News – Page 80
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Rail Business UKNetworking company enters the rail market with TransPennine Express win
UK: MLL Telecom has entered the transport sector by winning a a three-year contract to provide TransPennine Express with a managed software defined wide area network The SD-WAN encompassing 37 sites, including the train operator’s head office, data centres and stations, will include dual rather than ...
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Metro Report InternationalAccessibility changes in latest Vitoria-Gasteiz tram order
SPAIN: Euskotren has awarded CAF a €20m contract to supply three more trams to Vitoria-Gasteiz in the second half of 2027. Announcing the contract on December 11, CAF said the additional vehicles would be same length as the seven-section Urbos trams it previously supplied to the ...
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NewsDesert railway upgrading aims to double iron ore capacity
MAURITANIA: The African Development Bank has approved a US$150m loan to state-owned iron ore firm Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière to support a US$467m programme to double the capacity of its heavy haul railway by 2030. Plans include the acquisition of up to 36 locomotives and ...
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NewsChicago commuter rail network upgrades communications
USA: Chicago commuter operator Metra’s legacy 900 MHz communications system is to be upgraded to the dot16 standard, in what suppliers Siemens Mobility and Ondas Networks say is a ‘milestone’ first for a major railway. Designed for mission-critical private industrial networks, dot16 provides an upgrade path ...
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NewsSwiss trains switch to 100% renewable electricity
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways trains are using electricity entirely from renewable sources from January 1.
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In depthNorth America: Keeping track of long freight trains
As the rail sector increasingly embraces longer trains to drive efficiencies, advanced telematics are helping to ensure safety and reduce maintenance costs, opening up the prospect of intelligent and more sustainable rail freight transport.
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NewsAutomated wheel shape monitor to detect wear
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has developed a device that allows the shape of wheels to be measured while trains are passing over it at up to 80 km/h. Following a series of field tests, the equipment is being introduced on JR Central’s Tokyo – Shin Osaka ...
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In depthSoutheast Europe: EU funding underpins Bulgarian route modernisation schemes
Financial support from Brussels is lending much-needed momentum to a long-running programme of route modernisation on the key rail axes linking Bulgaria with neighbouring countries and serving its major ports. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depthOperations: Shadow operators help to optimise commercial service
Early operator engagement is essential to ensure the success of rail projects, particularly those that are highly complex in terms of planning, contracting approach and implementation.
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NewsRegional passenger services in Grand Est stepped up further
FRANCE: The next stage of the Réseau Express Métropolitain Européen programme to increase local passenger services in the area around Strasbourg has been launched.
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Metro Report InternationalNorth America: Bringing more rail to Mexico’s metropolis
Two major suburban rail projects are well into the phase of delivery in the state of Mexico, which borders Mexico City. But plans to extend metro and light rail beyond the capital’s boundaries are yet to be finalised as policymakers continue to flirt with non-rail modes, which are often perceived as cheaper to deliver.
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In depthStations: Glass supports safer hubs
Once regarded as a fragile material, modern glazing products are increasingly being used to enhance the safety characteristics of major transport hubs.
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In depthJapan: Understanding when to replace electronic signalling equipment
Using estimates for the service life of electronic signalling components, Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute has developed a method for choosing the ideal time to replace them.
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NewsBerner Oberland-Bahn train delivered
SWITZERLAND: Berner Oberland-Bahnen has taken delivery of the first of 10 ABeh 4/8 electric multiple-units being supplied by Stadler. An initial six three-car sets were ordered for SFr66m in May 2022. The first was delivered on December 12, and they are to enter service on the ...
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In depthSoutheast Europe: Reforms offer a route to Georgian revival
After a long period of neglect, railways in Georgia are undergoing reform at a time when they stand to benefit from east-west trade moving via the Transcaucasian route between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.
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Rail Business UKLow-emission depot shunters in services at steel works
UK: GB Railfreight has put three Zephir LOK 16.300 depot shunters into service moving steel billets from an electric arc furnace to rolling mills at Celsa Steel’s Cardiff site. They are leased from Porterbrook, which said shunters with EU Stage V compliant diesel engines and able ...
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NewsGovernment accelerates environmental licensing of major projects
BRAZIL: The Ministry of Transport has issued a directive to Infra SA to accelerate the licensing process for strategic rail projects. Signed by the National Secretariat for Rail Transport and the Secretariat of Sustainability, this provides for the federal government to take over the environmental licensing ...
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NewsEuroCity Direct augments Benelux push-pull services
EUROPE: A new EuroCity Direct cross-border inter-city service connecting Brussels and Amsterdam was launched with the timetable change on December 15.
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NewsEuropean Commission approves Dutch ETCS grants to promote modal shift
NETHERLANDS: The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €41m Dutch scheme to promote the shift of freight from road to rail by providing direct grants for the installation of upgraded versions of ETCS onboard equipment. The scheme will run from January 1 2025 ...
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NewsEBRD loan for Ukrainian electric loco order
UKRAINE: The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development is lending €300m to finance the acquisition of electric locomotives by national railway Ukrzaliznytsia. The latest EBRD loan announced on December 18 will be co-financed by a parallel grant of up to US$190m from the USA, administered by ...