ČD Cargo is seeking to award a framework contract for the supply of up to 55 locomotives suitable for international operation, enabling it to replace many of its older locos. The framework would cover up to 50 multi-system electric locos plus five diesels, with initial firm orders for 10 electric and three 2 diesel locos. It also plans to call tenders for modernisation of a large proportion of its diesel fleet.
The Le Shuttle Freight service through the Channel Tunnel achieved a daily traffic record on January 25, with the 7 023 lorries carried being up 3% on the previous record set on March 13 2008 before the financial crisis. The operator said this performance was made possible by the commissioning last year of three third generation freight shuttles trains, enabling seven departures per hour in each direction. With a load factor of 80%, this was ‘an optimal service for a day with very heavy demand’.
Vilniaus Lokomotyvų Remonto Depas has signed what is understood to be its first contract to overhaul 1 435 mm gauge vehicles, covering seven TEM2 family diesel locomotives for CTL Logistics.
On January 19 Italian company Dinazzano Po took delivery of two CZ Loko Effishunter 1600 diesel locos for use at its intermodal terminals.
Canadian Pacific Railway opened an new Asian 'home base' office in Shanghai on February 1, complementing its existing offices in Beijing and Tokyo. 'With a third of our existing book of business already touching Asia and exciting opportunities for growth, now is the time for CP to connect with our customers in Shanghai and across the Pacific Rim', said President & CEO Keith Creel.
United Transport & Logistics Co carried 175 000 TEU on 2102 container trains in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus during 2017, up 75% on 2016. There are now 48 regular routes, and 15 trains per day. The tri-national joint venture company is aiming to grow to carry 1 million TEU/year.
New York & Atlantic Railway says it is the first US short line to introduce an obstructive sleep apnoea screening and treatment programme, working with Rocky Mountain Sleep Disorders Center. ‘The detection and remediation of OSA will positively impact employee health and improve employee alertness for safety sensitive jobs’, said NYA President James Bonner, adding that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen union had been ‘supportive and helpful’.
KazTemirTrans has begun taking delivery of 1 300 open and 270 flat wagons ordered from EKVK through DBK Leasing last year at cost of 15bn tenge.
RZD Logistics has added Kazan to the Panda Land Bridge intermodal service from Russia to China. The initial shipment contained aluminium kitchenware from the Kukmorsky Metalware Plant which was transported by rail to Chengxiang for onward delivery by road to Shenzhen.