Lineas has launched a container train service for PSA, linking the port operator’s terminal in Zeebrugge with the Noordzee Terminal in Antwerpen via the Lineas MainHub, also in Antwerpen. It runs three times per week in both directions, with traffic expected to reach 26 000 TEU/year. ‘This new service fits perfectly into our strategy to further expand the rail network with frequent, reliable connections between the most important ports and industrial clusters’, said Lineas CEO Erik Van Ockenburg.
Construction has begun on a 7·5 km branch to connect the Organised Industrial Zone in Eskişehir to the city’s Hasanbey logistics centre. The line, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, will reduce local road traffic by enabling goods produced in the industrial zone to be transported by rail to other parts of the country and to ports for export. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Turkey’s Minister of Transport & Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said a further 169 km of lines linking industrial zones with logistics centres would be completed by end of 2028.
Ural Steel has purchased a battery electric locomotive from Beihing Qinhuangdao Qinye Heavy Industry Co for transporting coke. It can haul two end discharge wagons with 40 tonnes of coke, and is equipped with an air-conditioning system and a precision positioning device for automated loading.
On June 2 ADIF awarded Comsa a €12·8m contract to increase clearances under 46 overbridges between Bobadilla, Córdoba, Linares-Baeza and Santa Cruz de Mudela in readiness for the start of the ’rail motorway’ service moving semitrailers between Algeciras port, Madrid and Zaragoza. Adjustments to the height and positioning of catenary wires will also be necessary. The budget for the whole rail motorway project has now increased to more than €500m.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s wholly-owned subsidiary Canadian Pacific Railway Co has issued C$500m of 4·00% Notes due 2032, C$600m of 4·40% Notes due 2036 and C$300m of 4·80% Notes due 2055. The proceeds will be used to refinance outstanding indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
On June 1 the Rail Hub Morrot consortium of Kombiverkehr (40%) and RENFE Mercancías (60%) took over operation of the Morrot intermodal terminal in Barcelona. It was the sole bidder in a tender called by ADIF, with previous operator Grupo Alonso not bidding. The contract runs for six years, with an optional extension for three years. Plans include deploying a digital Terminal Operating System to streamline operations; in March queues reached 5 h and a number of rail services had to be cancelled.
GB Railfreight is regearing 12 of its Class 66 diesel locos to provide higher torque value and better acceleration to suit its ‘rapidly growing portfolio of heavy trainload work’. The selected locos will have their maxmimum speed reduced from 120 km/h to 105 km/h. ‘Our fleet must meet the needs of our customers;, said Liam Day, Asset Director at GB Railfreight. ’This regearing programme will ensure that we have the right kit to deliver efficient logistics solutions in support of construction projects across the country.’
The Norfolk Southern board has unanimously appointed Richard Anderson, the former CEO & Executive Chairman of Delta Air Lines, President of Optum Health, CEO of Northwest Airlines and most recently President & CEO of Amtrak, as the independent Chair. He has been on the board since May 2024, and will also serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and the Strategy & Planning Committee. Jack Huffard, co-founder and director of Tenable Holdings, has been appointed as chair of the Compensation & Talent Management Committee. The board has agreed to reduce its size to 12 members and remaining committee chairs will continue in their existing positions.