24 November 2023 (UAE) The Dubai Metro Blue Line project, a new 30-kilometer metro route that will strategically connect important areas in the emirate through 14 stations, has been approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. This move aligns with the plan for the estimated one million additional residents that the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan calls for. HH Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that funding for infrastructure projects is consistent with Dubai's approach to comprehensive city development, which prioritises satisfying immediate requirements while laying the groundwork for future growth. He underlined that the nation's talent has demonstrated its capacity to drive development, providing innovative concepts that align with Dubai's aspirational goals across a range of industries, promoting advancement and quality. Source https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/news-and-media/all-news/NewsDetails/mohammed-bin-rashid-approves-dubai-metro-blue-line-project
17 hrs ago
Read MoreNovember 30, 2023 (US) Amtrak resumed service on all routes in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), continuing the company's robust expansion. Major infrastructure projects that will enable ambitions to double ridership by 2040 were also progressed. Over 28 million passengers used Amtrak in FY23, largely due to the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is soaring and has been steadily surpassing pre-pandemic levels since early summer. By pursuing historic infrastructure investments that will introduce new and expanded services, boost safety and dependability, improve accessibility, spur economic development, and improve the customer experience, Amtrak is taking advantage of this good momentum. Source https://media.amtrak.com/2023/11/amtrak-fiscal-year-2023-ridership-exceeds-expectations-as-demand-for-passenger-rail-soars/
17 hrs ago
Read More1 December 2023 (UK) Due to an urgent need for repairs, Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) are advising customers who intend to travel on the line between Woking and Basingstoke to do so only if absolutely necessary. Movement was observed in a 100-meter-long slope adjacent to the St. John's Hill Road overbridge, which connects Brookwood and Woking in Surrey. These tiny sensors are part of a system known as remote condition monitoring. The geotechnical and structural experts at Network Rail have found fissures that are up to 45 metres long, 50 centimetres broad and one metre deep in certain areas. Source https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/emergency-work-to-repair-landslip-will-significantly-reduce-services-between-woking-and-basingstoke-next-week
18 hrs ago
Read More01 December 2023 (Philippines) Mitsubishi Corporation has decided to assign the design and procurement of seven Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) to CAF as part of the agreement granted to them by the Philippine government's Department of Transportation (DOTr). The project entails building the seven fast trains that were previously indicated; each train has eight cars total, plus fleet spares. The contract is a component of the North-South Commuter Railway Project, a larger project that would link Clark International Airport. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing financing for the project, which has a €150 million budget. Source https://www.caf.net/en/sala-prensa/nota-prensa-detalle.php?e=445
3 days ago
Read More3 December 2023 (UK) As the county continues to experience frigid temperatures, engineers will be working nonstop to maintain the operation of Scotland's Railway. With a yellow Met Office warning for Monday, December 4, and temperatures on the Far North line reaching -11 last night, Scotland's Railway has prepared to keep trains running. Engineers will be out de-icing switches and crossings (movable rails that allow trains to transfer tracks) and checking mechanical signalling before service begins tomorrow to assist maintain systems clear of snow and ice. Engineers will be inspecting tunnels for icicles, which can harm passing trains or interfere with overhead power lines. Special heaters will be deployed to assist prevent the tracks from freezing at important intersections. Source https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/scotlands-railway-working-hard-to-beat-big-freeze
3 days ago
Read More24 November 2023 (UK) Great Western Railway (GWR) is reviewing its engagement with the charity to end male violence against women a year after receiving White Ribbon accreditation. On Saturday, November 25, White Ribbon Day commemorates the first anniversary of GWR's unveiling of Intercity Express Train 800016 as their White Ribbon train, which marked the beginning of a three-year collaboration with White Ribbon UK. Almost 100 GWR coworkers have volunteered to become White Ribbon Ambassadors or Champions during the first 12 months of the partnership. These individuals commit to spreading the word about White Ribbon in the workplace and on social media and inspiring everyone to vow never to condone or ignore violence against women. Source https://news.gwr.com/news/almost-100-gwr-staff-become-white-ribbon-ambassadors-as-the-company-marks-the-anniversary-of-train-naming-to-end-violence-against-women
3 days ago
Read More30 November 2023 (Germany) By entering into a four-year framework agreement with Deutsche Bahn in the Customised Modules segment, Vossloh is strengthening its position in the German market. Vossloh will provide Deutsche Bahn with at least 600 switches in total over the course of the following four years. Vossloh will continue to provide a significant amount of switch components at the same time. Deutsche Bahn wants to increase the high-performance network and cut down on disruptions caused by infrastructure by eighty percent. Source https://www.vossloh.com/en/press/press-releases/detail/pressdetail_68352.html
6 days ago
Read More30 November 2023 (Austria, Bavaria) Siemens Mobility and the Vienna and Munich-based European Locomotive Leasing Group (ELL) have inked a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 200 more Vectron locomotives. The locomotives will be available for use in both passenger and freight services with different power system variations. Initially, sixty locomotives were ordered, and starting in 2025, they will be delivered one after the other. With at least 301 Siemens Vectron locomotives in operation by 2027, ELL will run the largest Vectron fleet in Europe. Source https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-and-ell-sign-framework-agreement-purchase-200-vectrons
6 days ago
Read More27 November 2023 (Bangkok, Thailand) A free trial of "MRT Pink Line" will be available! It is a gift to the people all year long. Beginning to gather tickets on January 3, 2024, forward. Negotiations between the concessionaire, Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited (NBM), and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) are being handled by Mr Suraphong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, who has been allocated by the Ministry of Transport. The concessionaire, NBM, and the MRT Pink Line Project, Khae Rai - Min Buri portion, have achieved an agreement that will allow customers to continue using the MRT Pink Line service along the entire line, which has 30 stations and parking spaces. Source https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news-release/15021
6 days ago
Read More29 November 2023 (UK) At the 2023 Golden Spanner Awards, Hitachi Rail fleets take home three different prizes. Because of the cooperation of its customers, the industrious efforts of its maintenance staff, and the investment in innovative digital solutions, the fleets were recognised for their exceptional performance and dependability throughout the previous 12 months. For the second year in a straight, the Hull Trains Paragon fleet (Class 802) won Gold, the highest prize in the 2nd Generation new inter-city category; the Lumo fleet (Class 803) received Silver in the same category. This illustrates how the maintenance and fleets of Hitachi Rail have contributed to the transformation of East Coast Mainline reliability. Source https://www.hitachirail.com/press/#/pressreleases/three-hitachi-rail-fleets-win-u-dot-k-s-leading-award-for-reliability-3289673
7 days ago
Read More29 November 2023 (UK) Using pre-purchased smartphone eTickets, rail travellers can now avoid waiting in line at stations to board a train throughout the extensive 11-county Govia Thameslink Railway network. Every ticket gate at its managed stations now has barcode readers, which let passengers scan e-tickets from emails or smartphones. There are 1,420 readers spread across 710 ticket gates at 98 stations that are served by Thameslink, Great Northern, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern. Because they may be purchased instantaneously and without a booking fee via the train companies' websites or OnTrack app, electronic tickets are both practical and well-liked. Source https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/eticket-readers-speed-rail-passengers-through-every-single-ticket-gate-on-gtr-network-3289634
7 days ago
Read More27 November 2023 (Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China) The signalling system for Nanchang Line 1's northern and eastern expansion lines as well as Nanchang Line 2's eastern extension line will be delivered by Thales SEC Transport. An integral component of Nanchang Metro Phase-II construction are the extension lines of Lines 1 and 2. Nanchang Line 1's eastern expansion line is 4.36 km long overall, while the northern extension line is roughly 16.969 km long. The line will improve mobility between the airport and the city once it starts to generate income. The 10.42 km long eastern extension line of Nanchang Line 2 links the three transportation centres of High-Speed Railway Nanchang East Station, Nanchang West Railway Station, and Nanchang Railway Station. Source https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/transport/press_release/thales-sec-transport-awarded-contract-deliver-signaling-system
7 days ago
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