Fitting out of the Durchmesserlinie, Zurich's second cross-city line, is now underway. Completion of this $US 2.1bn project, which is planned in phases from 2014, will provide much-needed additional capacity on the city's congested rail network as Valentina Kumpusch, project manager with Rhomberg Bahntechnik explains.

THE University of Alberta has formally launched the Canadian Rail Research Laboratory, a partnership which aims to address some of the most pressing technical challenges facing North America's railways.

Ilya Shirokobrod, vice-president, head of the railway products division of Evraz (pictured), tells Keith Barrow how the company is expanding its rail production facilities in an effort to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic market.

GERMANY's Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development and German Rail (DB) have reached agreement to fund a €693m project to construct a 16km 250km/h section of line to the south of Karlsruhe.

SWEDEN's prime minister Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt, speaking in Linköping on August 29, says he plans to increase railway investment by 30% between 2014 and 2025 as part of a plan to invest more in infrastructure to encourage economic growth.

WITH work progressing on the North-South railway in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has selected Plasser & Theurer to supply 12 machines to maintain the mixed traffic lines.

ISRAEL National Roads Company invites companies or groups to prequalify by October 24 for a contract to construct the superstructure, and equip two new lines currently under construction.

FERROVIA Trans Rail Solutions, the joint venture awarded the Rs.1.56bn ($US 28m) contract to build the 66km New Kawadia - Durgapur section of India's 1839km Ludhiana - Dankuni eastern dedicated freight corridor (DFC), will import a refurbished Harsco Rail track laying machine in December.

BRAZILIAN mining giant Vale has announced on August 23 that it has concluded a Reais 3.9bn ($US 1.92bn) financing deal with Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES) to fund its Logistics Capacity North (CLN) 150 enhancement project, which will boost iron ore throughput by 30.4% on the Carajás Railway (EFC) and at the port of Ponta da Madeira.

A ceremony was held on August 18 to mark the start of construction of last remaining 21km segment of the 143km Nagasaki – Hakata Shinkansen between Isahaya and Nagasaki.