About the author

Keith Barrow

Keith Barrow joined IRJ as News Editor in 2006 and was promoted to Associate Editor in 2008. He was previously editor of employee publications for the Welsh Assembly Government, G4S, and Thomsonfly, and has written for a range of other publications including the Derby Telegraph. He graduated from Lincoln University in 2002 with a degree in journalism.

July 9, 2015 | Locomotives

Pesa last-mile locomotives for Ecco Rail

PHU Locomotive, Poland, signed an agreement on July 8 to acquire three Gama locomotives from Pesa on behalf of Polish open-access operator Ecco Rail.

July 9, 2015 | Freight

Swiss-German wagonload freight services upgraded

TWO members of the Xrail international wagonload freight alliance have jointly launched new services between the major industrial centres of Germany and Switzerland offering increase frequencies and reduced transit times for less-than-trainload customers.

July 9, 2015 | Rolling stock

First Chinese EMU for Macedonia revealed

THE first of six regional trains being built for Macedonian Railways (MZ) by CRRC, China, was rolled out at the Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive plant on July 7 in the presence of Macedonian transport minister Mr Vlado Misajlovski, the vice governor of Hunan province Mr Huang Lanxiang, and CRRC vice-president Mr Lou Qiliang.

July 8, 2015 | Light Rail

Odense issues first light rail tenders

ODENSE Letbane, the public company responsible for developing the first light rail line in Denmark's third-largest city, has invited prospective bidders to prequalify for contracts to supply rolling stock and railway systems for the project.

July 8, 2015 | Rolling stock

Belgrano Sur DMUs arrive in Buenos Aires

ARGENTINA's interior and transport minister Mr Florencio Randazzo inspected the first of 27 metre-gauge commuter DMUs for the Belgrano Sur commuter network at the port of Buenos Aires on July 7.

July 8, 2015 | Main line

French government launches inter-city revival plan

FRENCH secretary of state for transport Mr Alain Vidalies unveiled plans to revive the country's loss-making network of conventional long-distance services on July 7, pledging investment in rolling stock, enhanced services, and a new contract between the government and SNCF Mobility.

July 7, 2015 | Europe

No direct award for South West Trains franchise

BRITAIN's Department for Transport (DfT) has terminated discussions with Stagecoach subsidiary South West Trains (SWT) regarding the direct award of a new franchise, which was due to start when the current contract ends in February 2017.

July 7, 2015 | Central/South America

First Porto Maravilha tram arrives in Rio

THE first of 32 Alstom Citadis low-floor LRVs for the 28km Porto Maravilha light rail network was unveiled on July 5 by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Mr Eduardo Paes.

July 7, 2015 | Central/South America

Argentinean commuter DMU delivered

THE first of a new fleet of DMUs for Tren del Valle commuter rail services between the Argentinean city of Neuquén and the neighbouring town of Cipolletti was delivered on July 5.

July 6, 2015 | Metros

Preferred bidder chosen for Mecca metro project

A joint venture of Isolux Corsan, Spain, Turkish construction company Kolin, and Haif Contracting, Saudi Arabia, has been selected as preferred bidder for a contract to carry out civil works on two sections of the initial 44km phase of the metro network in the Saudi Arabian holy city of Mecca.