News from the world rail freight market.

CHINA: CRRC Puzhen has unveiled a 250 km/h Type C inter-city trainset designed to offer a low life-cycle cost and high capacity with capability for GoA4 unattended driverless operation.

INNOTRANS: Vossloh Rolling Stock will be unveiling its battery-hydrogen fuel cell hybrid powered Modula BFC shunting locomotive at InnoTrans 2024, ahead of deployment at the Duisburg Gateway Terminal.

USA: The California High-Speed Rail Authority board has appointed Ian Choudri as the next CEO..

TANZANIA: The 258·2 km Morogoro – Dodoma standard gauge line was handed over with a ceremony on July 25 and the first electric passenger train service ran on August 1 with President Samia Suluhu Hassan onboard.

UK: The first footbridge built to the Beacon design has been installed by Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen at Garforth in West Yorkshire.

DENMARK: Local railway operator Lokaltog has selected its preferred bidder for a contract to supply 14 battery trainsets for use in the Sjælland region, with options for 10 more.

With cross-border rail ticketing being cited as a priority for the next European Commission, Andrew Grantham discusses the complexities of achieving seamless bookings and the industry’s struggle to meet growing demand for sustainable mobility options.

This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.

UK: Altrad RMD Kwikform says it used ‘revolutionary’ techniques as part of a complex project to assist High Speed 2 contractor Mace Dragados with the construction of a London Underground traction substation at Euston station.

GERMANY: The free shuttle train to Tesla’s Gigafactory plant in Grünheide to the east of Berlin restarted on August 7, using two Siemens Mobility Mireo B battery-electric multiple-units instead of a pair of Bombardier Transportation Talent diesels.

EUROPE: A Voith electrical connection has been selected as the standard design for freight trains equipped with Digital Automatic Couplers, and approved by the European DAC Delivery Programme Supervisory Board.

LITHUANIA: LTG Cargo is to withdraw from the CIS Railway Council agreement for the shared use of wagons across the 1 520 mm gauge region, and will instead use a private fleet from January 1 2025.

INNOTRANS: Architectural and marine glazing company Sedak is making its InnoTrans debut this year, showcasing its portfolio of products for high speed, regional and urban trains.

INNOTRANS: The unveiling of the prototype RS Zero regional railcar will be the highlight of the Stadler presence at InnoTrans 2024, where it will be displaying eight vehicles with ‘alternative, environmentally friendly’ traction as well as presenting its latest innovations in signalling and services.

USA: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board has approved a proposal to replace diesel locomotive-hauled trains on Boston’s Fairmount Commuter Rail Line with battery-electric multiple-units.

INNOTRANS: Boring will be exciting at the Tunnel Construction segment of InnoTrans 2024, which will feature more than 30 exhibitors highlighting the latest ideas to make building and operating tunnels safer and more efficient while minimising environmental impact.

UK: The rail industry’s plans for dealing with trains stranded between stations need greater focus on passenger experience and welfare, according to a report commissioned by regulator the Office of Rail & Road and watchdog Transport Focus.

USA: Private equity firm Stellex Capital Management has reached a definitive agreement to acquire rail and industrial cast, forged and machined product manufacturer McConway & Torley and axle maker Standard Forged Products from Arcosa.

CHILE: CRRC Qishuyan has delivered a metre-gauge hydrogen fuelled locomotive to the Ferrocarril de Antofagasta transport subsidiary of mining company Antofagasta that links the Chilean seaport with the same name to Bolivia.