RUSSIA: Moscow tram operator Mosgortrans began testing a prototype maintenance vehicle designed to clear snow from tram tracks on February 13. Testing is to continue for one year.
The 10·5 m long bidirectional vehicle, branded Rost, has been supplied by Tikhoretsk-based TMZV. It is equipped with a rotating brush at each end, which can be used for clearing snow or other debris.
It is stationed at Krasnopresnenskoye depot, which serves the isolated Krasnopresnenskoye tram network.
POLAND: City transport authority MPK Kraków officially inaugurated a new tram and bus washing plant at its Nowa Huta depot on February 8. This replaces a washing plant commissioned in the 1980s, which was unheated and could therefore not operate all year round. The new plant is heated and ...
USA: New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has started testing a prototype track vacuum cleaner from Neu Railways as part of its Track Sweep initiative to reduce the amount of litter on metro tracks. A second prototype unit is due to be deployed within the next two weeks. Tests are ...
CZECH REPUBLIC: Three Škoda 15T trams equipped with automatic speed control entered service on the Praha network on November 21. Together with onboard track lubrication equipment, this aims to minimise wheel squeal, track wear and passenger comfort. The prototypes will be tested until next year, and if the trial proves ...
