METRO Madrid has completed initial engineering studies for the first metro line in the Ecuadorian capital Quito, which according to the municipal government puts the project on course for construction to start next year.

TRENITALIA has invited bids for a contract worth an estimated Euro 1.25bn to supply 130 regional dmus and emus, with an option for a further 60 sets.

Substantial new investment in rolling stock and infrastructure is paving the way for a major overhaul of passenger operations in South Africa, as regional editor John Batwell explains.

BRAZIL's 11 railfreight concessionaires achieved a 1% increase in traffic to 475 million tonnes last year, but this was well below their forecast of 530 million tonnes, according to figures released by Brazil's National Association of Rail Transport (ANTF).

German Rail (DB) has agreed to relinquish its 49% stake in the Alstom Locomotive Service (ALS) joint venture to majority shareholder Alstom Germany.

ARRIYADH Development Authority (ADA) has launched the prequalification for a turnkey contract to design, build and equip Phase 1 of the Riyadh light metro, with an option to maintain the three-lines 92km network.

EUROTUNNEL freight subsidiary Europorte Channel has successfully run the first freight service between mainland Europe and Britain using continental loading gauge wagons carrying lorry semi-trailers.

TRIALS of a new train-to-car wireless communications system designed to improve safety at level crossings are taking place this week in Melbourne.

THE HEMU-430X prototype high-speed train was officially unveiled on May 16 in Changwon in the presence of the presidents of Korail, Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) and Hyundai-Rotem.

ISRAEL Railways (ISR) is inviting bids by May 29 for a fleet of between 10 and 12 secondhand or refurbished diesel-electric locomotives with an option to purchase addition units.