The Railway Chronicle: International & UK Railway News Wednesday 13th November 2013

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Russian Railways

Yakunin sums up rail network's operational performance in October and between January-October 2013

Russian Railways' President Vladimir Yakunin held a conference call on 6 November 2013, during which he summed up the operational performance of Russia's rail network during January-October 2013.
"In October 2013, the targets for planned tasks with regard to most of the major quality indicators in our operational work were met," said Yakunin.
According to the Company President however, the current macroeconomic situation seriously complicates the Company's work. According to the latest figures, Russia's GDP rose by just 0.1% in the first three quarters of the year, while industrial production in the same period increased by only 1.3%.
Under these circumstances, tariff freight turnover in January-October 2013 decreased by 2.2 % compared to the same period last year, while freight turnover of empty wagon runs rose by 8.7 %.
Average daily loading in October 2013 was 3,417,000 tons, which is 4.7 % lower than during October 2012 and down 2% on September 2013. The 10 months of 2013 saw daily loading volumes fall by 3.2 % compared to the same period last year.
"All of our actions and measures must be thought through as far as possible and based on a proper understanding of the current situation. I would ask all of you to maximise your efforts to improve the quality of the transportation process, as well as to work closely with shippers and ports," said Vladimir Yakunin.

International Railway Journal

RUSSIA's Federal Railway Transport Register of Certification has certified Evraz to produce DT-350 R-65 head-hardened rails with a length of up to 100m.The head-hardening technique is designed to increase the durability of the rails..

THE governor of Mecca, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, has approved the construction of two new metro lines in the Saudi Arabian holy city of Mecca.

THE German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württenberg have launched a joint tender through Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) for two concessions to operate diesel regional services in the Allgäu area.

MTR Corporation, Hong Kong, has awarded a SFr 85m ($US 13.4) contract to Stadler, Switzerland, for six 200km/h trains for a new open-access express service to be launched in Sweden.

SAUDI Railways Organisation (SRO) has invited bids from consultants to study options for a high-speed line between the capital Riyadh and the Gulf port of Dammam.

www.progressiverailroading.com US News

CSX to help develop intermodal facility in Pennsylvania

Surveys find MTA riders remain satisfied with transit service

Metrolinx awards second contract for Eglinton Crosstown project

BNSF workers win Amtrak Champion Award for crossing safety project

North Carolina Railroad, NS to refurbish Burlington bridge

NS' Heller, World Group's Hunger join ITI board

WMATA awards contract to update lighting in parking facilities

Rail supplier news from Holland, Axion, CTC, Bombardier, Parsons Brinckerhoff and TRAC Intermodal (Nov. 13)