Industry Insider Week 21 – 12 Must-Read Rail Stories
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider Week 21 for 20–24 May 2019:
Rolling Stock
Stadler Delivers More Hybrid Locomotives for European Freight Corridors
Stadler have entered into a contract with European Loc Pool (ELP) to deliver ten six-axle Co’Co’ hybrid locomotives as part of a framework agreement that covers 100 units. Stadler’s hybrid locomotives can perform on both electrified and non-electrified lines as well as switch from diesel power to electric power while in operation.
Read more | Stadler Delivers More Hybrid Locomotives for European Freight Corridors
Fahma Orders 27 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trains from Alstom
French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has won a contract from Fahma GmbH to deliver twenty-seven hydrogen fuel cell trains. The order value (for Alstom) is 360 million euros (401.5 million USD). The 27 units will replace the current fleet of diesel trains on the RB11, RB12, RB15 and RB16 lines. Alstom is expected to deliver the units in conjunction with the timetable change in December 2022. Fahma GmbH will then have the largest fleet of fuel cell trains.
Read more | Fahma Orders 27 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trains from Alstom
CRRC-Bombardier JV Sign Contract for 19 APMs for Singapore
In March 2018 a contract was signed by Bombardier Transportation to renovate the Bukit-Panjang Light Rapid Transit system in Singapore. Now, a CRRC-Bombardier JV has signed a subcontract with Bombardier Transportation for the delivery of 19 INNOVIA APM 300R vehicles for the Bukit-Panjang Light Rapid Transit guideway. The cars will be delivered between September 2020 and October 2022 in time for the first INNOVIA APM 300R to enter service in December 2022.
Read more | CRRC-Bombardier JV Sign Contract for 19 APMs for Singapore
Talgo-SYSTRA JV to Refurbish Metrolink Rail Cars
Metrolink (California) has granted a Talgo-SYSTRA joint venture a contract to upgrade 121 Bombardier rail cars. Although the initial order is for 50 rail cars, the contract also includes an option to refurbish a further 71 cars. Talgo-SYSTRA have stated that the first 50 rail cars will be completed by April 2023. This contract is worth 138.9 million USD (124.74 million euros). The refurbishments will be conducted at Talgo’s Milwaukee site.
Read more | Talgo-SYSTRA JV to Refurbish Metrolink Rail Cars
Infrastructure
Network Rail Creates New Regional Managing Directors
UK railway infrastructure manager Network Rail has established new regional managing directors. The regions that will be covered under the new managing directors include Scotland, Southern, Wales and Western, Eastern, North West and Central. The new regional managing directors are expected to receive a salary of between 300,000 GBP and 330,000 GBP and help Network Rail build a more passenger-oriented approach.
Read more | Network Rail Creates New Regional Managing Directors
Virgin Trains USA Begin Construction of Orlando Expansion
Virgin Trains USA, previously known as Brightline, have now announced the contractors for their expansion to Orlando from South Florida. The project includes 170 miles of new track as well as the construction of a modern intermodal facility which will be based in the South Terminal of Orlando International Airport. The total private investment for the project is worth 4 billion USD (3.58 billion euros). Construction has now begun with expectations of completion by 2022.
Read more | Virgin Trains USA Begin Construction of Orlando Expansion
Colombia: Alstom Installs Incremental Train Control System
Alstom have installed its ‘incremental train control system‘ (ITCS) along more kilometres of track operated by Ferrocarriles del Norte de Colombia (FENOCO). ITCS is a block-based virtual signalling system that is now fitted along 246km of the FENOCO lines. FENOCO transfers coal from mines in northern Colombia. The new system will optimise the performance of FENOCO’s cargo trains.
Read more | Colombia: Alstom Installs Incremental Train Control System
Business
Rüdiger Grube New Chairman of Bombardier Transportation Supervisory Board
German native Professor Rüdiger Grube has been appointed as the new chairman of the supervisory board of Bombardier Transportation GmbH and Bombardier Transportation (Bahntechnologie) Holding Germany GmbH. In previous years Professor Rüdiger Grube has had experience as Chairman of the Board at Deutsche Bahn AG, Lazard and Hamburger Hafen und Logistic AG. The previous chairman, Wolfgang Tölsner, resigned in April due to personal reasons.
Read more | Rüdiger Grube New Chairman of Bombardier Transportation Supervisory Board
Rail Industry Impact: How Is Brexit Affecting British Steel?
British Steel has gone into receivership and says that Brexit was a contributing factor to their financial difficulties. Due to the European Commission’s decision to temporarily suspend the UK from free allocation of emissions allowances, auctioning, and the exchange of international credits in response to the UK government’s continued lack of clarity about the Withdrawal Agreement, British Steel faced a gap in carbon credits to cover the previous year’s emissions. British Steel then requested financial support from the government, which was denied.
Read more | Rail Industry Impact: How Is Brexit Affecting British Steel?
Russian Railways Launches New Rail Freight Service from Japan to Europe
The subsidiary of Russian Railways, JSC Russian Railways Logistics, and FESCO Transport Group have introduced the Trans-Siberian Landbridge joint transit service. The service will run through Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway to allow faster delivery of cargo from Japan to Europe. Currently the journey via ship through the Suez Canal takes 45 days. The new transit service will reduce this to 19 days.
Read more | Russian Railways Launches New Rail Freight Service from Japan to Europe
Policy
Brexit and the Rail Industry: Findings of the Lords Report
On 21 May the European Union Committee from the House of Lords released its report entitled ‘Brexit: road, rail and maritime transport’. The report indicated that the UK would continue to align with EU standards so that UK products could be sold in the EU without modification. This, despite the UK’s intention to leave the ERA. Other topics covered within the report include, post-Brexit UK-EU arrangements and maintaining a supply of skilled workers after Brexit.
Read more | Brexit and the Rail Industry: Findings of the Lords Report
German Centre for Rail Transport Research Opens
The German Centre for Rail Transport Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Schienenverkehrsforschung, DZSF) has opened its doors in Dresden and Bonn. The facilities will function as a scientific consultant to the Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) on affairs concerning rail transport. Research conducted within the facility will cover subjects relating to issues facing passenger rail, infrastructure and freight transport.
Read more | German Centre for Rail Transport Research Opens