STADLER and Swiss operator Southeast Rail (SOB) unveiled the first Traverso Flirt low-floor EMU destined for operation on the Voralpen Express at a ceremony in Erlen on June 6.

LUXEMBOURG’s minister for sustainable development and infrastructure, Mr François Bausch, and Ms Lydie Polfer, mayor of the City of Luxembourg, announced on June 4 that the next section of the city’s first light rail line will open on July 27.

Russia’s passenger rail sector is experiencing dramatic changes in its regulatory environment as the government looks to spur a rolling stock renewal programme by encouraging market competition. Ilya Tereshko, deputy head of the Railway Research Division at the Institute for Natural Monopolies Research (IPEM), explains what this could mean for services in the future.

GE Transportation has completed the first of 200 Evolution series diesel-electric locomotives, which it is building at its plant in Fort Worth, Texas, for Canadian National Railway (CN).

THE October Electric Car Repair Plant (OEVRZ) division of Transmashholding, Russia, has completed the delivery of 27 new six-car trains to St Petersburg for operation on Line 3 (Green Line) in time for the city to host fans attending the World Cup soccer championship.

TAIWAN Railway Administration (TRA) has awarded a Won 909.8bn ($US 850m) contract to Hyundai Rotem for 52 10-car 130km/h EMUs to be delivered by 2024.

AMTRAK issued a request for proposals (RFP) on June 1 for the modernisation or replacement of ageing diesel locomotives used on its long-distance and some state-sponsored services.

RAIL freight operator Serbia Cargo has awarded Siemens Austria a €32m contract to supply eight multi-system Vectron locomotives.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) has agreed with French leasing company Akiem to sell and lease back 45 class 186 Traxx MS2 four-voltage locomotives.