International Railway Journal back issues from February 2003:
ETCS faces setbacks. (This Month).
Feb 01, 2003 ... WHILE European signalling equipment manufacturers are trying to market the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and the European Train Control System (ETCS) outside Europe as a universal solution to signalling and traffic control interoperability problems (see page 28), the ...
Shanghai airport maglev link officially inaugurated. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... CHINA's Premier Zhu Rongji and Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder officially inaugurated on December 31 2002 the Trans-rapid maglev line linking Long Yang Road station with Shanghai's Pudong International airport The inaugural maglev train reached its planned operating speed of ...
Brazil-Chile railfreight link proposed. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... NEWS of significant progress in e plan to reopen the trans-Andean rail link between Mendoza, Argentina, and Los Andes, Chile (IRJ January p2), has given added impetus to a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme to create a 1300km railfreight corridor between southern Brazil and Chile, via ...
Russian rail reform makes progress. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE reform of Russian Railways (RZD) came a step closer on January 14 when the Duma passed on the third reading a package of four bills relating to railway reform. The Ministry of Railways has started work on the legislation required to set up a joint stock company to run the rail network ....
India launches rail plan. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... INDIA's prime minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has announced a Rs 150 billion ($US 3.1 billion) five-year railway development programme. Vajpayee particularly mentioned three projects: * a Rs 9.2 billion mega bridge across the river Ganges between Munger and Khagaria in Bihar ...
Skoda and Bombardier cooperate. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... APPIAN Group, the US investment company which acquired Skoda Holding at the end of last year, has agreed to cooperate with Bombardier Transportation on the production of rolling stock and locomotives for eastern Europe. Bombardier Transportation will work with Skoda Dopravni Technika, the ...
Trans-Siberian railway electrification completed. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A CEREMONY was held on December 25 2002 at Ruzhino in the Russian far east to mark the completion of the electrification of the final 175km Sviyagino--Ruzhino--Guberovo section of the 9258km Moscow-- Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railway. "The line can now work as a unified ...
The first of Connex Trains' new X'trapolis trains has entered service in Melbourne. (World In Brief: Australia).
Feb 01, 2003 ... The first of Connex Trains' new X'trapolis trains has entered service in Melbourne. Alstom is supplying 58 ...
Network Rail. (World In Brief: Britain).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Network Rail (NR) has decided to undertake direct maintenance of a section of the Great Western main line, and says it may take over the maintenance of other areas of the network when opportunities arise in the future. The section concerned covers the main line from London Paddington via ...
Track-doubling has been completed on the 350km western section of the 576km Baoji-Lanzhou line. (World In Brief: China).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Track-doubling has been completed on the 350km western section of the 576km Baoji-Lanzhou line. The remainder of the line is due to be doubled by the end of this year. The total cost of the project is Yuan 10.9 billion ($US 1.3 billion). A trainferry service has been launched ...
Czech Railways. (World In Brief: Czech Republic).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Czech Railways (CD) has completed upgrading its 28km Otrokovice-Prerov and 27km Ostrava-Petrovice u Karvine sections, ...
Eurotunnel, the Channel Tunner operator. (World In Brief: Europe).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Eurotunnel, the Channel Tunnel operator, reported revenue of [pounds sterling]333 million from its passenger and freight shuffle services last year, representing an increase of 6% compared with 2001. Revenue from through-services operated by railway operators also increased by 1% to ...
Europe opens up railfreight. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE European Parliament last month adopted the Second Railway Package, a series of measures designed to further open up railfreight operations throughout the 15-nation European Union (EU). The first package, designed to open up the 50,000km trans-European railfreight network to ...
Saudis to signal railway. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... SAUDI Railways Organisation (SRO) invites tenders by June 30 to install signalling for the first time on its 1394km two-line network, plus a new telecommunications system. The winner will he required to design, supply, and install the equipment and to maintain it for two years. ...
Improved rail corridor mooted. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... IN another step to reduce the number of heavy lorries passing through Switzerland from 1.4 million a year to 650,000 by 2006, the Swiss transport minister, Mr Maurice Leunberger, has signed a memorandum of understanding with counterparts from the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy for an ...
Services cut to improve reliability. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... BRITAIN's Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has instructed a number of passenger operators to reduce train frequency on congested sections of the network to improve the reliability of services. About 100 trains a day will be withdrawn, mainly from the start of the summer timetable in May ....
TTX orders new wagon fleet. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE North American freight wagon leasing company, TTX, has ordered 500 freight wagons from Gunderson-Concarril, Mexico, at a cost of $US 35 ...
Swiss to improve international rail links. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE Swiss Federal Office for Transport (BAV) has approved funding for a SFr 1.2 billion ($US 843 million) package of measures to improve rail links with France and Germany, and build a rail connection to Euro-Airport serving Basle, Switzerland, Mulhouse, France, and Freiburg, Germany. ...
New block train initiative. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A NEW train concept for combining single freight wagons in a block train has been developed by ABX Logistics and Optimus for two national retail groups in Germany, Karstadt Quelle and Metro. The system is now being tested between Unna, near Dortmund, and Furth in Bavaria by a private rail ...
Brenner Rail alliance formed. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THREE European national railways have formed a new alliance called Brenner Rail Cargo (BRC) to improve rail-freight services on the 450km transalpine Brenner route between Munich, Innsbruck, and Verona and attract more freight from road. The railways are: German Rail (DB), Austrian Federal ...
IR calls electrification bids. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A $US 244 million project to electrify the entire 610km Israel Railways (IR) network gets underway in earnest next month with a call for tenders for the first electrification contract IR will complete its electrification master plan showing a detailed timetable and priorities ...
HS train tender launched. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... BRITAIN's Strategic Rail Authority(SRA) has issued a call for tender for the procurement and funding of 150 to 220 emu cars to operate new high-speed domestic services between towns on the Kent coast of southeast England and London St Pancras when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) is ...
UP improves performance. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... UNION Pacific Corporation, United States, the parent company of Union Pacific Railroad, has increased its profitability for the fourth year in succession. Net income for 2002 increased by 39% to a record $US 1.34 billion, compared with $US 966 million in 2001. Earnings for 2002 were based ...
Dutch merger. (World Report).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THREE Dutch government agencies that for almost a decade have held different responsibilities for railway infrastructure merged in January. The new organisation is called ProRail, which is responsible to, but at an arms length from, the transport ...
A nine-car locomotive-hauled passenger train operating between Hyderabad and Bangalore derailed. (World In Brief: India).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A nine-car locomotive-hauled passenger train operating between Hyderabad and Bangalore derailed, ...
Netherlands Railways. (World In Brief: Netherlands).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Netherlands Railways' (NS) president, Mr Ad Veenman, has told parliament that it will cost [euro]2.4 billion to clear an existing backlog of ...
Slovakian State Railways. (World In Brief: Slovakia).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Slovakian State Railways (ZSR) has completed electrification at 3kV ...
Transnet. (World In Brief: South Africa).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Spoornet is to receive an additional Rand 4 billion ($US 450 million) from parent company Transnet for investment to refurbish freight wagons and purchase new ones. The funding was approved following complaints by customers that ...
Uganda Railways Corporation. (World In Brief: Uganda).
Feb 01, 2003 ... The government has stated that Uganda Railways Corporation will be offered as a concession to private bidders by ...
Greenbrier appears to be recovering financially. (World In Brief: United States).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Greenbrier appears to be recovering financially in its North American market where its operations broke even during the first quarter of fiscal 2003, up to ...
The government plans to invest Dong 820 billion ($US 53 million) in rail infrastructure improvements this year. (World In Brief: Vietnam).
Feb 01, 2003 ... The government plans to invest Dong 820 billion ($US 53 million) in rail infrastructure improvements this year. International ...
Design Triangle, Britain. (World In Brief: Irish Republic).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Design Triangle, Britain, has produced a design for the fleet of 67 new coaches which CAF, Spain, is to build for Irish Rail (IE) at a ...
Asia Pacific Transport. (World Market: Australia).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Asia Pacific Transport has awarded a $A 60 million ($US 34 million) contract to EDI Rail to supply and ...
HSBC Rail. (World Market: Britain).
Feb 01, 2003 ... HSBC Rail is to finance Connex South Eastern's new fleet of class 375 Electrostar emus which have been ordered from Bombardier Transportation at a cost of [pounds sterling]330 million. The fleet of 57 three and four-car units and 36 five-car units will enter service on Connex's South ...
Canadan National Railway. (World Market: Canada).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Canadian National Railway (CN) has ordered 550 high-capacity freight wagons for carrying forestry products. CN will build 100 box wagons at its own Transcona workshops ...
Czech Railways. (World Market: Czech Republic).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Czech Railways (CD) has invited tenders to supply 20 three-system 6MW electric locomotives for operation on international corridors linking the Czech Republic with Germany, Poland, and Austria. The 200km/h ...
Lower Saxony Local Transport Authority. (World Market: Germany).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Lower Saxony Local Transport Authority (LNVG), Germany, has ordered a fleet of 40 double-deck coaches and eight locomotives from Bombardier Transportation at a cost of [euro]130 million. The contract includes maintenance for 15 years. The trains are due to be delivered from July this year ...
Irish Rail. (World Market: Irish Republic).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Irish Rail (IE) has invited bids to maintain and repair its fleet of dmus for a period of between 10 and 15 ...
Kazakhstan Railways. (World Market: Kazakhstan).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has ordered 150 locomotives from Shu locomotive works, ...
Luxembourg National Railways. (World Market: Luxembourg).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) has awarded a [euro]10 million contract to Alcatel to install its 6413 AlTrac/ETCS ...
Portuguese Railways. (World Market: Portugal).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Portuguese Railways (CP) is seeking to sell 22 metre-gauge ...
Bucharest Regional Transport Authority. (World Market: Romania).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Bucharest Regional Transport Authority (RATB) and Metrorex, the metro operator, are seeking an AFC system, based on ISO magnetic cards and contactless card readers. The system, which will be designed for both networks, should be installed within two years. ...
Slovak Republic Railways. (World Market: Slovakia).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Bids have been invited by Slovak Republic Railways (ZSR) to upgrade sections of track between Trnava and Nove Mesto nad Vahom to allow operation of 160km/h ...
Swiss Federal Railways. (World Market: Switzerland).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has awarded a [euro]117 million contract to Alstom and Bombardier Transportation for additional coaches and the conversion of 16 IC-2000 catering vehicles. The new coaches consist of 30 IC-Bt driving trailers and 21 IC-2000 second-class double-deck ...
Singapore MRT. (World Market: Singapore).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Singapore MRT is seeking bids to ...
Syrian Railways. (World Market: Syria).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Syrian Railways has invited bids to upgrade ...
Tunisian National Railways. (World Market: Tunisia).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Bids are invited by Tunisian National Railways (SNCFT) to supply 10 ...
Amtrak. (World Market: United States).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Amtrak has ordered new brake actuators worth $US 3 million from Wabco Transit for installation on its Superliner II fleet. * MotivePower, a subsidiary of Wabtec, has been awarded two contracts worth a total of $US 16 million to refurbish nine F59PHI locomotives operated by ...
France National Railways. (World Market: France).
Feb 01, 2003 ... French National Railways (SNCF) has placed a [euro]170 million order with Alstom and Bombardier Transportation on behalf of the Rhone-Alps and Lorraine regions for 25 TER2N NG ...
Tube lines unveils its plans. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... TUBE lines, a consortium of Amey, Bechtel and Jarvis, officially took over the JNP Infraco from London Underground on December 31 2002. This is the first of the three public-private partnership (PPP) contracts to be handed over. Tube lines plans to invest [pounds sterling]4.4 billion ...
The first train ran on the 8.3km Shahdara-Tis Hazari section. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Caption: THE Prime Minister of India, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee (right) and his deputy are pictured on December 24 2002 at the inauguration of Delhi Metro. The first train ran ...
First modernised recife train. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A CONSORTIUM headed by A Siemens and including Knorr Bremse, Equipfer, and T'Trans is working on a Reais 60 million ($US 17.7 million) contract to modernise Recife metro's fleet of ...
Metrolink announces preferred bidders. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... TWO consortia from a shortlist of four have been selected as preferred bidders for the Phase 3 single contract that will add 56km to Manchester Metrolink. They are Greater Manchester Tramways (Stagecoach, Alstom, John Mowlem, Edmund Nuttall, and Virgin) and Manchester Tram Company (Serco ...
Shanghai awards train contract. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... SHANGHAI Metro has placed a $US 76 million contract with Changchun Bombardier Railway Vehicles (a joint venture between Bombardier Transportation and Changchun Car Company) for 10 six-car trains for operation on Line 1. Delivery should start in June 2004 and be ...
New diesel-electric light rail cars. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Caption: TESTING of new diesel-electric light rail cars began on December 15 2002 on the 58km Southern New Jersey light rail line between Camden and the state capital, Trenton. The 100km/h double-articulated cars, built by Bombardier in Germany, have a central section housing a 417kW ...
Dart LRT reaches plano. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE latest extension to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart) light rail network, from Richardson to Plano on the Red Line, opened on December 7 2002. Dart officials expect daily ridership on the system to ...
Brazil invests in urban rail. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE Brazilian federal government will invest about $US 1 billion in metros and railways this year, with some additional investments coming from private railways and local governments. Investments in urban systems include: <Pre> Project Millions of ...
Barcelona orders metro trains. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... BARCELONA's Metropolitan Transport Authority, ATM, has awarded a [euro]290 million contract for 250 driverless Metropolis metro cars. Alstom will supply 86% of the vehicles with Ansaldo-Breda supplying bogies and auxiliary converters. The trains ...
Smart card covers 17 systems. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... AUSTRALIAN-BASED ERG and Northrop Grumman Information Technology; United States, have been selected by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to install and operate a new regional customer service centre for its SmarTrip smart card-based fare collection system. ...
Syria plans two metro networks. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... THE Syrian government has finalised studies for the construction of metros in the capital Damascus and the ...
The Changehun rolling stock company. (Transit News).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Caption: THE first train designed specifically for the first light rail line in the Chinese capital, Beijing, was due in operation on January 28 to mark the completion of the 40.8km line. The 80km/h air-conditioned train was built by the ...
Alexandria Public Transport Authority. (Transit Briefs: Alexandria).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Alexandria Public Transport Authority has called international bids by March 31 for eight to 10 double-articulated, bi-directional, 50% low-floor light rail vehicles for the El Madina ...
The Autonomous Government of Catalonia. (Transit Briefs: Barcelona).
Feb 01, 2003 ... The Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Spain, has called bids for the construction of part of Line 9 of the city's metro. The project is worth about [euro]963 million. The tender relates to parts 2 and 3 of Line 9, which will ...
A Sino-Swedish. (Transit Briefs: Beijing).
Feb 01, 2003 ... A Sino-Swedish joint venture for tunnelling construction was set up in December 2002 to bid for tunnelling opportunities associated with expansion of Beijing Metro. The new company, established by ...
Skoda Dopravni technika Plzen. (Transit Briefs: Brno).
Feb 01, 2003 ... Skoda Dopravni technika Plzen has won a contract to build ...