The First Locomotive Co joint venture of Bombardier Transportation and Russian partners has announced that its 2EV120 Prince Vladimir twin-section electric locomotive has become the first design to obtain certification to haul freight trains at speeds of 140 km/h on the Russian network. Three of the Traxx F120M2 locos have been produced, with one leased to L-Trans and two currently being used for trials.On
February 8 New Zealand’s KiwiRail announced an order for CRRC Qiqihar to supply 450 flat wagons for delivery this year.
The European Rail Freight Association has published a position paper on track access charges, highlighting actions that can be taken to ensure that rail charging schemes support a more competitive rail freight sector. ERFA has also welcomed Germany’s decision to reduce access charges in order to make rail freight transport more competitive with the other modes
Transmashholding’s Bryansk plant has delivered a batch of 2TE25KM diesel locomotives to Ulaanbaatar Railway. They feature a microprocessor control system that automates engine handling within parameters specified by the driver, who can then focus on other aspects of operation. Modifications for Mongolian conditions include additional sealing of electrical components, bogies and cabs to reduce the ingress of dust.
On February 1 Đuro Đaković Specijalna Vozila signed a €9·7m agreement to supply Shimmns wagons to a German customer from April.
UTLC Eurasian Rail Alliance has ordered 200 Type 13-9570 flat wagons from the Osipovichsky factory in Belarus for 650m roubles, and plans to order up to 1 000 more container wagons this year.
Kansas City Southern has appointed Sameh Fahmy as Executive Vice-President, Precision Scheduled Railroading.
Freight One has awarded Altaivagon a contract to supply Type 11-2135-01 vans offering a capacity of 158 m3 or 67 tonnes, 200 000 km between scheduled overhauls and a service life of 32 years.
On February 5 CN announced a public two-tranche debt offering of C$800m, comprised of C$350m 3·00% Notes due 2029, and C$450m 3·60% Notes due 2049. It plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the redemption and refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, share repurchases, acquisitions and other business opportunities.
Russian grain exporter RIF has ordered 700 Type 19-9549 hopper wagons from United Wagon Co for delivery by the third quarter of this year. The 25 tonne axleload and modern design give a capacity 6 tonnes higher than older designs, which will allow the operator to reduce its wagon fleet by almost 10%.