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Keith Fender

January 10, 2017 | Locomotives

DB signs technology partnership with Toshiba

GERMAN Rail’s rail freight division DB Cargo has agreed a technology partnership with Toshiba, Japan, including the development of hybrid locomotives, first mooted at InnoTrans, and the sale and lease-back of electric locomotives in conjunction with Railpool.

January 9, 2017 | Financial

DB sleeper trains perform better than expected prior to withdrawal

WHILE German Rail (DB) ceased operation of all classic overnight trains with sleeper and couchette coaches on December 11, internal DB documents retrieved by the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper show that the services recorded reduced losses in the last few months prior to their withdrawal.

December 27, 2016 | Rolling stock

Greater Anglia launches modernised EMUs

ABELLIO, Greater Anglia launched the first of its "Renatus" refurbished class 321 EMUs on December 16.

December 13, 2016 | Light Rail

Stadler and Solaris form LRV joint venture

POLISH bus and tram manufacturer Solaris and Stadler announced on December 9 that they are creating a joint venture in Poland.

December 12, 2016 | Light Rail

Mainz tram extension opens

THE German city of Mainz celebrated the latest addition to its metre-gauge tram network on December 11 with the opening of the 9.2km Mainzelbahn.

December 8, 2016 | Europe

Paris - Troyes electrification underway

REGIONAL political leaders attended a ceremony in Romily-sur-Seine on November 22 to officially launch electrification of the Paris Est – Troyes line.

December 1, 2016 | Light Rail

Berlin plans major light rail expansion

THE recently-elected Berlin City "Red-Red-Green" coalition government comprising the SPD or Social Democrats, "Linke" party and the Greens has concluded a wide-ranging coalition agreement covering all aspects of the city's government, including a major expansion of the tram network.

November 29, 2016 | Main line

Schönbuch Railway electrification underway

A ceremony was held in the German state of Baden-Württemberg on November 11 to mark the start of electrification works on the 17km Schönbuch Railway from Böblingen to Dettenhausen.

November 23, 2016 | Rolling stock

Coupling defects lead to withdrawal of NOB fleet

TRANSDEV Germany subsidiary NOB has been forced to to withdraw its entire fleet of Bombardier push-pull coaches, which are used on Hamburg - Westerland (Sylt) regional services following the discovery of coupling defects.

November 16, 2016 | Commuter Rail

Essex Thameside EMU tender launched as class 387s enter service

C2C, the subsidiary of National Express responsible for operating the Essex Thameside commuter franchise, introduced the first two Bombardier class 387/3 Electrostar EMUs on services from London Fenchurch Street to Basildon, Southend Central, and Shoeburyness on November 14.