Features & Analysis – Page 38
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NewsTalent 2 grows Bombardier’s regional train family
EUROPE: Designed to meet the crashworthiness requirements of EN 15227, Bombardier’s Talent 2 is the latest entrant in the competitive European market for regional EMUs. Dr Harry Hondius reports.
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NewsDo not over-rely on modelling
CAPACITY: Complex modelling techniques are used increasingly both for real-time decision-making and to prepare longer-term business plans. However, as Peter Koning of Faber Maunsell explains, the extent to which theoretical capacity differs from that available in the live environment is a significant concern.
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NewsDB torpedoes a freight-oriented network
GERMANY: European proposals to give freight trains priority on international corridors have provoked a fierce reaction from Berlin. Murray Hughes reports.
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NewsLondon’s cross-city line follows the RER model
CROSS-CITY: Many enhancements have been made to RER Line A since it was completed across the centre of Paris in 1977. Now carrying more than 60 000 passengers/h on each track, it offers similarities to London’s Crossrail project, making a comparison particularly instructive.
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NewsOn the fast track to reform
TURKEY: With construction of new lines moving ahead, modernisation of the existing TCDD network is also getting underway. Meanwhile, draft legislation presented to the government last year envisages the restructuring of the rail sector to introduce competition between train operators.
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NewsBNSF explores the fuel cell
USA: A hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive now being assembled will serve as a testbed for reducing diesel fuel use by North America’s railroads. David Lustig reports from Topeka.
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NewsResearch cuts 25 kV insulator failures
INDIA: A better understanding of processes, materials and standards used by manufacturers of solid core porcelain insulators has the potential to cut mechanical failures from five to two a year per 10 000 installed. The higher service reliability should help Indian Railways lift annual freight tonnage from 800 to 1 ...
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NewsA change of partners
EUROPE: SNCB has found a new partner to operate international services to southern France and Spain, reports Laurent Charlier.
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NewsRails under the Bosporus
TURKEY: Five years after the start of construction in Istanbul, work on the long-planned Marmaray link between Europe and Asia is well underway. The project is due for completion in 2011, with trains expected to start running the following year.
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NewsPutting the customer first
REFORM: Belgian national operator SNCB has undertaken a radical restructuring of its freight business to create a more commercially-focused business. But, as group co-ordinator Geert Pauwels explains, there is a lot still to do to ensure the incumbent keeps growing in an increasingly-competitive market.
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NewsThalys metamorphosis
REFURBISHMENT: With a dramatic laser show and wreaths of smoke, the first refurbished Thalys trainset was presented to a select group of VIPs and invited guests at the Forest TGV depot in Brussels last month.
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NewsTranscontainer opens a gateway to the west
SLOVAKIA: A 15-year lease of a container transfer terminal will enable Russia’s intermodal operator to launch direct services between Moscow and the Adriatic ports, boosting its position in the Eurasian landbridge market. Chris Jackson reports from Dobra.
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NewsOV-Chipkaart roll-out creeps forward
NETHERLANDS: Following a critical review highlighting cost over-runs and a lack of clear project leadership, the government has outlined its intention to accelerate the introduction of the country’s much-delayed national public transport smart card, reports Peter Badcock.
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NewsADIF heads for profit
SPAIN: As well as directing Europe’s largest high speed line construction programme, infrastructure authority ADIF has been set the amibitious target of moving into profit by 2010. Robert Preston put the questions to ADIF President Antonio González.
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NewsThe most modern fleet in Europe
SPAIN: Representing an investment of almost €6bn, between 2004 and 2010 national operator RENFE will have added 560 new passenger trains, 100 locomotives and 438 wagons to its rolling stock fleet. This will give Spain the most modern fleet in Europe, according to Unife’s Worldwide Rail Market Study.
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NewsAntwerpen - Aachen freight corridor is fully electrified
BELGIUM: The electrification of the cross-border link between Montzen and Aachen West was formally inaugurated on December 12. Dr Harry Hondius reports.
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NewsRail must do more to win logistics business
LOGISTICS: Freight forwarders and 3PL providers want to make greater use of rail. But until the industry develops an international perspective to match the level of service offered by competing modes, its potential will remain unfulfilled.
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NewsSoftware tools ease planning headaches
SOFTWARE: A range of approaches is available for planners seeking to model timetables and assess the capacity of a railway. Three case studies from Europe illustrate the variations between them.
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NewsNew Delhi to pilot station renewal programme
INDIA: Faced with rapidly-increasing traffic, Indian Railways needs to augment or rebuild many of its 7 000 stations to accommodate the growing business. PPP financing and commercial development are envisaged to fund the reconstruction of 26 of the country’s busiest stations, reports Raghu Dayal.
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NewsCables encircle the globe
NEXANS: Rolling stock manufacturers are increasingly shifting responsibility to their sub-suppliers. Dietmar Steinbach of cable specialist Nexans told Andrew Grantham that consistency and product development are vital to a successful relationship.