Union Pacific to trial diesel-battery shunting locomotives
USA: Union Pacific and locomotive control technology supplier ZTR have agreed to co-operate on the production of diesel-battery hybrid locomotives, which can powered by a diesel engine or a battery back which would be charged using the engine or a lineside supply.
Avanti West Coast contract extended pending decisions on the longer term
UK: The current West Coast Partnership contractual arrangements for Avanti West Coast to operate inter-city passenger services on the West Coast Main Line and act as shadow operator for High Speed 2 have been extended until the end of March 2023.
Spain extends free local rail offer until the end of 2023
SPAIN: The national government has announced that it is to extend its free travel pass offer covering local and regional trains from December 31 through to the end of 2023.
Railway supply industry news round-up
This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.
Smart Stations: Modular approach reshapes fit-out process
London’s Elizabeth Line and Brisbane’s Cross-River Rail Link are two major schemes where station design and fit-out is being influenced by trends towards modularity, repeatability and off-site production, as Julian Maynard of Maynard Design Group explains to Nick Kingsley.
Viewpoint: Institutional fragmentation has undermined Rail Baltica
On paper Rail Baltica is a perfect match for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility programme. But three issues need to be addressed, argues Kaspars Briškens, who recently stepped down as Head of Strategy & Development at the standard gauge railway project.
3TE28 diesel loco for eastern Russia unveiled
RUSSIA: Transmashholding’s Bryansk plant has unveiled its 3TE28 main line diesel locomotive, a three-section 18-axle design for hauling 7 100 tonne freight trains in eastern Russia.
