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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Belgium: Alstom to Supply SNCB with 98 Additional M7 Train Cars
Belgian operator SNCB is exercising a contract option under a framework agreement signed in 2015 for 98 M7 train cars.
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Alstom to Provide Trains and Maintenance Support for Marseille-Nice Line
Alstom is to provide 16 eight-car Omneo Premium trains for the Marseille-Nice line that Transdev will operate from 2025.
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Greece: Attiko Metro Adds Citadis X05 Trams to its LRV Fleet
25 Alstom Citadis X05 trams have entered passenger service on Attiko Metro’s Athens and Piraeus network, having completed successful testing…
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Progress Rail, BNSF and Chevron Collaborate on Hydrogen Locomotive Project
Progress Rail, BNSF Railway and Chevron have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to demonstrate a hydrogen-powered locomotive.
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Reverse Train Traffic Starts on Moscow Central Diameter 1
Trains are now alternately running in both directions on the Belorusskaya – Savyolovskaya track of the Moscow Central Diameter 1 (MCD-1).
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Two New International Night Train Lines Launched in Europe
Two new Nightjet lines are launching, providing night-time rail travel between Vienna – Munich – Paris and Zurich – Cologne – Amsterdam.
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Alstom Signs Ten Year Agreement with Irish Rail to Replace and Expand DART Fleet
Alstom has signed a ten-year framework agreement with Irish Rail (IE) for up to 750 new X’trapolis commuter rail cars.
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BREAKING: Alstom and Hitachi Win HS2 Rolling Stock Contract
The contract to design, build and maintain the HS2 rolling stock fleet for Phase 1 London-Birmingham has gone to the Hitachi Rail-Alstom JV.
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10 New Stations Open on Moscow Metro’s Big Circle Line
Moscow Metro has opened a section of the Big Circle Line (BCL) in the south and west of the city, with 10 new stations.
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Parker Launches New Optimised FEM Quick Coupling Series
Parker Hannifin launches new optimised FEM Quick Coupling Series, offering an increased working pressure of up to 350 bar.
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SiC Semiconductor Trial on Siemens Mobility Avenio Tram Successfully Concludes in Munich
A trial using silicone carbide semiconductor technology in a Siemens Mobility Avenio tram in Munich has successfully concluded.
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E-Class Trams Begin Operation on Melbourne’s Route 58 this Month
Melbourne’s tram network is receiving a boost to its capacity as new E-class trams enter passenger service on Route 58 this month.
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Alstom and MOL to Explore Use of Hydrogen Technology on Hungarian Rail Network
Alstom has signed an MoU with oil and gas company MOL to explore the use of hydrogen technology for rail transport in Hungary.
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Transport for Wales Take Delivery of First Class 231 FLIRT Trains
Transport for Wales (TfW) has taken delivery of the first of 35 Stadler Class 231 FLIRT trains ahead of testing.
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IMA Dresden: The Heart of Our Test Benches
IMA Dresden explains how the heart of their test benches is the hydraulic system which is constantly supplying the test bench with oil.
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Hitachi to Acquire Bombardier's Contribution to the V300 ZEFIRO from Alstom
As part of Alstom's acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, the companies agreed to divest a number of assets, including the V300 ZEFIRO.
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Canada: Alstom to Overhaul GO Transit’s BiLevel Commuter Rail Cars
Alstom has signed a contract with Metrolinx to refurbish 94 BiLevel series VII commuter rail cars for GO Transit.
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Alstom and Liebherr Collaborate on Optimisation of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Alstom and Liebherr – Aerospace and Transportation SAS have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at optimising hydrogen systems.
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Japan: Hitachi to Produce Express Trains for Tobu Railway
Hitachi has been chosen to design and build a fleet of N100 express trains for Tobu Railway Company's Tokyo and Nikko and Kinugawa service.
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The New Silk Road is Booming for DB Cargo
A new DB Cargo subsidiary, DB Cargo Transasia, has been established in Shanghai due to the popularity of the New Silk Road rail route.
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CZ Loco Researches Hydrogen-Powered Locomotive
CZ LOKO is looking into the feasibility of building a hydrogen-powered locomotive. This has tentatively been named the HydrogenShunter 1000.
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Stimio: IoT Rail Compressor Monitoring Solution
Stimio explains how their Oxygen Solution makes it possible to analyse the behaviour of the different compressors installed on trains.
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Alstom Agrees to CAF Asset Transfer
Alstom has agreed to hand over its Reichshoffen production site and Coradia Polyvalent and TALENT3 platforms to CAF.
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IMA Dresden: Day 2 at the JEC Dach Forum
IMA Dresden are at the JEC Dach Forum in Frankfurt, discussing sustainability, e-mobility and thermoplastic composites.
