International Railway Journal back issues from May 2009:
New managers face major challenges.(This month)
May 01, 2009; ... TWO of the world's major railway institutions, German Rail (DB) and the International Union of Railways (UIC), are starting afresh with new top managers being appointed in the wake of serious internal problems. In both cases, the new managers face major challenges to repair the damage ...
Spying scandal brings Mehdorn era to a close: Hartmut Mehdorn has transformed German Rail (DB) over the last decade from a struggling national railway to a successful international company ready for a stock exchange flotation. But allegations that senior DB managers spied on thousands of workers has led to his resignation, as Keith Barrow explains.(News extra)
May 01, 2009; ... AFTER a decade at the helm of Europe's largest railway, the manner of Mr Hartmut Mehdorn's ignominious departure from German Rail could not contrast more starkly with the remarkable transformation over which he presided. Mehdorn (pictured right), whose contract ran until 2011, ...
UIC appoints new management team.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE General Assembly of the International Union of Railways (UIC) elected a new management team on March 31 to bring to an end an internal crisis which resulted in the appointment of an administrator, who has run the organisation for nearly a year. ...
Vietnam invests in rail upgrades.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... VIETNAM Railway Corporation (DSVN) is to invest heavily in upgrading railways across the country. The biggest project will see investment of Dong 4 trillion ($US 235 million) replacing timber sleepers with concrete sleepers on the Vinh--Nha Trang line, with Dong 2.55 trillion ...
UAE establishes railway company.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Services has approved a bill to create a company to run the 800km railway that will link the seven kingdoms of the UAE. The government-owned Union Railway Company will oversee construction of the line from Ghuweifat on the Saudi ...
Rotterdam Harbour branch ETCS for December?(News)
May 01, 2009 ... COMPLETION of electrification and installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 on the Rotterdam Harbour branch in the Netherlands is due in December--three years later than planned. Two-hundred trains a week now run on the branch, but the recession means this is ...
New Tibet railway planned.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... A 174km, 160km/h railway is to be built between the Gannan Tibetan Prefecture in northwestern China's Gansu province to ...
SBB reveals positive 2008 results.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) reported positive results for 2008, with its passenger business continuing to perform well, and its freight operation cutting its deficit significantly. Total revenues were SFr 7.98 billion ($US 6.87 billion), a 4.1% ...
Freight to run on British HS line.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... FREIGHT trains are set to operate on the London St Pancras--Channel Tunnel high-speed line after agreement was reached between its operating company, HS1, and DB Schenker. DB Schenker, Britain's largest railfreight operator, has obtained Marco Polo funding from the European ...
Mer Mec unveils tunnel gauging system.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... MER MEC unveiled a high-performance tunnel inspection system at the Association of German Railway Engineers (VDEI) International Exhibition of Permanent Way Technology (IAF) on April 21. T-Sight 5000 is a high-resolution clearance profiling system capable of recording detailed ...
Queensland Rail (QR), Australia, has taken delivery of a rail grinder claimed to be the most powerful in the southern hemisphere.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: QUEENSLAND Rail (QR), Australia, has taken delivery of a rail grinder claimed to be the most powerful in the southern hemisphere. The grinder, supplied by ...
After three preliminary studies, approval has been given to the 450 million [euro] upgrade of the Alger--Tiz Ouzou line.(Algeria)
May 01, 2009 ... After three preliminary studies, approval has been given to the 450 million [euro] upgrade of the Alger--Tiz Ouzou line ....
Argentina's new infrastructure manager, renamed Adif, has published its first request for bids.(Argentina)
May 01, 2009 ... Argentina's new infrastructure manager, renamed Adif, has published its first request for bids. It is seeking bids ...
A new 13.7km double-track line was commissioned by Queensland Rail to replace a speed-restricted single-track section between Caboolture and Beerburrum on the North Coast Line.(Australia)
May 01, 2009 ... A new 13.7km double-track line was commissioned by Queensland Rail to replace a speed-restricted single-track section between Caboolture and Beerburrum ...
QR is to double a 105km section of the Coppabella--Burngrove line linking the Goonyella coalfields with the Central Line and Blackwater coal network.(Australia)
May 01, 2009 ... QR is to double a 105km section of the Coppabella--Burngrove line linking the Goonyella coalfields with the Central Line and Blackwater coal network. Laing ...
The breakthrough on the Raingruben tunnel at St Polten, on the Vienna--St Polten line, took place in March.(Austria)
May 01, 2009 ... The breakthrough on the Raingruben tunnel at St Polten, on the Vienna--St Polten ...
Construction of the 1490km West-East railway is to start in August.(Brazil)
May 01, 2009 ... Construction of the 1490km West-East railway is to start in August. The line ...
Office of Rail Regulation.(Britain)
May 01, 2009 ... Mrs Anna Walker has been named as the new chairman elect of the Office of Rail ...
Obama commits USA to high-speed rail.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PRESIDENT Barack Obama committed the United States to a long-term programme of high-speed rail expansion on April 16 with the announcement of $US 13 billion of government funding over five years. At a press conference, Obama said: "What we're ...
Israel Railways traffic grows.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... PASSENGER volumes on Israel Railways (IR) grew by 7.5% in 2008, with revenues increasing at a faster rate of 23%. The growth is credited to the opening of new stations, rising traffic on the new line to Modi'in, cutting the need to change trains at Beit-Shemesh on the Tel ...
EC plans freight improvements.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... THE European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and Association of the European Rail Industry (Unife) have welcomed proposals by the European Commission (EC) to create trans-European corridors on which greater priority in path allocation and traffic management will be given to certain ...
GE celebrates locomotive milestone in Kazakhstan.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... GE Transportation is celebrating the completion of its 3000th Evolution Series diesel-electric locomotive with the delivery of the 10th in an order for 310 locomotives for Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ). The Evolution Series locomotives have all been manufactured at GE's plant in Erie, United ...
New Spain--Portugal freight service starts.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RENFE, Spain, and Portuguese Railways (CP) have launched a new cross-border freight service from the Portuguese ports of Lisbon, Leixoes, Setubal, and Sines to destinations in Spain. The thrice-weekly train, named Iberian Link, serves Madrid ...
Thales wins Saudi N-S deal.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... THE 340 million [euro] contract to install European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling on Saudi Arabia's 2400km North-South line has been won by a consortium of Thales and Saudi Binladin Group. Thales says this is the largest single installation of ETCS in the world. Two ...
JR East plans record investment.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... JR East, Japan, plans to raise its capital investment by 6% to Yen 360 billion ($US 3.67 billion) in financial year 2009 the highest level since its privatisation in 1987. Safety enhancements will form the bulk of the investment, with JR East planning improvements to bridges to ...
Jordan to build 1600km railway.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... JORDAN plans to start construction next year of a 1600km railway running from the Syrian border via the capital Amman to the Red Sea port of Aqaba with links to the Iraqi and Saudi borders. The project, which is due for completion in 2013, will cost Dinars 4.5 billion ($US 6.4 billion) ....
Alstom and Vossloh Spain have delivered their 100th single-cab diesel locomotive to French National Railways (SNCF).(News)
May 01, 2009 ... Caption: ALSTOM and Vossloh Spain have delivered their 100th single-cab diesel locomotive to French National Railways (SNCF) ....
Construction of the 124km Bazhong--Dazhou line will start before the end of the year.(China)
May 01, 2009 ... Construction of the 124km Bazhong--Dazhou line will start before the end of the ...
Four second-hand dmus bought from Spain arrived in Costa Rica last month.(Costa Rica)
May 01, 2009 ... Four second-hand dmus bought from Spain arrived in Costa Rica last month. The trains will be used on the ...
The International Union of Railways (UIC) says passenger traffic rose around the world last year, with growth of 10.8% in India, 7% in China, 3.9% in Europe, 2.4% in Japan, and 1.2% in Russia.(International)
May 01, 2009 ... The International Union of Railways (UIC) says passenger traffic rose around the world last year, with growth of 10.8% in India, 7% in China, 3.9% in Europe, 2.4% in Japan, ...
Syrian Railways (CFS) has launched a new service between Aleppo and Mersin, Turkey.(International)
May 01, 2009 ... Syrian Railways (CFS) has launched a new service between Aleppo and Mersin, Turkey. It plans to launch a further ...
Passenger numbers on JR Central's Tokyo--Osaka Shinkansen fell by 10% in February compared with the same month in 2008.(Japan)
May 01, 2009 ... Passenger numbers on JR Central's Tokyo--Osaka Shinkansen fell by 10% in February ...
JR Central is to invest $US 1.25 billion this year on high-speed trains and magnetic levitation technology.(Japan)
May 01, 2009 ... JR Central is to invest $US 1.25 billion this year on high-speed trains and ...
Transport minister Mr Camiel Eurlings and infrastructure manager Prorail have announced a 140 million [euro] investment package.(Netherlands)
May 01, 2009 ... Transport minister Mr Camiel Eurlings and infrastructure manager Prorail have announced a 140 million [euro] ...
Time runs out for DSB's troubled dmu fleet.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... DANISH State Railways (DSB) could annul a DKr 5 billion ($US 877 million) contract with Ansaldo-Breda this month if the Italian manufacturer fails to ensure the delivery of 14 IC4 dmus for intercity services. The first of the trains was due to be delivered in 2003, with the entire fleet of ...
PKP set for 1.2 billion [euro] state support.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... THE Polish government is to provide Polish State Railways (PKP) with 1.22 [euro] billion over the next three years in a bid to support the railway during the recession. Without the state aid, there are concerns PKP may not survive the recession: its freight arm, PKP Cargo, has ...
Sweden liberalises passenger market.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... OPEN-ACCESS operators will be allowed to run domestic intercity passenger services in Sweden from October 2010, according to the country's infrastructure minister Mrs Asa Torstensson. A proposal submitted by the ministry to parliament last month would allow the liberalisation process to ...
Delays for Argentine HS?(News)
May 01, 2009 ... ARGENTINA's plans for a high-speed line between Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Cordoba could be postponed because of financing difficulties caused by the global recession. The ...
IR misses freight targets.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... INDIAN Railways (IR) fell short of its 2008-09 freight target by 17 million tonnes, carrying 833 million tonnes over the period. The figure is still almost 40 million tonnes more than was carried in 2007-08, but IR blames the economic slowdown for the decline in ...
China orders 100 high-speed trains.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... CHINA'S Ministry of Railways (MoR) has placed an order for 100 high-speed CRH trains from a Chinese joint venture in a deal worth around Yuan 29.2 billion ($US 5.74 billion). The 350km/h trains will be built by CNR subsidiaries Tangshan Railway Vehicles, Changchun Railway Vehicles, and the ...
Nigerian rail funding is slashed.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... THE Chinese government is to cut proposed funding for rail projects in Nigeria from 1.8 billion [euro] to 370 [euro]] million. It means the Nigerian government now has a major ...
JV to build Azerbaijan--Iran link.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... RUSSIAN Railways (RZD), Iranian Islamic Republic Railways (RAI), and Azerbaijan Railway (ADDY), have agreed to form a joint venture that will be responsible for constructing the 350km line from Qazvin, northwest of Tehran, to Rasht and the Caspian Sea port of Astara in Azerbaijan. ...
TNR deals near completion.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... BRAZIL's Transnortheastern Logistics (TLSA), the former Northeastern Railway, signed the last of a series of contracts needed to obtain full funding for the 1728km Transnortheastern railway (TNR) in April. The railway, which will run from Suape to ...
EMD shows Transnet diesel.(News)
May 01, 2009 ... EMD, United States, and Transnet Rail Engineering, South Africa, unveiled the first of 50 new 2.23MW diesel locomotives for freight services last month. The class 39-200 locomotives are the first new diesel locomotives delivered to Transnet Rail ...
Panama Canal Railway Company transported 7.8 million tonnes of freight in 2008, a 4 million tonne increase on 2007's figure.(Panama)
May 01, 2009 ... Panama Canal Railway Company transported 7.8 million tonnes of freight in 2008, a 4 million tonne ...
The general manager of Slovenian Railways (SZ), Mr Tomasz Schara, has resigned.(Slovenia)
May 01, 2009 ... The general manager of Slovenian Railways (SZ), Mr ...
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has released the first 500 million [euro] of a 1.3 billion [euro] loan to Spanish infrastructure manager Adif.(Spain)
May 01, 2009 ... The European Investment Bank (EIB) has released the first 500 million [euro] of a 1.3 billion [euro] loan to Spanish ...
The Hualien--Taitung railway will be electrified by 2013, according to the government.(Taiwan)
May 01, 2009 ... The Hualien--Taitung railway will be electrified by 2013, ...
Norfolk Southern (NS) has named Mr Mark Manion as executive vice-president and chief operating officer, succeeding Mr Stephen Tobias, who retired at the end of March.(United States)
May 01, 2009 ... Norfolk Southern (NS) has named Mr Mark Manion as executive vice-president and chief operating officer, succeeding Mr Stephen Tobias, who retired at ...
Mr Peter Rogoff has been nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the Federal Transportation Administration.(United States)
May 01, 2009 ... Mr Peter Rogoff has been nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the Federal Transportation ...
Uruguayan State Railways (AFE) is to spend $US 26 million rebuilding the 413km main line between Pintado and Riviera.(Uruguay)
May 01, 2009 ... Uruguayan State Railways (AFE) is to spend $US 26 million rebuilding the 413km ...
Bombardier profits soar to $US 1 billion.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... BOMBARDIER made a net profit of $US 1 billion for the first time in its history in 2008, boosted by strong growth in its transport business. Consolidated revenues of $US 19.7 billion compared well with 2007's figure of $US 17.5 billion, and Bombardier Transportation revenues ...
More CAF dmus for Northern Ireland.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NORTHERN IRELAND Railways (NIR) has awarded CAF, Spain, a 105 million [pounds sterling] contract to supply a further 20 three-car dmus. The class 4000 will be a development of the class 3000 dmu, 23 of which were supplied by CAF in 2005, and will have ...
Vossloh reports record sales.(Financial news)(Financial report)
May 01, 2009 ... VOSSLOH reported record sales in 2008, rising by 18.5% to 1.21 billion [euro]--and earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) soared 23.9% to 137.7 million [euro], compared with 2007's figure of 111.1 million [euro]. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The rail infrastructure ...
RZD invests in international coaches.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) is to spend Roubles 2 billion ($US 55.7 million) on developing new coaches for international routes. RZD's current fleet stands at 232 coaches but is now in need of ...
Algerian National Railways' (SNTF) main contractor for its GSM-R programme, Nortel Networks, has chosen Frequentis, Austria, to supply the fixed dispatcher network for the country's GSM-R programme.(Algeria)
May 01, 2009 ... Algerian National Railways" (SNTF) main contractor for its GSM-R programme, Nortel Networks, has chosen Frequentis, Austria, to supply the fixed ...
Nokia Siemens Networks has won a 75.6 million [euro] contract to install GSM-R radio equipment on 380km of lines in Victoria.(Australia)
May 01, 2009 ... Nokia Siemens Networks has won a 75.6 million [euro] contract to install GSM-R radio equipment on ...
British infrastructure manager Network Rail has chosen Siemens to supply 6100 GSM-R radio devices for installation on trains across Britain.(Britain)
May 01, 2009 ... British infrastructure manager Network Rail has chosen Siemens to supply 6100 GSM-R radio devices for ...
Mechan, Britain, has won exclusive rights to sell a range of products in the British and Irish markets.(Britain)
May 01, 2009 ... Mechan, Britain, has won exclusive rights to sell a range of products in the British and Irish markets. It includes access platforms and sandbox filling equipment from Bertolotti, and ...
Chilean State Railways (EFE) is seeking bidders to operate a luxury passenger service.(Chile)
May 01, 2009 ... Chilean State Railways (EFE) is seeking bidders to operate a ...
A new factory for producing wheelsets for high-speed trains is to be built in Taiyuan in a joint venture between Lucchini, Italy, and Zhibo, China.(China)
May 01, 2009 ... A new factory for producing wheelsets for high-speed trains is to be built in Taiyuan in a joint venture ...
Estonian Railways (EVR) plans to acquire 18 new emus with European Union cohesion funding at an estimated cost of 83 million [euro].(Estonia)
May 01, 2009 ... Estonian Railways (EVR) plans to acquire 18 new emus with European Union cohesion funding at an estimated cost of 83 million [euro]. Precise ...
CSR wins Tunisian dmu order.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Company has won a contract to supply 40 Pacemaker dmu cars to Tunisian National Railways (SNCFT) for delivery by 2011. While the value of the contract has not been disclosed, the cars will be formed into two-car trains with seats for 144 ...
Alstom and Transmashholding sign partnership agreement.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALSTOM and Russia's largest rolling stock manufacturer, Transmashholding (TMH), have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at developing new products in the Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States markets. The deal will see ...
Bombardier seals British emu deal.(Financial news)
May 01, 2009 ... BOMBARDIER has signed a 173 million [pounds sterling] contract with Lloyds TSB General Leasing and London Eastern Railways, a subsidiary of National Express, for the supply of 30 four-car Electrostar emus. The 160km/h trains will be delivered between March and June 2011, and ...