News – Page 114
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In depthInfrastructure: Understanding the performance of under sleeper pads
Under sleeper pads have been used for ballast protection and improved track geometry over more than 20 years, but a new contact pressure measurement technique has revealed significant differences in their ballast protection properties.
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NewsMore Northeast Corridor upgrading works launched
USA: Amtrak is undertaking $260m of track improvements and other infrastructure works on the Northeast Corridor this summer. ‘In addition to our ongoing catenary inspection and repair programme, we are renewing our tracks, signals and other railroad infrastructure across the Northeast Corridor and the Harrisburg Line, ...
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NewsNorway and Sweden jointly procure military transport wagons
EUROPE: The Swedish and Norwegian armed forces and Norwegian infrastructure manager Bane Nor are to jointly procure wagons for the transport of tanks and other heavy military vehicles. Bane Nor said this reflects the security situation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Sweden and Finland’s ...
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NewsPorsche SE invests in train and coach company Flix
GERMANY: Porsche Automobil Holding is to invest ‘a low double-digit million amount’ in international train and coach company Flix as part of a co-investment with the EQT Future fund. EQT together with Porsche SE, Kühne Holding and co-investors are to acquire a stake of around 35% ...
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In depthUK: Delivering a high-capacity rail artery across northern England
A major upgrading programme is in progress to enhance resilience, raise capacity and cut journey times on Network Rail’s busy east-west route through the Pennines between Manchester and Leeds. Murray Hughes investigates.
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Metro Report InternationalContractor selected to build Chicago’s Red Line Extension
USA: The Chicago Transit Authority has approved a $2·9bn contract for Walsh-Vinci Transit Community Partners to design and build the 9 km metro Red Line Extension. The consortium comprises Walsh Construction, Vinci Construction, EXP, Systra and subcontractors. Kiewit Infrastructure and a joint venture of FH Paschen, ...
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In depthMaintenance: Electric drives offer energy-efficient tamping
Real operating data recorded over a long period have demonstrated the energy-saving potential of Plasser & Theurer’s electric drive technology, as well as reducing exhaust emissions.
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Metro Report InternationalWien’s U2xU5 metro scheme delayed to 2030
AUSTRIA: The planned opening of the Wien metro Line U2 extension south to Matzleinsdorfer Platz has been pushed back from 2028 to 2030, after ground conditions provided more challenging than expected.
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Rail Business UKHS1 obtains asset management certification
UK: High speed line concessionaire HS1 Ltd has obtained ISO 55001 certification for safe and long-term asset management on the 109 km line between London and the Channel Tunnel, including the four stations. On August 14 HS1 Ltd said ‘this is exciting news as HS1 looks ...
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NewsIndian Railways to re-run Vande Bharat 4.0 train procurement
INDIA: Indian Railways and Alstom have failed to agree a deal for the supply and maintenance of 100 Vande Bharat 4.0 electric trainsets with aluminium bodies offering a lighter weight than the stainless steel of previous Vande Bharat designs. A replacement call for tenders is now ...
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Rail Business UKChiltern Railways cancels call for battery train proposals
UK: Chiltern Railways has discontinued its call for proposals for the supply of a fleet of battery-electric multiple-units. In September 2022 the operator invited proposals for the supply of between 30 and 70 new, existing or converted BEMUs. However, the procurement process was not progressing, and ...
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Metro Report InternationalSão Paulo monorail trainset unveiled
BRAZIL: The first of the 19 seven-car monorail trainsets that CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems is supplying for São Paulo’s Line 15-Silver has been unveiled at the manufacturer’s plant in Wuhu, China. It is now being shipped from the port of Shanghai to Santos with scheduled ...
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NewsEstonian cabinet approves Operail privatisation
ESTONIA: The cabinet has approved Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet’s proposal for the privatisation of national freight operator Operail to progress to the next stage. The two-stage process began in June, when potential buyers had the opportunity to review an initial information package and submit a ...
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In depthEurope: Better planning can keep trains running
Long-term thinking and better planning could help alleviate disruption when infrastructure work is in progress. With a European Regulation on railway capacity due shortly, Forum Train Europe offers a blueprint for the future.
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NewsFrauscher to unveil turnout control system at InnoTrans 2024
INNOTRANS: A turnout control system which provides data for diagnostic and condition monitoring will be unveiled by Frauscher at InnoTrans 2024. Standardised interfaces such as EULYNX provide interoperability and the flexibility needed to futureproof networks and simplify modernisations and renewals when required. Frauscher will also be ...
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Metro Report InternationalBattery shunting and rescue locomotive for metro networks unveiled
CHINA: CRRC Yongji Electric has unveiled a battery locomotive for low-noise and zero-emission shunting and rescue operations on underground metro lines. The manufacturer estimates that the electricity required for operation will be about 10% of the cost of the equivalent diesel fuel, and maintenance will be ...
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NewsSolar panels added to railway noise barrier
LITHUANIA: A lineside noise barrier incorporating solar panels to generate electricity has been installed at Juodšiliai to the south of Vilnius. The 22·2 kW solar power plant installed by infrastructure manager LTG Infra and SoliTek is expected to generate up to 14 MWh of per year, ...
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NewsLiechtenstein railway modernisation project launched
LIECHTENSTEIN: A €100m project has been launched to modernise the 18·5 km single track railway running through Liechtenstein from Feldkirch in Austria to Buchs in Switzerland.
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Metro Report InternationalTram Route 13 is lucky for Helsinki
FINLAND: Tangential tram Route 13 serving northeast Helsinki opened on August 12. Developed at cost of €79·3m, it includes 4·5 km of new 1 000 mm gauge infrastructure in its route from the northern terminus at Maistraatintori (Pasila) to Nihti in the port area east of ...