INNOTRANS: Panasonic Industry is showing its complete full height platform door system including control panel for the first time in Europe., along with an smart maintenance system.

INNOTRANS: The first of 10 multifunctional maintenance vehicles for the München U-Bahn has been handed over at an event which included a brass band to create what manufacturer Robel Bahnbaumaschinen called a ‘traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere’ at the Berlin show.

INNOTRANS: Alstom is highlighting how the highly modular design of its Coradia Max partly double-deck electric multiple-units can meet the varied needs of regional and long-distance markets while offering optimised operating costs.

UK: The Global Centre of Rail Excellence and the Department for Transport’s arm-length rail consultancy body Crossrail International have signed a partnership agreement to support the development and delivery of major rail infrastructure projects around the world.

INNOTRANS: Technotrans is showing a space-saving and energy-efficient combined device for cooling both the battery and power electronics of battery-powered railway vehicles.

INNOTRANS: Simona is showcasing its Simorail range of lightweight, low-flammability and recyclable thermoplastics for rolling stock applications including seats, armrests, wall panelling, window panels, partition walls, ceiling elements and storage units.

EGYPT: The first of the 250 km/h Velaro high speed trains that Siemens Mobility is building for the 2 000 km turnkey rail system being developed in Egypt has been unveiled at the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin.

INNOTRANS: Hübner has unveiled its AutoCouple concept for the fully automated coupling and uncoupling of inter-car train gangways. A trial on the Toronto subway is planned for 2025.

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

UK: The Office of Rail & Road reports that freight transported by rail totalled 4·18 billion net tonne-km in April to June 2024, an increase of 7% on the same quarter last year.

INNOTRANS: Stadler has unveiled a custom-designed electric multiple-unit for the narrow gauge Centovalli railway which runs for 52 km between Locarno in Switzerland and Domodossola in Italy.

CROATIA: Končar KEV unveiled its newly-developed battery and battery-electric multiple-units in its home city of Zagreb before the battery unit was sent to Berlin for display at InnoTrans.

CROATIA: Končar KEV unveiled its newly-developed battery and battery-electric multiple-units in its home city of Zagreb before the battery unit was sent to Berlin for display at InnoTrans.

GERMANY: Another step towards automation of main line rail operations was taken on September 23 when Alstom demonstrated a remotely-controlled diesel multiple-unit near Salzgitter.

UK: Turkish overhead electrification equipment manufacturer Ulusoy Raylı Sistemler has a signed a memorandum of understanding to use the future Global Centre of Rail Excellence in South Wales for product development and commercial showcasing as part of its planned expansion into the UK market.

EUROPE: Combined transport company Hupac says railways in eastern France need to be enhanced to ensure the long-term reliability of north-south European freight services by offering an alternative to routes through Germany.

INNOTRANS: Frauscher unveiled its FPS object controller at InnoTrans on September 25. The modular control unit is designed to work with a range of point motors and interface with all interlocking technologies using the EULYNX standards.

SWITZERLAND: SBB Cargo and Stadler have signed a framework agreement at InnoTrans covering the supply of up to 129 multi-system electric locomotives, with a firm order for an initial 36.

INNOTRANS: Austrian Federal Railways has ordered 29 Plasser & Theurer CatenaryCrafter 15.4 E3 electric-battery overhead line maintenance vehicles which will soon begin entering service, and an agreement to supply Germany’s DB InfraGO with 15 from 2029 is expected to be finalised shortly.

Examples from DSB and Transdev Deutschland highlight how use of resource planning software can boost employee recruitment and retention as the rail industry adapts to an endemic staff shortage.