Rolling Stock Categories
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Automated People Movers (APMs)
Automated people movers (APMs) are driverless rail systems designed for short-distance, high-frequency transport. They are commonly used in environments such as airports, business districts, urban centres and large campuses. APMs operate on dedicated guideways and are fully automated, offering efficient and reliable passenger transport. This category features suppliers of APM vehicles, systems integration, and infrastructure support.
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Diesel Locomotives
Diesel locomotives are self-powered rail vehicles driven by diesel engines, either through mechanical, hydraulic or electric transmission systems. They are commonly used on non-electrified lines for both passenger and freight services. This category features suppliers of diesel locomotive manufacturing, refurbishment, leasing and component integration for mainline and industrial operations.
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DMU Railcars
Diesel multiple units (DMUs) are self-propelled trainsets powered by onboard diesel engines distributed across one or more carriages. They operate without the need for a separate locomotive and are commonly used for regional and suburban passenger services on non-electrified lines. Suppliers in this category offer DMU manufacturing, fleet modernisation, leasing and system integration.
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Electric Locomotives
Electric locomotives are powered by electricity drawn from overhead lines, third rail or ground-level systems. They are commonly used for high-speed, intercity and heavy freight operations on electrified rail networks. Electric locomotives offer high efficiency, lower emissions and reduced maintenance compared to diesel alternatives. This category includes suppliers of electric locomotive manufacturing, system integration and fleet support services.
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EMU Railcars
Electric multiple units (EMUs) are self-propelled trainsets powered by electricity, with traction equipment distributed across multiple carriages. EMUs are widely used for commuter, regional and high-capacity urban services on electrified lines. They offer fast acceleration, quiet operation and high energy efficiency. This category includes suppliers of EMU manufacturing, system integration, refurbishment and leasing solutions.
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Freight Vehicles
Freight vehicles are rail wagons used to transport goods and materials across the network. These include flat cars, box cars, hopper cars, tank wagons, refrigerated wagons and intermodal container carriers. Suppliers in this category provide freight wagon manufacturing, leasing, customisation and certification services. Solutions are available for bulk cargo, liquids, containers and specialised freight applications across national and international networks.
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Hauled Passenger Cars
Hauled passenger cars are unpowered rail vehicles pulled by a separate locomotive. They are used in long-distance, intercity and overnight services and can include standard seating cars, sleeping cars, dining cars and more. This category features suppliers involved in the design, manufacturing, modernisation and refurbishment of locomotive-hauled passenger coaches for mainline and international operations.
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High-Speed Trains
High-speed trains are purpose-built trainsets designed to operate at speeds typically above 250 km/h on dedicated high-speed lines. They feature aerodynamic designs, lightweight materials, and advanced traction and braking systems to maximise performance, safety and passenger comfort. This category includes suppliers of high-speed train design, manufacturing, certification, and system integration for national and international rail networks.
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Hydrogen Trains
Hydrogen trains use onboard fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electrical energy, offering a zero-emission alternative to diesel traction. They are ideal for non-electrified routes where electrification is not cost-effective due to low service frequency or speed. Hydrogen trains emit only water vapour at the point of use and contribute to decarbonising rail networks. This category includes suppliers of hydrogen-powered rolling stock, fuel cells, hydrogen storage systems and related traction technologies.
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Light Rail · Trams · Tram-Trains
Light rail vehicles (LRVs), including trams and tram-trains, are designed for urban and suburban passenger transport. Trams typically operate on street-level track within city centres, while light rail systems may use dedicated rights-of-way and operate in coupled trainsets. Tram-trains can run on both tram and mainline networks, bridging urban and regional travel. This category features suppliers of vehicle design, manufacturing, integration and modernisation for light rail systems.
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Metro Cars
Metro cars are electric multiple unit (EMU) vehicles used in high-frequency urban transit systems. Designed for rapid acceleration, quick boarding and short dwell times, they operate on dedicated tracks with third-rail or overhead power supply. Metro cars are optimised for high passenger capacity and frequent stops, making them ideal for dense city networks. This category features suppliers of metro car manufacturing, system design, refurbishment and rolling stock integration.
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Other Rolling Stock Vehicles
This category covers all types of rolling stock not captured by the other vehicle categories such as hybrid vehicles, BEMUs, maglevs and more.
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Powered Vehicles
Powered rail vehicles include locomotives and multiple units driven by electric, diesel, hybrid or hydrogen traction systems. These vehicles contain onboard power systems for propulsion and may operate individually or in consist formations. Powered vehicles are essential for both passenger and freight services, with suppliers providing complete rolling stock as well as components such as traction systems, drive units and energy storage solutions.
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Shunting Locomotives
Shunting locomotives, also known as switchers, are specialised engines used to move rolling stock over short distances in yards, depots and terminals. They are essential for assembling trains, repositioning wagons and handling last-mile freight operations. Typically designed for high torque at low speeds, shunters may be diesel, electric or hybrid powered. This category features manufacturers and suppliers of shunting locomotives and related technologies.
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Unpowered Railway Vehicles
Unpowered railway vehicles include passenger coaches, sleeper cars and other rail vehicles that do not have their own propulsion systems. These vehicles are hauled by powered locomotives and are essential components of many long-distance and regional services. This category includes suppliers of unpowered rolling stock, interior fit-outs and components such as bogies, couplers and braking systems.
Rolling Stock News
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Austin Contracts Stadler to Supply Light Rail Vehicles
Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has selected Stadler to supply the light rail vehicles for the city's first light rail line.
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Alstom Celebrates Introduction of New Urbanliner Tram in Berlin
Alstom has celebrated service entry of the very-first extra-long Urbanliner tram, which is now in operation in Berlin.
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All-New Bogie Drop Unveiled at Cardiff Rail Depot
A new £12 million bogie drop has been unveiled at the Canton rail depot in Cardiff to help maintain and service TfW's fleet of new trains.
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Sensing the City: How Frauscher Axle Counters Are Modernising Tramway Signalling Worldwide
Frauscher axle counters modernise tramway signalling worldwide, tackling debris, flooding and interference.
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Amtrak Celebrates Departure of Sixth Cascades Airo Trainset
Amtrak has announced that the sixth Cascades Airo trainset will soon arrive for testing along its journey toward the Pacific Northwest.
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First Fully-Automated Line 6 Metro Trains Presented in Madrid
The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has presented the first of 48 new automated trains destined for Metro Line 6.
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Siemens Mobility & Technis Partner for French Vectron Maintenance
Siemens Mobility and Technis have signed a partnership agreement to prepare local maintenance capabilities for Vectron operations in France.
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Who Could Operate California's High-Speed Trains? Keolis and SNCF Outline Their Role
Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs have outlined their operations and maintenance role in California's high-speed rail expansion.
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Amtrak Celebrates Service Entry of 13 NextGen Acela Trains
Amtrak has celebrated the entry of 13 brand-new NextGen Acela trains into active service on the Northeast corridor.
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The Future of US Passenger Rail Rolling Stock
The APTA Rail Conference explored a period of fleet renewal and the latest rolling stock technologies for the US passenger rail industry.
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ÖBB Retires Class 4020 Trains
ÖBB has officially bid farewell to the Class 4020 train, which has now been retired after its last day of service on the Franz Josef Railway…
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MTA Introduces R211 Subway Trains on New York City's D Line
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced the first R211A subway trains on New York City's D line.
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São Paulo Opens First Section of Line 6-Orange Metro Line
Commercial operations have commenced on the first section of São Paulo's Line 6-Orange metro, with trains manufactured by Alstom.
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Alstom Celebrates First Passenger Service of Perth Australind Train
Alstom has celebrated the completed delivery of the first of four Australind X trains for the Public Transport Authority of Western Australi…
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Gradall TrackStar Machines Handle Wide Range of Boston, Mass Railway Maintenance Jobs
LM owns six Gradall excavators, including a new XL 3300V model used for recent work on the MBTA Green Line.
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Škoda Group Wins Contract to Supply Trams for Uppsala
Skoda has won the contract to supply the trams for Uppsala's new tramway, a 17km tramway that is set to open in the Swedish city in 2029.
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The Human Factor in Emergency Evacuation
Safe-T-Punch: Human behaviour remains the critical variable in rail emergency evacuation, even as train technology becomes more automated.
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Škoda Group Celebrates Orders of Up to €1.8 Billion in 2025
The Škoda Group has released its business report for 2025, celebrating one of the 'most significant years in its modern history'.
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Private Investment Consortium Joins California High-Speed Rail Expansion Plans
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has signed a Co-Development Agreement (CDA) with Momentum Alliance Partners.
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Thameslink Begins £3.6 Million Fleet Refresh
Thameslink has celebrated the commencement of a major makeover of its 115-strong fleet, which is expected to improve passenger experience.
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Siemens Mobility to Supply 61 BEMUs to Westphalia
Siemens Mobility will supply the Westfalen-Lippe Local Transport Authority with a set of 61 battery-electric Mireo Plus B trains.
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New York: MTA Introduces R211 Train Cars on Rockaway Park Shuttle
New York's MTA has introduced R211A train cars on the Rockaway Park Shuttle, marking the fifth subway service to operate the new fleet.
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Škoda Presents Prague ForCity Plus 52T Tram in Wroclaw
Škoda has presented the new Prague ForCity Plus 52T tram alongside its brand-new anti-collision system technology in Wroclaw.
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Stadler and ARST Unveil World's First Narrow-Gauge Hydrogen Train
Stadler and Italian transport operator ARST have unveiled the world's first hydrogen-powered train designed for narrow-gauge railways.
