About the author

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith joined IRJ in 2009 as Features Editor and since then has travelled the world reporting on developments in the world's railways. He was appointed Managing Editor in 2017 and Editor-in-Chief in February 2020. Before joining IRJ, Kevin worked for several local newspapers in the United States and as a freelance technical writer for a university engineering magazine. Kevin graduated with a first class honours degree in American Studies from Lancaster University, Britain, in 2006, and with a Master's degree in American Studies from Purdue University, United States, in 2008.

May 7, 2015 | Financial

RZD reports mixed 2014 results

IMPROVING performance at its logistics service division helped Russian Railways (RZD) to report increased revenues in 2014. However, the holding company did report a net loss of Roubles 99.3bn ($US 1.96bn) following the weakening of the Rouble compared with major international currencies which led to significant exchange rate differences and an increase in the value of debt held in other currencies.

May 6, 2015 | Metros

Brasilia agrees loan for new metro trains

THE Economic, Budget and Finance committee of the Legislative Council of the federal district of Brasilia has approved a bill allowing the local government to proceed with a Reais 737.1m ($US 241.1m) loan agreement to purchase 10 new metro trains and complete work on intermediate stations on the northwest section of the network.

May 5, 2015 | Middle East

Five consortia in running for Oman Rail contract

FIVE consortia bidding for the civil works contract for the first phase of Oman's railway network have reportedly passed the technical evaluation carried out by Oman Rail for the project, with the railway subsequently meeting each of the bidding parties last week to discuss pricing.

May 4, 2015 | Rolling stock

CAF profits and turnover fall in first quarter

CAF reported an 18.4% fall in net turnover to €306.6m in the first quarter of 2015 following a decline in industrial activity due to "scheduling reasons."

May 4, 2015 | Metros

Dalian Metro prepares to open Line 2

MORE than 7100 passengers took part in six hours of complimentary trial operations on Dalian metro Line 2 on April 30, with 11 trains carrying out more than 100 pilot runs.

May 4, 2015 | Middle East

Israel Railways hosts electrification contract bidders

ISRAEL Railways (IR) held a three day conference last week to meet with the five participants in the tender for the national railway electrification project as they prepare to submit bids by July 23.

May 1, 2015 | Light Rail

Toronto pushes ahead with Finch West LRT

CONSTRUCTION of Toronto's 11km Finch West LRT project will commence in 2017, Ontario's minister of transportation Mr Stephen De Duca announced this week.

May 1, 2015 | Central/South America

Buenos Aires to issue tender for metro Line F

BUENOS Aires metro authority Sbase president Mr Juan Pablo Piccardo has announced that the authority is set to launch a tender this year to construct the first stage of metro Line F from Constitution Plaza Callao to Santa Fe. Work on the project is expected to start in 2016 and will take four years to complete.

May 1, 2015 | High-speed

RZD signs first contract for Moscow – Kazan HSL

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has selected a consortium led by Mosgiprotrans and including Nizhegorodmetroproekt and China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (CREEC) to provide preliminary surveys and design for the proposed Moscow - Kazan high-speed line.

April 30, 2015 | Freight

Northern Territory funds new 600km line study

THE government of Australia's Northern Territory (NT) will contribute $A 1m from its 2015 budget towards feasibility studies into a new 600km line to link mines in Mount Isa in northwest Queensland with Tennant Creek on the existing Adelaide - Darwin line.