International & UK Railway News Thursday 7th February 2013

International Railway Journal

THE Association of American Railroads (AAR) says the major freight railways in the United States plan to spend an estimated $US 24.5bn in 2013 on motive power, rolling stock and infrastructure improvements.

TRANSPORT for London (TfL) has announced plans for a £320m project to lengthen trains on the London Overground network from four to five cars with the aim of accommodating rapidly-increasing ridership.

RHINE-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR), as lead contractor for two other transport authorities, has awarded two 15-year regional concessions in North Rhine Westphalia to a consortium of National Express Rail and IntEgro Transport.

THE prefects of Paris and three Ile-de-France local authorities have granted final approval, known as the declaration of public utility in France, for the extension of RER Line E from Haussmann-St Lazare 47km west to Mantes-la-Jolie.



www.progressiverailroading.com US News

CTA to solicit bids for new 7000 series rail cars

Intermodal container volume climbed to record high in 2012, IANA says

BNSF set industrial development records in 2012

Oregon, Washington DOTs ink agreement to improve Pacific Northwest passenger-rail service

North Carolina Railroad faces annual payments, strengthened oversight stipulated in state bill

Connecticut bond commission allocates $170 million for rail projects

IBEW Council 11 members ratify CN contract

APTA supports U.S. energy productivity goal

Rail supplier updates from Bombardier, County Materials and Hulcher (Feb. 7)

www.railway-technology.com Updates

Colas Rail consortium secures Tunis high-speed rail deal European rail infrastructure services company Colas Rail, in a consortium with Siemens and Tunisian firm Somatra-Get, has won a €145m contract to build the first two lines (D and E) on the RFR high-speed railway network in Tunis, Tunisia.         Ansaldo secures traffic control contract on Spanish high-speed line Ansaldo STS España, a subsidiary of Ansaldo STS, has won a €26.9m contract for the maintenance of traffic control, railway signalling and other related systems for the Madrid-Puigverd de Lleida high-speed line in Spain.         Metrolink to secure funds for low-emission Tier 4 locomotives Metrolink in Southern California, US, will receive $34.66m from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) as part of the Carl Moyer Program to purchase up to 20 new low-emission Tier-4 locomotives.         CN to invest $1.9bn on railway infrastructure Canadian National Railway Company (CN) has revealed a plan to invest C$1.9bn ($1.9bn) in 2013 to maintain and upgrade its railway network and improve services.

Shedmaster Railway News From railwaygazette.com - GERMANY: The Rhein-Ruhr, Westfalen-Lippe and Rheinland transport authorities have jointly selected a consortium of National Express Rail GmbH and IntEgro Verkehr to operate two passenger services World Heritage & Railway News From nrm.org.uk - We're looking for nominations for the railway-related character, toy or model that children and adults have most loved playing with – whether past or present. Railway Engineering News From railwaygazette.com GE to support Russian locomotive modernisation 07 February 2013 RUSSIA: A memorandum of understanding agreeing to 'explore the possibility of forming a strategic relationship' to modernise diesel-electric locomotives was announced by GE Transportation, Locorail and Yakutia Railways on February 1.