World Railway News Digest 31st May 2012

International Railway Journal

Moscow - St Petersburg HS line postponed IRJ at Strategic Partnership 1520: RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) plans to build a dedicated high-speed line from Moscow to St Petersburg in time for the 2018 soccer World Cup have been postponed.

Broad gauge to Vienna gathers pace IRJ at Strategic Partnership 1520: RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) expects to issue a feasibility study for the proposed 1520mm-gauge line to Vienna by the end of this year. TCDD to acquire its first 300km/h trains TURKISH State Railways (TCDD) plans to invite tenders within the next 40 days for its first 300km/h trains. It is negotiating a €180m loan from the Islamic Development Bank in order to procure a batch of seven trains. CAF to supply LRVs for Brazilian light rail project A CONSORTIUM of CR Almeida, Santa Bárbara Construções, CAF Brasil, Magna Engenharia and Astep Engenharia has been selected as preferred bidder for the contract to build the first light rail line in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba. Transnet warns of risks in massive investment programme TRANSNET CEO Mr Brian Molefe has warned the South African government of several risks that could hamper the group’s Rand 300bn investment programme, which forms the core of the government’s infrastructure development plan.

www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Teamsters strike update: Return-to-work bill might pass muster today, CP might resume operations tomorrow

Valley Metro breaks ground on light-rail extension

Budget shortfall prompts Metrolink fare increase

MTA completes third Queens tunnel early

BNSF budgets $306 million for infrastructure projects in three states

Flynn resigns as National Labor Relations Board member

Ohio utilities commission approves upgrades at three crossings

Rail supplier updates from GE Transportation, Bombardier, Alstom, Gannett Fleming and Parsons Brinckerhoff (May 31)

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

Network Rail shortlists three contractors for Stockley Flyover in the UK
UK-based Network Rail has shortlisted three contractors to build a £50m flyover as part of the £2.3bn London Crossrail project.       
                   
BNSF to improve rail infrastructure in CaliforniaUS-based freight transport firm BNSF Railway (BNSF) is planning to invest $120m in California during 2012 for railway maintenance, capacity improvements and expansion projects.       
                   
Thales installs ETCS Level 1 systems on South Korean rail linesThales has completed installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 on South Korea's Gyeongchun Line, an 81km connection from Seoul to Chuncheon and the 89km Jeolla Line serving Yeosu.       
                   
QCA approves construction on Wiggins Island Rail ProjectThe Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) in Australia has approved the construction of a $330m Wiggins Island Rail Project (WIRP).