11 Must-Read Rail News Stories – Industry Insider for Week 5
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 28 January–1 February 2019.
Infrastructure
Parramatta Light Rail Contract Goes to Transdev Consortium
The Parramatta Light Rail project in Australia, also known as Western Sydney Light Rail, will be built in two stages. Stage one consists of a 12km line with 16 stops and is scheduled to be operational in 2023. The Transdev consortium Great River City Light Rail has won the contract to operate and maintain the light rail service for this stage.
Read: Parramatta Light Rail Contract Goes to Transdev Consortium
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Goes Digital
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has implemented a number of digital tools such as apps to improve track maintenance on its network. Not only will this improve information flow between track maintenance workers, these digital tools will also improve train punctuality and safety.
Read: Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Goes Digital
UK: Preferred Bidders for Network Rail Contracts Announced
Network Rail, which owns and manages the British rail infrastructure, has announced its preferred bidders for the next generation of rail system contracts for both Scotland and the South of England. The bidding process for the contracts for Central England is on-going. These contracts cover Control Period 6 with an option to cover Control Period 7 as well.
Read: UK: Preferred Bidders for Network Rail Contracts Announced
Business
Deutsche Bahn to Hire 22,000 New Employees in 2019
Deutsche Bahn says it will hire more than 2,000 train drivers, 1,500 traffic controllers and some 3,300 maintenance workers as well as 1,300 on-board service personnel in 2019. In total, Deutsche Bahn wants to employ an additional 22,000 individuals this year. This compares to 24,000 individuals in 2018. However, figures in the above-mentioned positions are up.
Read: Deutsche Bahn to Hire 22,000 New Employees in 2019
New Head of Australia and South East Asia for Bombardier
Wendy McMillan, Chief Executive Officer of the Rolling Stock Development Division at the Victoria State Government, has been appointed Managing Director Bombardier Transportation Australia, a role she will take up on 1 February. She will also take on the new role of ‘Head of Australia and South East Asia’.
Read: New Head of Australia and South East Asia for Bombardier
Siemens-Alstom Merger Update Following Remedy Proposal to the European Commission
Alstom has issued an update on its plans to merge with Siemens Mobility following a remedy proposal it made to the European Commission in December last year. In its statement Alstom says it expects to hear back from the Commission regarding its concerns on 18 February 2019.
Read: Siemens-Alstom Merger Update Following Remedy Proposal to the European Commission
Alstom and Ajman University (UAE) Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Alstom and Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates have signed an MoU to enhance their ties. Together the parties want to implement joint activities and events as well as share knowledge and expertise. Alstom would get access to the local talent pool while Ajman University would benefit from Alstom’s wealth of experience in the rail sector.
Read: Alstom and Ajman University (UAE) Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Science & Technology
New Algorithm Makes Trains Greener for Chinese New Year
Researchers at Xi’an Jiatong-Liverpool University, the largest international collaborative university in China, have developed an algorithm to assist trains to run at optimal speeds while also saving energy. The trains are able to reduce their overall energy consumption by effectively using the charge and discharge modes in on-board energy storage devices.
Read: New Algorithm Makes Trains Greener for Chinese New Year
Rolling Stock
China: CRRC Subsidiary Tests New Maglev Generation
CRRC Zhuzhou, which manufactures electric locomotives, performed tests on a new generation of maglev trains with an operating speed of 160km/h. The current maglev, which began operating in Changsha in May 2016, is the country’s first medium/low-speed maglev. In the future CRRC hopes to develop a maglev with a maximum speed of 200km/h.
Read: China: CRRC Subsidiary Tests New Maglev Generation
Transmashholding to Ship 23 Freight and Passenger Locomotives to Cuba
Transmashholding and Tradex have signed a contract for 23 diesel locomotives, type LDE-2500. They are destined for Cuba, where they will be able to pull both passenger carriages and freight cars. The assembled locomotives will travel by sea via a port in St Petersburg.
Read: Transmashholding to Ship 23 Freight and Passenger Locomotives to Cuba
Transmashholding Wins Baku Metro Contract for Six Five-Car Trains
Transmashholding subsidiary Metrowagonmash has won a contract with Baku Metro (Azerbaijan) for the supply of thirty metro cars. Metrowagonmash will deliver all of them in 2019. The company has worked with Baku Metro since its initial opening in 1967. The metro cars in question will be of the type 81-765.B/766.B.
Read: Transmashholding Wins Baku Metro Contract for Six Five-Car Trains
