THE latest SCI Rail Business Index regarding the current and expected business environment, based on a survey of top managers from around 100 representative companies from the global rail industry, reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2014.
ILLINOIS Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced on December 19 that it has issued a notice of intent to award Siemens a contract to supply a total of 35 200km/h diesel passenger locomotives for five US states.
THREE consortia have submitted bids to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, for the $C 536m ($US 505m) PPP contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the city's first light rail line.
PUGET Sound regional transport authority, Sound Transit, has awarded Wabtec a $US 34m contract to design, supply and install Positive Train Control (PTC) on the 132km Sounder commuter rail network around Seattle.
SUMITOMO Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has agreed to purchase Flagship Rail Services, United States, from Perella Weinberg Partners for $US 1.1bn subject to regulatory approval.
THE Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Harris County, Texas, is concluding final test runs on the Houston MetroRail Red Line northern extension, which is due to open early next year.
The rising cost of diesel in North America is prompting the Class 1 railways to explore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as an alternative, which as well as being cheaper, is kinder to the environment. Railway Age editor-in-chief William Vantuono and Kevin Smith examine the latest developments.
UTAH Transit Authority welcomed the first passengers to its S-Line tram line on December 7, when residents were offered free rides on the line in return for a donation to the city's food bank.
THE mayor of Chicago Mr Rahm Emanuel and Illinois governor Mr Pat Quinn announced on December 5 that Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will invest $US 492 in the modernisation of the Blue Line O'Hare Branch, which links the city's main international airport with the city centre.
SIEMENS Rail Systems and Cummins jointly announced on December 3 that they are launching a passenger locomotive partnership with the aim of bringing "one of the most modern and efficient diesel-electric passenger locomotives in the world to the US marketplace."
