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Wind Chaser urban maglev unveiled

News from Railway Gazette International - Tue, 02/07/2012 - 06:51

CHINA: A prototype maglev trainset for medium-capacity urban transport applications has been unveiled by CSR Zhuzhou. The manufacturer envisages the 'Wind Chaser' design being used in cities of less than 2 million people, where a full metro might not be required. The company has confirmed that negotiations are underway with a potential customer in China. The three-car prototype unveiled on January 20 is 46 750 mm long with a capacity of 598 passengers, a service speed of 100 km/h and a top speed of 120 km/h. The train is powered by short-stator induction motor drives, with the primary windings mounted on 'flexible suspension frame modules' supporting the vehicle and a reaction plate attached to the guideway. Curves down to 100 m radius can be negotiated, and the elevated track is predicted to have a maintenance-free life of 30 years. The maglev is expected to be quieter in operation than a steel-wheeled metro trainset, according to CSR Zhuzhou President Xu Zongxiang, offering advantages in an urban environment. However, it would have a higher energy consumption than an equivalent conventional vehicle.

Categories: Prototype News

Basel signs its ‘biggest tram order in 116 years’

News from Railway Gazette International - Tue, 02/07/2012 - 04:19

SWITZERLAND: Preferred bidder Bombardier Transportation signed the contract to supply the city of Basel with 60 Flexity trams on January 31, in a deal described as Basel transport authority’s biggest order in its 116-year history.

The €184m contract awarded by BVB will see the first two trams arrive in 2013 ready for the opening of the extension of Line 8 to Weil am Rhein. From 2104, two trams a month will be delivered.

The 2∙3 m wide 100% low-floor Flexity Basel trams will come in two lengths: five-module 31∙8 m long trams accommodating 183 passengers, and seven-module 43∙2 m long vehicles with a capacity of up to 254 passengers.

Categories: Prototype News

AECOM wins Honolulu airport elevated metro design contract

News from Railway Gazette International - Tue, 02/07/2012 - 04:12

USA: AECOM has won a $38∙8m contract to design the 8∙3 km section of the Honolulu Rail Transit elevated metro from Aloha Stadium to the Middle Street Transit Center, via Honolulu International Airport.

AECOM is expected to finish the design work by the spring of 2013. There will be a separate tender for construction of the section, and for the design and construction of stations along the route at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu International Airport, Lagoon Drive and Middle Street.

Subcontractors for the contract include KSF Inc Structural Engineering, Wilson Okamoto Corp, Yogi Kwong Engineers, Geolabs, Group 70 International, PBR Hawaii & Associates, Scientific Consultant Services, and TY Lin Associates.

The $5∙5bn metro will link East Kapolei with Ala Moana Center, with 21 stations. The first section between East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium is expected to open in 2015, with the remainder completed by 2019.

Categories: Prototype News

First Chinese DMU for Tunisia unveiled

News from Railway Gazette International - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 22:00

TUNISIA: CSR Nanjing Puzhen has begun delivery of a fleet of diesel multiple-units ordered by state railway SNCFT. Announcing the shipping of the first unit from Shanghai during January, the manufacturer said the development of the diesel-hydraulic multiple-units for export 'marks a great breakthrough of China's technology', making use of European standards for design, verification and production.  The contract signed in March 2009 covers 12 standard gauge DMUs with a top speed of 160 km/h, and eight 130 km/h metre gauge units. The two-car units have 53 seats in the 'comfortable' class and 64 in 'economical' class. Up to three DMUs can work in multiple.  According to CSR, particular emphasis has been placed on the use of lightweight materials and minimising engine noise inside the vehicles. Self-acting fire extinguishing systems are installed above the underfloor engine modules. 

• The February 2012 issue of Railway Gazette International reviews Chinese exports; subscribers can access the magazine in the digital archive. 

Categories: Prototype News

Faller 2012 New Items now posted

Latest news from Eurorailhobbies - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 07:32

We have now added the full list of FALLER HO, N and Z scale New items into our web site catalog. We have posted full english descriptions and multiple images for most items. Pricing will be posted shortly but keep in mind that most of these items will not ship until later in the year. When available, we have posted the approximate month of delivery. 

All Faller 2012 New Items    Faller HO    Faller N   Faller Z

Categories: Model Railway News

CN Investor Relation Vice-President Robert Noorigian to address Stifel Nicolaus and BB&T Capital Markets transportation conferences

CN News Releases - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 07:00

CN Investor Relation Vice-President Robert Noorigian to address Stifel Nicolaus and BB&T Capital Markets transportation conferences

Categories: Prototype News

SJ 3000 inter-city train enters service

News from Railway Gazette International - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 03:20

SWEDEN: National inter-city operator SJ AB put its next generation of train into commercial service on February 6, after the first of the 20 four-car EMUs was formally handed over on January 26. Designated X55 by SJ, the Bombardier Regina Alfa EMUs are marketed as SJ 3000 to follow the ageing X2000 tilting trains which continue to work front-line services. Around eight of the 20 sets being assembled at Hennigsdorf have now been delivered, and the remainder are expected before the autumn timetable change.  SJ plans to use the X55s on medium-distance routes, replacing some locomotive-hauled trains and releasing X2000s for busier services. The first sets are operating on the East Coast Main Line between Stockholm and Sundsvall, replacing X40 double-deck EMUs. The next batch are expected to take over services to Östersund, Borlange and Mora. The X55s have ETCS onboard equipment, and will be able to run on the Botnabanan to Örnskoldsvik and Umeå, which is equipped with Level 2.  Each 107 m long unit can carry 64 first class and 181 second class passengers, and up to three sets can operate in multiple. Unlike the regional Regina EMUs which have 3+2 seating, the SJ3000s have 2+2 throughout, providing a spacious ambience in the wide-bodied sets. Much of the interior trim is pale wood, with upholstery in varying shades of grey.  All seats have power sockets, and first class seats have individual tables and reading lights. Most seating is arranged in airline style, apart from a few bays with tables adjacent to the bistro. One vehicle has a low-floor entrance with a built-in wheelchair lift leading to a second-class saloon with two wheelchair spaces and an accessible toilet. 

Categories: Prototype News

Classroom in a tank wagon

News from Railway Gazette International - Sun, 02/05/2012 - 22:00

ROMANIA: A tank wagon is being used as a training vehicle by open access freight operator Grup Feroviar Roman and oil company Petrom. Converted at a cost of €40 000, the wagon is stabled at GFR’s Brazi depot, where it is used to train drivers, shunters, terminal staff and the emergency services in the handling of hazardous chemicals including petroleum products. The ‘classroom’ has been split into two parts, one housing equipment for the transport of liquids, the other for gases.  The two companies expect the wagon to travel around the Romanian network to freight terminals and marshalling yards, enabling training and incident management simulations to be carried out locally.  GFR decided to develop a dedicated training wagon after a visit to the Schwechat refinery near Wien.

Categories: Prototype News

Industry News in Brief

News from Railway Gazette International - Sat, 02/04/2012 - 22:00

With the backing of German rail industry association VBG, a ‘milestone’ agreement to standardise signalling and safety equipment interfaces was signed in December by infrastructure manager DB Netz and Alstom Transport, Ansaldo STS, Bombardier Transportation, Funkwerk, PintschBamag, Scheidt & Bachmann, Siemens and Thales.  Guangzhou CSR Times Electric opened a metro train traction systems factory at Shawan Town in Guangzhou on December 25. The province is developing a metro train supply cluster in the city, with brake, power supply and signalling plants planned. Strukton Rail ceased activities in Norway on January 12. It entered the Norwegian rail market in 2006, but has decided it offers ‘insufficient prospects’, with ‘disappointing’ results. However the company will ‘continue to follow its strategy of internationalisation’.  With effect from January 15, Trapeze Software and Trapeze ITS will use the unified brand name Trapeze.  Handheld Group has acquired Latschbacher’s TimbaTec mobile computer hardware division, which supplies PDAs and rugged computers for public transport and other markets. The newly-acquired business has been restructured into two subsidiaries, Handheld Germany and Handheld Swiss.  Indian defence, rail, power and mining equipment manufacturer BEML is considering separating out its metro car activities into a stand-alone business unit.  Concrete firm Jensen Precast is to manufacture and distribute OMNI Products’ level crossing surfacing range in the western USA.  On January 4 US engineering and technology group Ensco Inc announced a restructuring to allow its key businesses to focus on distinct market areas and better manage corporate liability. Wholly-owned subsidiary Ensco Rail Inc has been formed to contain all current Applied Technology & Engineering Division commercial businesses.  In January URS Corp began phasing out the URS Scott Wilson brand from the businesses it acquired in September 2010. The Scott Wilson name has been dropped in Europe and the Middle East, however there will be a longer transition in India and China. ‘We recognise the benefits of having a consistent brand across the company’s operations’, said URS Senior Vice-President, International Operations, Hugh Blackwood.

Categories: Prototype News

Longer platforms in Guadalajara

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 22:00

MEXICO: Work will begin this year on a programme to extend platforms on Line 1 of the Guadalajara light rail network from 60 m to 90 m, in order to accommodate three-car trains. According to Jalisco Governor Emilio González, studies for Line 3 to Zapopan, Tlaquepaque and Tlajomulco are being advanced with the aim of starting construction this year.

Categories: Prototype News

CN's newest intermodal terminal opens in Chippewa Falls, Wis.

CN News Releases - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 12:00

CN's newest intermodal terminal opens in Chippewa Falls, Wis.

Categories: Prototype News

77 New Product Arrivals for Friday, February 03, 2012

Latest news from Eurorailhobbies - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 11:06

77 products from Marklin, Brekina, Busch, Faller, Fleischmann, Heki and Preiser were been added to our Latest Arrivals page today.

Categories: Model Railway News

Progress Rail closes EMD plant in London

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:34

CANADA: Caterpillar subsidiary Progress Rail announced on February 3 that it was closing the Electro-Motive Diesel locomotive assembly plant at London, Ontario, with immediate effect. Approximately 450 employees represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union will be affected, along with non-union management grades. Staff at Electro-Motive Canada had been locked out since January 1 in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay and conditions. According to the company, ‘all facilities within EMC, EMD and Progress Rail Services must achieve competitive costs, quality and operating flexibility to compete and win in the global marketplace. 'The collective agreement and cost structure of the London operation did not position EMC to be flexible and cost-competitive in the global marketplace, placing the plant at a competitive disadvantage. While the company’s final offer addressed those competitive disadvantages, the gulf between the company and the union was too wide to resolve and as such, market conditions dictate that the company take this step.’ Assembly of locomotives will be shifted from the London facility to the company’s other assembly plants in North and South America, ‘which will ensure that delivery schedules are not impacted by the closing of the London facility’.  Much of the work is expected to transfer to Progress Rail’s recently opened US assembly plant at Muncie, Indiana. Some work is likely to move to Sahagún in Mexico, where Bombardier has been assembling locomotives under contract to EMD for several years.

Categories: Prototype News

Alister bound for Bremerhaven

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 09:18

GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has awarded a contract to Funkwerk IT for resignalling its Bremen – Bremerhaven line using electronic interlockings. Partly double-track, the 63 km mixed traffic line with a maximum speed of 160 km/h is being upgraded to accommodate a projected doubling of traffic by 2015. Valued at around €5m, the deal announced by Funkwerk IT on February 3 forms part of an existing framework agreement with DB Netz. The line will be the second DB route to be equipped with Funkwerk IT’s Alister computer-based interlockings, which have been designed to meet Cenelec SIL4 standards with a scalable modular architecture approved by EBA and TÜV. Two interlockings are to be installed at Oldenbüttel and Lübberstedt, controlling 60 signals, 12 turnouts and 12 level crossings, together with 47 sets of axle-counters and a speed-checking facility. Both interlockings will be operated remotely from DB’s regional control centre at Stubben using an optic fibre communications link. Six additional signals are to be installed between Bremen-Burg and Bremerhaven-Wolsdorf to shorten block lengths and increase line capacity. The new signalling is due to be commissioned in October 2013.

Categories: Prototype News

Singapore chooses Alstom for metro upgrades

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 08:10

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority has awarded a €240m contract to Alstom covering the supply of 34 driverless Metropolis trainsets for the Circle and North East lines, as well as signalling upgrades for both routes.

NEL will receive 18 six-car trainsets and another 16 three-car sets will be supplied to CCL. They will be updated versions of the Metropolis fleets is already in service on both lines.

The first trainset is due to be delivered in 2015 with final dispatch in 2016.The extra trains will boost capacity across the network where daily public transport ridership has gone from 1∙78 million in 2009 to over 2 million in 2010.

Alstom will design the Metropolis trainsets in Europe and produce them through two subsidiaries based in China: Shanghai Alstom Transport Co Ltd and Shanghai Alstom Electrical Equipment Co Ltd.

‘These projects show Alstom’s expertise in interfacing our technology with existing infrastructure and meeting customer expectations’, said Alstom President Henri Poupart Lafarge. ‘We are very proud to be part of these projects as they will provide greater transportation convenience to many passengers in Singapore’.

Categories: Prototype News

Fjernebane resignalling contracts signed

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 04:53

DENMARK: Infrastructure manager Banedanmark signed two contracts on January 31 covering the installation of ETCS infrastructure across its entire main line network as part of its DKr18bn Signalling Programme. The Fjernbane West and East contracts have a total value of DKr5·8bn. Banedanmark had announced in December the preferred bidders for both contracts, following a competitive procurement process which attracted six bids from major suppliers. A consortium of Thales and Balfour Beatty Rail will undertake the western contract covering Jylland, whilst Alstom will equip the eastern half of the network. Both groups have signed agreements to step in and take over the other contract if one of the suppliers were unable to complete its task. Alstom has subsequently been selected as preferred bidder for the ETCS onboard systems contract as well. Last year Siemens was awarded the fourth main contract covering the supply and installation of a complete CBTC package for the København S-bane network. ‘Banedanmark’s choice of suppliers for the signalling on the Fjernbane marks an important step towards a modern railway in Denmark’, said Transport Minister, Henrik Dam Kristensen. ‘The replacement of the old signals will reduce the number of delayed trains, permit higher speeds and bring shorter travel times for passengers. At the same time it will pave the way for electrification of the railway, which is a high priority for the coming years’. The programme will see all legacy signalling on the main line network replaced with ETCS Level 2 by 2021. The two Fjernbane contracts both envisage pilot routes being converted by 2018. These pilots on the Frederikshavn - Langa route in Jylland and Roskilde – Næstved – Køge in Sjaelland would precede a phased rollout over the following three years. The S-bane CBTC is now also expected to go live in 2018, two years ahead of the original schedule.

Categories: Prototype News

Brawa 2012 New Items now posted

Latest news from Eurorailhobbies - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 04:45

We have now entered the full list of BRAWA HO, N and O scale New items into our web site catalog.  We will be posting a highlights feature covering all the major manufacturers when we return from Germany.  As always we will not be able to confirm pricing until the Toy Fair begins at the end of the month. Pre-orders can now be placed for unpriced new items by simply adding them to your cart and checking out as usual. All orders placed before pricing is posted will automatically receive our best pre-order discount prices once available.

All Brawa 2012 New Items    Brawa HO    Brawa N   Brawa O

Why pre-order?  For the manufacturers such as Marklin, Trix Fleischmann and Roco you also can take advantage of significant savings by pre-ordering as we are able to pass along discounts from the manufacturers for placing advance orders. Pre-ordering will also guarantee your reservation for a product and ensure your place 'in-line'. In most cases, items announced at the toy fair each year are not available until later that year, sometimes the following year (see the 'Availabilty' note on each product's page). We advise customers to pre-order favourite items as tems which are one-time or limited editions can sell-out at the factory long before they are released. Also some products are now being released in production 'batches' where only a limited number of items are produced at first and a few months or more may pass before additional productions runs are completed. Pre-ordering early will ensure you are able to get the product you want as soon as it is produced and at a discount over regular prices.  And unlike others we NEVER bill you for items until they arrive in our store and are shipped out to you.  If you have any questions about our pre-order processes and policies, please contact us!

Categories: Model Railway News

Afghan railway starts commercial traffic

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 03:14

AFGHANISTAN: Celebrations were held at Naibabad freight terminal at 12.00 on February 3, when ‘a substantial reception party’ greeted the arrival of the first train carrying commercial traffic on the 75 km rail link between Hairatan and Mazar-i-Sharif.  The inaugural load comprised nine wagons of flour from Kazakhstan and three of timber from Siberia. Unloading began shortly after the train arrived at Naibabad, which lies just east of Mazar-i-Sharif airport. Nominally operational since mid-2011, the line saw its first test trains reach Mazar-i-Sharif in late December, following further work to reinforce the trackbed and improve security. The line is being operated by Uzbekistan’s state railway under a three year concession signed on August 4, but UTY had been waiting for formal safety approval before starting commercial operation. Forming an end-on extension of UTY’s cross-border spur via the Friendship Bridge over the Amu Darya River at Hairatan, the line to Mazar-i-Sharif was built by UTY under a deal with the Asian Development Bank signed in 2009. ADB contributed US$165m towards the estimated cost, with the rest raised locally. The Afghan parliament voted in October 2011 to provide a local contribution of US$20m.

Categories: Prototype News

Manaus monorail contract signed

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 02:17

BRAZIL: The Infrastructure Secretariat of Amazonas signed a contract with a consortium of Scomi Engineering, CR Almedia, Mendes Junior and Serveng, on January 20 to build a 20 km straddle monorail in the city of Manaus. 

Total value of the contract is put at R$1∙45bn. Scomi Engineering’s share is worth R$339∙9m. It includes the supply of 10 six-car SUTRA trainsets and depot equipment, as well as track switches, a maintenance vehicle, system integration and project management. 

Announced in August 2012, the line will run from Largo da Matriz to Jorge Teixeira, serving nine stations; it is designed to carry up to 35 000 passengers/h per direction. Completion is scheduled for 2014.

Scomi was awarded its first Brazilian monorail project on June 2 2011 as part of the Monotrilho Intergração consortium which is to build the 18 km elevated Line 17 with 18 stations in São Paulo.

Categories: Prototype News

Train driver distraction study awarded funding

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 02/02/2012 - 22:00

USA: The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a grant worth $250000 to commuter rail operator Veolia Transportation to fund a study into the causes of train driver distraction. The study is to be conducted at the Volpe Institute of Transportation Studies in Massachusetts. It will be co-ordinated by George Elsmore, who is being seconded from Veolia, where he was Vice-President of Rail Safety & Compliance. He will be assisted by academic specialist Dr Raja Parasuraman, a professor of psychology at George Mason University.  The two-part study is intended to 'find ways the industry can, in all modes of transportation, reduce accidents and violations related to distracted drivers'. Under the first phase, a team of drivers from the Boston area will undergo assessment on a simulator at the Volpe Institute's Cab Technology Integration Laboratory. Various potential hazards and distractions, including poor weather and other unusual operating conditions, will be introduced during the assessment, and the drivers' response, overall performance and physical condition during the session will be recorded.  The results of the first phase will be used to draft a training programme, before the drivers are again put through an assessment process including various hazards that should allow the benefits of the training to be evaluated. Following a final analysis of the test results by Dr Parasuraman's team, a final report will then be submitted to FRA.  Driver distraction has been a major issue in the US passenger market since a fatal accident at Chatsworth, California, in September 2008. The driver of a Metrolink commuter service was found to have sent a text message from his mobile phone 22 sec before his train collided with a Union Pacific freight, killing 25 people.

Categories: Prototype News