Keith Fender

NETINERA'S Four Land Express (Vlexx) concession, which took over regional services in parts of three western German federal states plus cross-border trains to Alsace, France, on December 14, has been forced to offer a reduced service due to shortages of trains and drivers.

THE new tram line connecting Berlin Main Station and Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station opened partially on December 14, although the eastern section to Nordbahnhof will not open before mid-2015.

DELAYS in delivery of Stadler Flirt EMUs for the new Nordbahn service, which is due to commence on Schleswig-Holstein's central network from Hamburg to Itzehoe and Wrist on December 14, is putting the start of operations in doubt.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: FRENCH rolling stock manufacturer Lohr has exhibited its third-generation low-floor intermodal wagon for lorry semitrailers at InnoTrans this week.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: THE last of 20 TEM3 two-axle diesel-electric shunting locomotives for Belarus Railways (BC) was formally handed over to the customer by CZ Loko, Czech Republic, at InnoTrans on September 24.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: GERMAN infrastructure manager DB Networks and Kirow are exhibiting the first of five new breakdown cranes built by Leipzig-based Kirow.

ARGENTINA's world-famous Tren de las Nubes (Train of the Clouds) has ceased operating and concessionaire Ecotren has been stripped of its contract following a derailment in a remote area of the Andes.

TALGO has delivered a variable-gauge set of 20 coaches for Russian Railways (RZD) to Berlin in readiness for testing on the German network.

THE first of 20 class SM42 single-cab diesel locomotives being rebuilt by Newag, Poland, for PKP Intercity (PKP IC) has entered service with the Polish long-distance operator.

GERMAN Rail (DB) long-distance subsidiary DB Fernverkehr is planning to further restructure its night train and Autozug motor rail services, which have collectively lost more than €20m annually in recent years.