Australasia – Page 3
-
NewsThe Overland to continue for a further three years
AUSTRALIA: The Victoria state government has agreed an A$11·5m three-year package to support the operation of The Overland long-distance passenger trains.
-
News‘Over and back’ speeds Brisbane ETCS testing
AUSTRALIA: Hitachi Rail has adopted ‘over and back’ switching principles to speed up the testing of digital train control systems being installed on the southeast Queensland rail network. ETCS Level 2 operation is being introduced in conjunction with Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, which will see ...
-
NewsDowner picks Hyundai Rotem to support delivery of Queensland EMU fleet
AUSTRALIA: Downer has formed a consortium with Hyundai Rotem to build, commission and maintain 65 six-car 1 067 mm gauge electric multiple-units for Queensland. The Queensland government had selected Downer in February as the preferred bidder over CAF and Alstom for the A$4·6bn contract, which is ...
-
NewsAustralian grain shipper orders locos and wagons in growth drive
AUSTRALIA: Western Australian grain co-operative CBH Group announced an agreement to buy 17 Wabtec 1 067 mm gauge diesel locomotives on June 29, and the following day placed an order for CRRC Meishan to supply 200 standard gauge and 450 narrow gauge hopper wagons. The orders ...
-
Metro Report InternationalIoT tools monitor tramway pointwork and track temperature
AUSTRALIA: Melbourne operator Yarra Trams has completed the deployment of IoT-based condition monitoring tools to support preventive maintenance of points and to mitigate the effects of hot weather on its tracks. YT has installed Queensland-based IoT technology company Kallipr’s Captis Pulse Lite and Captis Pit Monitoring ...
-
NewsPilbara iron ore wagon manufacturing agreement
AUSTRALIA: An agreement to manufacture iron ore wagons in the Pilbara region has been announced by Rio Tinto and Gemco Rail, supported by supply partner Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock and the government of Western Australia. The mining company is expecting to spend a total of ...
-
NewsBattery freight locomotive conversion underway
AUSTRALIA: One of Aurizon’s Class 4000 diesel locomotives is being converted to a prototype EMD Joule battery powered heavy-haul freight loco which can be charged using renewable electricity and capture regenerated energy when braking or travelling downhill. The operator said the prototype will be ’a measured ...
-
Metro Report InternationalBank card payment in next Victoria Myki ticketing contract
AUSTRALIA: Conduent Business Services and its partner Convergint have been awarded a contract to operate Victoria’s Myki public transport ticketing system for 15 years from December 1 2023.
-
In depthComment: Cost control must improve
Australia’s Inland Rail programme is the latest megaproject to face major cost control challenges, reflecting a wider problem for promoters of major infrastructure schemes. The case for developing railways is arguably more compelling than ever, but the industry must offer realistic proposals which can be put into practice cost-effectively, believes our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
-
NewsStudy finds batteries and hydrogen could replace diesel locos on heavy freight trains
AUSTRALIA: Batteries or a combination of batteries and hydrogen fuel cells could feasibly replace diesel traction on rail freight corridors across Australia, according to a study undertaken by the University of Queensland and operator Aurizon. Researchers analysised real-world data to assess the energy required to transport ...
-
NewsWork in Rail highlights career opportunities
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Railway Association has launched a Work in Rail campaign to highlight career opportunities in the sector. A Work in Rail website showcases 80 different careers, outlining each role as well as training and education pathways, salaries and providing links to current vacancies. The ...
-
Metro Report InternationalMelbourne suburban contract extended as tunnel tracklaying completed
AUSTRALIA: Tracklaying in Melbourne’s cross-city Metro Tunnel has been completed.
-
NewsIndependent review criticises delivery of Inland Rail scheme
AUSTRALIA: The final cost and delivery plan for the Inland Rail scheme remain unclear, according to a scathing independent review of its governance issued on April 6.
-
NewsSouth Australia to take back Adelaide suburban operations
AUSTRALIA: Keolis Downer has reached agreement with the state government of South Australia to hand back the operation of the Adelaide suburban rail network progressively from January 2025.
-
NewsBlockade plan confirmed to equip Wien cross-city core with ETCS
AUSTRIA: ÖBB Infra announced plans on March 17 to rebuild the infrastructure on Wien’s 11·3 km cross-city S-Bahn core that links Floridsdorf with Meidling through the heart of the city. The route is to be fitted with ETCS Level 2 and several stations are to be ...
-
NewsInland Rail to use solar powered signalling
AUSTRALIA: The use of solar powered signalling on the Inland Rail project has been approved by Australian Rail Track Corp following a trial on a passing loop at Coolleearlee in New South Wales. This will eliminate the need to use the local power supply infrastructure or ...
-
NewsAuckland’s City Rail Link seeks more funding as pandemic drives up costs
NEW ZEALAND: Cross-Auckland rail tunnel project promoter City Rail Link Ltd has submitted a formal request for more funding from the government and Auckland Council, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on construction works, the supply chain, resourcing, materials and labour costs. The cost of ...
-
NewsRhomberg Sersa to merge Australian subsidiaries
AUSTRALIA: Sydney-based structural design, metal fabrication and site installation company RKR Engineering and Rhomberg Rail Australia are to be merged as Rhomberg Sersa Australia with effect from April 1. The new name is part of a global rebranding of all Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group companies to ...
-
NewsKiwiRail wagons shipped
NEW ZEALAND: Indonesian rolling stock manufacturer PT Inka shipped 133 flat wagons destined for KiwiRail on February 27. They are part of an order for 262 wagons which the national freight operator placed with Australian company UGL in January 2021. The 40 ft, 50 ft, and ...
-
NewsGamuda to acquire Downer transport projects arm
AUSTRALIA: Malaysian engineering group Gamuda has signed a binding agreement to acquire Downer EDI’s Australian Transport Projects division, continuing its expansion into the Australian market. Local subsidiary Gamuda Australia has already expanded from around 50 employees to almost 400 in less than a year, and the ...