All Railway Gazette International articles in December 2019 – Page 7
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Rail Business UKWest Midlands Trains reveals first Class 196 DMU
UK: West Midlands Trains has revealed the first of its CAF Civity Class 196 diesel multiple-units, which is now on test at the Velim circuit in the Czech Republic. The 12 two-car and 14 four-car DMUs were ordered in October 2017 at cost of around €200m, with ...
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NewsJR East tests Saphir Odoriko luxury EMUs
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has started driver training with the first of two Series E261 EMUs which are being supplied by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to operate the Super Odoriko service linking Tokyo to the scenic Izu peninsula, where the Fuji-Hakone National Park is famed for its hot springs.
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NewsReform of rail passengers’ rights under discussion
UK: The general approach to reform of Regulation 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights has been agreed by the Council of the European Union, which brings together ministers from member states. The Council and the European Parliament will now negotiate the final text, which would be applicable two ...
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NewsElectrification of Tirol rail network completed
AUSTRIA: ÖBB-Infrastruktur has completed electrification of the 14·4 km section of the Ausserfernbahn between Reutte and Schönbichl on the German border. This completes the electrification of the standard gauge network in the Land of Tirol. The 15 kV 16·7 Hz electrification project included ...
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Metro Report InternationalCRRC tests first Chicago Series 7000 metro cars
USA: A pre-series build of 10 Series 7000 metro cars for Chicago Transit Authority has started testing at the CRRC Qingdao Sifang plant in China. The vehicles are due to undergo a year-long test phase in Chicago to demonstrate their reliability before series deliveries start at the end of 2020.
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Metro Report InternationalSão Paulo Line 15 extended further
BRAZIL: An extension of São Paulo metro Line 15 from Jardim Planalto to São Mateus opened to passengers on December 16. Services initially run only on weekdays between 10.00 and 15.00, with full operation due to begin in January. Test running started on November 11. The three-station ...
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NewsTrenitalia and Campania region sign operating agreement
ITALY: National operator Trenitalia has signed a 2019-33 service contract with the Campania region which includes plans to invest €680m to improve services. Trenitalia will provide €209m and the region €180m for the purchase and commissioning of 37 trainsets, which are to be delivered from 2020 under ...
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Rail Business UKUK railway news round-up
Network Rail has completed work to install a new facade at Leeds station. This incorporates ‘distinctive’ gold panels, and allows more natural light into the station. ‘The new look of the main concourse was inspired by the southern entrance to create a real identity for the station ...
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Metro Report InternationalGenève tram network crosses the border into France
SWITZERLAND: A cross-border extension of Genève’s tram network was inaugurated on December 15. The 2·5 km extension east from Moillesulaz on the border to Annemasse-Parc Montessuit serves four stops in France and is operated as route 17. Construction started in October 2018 and cost €57m. A three-stop ...
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NewsUkraine announces private freight haulage pilot project
UKRAINE: The cabinet has approved plans for a pilot project which would allow private sector companies to haul freight trains on selected sections of the national network. On December 4 Minister of Infrastructure Vladislav Krikli said this could help address a shortage of locomotives at national railway ...
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Rail Business UKScotRail franchise to end in 2022
UK: The Scottish government will not take up an option for Abellio’s ScotRail franchise to run for the full term, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity Michael Matheson confirmed on December 18. The contract started on April 1 2015 with a minimum term of seven years, ...
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NewsEtihad Rail heads northeast as Package D awarded
UAE: National railway developer Etihad Rail has awarded the fourth major contract for its Stage Two expansion programme to a joint venture of China Railway Construction Corp and local partner National Projects & Construction. Valued at 4·6bn dinars, the Package D contract covers the ...
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NewsBattery-electric multiple-unit financing agreed
GERMANY: Mittelsachsen transport authority ZVMS has reached an agreement for an order for 11 battery multiple-units to be financed by mandated lead arranger KfW IPEX-Bank with Nord/LB and Deutsche Kreditbank. The financing package is worth €49m and has a term of 22 years. The order is expected ...
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Metro Report InternationalCAF wins Lisboa tram tender
PORTUGAL: CAF has won a competition to supply 15 trams to Lisboa bus and tram operator Carris. CAF’s proposal was selected ahead of a bid from Stadler, whose offer was around €1·5m more. The €45m procurement was launched in April 2018 and includes €5m for maintenance ...
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NewsMinisters inaugurate Tel Aviv – Jerusalem through service
ISRAEL: To mark the start of regular electric through services between Tel Aviv Hahagana and Jerusalem Navon via the A1 fast line on December 21, Israel Railways operated its first passenger-carrying train on December 18.
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Metro Report InternationalHydrogen buses enter service on BRT route in Pau
FRANCE: The Fébus bus rapid transit route in Pau was inaugurated on December 17, using a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses. Services on the 14-stop route are operated by Keolis using a fleet of 18 m long buses supplied by Van Hool. Connecting the city’s railway ...
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NewsHitachi Rail STS wins LGV Sud-Est interlocking contract
FRANCE: Infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau has selected Hitachi Rail STS to supply new interlockings for the modernisation of LGV Sud-Est between Paris and Lyon.
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NewsRailway supply industry news round-up
Wagon leasing company Ermewa has restructured and refinanced its group debt through a combination of multicurrency secured bank debt and US private placement notes for a total value of circa €1·5bn. It was advised by Watson Farley & Williams, which said it was a ‘complex, high-value transaction, ...
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Metro Report InternationalQingdao metro Line 2 extended
CHINA: A 4·2 km extension of Qingdao metro Line 2 was opened on December 16, running west from Zhiquanlu to Taishanlu.
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Rail Business UKBespoke traverser installed at York depot
UK: Specialist lifting equipment supplier Mechan has delivered a bespoke 130 tonne traverser to move vehicles between workshop roads at infrastructure manager Network Rail’s Holgate depot in York. The traverser was commissioned by Story Contracting to replace a 50-year old unit that was at the end of ...