Quintus Vosman

The test circuit at Velim in the Czech Republic has been a fixture of research, development and certification for rail vehicles and infrastructure components for more than half a century. Quintus Vosman looks at how this unique facility is adapting to meet the changing needs of the industry and the rigorous demands of modern authorisation processes.

THE Czech Republic's minister of transport Ing Antonín Prachař has resigned following intense criticism of his handling of a highway project and controversial management changes at national road and railway organisations.

THE Czech Ministry of Transport and Czech rail infrastructure manager SŽDC have launched a feasibility study into the possible conversion of all lines currently electrified at 3kV dc to 25kV ac 50Hz.

WESTPHALIA-Lippe Local Transport (NWL) has selected Keolis for a contract to operate the Teutoburger Wald regional network in northwest Germany from December 2017, which will become effective from December 2017.

THE government of Suriname has selected Strukton Systems, Netherlands, as preferred bidder for a €130m contract to construct a 29km diesel-operated light rail line linking the capital Paramaribo with the suburb of Onverwacht.

THE Bavarian Railway Authority (BEG) has published a prior information notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for a contract to operate regional services on non-electrified lines around Ulm.

THE Dutch province of Overijssel and the Twente region have published a tender notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for a contract to operate Zwolle – Kampen and Zwolle – Enschede regional services for 15 years from December 2017.

TRIAL operation began on the new underground rail link beneath the Dutch city of Delft on November 1, when a Netherlands Railways (NS) VIRM EMU carried a group of journalists through the 2.3km tunnel.

THE regional public transport authority of Schleswig-Holstein has published a tender in the Official Journal of the European Union for a concession to operate the northern German state's West network, which includes the 237km Hamburg-Altona - Westerland Marsh Railway service to the island of Sylt, from 2016 to 2025.

VEOLIA Transport Netherlands has taken the government of Limburg to court in a row over terms and conditions for new regional rail and bus contracts in the Dutch province.