All News articles – Page 44
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NewsOut of gauge?
UK: Siemens has installed a laser-based object detection device at Old Oak Common depot in London, where it maintains the Class 332 and Class 360 EMUs used on services to Heathrow Airport. The Out of Gauge Warning System developed by Zonegreen uses a series of non-contact laser rangefinder sensors to ...
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NewsProducts & Technology in Brief
Donaldson has updated its range of hydraulic fluid filters by introducing an updated version of its Triboguard product with a Synteq XP medium. The filters offer a 47% lower initial pressure drop in new condition compared to previous versions whilst dirt capturing capacity is enhanced by up to 73%. South ...
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News10-year KiwiRail turnaround plan approved
NEW ZEALAND: On May 18 the government gave its backing to KiwiRail's NZ$4·6bn 10-year turn-around plan, providing the long-term commitment needed to retain the network and make rail 'relevant' to freight shippers. The government has allocated NZ$250m this year and agreed to a three-year package worth NZ$750m, subject to individual ...
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NewsChina's rail expansion continues
CHINA: The rapid expansion of the Chinese rail network continues, with a series of significant openings in recent weeks. Two years to the day after a devastating earthquake hit Sichuan province, a 65 km high speed link between Chengdu and Dujiangyan was opened on May 12. The 13bn yuan ...
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NewsFederal funds for faster freight
AUSTRALIA: The 2010-11 Commonwealth budget presented by the government on May 11 allocates A$1bn for capital investment by Australian Rail Track Corp, in addition to A$1·2bn provided under the Nation Building economic stimulus package in 2008. The money will be used on projects which ARTC has identified as being able ...
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NewsFour-way split proposed for Pakistan Railways
PAKISTAN: The national railway would be split into passenger, freight infrastructure and manufacturing businesses under a reform and privatisation strategy announced by the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring of Public Sector Enterprises in March. Despite protests from opposition parties and unions, the government has committed to a draft timetable which covers ...
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NewsWorld infrastructure market May 2010
Australia: QR has awarded the Coal Stream Alliance consortium a A$90m contract for civil works on the Goonyella to Abbot Point project. Brazil: Harsco Rail is to supply Egesa Engenharia with a laser-guided tamping machine. China: MTR Corp has awarded the Gammon-Nishimatsu WIL Joint Venture a HK$4·75bn contract ...
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NewsLa Sagrera contracts awarded
SPAIN: ADIF has awarded two contracts worth a total of €5892m for the construction of a new station at La Sagrera in Barcelona, located on the high speed line to the French border. Also served by regional and suburban trains and with parking space for 2500 cars, it is expected ...
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NewsPortuguese high speed concession signed
PORTUGAL: Minister of Public Works, Transport & Communications António Mendoça participated in ceremonies on May 8 to mark the formal signing of the 40-year PPP concession contract covering construction of the country’s first high speed line. He was joined by Assistant Secretary of State Paulo Campas, Transport Secretary Correia da ...
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NewsWorld rolling stock market May 2010
Canada: At a cost of C$12·6m Industrial Rail Services is to rebuild six Budd RDC railcars used in northern Ontario and Vancouver Island. Accessibility will be improved, and they will get LED lighting, new HVAC and rebuilt Euro-II compliant Cummins N14E-R engines. China: ContiTech is to supply Bombardier ...
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NewsFiltration agreement signed
CANADA: Bombardier Transportation and Noveko International have signed an agreement for the joint development of rolling stock air filters. Montréal-based Noveko said its washable and recyclable filtration equipment has antimicrobial properties and can offer train operators cost savings by cutting the number of filters used and reducing the energy consumed ...
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NewsPrivate finance to the rescue
SPAIN: Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero joined Development Minister José Blanco at Madrid Chamartín station last month to unveil an emergency infrastructure plan that aims to revive the national economy and create jobs by investing €17bn in 2010-11. Rail is expected to account for 70% of this spending. Tendering ...
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NewsRegioJet launches its yellow spring trains
CZECH REPUBLIC: After more than two years of campaigning and having obtained a passenger operating licence last October, the RegioJet subsidiary of travel agent and coach operator Student Agency has managed to finally enter the local rail market, albeit briefly, and to acquire a fleet of electric locomotives to support ...
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NewsNews in Brief
The Bulgarian government has published a draft strategy for the development of transport infrastructure through PPPs; concessions could be awarded covering the main stations in Sofia, Poduyane, Plovdiv and Varna. The European Commission has published a Best Practice Guide for Railway Network Statements, giving recommendations for drafting Network Statements which ...
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NewsTransnet five year plan
SOUTH AFRICA: State-owned rail, port and pipeline group Transnet set out proposals to invest R52bn in rail under its R93bn 2010-15 business plan. The biggest challenge is moving greater volumes of iron ore, manganese and coal, said acting CEO Chris Wells. Ore capacity will be increased from 47 to 60 ...
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NewsDouble-deck in Delhi
INDIA: Rail Coach Factory rolled out its first double-deck coach for trials between Delhi and Muradabad on March 31. A double-deck train is expected to be in service by the end of the year. The stainless steel car was developed by RCF and Research Design & Standard Organisation over nine ...
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NewsAlstom opens new Pendolino depot
UK: A purpose-built depot designed to maintain and service Virgin Trains' Class 390 Pendolino trainsets was formally inaugurated by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Mike Storey on May 12. Owned and operated by Alstom's West Coast Traincare business, the depot at Edge Hill will provide the extra capacity needed ...
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NewsLahore - Karachi resignalling advances
PAKISTAN: The consortium of Bombardier Transportation and China Railway Signal & Communication Corp which is resignalling the 328 km Bin Qasim - Mirpur Mathelo section of the Karachi - Lahore main line has been awarded two additional contracts. Consortium leader Bombardier has a €46m share of the €102m value of ...
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NewsNorthern secures two-year franchise extension
UK: Northern Rail announced on May 13 that it had exceed the performance targets necessary to trigger a two-year extension to its franchise to operate passenger services across the north of England. Northern Rail is owned by a joint venture of Serco and Abellio, the subsidiary of Dutch national rail ...
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NewsArriva awarded Vechtdal Lines operating contract
NETHERLANDS: The provinces of Overijssel and Drenthe and the region of Twente announced on May 11 that they had jointly selected Arriva to operate regional passenger services on the Vechtdal Lines. Bids had also been received from Syntus, Veolia and Pollarisrail. Arriva will take over the Zwolle - Mariënberg - ...