12 Must-Read Rail News Stories – Industry Insider for Week 6
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 4–8 February 2019:
Interview
Platform for the Future: Station Layout and Queue Management in 2019
Railway-News spoke with Joanne Turner, Head of Marketing at Tensator, to discuss station layout and queue management and learn about the problems and priorities station managers face when creating environments that passengers like, but that also deliver financial returns and security.
Read: Platform for the Future: Station Layout and Queue Management in 2019
Rolling Stock
Talgo Wins Contract with Deutsche Bahn for 23 Long-Distance Trains
Following a Europe-wide tender, Deutsche Bahn has signed a framework agreement with Spanish rolling stock manufacturer Talgo for 100 trains. They will be made up of electric locomotives and carriages. At the same time the two parties also signed an initial order for 23 trains, the first of which are to enter service in 2023.
Read: Talgo Wins Contract with Deutsche Bahn for 23 Long-Distance Trains
Bombardier M7 Double-Decker Train Wins Design Award
Bombardier Transportation and industrial design firm Yellow Window have received the Gold Public award at the Henry van de Velde Awards 19 in Brussels on 29 January. Their award-winning product was the M7 double-decker commuter train for SNCB. Bombardier received the order for these trains in 2015. By December 2021 it will have delivered 447 carriages.
Read: Bombardier M7 Double-Decker Train Wins Design Award
Skoda Delivers Last of 250 ForCity Alfa Praha Trams to Prague
Skoda Transportation has been delivering on its contract for 250 ForCity Alfa Praha trams since January 2011. They have since undergone a design revamp and now, in 2019, Skoda has delivered the last tram to representatives of the Prague Public Transport Company.
Read: Skoda Delivers Last of 250 ForCity Alfa Praha Trams to Prague
Science and Technology
Deutsche Bahn Introduces its Research Lab for the Future – the Advanced TrainLab
The world is becoming increasingly reliant on digital technologies and the rail sector is no different. Deutsche Bahn says digital technologies are key to increased capacity, more environmentally friendly mobility, increased reliability and improved passenger comfort. To make sure the rail industry can deliver digital solutions, Deutsche Bahn has created its Advanced TrainLab to allow industry suppliers to perform field testing.
Read: Deutsche Bahn Introduces its Research Lab for the Future – the Advanced TrainLab
Business
European Commission Says No to Alstom-Siemens Mobility Merger
After Alstom and Siemens Mobility first announced their intention to merge in 2017, there has been much back and forth with the European Commission, which has taken an in-depth look at the companies’ proposals. However, even after the proposition of remedial measures last December, the EC has ruled against the merger under the EU Merger Regulation.
Read: European Commission Says No to Alstom-Siemens Mobility Merger
Bombardier Transportation President Laurent Troger Steps Down
Laurent Troger, who joined Bombardier Transportation in 2004 and who became its president in 2015, said he would be stepping down with immediate effect. Bombardier has appointed Danny Di Perna in his place. Di Perna joined Bombardier in 2018 and has more than 30 years of industry experience.
Read: Bombardier Transportation President Laurent Troger Steps Down
UWC Subsidiary UNICON 1520 to Provide Tank Containers and Flat Cars to RusVinyl
Container transportation company UNICON 1520 has received an order to supply tank containers and flat cars to RusVinyl. RusVinyl is a joint undertaking between Russian company SIBUR Holding and Belgian company Solvay. The rolling stock will transport sodium hydroxide, which is used in the manufacturing process of paper, metal food and other goods.
Read: UWC Subsidiary UNICON 1520 to Provide Tank Containers and Flat Cars to RusVinyl
DB Arriva Wins Biggest Rail Contract in Czech Republic to Date
Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Arriva has won a contract to run four regional rail lines in the Czech Republic. Beginning in December 2019, this contract marks the largest DB Arriva has ever had in the country. The rolling stock for these lines will be refurbished DB Class 628.2 twin-car diesel multiple units.
Read: DB Arriva Wins Biggest Rail Contract in Czech Republic to Date
Czech Rail Companies RegioJet and Leo Express Carried 11.5 Million Passengers in 2018
RegioJet and Leo Express, two privately operated Czech rail companies, have seen an increase in passenger numbers. Together they provided services to 11.5 million passengers in 2018. Of these, RegioJet transported 9.7 million passengers, while Leo Express transported 1.8 million.
Read: Czech Rail Companies RegioJet and Leo Express Carried 11.5 Million Passengers in 2018
Infrastructure
OEBB to Invest 381 Million Euros in Styrian Rail Network
The infrastructure arm of the Austrian Federal Railways, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, says it will invest 381 million euros into Styria’s rail infrastructure. This money will go towards building and upgrading track, modernising stations, increasing safety at level crossings and towards climate-friendly mobility solutions. It will also invest in improving the state’s mobile phone and wifi connectivity.
Read: OEBB to Invest 381 Million Euros in Styrian Rail Network
Finland to Establish Limited Company to Participate in Rail Baltica Project
The Finnish government has decided to establish a limited liability company, Oy Suomen Rata AB, with a subsidiary, the Rail Baltica company, in order to participate in the Rail Baltica project. The Rail Baltica company will receive 2 million euros in funding. This investment marks a further boost to the rail project in the Baltics and to the development of core European transport networks.
Read: Finland to Establish Limited Company to Participate in Rail Baltica Project
