International & UK Railway News. Friday 1st February 2013

INVITATION
PRESS CONFERENCE ON
4th RAILWAY PACKAGE February 2013
15:00 - 15:30
European Parliament, StrasbourgTHIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause.Should you have any questions, please contact Eva Boeckle (Eva.Boeckle@cer.be / +32 (0)2 213 08 90).


Siemens


ÖBB Austrian State Railways set to order the first 100 regional trains for 550 million euros

The Supervisory Board of Austrian State Railways (ÖBB) has today authorized the company's Executive Board to call up the first 100 regional Desiro ML-type trainsets from a master agreement with Siemens. The contract is set to be signed after expi-ration of the stand-still period stipulated under public procurement law. Siemens had been awarded the contract in April 2010 after one of the largest pan-European invi-tations to tender for electric regional trains. The three-unit electric trainsets are to be delivered from the end of 2015 onwards. Final production of the trains is to take place at the ÖBB plant in Jedlersdorf (Technical Services). The bogies will come from the Siemens plant in Graz.

30 trains are destined for service with the S-Bahn (urban mass transit) in the Austrian capital Vienna and Lower Austria, and 70 for regional rail services in Upper Austria and in Styria. The order is worth 550 million euros. "We have once again won out in a tendering procedure with our Desiro platform. This shows that our vehicle is not only optimally designed for urban short-haul traffic, but also meets all the requirements of regional operations," said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Rail Systems Division.
 

Desiro ML-type trainsets are flexible and proven vehicles, which thanks to their con-ception as single-car trains, can be specifically adapted to the passenger volumes concerned. With their improved drive systems, with which it has been possible to achieve further reductions in energy compared with predecessor models, they are especially environmentally friendly. The design of the trains too makes use of eco-logically sound materials, for example in the paint finish and internal fittings.

ÖBB is opting for a basic vehicle of the Desiro ML type, comprising a three-car mul-tiple unit. The S-Bahn trains feature 244 seats, while the regional trainsets boast 259 seats. The Desiro trains can attain a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Conven-ient low-floor entrances guarantee obstacle-free access (without ramps) including for wheelchair users and families with strollers or baby carriages. The floor height is 600 mm. The S-Bahn vehicles feature six doors on each side, the regional trains, four.


Photos, TV footage and detailed information on the Desiro ML may be found at: http://www.siemens.com/press/desiro-oebb
 

International Railway Journal

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.

UKRAINE's Ministry of Transport says Ukrainian Railways (UZ) has completed testing of two prototype 220km/h long-distance emus developed by domestic manufacturer Krukov Wagon Works.

BRITISH open-access operator Direct Rail Services (DRS) has revealed the design of its forthcoming EuroLight UK locomotive, 15 of which were ordered from Vossloh last January.

GERMAN infrastructure manager DB Networks and Hessen State Ministry of Economics, Transport and Regional Development announced on January 30 that the planning process for the Hanau – Würzburg/Fulda high-speed line is to resume, and a programme of public consultation will begin later this year.



www.progressiverailroading.com US News


Long-standing U.S. rail traffic pattern held through year's fourth week
New Jersey Transit posted record on-time performance in 2012
Lack of rail competition means higher rates for chemical shippers, ACC claims; rates are based on marketplace, AAR says
Caltrain kicks off environmental review of electrification project
EPA: Despite strong tank car demand, rail-car deliveries will fall to 50,500 in 2013
Kendall succeeds O'Malley as CSX's government affairs VP
BART to hold public meetings on new safety law
Grand Central Terminal's centennial honored with commemorative stamp


www.railway-technology.com Updates


Invensys Rail Dimetronic starts signalling system testing on Singapore Downtown Line Invensys Rail Dimetronic has begun first phase testing on its signalling system for the first 4km section of Singapore's Downtown Line. 
      
BMT to consult on Shatin - Central rail link in Hong Kong
The Samsung-Hsin Chong Joint Venture (SSHCJV) has selected BMT Asia Pacific (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group, to provide consultancy work for Hong Kong's new Shatin - Central rail link. 
      
ÖBB orders 100 Siemens Desiro ML trains
Austrian national rail system Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) has approved a €550m order for the first 100 regional Desiro ML-type trainsets from Siemens. 
      
Rail.One to supply ballastless track systems in Qatar and Spain
Germany-based Rail.One Group has won two contracts in Qatar and Spain to deliver ballastless tracks.

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More News at:....

Shedmaster Railway News

railwaygazette.com - UK: Network Rail has awarded Carillion a £40m contract to electrify at 25 kV 50 Hz 'over 50 km of railway' between Cumbernauld and Glasgow, lengthen platforms at Cumbernauld.......

World Heritage & Railway News

From nrm.org.uk....."On 3 July 1938, A4 class locomotive Mallard raced down Stoke Bank at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record. That record still stands.
In 2013, we're marking the 75th anniversary of Mallard's achievement with a series of commemorative events including a never-before-seen gathering of all six surviving A4s at York in July.  

 

 

Railway Engineering News

railwaygazette.com - UK: Freight and charter train operator Direct Rail Services has unveiled the design of its future UKLight mixed traffic diesel-electric locomotives. Vossloh España is building 15 locomotives in Valencia...

 

 

Vossloh's "Eurolight"  (C) Vossloh