Keith Barrow

GERMAN intermodal operator European Cargo Logistics (ECL) has expanded its services between the port of Lübeck and Duisburg to accommodate lorry semitrailers that cannot be loaded by crane, using a unique parallel loading and unloading system developed by CargoBeamer, Germany.

MARYLAND governor Mr Martin O'Malley announced on September 4 that the state will allocate $US 689m towards Baltimore's planned light rail Red Line as part of a $US 1.5bn investment in transport projects in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region.

A much-delayed project to relieve a major bottleneck on the Gothenburg –Malmö line reached an important milestone on September 4, when tunnel boring machine Åsa emerged into the daylight at the northern portal of the 8.7km Hallandsås tunnel, marking the completion of tunnelling works.

BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail announced on September 5 that Mr Mark Carne has been selected to succeed Sir David Higgins as chief executive.

MTR Corporation has awarded Thales a contract to supply and install Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) for Hong Kong's $HK 64.9bn ($US 8.36bn) Shatin – Central Link (SCL).

EUROTUNNEL'S subsidiary GB Railfreight (GBRf) has signed a contract with EMD for eight additional class 66 diesel locomotives, the first new class 66s to be built for a British operator since 2008.

POLISH long-distance operator PKP Intercity has selected a consortium of Stadler and Newag, Poland, as preferred bidder for a contract worth more than Zlotys 1.5bn ($US 472m) to supply and maintain 20 160km/h emus.

MTR Corporation has awarded Aecom a contract to design the cross-harbour tunnel on Hong Kong's North South Line (NSL), which forms part of the new Shatin – Central Link (SCL).

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) stepped up the operation of high-speed services between France and Germany on August 26 with the launch of a daily TGV between Paris and Freiburg-im-Breisgau.

NETWORK Rail reopened Nottingham station on August 26 following the completion of a £100m project to remodel and resignal the station and its approaches.