SLOVAKIA: Following the delivery of five new Stadler Class 495.95 electric multiple-units for the metre-gauge Tatra Electric Railway network, ŽOS Vrútky has begun work to modernise the 15 older Class 425.95 GTW2/6 units which a consortium of Stadler, ŽOS Vrútky and Adtranz supplied in 2000–02 and 2006.
ITALY: Infrastructure manager RFI has awarded a consortium of Stadler and Mermec a contract to design, manufacture and supply five electro-diesel multiple-units which will be used for real-time inspection of track and overhead electrification equipment.
DENMARK: ‘After many years of planning and preparation, we can now start the practical work of getting the trains of the future to Denmark’, said DSB CEO Flemming Jensen when the national passenger operator signed a major framework contract with Alstom for the supply of electric multiple-units.
EUROPE: UNIFE’s general assembly has approved the European rail supply industry association’s 2021-22 advocacy strategy, through which it aims to continue to raise awareness of the strategic importance of the sector from both an industrial and a sustainable transport point of view, and highlight the challenges of growing protectionism, restricted ...
SWITZERLAND: Metre gauge railway operators Appenzeller Bahnen and Frauenfeld-Wil-Bahn have merged following approval by their respective boards on June 11 and June 17.
UK: Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has appointed Keith Wallace as Chairman of Crossrail International, a Department for Transport body that provides organisations across the world with strategic advice on developing and delivering complex rail schemes.
UK: The Department for Transport has extended Govia Thameslink Railway’s Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement from September 20 2021 until March 31 2022 on the existing terms, and laid the ground for a directly-awarded contract which could run up to a further six years.
UK: The prototype Flow modular footbridge built from lightweight, cost-effective and high strength fibre-reinforced polymer and designed to meet current technical standards while also creating a ‘welcoming, enjoyable and safe’ crossing has been unveiled by Network Rail.
SWITZERLAND: Zürich public transport operator VBZ has awarded Stadler Bussnang a SFr10·6m + VAT contract to supply two rack railcars for the metre-gauge Dolderbahn, which starts at Römerhof in the city suburbs and climbs 162 m in 1 328 m.
USA: Dallas – Houston high speed railway project promoter Texas Central has signed a $16bn final agreement for the civil works including viaducts and depots with Webuild and its US subsidiary Lane Construction.
EUROPE: A Paris – Edinburgh service is among the most eye-catching proposals for a network of premium overnight sleeping car services set out by French start-up Midnight Trains on June 16.
EUROPE: Night train start-up companies European Sleeper and Moonlight Express have decided to join forces rather than develop competing initiatives to launch overnight services from Belgium and the Netherlands.
GERMANY: Rhein-Main-transport authority RMV has awarded Hessische Landesbahn a contract to operate Lahntal, Vogelsberg and Rhönbahn regional passenger services for 15 years from December 10 2023, and with its Rheinland-Pfalz Nord counterpart has awarded VIAS the next contract to operate Rheingau services.
USA: Wabtec and General Motors have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to collaborate to develop and commercialise GM’s battery and hydrogen technology for Wabtec locomotives.
SLOVAKIA: Infrastructure manager ŽSR has awarded Reming Consult a €427 650 contract to draw up plans for the modernisation of the cross-border bridge over the River Morava/March in preparation for the long-planned 25 kV 50 Hz electrification of the 2·4 km single-track line from Devínska Nová Ves in Slovakia to ...
NIGERIA: Nigerian Railway Corp launched full commercial services on the 157 km Lagos – Ibadan standard gauge line on June 15, President Muhammadu Buhari having attended an inauguration ceremony on June 10.
USA: The federal government has agreed to return $929m in grants to the California High Speed Rail Authority following the settlement of legal proceedings with the state of California.
An array of revived and new overnight services is planned across western and central Europe. Murray Hughes provides an overview of the latest developments.
