Features & Analysis – Page 41
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NewsHeavy haul in the high north
CANADA: Within a few years, Baffin Island in the Arctic archipelago will see construction of the world's most northerly railway, currently being designed by Canarail. The harsh environment poses daunting challenges in terms of design, construction and operation.
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NewsAn ABC of good design
CHINA: With the Summer Olympic Games just a few weeks away, major infrastructure projects are coming to fruition across Beijing. Prominent amongst these projects is the automated rail link to the city's international airport, where design has been given a high priority.
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NewsBoosting operational efficiency in Urumqi
CHINA: Trials with Lean Production techniques at Chinese Railways' Urumqi Railway Bureau demonstrated significant improvements in productivity and the efficiency of railway operations, allowing CR to handle increased traffic with fewer resources.
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NewsFortescue opens the world's heaviest haul railway
AUSTRALIA: A remarkable iron ore railway has been built across the Pilbara region in record time. John Kirk reports.
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NewsPrima goes modular to tap new markets
LOCOMOTIVES: As well as Europe's changing freight market, Alstom has China, India and Russia in its sights as targets for the latest addition to its product range. Laurent Charlier reports from Belfort.
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NewsGautrain from dream to reality
SOUTH AFRICA: The Gautrain rapid rail link between Johannesburg and Tshwane is taking shape, with the first section on course to enter revenue service before the two cities host the 2010 football World Cup.
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NewsCarrying commuters in comfort
SOUTH AFRICA: Bombardier's proven Electrostar EMU family is being customised for South Africa, giving a powerful demonstration of modern high-quality rail services.
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NewsCustomising ballastless track to suit different conditions
TRACK:?Contractors can now choose from a variety of ballastless trackforms to suit the requirements of different projects ranging from urban tunnels to high speed lines.
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NewsKei Rail revival will support regional development
SOUTH AFRICA The return of passenger and freight services on a 282 km branch line in Eastern Cape province is part of a balanced strategy; the railway is driving local economic development, which in turn generates enough traffic to keep the railway sustainable. Rollo Dickson reports
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NewsDedicated Freight Corridors are close to launch
INDIA: Following the approval of a funding agreement with Japanese banks, the first contracts for construction of the country’s two high-capacity dedicated freight corridors are due to be awarded by October, reports Raghu Dayal
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NewsEssential renewals must pave the way for ambitious expansion strategy
GHANA: Two concessions are under negotiation for privately-funded extensions to open up the north of the country, but Ghana Railways Corp is struggling to operate its residual freight and passenger services. Refurbishment of the Accra - Tema line reflects a welcome government commitment to restore the network to good order, ...
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Working towards a sustainable future
ENVIRONMENT: Despite growing concerns about climate change and energy efficiency, imbalances in the pricing of different transport modes continue to distort the market across Europe. But CER Chairman Aad Veenman sees signs of progress at last.
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NewsNew locos confirm Madagascar rail renaissance
MADAGASCAR: The arrival of five Chinese-built locomotives is a significant step in the revitalisation of the island's railways, which were in a parlous state just five years ago. State-owned Madagascar Northern railway Rncfm had just one operable locomotive and its employees had not been paid for seven months when a ...
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Eddy-current braking: a long road to success
BRAKING: Eddy-current technology offers the potential for frictionless braking at high speeds, but despite successful experience in Germany, concerns over interference and electromagnetic compatibility have discouraged other railways from adopting the concept. Jennifer Schykowski investigates
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NewsIs it mission impossible?
Bangladesh is really a large city, and rail-based mass transport will be a necessity. But how should the railway develop its role when it has lost almost all its traffic to road?
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Intelligent wagons will build on consignment tracking
TELEMATICS Advances in IT and communications technology are opening up opportunities for real-time monitoring of freight movements across Europe and beyond. Dr-Ing Thomas Rieckenberg reports from the EurailTelematics conference in Berlin.
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Modular EMUs extend an adaptable family
GERMANY: Developed from a design for Sweden, the Coradia Lirex Continental EMU is designed for adaptability in terms of floor height, extra doors and energy absorption. Harry Hondius rides the first four-car set.
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Cour des Comptes condemns 'dysfunctional' policy
FRANCE: A review of the first 10 years since the split between infrastructure and operations finds serious failings in financial policy and maintenance management as a result of an 'incomplete' reform process.
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Global traffic keeps rising
INTERNATIONAL: The strong Asian market is continuing to drive up railway traffic across the world, according to the International Union of Railways' analysis of 2007 statistics published on March 31. Collation of passenger and traffic figures submitted by 62 UIC member railways around the world highlights the relationship between ...
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NewsPepy charts an expansionist future
FRANCE: Ambitious is the adjective that best describes SNCF's plans for the next five years. Newly-appointed President Guillaume Pepy went public on March 19 with his proposals to expand and develop the French national railway, promising 'a change in pace and scope'. Declaring that SNCF was 'now financially healthy' (Table ...