VOSSLOH's new management team has announced a major restructuring of the company to improve its long-term profitability, but with additional costs of up to €250m Vossloh says it expects to lose between €150m and €180m this year.

ONE year after steps were taken to speed up Germany's tortuous and costly train certification process, the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) says progress has been made, but the certification of modernised vehicles is still unclear and legislation is needed.

TEST running will begin soon at Egorshino depot in the Sverdlosvsk region of Russia of what is claimed to be the world's first gas-reciprocating-engine locomotive.

EUROPEAN rolling stock leasing company Railpool has signed a framework agreement with Bombardier for 35 Traxx electric locomotives worth €135m with an option for up to 30 more units for an additional investment of €115m.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) plans to increase capital investment by 7% from $US 11.4bn this year to $US 12.2bn in 2015, Mr Valentin Gapanovich, senior vice-president of innovative development and chief engineer with RZD, announced at the 9th 1520 railway forum organised by RZD in Sochi last week.

LEASING company Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE) has awarded Siemens a contract to supply an additional 20 Vectron AC locomotives, taking its Vectron fleet to 35 units.

GERMAN Rail (DB) has awarded Bombardier a €27m contract to supply seven Traxx DE ME multi-engine diesel locomotives for use on DB Autozug SyltShuttle car trains, which link Niebüll with Westerland on the island of Sylt in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

In an effort to improve the reliability of its E464 and E405 locomotives, Trenitalia selected Bombardier to supply a telediagnostics system which recognises potential faults before they disturb operations thereby enhancing maintenance. Marco Chiandoni visited Bombardier's plant in Vado Ligure to witness the system in action.

POLISH rolling stock manufacturer Newag has reached an agreement with Duro Daković Specijalna Vozila, which will enable the Croatian company to assemble Newag E4ACU Griffin electric locomotives at its plant in Slavonski Brod.

NIGERIAN Railway Corporation (NRC) is inviting contractors and consultants to prequalify by June 9 for a range of contracts to rehabilitate the railway as part of the federal government's Railway Rehabilitation Programme.