contracts to deploy its technology in Abu Dhabi and two French cities in the next three years, personal rapid transit start-up Urbanloop is bringing fresh momentum to the ultra-light metro concept. Reinhard Christeller reports.
Gatineau tram project to be reviewed
CANADA: The Mobility Infra Québec centre of expertise in the implementation of complex transport projects is to review the TramGO project to build a 24 km light rail line connecting Gatineau with Ottawa.
Angola launches construction of Luena – Saurimo railway
ANGOLA: A groundbreaking ceremony has launched construction of the 260 km Luena – Saurimo branch of the Benguela Railway, following the signing of the contract the same day.
Three shortlisted to provide Melbourne with ‘a world class operator for a world class network’
AUSTRALIA: Victoria’s Department of Transport & Planning has shortlisted three consortia for the next contract to operate and maintain Melbourne’s passenger rail network.
Cybersecurity training courses developed for public transport workers
USA: The American Public Transportation Association and ENSCO’s Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection have partnered to provide targeted and practical cybersecurity training designed specifically for public transport agencies.
Railway supply industry news round-up
This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.
Southeastern gets stuck in with new floor adhesive
UK: Southeastern is using Henkel’s Teroson MS 9320 SF adhesive to bond carpet and Treadmaster TM8 rubber flooring to plywood train floors, instead of the two-part epoxy it previously used.
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.
