Technology news
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NewsAI improves broken rail detection
BRAZIL: Operator and logistics company Rumo has introduced an enhanced broken rail detection system, integrating artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy of detection and reduce the number of false alarms. Rumo began its broken rail detection project in 2018, installing devices at various locations across its ...
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News
Autonomous shunting loco copes with the unexpected
NETHERLANDS: Alstom, infrastructure manager ProRail and Belgian freight operator Lineas have completed testing of an automated shunting locomotive near Breda. The Lineas diesel-hydraulic locomotive was fitted with Alstom’s automatic train operation system supporting Grade of Automation 4 unattended starting, movement and stopping. ...
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News
Rail Data Marketplace to simplify access to information
UK: The Rail Delivery Group has awarded Tata Consultancy Services a contract to develop and operate a Rail Data Marketplace bringing fragmented information into one place to make it easier to create apps and digital services. The RDM will provide technology companies with a framework to ...
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News
Dutch ticketing equipment maintenance contract renewed
NETHERLANDS: National passenger operator NS has awarded Thales a €120m eight-year contract for maintenance and support of the 1 700 ticket gates, 1 600 validators and 750 ticket vending machines at the country’s 400 stations. The framework agreement announced on November 22 marks the renewal of ...
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Rail Business UK
Formula 1 connectivity applied to infrastructure monitoring trains
UK: Motorsport technology company McLaren Applied is to provide 5G data connectivity for Network Rail’s infrastructure monitoring trains. This will make use of McLaren’s Fleet Connect software, which was originally developed for Formula 1 motorsport, with the first UK use of Active Antenna hardware with Huber+Suhner ...
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News
Wabtec launches hydrogen traction research partnership
USA: Citing greater awareness of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Wabtec has entered into collaborative research and development agreements with the Oak Ridge and Argonne National Laboratories to identify potential options for applying hydrogen in the rail industry. Although it expects ...
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Rail Business UK
Video analytics supports lineside vegetation management
UK: Greater Anglia is using AI to analyse video footage from on-train cameras to pre-emptively identify vegetation which might block the line, obscure signals or lead to leaf fall problems. Maps are generated showing where issues have been identified, enabling Network Rail to prioritise issues by ...
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News
Advanced HVAC probes and sensors
INNOTRANS: Fulda-based Jumo used September’s InnoTrans exhibition to highlight its range of air-conditioning sensors, probes and thermostats. These are designed to mitigate the effects of increasingly extreme weather in passenger vehicles. The company says its air-conditioning components are intended not only to reduce interior temperatures in ...
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News
Weight saving and connectivity are key
INNOTRANS: ‘We are seeing a greater focus on energy efficiency and digitalisation’, reported Ralf Klein, Managing Director of Harting Technology Group, talking to Railway Gazette International in Berlin. Outlining the company’s latest connector developments for the rail sector, he emphasised that ‘weight ...
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Rail Business UK
Digital printing used for train seat promotion
UK: TransPennine Express has used Camira’s digital printing process for a campaign to promote a good cause through graphics on some of its train seats. The textile manufacturer’s digital printing offering can quickly and flexibly produce small volumes of material with complex colour schemes, making it ...
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News
Hiab gets a lift with Spanish crane order
SPAIN: Hiab has won a €7·5m order to supply eight iX.2758 RAIL super-heavy loader cranes for installation on Tecnove vehicles for railway rapid response, recovery and emergency use. The deal includes five years of support. The iX.2758 RAIL is the largest crane in the manufacturer’s recently ...
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News
Container wagon handling robot under development
GERMANY: An autonomous mobile robot with a gripper arm for the automated handling of folding pins on container wagons is being developed by Hamburger Hafen & Logistik and the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics & Services. The pins are installed at various positions on container wagons ...
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In depth
Europe: Overcoming the language barrier
Developed by UIC and RailNetEurope with funding from the Shift2Rail joint undertaking, the Translate4Rail tool offers hope that the thorny problem of drivers and dispatchers speaking different languages on cross-border routes in Europe can finally be resolved. Toma Bačić explains.
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In depth
Technology: Keeping track of tram-trains
Enhanced control and supervision tools have been deployed to improve the operation of tram-trains around Karlsruhe, where portion working is a common but complicated process.
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Rail Business UK
Istanbul – London freight service planned by January
EUROPE: Planning is well advanced for the launch of a rail service carrying road semi-trailers between the Asian side of Istanbul and London via the Channel Tunnel, Albert Bastius, COO of TX Logistik, told Rail Business UK at the InnoTrans exhibition. The initiative is almost ready ...
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Rail Business UK
Controlled Axle Steering on show following Grand Central tests
INNOTRANS: On show in Berlin is the Liebherr Controlled Axle Steering active wheelset control system, which aims to significantly reduce wear on rails and wheels. LiCAS has been developed by Liebherr-Transportation Systems and was successfully field tested in co-operation with Arriva’s UK open access operator Grand ...
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Rail Business UK
Textile manufacturer showcases digital print
INNOTRANS: Transport and commercial building textile manufacturer Camira has introduced digital printing to provide what it terms ‘an unparalleled level of flexibility and freedom’ when choosing textiles for train interiors. The company said this complements its established woven products, and highlights its commitment to remaining at ...
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News
Hiab launches rail crane range
FINLAND: Cargotec company Hiab has launched a series of rail-specific loader cranes with its SPACEevo control system, building on its products for the road market. The Hiab iX 122 RAIL is to be launched at the IAA show in Hannover on September 20-25. The range is ...
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In depth
Viewpoint: Legacy railways need cybersecurity too
Rail professionals are increasingly aware of the risks posed by cyberattacks and how to mitigate them, but much of this attention focuses on new assets and infrastructure, rather than legacy equipment. The industry cannot let this become a major oversight, believes Nicolas Goupil of Cylus.
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News
NS awards ETCS onboard equipment contract
NETHERLANDS: NS has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract to equip 176 VIRM double-deck EMUs for use with ETCS Level 2, in the first major contract for the roll-out of ETCS onboard equipment under the national retrofitting programme. Siemens Mobility will provide the equipment and installation support ...
