Europe – Page 145
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NewsGolden Bullet 2.0 wagon unveiled
SWEDEN: ‘Wagons that seemed new and innovative a few years ago already feel dated. They pale in comparison’, said Johan Roswall, Roundwood Sales Executive at Green Cargo, as the operator announced the first customer for Golden Bullet 2.0, ‘the market’s most efficient timber wagon’. The wagon ...
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NewsBulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania sign rail corridor memorandum
EUROPE: Ministers from Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia have signed a memorandum covering plans to complete the missing rail links between their countries by 2030, but cautioned that this will require signficant investment. Bulgaria is to complete the upgrading of the Sofia – Pernik – Radomir ...
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In depthEurope: Mont Cenis base tunnel takes shape
The award of civil works contracts earlier this summer to build the 57 km base tunnel across the Franco-Italian border has given new impetus to plans to complete a high-capacity corridor between Lyon and Torino. Toma Bačić reports.
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NewsBattery rather than hydrogen trains suggested in Sachsen study
GERMANY: The use of battery rather than hydrogen traction is recommended in a study into options for replacing diesel multiple-units on regional routes around Dresden where electrification is unlikely in the short to medium term. The study found that hydrogen and battery power would each be ...
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NewsThales awarded Lisboa signalling contracts
PORTUGAL: Infraestruturas de Portugal has awarded Thales three contracts to modernise the signalling systems at Lisboa’s Santa Apolónia station and on the Cascais and Oeste lines. The contracts include the supply of PIPC Generation 3 electronic interlockings, ETCS Level 2 for the standalone Cascais suburban ...
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NewsTunnel to enable double-tracking of Neuchâtel – Biel/Bienne line
SWITZERLAND: Work has begun to double the last single-track section of the Neuchâtel – Biel/Bienne line, following approval for construction of the 2 130 m long Ligerz tunnel which will replace the existing alignment on the shore of Lake Biel. Work to ...
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NewsAutonomous train trials and green power planned at Velim test track
CZECH REPUBLIC: The VUZ railway research institute has announced plans for investment to facilitate the testing of autonomous urban and suburban trains at the Velim test centre, and measures to lower the site’s emissions and produce green hydrogen for fuelling trains. ‘We ...
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NewsModernisation of Hungarian section of Budapest – Beograd line launched
HUNGARY: Work to modernise and double-track the Hungarian section of the Budapest – Beograd corridor was formally launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at Kiskunhalas on October 15. The upgrade of the line between Soroksár near Budapest and Kelebia on the Serbian border will reduce the journey ...
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NewsBattery trains ordered for Hermann-Hesse-Bahn
GERMANY: Baden-Württemberg’s rolling stock owning body SFBW has ordered three Mireo Plus B battery-electric multiple-units from Siemens Mobility for use on Hermann-Hesse-Bahn services from December 2023. The BEMUs will use the 15 kV 16·7 Hz overhead electrification for power and to charge their batteries between Renningen ...
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Metro Report InternationalMalta metro study proposes three-line network
MALTA: Transport Malta has published a feasibility study and a strategic business case for the development of a 35 km underground driverless light metro network serving the principal urban area around Valetta. The studies for a mass rapid transit network were undertaken by Arup under a ...
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NewsBattery train fast charging station tested
GERMANY: A prototype Voltap rapid charging station for battery trains has been tested under real-world conditions for the first time Voltap has been developed by railway electrification technology specialist Furrer+Frey and Tübingen municipal utilities company SWT. The aim is to produce a ...
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In depthFinland: a positive shock in the far north
As the Finnish rail market opens further to competition, national railway VR Group remains committed to growing its passenger and freight business despite the impact of the pandemic as its Senior Vice-President for Strategy & Corporate Development Ilkka Heiskanen explains to Nick Kingsley.
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NewsHelsinki – Turku high speed planning gets underway
tn_fi-helsinki-station-exterior_01.jpg FINLAND: Responsibility for the development of plans for a high speed line between Helsinki and Turku has been transferred from the national transport infrastructure agency Väylävirasto to the dedicated project body which was established to oversee the project through to completion. Turun Tunnin Juna Oy, ...
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NewsVolga-Don Canal bridge opened
RUSSIA: A 155 m long bridge across the Volga-Don Canal near Volgograd has been officially opened, carrying a second track to increase the capacity of the Gornopolyansky – Kanalnaya line to 154 trains each way per day. Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev ...
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NewsWabtec to transfer production from German site to Italy and India
WABTEC: Plans to transfer production activities from Wabtec’s Bochum site in Germany to Poli in Italy and Hosur in India have been announced, with the loss of around 200 jobs expected by the end of 2023. The brake and coupler manufacturing and maintenance factory at Bochum ...
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In depthDenmark: Getting the passengers back
With a substantial investment strategy in place and negotiations for a new operating contract underway, Denmark’s state passenger operator is positioning itself to drive modal shift in a post-Covid recovery, DSB Chief Executive Flemming Jensen tells Chris Jackson.
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Metro Report InternationalU-Bahn maintenance fleet ordered
GERMANY: München municipal utility company SWM has awarded Robel Bahnbaumaschinen a contract to supply six multifunctional maintenance vehicles for the U-Bahn network by mid-2024. Ingo Wortmann, Chairman of operator MVG, said increased service frequencies and new lines are needed to support modal shift in the city, ...
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Metro Report InternationalPorto unveils CRRC LRV design
PORTUGAL: Metro do Porto has unveiled the design of the 18 Class CT light rail vehicles it has ordered from CRRC Tangshan. The styling has been developed jointly by the manufacturer and external consultants, supported by a multidisciplinary team from the operator. ‘We wanted to keep ...
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NewsRail Baltica safety assessment services contract awarded
EUROPE: Rail Baltica project promoter RB Rail and the national project implementers Eiropas Dzelzceļa Līnijas, Rail Baltic Estonia and LTG Infra have awarded Certifer a €4·5m contract to act as the single safety assessment services provider throughout the design, construction and integration phases of developing the ...
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Metro Report InternationalAlstom awarded Grand Paris Express Line 18 rolling stock and automation contract
FRANCE: Alstom has been awarded a contract to supply rolling stock and automation systems for the future Grand Paris Express driverless metro Line 18. The €230m contract announced on October 11 includes automation, data transmission and supervisory equipment and systems integration, with a firm order for ...