BANGLADESH Railways (BR) has issued a call for tender for the supply of 40 1676mm-gauge diesel-electric locomotives. The contract will include commissioning and trial running of the locomotives as well as training BR engineers.

JUST in time for the celebration of the 180th anniversary of Cuban Railways, which took place on November 19, the first seven class TGM8KM diesel locomotives for Cuban Union Railways (UFC) completed their journey to the island from Russia.

ITALIAN State Railways’ (FS) freight subsidiary, Mercitalia Rail, and its subsidiary TX Logistix, have agreed to purchase up to 125 new-generation Traxx DC3/MS electric locomotives from Bombardier for a total investment of around €400m, while Mercitalia Rail and Cemat will purchase 250 freight wagons at a cost of €27m.

GENERAL Electric (GE) CEO Mr John Flannery announced on November 13 that the US conglomerate will sell its Transportation business along with its Industrial Solutions and Lighting activities within the next two years as it pursues a more focused strategy.

FLORIDA East Coast Railway (FECR) has become the first North American railway to adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its entire line-haul locomotive fleet.

GERMAN open-access operator Autozug Sylt, which operates car-carrying trains between Niebüll and Westerland (Sylt) in competition with DB, has purchased two new Vectron DE diesel-electric locomotives from Siemens.

UZBEKISTAN Railways (UTY) has launched a tender for 24 electric locomotives divided into 16 freight and eight passenger units to address what it describes as a chronic shortage of locomotives and to cater for traffic growth.

ITALIAN State Railways' (FS) rail freight subsidiaries TX Logistik and Mercitalia Rail have reportedly selected Bombardier as preferred bidder for a contract to supply and maintain up to 125 electric locomotives in a move which could secure the immediate future of the Bombardier plant at Vado Ligure near Genoa.

SOUTH African private locomotive repair and leasing company, Sheltam, has announced a rebranding and the launch of new rolling stock leasing and railway infrastructure investment subsidiaries.

BRAZILIAN rail freight and logistics operator Rumo has signed an agreement with GE Transportation for the installation of GE’s Trip Optimizer energy management system on its locomotive fleet.