Construction company Subterra has become the first Czech private operator of a CZ Loko EffiShunter 1000 locomotive equipped with ETCS. It is to be used for transporting construction materials at sites in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and the company has an option for two more. ‘We are going to increase the work efficiency of the entire railway construction division and qualitatively move it one step higher’, explained Production & Technical Director Jaroslav Čižinský.
Hupac is targeting an annual volume increase of 7% in 2022-26, including ‘a real shift of truck traffic from road to rail’. Plans include better management of disruption, relieving pressure at the Busto Arsizio-Gallarate terminal through diversification to other terminals in the Milano area, using other trans-Alpine corridors to complement the Rhine-Alpine RFC, more diversionary routes, more spare wagons and drivers, and investing in expanded or new terminals at Milano Smistamento and Piacenza, Novara CIM, Brwinów (Warszawa), Duisburg Gateway and Basel North Gateway.
Former KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy is to return to the role after nearly four years as CEO of Fletcher Construction. ‘The KiwiRail Board was impressed by the number and calibre of applicants for the CEO vacancy’, said Chairman David McLean. ’Peter stands out for his strong, demonstrated leadership ability, including at KiwiRail itself where he was a highly respected CEO from 2014 until he left in 2018 and took up the opportunity to lead New Zealand’s biggest infrastructure group.’
ČD Cargo has called tenders for the supply of 10 interoperable electric locos by March 21 2024 for use in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is also seeking an unspecified number of second-hand electric locos for international services. The operator said the market for leased locos was currently under pressure, with high demand and rising prices, while the production of new locos was stalling because of supply chain problems at the manufacturers.
SBB’s Chief Financial Officer Franz Steiger became Chairman of SBB Cargo on April 27, succeeding Eric Grob, who remains a member of the board.
On May 5 CN announced that it had filed a final shelf prospectus with Canadian and US financial regulators pursuant to which it may issue up to C$6bn of debt securities markets over the next 25 months. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including the redemption and refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, share repurchases, acquisitions and other business opportunities.