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 Latest in Railroad News Our aim is to provide you with real news on Railroads and their development. This means we hardly report on incidents like derailments unless they might be important in relation to the other subjects. 
Timeline
1691 - 1899
The Timeline will bring you over 300 years of railroad history. Updated regularly! 1884: Canadian Pacific rail line over Kicking Horse Pass opens, 1823: Robert Stephensons Forth Street Works, 1691: Louis XIV entertains his guests with Roulette! End of 18th century - the dawn of railway age! NEW! News 2007 - 2008  Bombardier is testing new concept super high speed train for Nordic countries
NEWS (17.8.2008) The Banverket, the Swedish Railway Administration and Bombardier Transportation, together with other partners presented the results of their Gröna Tåget (“Green Train”) project at a test ride between Västerås and Stockholm in August. The Green Train research, development and demonstration project started in 2005 and is scheduled to run until 2010/2011. Using a Bombardier buit Regina train, the rail vehicle research program is aimed at developing a new generation of high speed trains that meet the special technical and traffic requirements in the Nordic Countries. The Green Train is also unique in that it is equipped with components of the new Bombardier ECO4 technologies that maximise total train performance and energy efficient operation. Per Kyhle, Senior Technical Strategist Banverket, commented: “The main aims of the project are to achieve 20 to 30 per cent less energy consumption, reduce travel times and achieve fewer operational costs. We also want to operate as fast and efficiently as possible using the present infrastructure, which often means sharing single tracks with cargo and regional trains. The tests have proven that these aims are realistic. We have made significant progress in enhancing the competitiveness of rail compared to other modes of transportation.” One aspect of enhanced competitiveness is shorter travel times: The high speed concept of Green Train will cut the travel time between Stockholm and Gothenburg by 15 minutes. The REGINA test train set a new Swedish high speed record of 295 km/h on July 23, 2008. Test ride with the REGINA train also debuted Bombardier’s ECO4 technologies, a portfolio of innovative products and technologies designed to offer operators high environmental and cost-efficient performance. The two ECO4 products operating on the “Green Train” are:
“This project has demonstrated why we, at Bombardier Transportation, believe that the climate is indeed right for trains. This joint effort has shown that our ’Green Train’ is not only the right train for operation in the Nordic region, but that it also presents a new generation of energy-efficient, sustainable high speed trains. Our ECO4 technologies can be customized to enhance the performance of any fleet, as we have shown today,” said Klas Wahlberg, Chief Country Representative of Bombardier Transportation Sweden. The Green Train has been constructed to operate in, the often, harsh climatic conditions in the Nordic Countries. It has been remodelled, achieving improved performance in terms of running at higher speeds with heightened safety and low track deterioration. Special attention was given to the bogies, which are “track-friendly” (unique passive self-steering). The benefits of the track-friendly bogies are increased running stability, lower track forces and less wheel-rail wear on curved tracks. The train is equipped with active lateral suspension for improved passenger comfort and wider carbodies to enable more passenger seating if required. In addition, the train is geared for higher speeds with traction motors on six axles of which two are of Permanent Magnet motor type (the new type of electric motor used on AGV as well), and a pantograph for higher speeds on existing catenaries. Partners of the ”Green Train” project also include: The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) of Sweden, the Chalmers University of Technology, Konstfack (University College of Arts, Crafts and Design), the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova), the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), AB Transitio, Branschföreningen Tågoperatörerna, SJ AB, Svenska Tågkompaniet AB, Interfleet Technology AB as well as Transrail Sweden AB. (Sources: Bombardier Transportation, the Web, other sources)  The Super High Speed Trains Main page... Swedish Main Page... Pendolinos for St Petersburg - Petrozavodsk Line in Russia
NEWS (15.8.2008) According to our sources the Russian Railways RZD is planning to use tilting Pendolinos from St Petersburg all the way to Petrozavodsk (61°47′N 34°20′E) some 500 km northeast. The move can be seen as the next logical step in Russias efforts to modernisize the country. Petrozavodsk is said to be very busy railroad town so there will probably be some lucrative business available there for the RZD. It remains to be seen whether the the Pendolinos will be able to run near or above the normal 200 km/h speeds on the way. Russia has many projects to improve the infrastructure, so it is probable one of these might be north east of St Petersburg. There are several (7?) "baby" Velaro trains of 250 km/h top speed on the way to connect St Petersburg and Moscow as well as 4 Karelia trains Alstom Pendolino units for traffic between St Petersburg and Helsinki, Finland. The Pendolinos will have a maximum speed of mere 220 km/h. Little compared with similar Pendolinos for the Cisalpino, due to delivery 2007-2008. The Swiss-Italina Pendolinos can run 250 km/h. Anyway, Russia is seriously modernizing it's wast country starting with the densely populated west. Pendolinos are Italian originating tilting train units, which pioneered the high speed invasion on the relatively normal rail lines. Once the trains coaches tilt, this gives the passengers better comfort on the normal rail lines that conventional nontilting trains could offer. The Pendolinos typically can run up to 60 km/h faster on the normal line. The company is currently part of the French giant Alstom. (Sources: Alstom, the Web, other sources) The Super High Speed Trains Main page... Pendolino Theme Page... AGV's prototype readied for use in Italy
NEWS (13.8.2008) The first production prototype of the AGV (Automotrice a Grande Vitesse) by Alstom of France was unveiled for the public early spring of 2008. Since then it has been tested intensely at Velim in Czech Republic for finishing and durability tests. The comfort of the passengers is one of the key issues. After the test were finished the AGV was taken back to Rochelle in France (confusingly there is another Rochelle which is as well a train manufacturing place in the U.S. ;) ). Rochelle will give finishing touch to the unit. After that the prototype AGV will be transferred for real life approval in Italy. (Sources: Alstom, the Web, TR Europe, La vie du Rail Magazine, other sources) TheTGV/AGV Main of the 4rail.net... The Super High Speed Trains Main page... Swiss-Italian Cisalpino 2's (Pendolino's) readied for use
NEWS (15.7.2008) First seven of the new generation Pendolino ETR610's are readied to be operated between Switzerland and Italy. The next seven of these 250 kph active tilting trains will be delivered in 2009. The trains will have to endure the demanding conditions of winter snow and ice, that stress the bogies and their tilting system. Similar trains will be delivered starting late 2009 to Karelia trains (Finnish VR Yhtyma and Russian RZD company), to similar conditions, but curiously the maximum speed of these will be just traditional 220 kph. (Sources: Alstom, La vie du Rail Magazine, VR Yhtyma, other sources) The Switzerland Main Page on 4rail.net... The Cisalpino 1 Theme Page... Bombardier and Transmashholding from Russia agree on joint venture
NEWS (11.7.2008) According to the companies Bombardier and Transmashholding the parties have agreed on creating a joint venture to create a new generation of asynchronous locomotives to be used in Russia. The asyncronous technique has been used in the west for decades and provides superior performance and requires less maintenance than traditional DC technology. The 50%/50% company will be located in Russia. The Russian market for the locomotives is the 4th largest in the world after Europe, China and North America. According to Bombardier in 2007 73% of the electric and 84 of the diesel locomotives exceeded their designed operating life. The Russian demand for the locomotives is estimated to be 1700 locomotives per year for the next 15 years for RZD (the Russian Railways) alone. This estimate can be seen slightly conservative, since the demand should include the locomotives needed to exploit new resources in Siberia and transportation of those south to China, as well as U.S.A. and Europe and rising India. (Sources: Bombardier, Transmashholding, other sources) Laos to get it's first railway
NEWS (1.5.2008) Laos was officially connected to Thailand on the 3,5 kilometers (2,5 miles) of track earlier this year. Linking the town of Tha Na Laeng on the Laotian side of the river by bridge to Thailand took 18 months. The connection for it's poor neighbor was financed by Thailand, itself fast developing but still relatively poor nation. Two passenger trains from Bangkok daily will use the now opened connection. Another phase to the project is under way as well. The extension of 30 kilometers (20 miles) is to be financed by the French Development Agency. This will take the railroad from Tha Na Laeng all the way to center of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The estimated costs are 13 million US dollars. According to the CIA world fact book the Laos income per capita is a mere 1900$, but has been growing steadily about 6-7 ever since the communist governement relaxed it's rules agains the private enterprise in 1980's. There is also a decision on linking Vietnam and Laos by Railway. This railconnection will be funded by the communist Vietnam. During the French colonial period there was a 600 mm gauge railway stretching 7 kilometers to pass the rapids on the river Mekong in Siphadone Laos. The remains of this railway can still be found today. (Sources: China View, Voice of America, The Nation, CIA world fact book, International steam, other sources) Alstom of France and Transmashholding from Russia agree on joint ventures
NEWS (30.4.2008) According to the companies Alstom and Transmashholding have agreed on forming joint ventures for manufacturing railway components and rolling stock. This can be seen as an important move for modernizing the Russian railway equipment production and models. With Alstoms experience on numerous strong areas like TGV/AGV and Russia's vast markets Transmashholding can be seen stronger than ever in it's dominant position as a major suppiler to the RZD, the Russian railways. Eventually we might see the TGV/AGV models on Russian Railways as well. According to Alstom it is the largest manufacturer of the railway equipment in the world. We will follow later the developments of the joint ventures on yet to be specified areas of expertice. (Sources: Alstom, Transmashholding, other sources) Interesting
discussion on the users of the new Lahti track in Finland
NEWS (19.3.2008) The city of Lahti is located about 100 kilometers from center of Helsinki, the capital Finland. Being close by numerous people pendel between the cities daily. The track to Lahti was finished just 2 years ago and a motorway next to it 10 years ago. Earlier track connections were detoured thorugh Riihimaki on the crowded main track adding both time and further congestion. Currently regional trains have hourly connection from Lahti to Helsinki and back. In addition to this there are numerous Intercity, Pendolino, etc. trains between the cities. The regional trains are literally packed with people during the rush hours and VR-yhtyma as an operator has added more of it's Sm4 type units to accommodate all the passengers. Interesting against this backgroud is the motor way lobbyists suggestion that the new track has not been able to attract travellers away from the motorway and the rail traffic should not be subsidized. The lobbyists count only 100 passengers (2 wau trip) commuting on trains that earlier used the motorway. So, if we know there are thousands of passengers already 2 years after the opening and the trains are crowded, what is the point? The point is to get subsidized rubber wheel traffic between the cities since the rail traffic is slightly subsidized. Like with all newer rail connections, the rubber wheel and airliner traffic have been the losers in the competition against the trains. It remains to be seen, if the cars will be subsidized against the railroad traffic. This would show poor judgement with the current global energy and green house situation. (Sources: Helsingin Sanomat, several other sources) Finland operators main page... Finland operator VR-yhtyma
page...
Madrid-Barcelona
high speed raillink opened NEWS
(12.3.2008)
The rail link for super high speed AVE trains finally opened between Madrid and Barcelona. This link will dramatically reduce travel time by almost 50% from over 4 hours to around 2 hours 20 minutes with the normal 300 kph (186 mph) speed limit. The line will according to plans have a 350 kph (219 mph) speed limit in the near future if all goes well pushing the time savings even further. According to Renfe, the Spanish National railways, there are 15 trains in traffic between the two cities. The price is 180 euros for a return trip. No estimates of the traffic volume estimates have so far been released. (Sources: Renfe, BBC News, Trainorders.com, other sources) Super Fast Trains main page... Russia
to build another transsiberian railway link NEWS
(11.3.2008)
The Russian Railways RZD have announced they will be building another Transsiberian connection. According to the RZD CEO Mr Vladamir Yakunin the planning of "SevSib" will start in 2008 and the construction in 2010 lasting an undisclosed period. The SevSib will start at Nizhnevartovsk and finally link to BAM (Baikal-Amur Main) in Iskutsk. RZD has only rough estimates on the price varying from about 7 to 15 billion euros (10-20b$). (Sources: trainorders.com, IRJ, other sources) China
to launch a 5 star luxus train NEWS
(10.3.2008)
China Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation is to take into use "a rolling five star hotel" between it's capital Peking and the Tibetian capital Lhasa. This luxurious train will be equipped with 10 sq meter cabins with double bed, living room and a bathroom. The whole train will only accommodate 96 passengers for the 1142 kilometer route over the mountains. The service will start from the first of September and departures will be available every 8 days, with three train units available. The cost for the traveller? 20 times the price of a normal ticket on a normal train. (Sources: Vasabladet, Olof Holmborg, other sources) BHP
Iron Ore to receive 10 BNSF EMD SD70ACe's NEWS
(9.3.2008)
According to John Benson at trainorders.com the BNSF Railway (of U.S.A) is going to divert 10 SD70ACe's from it's current order of 46 locomotives to BHP Iron Ore in Australia. BHP has a shortage of locomotives, so these 10 units will provide an additional 44'000 Hp of AC power for them. Careful observed will notice that the US economy might be heading towards a recession, so no new power will be needed for the class 1's for a time being. BNSF will avoid the investment of 10 locomotives (that might not be used) this way. BNSF is also a long term partner of the EMD competitor General Electric, which is preparing it's line of hybrid ES44-locomotives. These might be available for BNSF use beginning from the year 2010. Compared with the EMD ACE's the GE ES44Hybrids are estimated to provide an additional 15% decrease in fuel consumption. The fuel prices will not get lower, so hybrids are one of the next logical steps. All
19 SNCF TGV Réseau Duplex sets delivered for use NEWS
(8.3.2008)
The opening of the high speed rail link east of Paris caused SNCF (The French National railways) an unpredicted surge in demand. The demand was already high due to the excellent economical times throughout Europe, and when the new link needed more unit to get the traffic flowing, so what do you do: All new high speed rail links start with relatively little volumes of passengers, so SNCF chose to be innovative. They ordered 19 new pairs of new asynchronous (more powerful than usual) TGV locomotives and coupled 19 single story Réseau sets of coaches to those for use on LGV Est 320 km/h territory. All of these units would appear to be in use now. The remaining 19 pairs of locomotives (8800kW) were coupled with new double decked (35% more passenger capacity) TGV Duplex coaches. All of these units are now in use. The Réseau-Duplex sets will be used anywhere on the normal (just!) 300 km/h high speed raillinks. The new Réseau- Duplexes are numbered as units 601 to 619, an are easily distinguishable out of the horde of the TGV's. If you have a chance, please take a picture of these units and send it to us. Only every 25th TGV unit is Réseau-Duplex, so it might take a while before one of our dozen or so photographers catches the train before camera... (Sources: numerous, unit numbers from TR Europe issue 147) More information on our TGV /
AGV page... Super Fast Trains main page... Eurostar
transports over 8 million passengers in 2007... NEWS
(2.3.2008)
The Eurostar, a company arranging mainly international traffic between the United Kingdom and continental Erope, reported a record year for 2007. All figures pointed upwards, the income rose 15,5% to 599£ million. A new record of 8,26 million travellers were carried in 2007. This happened during the year when many of the Eurostar units were on lease to SNCF due to the shortage of TGV units (where passenger demand was also high). During the year of 2007 Eurostar infrastructure was developed by opening of the new high speed track between the existing line in England and London. Renewed St Pancras station was also opened for traffic at the end of the year. The increase in train travels will benefit to greener earth, as trains use dramatically less energy compared with the competitor airliners. (Sources: Eurostar Group Ltd) More information on our
Eurostar page...
Super Fast Trains main page... AGV
ready for prototype tests... NEWS
(1.3.2008)
According to Alstom, the manufacturer of the highly successful TGV family of super high speed trains, the next generation of super high speed train, the AGV (Automotrice a Grande Vitesse, High Speed EMU) is finished for an extensive testing. Alstom also told that they had closed first firm orders for the type with NTV of Italy. The first trains will start their traffic probably in 2010-11. (Sources: Alstom, other sources) More information on our TGV /
AGV page... Super Fast Trains main page... Crotram's tram on
test drives in Helsinki Finland... NEWS
(6.1.2008)
Canadian
National to acquire Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railroad... business,
consolidation
(15.12.2007) The
border between Korea's opened for rail traffic...
infrastructure,
networks
(14.12.2007) London-Paris in 2:15,
London-Brussels 1:51 starting 14.11 on Eurostar
infrastructure
(14.11.2007)
CPR to acquire Dakota,
Minnesota & Eastern and Iowa, Chicago &Eastern in the next
consolidation act of the Railway business
business,
consolidation (10.11.2007) Worlds first Hybrid train in
France...WRONG!
technology (16.10.2007) BNSF Logistics named to top
10 logistics providers, again...
business, processes (12.10.2007) Stora Enso to acquire a
fleet of vagons to carry wood in Finland
business,
infrastructure (29.9.2007) Transrapid Maglev chosen for Munich Germany!
technology,
infrastructure (26.9.2007) September 2007,
Georgia: Finland: VR Yhtyma to take into use more business
coaches
Finland National Railways VR-Yhtyma Oy is to take into use 20 more double decked business class coaches. The coaches upper floor is equipped state of art with leather seats, electrical outlets for laptops, enhanced mobile networks, coach service points, etc. The maximum speed for the new coaches is to be 200 km/h. More on the subjects shortly... September 2007, Georgia:
Georgia hands over Railway Management to Parkfield
Management rights of the Georgian Railway company will be handed over to the British investment fund Parkfield for 89 years, according to theGeorgian ministry of economy... September 2007, EU: Karelia
trains to acquire 4 Pendolinos from Alstom
A major step forward in traffic between Finland and it's neighbor Russia was the order of 4 7 car Pendolinos and the option of 2 more trains... August 2007, EU: The
Transport Committee wishes to broaden the open access rules
According to the European Parlament News the Transportation Committee wishes to see nonstop freight trains run from Lisbon to Liverpool and Antwerp to Athens... July 2007, Finland: TR
Group, the first private rail operator formed
The first competitor to 100% government owned VR Yhtymä (Finnish State Railways) was announced...  To the top of the page
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 Brand new TGV-POS's pose in Paris Gare du Nord for the camera. Almost brand new...the locomotives are new, while the coaches are from the TGV-Reséau sets. Single story trains of 320 km/h serve well the limited numbers of passengers between France and Germany. Once the volumes pick up, it's guaranteed that the double decked coaches will be swapped to these units. Picture by Sanna Siissalo 2008. </ | |