Automatic Train Operation has been widely used on metro lines for decades, but the technology is now starting to unlock benefits in more challenging main line environments. Keith Barrow reports from Vienna on how the industry is preparing to seize the opportunities offered by ATO on heavy rail networks.

THE 100th Siemens Vectron electric locomotive for European Locomotive Leasing (ELL) was officially handed over to Austrian rail freight operator LTE in a ceremony at Vienna Freudenau intermodal terminal on January 19.

ALSTOM reported sales of €5.5bn in the first nine months of the 2017-2018 financial year, including €1.8bn in the third quarter, an increase of 6% year-on-year.

FLORIDA’s privately-owned inter-city operator Brightline introduced its first scheduled passenger trains on January 13, with the launch of introductory services between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

HOVEDSTADENS Letbane, the public company overseeing the project to build a light rail line along Copenhagen’s Ring 3 highway, announced on January 11 that it has selected preferred bidders for contracts to build, equip, operate and maintain the 28km line, which link 11 municipalities on the western side of the city.

METRO-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (Mega) has awarded Siemens a €76m contract to provide electrification systems for Phase 1 of the metro network in Ahmedabad, India.

BRITAIN’s infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has awarded a contract to Siemens Rail Automation to start the installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) cab signalling on Britain’s freight locomotive fleet.

THE first five 250km/h ICE4 series-production trains which Siemens is supplying to German Rail (DB) entered regular passenger service on December 10 on the Hamburg - Munich and Hamburg - Frankfurt - Stuttgart main lines.

THE first ACS-64 electric locomotive for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Septa) has left Siemens’ plant in Sacramento, California, bound for Philadelphia.