World Railway News Digest... 30th May 2012

International Railway Journal

Lastochka takes flight in Sochi

IRJ at Strategic Partnership 1520: RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has begun testing the first of 38 Siemens Desiro Rus emus ordered by Russian Railways for expanded rail services in the Sochi region during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic games in 2014. Queensland approves Wiggins Island Rail Project QUEENSLAND Competition Authority has granted QR National approval to proceed with a major capacity enhancement project on the central Queensland heavy-haul coal network, as part of the preparations for opening of the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) at Gladstone. Phoenix breaks ground on light rail extension A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony will be held in Phoenix today to mark the start of construction on Phoenix Valley Metro's 5km Central Mesa extension. Joint venture to operate Algerian light rail lines PARIS Transport Authority subsidiary RATP Dev has formed a joint venture with Algiers Metro (EMA) and Algiers Public Transport (ETUSA) to operate and maintain light rail lines in Algerian cities.

www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

NAFTA partners' surface transportation trade value reached record high in March, BTS says

University of Denver introduces major covering global commerce, transportation

SEPTA approves $1.3 billion operating, $303 million capital budgets for FY2013

VTA solicits comments on proposed light-rail extension

RTA: Tie purchases accelerated in April

VIA Rail posted revenue gains in 2011

Chrysler honors Union Pacific Distribution Services with 'partnership' award

WMATA installs final 'Guarded 8' rail switch

Progressive Railroading to present webcast on European Union rail marketplace on June 8

www.railway-technology.com Latest Headlines....

QCA approves construction on Wiggins Island Rail Project
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) in Australia has approved the construction of a $330m Wiggins Island Rail Project (WIRP).       
                   
SAIL and BSCL form JV to build wagon parts plant in IndiaThe Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has signed a joint venture agreement with Burn Standard Company (BSCL) to build a new wagon components manufacturing plant at Jellingham in West Bengal, India.       
                   
Sacramento County starts construction on light-rail extension in USSacramento Regional Transit District (RT) has begun construction on a $270m southern light-rail extension to Cosumnes River College in Sacramento County, California, US.       
                   
Network Rail awards Thameslink dive-under contract to SkanskaNetwork Rail Infrastructure has awarded a £60m contract to Skanska for the construction of the Bermondsey dive-under, as part of the Thameslink Development Programme in the UK.