The first five trains out of a planned fleet of 600 six-car EMUs has been completed by the Gibela consortium for operation on South African commuter networks as production begins to shift to a new domestic facility. Paul Ash explains how this massive project is progressing.

Gautrain, South Africa's first standard-gauge railway, has confounded many of its critics by cutting journey times in the Pretoria and Johannesburg area and attracting a loyal ridership. Plans are now being drawn up to extend the network to cope with Johannesburg's rapidly-expanding population, as Paul Ash reports.

Kenya is on course to complete a new Chinese-funded 472km standard-gauge railway line linking Mombasa with Nairobi in the second half of 2017. Shem Oirere reports from Nairobi on progress so far and assesses the project's prospects for success.

CHINA Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) signed a contract with CRRC Qishuyan, China, for on May 30 for 56 diesel locomotives, which will be used on the initial phase of Kenya's standard-gauge railway.

CASA Transport has awarded Yapi Merkezi, Turkey, a €83m contract to construct the 14.6km Line 2 of the Casablanca light rail network following an international tender in which four other groups participated.

IRJ at WCRR 2016, Milan: Leading Italian railway officials have called on the railway industry to better promote its sustainable credentials in order for rail to secure its place as the backbone of transport in the future.

THE European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Egypt's Ministry of International Cooperation on financing for the reconstruction of the Cairo - Heliopolis tram network.

SENEGALESE investment agency Apix has selected Alstom as preferred supplier for a contract to provide rolling stock for the Dakar Express Regional Rail (TER) project.

THE managing director of Kenya Railways Mr Atanas Maina told a stakeholder meeting with the Shippers Council of East Africa on April 28 that more than 75% of civil works have been completed on the 472km Mombasa - Nairobi standard-gauge line.