World rail freight news round-up
Western Australia has granted a Special Rail Licence for the construction and operation of the 143 km heavy haul line which Fortescue Metals Group is building as part of its A$1·7bn Eliwana iron ore project. The line, with a capacity of 30 mtpa, is scheduled for completion in December.
Akasol to supply batteries for hydrogen trains
GERMANY: Alstom has awarded Akasol a contract to supply battery systems for the series-built versions of its Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel cell multiple-unit which have been ordered by the Niedersachsen (14 units) and Rhein-Main (27) transport authorities.
Standard gauge locos to handle traffic through Kaliningrad
RUSSIA: Five 1 435 mm gauge shunting locomotives have been delivered to Russian Railways’ Kaliningrad division, which is upgrading its fleet to handle an increase in traffic through the exclave.
Railway supply industry news round-up
Bloomberg reported on January 21 that Bombardier and Alstom have held preliminary talks regarding a possible combination of their rail businesses, citing ‘people familiar with the matter’.
National Audit Office makes HS2 recommendations
UK: The High Speed 2 programme is over budget and behind schedule because the Department for Transport, HS2 Ltd and government underestimated the complexity and risks, according to the National Audit Office’s High Speed Two: A Progress Update report published on January 24.
New York MTA to study passenger options for Brooklyn freight corridor
USA: New York MTA is to launch a formal study of proposals to introduce passenger trains over the 27 km Bay Ridge line in Brooklyn.
DB confirms order for hybrid locomotives
GERMANY: Following the positive outcome of a feasibility study, DB Cargo has confirmed it is to buy 50 Toshiba diesel-battery hybrid 100 km/h locomotives for shunting and short-distance freight operations, and will lease a further 50 locos.
Border link reopens as South International Corridor progresses
PORTUGAL: The 11 km link between Elvas and Caia on the border with Spain near Badajoz was reopened in late January, following an investment of €20·4m.
‘Father Christmas’ helps fund Bordeaux – Toulouse high speed line
FRANCE: Construction of the 222 km high speed line from Bordeaux to Toulouse may start in two years’ time. Speaking on January 21, President of the Occitanie Regional Economic, Social & Environmental Council Jean-Louis Chauzy said that that the first sod could be turned in 2022, with construction taking seven ...
Work starts on Roskilde – Holbæk electrification
DENMARK: Preparatory works are to get underway this month on the 25 kV 50 Hz electrification of the Roskilde – Kalundborg line in western Sjælland, infrastructure manager Banedanmark announced on January 22.
Haifa rail freight terminal opened
Williams Review to lead to legislation as franchising ‘not the way forward’
New CEO aims to get Pesa back on track
Matthä to head CER as Fritzson steps down
Kattegat road-rail fixed link to be studied
Rail Human Library aims to inspire interest in railway careers
Electroflex battery EMU plan to end Southern diesel operation
‘Think about the total energy needed to move the trains’
Seoul Great Train Express engineering services contract awarded
TAZARA urged to seek freight traffic ‘aggressively’
Joint venture to provide maintenance services for 71 Chinese high speed trains
Lying not flying, as Nightjet sleeper train reaches Brussels
World rail freight news round-up
Afghans visit high speed rail training centre
Find Your Future at the InnoTrans 2020 Career Boost
Metrolink marks $32m modernisation of Van Nuys station
Farandou reshapes SNCF leadership team
Railway supply industry news round-up
Malmö – Köln suggested as first route for a network of night trains
Greater Anglia’s first Class 720 commuter EMU delivered for testing