SIEMENS has despatched the first completed type C2 train for the Munich U-Bahn to its Wegberg-Wildenrath test centre, where it will undergo trials prior to entering service at the end of the year.

SIEMENS handed over the 100th MX3000 metro train to Oslo Metro operator Collective Transport Production (KTP) on April 24, 10 years after the contract was signed for the initial batch of three-car trains.

THE EUROPEAN Commission has cleared Siemens' $US 2.8bn acquisition of Invensys Rail following an investigation into the potential effects of the takeover on the railway signalling market, which concluded the transaction would not adversely affect competition.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) has signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 350 four-axle electric locomotives with Siemens and its Russian joint venture partner Sinara.

SIEMENS has awarded Bombardier a €336m contract to supply bodyshells and bogies for a batch of 170 ICx high-speed coaches ordered by German Rail (DB) under a framework agreement with Siemens.

THE Supervisory Board of German Rail (DB) has approved plans to increase the maximum length of the next-generation ICx long-distance train from 10 to 12 cars in order to raise seating capacity from 724 to 830.

TRANSFIMA GEIE, a joint venture of Siemens, France and Tecnimont, Italy, has won a €37.6m contract to equip a 1.6km extension of the Turin light metro.

THE supervisory boards of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Holding and ÖBB Passenger Transport have authorised the executive board to place an order for 100 Desiro ML emus from Siemens, the first batch of trains from a framework contract signed in April 2010.

EUROTUNNEL's attempts to further develop railfreight services through the Channel Tunnel continued this weekend with the successful test of a Siemens Vectron locomotive.