THE Trump Administration’s proposed 2017 budget, released on March 16, includes reducing funds to the United States Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak's long-distance train funding, as well as popular transport grants.

A ceremony to mark the laying of the cornerstone for the Modi’in curve, a new 2.5km direct link between Modi’in and the new Jerusalem - Tel Aviv A1 Link, was held at Modi’in Outskirts station on March 14.

SWISS intermodal operator RAlpin held an official ceremony in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, on March 16 to mark the opening of its modernised handling terminal after around two years of construction work.

AUSTRALIAN rail freight operator Aurizon is looking to revitalise its plans for a 1067mm-gauge rail link to the proposed coalfields in the Galilee Basin in north Queensland, according to reports in the Financial Review.

EUROSTAR, which operates high-speed services between Britain and mainland Europe, says improvements in performance and the trading environment reported at the end of 2016 have continued in the first 10 weeks of this year.

SWEDISH transport company Hector Rail has ordered 15 Vectron AC electric-diesel locomotives from Siemens, and delivery will begin in early 2018.

AUTOMOBILE logistics group Mosolf announced on March 15 that it has reactivated rail freight traffic to its site in Düsseldorf, Germany, five years after they were withdrawn.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) and Prorail have successfully completed a joint research initiative that looked at the use of smartwatches by conductors, with the aim of increasing punctual departures.

DB Long Distance has announced that it is investing €210m to refurbish its fleet of 66 ICE3 high-speed trains, comprising 50 class 403 15kV ac and 16 class 406 multi-system sets.

GERMAN freight operator Havellian Railway (HVLE) signed a purchase agreement for the supply of 10 six-axle Eurodual locomotives from Stadler’s Spanish subsidiary, Stadler Rail Valencia. The deal also comprises a full service maintenance agreement.