International Railway Journal back issues from November 2008:
Releasing rail's potential.(This month)
Nov 01, 2008; ... THIS month we report on the impressive turnaround in the fortunes of rail transport in Brazil. This is a good example of what can be achieved when a government changes its attitude to rail transport, and it is very encouraging to see that Brazil is not unique, as other countries are ...
Financial crisis stalls DB IPO.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE planned IPO of a 24.9% stake in German Rail's (DB) Mobility and Logistics subsidiary scheduled for October 27 has been postponed due to the continuing global financial crisis, and is unlikely to resume "in the foreseeable future," according to finance ...
Kashmir Railway inaugurated.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... INDIAN Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh has inaugurated the first section of the Kashmir Railway, which has been under construction since 2000. The isolated 66km section from Rajwansher to Anantnag has nine stations and will form part of the 117km line from Baramula to Qazigund, which will ...
RZD revenue breaks record.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) says its revenue in 2007, according to international financial reporting standards, increased by 15.7% to a record Roubles 1161 billion ($US 45.8 billion). Profit before tax for 2007 increased by 5.7% to Roubles 215 billion, and net profit rose by 3.6% to Roubles 145 ...
SNCF buys into Italian high-speed.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has taken a 20% stake worth an estimated 80 [euro] million in Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), which plans to be the first European open-access high-speed rail operator. NTV plans to launch services initially in ...
Angel Trains orders more Pendolinos for West Coast.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... LEASING company Angel Trains has signed a contract worth 1.5 billion [pounds sterling] for 106 coaches to strengthen the fleet of Pendolino tilting emus used on Britain's West Coast Main Line. The order will allow 31 trains to be lengthened from nine to 11 coaches, and includes four ...
Three vie for TGV contract.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THREE companies submitted their first bids for the concession to build and operate the Tours--Bordeaux TGV South Europe Atlantic line, which is due to open in 2016. Vinci, Bouygues, and Eiffage are all competing for the contract, which is ...
Turkish rail reform underway.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... LEGISLATION is going through the Turkish parliament to end the monopoly of Turkish State Railways (TCDD). The new law will separate infrastructure from operations and allow open-access operators for the first time. TCDD will become the infrastructure authority. A new freight and ...
Railpool buys its first locomotives and coaches.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... LEASING company Railpool has awarded Bombardier a 276 million [euro] contract to supply 58 Traxx electric locomotives. The BoBo locomotives are the first to be ordered by Railpool, which was founded in July as a joint venture between KfW-Ipex Bank and HSH Nordbank. Deliveries will begin ...
Australian infrastructure and transport minister Mr Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Mr John Brumby attended a groundbreaking ceremony on September 26 to mark the start of construction of the 5km Wodonga rail bypass.(Australia)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Australian infrastructure and transport minister Mr Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Mr John Brumby attended a groundbreaking ceremony on September 26 to mark the start of construction of the 5km Wodonga ...
Australian Rail Track Corporation has invited expressions of interest for a project to boost Hunter Valley coal capacity.(Australia)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Australian Rail Track Corporation has invited expressions of interest for a project to boost Hunter Valley coal capacity. The work ...
Austrian Federal Railways is to electrify the 34km Wulkaprodersdorf--Eisenstadt--Neusiedl line.(Austria)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Austrian Federal Railways is to electrify the 34km Wulkaprodersdorf--Eisenstadt--Neusiedl ...
The Argentine government is preparing to take the Belgrano Railway back under state control.(Argentina)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Argentine government is preparing to take the Belgrano Railway back under state control. The railway is currently operated ...
Infrastructure manager Banedanmark has rejected an application for four additional freight train paths between Germany and Sweden via the Oresund link on the grounds that there is insufficient capacity for new services.(Denmark)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Infrastructure manager Banedanmark has rejected an application for four additional freight train paths between Germany and Sweden via the Oresund ...
Estonian Railways (ER) has posted a profit of Kroons 42.3 million ($US 4.2 million) for the first half of 2008, but says it could end the year with a loss because of declining freight volumes.(Estonia)(Financial report)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Estonian Railways (ER) has posted a profit of Kroons 42.3 million ($US 4.2 million) for the first half of 2008, but says it could ...
NZ completes renationalisation.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE government of New Zealand completed the renationalisation of the country's railways on October 1, when the former Toll-owned operator, now called KiwiRail, and infrastructure manager Ontrack became separate operating units of the New Zealand Railways ...
Resignations follow fatal Hungarian crash.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... HUNGARIAN transport minister Mr Pal Szabo and Mr Miklos Kamaras, president of Hungarian State Railways (MAV), have resigned following a fatal collision between two passenger trains. Four people died and 26 were injured when a regional train ran into the back of a stationary ...
Construction starts on Russia-Korea link.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... CONSTRUCTION has begun of a 54km cross-border link between Tumangan in Russia and the North Korean port of Rajin. The project, which is estimated to cost $US 198 million, will connect the North Korean network with the Trans-Siberian Railway when it opens in 2011 and could eventually form ...
Poland launches ERTMS project.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... PKP Polish Railway Lines, Poland's track authority, is to invite bids this month for its first two European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) projects. One is for a full ERTMS Level 2 system including GSM-R radio on the 84km line from Legnica to Zgorzelec on the German ...
Australian court rejects BHP appeal.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THE Australian High Court has rejected mining company BHP Billiton's appeal to prevent iron-ore producer Fortescue Metals from accessing its Mount Newman line in Western Australia. Previous judgements have upheld Fortescue Metals' view that it should have access to the line to ...
US orders train control systems installation.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... INSTALLATION of Positive Train Control (PTC) on all US main lines where commuter and inter-city trains operate, as well as freight trains carrying hazardous materials, will be mandatory by 2015 following legislation passed by the United States Senate. Also approved was provision to invest ...
China to build northern section of Trans-Asian Railway.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THE government of the Chinese province of Yunnan and the Ministry of Railways (MoR) have reportedly agreed to invest Yuan 20.4 billion ($US 3 billion) in the construction of the northern section of the ...
Eurostar says passenger numbers on its high-speed services from London to Paris and Brussels increased 6.4% to 2.37 million in the third quarter of this year, despite disruption caused by the partial closure of the Channel Tunnel following a fire last month.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: EUROSTAR says passenger numbers on its high-speed services from London to Paris and Brussels increased 6.4% to 2.37 million in the third quarter of this year, despite disruption caused by the partial closure of the Channel Tunnel following a fire ...
VTG maintenance goes mobile.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... WAGON leasing company VTG, Germany, is to use mobile inspection teams to carry out some maintenance on its wagons in an effort to improve utilisation. The teams will inspect the ...
Alstom and Transmashholding to bid for Russian contract.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... ALSTOM and Transmashholding (TMH), Russia, have signed a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership that will include a joint venture to manufacture double-deck coaches for the Russian market. As part of the deal, which covers technical cooperation between the two ...
Hamburger Hochbahn-owned regional operator BeNEX has been awarded a contract to operate regional services on non-electrified lines in Upper Franconia from June 2011.(Germany)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Hamburger Hochbahn-owned regional operator BeNEX has been awarded a contract to operate regional services on non-electrified lines in Upper ...
The European Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for its review of the planned takeover of MAV Cargo by Austrian Federal Railways' freight arm Rail Cargo Austria, and GyorEbenfurth-Sopron Railway (GySEV).(Hungary)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The European Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for its review of the planned takeover of MAV Cargo by Austrian Federal Railways' freight arm Rail Cargo ...
The 62km Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli line in Tamil Nadu state reopened.(India)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The 62km Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli line in Tamil Nadu state ...
The Ministry of Railways has given the state government of Punjab approval to build new lines from Patti to Mallanwalan and Rama Mandi to Maur.(India)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Ministry of Railways has given the state government of Punjab approval to build new lines from Patti to ...
The Namibian government has approved a plan to extend the Tsumeb--Oshikango line 1km north across the Angolan border.(International)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Namibian government has approved a plan to extend the Tsumeb--Oshikango line 1km north ...
Trenitalia has begun test operation on the Milan-Bologna high-speed line.(Italy)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Trenitalia has begun test operation on the Milan-Bologna ...
The province of Trento has awarded Trenitalia a six-year contract to provide regional passenger services.(Italy)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The province of Trento has awarded Trenitalia a six-year contract to provide regional passenger services. The ...
DM&E acquisition gets green light.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE United States Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific's (CP) takeover of Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E). The acquisition could cost CP up to $US 2.5 billion. DM&E is the largest regional network in the ...
New line leads Copenhagen-Ringsted plans.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A NEW double-track electrified railway paralleling major roads around Copenhagen, Denmark, appears to be the most likely outcome of the long-planned Copenhagen--Ringsted capacity enhancement project. While adding a fifth track alongside the existing main line from just outside ...
Brenner track contract awarded.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A CONSORTIUM of Austrian companies, Rhomberg Rail Technology and Alpine Bau, has been awarded a 260 million [euro] contract to install track and other fittings on the northern feeder line of the Brenner Base Tunnel. The contract covers the 41km line from a junction with the ...
China starts work on Lanzhou-Chongqing line.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... CHINA has begun construction of an 820km line linking Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, with Chongqing. The double-track electrified line will be built for 160km/h ...
Ansaldo STS wins Turkish contract.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... TURKISH State Railways (TCDD) has selected Ansaldo STS as preferred bidder to design, build, test and commission signalling and communications equipment on two lines totaling 410km. The 126 million [euro] contract, which ...
German Rail (DB) will launch scheduled freight services between Germany and China from next February.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Caption: GERMAN Rail (DB) will launch scheduled freight services between Germany and China from next February. The twice-weekly Trans Eurasia Express will link Shanghai and Beijing with Hamburg and Duisburg via Russia, Belarus, and Poland, completing the ...
RZD mulls South Ossetia line.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THE Russian government has asked Russian Railways (RZD) to examine the feasibility of building a railway into the disputed region of South Ossetia, which was the subject of a war with Georgia in August. The line would run for around 140km through the Caucasus ...
Renfe, Spain, has started to take delivery of two new types of medium-distance train from CAF, Spain.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: RENFE, Spain, has started to take delivery of two new types of medium-distance train from CAF, Spain. The electric fleet consists of 2.4MW five-car articulated emus (above) comprising 23 broad-gauge trains, and 34 sets which will initially be ...
Amtrak sets passenger record.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... RISING passenger numbers on United States long-distance passenger operator Amtrak saw a new record set for the financial year 2007-08 of 28.7 million--an 11% increase over the previous year's total. Ticket revenues rose by 14.2% to $US 1.7 billion, and rising fuel prices, road ...
Swedish Tunnel hit by further delays.(News)
Nov 01, 2008 ... SWEDISH infrastructure manager Banverket says the troubled 8.5km Hallandsas tunnel in western Sweden will not be ready for traffic until 2015, three years later than previously scheduled and causing a cost overrun of SKr 800 million ($US 105.2 million). The tunnel is designed to ...
JR Central has increased its shareholding in rolling stock manufacturer Nippon Sharyo from 1.8% to 50.86%.(Japan)
Nov 01, 2008 ... JR Central has increased its shareholding in rolling stock manufacturer Nippon Sharyo from ...
The Dutch government has allocated 11 million [euro] for the development of a high-speed freight terminal at Hoofddorp, which would serve Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.(Netherlands)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Dutch government has allocated 11 million [euro] for the development of a high-speed freight terminal at Hoofddorp, which would serve Amsterdam ...
A new 3km freight line connecting Sloe harbour with the national network opened on October 6.(Netherlands)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A new 3km freight line connecting Sloe harbour with the national network opened on October 6 ....
Track doubling of the 15.2km Panadura--Kalutara line was completed in October.(Sri Lanka)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Track doubling of the 15.2km Panadura--Kalutara line was completed in October ....
Georgia Southwestern Railway (GSR) has been acquired by Genesee & Wyoming for a cash sum of $US 16.5 million and the assumption of $US 5.4 million debt.(United States)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Georgia Southwestern Railway (GSR) has been acquired by Genesee & Wyoming for a cash sum of $US 16.5 million and the ...
The Ministry of Transport says it hopes to open a 150-200km railway.(Vietnam)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Ministry of Transport says it hopes to open a 150-200km ...
Vietnam Railway Corporation (VRC) is now capable of building locomotives in its own workshops, according to CEO Mr Nguyen Huu Bang.(Vietnam)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Vietnam Railway Corporation (VRC) is now capable of building locomotives in its own workshops, according to CEO Mr Nguyen Huu Bang. VRC intends to ...
Final tubes sunk on Bosphorus Tunnel.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THE ambitious project to link the Asian and European sides of Istanbul reached a milestone on September 23, when the final undersea section of the Marmaray Tunnel was lowered into position. Over the last 16 months, 11 concrete tunnel sections, each weighing up to 19,000 tonnes, ...
Berlin tests first Flexity LRVs.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... BERLIN Transport (BVG) has started commissioning and testing its first 100% low-floor Flexity LRV, which was delivered from Bombardier's Bautzen plant in September. Four different designs (two bidirectional and two unidirectional) are being produced to meet the differing ...
Veolia orders Alstom emus for Bremen S-Bahn.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... VEOLIA Transport has awarded Alstom a 150 million [euro] contract to supply 36 Coradia Continental emus for the S-Bahn network in the German states of Bremen and Lower Saxony. The 160km/h trains will be formed of three or five vehicles and will be delivered in time for the start of the ...
Metro Madrid to lease trains from CAF.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... METRO Madrid has awarded CAF, Spain, a contract to supply and maintain 60 trains under a 17-year leasing agreement. CAF says the contract is worth 200 million [euro], around half the cost of purchasing the trains outright. Twenty-seven six-car trains will be built for Line 6, ...
Funding boost for Bart extension.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... SAN FRANCISCO Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has committed $US 91 million to help fund a $US 890 million 8.7km extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart) network from Fremont to Warm Springs. Construction is expected to begin in the middle of next ...
Mannheim mulls missing link.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A FEASIBILITY study has shown that a missing link in Mannheim's light rail network could be closed for between 70 million [euro] and 80 million ...
Thales to equip Bergen light rail line.(Transit news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... THALES has been selected to supply signalling, telecommunications, traffic control, and CCTV systems for the first light rail line in the Norwegian city of Bergen. Hanning & Kahl, Germany, and YIT, Finland, will ...
TransAdelaide is to refurbish 70 dmu vehicles over the next three years at a cost of $A 37 million ($US 25.6 million).(Adelaide)
Nov 01, 2008 ... TransAdelaide is to refurbish 70 dmu vehicles over the next three years at a cost of $A 37 million ($US 25.6 ...
Delivery has started of 14 six-car trains worth 120 million [euro] from CAF, Spain, for the Algerian capital's first metro line which is due to open in September 2009.(Algiers)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Delivery has started of 14 six-car trains worth 120 million [euro] from CAF, Spain, for the Algerian capital's first ...
The Swiss Federal Transport Office (BAV) has approved plans for a 1km extension of tram Line 8 from Kleinhuningen to Weil-Frieding on the German border.(Basle)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Swiss Federal Transport Office (BAV) has approved plans for a 1km extension of tram Line 8 from Kleinhuningen to ...
Alstom and Siemens have been shortlisted as potential suppliers for the planned three-line light rail network.(Brasilia)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Alstom and Siemens have been shortlisted as potential suppliers for the planned three-line light rail network. The first phase will be a Reais ...
Construction will begin next year on a dedicated light rail and bus bridge across the River Liffey.(Dublin)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Construction will begin next year on a dedicated light rail and bus bridge across the River Liffey. The 15 ...
Bids have been invited for the 40-year concession to operate the 9.2km Metro Line 1, and build a $US 280 million, 11.7km extension from Atocongo to Hospital 2 de Mayo.(Lima)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Bids have been invited for the 40-year concession to operate the 9.2km Metro Line 1, and build a $US 280 million, 11.7km extension from Atocongo to Hospital 2 de Mayo. Bidders include a consortium of Acciona, ...
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has asked the Department for Transport (DfT) to delay the public inquiry into the construction of a 6km extension from Gallions Reach to Beckton.(London)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has asked the Department for Transport (DfT) to delay the public inquiry into the construction of a 6km extension from Gallions Reach to Beckton ....
The London Assembly Transport Committee says budgetary constraints mean funding is unlikely to be granted for a 455 million [pounds sterling] light rail line across central London.(London)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The London Assembly Transport Committee says budgetary constraints mean funding is unlikely to be granted for a 455 million [pounds sterling] light rail line across central London ....
Tracklaying began in September.(Salvador (Brazil))
Nov 01, 2008 ... Tracklaying began in September on the 6.4km ...