THE German Rail Industry Association (VDB) says sales of railway equipment increased by 42% in 2013 to a new record of €14.9bn compared with weak performance in 2012.

HKX is the only private open-access long-distance operator in Germany. David Briginshaw reports on its progress since services were launched on the Hamburg - Cologne corridor in July 2012.

MIDDLE Saxony Transport Association (VMS) has awarded a €150m contract to Alstom to supply 29 Coradia Continental EMUs and maintain the sets for 16 years.

NORTH Hessen Transport Association (NVV) has awarded incumbent operator Cantus a 15-year contract extension to operate regional services on the northwest Hessen railway network.

GERMAN Rail's (DB) Ebit for 2013 fell by €472m, or 17.4% compared with 2012, to €2.2bn, despite sales remaining stable at €39.1bn compared with €39.3bn in 2012.

AN INTERNATIONAL group set up to promote the development of an S-Bahn network encircling Lake Constance has called on the governments of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany to invest in track-doubling and electrification in order to make the project a reality.

GERMAN Rail has signed a €146m contract with Bombardier for 29 class 442 Talent 2 suburban emus as part of a framework deal for up to 321 trains, which was agreed in 2007.

BOMBARDIER announced on March 19 that it has received an order worth around €60m for 15 Traxx DE ME multi-engine diesel locomotives from Germany-based financial joint venture Paribus-DIF Netz West Lokomotiven.

GERMAN infrastructure manager DB Networks has taken delivery of the first of four class 711/2 catenary inspection vehicles from Robel.

DB REGIO has placed a second order worth €30m for nine Link dmus from Polish supplier Pesa as part of a framework contract for up to 470 trains, which was signed in September 2012.