CALIFORNIA Department of Transportation confirmed on November 8 that Sumitomo Corporation of America will now work with Siemens instead of Nippon Sharyo to deliver a $US 371m order for 137 coaches for California and Illinois.

THE board of Italian open-access high-speed operator NTV has decided to exercise an option for five additional Pendolino Evo trains.

POLISH long-distance operator PKP Intercity has signed a Zlotys 273m ($US 75m) contract with H. Cegielski, Poland, for the modernisation of 60 type 111A/141A coaches, with an option for the refurbishment of a further 30 vehicles.

PORTUGUESE rail freight operator Medway (formerly CP Carga) has awarded Siscog, Portugal, a contract to roll out a new scheduling and management solution for its locomotives and train crew.

THE Supervisory Board and Steering Committee of Czech Railways (ČD) has approved the procurement of more than 160 vehicles for long-distance and regional services worth about CKr 20bn ($US 910m).

SUDAN’s Ministry of Roads and Bridges signed an agreement with two Chinese companies in Khartoum on November 7 for a 12-month feasibility study into the construction of a 3400km railway linking the Red Sea with its landlocked neighbour Chad.

UZBEKISTAN Railways (UTY) has launched a tender for 24 electric locomotives divided into 16 freight and eight passenger units to address what it describes as a chronic shortage of locomotives and to cater for traffic growth.

LOWER Saxony Transport Authority (LNVG) signed a contract with Alstom and gas supplier Linde Group in Wolfsburg on November 9 for a fleet of 14 Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel multiple units, which will replace diesel trains on non-electrified routes in northwest Germany from 2021 onwards.

ITALIAN State Railways' (FS) rail freight subsidiaries TX Logistik and Mercitalia Rail have reportedly selected Bombardier as preferred bidder for a contract to supply and maintain up to 125 electric locomotives in a move which could secure the immediate future of the Bombardier plant at Vado Ligure near Genoa.

DB Regio and Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) presented a one-to-one double-deck mock-up of their Idea Train in Nuremberg on November 7 showing innovative product and service concepts for regional services.