9 Must-Read Rail News Stories – Industry Insider for Week 8

All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 18–22 February 2019:

Policy

Rendering of the California High Speed train
Rendering of the California High Speed train (via CHSRA)

Trump Administration Defunds California High-Speed Rail Project

It is fair to say that California, a Democrat stronghold that leads the United States in terms of environmental policies, and the Trump Administration / Republicans are not on the same page. One such disagreement is now affecting the rail sector. The Trump Administration wishes to both prevent paying out federal funding already agreed to and try to get back 2.5 billion USD already paid out to the California High Speed Rail project because it doesn’t like it.

Read: Trump Administration Defunds California High-Speed Rail Project

Infrastructure

First Ever Track Possession in Milestone for Inland Rail Project

Inland Rail is a key infrastructure project in Australia that aims to construct a modern freight corridor between the cities of Brisbane and Melbourne. In addition to building new track, the project also requires upgrade works to existing track. Inland Rail has now seen a major milestone in that it has taken its first ever track possession.

Read: First Ever Track Possession in Milestone for Inland Rail Project

Chicago Red and Purple Lines to be modernised
Chicago Red and Purple Lines to be modernised © Daniel Schwen under licence

United States: Chicago Red and Purple Lines to be Modernised

Chicago, which has the fourth-longest rapid transit system in the United States, as well as the second-busiest after New York, is getting an upgrade to the Red and Purple Lines of its elevated “L” transit system. Some of these upgrades also include station works. Arcadis has been selected as the project manager for phase one of these works.

Read: United States: Chicago Red and Purple Lines to be Modernised

Rolling Stock

Swiss Federal Railways to Sell Four Re 446 Locomotives

Swiss Federal Railways (SOB), who purchased four Re 446 locomotives in 1994–1996 to run on the Voralpen-Express route between Lucerne and St Gallen, are selling them. The locomotive-hauled rolling stock will be replaced by new Stadler FLIRT ‘Traverso’ electric multiple units starting this summer.

Read: Swiss Federal Railways to Sell Four Re 446 Locomotives

Suppliers Needed for VIA Rail Fleet Replacement Programme

Canadian train operator VIA Rail is running a fleet replacement programme. For this it has contracted Siemens Canada. Now, Siemens is seeking suppliers who want to participate. In particular, the areas where suppliers are needed are electrical supplies, mechanical supplies, technical services and spare parts.

Read: Suppliers Needed for VIA Rail Fleet Replacement Programme

New Hitachi Class 385 Electric Train Deployed on Additional Routes

ScotRail has been introducing its new fleet of Hitachi Class 385 electric multiple units since July last year. It has now put another of these trains into operation. Passengers south of Glasgow will benefit from this new train, which will operate at peak times on weekdays. ScotRail has now put 31 Hitachi 385 trains into service so far.

Read: New Hitachi Class 385 Electric Train Deployed on Additional Routes

Transmashholding passenger car interior
Transmashholding passenger car interior © Transmashholding

TVZ to Ship 3,730 Passenger Coaches to Federal Passenger Company

Transmashholding subsidiary TVZ has signed a contract with Federal Passenger Company, which is wholly owned by Russian Railways. The order comprises 3,730 passenger coaches. These carriages will be of different types, such as double-decker cars and sleeper cars. Delivery will take place between 2019 and 2025.

Read: TVZ to Ship 3,730 Passenger Coaches to Federal Passenger Company

Bombardier and Akiem Unveil TRAXX DC3 Locomotive for Poland

In November 2018 Akiem signed a contract with Bombardier for 33 TRAXX 3 locomotives. Of these, 20 are TRAXX DC3 locomotives for the Polish market. The two parties have now unveiled this Polish TRAXX at a media event in the country. Bombardier manufactures all locomotive car bodies for its European and North American market in Poland. Akiem has also opened an office in Warsaw.

Read: Bombardier and Akiem Unveil TRAXX DC3 Locomotive for Poland

Alstom and Fundación ONCE
Alstom and Fundación ONCE © Alstom

Alstom Pledges Universal Accessibility in Transport

When we can’t get around a city, we are effective excluded from participating in civic life. These barriers are plentiful and affect many groups of people, from children to the elderly to those with physical and mental disabilities. Having recognised this, Alstom has pledged to make universal accessibility a key component of its transport solutions.

Read: Alstom Pledges Universal Accessibility in Transport

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