Traction & rolling stock news – Page 21
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NewsRefurbished Stuttgart S-Bahn trains ready to return to service
GERMANY: The first three Stuttgart S-Bahn electric multiple-units to be refurbished have been unveiled by operator DB Regio and transport authority VRS ahead of their return to passenger service in February. The €200m programme to refurbish 215 Class 423 and 430 EMUs is being undertaken at ...
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NewsNew Year bug halts Spanish high speed train fleet
SPAIN: Drivers entering the cabs of RENFE’s Series 106 Avril high speed trainsets on January 1 discovered the entire fleet could not be activated. The operator contacted manufacturer Talgo, which contacted its suppliers. The problem was soon traced to the Ingeteam charging system for the batteries ...
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Metro Report InternationalLille orders more metro trains
FRANCE: Métropole Européenne de Lille has awarded Alstom a €210m firm order to supply 15 more rubber-tyre automated light metro trainsets, following on from 27 ordered previously. The trainsets in the latest order will replace the current Siemens VAL208 trainsets from 2028 onwards, enabling Line 1 ...
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NewsCN tests medium-power hybrid locomotive
CANADA: CN has unveiled a 3 200 hp diesel-battery hybrid locomotive developed with Knoxville Locomotive Works. The 2·4 MWh loco is intended for use in yards and on branch lines and is suitable for biofuel operation. It is hoped the design will be able to offer ...
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NewsTitagarh Firema unveils EMUs for the Lazio region
ITALY: The first of 38 electric multiple-units ordered by the Lazio region have been unveiled at Titagarh Firema’s Caserta factory. The €282m framework agreement signed in January 2021 covers the supply and 10 years of maintenance of 38 trainsets of three types for use by operator ...
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Rail Business UKFive manufacturers invited to bid for Northern Trains fleet renewal contracts
UK: Northern Trains has invited five manufacturers to negotiate for framework contracts to supply up to 450 new electric and electro-diesel bi-mode multiple-units. The manufacturers named on January 17 are Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens Mobility and Stadler. Northern is seeking both 25 kV 50 Hz electric-only ...
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NewsFirst Montréal Charger loco delivered to Exo
CANADA: Montréal regional transport authority Exo has taken delivery of the first of 10 Charger locomotives being supplied by Siemens Mobility. The locos were ordered in January 2022 at cost of C$132m. Testing is being supported by Systra, ahead of entry into service this spring. Deliveries ...
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NewsWagons ordered under SBB Cargo fleet standardisation strategy
SWITZERLAND: SBB Cargo has awarded Tatravagónka contracts to supply up to 840 wagons as part of its strategy to standardise its fleet.
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NewsGO Transit coach refurbishment contract awarded
CANADA: Greater Toronto area transport agency Metrolinx has awarded Alstom a C$500m framework agreement for the mid-life overhaul and modernisation of 181 BiLevel Series VIII coaches used on GO Transit services. This will include new seating, doors, flooring, walls and ceilings, upgraded toilets, updated electrical outlets ...
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Rail Business UKRelief for Southeastern passengers as train toilets to be installed
UK: Southeastern has announced that a toilet is to be retrofitted to the Class 707 City Beam electric multiple-units used on London suburban services. Agreements for the multi-million pound investment are to be finalised with leasing company Angel Trains in the coming weeks, the operator said ...
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Metro Report InternationalMinsk trams delivered
BELARUS: Belkommunmash has delivered 20 Type T811 low-floor four-axle trams to Minsk transport operator Minsktrans.
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NewsRER NG trains launched on Line D as Paris fleet renewal accelerates
FRANCE: The renewal of the rolling stock fleet used on the RER suburban network around Paris is continuing, with the latest generation RER NG trainsets entering service on Line D in December. The RER NG fleet comprises two subclasses, Z58000 for Line E and Z58500 for ...
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In depthRegional Railways: Technology offers hope of secondary line revival
Around 17 000 km of abandoned or poorly used lines in France and Germany could be revived using small, frequent or on-demand vehicles as part of a decarbonisation drive. Thanks to rapidly progressing technologies with minimal investment and low operating costs, there is an opportunity to tap political support to make them a reality. Reinhard Christeller reports.
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NewsSaudi Arabian trains to blend modern aesthetics and advanced technology
SAUDI ARABIA: National operator Saudi Arabia Railways has selected Swiss design consultancy Nose Design Experience to support the development of its next-generation of inter-city trainsets. In February 2024 SAR awarded Stadler contracts worth SFr600m to supply and maintain 10 trainsets for use on the East line ...
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NewsPrototype 450 km/h high speed trains unveiled in China
CHINA: Two prototype CR450 high speed trainsets designed for a maximum speed of 450 km/h and an operating speed of 400 km/h have been unveiled in Beijing, ahead of testing to optimise the design and enable the sets to enter service as soon as possible. China ...
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Rail Business UKSoutheastern Class 376 EMU fleet to get mid-life refresh
UK: Contracts have been awarded for a mid-life refresh of the Class 376 electric multiple-units used on Southeastern’s London suburban services since 2004. The work is be undertaken in collaboration with leasing company Eversholt Rail and Alstom, the successor to Bombardier Transportation which originally built the ...
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Metro Report InternationalNew York Subway battery-diesel maintenance locos approved for use
USA: New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the operation of battery-diesel hybrid locomotives ordered from Wabtec to haul maintenance trains on the Subway network. The R255 locos will be able to use power from the 500 kWh battery in the tunnels and at worksites when ...
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NewsHeavy steel train tests digital automatic couplers in real-world conditions
SWEDEN: The country’s heaviest freight trains outside the iron ore sector are being used to test digital automatic couplers in real-world conditions. DAC equipment from Dellner and Voith has been fitted to wagons used on daily 3 800 tonne trains which Green Cargo uses to transport ...
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In depthComment: A glimpse over the horizon
As celebrations in Britain this year mark 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, our Consultant Editor Murray Hughes reflects on his 50 years writing for Railway Gazette International and assesses where the rail sector might go in the coming half-century.
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NewsHeavy duty wagons ordered for military transport in the Arctic
EUROPE: Finland’s VR FleetCare has won an international tender to design and build wagons for the transport of tanks and other heavy military equipment in Arctic conditions. The order placed by Norwegian rail infrastructure manager Bane Nor on December 20 on behalf of the Norwegian and ...