THE first of 70 class 385 regional EMUs has begun its journey from Hitachi’s Kasado plant in Japan to Europe.

CZECH private passenger operator GW Train Regio has been directly awarded a 10-year contract by the Czech Ministry of Transport to operate express services on the Plzen - Most line.

GERMANY’s federal cabinet approved the 2030 Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan (BVWP 2030) and three items of draft enabling legislation on August 3, bringing the country a step closer to implementing the €269.6bn programme.

FIVE manufacturers have submitted bids to Spanish national train operator Renfe for a contract to supply a fleet of high-speed trains after a previous tender was abandoned following a judicial appeal by Bombardier.

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.

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.

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.