9 Must-Read Rail News Stories – Industry Insider for Week 3
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 14–18 January 2019.
Infrastructure
Eurotunnel Invests Several Million in Brexit Contingency Planning
Eurotunnel, which operates freight and passenger services through the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France, is appealing to the UK government to provide certainty. The company spokesperson John Keefe said to Railway-News that they had invested several million pounds in contingency planning already. This figure would have been much lower had they received clarity from the UK government earlier.
Read: Eurotunnel Invests Several Million in Brexit Contingency Planning
Rolling Stock
Renfe Awards 3 Rolling Stock Maintenance Contracts to Alstom
Spanish rail operator Renfe has given three maintenance contracts to Alstom. These contracts cover maintenance services for the company’s 15 Avelia Pendolino high-speed trains. In addition, they cover maintenance services for Renfe’s 106 suburban trains. The Alstom-Renfe joint venture Irvia will perform the work in Spain.
Read: Renfe Awards 3 Rolling Stock Maintenance Contracts to Alstom
Two Bombardier Trains Receive Guaranteed French Origin Certification from Pro France
Bombardier’s Francilien and OMNEO (Regio 2N) trains have received the ‘Guaranteed French Origin’ certification from Pro France. Both trains have all their processing steps performed in France and more than half of their unit cost prices comes from France as well. The minimum for the label is 50 percent.
Read: Two Bombardier Trains Receive Guaranteed French Origin Certification from Pro France
Alstom Fits 500th Siemens Vectron Locomotive with ETCS Level 2
For the past ten years now Alstom has been fitting Siemens Vectron locomotives with its ETCS level 2 solution Atlas 200. The company now celebrates a major milestone having completed the 500th installation. Its Atlas 200 solution is now on Vectron locomotives run by 37 different European operators.
Read: Alstom Fits 500th Siemens Vectron Locomotive with ETCS Level 2
Stadler to Deliver Additional Narrow-Gauge Trains to Southeast Italy
Stadler signed a framework agreement to supply eight three-car narrow-gauge diesel multiple units to Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) in Italy. At the same time Stadler also signed an order with FAL for the first four three-car trains. This order is worth 22.8 million euros. It will also increase the total number of narrow-gauge trains FAL owns to 23.
Read: Stadler to Deliver Additional Narrow-Gauge Trains to Southeast Italy
Senegal’s Regional Express Train
Dakar’s Regional Express Train: ENGIE Ineo and Thales Deliver on Their Commitments
The Regional Express Train (TER), a line linking Senegal’s capital of Dakar to Diamniadio, was formally handed over in the presence of His Excellency Macky Sall, the country’s president. Work originally began on the line in December 2016. The second section is due for completion in 2020. At that point, the line will connect central Dakar to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport in a 45-minute trip.
Read: Dakar’s Regional Express Train: ENGIE Ineo and Thales Deliver on Their Commitments
Alstom’s Coradia Polyvalent Train Takes First Trip in Senegal
One of the companies involved in Senegal’s Regional Express Train (TER) project is Alstom. It won the contract to supply the rolling stock for the line in 2016. The contract specified the delivery of 15 units. On 14 January 2019 Alstom was proud to celebrate the first trip of its Coradia Polyvalent train on the new railway line that will eventually connect Dakar city centre to the new airport.
Read: Alstom’s Coradia Polyvalent Train Takes First Trip in Senegal
Comment
Secure Cycle Parking at Train Stations – What Today’s Commuters Want
Driving a car to a station (or walking for those lucky enough to live nearby) is just one option. In today’s world, with growing awareness for our own health and that of the planet is becoming increasingly prevalent, cycling to work is seen as a positive lifestyle choice. One way to make this easier for commuters is to provide adequate cycle parking at stations, parking that is secure and lockable and that station operators can monetise. That’s exactly what UK company BikeAway Ltd does.
Read: Secure Cycle Parking at Train Stations – What Today’s Commuters Want
4 Benefits of Free Station WiFi for Rail Passengers and Operators
There are many benefits to both passengers and operators when it comes to free station wifi. Passengers are able to work on the go or communicate with friends and family without eating into their data. Operators, meanwhile, can analyse passenger behaviour and collect passenger information for loyalty.
Read: 4 Benefits of Free Station WiFi for Rail Passengers and Operators
