Wabtec has completed the US$1·78bn acquisition of Evident’s Inspection Technologies division, which provides non-destructive testing, remote visual inspection and analytical instruments for mission-critical assets. The deal ‘expands and strengthens our Digital Intelligence business, with advanced products and services for the company’s rail, mining, and industrial sectors, while broadening our reach into other high-growth, high-margin end markets’, said Wabtec President & CEO Rafael Santana.
Danish passenger operator DSB has awarded TK Elevator a DKr712m five-year contract for the maintenance and modernisation of its lifts and escalators. To help minimise downtime, a spare parts warehouse will be established to enahnce access to critical components with long delivery times. TK Elevator has a similar agreement with infrastructure manager Banedanmark.
Air Canada has extended its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa to include Deutsche Bahn’s Lufthansa Express Rail services linking 24 stations with Frankfurt-am-Main airport.
The Australasian Railway Association is organising a US study tour in November which will include visits to BNSF, Union Pacific, Amtrak, Progress Rail and the International Inland Port of Dallas, insights into AI modelling, predictive maintenance, safety technology and sustainable operations, engagement with federal and state transport leaders, suppliers and autonomous freight innovators.
The second volume of the Handbook on COTIF and its implementation and application by international associations has been published online by the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail. The second volume covers international rail contract law for the international carriage of passengers by rail, and was prepared by the legal department of the OTIF secretariat in co-operation with the International Rail Transport Committee, RailNetEurope and the International Union of Railways.
Vietnam’s national assembly has passed an amended law on railways which aims to encourage private sector participation in the sector through access to state credit and government-backed loads as well as reductions in land use fees and rent for areas designated for railway use.
Rail Europe has appointed Ilgün Ilgün as Chief Technology Officer from July 2. He was previously Vice-President of Engineering. ‘This is a strategic moment for Rail Europe’, said CEO Björn Bender. ‘Ilgün’s appointment reflects both our long-term technology vision and our strong commitment to internal talent development.’