SWITZERLAND's Rhaetian Railway (RhB) has awarded a SFr 285m ($US 292m) contract to Stadler for 27 new Flügel EMUs with an option for up to 20 additional trains. The trains will be built in Altenrhein, Switzerland, and the first will be handed over in summer 2019.

SWITZERLAND's Southeastern Railway (SOB) signed a SFr 170m ($US 173m) contract with Stadler Rail in Herisau on June 27 for 11 Flirt EMUs, which will be used on Lucern - St Gallen Voralpen-Express services.

LOCOMOTIVE leasing company Akiem have signed a framework agreement with Bombardier Transportation for 52 Bombardier Traxx AC and MS electric locomotives, with an initial firm order for 26 units worth €95m.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has adopted a multi-faceted approach to achieve the highest possible level of safety in the new 57km Gotthard base tunnel. Anitra Green reports from Switzerland.

With the handover of the Gotthard Base Tunnel to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) on June 1, this mammoth project has entered the final phase before the start of commercial services on December 11. Keith Barrow looks at how SBB is preparing for a smooth transition to the new infrastructure.

SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) has announced plans to launch a new Frankfurt - Milan service next year in cooperation with both Trenitalia and German Rail (DB).

SWITZERLAND's metre-gauge Rhaetian Railway (RhB) has introduced the first of six sets of seven-car locomotive-hauled coaches into public service.

THE Gotthard Base Tunnel was inaugurated by the president of the Swiss Federation Mr Johann Schneider-Ammann and federal transport minister Mrs Doris Leuthard on June 1 with simultaneous ceremonies at the northern and southern portals of the world's longest main line railway tunnel.

GERMAN freight wagon leasing and logistics company VTG has acquired a new major shareholder after the sale of Wilbur Ross's final 20% stake in the company to Kühne Holding, a shipping, logistics and hotel company based in Switzerland.

THE Swiss Federal Council has submitted plans to parliament for SFr 13.2bn ($US 13.3bn) in funding to cover the cost of maintaining the Swiss rail network for the period 2017-2020.