Hanzelijn infrastructure contract is signed

THE Hanza Rail Team consortium of Alstom and Dutch partners
Volker Rail, Strukton Rail, and Arcadis, has signed a Euros 170 million
contract to install track, catenary, and signalling on the 50km Hanzelijn
between Lelystad and Zwolle, Netherlands.

Russian Railways to set up Second Freight Company

THE Board of Russian Railways (RZD) has approved the creation of the so-called Second Freight Company, which will take over the bulk of RZD’s remaining freight wagon fleet. "The RZD Board unanimously approved the establishment of a second freight company," says Mr Vladimir Yakunin, president of RZD. "We have a tight timetable: all the documents should be ready by the end of 2009 or early 2010 at the very latest." RZD wants the Second Freight Company to being trading in the first quarter of 2010.

CSR to bid for British emu contract

CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock, China, has confirmed that it intends to bid for a contract to supply 40-120 emu vehicles for British operator London Midland. According to a notice issued in the Official Journal of the European Union last month, London Midland requires a fleet of 160km/h commuter emus formed into three or four-car trains, or a combination of both.

Californians remain upbeat on fed aid for HSR

California’s federal elected officials celebrating voter approval of Proposition 1A in November said they would pursue federal funding to advance the state’s high speed rail plan. Despite economic turmoil, those vows appear to be intact.