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SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) and Trenitalia have announced their intention to terminate their Cisalpino partnership, which operates international passenger services between Switzerland and northern Italy. The two railways established the 50:50 venture in 1993, but say they have found it increasingly difficult to maintain standards of service and punctuality within the framework of this agreement.

TRIAL operation began yesterday on Beijing's second north-south metro line. Line 4 runs for 28.2km from its northern terminus at Anheqiao North to Xizhimen, Xidan, and Gongyixiqiao, serving China's national library, the university district, and Beijing Zoo.

WHILE there are encouraging signs that the worst economic recession since the Great Depression is bottoming out, it is already clear that some railfreight operators have weathered the storm far better than others. The shrewd operators have seized the moment to prepare themselves to take advantage of the recovery when it comes.

How has a medium-sized manufacturer like Stadler reached the point where it can compete successfully with the biggest names in the rolling stock business? Anitra Green caught up with CEO and majority shareholder Peter Spuhler to find out.

Andy Kunz, president of the US High Speed Rail Association, explains to David Briginshaw why he wants US politicians to stop playing around with ideas for modest speed increases and be bold by building a fully-fledged 27,000km high-speed rail network over the next 20 years.

CHINA'S Ministry of Railways (MOR) has selected a Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) joint venture to supply 80 Zefiro 380 high-speed trains in a deal worth an estimated Yuan 27.4 billion ($US 4 billion). The contract covers the supply of 20 eight-car, and 60 16-car trains and the 1120 vehicles will be delivered between 2012 and 2014. Bombardier's share of the deal is worth around Yuan 13.5 billion.
The 215m-long eight-car train seats 664 passengers, while the 428m-long 16-car variant accommodates 1336.

THE first of a fleet of 20 Alstom Prima II Bo-Bo electric locomotives for Moroccan National Railways (ONCFM) has completed its sea voyage from Antwerp to Casablanca. The 160km/h mixed traffic locomotive, which is the second of the class to be built, will undergo a period of testing across ONCFM's electrified network before entering service next year. The first locomotive is currently undergoing trials at Siemens Wildenrath test centre in Germany.

ALBTAL Transport Company (AVG) and Karlsruhe Transport Authority (VBK) have awarded Bombardier a €129 million contract to supply 30 dual-system tram-trains, with an option for up to 45 additional vehicles. The 37m-long Flexity Swift LRVs will be assembled at Bombardier's sites in Vienna and Bautzen, Germany, and will be delivered between August 2011 and September 2013.

CZECH Railways (CD) says the average age of its trains will fall from 30 to 15 years by 2015 after reaching an agreement with the national government for a rolling fleet renewal programme. CD will invest up to CKr 8 billion ($US 454.5 million) per year over the next seven years with the aim of replacing or refurbishing all locomotives, multiple units and coaches that are more than 40 years old. These vehicles currently account for more than half of CD's entire train fleet.

THE FRENCH cities of Brest and Dijon have selected Alstom to supply a total of 52 Citadis LRVs for their light rail networks, which are both currently under construction. Brest will receive 20 LRVs while Alstom will provide 32 vehicles for Dijon. All 52 vehicles will be assembled at Alstom's La Rochelle site in western France. They will be 32m-long with capacity for up to 200 passengers.