AFTER achieving efficiency savings across it operations and revamping its internal loan policy, Russian Railways (RZD) has added Roubles 64bn ($US 2.04bn) to its 2012 investment programme which now totals Roubles 492.2bn.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) will step up its fleet modernisation programme next year by spending a record Roubles 85bn ($US 2.7bn) on new locomotives, transport minister Mr Maksim Sokolov confirmed on November 8.

THE first container train with a CIM/SMGS common consignment note was despatched by Russian Railways Logistics (RZDL) in cooperation with its Chinese subsidiary YuXinOu Logistics on October 31.

THE global railway track system market remains on course for steady growth despite the budget crisis in the Euro zone and the slowdown in upgrades in China, according to the latest market study by German consultancy group, SCI Verkehr.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) announced on October 16 that it has concluded negotiations with potential buyers of a 25% plus one share stake in its former subsidiary Freight One, with Independent Transport Company (ITC) submitting the best binding offer.

IRJ at InnoTrans 2012: RUSSIA will not deliver a new high-speed line between Moscow and St Petersburg in time for the 2018 fifa World Cup, according to Russian Railways (RZD) president Mr Vladimir Yakunin.

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.

RUSSIAN Railways' (RZD) revenue rose by 9% last year to Roubles 1481bn ($US 46.3bn) due primarily to a 5.7% increase in revenue freight traffic and what RZD describes as an 8% tariff indexation.

RUSSIA's anti-trust watchdog has ordered the city of Moscow to stop taking bids for a $US 300m contract to supply 120 LRVs and to re-tender.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has strongly denied claims in the Russian press that its high-speed railway construction programme has been cancelled.