All the important rail news of the past week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider Week 41 for 7–11 October 2019:
Taken from our recently published TRAKO magazine, this is an in-brief look at current rail policy in Europe, featuring matters brought by the European Commission and the Swiss Federal Office for Transport (BAV) etc. The European Commission wrote to Greece and Ireland to encourage them to enact EU law that requires them to open up the market for domestic passenger rail services, contacted Poland for failing to enact a court decision reached in June 2018 and more. The BAV has now updated its strategy to take into account technological advancements, intermodal mobility and electronic processes.
Read more | The Policy Update Europe
Also from our TRAKO magazine, an in-brief look at the status of current railway infrastructure projects in Europe. The current railway infrastructure projects we feature include the Ceneri Base Tunnel in Switzerland, the Albula Tunnel in Switzerland, the Grand Paris Express Line – Line 15 South in Paris, Rail Baltica in Latvia and the Recoletos Tunnel in Spain. The Recoletos Tunnel has the earliest scheduled completion in November 2019 whereas Rail Baltica has the latest scheduled completion, in 2026.
Read more | The Infrastructure Progress Report
The first new Stadler train for the Merseyrail network in the UK has reached a manufacturing milestone. Following the successful static testing and signing off at Stadler’s factory in Switzerland, the first new train has now been transported to Germany in order to begin dynamic testing. Stadler signed a contract with Merseyrail for the supply and maintenance of 52 metro trains for the Liverpool City Region in February 2017. The new Class 777s will replace one of the oldest fleets in the country.
Read more | First Stadler Train for Merseyrail Begins Dynamic Testing
The closed section between Susch and Scuol-Tarasp on the Engadine Line has reopened. Rhaetian Railway closed the Engadine Line on 11 March 2019 in order to carry out numerous infrastructure works efficiently, while keeping costs down. Rhaetian Railway invested approximately 90 million franks (82.56 million euros | 90.5 million USD) on improving a section of the 49.41km Engadine Line. The Engadine Line runs from Scuol-Tarasp to Bever and connects the Lower Engadine with the Albula Railway.
Read more | Engadine Line Reopens Following Infrastructure Works
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has awarded a tender to the Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF to supply 21 catenary-free Urbos trams to the city of Birmingham. The contract includes an option for 29 further vehicles. CAF will begin delivering the trams in late 2021. CAF will also provide technical support services and spare parts for a period of 30 years. The contract is worth a total of more than 90 million euros.
Read more | UK: CAF to Supply Catenary-Free Trams to Birmingham
The operator of Barcelona Metro, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has awarded Alstom a contract to supply 42 Metropolis trains. The new trains will replace the existing rolling stock operating on Lines 1 and 3 in the city. The contract includes design, manufacturing and commissioning and is worth a total of over 260 million euros (285 million USD). Each of the 42 trains will comprise of five cars which will be manufactured at Alstom’s site in Barcelona.
Read more | Alstom to Supply 42 Metropolis Trains for Barcelona
The Director General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, Henrik Hololei, spoke at Digital Transport Days in Helsinki, Finland, about the aims and successes of Shift2Rail (S2R) and its role in combating climate change and managing increasing congestion. Shift2Rail is supporting both of these aims by fostering research and innovation. Henrik Hololei gave a number of examples such as ERTMS Level 3 and on-board train intelligence.
Read more | Henrik Hololei Talks Shift2Rail at Digital Transport Days
CRRC has exported its first electric multiple unit (EMU) – called Sirius – to the European Union. CRRC supplied the EMU as part of a contract that was signed in December 2016 with private rail operator Leo Express. The contract includes an option for an additional 30 units and has a value of around 5 billion CZK (190 million euros | 210 million USD). The Sirius EMU can be expected to enter passenger service in 2020 following the necessary certification tests.
Read more | Leo Express Receives First Sirius EMU from CRRC
Matt Byrne is replacing Phil Hufton as President of the UK Region and Chair of Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd. Phil Hufton resigned for personal reasons. However, to make sure the handover goes as smoothly as possible, he will remain with Bombardier Transportation for a short while longer. The change will come into effect immediately. Matt Byrne has worked for Bombardier for the past 19 years. In 2016 he started leading Bombardier’s Global Services business.
Read more | Matt Byrne New Head of Bombardier Transportation UK
BaneNOR awarded Salini Impregilo its first contract in Norway. Salini Impregilo will carry out upgrade works on the 13.6km stretch of railway line between the villages of Nykirke and Barkaker on the Vestfold Line, which connects Drammen with Skien via Tønsberg. The contract is worth 388 million euros (428 million USD). Salini Impregilo won the contract as part of a joint venture with Impresa Pizzarotti & C. Salini Impregilo’s stake in the joint venture is 51 percent.
Read more | Salini Impregilo to Deliver Vestfold Line Upgrade Works
The joint venture overseeing the Rail Baltica project, RB Rail AS, has announced a tender for ‘Notified Body services’ to assess and verify that the Rail Baltica infrastructure conforms to the EU’s Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs). RB Rail AS wants to commission a single provider for these Notified Body services for the whole Rail Baltica line. The contract would run for the duration of both the design and construction phases.
Read more | Rail Baltica Announces Notified Body Tender
Industry Insider Week 39 – 18 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 37 / 38 – 20 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 36 – 7 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 34/35 – 16 Must-Read Rail News Stories
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