Europe – Page 87
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Metro Report InternationalBologna starts construction of its first modern tram line
ITALY: Construction work has started for the 16·5 km Red Line tram route in Bologna, with events marking the occasion held at the site of the future depot in Borgo Panigale and the northern terminus at Michelino-Fiera. The first of four routes in a planned 57 ...
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NewsOuigo España launches Madrid – Alacant service
SPAIN: SNCF’s low-cost subsidiary Ouigo España launched two pairs of daily trains between Madrid Chamartín and Alacant on April 28, following a ceremony at Alacant Terminal the previous day. The trains call only at Albacete Los Llanos on the 486 km route from Madrid Chamartín to ...
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NewsMetre gauge electro-diesel freight locos enter service
SPAIN: Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya has put into service the first two of five Class 257 metre gauge electro-diesel freight locos ordered from Stadler to replace its Class 254 diesels. The €30·2m contract for the 20 m long, 3 900 mm high, 90 tonne ...
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In depthAustria: A transport network for everyone
Emerging EU legislation on accessibility will put stronger regulatory requirements on public transport operators to ensure their services are open to all. Faced with a mix of modes including a large legacy tramway, Wien operator Wiener Linien is making steady progress towards meeting this challenge. Toma Bačić reports.
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NewsGerman government urged to revise pessimistic rail freight assumptions
GERMANY: The leaders of six private rail freight operators have published an open letter to federal Transport Minister Dr Volker Wissing urging the government to revise pessimistic forecasts for the sector’s future growth.
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Metro Report InternationalBeograd metro project management contract awarded
SERBIA: A consortium of DB Engineering & Consulting and Systra has been appointed to provide project management services for the construction of Beograd’s first metro line. The €46m contract announced by the Ministry of Construction, Transport & Infrastructure on May 8 covers project management, planning review ...
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NewsDutch rail freight community launches skills drive
EUROPE: More needs to be done to attract younger people to work in the sector, representatives of the Dutch rail freight industry said at the Transport Logistic trade fair in München. The announcement on May 9 was co-ordinated by Rail Cargo Information Netherlands and partners to ...
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NewsIntermodal rail freight service to bring Ukraine into the European logistics chain
EUROPE: Rail Cargo Group used the Transport Logistic trade show in München on May 9 to announce an intermodal freight service linking Kyiv and Lviv with Budapest and Wien. Austrian Federal Railways’ freight subsidiary said this would be the ‘first regular, high frequency intermodal connection’ between ...
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NewsGATX supports MagRail Booster linear motor wagon test
POLAND: Hyperloop and maglev technology developer Nevomo is to use conventional wagons supplied by GATX Rail Europe to test its MagRail Booster concept for retrofitting existing rolling stock to enable linear motor propulsion. The aim is to provide faster acceleration and additional power on steep gradients ...
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NewsTrack machines ordered for Scandinavia
EUROPE: RB Solutions has awarded Plasser & Theurer contracts to supply a Unimat 08-4x4/4S tamping machine by the end of 2025 and a USP 2010 SWS universal ballast distributing and profiling machine in April of that year. The Austrian manufacturer said the two machine types were ...
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NewsCaptrain España orders electric locos
SPAIN: Freight operator Captrain España has ordered a further eight Euro6000 multi-voltage electric locomotives from Stadler Valencia. They are scheduled to be delivered in 2025, taking its fleet to 24. The order announced on May 3 has been funded in part by a €15m grant from ...
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NewsGIC becomes majority shareholder in Railpool
GERMANY: Singapore’s foreign reserves investor GIC has become the majority shareholder in rolling stock leasing company Railpool, following the acquisition of a further 27% stake from co-owner German infrastructure investor Palladio Partners which takes GIC’s stake to 77%. ‘Railpool has delivered strong business performance since our ...
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NewsDSB cleared to order automated S-bane trains
DENMARK: State-owned operator DSB has received government authorisation to start the procurement of its next generation of trains for the København S-bane, paving the way for fully-automated operation from 2029. Due to be rolled out over the next 15 years, the trains are intended to replace ...
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NewsGreenbrier orders Amsted technology to improve wagon management
EUROPE: Wagon fleet management and telematics company Amsted Digital Solutions has announced a multi-year contract to supply IQ Series onboard gateways to Greenbrier Europe. The gateways are designed to provided operational insights without the need for additional sensors. This includes GPS location data to manage inbound ...
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NewsSNCF seeks third catenary renewal train
FRANCE: Faced with the prospect of renewing a substantial proportion of the overhead line equipment across the national railway network, SNCF Réseau has announced its intention to procure a third catenary renewal train. The infrastructure manager has recently put into service two highly automated machines, (known ...
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NewsStrait of Gibraltar tunnel plans revived
INTERNATIONAL: Spain and Morocco have agreed to restart the development of proposals for a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar. Studies for an inter-continental fixed-link have been undertaken at intervals over more than 40 years, under the co-ordination of state owned entities Secegsa in Spain ...
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Metro Report InternationalBordeaux tramway reaches the airport
FRANCE: A 5 km branch of Bordeaux tram Route A from Quatre Chemins to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport was opened for revenue service at noon on April 29. The extension is single track with passing points at the five stops. Services operate every 10 ...
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NewsCouchette coach refurbishment contract awarded
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways has awarded Škoda Group a contract to modernise six couchette cars for Nightjet overnight services, with an option for 28 more. Škoda said the modernised coaches would feature ‘comfortable’ beds, modern lighting and updated toilets as well as an accessible compartment. The ...
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Metro Report InternationalNew generation Flexity tram enters service in Brussels
BELGIUM: Brussels transport operator STIB has put the first of its ‘new generation’ Flexity trams into service on Route 51 between Midi and Stade with effect from April 26. The 100% low-floor Series 3200 vehicles are being supplied by Alstom under a €480m framework contract which ...
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NewsRailcoop suspends freight operations
FRANCE: Open access operator Railcoop announced on April 25 that was suspending its freight operation on the 150 km north-south line between Toulouse-St-Jory and Capdenac.