Railway Gazette International articles from November 2007

Railway Gazette International archives from November 2007

Commission backs 'freight-oriented' network.(COMMENT)
November 1, 2007... ONCE AGAIN, the European Commission is seeking to inject fresh impetus into rail freight services. The torrent of legislation that led to the full opening of the rail freight market in January 2007 has brought modest success in some countries...

Merger unlocks expansion plans.(COMMENT)
November 1, 2007... A RAFT of railway expansion projects in Hong Kong which have been under discussion for several years looks set to move ahead rapidly in the next few years, following the consummation of the merger between the Special Administrative Region's two...

Eurotunnel acts to recapture freight.(COMMENT)
November 1, 2007... WITH through rail freight in the first nine months of 2007 down to just 1.16 million tonnes, Eurotunnel has slashed and simplified its pricing in a bid to avoid the 'complete disappearance' of this traffic, once forecast to reach 10 million...

Third Railway Package wins approval.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... FURTHER LIBERALISATION of train operations across Europe will come into effect over the next three years, following a vote by the European Parliament on September 25 adopting three 'conciliation agreements' on the Third Railway Package. ...

Duplex in the desert.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... THE DREAM of high speed trains in North Africa moved a step closer on October 22, with the signing of agreements in Marrakech for French companies to assist with the development of Morocco's first high speed line, coinciding with a visit by...

At Paris Saint-Lazare station on October 10 SNCF President Anne-Marie Idrac and Philippe Duron, President of the Basse-Normandie region, officially launched the refurbished Corail fleet, now branded Corail Intercites, used on Paris-Cherbourg services.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... At Paris Saint-Lazare station on October 10 SNCF President Anne-Marie Idrac and Philippe Duron, President of the Basse-Normandie region, officially launched the refurbished Corail fleet, now branded Corail Intercites, used on Paris-Cherbourg...

CVRD to run Norte-Sul.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... BRAZILIAN mining company and metals producer Companhia Vale do Rio Doce has won a 30-year concession to operate a 720 km section of Ferrovia Norte-Sul between Acailandia in Maranhao state and Palmas in Tocantins state. The R$1.48bn deal...

ECP brakes go live.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... NORFOLK Southern has operated the first revenue service freight train in the USA to be fitted with electronically-controlled pneumatic brakes. Hauled by a trio of new General Electric locomotives, the train of 115 loaded gondola wagons ran...

VIA Rail fleet to roll on.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... CANADA'S inter-city and long-distance passenger trains are to benefit from a C$691.9m funding package unveiled on October 11. Hon Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure & Communities, said 'we are launching the largest...

Caspian corridor plans agreed.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... SECTIONS of new line to be built in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran will open up a north-south rail corridor parallel to the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. An agreement to implement the 650 km project was signed by the presidents of...

Kyiv-Kharkiv wired.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... UKRAINIAN Railways General Manager Volodimir Kozak attended celebrations at Ogultsy station on September 20 to mark the formal completion of electrification of the route between Kyiv and Kharkiv. Work to electrify the missing section...

On September 26 a consortium incorporating TCHAS Ostrava and Trnavska Stavebna Spolocnost formally completed an KS858m remodelling of Poprad-Tatry station (right) in Slovakia.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... On September 26 a consortium incorporating TCHAS Ostrava and Trnavska Stavebna Spolocnost formally completed an KS858m remodelling of Poprad-Tatry station (right) in Slovakia. Work included upgrading of 13 km of track and 9.5 km of 3 kV DC...

Rail spend increasing.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... INVESTMENT and support for the national rail network from the Spanish government will total [euro]8.15bn in 2008, up 5% on 2007 and representing 41% of total spending on transport. RENFE is to receive [euro]1035m, of which [euro]545m will be...

High speed accord.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... DURING a seminar on designing, building and operating high speed lines organised by the Spanish infrastructure authority in Moscow, on October 5 ADIF President Antonio Gonzalez signed an agreement with RZD President Vladimir Yakunin committing...

Interoperable diesels.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... BY THE END of last month SNCF planned to call tenders for between 30 and 50 main line diesel locomotives to haul international freight traffic. According to Denis Martin, Senior Manager at SNCF's Rolling Stock Department, the need for these...

SNCF poised for more orders.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... PLANS to order two major fleets of passenger rolling stock are being finalised by SNCF. One order will be up to 500 multi-purpose trainsets suitable for regional and suburban services. Denis Martin, Senior Manager at SNCF's Rolling Stock...

The first of 34 type ER 20 CF diesel-electric freight locomotives being built for Lithuanian Railways by Siemens under a [euro]123m contract was handed over on October 5.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... The first of 34 type ER 20 CF diesel-electric freight locomotives being built for Lithuanian Railways by Siemens under a [euro]123m contract was handed over on October 5. At 138 tonnes the six-axle 1520 mm gauge Eurorunner is one of the...

Canadian National buys EJ & E.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... THE US$300m purchase of the relatively small Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway by Canadian National, announced on September 26, will have an immense impact on CN's business according to CEO Hunter Harrison. CN has agreed to pay US$300m for...

Funding for Lyon tram-trains.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... A JOINT agreement between the state, the Rhone-Alpes region, the departement of the Rhone and the Greater Lyon authority together with SNCF and RFF paves the way for the renewal of three regional lines to the west of Lyon. The agreement,...

Mar del Plata next.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... ON OCTOBER 1 President Nestor Kirchner launched tendering for a turnkey package to build a high speed line between Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, using the alignment of the existing 399 km Roca route for an electrified line with a maximum...

Barcelona 'rail bridge' to take on airlines.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... SPANISH national operator RENFE has unveiled plans to create a 'rail bridge' with the completion of high speed infrastructure between Madrid and Barcelona, basing its commercial strategy on that employed by airline lberia currently offering an...

QR to expand coal haulage.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... MAJOR INVESTMENT in Queensland's 1067 mm gauge coal network has been authorised by the state government. QR announced on October 11 that it will spend A$650m on 40 locomotives and 1190 wagons that will be delivered by 2010. QR's Acting CEO...

Algerian state railway SNTF has shortlisted eight bidders to purchase its infrastructure engineering business unit Infrafer.(News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... Algerian state railway SNTF has shortlisted eight bidders to purchase its infrastructure engineering business unit Infrafer. Reported bidders include Russian railway RZD, OHL of Spain, Sateba and Seco Rail of France, Alstom, Orascom of Egypt...

The Romanian government has invited tenders for consultants to assist with the proposed privatisation of the state railway's freight business CFR Marfa.(News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... The Romanian government has invited tenders for consultants to assist with the proposed privatisation of the state railway's freight business CFR Marfa. The intention is to award a contract around the beginning of 2008.

In the latest round of talks between North Korea and South Korea, an agreement was reached on October 4 to introduce cross-border freight services on the Munsang-Bondong route, although no timescale has been set.(News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... In the latest round of talks between North Korea and South Korea, an agreement was reached on October 4 to introduce cross-border freight services on the Munsang-Bondong route, although no timescale has been set. This is intended to support...

DB Regio AG has ordered 42 four-car Talent 2 EMUs of Class ET428 from Bombardier to operate Nurnberg S-Bahn services from December 2010.(News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... DB Regio AG has ordered 42 four-car Talent 2 EMUs of Class ET428 from Bombardier to operate Nurnberg S-Bahn services from December 2010. Valued at [euro]170m, the order for is the first to be placed under a framework agreement covering 321...

On October 3 Crossrail and Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo announced they are to merge to create a pan-European independent traction provider.(News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... On October 3 Crossrail and Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo announced they are to merge to create a pan-European independent traction provider. Based in Switzerland and operating under the Crossrail name, the company will be jointly owned by Babcock &...

Norfolk line cleared by Congress.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... A CEREMONY to mark the approval of federal funding for the $232.1m light rail project in Norfolk, Virginia, took place on October 1, two days after the project was cleared by the US Congress. The $128m Full Funding Grant Agreement was...

On October 2 a 1.2 km extension to Lyon's metro Line A opened from Laurent Bonnevay to La Soie in the Vaulx-en-Velin district.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... On October 2 a 1.2 km extension to Lyon's metro Line A opened from Laurent Bonnevay to La Soie in the Vaulx-en-Velin district, where there is an interchange with the T3 light rail line. Photo: Keolis

Crossrail gets the go-ahead.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... PRIME Minister Gordon Brown gave the go-ahead for London's longawaited Crossrail project on October 5, with details of the funding package announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling four days later. The total cost was put at up...

Crossrail in detail.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... Crossrail will provide an east-west heavy rail link across central London, bringing commuters into central London without the need to change onto crowded Underground services at mainline termini, and providing faster access between the...

CAF cars to Santiago.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... SANTIAGO Metro has selected CAF of Spain as preferred bidder to supply 18 eight-car trainsets. Under a deal worth [euro]175m, the new trains are due to be delivered to the Chilean capital within 24 months of contract signature. Alstom and...

Delhi awards.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... DELHI Metro Rail Corp has awarded further contracts for the extension of the Indian capital's metro (RG 1.07 p27). Last month a consortium headed by Alpine announced a [euro]139.3m contract to bore twin 2.2 km tunnels for the 3.7 km first...

The first of 22 dual-voltage Flexity Outlook trams being built by Bombardier arrived in the Austrian city of Innsbruck on the night of October 16, and was formally handed over to operator IVB on October 18.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... The first of 22 dual-voltage Flexity Outlook trams being built by Bombardier arrived in the Austrian city of Innsbruck on the night of October 16, and was formally handed over to operator IVB on October 18. Ordered at a cost of [euro]55m, the...

First passengers on Beijing Line 5.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... AN INTEGRAL part of the city's efforts to reduce traffic congestion ahead of the Olympic Games in 2008, Beijing Metro Line 5 opened for revenue service on October 7. The 27.6 km line runs from Taipingzhuang in the north to Songjiazhuang in...

Royal opening for airport metro.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... CROWN PRINCE Frederik opened a 4.5 km extension of Kobenhavn Metro Line M2 from Lergravsparken to Lufthavnen station at the city's airport on September 28, marking the completion of the two lines in the initial plans of city development...

C5 to Navalcarnero.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... THE MADRID regional government has given its approval for contracts to be let for the construction of a new 15 km suburban line in the southwestern outskirts of the Spanish capital, connecting Mostoles Central on RENFE'S Line C5 and metro Line...

T6 in service.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... THE FIRST section of orbital light rail route T6 opened in the Spanish city of Valencia on September 27, comprising a 9.2 km route from Tossal del Rei to Maritim-Serreria. New construction includes a 2.4 km branch with four stations from Tossal...

Jigsaw complete.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... MARKING the culmination of two decades of expansion, Grenoble inaugurated Line D of its light rail network on October 6. The 2.6 km line serving four new stations is effectively a branch of Line C, with trams running from the interchange...

Tenders follow trams.(CITY NEWS)
November 1, 2007... GRAZ operator GVB placed a [euro]97m order for 45 low-floor trams with Stadler last month. The five-section standard-gauge Variobahn cars will be delivered from 2009 to 2015. In October Transport Minister Kristina Edlinger-Ploder announced...

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey announced on October 17 that it will spend $500m to install communications-based train control on the PATH metro network.(City News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... Port Authority of New York & New Jersey announced on October 17 that it will spend $500m to install communications-based train control on the PATH metro network. Replacing a fixed-block signalling system installed in 1969, the CBTC will reduce...

Last month Rhein-Neckar Verkehr placed an order with Bombardier for 19 low-floor trams worth [euro]52m, exercising a second option following from an original contract for 36 cars signed in 1998.(City News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... Last month Rhein-Neckar Verkehr placed an order with Bombardier for 19 low-floor trams worth [euro]52m, exercising a second option following from an original contract for 36 cars signed in 1998. They will be delivered from Bombardier's Bautzen...

The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region has announced that funding is in place to allow work to start on the territory's first light rail line.(City News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region has announced that funding is in place to allow work to start on the territory's first light rail line. The 20 km line linking the Macau Peninsula to the islands of Taipa and Coloane...

On September 28 Napoli's city government appointed Ansaldo Trasporti Sistemi Ferroviari as main contractor for the 3.1 km underground extension of metro Line 6 from Mergellina to Municipio.(City News in Brief)
November 1, 2007... On September 28 Napoli's city government appointed Ansaldo Trasporti Sistemi Ferroviari as main contractor for the 3.1 km underground extension of metro Line 6 from Mergellina to Municipio. The contract is worth [euro]426m, and completion is...

Argentina.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Argentina: Following an inaugural run on October 6, Ecotren is to operate a monthly tourist service between Salta and the viaduct at La Polvorilla, increasing to thrice-weekly from March 2008. Ecotren is investing 45m pesos on rolling stock...

Canada.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Canada: On October 15 CN began operations at its C$20m Prince George intermodal terminal, which is intended to handle export traffic to fill empty containers returning to Asia through the Port of Prince Rupert. On October 12 the government...

China.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... China: A 41 km freight feeder railway from Quzhou to Changshan in Zhejiang province was opened on September 28, the first line built with the aid of private finance since 1949. Construction of the 675m yuan line had begun in November 2005, with...

Czech Republic.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Czech Republic: CD's freight business will be separated into an independent joint-stock company CD Cargo on December 1, instead of April 1 as originally planned (RG 9.07 p 524). On September 7 Railtrans announced it was abandoning plans to...

Europe.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Europe: Last month Croatian Railways took delivery of four second-hand Class Y1 diesel railcars previously operated by SJ in Sweden. On October 1 Kosovo Railways had used two Y1s delivered during September to reinstate passenger services on the...

France.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... France: On October 2 SNCF introduced a daily Paris-Mulhouse return iDTGV service via Strasbourg, with fares starting at [euro]19. Over 3 million iDTGV tickets have been sold online since the first train operated on December 6 2004, with...

Macedonia.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Macedonia: MZ has announced plans to build a 3 km rail link to Skopje Alexander the Great Airport from Ilinden on the Skopje-Nis line. Travel time from Skopje would be 15 min, compared with 30 min by road.

Netherlands.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Netherlands: On October 26 NS opened its first ServiceCenter at Amsterdam Centraal, with other major stations to follow. Passengers can obtain information and purchase domestic and international tickets at staffed desks, or book and print...

Pakistan.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... Pakistan: This month PR will transfer responsibility for the Peshawar-Karachi Khyber Mail service to Pakistan Railways Advisory & Consultancy Services, which is to pay a fee worth 10% more than the state railway currently earns from the...

UK.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... UK: Chiltern Railways and software firm Masabi are undertaking a two-month trial of ticket purchase and delivery by mobile phone (RG 1.07 p31). Plans to build the [pounds sterling]650m Edinburgh Airport Rail Link have been dropped on the...

USA.(INTELLIGENCE)
November 1, 2007... USA: On October 22 shortline company Genesee & Wyoming announced it was to acquire an 87.4% stake in Maryland Midland Railway for $29.1m in cash. Lehigh Cement is currently the largest shareholder and will retain its 12.6% stake.

Argentina.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Argentina: National Railway Equipment Co of the USA is supplying two E2300 diesel locomotives to Ferrosur Roca. They are similar to the General Motors GT22 design already operated by the railway.

Austria.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Austria: Last month OBB placed a [euro]76m order for a further 17 Class 4124 four-car Bombardier Talent EMUs, bringing its total Talent fleet to 188 units. The 15 kV/25 kV dual-voltage units with Elin EBG electrics will be delivered by May 2009...

France.(Market)
November 1, 2007... France: SNCF has awarded Thales a [euro]15m four-year maintenance support contract extendable for two years covering 2300 ticket gates on the Transilien network.

Italy.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Italy: FNM subsidiary Nordcargo has agreed a nine-year lease of three out of a batch of 10 Traxx E483 DC electric locos ordered from Bombardier by Angel Trains in 2005. They will be delivered by the end of this year.

South Korea.(Market)
November 1, 2007... South Korea: Last month Rail.One began work on a contract to supervise the installation of Rheda 2000 ballastless track which has been selected for use on the Kyungbu Line, the Taegu-Pusan second phase of the high speed line from Seoul (RG 4.04...

Netherlands.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Netherlands: On October 24 Betuwe Route infrastructure manager Keyrail signed a contract for maintenance of the dedicated freight line with Strukton Infra, which had installed ERTMS and erected electrification equipment. Five parties had...

Norway.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Norway: NSB has awarded Bombardier a [euro]64m contract to refurbish 56 Class 5 coaches dating from 1977-81, including new doors, windows, HVAC and seats. BT5000 bogies will be fitted during the work, which will be carried out in Norway and...

South Africa.(Market)
November 1, 2007... South Africa: Voestalpine is to supply 84 turnouts for the Gautrain standard-gauge line, including swing-nose crossings suitable for speeds of up to 200 km/h. Deliveries will run from January 2008 to November 2009.

Spain.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Spain: A joint venture of Acciona Infraestructuras and Obras Subterraneas has been awarded a [euro]113.8m contract for civil works on the 4.7 km Aranjuez-Ontigola section of the Madrid-Valencia high speed line. Work is due to take 24 months....

Switzerland.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Switzerland: Rhatische Bahn has placed a further SFr50m order with Stadler for five four-car single-voltage EMUs, to be delivered by July 2012 (RG 7.07 p404).

Taiwan.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Taiwan: THSRC has placed a [euro]10.5m order with Windhoff for six 100 km/h maintenance vehicles of two types, and three trailers, which will be delivered by summer next year.

Turkey.(Market)
November 1, 2007... Turkey: TCDD has added an additional two trainsets worth [euro]37m to its [euro]180m order placed with CAF of Spain in 2005 for 10 high speed trains based on RENFE'S Class 120 (RG 12.05 p752). With the fleet due to enter service between...

UK.(Market)
November 1, 2007... UK: Scottish Borders Council has appointed consultancy Scott Wilson as engineering advisor for the Waverley Railway Project in a contract which is expected to be worth up to [pounds sterling]9m by the time the 47 km line is reinstated, now...

USA.(Market)
November 1, 2007... USA: On October 10 The Greenbrier Companies and the Rail Services division of GE Equipment Services announced an agreement for the supply of 11900 tank and covered hopper wagons over eight years, marking Greenbrier's entry into the US tank car...

Argentina.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Argentina: Metro Line H in Buenos Aires (RG 7.07 p407) carried its first passengers on October 18 following a second official opening by head of the city government Jorge Telerman. A legal challenge which had delayed the opening saw three of...

Austria.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Austria: Under the terms of a December 2004 framework agreement, Wiener Linien has placed a [euro]18m order for a further eight low-floor LRVs to be delivered by April 2009 for use on for Line U6.

Belarus.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Belarus: Tram manufacturer Belkommunmash has announced plans to complete a prototype three-section articulated low-floor vehcile by April 2008. The company is seeking international partners to develop a modern tram design with a view to winning...

Canada.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Canada: This month rolling stock manufacturer Rotem will ship the first of 20 two-car metro trains ordered for the 19 km Canada Line in Vancouver (RG 1.06 p9). They are expected to arrive next month.

Chile.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Chile: Santiago Metro is planning to raise US$140m next year through an initial offering of bonds to investors on the local market. Issued without government guarantee, the bonds will have a 21-year term.

China.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... China: Following the award of a $7.9m contract in July covering the supply of automation systems for Shenzhen metro Line 1, HLS Systems International has been awarded a $23.8m contract to provide automation systems for the 14 km Line 2 under...

Czech Republic.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Czech Republic: Praha Municipal Council has approved financing for a KC39bn extension of metro Line A over 12.8 km west from Dejvicka to Letiste Ruzyne. The extension will have six bored and two excavated stations, and construction is due to...

France.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... France: On August 27 TAN of Nantes brought into service its new terminus at Gare de Pont Rousseau, now the southern limit of light rail Line 2 which offers interchange with SNCF TER services. The short branch to Jamet on Line 1 re-opened on the...

Germany.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Germany: A 1.9 km connection between existing light rail lines at Rieth and Salinenstrasse in Erfurt opened on October 5.

Israel.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Israel: The first of 46 Alstom Citadis 302 trams for Jerusalem was unloaded at the port of Ashdod on September 23.

Italy.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Italy: On October 5 Prime Minister Romano Prodi attended the opening of a 2.1 km three-station extension of the Torino metro from Porta Susa to Porta Nuova. Siemens is shortly to supply six more four-car VAL 208 light metro trainsets, and a...

Jordan.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Jordan: On October 18 the government signed a contract with Jordan Rail Transport System Co establishing a PPP to build and operate a 25 km double-track electrified interurban line between Amman and Zarqa (RG 1.07 p9). Financial close is...

South Korea.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... South Korea: The Ministry of Construction & Transport last month finalised plans for a 1300bn won extension of Seoul metro Line 9, which opens to Kimpo Airport in 2009 (MR04 p46). The initial 4.5 km of the second phase will open as far as the...

Malaysia.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Malaysia: Last month SPNB exercised a [euro]71m option with Bombardier for an additional 52 Advanced Rapid Transit Mkll light metro cars for the Kelana Jaya Line in Kuala Lumpur. Final assembly will be by Hartasuma, with deliveries from 2010.

Netherlands.(Metros)
November 1, 2007... Netherlands: HTM Consultancy has recommended a second sneltram line rather than a busway from central Utrecht to the Uithof university campus and a park-and-ride site, with future extensions to Zeist and Vianen.