Dan Templeton

CZECH Railways (ČD) announced on August 22 that it is introducing two open coach types on its Prague – Ústi nad Labem – Dĕčín – Berlin – Hamburg – Kiel route.

LONDON Underground (LU) launched 24 hour weekend operation on its Central and Victoria lines on August 19 when more than 50,000 passengers took advantage of the Night Tube service.

THE California State Transport Agency (Calsta) announced on August 16 the 14 recipients for the $US 390m 2016 Transit and Intercity Capital Programme (TIRCP) grants, $US 374m of which will be invested in rail.

MTR Corporation, Hong Kong, has awarded Mechan, Britain, two contracts to supply lifting jacks, bogie turntables and a bespoke bogie drop.

SWISS private railway BLS has placed an order for the IVU.rail integrated planning system from IVU Traffic Technologies, Germany.

CZECH infrastructure manager SŽDC awarded Strabag, Austria, a €34m contract on August 9 to renovate the 46km Okříšky - Zastávka u Brna line in southern Czech Republic.

THE first of 26 LRVs being built by Stadler for the light rail network in Aarhus arrived in the Danish city for testing on August 11.

THE Japanese government announced on August 12 that it will provide a $US 2.4bn loan for a new railway in the Philippines in order to ease Manila’s traffic difficulties.

NORWAY’s infrastructure manager Jernbaneverket has begun an of a 2.8 km section of the Bergen Railway between Voss and Palma Foss, where an emergency terminal is being built.

RUSSIAN Railways subsidiary, RZD Logistics, launched a test of a refrigerated container train carrying fruit and vegetables between Russia and China on August 8 in what hopes will become a regular service.