Australasia
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NewsHiivr Rail autonomous wagon unveiled in Western Australia
AUSTRALIA: Western Australia rail infrastructure concessionaire Arc Infrastructure and US technology partner Parallel Systems have unveiled a prototype autonomous container wagon following three years of development. The battery-powered wagon branded Hiivr Rail was demonstrated to government and industry stakeholders at the Kenwick Freight Rail Facility in ...
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NewsAustralian Railway Research & Innovation Network launched
AUSTRALIA: The Australian Railway Research & Innovation Network has been launched to identify and deliver critical research and innovation in support of the National Rail Manufacturing Plan. AusRRIN includes Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology, Central Queensland University, University of Queensland, University of Wollongong and ...
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In depthAustralasia: Investment pipeline promises ‘golden age of rail’
Rail has a critical role to play on the path to net zero in Australia and New Zealand, but key issues including a lack of interoperability between networks and jurisdictions need to be urgently addressed.
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In depthSignalling: Queensland enters the digital age
Bringing together public and private sector partners, the Sequence Signalling & Systems Alliance is pressing ahead with the introduction of ETCS Level 2 train control across the South East Queensland rail network.
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NewsInterlocking upgrade on driverless heavy haul network
AUSTRALIA: Hitachi Rail is to begin work shortly on the third and final phase of upgrading interlockings on Rio Tinto’s autonomous heavy haul rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In 2018 Rio Tinto launched automated operation under its AutoHaul programme, with Hitachi technology ...
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Metro Report InternationalMelbourne G Class tram mocked up for testing
AUSTRALIA: A full-size mock-up of Melbourne’s future G Class tram has been produced to obtain feedback from passenger, driver, technical and accessibility groups ahead of series production. In 2022 Victoria’s Department of Transport awarded Alstom a €700m framework contract to supply 100 customised Flexity 2 trams ...
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NewsPilbara heavy haul battery locomotive unveiled
AUSTRALIA: A FLXdrive battery-powered heavy haul locomotive for iron ore mining company Roy Hill has been unveiled at Wabtec’s factory at Erie in the USA. ‘This FLXdrive locomotive represents a major step in the journey to a low-to-zero-emission future’, said Wabtec President & CEO Rafael Santana ...
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NewsChanges follow review of commuter rail disruption
NEW ZEALAND: KiwiRail is taking action to improve track inspection on passenger routes in Wellington and Auckland following the publication of a report into service disruption during May which Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter said provides ’an eye-opening account of poor decision-making’. The report ...
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NewsWellington train operating contract extended
NEW ZEALAND: Greater Wellington Regional Council has extended Transdev’s contract to operate local passenger trains under the Metlink brand until July 3 2031. Transdev has operated the services since 2016, carrying more than 1·3 million passengers/year on 2 000 services/week. It runs 3·22 million train-km/year on ...
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NewsMore inclusive facilities for train drivers
AUSTRALIA: Enhancements to provide more inclusive facilities for train drivers at Melbourne’s Flinders Street station have been completed. This includes the creation of all-gender locker rooms with private changing rooms, and a maternity room with private areas for expressing and spaces to rest. Other upgrades include new ...
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NewsARA plans Australia and New Zealand pavilion at InnoTrans 2024
INNOTRANS: The Australasian Railway Association will once again host a pavilion to showcase the Australian and New Zealand rail industry at InnoTrans 2024. ARA said it anticipates taking a strong delegation to Berlin, building on its success at the 2022 event. The organisation is seeking feedback ...
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Metro Report InternationalYarra Trams deploys navigation technology for visually impaired passengers
AUSTRALIA: The NaviLens mobile app and codes are being rolled out to assist blind and low-vision passengers to travel independently on Melbourne’s Yarra Trams network. The codes, which look like brightly coloured QR patterns, are initially being installed at every stop on Route 96 as well ...
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NewsNSW TrainLink booking system contract awarded
AUSTRALIA: Transport for New South Wales has commissioned Estonian company Turnit and its local partner Spiketech to supply a replacement booking system for NSW TrainLink long-distance services. This will provide an end-to-end digital platform to plan, book and pay for regional train and coach services used ...
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Metro Report InternationalSydney rail to metro conversion confirmed
AUSTRALIA: The New South Wales government has committed to completing the conversion of Sydney’s T3 Bankstown Line from a suburban railway to an automated metro, as the final section of the City & Southwest Metro project. When the current state government was elected in March, it ...
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NewsDedicated ARTC subsidiary to lead Inland Rail project
AUSTRALIA: Infrastructure manager Australian Rail Track Corp has established a dedicated subsidiary to take responsibility for the 1 700 km Inland Rail freight corridor linking Melbourne and Brisbane, following a highly critical review of the project. Announcing the restructuring on July 7, federal Minister for Infrastructure, ...
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NewsInnovation Council appointed to grow Australian rail supply sector
AUSTRALIA: The federal government has appointed a Rail Industry Innovation Council tasked with streamlining practices to increase domestic manufacturing as part of the National Rail Manufacturing Plan. The council is chaired by Jacqui Walters, who has been appointed as Rail Manufacturing Advocate with the aim of ...
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NewsThe Overland to continue for a further three years
AUSTRALIA: The Victoria state government has agreed an A$11·5m three-year package to support the operation of The Overland long-distance passenger trains.
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News‘Over and back’ speeds Brisbane ETCS testing
AUSTRALIA: Hitachi Rail has adopted ‘over and back’ switching principles to speed up the testing of digital train control systems being installed on the southeast Queensland rail network. ETCS Level 2 operation is being introduced in conjunction with Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, which will see ...
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NewsDowner picks Hyundai Rotem to support delivery of Queensland EMU fleet
AUSTRALIA: Downer has formed a consortium with Hyundai Rotem to build, commission and maintain 65 six-car 1 067 mm gauge electric multiple-units for Queensland. The Queensland government had selected Downer in February as the preferred bidder over CAF and Alstom for the A$4·6bn contract, which is ...
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NewsAustralian grain shipper orders locos and wagons in growth drive
AUSTRALIA: Western Australian grain co-operative CBH Group announced an agreement to buy 17 Wabtec 1 067 mm gauge diesel locomotives on June 29, and the following day placed an order for CRRC Meishan to supply 200 standard gauge and 450 narrow gauge hopper wagons. The orders ...