Latest news
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NewsNarrow gauge flat wagon launched
RUSSIA: Kambarka Machine Building plant has introduced its PG-1 narrow gauge flat wagon for transporting track panels, rails, sleepers, wheeled and tracked vehicles, timber and other lengthy single-piece and bulk loads. Suitable for gauges between 750 and 1 067 mm, the ...
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News
Kazakh-built passenger locomotive commissioned
KAZAKHSTAN: National railway KTZ has commissioned the first Alstom Prima M4 KZ4AT electric passenger locomotive to be assembled locally rather than imported from France. KTZ has ordered a total of 302 Prima T8 KZ8A freight locomotives and 119 Prima M4 KZ4AT passenger locomotives since 2010. ...
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Rail Business UK
Staycation Express returns for 2021 season
UK: Following last year’s successful launch the Staycation Express has returned for 2021 with a six days a week service on the Settle – Carlisle line from July 19 to September 9. This year the rolling stock is a dedicated 2+5 HST set which features all ...
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In depth
Tanzania: The race is on
International contractors are forging ahead with construction of Tanzania’s first 1 435 mm gauge railway, with a view to opening East Africa’s third standard gauge network before the end of this year. Toma Bačić investigates.
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Metro Report International
Training academy to support tram network expansion
UK: West Midlands Metro has opened a training academy at its Wednesbury depot, as the tram operator plans to create more than 160 driving, maintenance, ticket inspection and support jobs as part of a £1∙3bn network expansion programme. As well as providing a central location ...
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News
Calgary – Banff passenger train project enters development phase
CANADA: A detailed memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development of a proposed 150 km passenger line linking Calgary Airport with Banff National Park has been signed by Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation, Invest Alberta and Canada Infrastructure Bank. Project feasibility studies have been completed since ...
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Rail Business UK
Two investors to take 30% stake in Porterbrook
UK: An agreement has been signed for UK investment fund Dalmore Capital and Israeli energy and infrastructure fund Generation Capital to acquire the 30% shareholding in rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook that is currently held by The Infrastructure Fund, Utilities Trust of Australia and the NatWest ...
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In depth
Traction: Going the last mile
In recent years, many operators have introduced electro-diesel locomotives fitted with a ‘last mile’ diesel generator module for short-distance operation away from the traction supply. Battery and supercapacitor options are now available which offer the potential for full decarbonisation, reports Dr Alex Luvishis*.
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News
Private operator takes delivery of three-section diesel locomotives
RUSSIA: The first 3TE25K2M three-section main line freight diesel locomotives to be ordered by a private operator rather than by Russian Railways have been delivered from Transmashholding’s Bryansk plant. Six of the 9·3 MW locomotives were ordered in May by Elga-Trans, which operates the 321 ...
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Rail Business UK
Thales to develop ETCS data security system
UK: Network Rail has appointed Thales to develop and implement an Online Key Management System to secure the exchange of critical data between trackside and in-cab ETCS equipment. ‘The online element of this solution is truly innovative, having not yet been implemented elsewhere in the ...
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News
CRRC rolls out completed 600 km/h maglev trainset
CHINA: The first complete five-car maglev trainset designed for 600 km/h operation was formally rolled out by CRRC Qingdao Sifang on July 20. Described by the manufacturer as ‘another important milestone’ in the five-year research and development programme backed by the Chinese government, ...
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Rail Business UK
HybridFLEX prototype battery-diesel multiple-unit launched
UK: Chiltern Railways has unveiled its prototype HybridFLEX multiple-unit fitted with a hybrid traction system which can offer zero emissions and near silent operation at stations and in other sensitive locations. Developed by the operator, leasing company Porterbrook and MTU PowerPack supplier Rolls-Royce, the HybridFLEX ...
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In depth
Traction: Road trials showcase battery loco potential
A three month trial of a Wabtec battery-electric loco hauling freight trains over a 585 km route in California has highlighted the potential for battery traction to reduce emissions from US rail freight, as project leader Alan Hamilton explains to Dave Lustig.
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Metro Report International
Suburban trains ordered for São Paulo operating concession
BRAZIL: The ViaMobilidade joint venture of CCR and RuasInvest has selected Alstom to supply 36 eight-car Metropolis trainsets for São Paulo suburban lines 8 and 9, which it is to take over from CPTM in January 2022 under a 30-year operating and maintenance concession. The ...
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News
Financing agreed for Ghana’s Western railway upgrade
GHANA: Loans totalling €600m have been signed to finance construction of a 100 km section of 1 435 mm gauge line on the Western Railway corridor running inland from Takoradi Harbour to Huni Valley. The existing 1 067 mm gauge Western Railway runs from Takoradi ...
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Rail Business UK
Stegosaurus wagon conversion project underway
UK: DB Cargo UK is converting surplus BYA bogie covered steel wagons into open hot coil wagons, with the design nicknamed ‘stegosaurus’ because of the profile. The operator’s maintenance depot in Stoke is undertakeing the series conversion of 29 BYA wagons following trials with Tata ...
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News
Standard gauge freight terminal opens in Lithuania
LITHUANIA: The Kaunas Intermodal Terminal opened to commercial freight traffic on July 19, with Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė amongst the guests at a ceremony welcoming the arrival of a 1 435 mm gauge train loaded with containers and semi-trailers from the Netherlands. Work began in ...
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News
Thai and Japanese railway research organisations to co-operate
THAILAND: The National Scientific Technology Development Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute covering co-operation on technical matters, human development and joint research to help improve the Thai railway network. Initially running until the end of June ...
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News
Talgo and Repsol to develop fuel cell trains powered by renewable hydrogen
SPAIN: Rolling stock builder Talgo and petrochemical group Repsol signed an accord on July 19 to develop fuel cell trainsets powered by hydrogen generated from renewable sources.
