International Railway Journal back issues from February 2009:
The future for rail continues to look bright.(This month)
Feb 01, 2009; ... HARDLY a day goes by without yet more bad news about the world economy, whether it is another bank on the brink of collapse, or a major company entering into receivership or announcing job losses. To make matters worse, there is no shortage of economists, bankers, and journalists lining up ...
French economic revival plan heralds high-speed boost: the construction of four new high-speed lines in France is a key element of President Sarkozy's revival plan.(News)
Feb 01, 2009; ... FRENCH Rail Network (RFF) has published ambitious plans for a major expansion and upgrading of the railway network, the cornerstone of which is the construction of four high-speed lines totalling 699km at a cost of 13.4 billion [euro]. This forms part of President Sarkozy's ...
Switzerland to increase long-term investment.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE Swiss Federal Transport Ministry (BAV) is developing plans to invest SFr 12-21 billion ($US 8-14 billion) in the country's railway infrastructure between 2015 and 2040, in addition to the SFr 5.2 billion 2015-25 plan which is expected to receive parliamentary approval later this year. ...
Stimulus funds for US rail.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE UNITED States House of Representatives has approved a $US 825 billion economic recovery stimulus package, which includes $US 9 billion for public transport projects. This includes capital investment grants of $US 1 billion for new-start projects and $US 5.4 billion in capital ...
Crisis will not deter Indian investment, says Jena.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... INDIAN Railways (IR) chairman Mr K K Jena says the global economic crisis will have little impact on its investment plans, and that it will invest Rs 750 billion ($US 15.4 billion) on projects over the next five years. Jena visited Japan last month with Railways Minister Mr Lalu ...
Mining giant Rio Tinto has delayed work on a $US 371 million project to introduce driverless operation on its Pilbara heavy haul lines because of the global slowdown in demand for iron-ore.(Australia)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Mining giant Rio Tinto has delayed work on a $US 371 million project to introduce driverless operation on its Pilbara heavy haul lines because of ...
Latin American Logistics (ALL) has been granted preliminary approval to construct a 21km branch line serving the VCP paper mill near Tres Lagoas in Maranhao state.(Brazil)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Latin American Logistics (ALL) has been granted preliminary approval to construct a 21km branch line serving the VCP paper mill near Tres Lagoas in ...
The owner of the Canary Wharf office complex, Canary Wharf Group, is to contribute 150 million [pounds sterling] towards construction of the 500 million [pounds sterling] Isle of Dogs station on London's 15.9 billion [pounds sterling] Crossrail project.(Britain)
Feb 01, 2009 ... The owner of the Canary Wharf office complex, Canary Wharf Group, is to contribute 150 million [pounds sterling] towards construction of the 500 million [pounds ...
Four organisations have been shortlisted for stage two of the Crossrail tendering project.(Britain)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Four organisations have been shortlisted for stage two of the Crossrail tendering project. They include: Bechtel, Legacy 3 (a joint venture between ...
Mr Rick Haythornthwaite is the new designate chairman of British infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR).(Britain)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Mr Rick Haythornthwaite is the new designate chairman of British infrastructure ...
Royal Cambodian Railways (RCR) saw a 25% fall in revenues to $US 1.5 million last year as freight traffic declined.(Cambodia)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Royal Cambodian Railways (RCR) saw a 25% fall in revenues to $US 1.5 million last year as freight traffic declined ....
French National Railways' (SNCF) strategic development plan anticipates doubling the company's debts from around 4.5 billion [euro] to 10 billion [euro] by 2012.(France)
Feb 01, 2009 ... French National Railways' (SNCF) strategic development plan anticipates doubling the company's debts from around ...
Another record year for RZD.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... RUSSIAN Railways has posted record results for 2008, despite a decline in traffic in the fourth quarter caused by the global financial crisis. Freight volumes increased by 5% to 2.4 trillion tonne-km, while passenger numbers rose 1.2% to nearly 1.3 billion. Investment in major ...
Britain edges closer to high-speed rail.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... ASPIRATIONS for Britain's second high-speed line moved a step closer last month with the creation of a government-commissioned company to consider the case for a new line linking London and the West Midlands. The announcement by secretary of state for transport Mr Geoff Hoon ...
More double-deck emus for CFL and SNCF.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LUXEMBOURG Railways (CFL) and French National Railways (SNCF) have exercised an option to buy a further 14 TER 2N NG double-deck regional emus from a consortium of Alstom and Bombardier. The 82 million [euro] deal is the final option in a ...
Chinese rail business soars.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... PASSENGER and freight traffic on China's railways saw solid growth last year, with 1.46 billion passengers carried--an increase of 10.4% on 2007--and a 4.5% rise in freight traffic to 1442.4 billion tonne-km. ...
CN buys more EMD locos.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... CANADIAN National has awarded EMD, United States, a contract to supply 40 3.2MW diesel locomotives, with an option for 50 more. The SD70M-2 locomotives will be delivered early next year. CN already has 75 of the locomotives in service, with a further 25 due to be delivered this ...
United Group wins QR deal.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... UNITED GROUP (UGL), Australia, has been awarded a $A 78 million ($US 52.1 million) contract to supply 12 diesel-electric locomotives for Queensland Railways' (QR) Intermodal division. The 3.25MW ...
Peru's organisation for supervising investments in transport infrastructure of public use (Ositran) has denied Fetransa's request for a five-year extension to its concession on the Cuzco--Machu Picchu line.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PERU's organisation for supervising investments in transport infrastructure of public use (Ositran) has denied Fetransa's request for a five-year extension to its concession on the Cuzco--Machu Picchu line. It says that ...
New leasing company launched.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... BTMU Capital Corporation, United States, launched a new train leasing company last month called Beacon Rail. The company has offices in Britain and the Netherlands, and leases 15 class 66 and 12 ...
South Sumatra plans $US 1.1 billion coal railway.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... BIDS will be invited this year for the construction of a 270km coal railway in the Indonesian province of South Sumatra, according to governor Mr Alex Noerdin. The region currently produces around 11 million tonnes of coal per year, but mining companies say it is impossible to increase ...
GE signs Turkish Powerhaul MoU.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... GE TRANSPORTATION has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tulomsas, Turkey to assemble Powerhaul diesel locomotives for the European, Middle East and North African markets. GE will supply Tulomsas with technology and components to assemble the ...
DB awards huge double-deck coach contract.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... GERMAN Rail (DB) and Bombardier have signed a framework agreement worth up to 1.5 billion [euro] for the supply of 800 double-deck coaches. DB says the coaches will help it to bid for contracts to operate regional services, several of which will be tendered this year. ...
German Rail (DB) has submitted a planning application to the Federal Railway Office (EBA) for the first section of the Frankfurt--Mannheim high-speed line.(Germany)
Feb 01, 2009 ... German Rail (DB) has submitted a planning application to the Federal Railway Office (EBA) for the first section of the ...
Siemens and Thyssen Krupp have announced their intention to close the 31.8km Emsland Transrapid maglev test track in June, as both companies say they no longer have any interest in the project.(Germany)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Siemens and Thyssen Krupp have announced their intention to close the 31.8km Emsland Transrapid maglev test track in June, as both ...
Netherlands Railways (NS) international subsidiary Nedrailways has taken over German transport company Albellio.(Germany)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Netherlands Railways (NS) international subsidiary Nedrailways has taken over German transport company ...
Indian Railways (IR) carried 32.4 million tonnes more freight between April and November last year than in 2007.(India)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Indian Railways (IR) carried 32.4 million tonnes more freight ...
Indonesian Railways (PTKA) has announced profits of Rupiah 40 billion ($US 4 million) for 2007, despite forecasting a loss of Rupiah 57 billion.(Indonesia)(Financial report)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Indonesian Railways (PTKA) has announced profits of Rupiah 40 billion ($US 4 million) for 2007, despite forecasting a loss of Rupiah 57 billion. PTKA ...
Channel Tunnel passenger operator Eurostar saw passenger numbers rise 10.3% last year to 9.1 million, thanks largely to opening of the High Speed One line to London St Pancras.(International)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Channel Tunnel passenger operator Eurostar saw passenger numbers rise 10.3% last year to 9.1 million, thanks largely to ...
Lord Tony Berkeley will be the new president of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), succeeding Dr Luca Ronzoni of Nordcargo, Italy.(International)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Lord Tony Berkeley will be the new president of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), succeeding Dr Luca Ronzoni of ...
Adif allows freight access to HS lines.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... SPANISH infrastructure manager Adif says it will allow freight trains to operate on high-speed lines following a change in policy by the Development Ministry. The plan envisages the creation of a basic freight network encompassing both high-speed and conventional lines. Freight ...
Cologne--Antwerp electrification completed.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ELECTRIFICATION of the final section of the Cologne--Antwerp line was completed in December, when the 8km section between Gemmenicher tunnel near Aachen, Germany, and the Belgian border station at Montzen was energised. The 10 million [euro] ...
Four qualify for British dmu order.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... FOUR companies have pre-qualified for a projected 200 dmu car order for three British passenger franchises. Bombardier; CAF; CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Company, China; and ...
Kenya and Uganda to study standard-gauge link.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... KENYAN transport minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere says a $US 10 million feasibility study will be launched into the construction of a 550km standard-gauge line from the Ugandan capital Kampala to the Kenyan port of Mombasa. The Kenyan government will provide $US 8 million towards the cost ...
Russian Railways (RZD) has carried out a test run of its experimental 8.3MW gas turbine locomotive with a 10,000-tonne trailing load.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has carried out a test run of its experimental 8.3MW gas turbine locomotive with a 10,000-tonne trailing load. One section of the twin-unit locomotive carries the ...
Buenos Aires line goes underground.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... PLANS to put the Argentine capital's Once--Moreno line underground are moving closer with the award of a contract to build the first phase of the project. A consortium of Iecsa, Odebrecht, Comsa, and Gheila has won the contract, and covers the 9.2km from Caballito to Ciudadela. The section ...
Spanish passenger operator Euskotren has ordered 27 three-car dmus from CAF, Spain, worth 129 million [euro].(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: SPANISH passenger operator Euskotren has ordered 27 three-car dmus from CAF, ...
BLS to split functions.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE infrastructure of BLS, Switzerland, is to be split from operations as part of a government-inspired restructuring of the company. Ownership of the infrastructure will be vested in a new company, BLS Netz, with the national ...
CAF bids for Indian high-speed contracts.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... CAF, Spain, is bidding for five high-speed rail projects in India for which tenders are due to be issued later this year. The first contract is for a 250km line from New Delhi to Chanirgarh, while the ...
Pioneering high-speed train bows out in Japan.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE final Series 0 Shinkansen high-speed train made its last journey in Japan on December 14 last year. It marks the end of an era for the design, which pioneered the concept of high-speed rail, after 44 years in traffic. With a maximum speed of 220km/h, ...
Non-proportional damage.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Feb 01, 2009; ... Sir--Your editorial on the West Coast upgrade (IRJ January p2) was spot-on, but unfortunately ended with an unintended slip. You wrote "The money needed to maintain a railway must be in direct proportion to the loads and stresses put upon it. Failure to follow this simple rule leads to ...
CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company, China, launched the first of 500 9.6MW electric locomotives for the Ministry of Railways last month.(News)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company, China, launched the first of 500 9.6MW electric locomotives for the Ministry of Railways last month ....
Israel Railways set a new record for passenger traffic in November last year, with 3.26 million journeys made, a 16.6% rise on the same period in 2007.(Israel)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Israel Railways set a new record for passenger traffic in November last year, with 3.26 million ...
Korea's Land Ministry wants the high-speed line between Osong and Mokpo to be completed a year earlier than the planned date of 2017.(Korea)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Korea's Land Ministry wants the high-speed line between Osong and Mokpo to be completed a year earlier than the planned date of 2017 ....
Transport minister Mr Camiel Eurlings has rejected calls by some politicians for the construction of a new line from Breda to Utrecht.(Netherlands)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Transport minister Mr Camiel Eurlings has rejected calls by some politicians for the construction of a new line from Breda to Utrecht. ...
German Rail-owned freight operator Euro Cargo Rail (ECR) is the first company to operate freight traffic in Spain without Spanish involvement.(Spain)
Feb 01, 2009 ... German Rail-owned freight operator Euro Cargo Rail (ECR) is the first company to operate freight ...
Approval for full operation of the Lotschberg base tunnel was granted in December last year.(Switzerland)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Approval for full operation of the Lotschberg base tunnel was granted in December last year. Following extensive proving ...
CSX reported a 4% rise in fourth-quarter revenues compared with the same period in 2007 to $US 2.7 billion.(United States)(Financial report)
Feb 01, 2009 ... CSX reported a 4% rise in fourth-quarter revenues compared with the same period in 2007 to $US 2.7 billion ....
Amsterdam freight tram operator calls in receivers.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE future of a project to introduce freight trams in Amsterdam is in doubt after concessionaire City Cargo Amsterdam went into receivership. Receiver Mr Joris Lensink said he would know by the end of last month whether it will be possible to restart the ...
Mexico City extends suburban Line 1.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE final section of Mexico City's Buenavista--Cuauticlan Suburban Line 1 was inaugurated in early January. The 27km line, which was built by CAF, Spain, runs between the Federal District and Mexico State. The last 5km section between Lecheria and Cuauticlan, was officially ...
Munich proposes new metro line.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... MUNICH'S municipal government has put forward the construction of a new metro line as a means of providing the city's public transport network with much-needed additional capacity. Line U9 would be a branch running beneath the city centre from a junction with the existing Line ...
Hanoi metro construction to start soon.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Construction of Hanoi's first metro line will begin in the first quarter of this year, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport. The $US 552 million, line from Cat Linh to Ha Dong is being built with the help of a $US 419 million loan from the Chinese government. The ...
Federal funding for Dulles Rail.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE outgoing United States transportation secretary Mrs Mary Peters has approved $US 900 million in Federal funding for the extension of the Washington Metro Silver Line from Falls Church to Tysons Corner, Dulles International Airport and Loudon ...
Systra and PB win Hyderabad contract.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... SYSTRA and Parsons Brinkerhoff have been selected by the Maytas Metro consortium to carry out engineering design and project management on the Rs 121.3 billion ($US 2.47 billion) network. The 71km network will consist of three elevated lines with 66 stations and will be ...
Docklands Light Railway opens Woolwich Arsenal extension.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MAYOR of London Mr Boris Johnson has officially inaugurated the 180 million [pounds sterling] extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Woolwich Arsenal. The 2.5km extension runs in twin-bore tunnels from the east end of King George V station and ...
Liege plans first light rail line.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE government of the Belgian region of Wallonia has unveiled plans to build the city's first light rail line. The 14.5km line would run east-west from Jemeppesur-Meuse to Herstal ...
Commercial operation on the first light rail line in Phoenix, Arizona, began on December 27.(Transit news)
Feb 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: COMMERCIAL operation on the first light rail line in Phoenix, Arizona, began on December 27. The 32km line from Tri-City to the city centre and Christown has 28 stations and cost $US 1.4 billion to build. Phoenix Metro expects to carry ...
Ch Karnchang, Thailand, has been awarded the Baht 16.7 billion ($US 480 million) civil works contract for the 12km section of the metro Purple Line from Taopoon to Rama III Bridge.(Bangkok)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Ch Karnchang, Thailand, has been awarded the Baht 16.7 billion ($US 480 million) civil works contract for the 12km section of the metro Purple Line from Taopoon to Rama ...
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reduced the budget for civil works on the Bang Sue--Rangsit section of the Red Line from Baht 55 billion to Baht 44 billion.(Bangkok)
Feb 01, 2009 ... State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reduced the budget for civil works on the Bang Sue--Rangsit section of the Red Line from Baht 55 billion to Baht 44 billion. SRT ...
The 1.3km extension of metro Line A from Primera Junta to Carabobo was officially opened on December 22.(Buenos Aires)
Feb 01, 2009 ... The 1.3km extension of metro Line A from Primera Junta to Carabobo was officially opened on December 22. However, operator Metrovias must get government approval of the new signalling ...
Eleven years after construction began on the city's first metro line, Metrofor is to invite bids this month for the construction of the final section of the South Line.(Fortaleza)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Eleven years after construction began on the city's first metro line, Metrofor is to invite bids this month for the construction of the final section of the South ...
Tram operator ZKM was expected to invite tenders by the end of January for the supply of 35 low-floor LRVs worth more than 60 million [euro].(Gdansk)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Tram operator ZKM was expected to invite tenders by the end of January for the supply of ...
Metro Guangzhou has awarded CSR Zhuzhou a $US 178 million contract to supply Type B metro cars for the extension of Line 3.(Guangzhou)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Metro Guangzhou has awarded CSR Zhuzhou a $US 178 million contract to supply Type ...
Eastern Communication, China, has been awarded a Yuan 488 million ($US 71.4 million) contract.(Hangzhou)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Eastern Communication, China, has been awarded a Yuan 488 million ($US 71.4 ...
The Philippine National Economic and Development Authority says investors in metro line MRT 7 have yet to achieve financial closure for the $US 1.2 billion project.(Manila)
Feb 01, 2009 ... The Philippine National Economic and Development Authority says investors in metro line MRT 7 have yet to achieve financial closure ...