ALSTOM has delivered the first Prima BB 475400 diesel locomotive to French National Railways (SNCF) as part of a 2004 framework Euros 836 million contract for 400 diesel-electric locomotives which is scheduled to run until 2015.

DESPITE the difficult economic conditions Indian Railways (IR) achieved an 8% increase in revenue during the 2009-10 financial year, according to figures released today by the Ministry of Railways, which show IR's total income reached Rs 866.44 billion ($US 19.57 billion).

ANSALDOBREDA has secured a Euros 33 million contract to revamp Milan Transport's (ATM) ageing fleet of Jumbo Trams which have been in operation since the 1970s.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has signed an agreement with its counterparts in Slovakia, Austria and Ukraine that will pave the way for the extension of the 1524mm-gauge network to Austria. Under the terms of the deal, which was signed during Russian President Mr Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Slovakia this week, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants will be appointed as the main contractor for the 432km link between the existing 1524mm-gauge railhead at Košice in eastern Slovakia and Vienna.

CHINA'S Ministry of Railways has reported a ridership increase of 9.3% year-on-year to 417.8 million passengers in the first quarter of 2010. Usage peaked during the 40-day spring festival season when an estimated 204 million passengers took the train. Freight traffic was also up at 899.9 million tonnes during the first three months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 18%.

DYNAMIC testing of the first Alstom Citadis LRV delivered to Rabat-Salé's new light rail system, Morocco's first modern network, began on March 30.

THE Chairman of Central Japan Railway Mr Yoshiyuki Kasai has launched a stinging attack on China's rail industry, accusing suppliers of "stealing" foreign technology and neglecting safety.

BANK of China is to acquire a stake in the company building the Beijing - Shanghai high-speed line in a deal worth Yuan 6 billion ($US 879 million), which was signed on Tuesday. Subject to regulatory approval, the bank will acquire 4.54% of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Company from its biggest shareholder, China Railway Construction Investment Company, which is owned by the Ministry of Railways.

SPANISH rolling stock manufacturer CAF is celebrating another successful year after posting a profit of Euros 124.3 million, up 17.5% on 2008 levels. By the end of December CAF's order backlog stood at Euros 4.34 billion, 55% of which related to orders from outside Spain.

KAZTEMIRTRANS, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways has secured a $US 50 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to renew its ageing rolling stock.