10 Must-Read Rail News Stories – Industry Insider for Week 9
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 25 Feb–1 Mar 2019:
Infrastructure
Deutsche Bahn to Invest 10.7 Billion Euros for More Capacity and Quality
German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn says it will continue in the biggest ever upgrade works to the country’s rail network. It will invest 10.7 billion euros in improving the network’s tracks as well as its station infrastructure. In particular, DB wants to improve traffic flow at bottlenecks, since congestion there ripples outward to impact the entire system.
Read: Deutsche Bahn to Invest 10.7 Billion Euros for More Capacity and Quality
Alstom to Deliver Third-Rail Electrification for Phase 2 of Bangalore Metro
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has commissioned Alstom to deliver the power supply and traction electrification for Phase 2 of the Bangalore Metro extension works. Phase 1 of the city’s metro became fully operational in 2017 after opening its doors to passengers for the first time in 2011. Phase 2, which also includes new lines, has an estimated completion date of 2023.
Read: Alstom to Deliver Third-Rail Electrification for Phase 2 of Bangalore Metro
Business
Eurotunnel and TLF Overseas Sign Agreement to Mitigate Brexit Impact
Eurotunnel and TLF Overseas (the Union of Transport and Logistics Enterprises of France – Overseas Activities) have signed an agreement to help keep freight running smoothly across the Channel Tunnel after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union later on this month. Given the large amount of uncertainty, Eurotunnel has been attempting to plan for all eventualities at great cost. This partnership agreement is among the suite of solutions it is putting in place to keep goods and people going.
Read: Eurotunnel and TLF Overseas Sign Agreement to Mitigate Brexit Impact
Science & Technology
218 Russian Railway Stations to have Free Wifi by the End of 2019
By the end of 2018 136 Russian railway stations had free wifi. Russian Railways says that by the end of this year that figure will rise by 82. Once passengers log in for the first time, they will not have to log in again in order to access the network at stations that are already connected. In 2018 users connected to the free wifi network at Russian railway stations 6.6 million times. This is a 20 percent increase compared to 2017.
Read: 218 Russian Railway Stations to have Free Wifi by the End of 2019
Rolling Stock
UK: Stadler Wins Contract for 71 Trains for Wales & Borders Franchise
Stadler has won a contract with Transport for Wales Rail Services. Of the 71 trains, 36 will be three-car CITYLINK tram-trains and 35 will be FLIRT multiple units. Of the 35 FLIRT trains 11 will be diesel-electric, while 24 will be tri-modal. This means they can run on diesel, electricity and battery power. The 24 tri-mode trains will consist of 7 three-car units and 17 four-car units. This is Stadler’s seventh contract for rolling stock in the United Kingdom. Other notable projects are the Glasgow subway and the bi-mode multiple units for Greater Anglia.
Read: UK: Stadler Wins Contract for 71 Trains for Wales & Borders Franchise
Polish Rail Company Lotos Kolej Buys 5 Newag Electric Locomotives
Newag S.A. and Lotos Kolej have signed a contract for five electric locomotives. Of these, two will be four-axle Griffin locomotives and three will be six-axle Dragon 2 locomotives. Lotos Kolej already has five first generation Dragon locomotives in its fleet. Newag will also provide maintenance services for these locomotives for seven years. Lotos Kolej particularly likes that these locomotives come equipped with ETCS Level 2 technology. Some of them also have last-mile capability.
Read: Polish Rail Company Lotos Kolej Buys 5 Newag Electric Locomotives
CRRC and Downer to Supply Additional Double-Decker Trains to Sydney
CRRC and Downer, who have been working together for a number of years, are to supply 17 additional double-decker Waratah series 2 trains for Sydney. The contract, which includes maintenance services, is worth around $900 million. In 2016 the NSW Government ordered 24 Series 2 Waratah trains, of which 12 are currently in service.
Read: CRRC and Downer to Supply Additional Double-Decker Trains to Sydney
Bombardier Sells UK Rolling Stock Electrical Component and Systems Business to Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd
Motherson Rolling Stock Systems GB Ltd, which is wholly owned by Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd, has signed an agreement with Bombardier for Bombardier’s assets related to the production and installation of electrical components and systems for rail industry applications. The relevant production facility is located in Derby, which Motherson will lease. All current employees will stay in their positions.
Events
Princess Anne Shows Support for Female Apprentices
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited the National College for High Speed Rail on 22 February to show her support for women in both rail and engineering professions. As part of her visit she spoke with some of the female apprentices and learned about the college’s work to attract a more diverse workforce.
Read: Princess Anne Shows Support for Female Apprentices
Policy
Stuttgart School Wins University Prize for Freight Transport and Logistics
The German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has awarded the University Prize for Freight Transport and Logistics 2019 to the Hochschule für Technik in Stuttgart. It’s an annual prize that has now been handed out for the seventh time. This year it comes with 5,000 euros of prize money as well. The motto for the 2019 prize was ‘innovative logistics’. It recognises higher education courses that are outstanding in the field of freight transport and logistics.
Read: Stuttgart School Wins University Prize for Freight Transport and Logistics
