CANADIAN National (CN) announced on November 28 it is launching a $C 10m ($US 9.4m) programme to enhance the early detection of defects in rails and wheelsets.
THE first Shinkansen train to be developed jointly by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) was unveiled to the press at JR East's Rifu depot near Sendai on November 28.
KENYA's president Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the groundbreaking of a 500km standard-gauge railway linking the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa to the capital, Nairobi on November 28.
THE United States Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved plans for the 3km extension of the Phoenix Valley Metro light rail network to Gilbert Road in Mesa, Arizona.
SOUTH African mining company Kumba Iron Ore has taken delivery of six C30ACi diesel locomotives from GE to shunt heavy-haul trains at its Sishen mine in Northern Cape.
AUSTRALIA's deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional redevelopment Mr Warren Truss launched a report entitled Opportunities for greater passenger rolling stock procurement efficiency during his federal government address at the AusRail Plus congress in Sydney today.
THE president of Taiwan Mr Ma Ying-jeou and the mayor of Taipei Mr Hau Lung-bin inaugurated Taipei's MRT Xinyi line on November 24, nearly eight years after the start of construction.
THE International Union of Railways (UIC) says it hopes a new global initiative which is intended to attract and retain talent can help the rail industry overcome the problems posed by an ageing workforce and a looming skills shortage.
VOSSLOH Fastening Systems has been awarded a contract worth around €30m to supply rail fasteners for the 450km Haramain high-speed line between Mecca, Jeddah, and Medina, which is currently under construction.
THE Spanish and French presidents, Mr Mariano Rajoy and Mr François Hollande, announced on November 27 that direct TGV services between Paris and Barcelona will start on December 15. The long-awaited confirmation follows months of rolling stock validation tests carried out in both countries.
