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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Stadler Unveils Vehicle Mock-Up as Part of VDV TramTrain Project
A 22-metre-long mock-up model has been unveiled of the VDV TramTrain that will operate in regions across Austria and Germany.
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Norway: Bane NOR Opens High-Speed Follobanen Line
Bane NOR has opened the Follobanen double-track high-speed line, which will half travel times between Oslo and Ski from 22 to 11 minutes.
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Kazakhstan: KTZ and Stadler Sign Three Long-Term Contracts
KTZ and Stadler have signed 3 long-term contracts for the supply of 537 coaches, maintenance and purchase of a local production facility.
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Škoda Trams Celebrate Their 25th Birthday
Škoda Group celebrates the 25th anniversary of its first tram, taking a look at some milestones over the years.
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NS Orders 60 Double-Decker Civity Units from CAF
CAF has signed a contract with Dutch national operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) for 60 double-decker Civity trains.
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Massachusetts’ Green Line Medford Branch Extension Opens
The Medford Branch of the Green Line Extension has entered service, following the opening of the Union Square Branch earlier this year.
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Switzerland: 38 Stadler TRAMLINK Trams to Expand Geneva's Network
Transports publics genevois (TPG) has contracted Stadler to supply 38 TRAMLINK trams in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Last of 360 Francilien Trains Commences Service in Paris
Île-de-France Mobilités has announced that the final electric Francilien train has now commenced service at Saint-Lazare station in Paris.
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ÖBB Begins Operating First Desiro ML in Vorarlberg Fleet
ÖBB has begun operating the first Siemens Desiro ML train in its new fleet for the state of Vorarlberg, Austria.
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Germany: DB Opens Wendlingen–Ulm High-Capacity Line
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is commencing service on the Wendlingen–Ulm high-capacity main line to improve connections between Stuttgart and Munich.
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Automation of Île-de-France Line 13 Gets Green Light
Île-de-France Mobilités’ board of directors has approved the modernisation and automation of Line 13. This will be completed by 2035.
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New High-Speed Rail Line Begins Operation in South China
The Nanning-Chongzuo section of Nanning-Pingxiang high-speed rail line went into operation in China on 5 December.
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Germany: Škoda to Supply an Additional 15 Trams for Cottbus
Cottbusverkehr GmbH (CV) has exercised the option to to order an additional 15 trams from Škoda Group for the city of Cottbus, Germany.
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Los Angeles Metro Approves Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Route
Los Angeles Metro has approved route for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, which will extend the Metro L (Gold) light rail line…
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Alstom Partners with Air Products to Bring Hydrogen Trains to Czech Republic
Alstom and Air Products have signed an MoU to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen trains in the Czech Republic.
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Germany: First DB ICE 3neo Enters Service Ahead of Schedule
DB has put its latest ICE generation train - the ICE 3neo - into service ahead of schedule thanks to a speedy delivery by Siemens Mobility.
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Jewers Open the Doors to the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Rumaillah Warehouse Equipment WLL has installed thirty sets of Swift-SEW automatic bi-folding doors for the new LRT depot complex in Qatar.
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Alstom to Supply an Additional 18 X’trapolis Trains to Irish Rail
Alstom has signed a contract with Irish Rail (IÉ) to supply an additional 18 five-car X’trapolis trains for the DART+ network.
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Rail is Old-Fashioned
RUBI Bahntechnik tackles the idea that existing rail systems are too old-fashioned, introducing work currently being carried out in Coventry…
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Additional CAF Units Ordered for Bonn and Budapest
CAF is to supply additional LRV and trams to the cities of Bonn and Budapest after the cities’ operators took up options for additional unit…
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Calgary Receives Mock-Up of New Green Line LRV
The City of Calgary has unveiled a mock-up of the new low-floor Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) that will operate on its Green Line.
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Kazakhstan Railways and Alstom Announce New Cooperation Agreement
Kazakhstan Railways and Alstom have announced an expansion of their partnership with the signing of a new cooperation agreement.
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Ireland to Purchase 90 Battery-Electric Train Carriages from Alstom
Ireland's Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has secured approval for IÉ to order 90 battery-electric train carriages from Alstom this year.
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CRRC Tangshan Exports 46 Passenger Trains to Pakistan
CRRC Tangshan has exported the first 46 broad-gauge passenger trains to Pakistan along with 169 cases of spare parts.
