News
USSIA 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.
Speaking at InnoTrans on September 18, Yakunin said that given the time it is taking the Russian government to
Russian high-speed line “will not be ready for World Cup” R
Kevin Smith Features editor
establish a funding structure for the proposed Moscow - St Petersburg high-speed line, the objective set out by RZD to complete the project by 2018 will not be met. Delays to the project have been caused by the lack of an adequate funding structure for the estimated Roubles 696bn ($US 19.28bn) line. Yakunin is however optimistic that the Russian government will approve a new funding structure for Russian
infrastructure projects by the end of the year which will enable RZD to proceed. “This structure has never been used in Russia before,” he says, adding that despite the delays the Russian government continues to support RZD’s high-speed objectives. “From the point of view of the prime minister [Mr Dimitriy Medvedev] it is obvious that Russia needs to develop infrastructure for
high-speed trains,” Yakunin says. “It is not just a key project in terms of Russian Railways, it is an essential mode of transport for the Russian people and for generating something that will develop the economy.” Yakunin also said that plans for an IPO for a portion of RZD will only proceed “when the time is right” which he said might be around 2016 if market conditions are favourable.
Trenord launches Lombardia Express
and Ferrovienord launched its premium non-stop Lombardia Express service on September 17, substantially reducing journey times between Milan and major towns in Lombardia. Lombardia Express serves
T Alstom Prima II tested in Channel Tunnel
the Channel Tunnel on the night of September 29-30 in what Eurotunnel says was a step to introducing standard locomotives on railfreight services between Britain and continental Europe. Eurotunnel was granted
A
Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) for
N Alstom Prima II locomotive was tested in
freight operations in July 2012, superseding previous rules which stated that only locomotives built specifically for operation in the Channel Tunnel can be used. With its current fleet of class 92 locomotives not accepted by French Rail Network (RFF), Eurotunnel sought the rule change to encourage freight operators to use the tunnel.
The Prima II locomotive in standard configuration and hauling wagons with a total weight of 950 tonnes entered the tunnel via the French portal at 22.00. Eurotunnel reported that a series of traction, braking and pantograph tests were carried out to check the locomotive’s compatibility with the tunnel’s system and safety standards.
agreement with the National Roads Company (NRC) for the electrification of the country’s railway network, and issued an invitation to prequalify for the first phase of the project. Under the agreement, the NRC will be responsible for
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Israeli electrification plans move forward I
SRAEL Railways (IR) has signed a cooperation
electrifying the new railways it is constructing, including the Tel Aviv - Kfar Sava and Acre - Carmiel lines, while IR will oversee electrification of the existing network. An invitation to prequalify was issued on October 15 for a tender to design, erect, commission, and maintain
Varese and Bergamo with a morning train to Milan and an evening return. The service has cut the fastest journey time between Varese and Milan Porta Garibaldi from 52 minutes to 35 minutes, while Bergamo - Milan Central has dropped from 48 minutes to 38 minutes.
Unlike existing regional services on these routes, the new trains operate without subsidy from the Lombardia region. Tickets can be booked online or by mobile phone, and include a free newspaper on the morning train and discounted parking at stations. A single ticket between Milan and Varese costs ƒ12.00, compared with ƒ8.50 for a first class ticket on a normal regional service. Lombardia Express services
electrification covering 420km of existing lines. The deadline for submissions is December 31. An electrification steering committee has also been established headed by Ministry of Transport general manager Mr Uzi Yitzhaki, which includes representatives of the ministry, IR, and NRC.
are operated by five-car 160km/h Alstom Coradia Meridian emus, which seat up to 230 passengers. Ferrovienord announced on September 24 that it has ordered 10 additional trains from Alstom in a contract worth ƒ67m, with delivery scheduled for early 2014.
IRJ November 2012
RENORD, the 50:50 joint venture between Trenitalia
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