All Germany articles
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NewsService increases and new trains in German operating contract
GERMANY: Berlin-Brandenburg transport authority VBB has awarded DB Regio Nordost the contract to operate Netz Nord-Süd passenger services on behalf of the Länder of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Sachsen-Anhalt. The contract runs for 12 years from December 2026 and covers services RE3 Schwedt/Stralsund – Berlin – ...
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News
Deutsche Bahn sells Arriva businesses to private equity holding company
EUROPE: Deutsche Bahn has reached agreement to sell its Arriva local transport activities in Denmark, Poland and Serbia.
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In depth
Germany: Farm shop concept spurs freight tram revival
Initially developed as a student project, a mobile ‘farm shop’ retail and freight service using a converted tram-train is being proposed for use on the regional rail network around Karlsruhe. This in turn could offer a more viable business model for other cargo tram initiatives.
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In depth
Germany: Wendlingen - Ulm poised to open as Stuttgart21 costs rise again
Deutsche Bahn will open the Wendlingen – Ulm high speed line in December with the controversial Stuttgart 21 project following in stages from 2025 onwards. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depth
Technology: Keeping track of tram-trains
Enhanced control and supervision tools have been deployed to improve the operation of tram-trains around Karlsruhe, where portion working is a common but complicated process.
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News
Battery Flirt answers Schleswig-Holstein’s decarbonisation question
GERMANY: Having decided to replace the diesel multiple-units currently used on non-electrified routes in the far north of Germany, the Land of Schleswig-Holstein called tenders for the supply of a fleet of zero-emission trains, leaving the choice of technology to bidders. Stadler proposed its Flirt Akku ...
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News
DB accepts ‘Hulk’ hybrid 09 tamper
GERMANY: DB Bahnbau Gruppe named its latest track maintenance machine ‘Hulk’ at a joint ceremony with supplier Plasser & Theurer in the outdoor arena at InnoTrans on September 20.
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Metro Report International
‘Most modern and innovative tram in Germany’ unveiled
INNOTRANS: Launch customer HEAG Mobilo of Darmstadt has unveiled the first TINA tram, which Stadler has designed from scratch as its next generation of light rail vehicle. Speaking at the unveiling at InnoTrans, head of HEAG Mobilo Ann-Kristina Natus said buying a ...
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News
Alstom’s iLint claims record run on a single tank of hydrogen
INNOTRANS: Alstom’s iLint hydrogen-powered multiple-unit set what the manufacturer says is a world record on September 15 when it arrived in München having completed a journey of 1 175 km on a single tank of fuel.
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Rail Business UK
Istanbul – London freight service planned by January
EUROPE: Planning is well advanced for the launch of a rail service carrying road semi-trailers between the Asian side of Istanbul and London via the Channel Tunnel, Albert Bastius, COO of TX Logistik, told Rail Business UK at the InnoTrans exhibition. The initiative is almost ready ...
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News
Deutsche Bahn pledges long-term support and assistance to Ukrainian Railways
EUROPE: Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz and his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksandr Kamyshin signed a memorandum of understanding at InnoTrans on September 20 pledging long-term support and assistance to Ukrainian Railways. The agreement will help UZ rebuild its network and covers collaboration to expand rail freight corridors ...
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Metro Report International
Tram designed to meet high specifications of three-city network
INNOTRANS: Škoda has unveiled the prototype for the fleet of custom-designed ForCity Smart 36T trams ordered by Rhein-Neckar transport authority RNV for the metre-gauge network serving the three cities of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg. The manufacturer said RNV required a high-specification vehicle ...
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Metro Report International
Nürnberg Avenio tram to enter service this year
INNOTRANS: Nürnberg operator VAG expects to put the first of its Siemens Mobility Avenio trams into service by Christmas. This will enable an increase in service frequencies and expand the fleet ahead of the introduction next year of Routes 10 Dutzendteich – Plärrer – Am Wegfeld ...
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News
ABB to expand portfolio with acquisition of PowerTech Converter
GERMANY: ABB is to acquire PowerTech Converter, which supplies auxiliary power converters for light rail vehicle and metro train onboard systems such as HVAC, lighting, safety equipment, doors and battery charging. Acquired by corporate turnaround specialist Radial Capital Partners from Knorr-Bremse in 2019, PTC has its ...
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News
Revived passenger service to run for a further year
GERMANY: Bayern railway agency BEG has directly awarded Die Länderbahn a contract to continue operating passenger service RB38 Gotteszell – Viechtach. Regular passenger services on the 24·8 km route ended in 1991. BEG and Die Länderbahn agreed to reintroduce a trial service for five years from ...
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In depth
Germany: Two-stage tender to choose DB’s next high speed fleet
After updating its current high speed fleet, Deutsche Bahn is planning a fifth generation InterCity Express design for the 2030s and beyond. Murray Hughes reports.
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Metro Report International
Hannover’s Üstra awards 275 LRV framework contract
GERMANY: Hannover transport operator Üstra has awarded CAF a framework contract to supply up to 275 TW4000 light rail vehicles for the Stadtbahn network by 2040, with a €149·98m firm order for an initial 42. Niedersachsen transport authority LNVG is contributing €67·3m towards the cost. The ...
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In depth
Germany: Government tightens control over national operator
This summer’s eye-catching €9 ticket deal in Germany focused the spotlight on rail travel, but it also served to highlight the national railway’s failings. Plummeting performance levels are one reason the government is intervening in an attempt to restore punctuality and reliability. Murray Hughes reports.
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News
Local firms establish Talbot Holding GmbH
GERMANY: The assembly plant in Aachen which has traded as Talbot Services GmbH since July 1 2013 was renamed as Talbot Holding GmbH with effect from August 25 2022. The change in name reflects the establishment of a holding company owned mainly by investors with expertise ...
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News
DB Regio switches fleets to biodiesel
GERMANY: DB Regio has begun fuelling 57 diesel multiple-units in Baden-Württemberg with biofuel, which it says produces around 90% less CO2 than diesel. The hydrotreated vegetable oil is made from biological residues and waste. It does not contain palm oil, or compete with food and animal ...
