RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has received two 2ES5 dual-unit electric freight locomotives from Transmashholding subsidiary Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant, the first part of an order for 200 locomotives that will be delivered up to 2020.

DB Schenker Rail UK, the British railfreight subsidiary of German Rail (DB), has announced plans to equip 90 EMD class 66 diesel locomotives with stop-start technology following a successful trial in southwest England.

LOWER Austrian Transport Company (Növog) has issued tenders for two used or new diesel locomotives with optional maintenance and financing, and for five panoramic coaches with an option for up to ten additional vehicles.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: Vossloh celebrated the delivery of the 100th G6 diesel shunting locomotive at InnoTrans on September 24, when it handed over one of six units ordered by SNCF Geodis subsidiary Captrain Germany.

The emergence of gas-reciprocating traction could be an important breakthrough in Russia, a country with a plentiful supply of natural gas. The Russian Institute of Research, Design and Technological Studies and Transmashholding have developed the TEM19 locomotive to prove the concept in service.

A sustainable increase in natural gas supplies is resulting in efforts to explore its use as a viable alternative to diesel for powering locomotives. While LNG is preferred over CNG, Martha Lenz, director of engine systems with EMD, explains that several technologies for combustion of natural gas in locomotive diesel engines are currently under evaluation.

Vossloh will unveil at InnoTrans a full-scale model of its innovative dual-mode locomotive, the EuroDual. It will also exhibit a rejuvenated LRV for Bonn to demonstrate its vehicle refurbishing skills, as David Briginshaw discovers.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: SIEMENS announced on September 24 that it has received an Authorisation to Place Into Service (APS) from Germany's Federal Railway Authority (EBA) for its Vectron DE range of diesel-electric locomotives.

ELECTRO-MOTIVE Diesel (EMD) has secured orders to supply a total of 34 SD70ACe locomotives to Mexico's Ferromex and Ferrosur.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2014: EMD has on show a new ergonomically-designed locomotive cab to be installed in three demonstration locomotives which will be shipped to Australia next year.