PRODUCTION of bodyshells for a new fleet of 160km/h Civity multiple units for British regional franchise Arriva Trains Northern has begun at CAF’s plants in Irun and Zaragoza, Spain.

THE board of Belgian light rail operator De Lijn has approved an order for up to 146 CAF Urbos 100 low-floor LRVs following an appeal by Bombardier and subsequent re-evaluation of the bids.

DYNAMIC testing began on the Mexico - Toluca interurban line on June 12, when a CAF Civity EMU ran under its own power at slow speed between Zinacantepec and Pino Suárez stations.

THE French city of St Etienne officially launched its new fleet of CAF low-floor LRVs on May 3.

The replacement of life-expired trams on established light rail networks and continued investment in new lines helped to fuel a 43% increase in the sale of light rail vehicles last year, according to data from IRJ Pro. Jonny Dearden, market researcher for IRJ Pro, explores the factors driving growth and looks ahead to the prospects for 2017.

NEW South Wales transport minister Mr Andrew Constance announced on April 18 that the new light rail line in the city of Newcastle will operate without catenary for much of its length to reduce the line’s visual impact.

THE first CAF New Generation Sprinter (SNG) EMU for Netherlands Railways (NS) began dynamic testing at the VUZ Velim test centre in the Czech Republic on April 5.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) confirmed on March 16 that the first New Generation Sprinter (SNG) EMU has left CAF’s plant at Beasain in northern Spain.

BRUSSELS Transport (Stib) has awarded a consultancy contract to a consortium of Systra, Geste and Tractebel to assist with the introduction of communications-based train control (CBTC) on metro lines 1 and 5.

THE first of 21 Urbos low-floor LRVs for the initial phase of the Luxembourg light rail network arrived at the city’s Kirchberg depot on February 8 after completing its 1800km road journey from CAF’s plant in Zaragoza, Spain.