Dynamic main line testing has begun with the hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator train developed by the FCH2RAIL consortium of CAF, DLR, Toyota, Renfe, ADIF, CNH2, IP and Stemmann-Technik by retrofitting a RENFE commuter EMU. The tests will assess performance of the hybrid hydrogen-battery traction system on routes representative of those where hydrogen units would be used for commercial services, enabling evaluation against the diesel trains currently in use.
A consortium led by the Russian investor and businessman and former RZD traction manager Alexey Lebedev is to acquire Kazakh rolling stock maintenance companies Kamkor Lokomotiv and Kamkor Wagon. Plans include the introduction of modern digital production technologies and a unified data environment. Lebedev manages the Russian transport and forwarding company MT Industrial Operator, which provides rail and multimodal transportation logistics services including intra-factory logistics.
Spanish company SENER has signed an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in Sydney-based transport and infrastructure consultancy Tactix Group, saying it aims to become a major provider of public transport, rail and road project services in Australia. The merged company will operate under the name Tactix, backed by SENER’s global resources.
Dellner Polymer Solutions has appointed Arnot Vibration Solutions as its sole distributor of a selection of its anti-vibration rubber to metal parts in southern Africa countries, where it sees ‘a significant market opportunity’ supplying vibration control and polymer solutions to the rail market.
On July 27 the European Commission announced that it had approved under state aid rules the German government’s injection of €215m into Deutsche Bahn as compensation for the losses suffered by DB Netz, DB Energie and DB Station&Service between March 16 and May 31 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The commission has previously approved two support measures in favour of DB Fernverkehr and DB Cargo.
After seven years at Sydney Metro, most recently as Engineering Director, Rail Systems & Rolling Stock, Steve Allday has joined project management consultancy TSA Advisory as Executive Consultant.
Dutch rail and automotive inspection workflow technology company AutoFill has appointed Frank Van Veldhuijzen to lead the its rail innovation projects, including a joint initiative with the Utah Transit Authority and the University of Utah to inspect tracks using combined heat and vision technologies. He joins from maintenance contractor ASSET Rail, where he was responsible for heading up innovation and digitalisation.
Amtrak received the highest score possible on the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN’s 2022 Disability Equality Index, which measures tangible actions companies take to achieve disability inclusion and equality in the workplace. The DEI rates companies on culture & leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement and supplier diversity.