BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme achieved a milestone on July 30 following the successful operation of a class 700 train through central London using European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2.

PARIS Transport Authority (RATP) and Nokia have successfully completed the first trial of 4G LTE telecommunications technology on a portion of the Paris Metro Line 14, demonstrating that a single network can be used for all operational communications for a train.

A ceremony was held at the Semaf Railway Factory in Helwan, Egypt, on August 1 to mark the completion of the last of 20 nine-car Hyundai Rotem trains for Cairo metro.

UNITED Wagon Company (UWC) has begun the mass production of ammonia tank wagons, with a projected annual output of up to 1000 vehicles.

TRENITALIA signed framework contracts with Alstom and Hitachi Rail Italy (HRI) on August 3 for up to 450 regional trains.

GREAT Western Railway (GWR) has confirmed an order for seven additional bi-mode Intercity Express Trains as part of a new multi-million pound deal with Hitachi Rail Europe leasing company Eversholt Rail Group.

KOREA’s national train operator Korail was awarded a contract on August 1 to provide consultancy services for the design of Manila metro Line MRT-7 in cooperation with San Miguel Holdings subsidiary Universal LRT, which is implementing the project.

CRRC Zhuzhou unveiled what is claimed to be China’s first domestically-developed supercapacitor-powered light rail vehicle at its plant in Hunan province on August 1.

GERMAN regional operator Länderbahn is set to continue operating Alex regional services from Munich to destinations in Franconia and the Allgäu after Bavarian railway authority BEG directly awarded the IR 25 Übergang interim contract to the Netinera subsidiary.

TORONTO and Hamilton transport authority Metrolinx has purchased an additional 125 Bombardier double-deck coaches for the the Go Transit commuter rail network in a deal worth $C 428m ($US 328m).