BNSF is testing an SD40 locomotive which has been modified by National Railway Equipment (NRE) to increase its tractive effort and adhesion.

BRITAIN's secretary of state for transport, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, has approved a £1bn 5km extension to the Northern Line of London Underground (LU).

THE Czech Republic's minister of transport Ing Antonín Prachař has resigned following intense criticism of his handling of a highway project and controversial management changes at national road and railway organisations.

THE first of three pre-series Super Express Trains (SETs) being supplied to Britain under the Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme (IEP) was revealed to the press at Hitachi's plant in Kasado, Japan, on November 13.

THE North West Rail (NWB) subsidiary of Veolia Verkehr, Germany, has won a 10-year concession from the transport authorities of Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Westphalia Lippe to operate the Weser-Ems rail network.

CONSTRUCTION has started of a second Metrolink light rail line in central Manchester to enable more LRVs to run through the city centre.

THE Chinese government has agreed a soft loan for the construction of standard-gauge double-track lines in Thailand, which currently has a metre-gauge rail network.

TRIAL operation has begun on a 1.7km section of China's first catenary-free light rail line in Zhuhai in time for the start of the 10th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.

SHEIK Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, has officially opened the emirate's first light rail line.

IN the run up to the election on November 29 in the Australian state of Victoria, the Liberal/National coalition government has promised to invest $A 3.9bn ($US 3.4bn) in new rolling stock for the state's suburban, regional and light rail networks, should it be re-elected.