Traction & rolling stock news – Page 15
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Rail Business UKCoventry prepares for Very Light Rail demonstration
A project which aims to develop a more affordable alternative to traditional tramways is taking its next major step. Andrew Grantham reports from the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre.
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NewsTraxx Universal loco deliveries begin
ITALY: FS Group’s freight operator Mercitalia Rail has begun taking delivery of 70 Traxx Universal electric locomotives which are to be supplied from Alstom’s Vado Ligure factory by 2027. The €323m contract awarded in June 2024 includes 12 years of maintenance. There is an option for ...
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In depthFrance: Regions refine their rolling stock strategies
As the competitive tendering of French regional passenger services becomes established, the various régions are pursuing different rolling stock strategies. Jérémie Anne investigates.
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NewsFull length ComfortJet trains enter service
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator České Dráhy has put into service the first full rakes of ComfortJet coaches, adding the missing driving trailer and restaurant cars to sets which had until now been operating in short formation. In April 2021 ČD awarded a ...
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Metro Report InternationalLight rail: France's modern role models
No fewer than 28 cities in France have built modern light rail networks in the 40 years since Nantes turned the tide on post-war car-centricity. With 115 km of new line now under construction and 276 vehicles on order, the outlook remains bright, even if political headwinds are starting to be felt. Michael Dreyer reports.
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NewsÖBB launches Railjet refurbishment programme
AUSTRIA: The first generation of Austrian Federal Railways’ Railjet push-pull trainsets are undergoing mid-life refurbishment after more than 15 years of service. ‘The upgrade of our Railjets is an important step in modernising the existing fleet and adapting it to the standards of the new-generation Railjets’, ...
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In depthFrance: SERM promises a suburban rail revolution
Recent legislation has paved the way for the development of high-performing multimodal transport networks in 24 French conurbations, centred around rail as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Reinhard Christeller explains.
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NewsDouble-deck EMUs ordered to increase comfort and reduce energy consumption
SLOVAKIA: National operator ZSSK has award Stadler a contract to supply more Kiss double-deck electric multiple-units. The agreement signed on April 30 includes a firm order for two EMUs to be delivered from the Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce during 2026-27 for use on Bratislava – ...
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NewsOuigo to get refurbished trains and new destinations
FRANCE: SNCF Voyageurs has unveiled the first refurbished Tango high speed trainset and announced new destinations as part of its plans to increase the Ouigo low-cost brand’s share of the domestic high speed rail market from 20% to 30% by 2030.
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NewsFranco-Swiss narrow gauge EMU deliveries begin
EUROPE: Stadler has delivered the first of seven dual-system electric multiple-units custom-designed for Mont Blanc Express services between France and Switzerland. The 55 km metre-gauge route is operated by Transports de Martigny et Régions, which is responsible for the Swiss section from Martigny to Le Châtelard, ...
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NewsYellow River tourist train ready for service
CHINA: CRRC Sifang and China Railway Zhengzhou Group have produced a hotel train themed on the Yellow River which will take tourists to scenic destinations in Henan province including Luoyang, Anyang and Sanmenxia. The rolling stock has been designed for comfort and ...
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News‘Intelligent’ EMU rolls out
CHINA: CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles has rolled out a 200 km/h ‘intelligent inter-city electric multiple-unit’ which integrates digital technologies. The four-car EMU is to be used on commuter services from Zhengzhou east to Kaifeng and south to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan province. ...
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NewsBulgarian EMU order finally signed
BULGARIA: The Ministry of Transport & Communications has formally awarded the Alstom-led BULEMU consortium a contract to supply and maintain 35 Coradia Stream electric multiple-units. The signing of the order was confirmed by Alstom on April 25 following a prolonged procurement process. It is worth a ...
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Metro Report InternationalFirst Bogotá metro trainset starts testing
COLOMBIA: The first of 30 six-car fully automated trainsets for Bogotá metro Line 1 is on test at CRRC Changchun’s plant in China.
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NewsChinese locomotives delivered to Mozambique
MOZAMBIQUE: CRRC Ziyang has begun delivering diesel locomotives to state-owned rail and port authority Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique. The six-axle SDD1 is designed specifically for African operational environments, with a 16·5 tonne axleload and an efficient cooling system including a corrugated louvre structure ...
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NewsThüringen battery-electric train order confirmed
GERMANY: DB Regio has formally awarded Stadler an order to supply 19 Flirt battery-electric multiple-units to help decarbonise regional rail operations in Thüringen.
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NewsChilean operator unveils metre-gauge DMU
CHILE: National operator EFE Trenes de Chile has unveiled the first of three Prosper VLT diesel multiple-units which Brazilian manufacturer Marcopolo is supplying for the metre-gauge line from Talca to Constitución.
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NewsALSA Rail’s first Euro6000 loco enters service
SPAIN: ALSA Rail has put into service to the first of four Stadler Euro6000 multi-system electric locos being leased from Alpha Trains for use on freight services to and from Asturias.
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Rail Business UKEast Midlands Railway Class 170 DMU refurbished
UK: East Midlands Railway has unveiled the first of 44 Class 170 regional diesel multiple-units which are to be refurbished to ‘echo the sleek aesthetic’ of the Hitachi Class 810 Aurora inter-city trainsets which are to enter service later this year.
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Rail Business UKETCS tested on steam locomotive
UK: Testing is underway with what is thought to be the first installation of European Train Control System equipment on an operational steam locomotive, as part of a plan to secure the long-term future of heritage traction operation on the national rail network.