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UNION RAILWAY Company (URC) is inviting expressions of interest for contracts to supply track materials for the United Arab Emirates' first railway. Four contracts, covering ballast, rail, switches and crossings, and sleepers, are being let for the Shah Habshan Railway, a 264km line from the Gulf Coast Port of Ruwais to the Shah sour gas field.

A GERMAN RAIL (DB) ICE high-speed train entered the Channel Tunnel today heralding the start of certification for operation to London. DB is seeking approval of the eight-car Class 406 train from the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) in preparation for the launch of through services between London and destinations in Germany in 2013.

LUXEMBOURG Railways (CFL) has awarded Stadler Pankow a Euros 60 million contract to supply eight Kiss double-deck emus, with an option for up to 31 additional trains. The dual-system trains will be delivered in 2013 and will be equipped for 25kV and 15kV ac electrification systems, allowing them to operate cross-border services between Luxembourg and Trier in Germany.

BTS GROUP, the operator of Bangkok's SkyTrain, has agreed a Baht 2 billion ($US 65.1 million) deal with Siemens to supply an additional coach for each of its existing 35 three-car trains.

A LAUNCH event for ProtectRail, a European Commission-funded programme that aims to develop an integrated system intended to improve European railway security through better protection of trains and railways, was hosted by the International Union of Railways (UIC) this week. Representatives from 29 UIC partners from 12 countries gathered for the conference at the UIC's headquarters in Paris.

EUROSTAR has announced plans to invest £700 million in its train fleet in preparation for the launch of new services from London to destinations in mainland Europe, just days before German Rail (DB) is due to send one of its high-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel for the first time.

VALENCIENNES regional transport authority Siturv has awarded Alstom a Euros 17 million contract for seven Citadis low-floor LRVs, which will be used on the French city's second light rail line.

THE government of Ivory Coast says it is planning to build a new railway to link the mines in the west of the country with the port of San Pedro.

THE governor of the Brazilian state of São Paulo Mr Alberto Glodman has signed a $US 780 million financing agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to help fund metro projects in São Paulo.

HIGH-SPEED rail will become the "mode of choice" for travellers in Britain according to the country's transport minister Mr Philip Hammond, who today outlined the government's vision for a Y-shaped high-speed network linking London with central and northern England.