Railway-News Industry Insider: 11 Must-Read Rail Stories for Week 44
The Railway-News Industry Insider for the week 29 October – 2 November 2018:
Europe
Stadler Presents New FLIRT Akku Battery-Operated Train
Stadler has presented its version of a battery-operated train, the FLIRT Akku, to the media at its Berlin Pankow site. It successfully completed its official inaugural run. Stadler says the range of the FLIRT Akku is currently 80km. The vehicle is to enter service on selected routes in 2019.
Read: Stadler Presents New FLIRT Akku for the First Time
ProRail to Play Key Role in Implementing ERTMS in the Netherlands
ProRail, which is part of NS Railinfratrust (RIT), the Dutch rail infrastructure owner, will play a central role in implementing ERTMS in the country. ERTMS will replace the current Dutch Automatic Train Control system (ATB) that has been in place since the 1960s. There are multiple benefits ERTMS will bring, including increased capacity, which is particularly important as the Dutch rail network is one of the busiest in the world.
Read: ProRail to Play Key Role in Implementing ERTMS in the Netherlands
Rolling Stock Manufacturer Newag to Supply 3 Dragon 2 Locomotives to PKP Cargo
Polish rolling stock manufacturer Newag S.A. has announced it has signed a contract with PKP Cargo in the presence of the Polish infrastructure minister for the supply of three Dragon 2 locomotives. These six-axle electric locomotives will be fully compliant with the Technical Interoperability Standards.
Read: Rolling Stock Manufacturer Newag to Supply 3 Dragon 2 Locomotives to PKP Cargo
Tram Train Enters Service Between Sheffield and Rotherham in a UK First
The first tram train – a rail vehicle capable of running on both tram lines and standard railway lines – has entered service in the UK. The primary challenge was to develop wheel profiles that could handle both types of track. This work was done by researchers at the University of Huddersfield.
Read: Tram Train Enters Service Between Sheffield and Rotherham in a UK First
European Coordinator Issues Statement on Rail Baltica Decision
Catherine Trautmann, the co-ordinator for the North Sea-Baltic TEN-T Corridor has issued a statement following the Rail Baltica Decision reached by the European Commission on 26 October. The decision contains key timings for the project, which is due to be completed in 2026.
Read: European Coordinator Issues Statement on Rail Baltica Decision
Berlin Tram Company Receives Two Skoda Transtech Artic Pre-Series Vehicles
Schöneicher-Rüdersdorfer Strassenbahn (SRS) has acquired two trams from Skoda Transtech. The first of the two Artic model trams was delivered on 24 October and will run on the SRS Line 88. This new order allows SRS to replace older rolling stock that has been in operation since the 1970s. The two trams it has purchased were previously in use in Helsinki, Finland.
Read: Berlin Tram Company Receives Two Skoda Transtech Artic Pre-Series Vehicles
Italy Launches High-Speed Rail Service for Freight: Mercitalia Fast
FS Italiane, which wholly owns subsidiary Mercitalia, a freight transport and logistics service provider in Italy and Europe, has launched a new Mercitalia service, a high-speed rail freight service, called Mercitalia Fast. It will begin on 7 November and according to FSI is a world first for the freight sector.
Read: Italy Launches High-Speed Rail Service for Freight: Mercitalia Fast
HS2 Embarks on Archaeological Works
High-Speed 2, the railway line that will connect London to the North of England, has announced that its archaeologists have started working on the largest archaeological dig in Europe. The will explore British history going as far back as 10,000 years along the 150-mile line. All in all more than 1,000 archaeologists will work in 60 archaeological sites, exploring Prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods as well as the Industrial Revolution and the Second World War.
Read: HS2 Begins Archaeology Work Exploring Over 10,000 Years of British History
Americas
Bombardier Appoints Elliot G. Sander President of Bombardier Transportation for the Americas
Elliot G. Sander will become the new president of Bombardier Transportation for the Americas starting 19 November 2018. His role includes overseeing the company’s sales and business development activities in the region. Elliot G. Sander replaces Benoit Brossoit in the role.
Read: Bombardier Appoints Elliot G. Sander President of Bombardier Transportation for the Americas
Africa
Transmashholding Acquires Rolling Stock Facility in South Africa
A subsidiary of Transmashholding, the largest rolling stock manufacturer in Russia, TMH Africa, has acquired a 45,000 sqm rolling stock facility in Boksburg, South Africa, from DCD Group. This follows an investment by the company in South Africa of approx 3 million euros in June 2018.
Read: Transmashholding Acquires Rolling Stock Facility in South Africa
Eurasia
Alstom Joint Venture to Manufacture On-Board Transformers in Kazakhstan
Electrovoz Kurastyru Zauyty (EKZ), a joint venture between Alstom (75%) and Transmashholding (25%), will begin manufacturing on-board transformers in Astana, with an estimated annual production of 300 transformers. This would make EKZ a central producer of on-board transformers for Alstom.
Read: Alstom Joint Venture to Manufacture On-Board Transformers in Kazakhstan
