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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Bombardier to Supply 27 OMNEO Premium Trains to Normandy
Bombardier has received an order from SNCF on behalf of Normandy to supply an additional 27 OMNEO Premium double-decker EMUs.
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China-Europe Mail Growth Sector for Rail Freight
UTLC Eurasian Rail Alliance says it has seen an increase in mail trains from China to Europe as a result of the restrictions on air freight.
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Stadler ETCS Solution Gets First Homologation
Stadler's GUARDIA European Train Control System (ETCS) has received its first homologation, namely for its FLIRT trains for Poland.
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New Rail Link through the Alps to Open Fully in December
The New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA), which consists of two north-south axes through Switzerland, will open fully in December.
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First APM for Bangkok’s Gold Line Arrives in Thailand
The first automated people mover (APM) for Bangkok's Gold Line arrives in Thailand. It was manufactured by a Bombardier JV in China.
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UWC Completes Box Car Supply for Kuchukterminal
UWC has completed its supply of 100 box cars for logistics company Kuchukterminal, raising its fleet to 220 box cars.
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Porterbrook Receives Funding for Emissions Reduction Technology
Rolling stock company Porterbrook has been awarded 400k in funding for a trial fit of emissions reduction technology on Class 170 DMUs.
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Transfesa Logistics to Renew European Container Fleet
Transfesa Logistics, a freight operator majority-owned by Deutsche Bahn, is renewing its European container fleet.
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Hitachi Begins Manufacturing East Coast Trains Order
Hitachi begins manufacturing the 5 Class 803 EMUs in its East Coast Trains order. The trains will run on the East Coast Main Line from 2021.
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Eurofima Provides €80m Financing to DSB
Eurofima is making 80 million euros in funding available to DSB – Danish State Railways – for the purchase of Siemens Vectron locomotives.
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20 Additional Capricorn Trains for RhB
Swiss train operator has received the go-ahead to order an additional 20 Capricorn EMUs from Stadler in addition to the original 36.
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The First New Class 701 Train Arrives for SWR
The first Bombardier Aventra Class 701 for South Western Railway (SWR) has been delivered from Derby. The total order is for 90 trains.
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Rail Dismay: Toll Exemption for LNG Lorries Goes Ahead
Competitive railway undertakings and rail advocacy groups have expressed dismay at the Bundesrat support for the LNG toll exemption.
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Rail Freight Punctuality Soars During Covid Crisis
Rail freight punctuality has increased from 60 percent to 80–90 percent during the coronavirus crisis due to greater network availability.
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Trade Activity to Urbanization, Trends Driving the Future of Rail Industry
The transportation sector is one of the pillars of our modern world. This article spotlights trends impacting the future of the rail industr…
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UWC Signs Tank Car Contract with Slavneft-YANOS
UWC has signed a contract with Russian oil refinery Slavneft-YANOS for the supply of tank cars for transporting molten sulphur.
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Skoda Delivers ForCity Smart Artic Tram to Germany
Skoda has received homologation for its third ForCity Smart Artic tram for the town of Schöneiche, Germany. It was manufactured in Finland.
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New Coradia LINT Fleet to Enter Service in Bavaria
The new Alstom Coradia LINT fleet is due to enter service in Bavaria from 14 June, following the order signing in December 2018.
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Alstom Partners with Snam to Bring Hydrogen Technology to Italy
Alstom has partnered with energy infrastructure company Snam to bring hydrogen trains to Italy as one of the solutions for greening transpor…
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Plea to Bundesrat: Review Lorry Toll Exemption
After the German government moved ahead with an ongoing exemption to the lorry toll, rail groups have asked the Bundesrat for help.
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Extra Rail Freight Services to Anticipate Low Water Levels
Rail freight operator Lineas is putting on extra services to anticipate low water levels which previously have prevented barge transports.
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DB Regio Supports Abellio in Operating New RRX Services
DB Regio will support Abellio in operating the RE 1 services in Germany, before Abellio will run full RRX trains in December 2020.
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RS-Trans Orders 25 Tank Cars from UWC
RS-Trans has ordered 25 tank cars from UWC for the transportation of sulphuric acid. The model 15-9545 tank cars have 25t axle load bogies.
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Bulgarian State Railways Orders 10 Siemens Smartron Locomotives
Bulgarian State Railways has ordered ten 25kV AC Smartron locomotives from Siemens Mobility, for delivery between February and May 2021.
