Main line rail industry news – Page 240
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NewsAutonomous train begins GoA2 testing
FRANCE: Test running with an automated train in attended ATO mode is underway in northern France as the latest phase of a pan-industry programme to develop autonomous trains for regional passenger services.
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NewsOperating contract tender cancelled after incumbent submits only bid
SLOVAKIA: The Ministry of Transport has cancelled a public tender for the operation of passenger services on the 95 km Bratislava – Komárno line, after the only bidder was national passenger operator ZSSK which offered a price that far exceeded the ministry’s expectations. A direct award ...
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NewsVictoria to buy updated X’Trapolis EMUs
AUSTRALIA: The Victoria state government has announced plans to order 25 X’Trapolis 2.0 electric multiple-units from Alstom to continue the renewal of the Melbourne suburban fleet.
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NewsAgilis awarded expanded Regensburg/Donautal operating contract
GERMANY: Bayern railway agency BEG has awarded incumbent Agilis the next contract to operate Regensburg/Donautal passenger services. The contract covering the Ulm – Ingolstadt – Regensburg and Neumarkt – Regensburg – Plattling routes will run for 14 years from December 2022. It will see an increase ...
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NewsFirst MIKA trainsets enter service
SWITZERLAND: BLS has put the first of its Stadler MIKA electric multiple-units into revenue service on the Bern – Neuchâtel route. Stadler was named preferred bidder for the operator’s largest-ever rolling stock contract in May 2017, beating a rival offer from Bombardier Transportation. Two orders totalling ...
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NewsValle d’Aosta electrification included in Italian recovery plan
ITALY: Electrification of the 66·3 km Ivrea – Aosta section of the Chivasso – Aosta line by 2026 has been included in the National Recovery & Resilience Plan, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Giancarlo Cancelleri has announced. Infrastructure manager RFI estimates that electrification will cost ...
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NewsEurostar to increase services and complete Thalys merger as £250m refinancing agreement secured
EUROPE: Cross-Channel high speed train operator Eurostar has announced a £250m refinancing agreement with its shareholders and banks, which it said would enable it to continue to operate services and meet its short to mid-term financial obligations. The refinancing package announced on May 18 comprises £50m ...
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NewsTEE 2.0 Letter of Intent signed at third Rail Summit
GERMANY: Agreement to take forward plans for a European network of high speed day and overnight inter-city services was reached on May 17 when European transport ministers signed a Letter of Intent for the Trans-Europ-Express 2.0 programme at the third Rail Summit staged by Germany’s Federal Ministry ...
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NewsOperators target more wagonload freight
GERMANY: A group of 11 private freight operators and publicly-owned DB Cargo have announced plans to promote and foster the wagonload business. Unveiling the proposals on May 11, the founder members of Netzwerk Zukunft Einzelwagenverkehr (Network Future Wagonload Traffic) said co-operation would be needed if the ...
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NewsVia Vindobona deal promises 4 h Berlin – Wien timing
GERMANY: Plans for a dramatic acceleration of inter-city passenger services between the capital cities of Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria were outlined at the third German Rail Summit held virtually on May 17. Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer highlighted plans agreed by the three countries in ...
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NewsBidders vie for Tren Maya rolling stock contract
MEXICO: National Tourism Fund Fonatur has confirmed that two groups have submitted tenders to supply up to 42 diesel, electro-diesel and electric trainsets for the Tren Maya project, with a winning bidder due to be announced on May 26. The contract covers maintenance of the fleet ...
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NewsResearch partnership targets low-carbon freight
USA: Wabtec has set up partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University and short line specialist Genesee & Wyoming with a view to developing a range of low-carbon technologies for freight railroads. At the heart of the proposals is the Freight Rail Innovation Institute, a research body that ...
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NewsRio Tinto to test Rail Vision collision-avoidance technology
AUSTRALIA: Mining company Rio Tinto is to undertake proof-of-concept testing of enhancements to the collision detection system on its AutoHaul autonomous trains, which would add the capability to identify hazards such as people or vehicles on or near the tracks. The nine-month project will have three ...
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NewsMinho line electrification completed
PORTUGAL: Infraestruturas de Portugal has completed the 25 kV 50 Hz electrification of its Minho line between Viana do Castelo and Valença in the far north of the country.
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NewsKCS favours revised CN proposal over CP merger plan
NORTH AMERICA: Kansas City Southern has given notice of its intention to terminate its merger agreement with Canadian Pacific, following the receipt of revised proposals from Canadian National.
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NewsUkraine signs framework agreement for 130 electric locomotives
UKRAINE: Alstom is on course to supply up to 130 electric freight locomotives to national railway Ukrzaliznytsia under one of four framework agreements signed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and France’s Minister of the Economy, Finance & Recovery Bruno Le Maire in Kyiv on May 13. ...
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NewsStadler lodges objection to DSB multiple-unit contract
DENMARK: Stadler has lodged an objection to DSB’s selection of Alstom for a contract to supply around 150 electric multiple-units as part of its Future Train rolling stock renewal strategy. The national passenger operator had named Alstom as preferred bidder on April 12 for its largest-ever ...