AZERBAIJAN Railways (ADDY) has awarded a consortium of Bombardier and local partner Trans-Signal-Rabita a $US 288m contract to resignal the 503km Baku – Boyuk – Kesik line.

 

Bombardier will supply its Interflo 200 ATP system for the project, including Ebi Lock 950 computer-based interlockings with R4 central processors, EBi Track train detection and axle counters, and Ebi Screen centralised traffic control.

 

The system will be commissioned in four phases and the project is due to be completed in 2017.

 

The deal is worth $US 203m to Bombardier and is the company's first major signalling contract in Azerbaijan.

 

 

 

 

 

THE government of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh announced on September 10 it will appoint Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to act as interim consultant on the construction of the first phase of the metro network in the state capital Lucknow.

 

Under the Rs 130m ($US 2m) contract DMRC will be responsible for drawing up a land acquisition strategy and environmental impact assessments, as well as technical surveys for the project. DMRC will also appoint a contractor to carry out detailed design and prepare tender documents.

 

DMRC has already carried out a detailed project report, which was submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government in December 2011.

 

The state government said last month that it expects the initial 22.9km line from Amausi International Airport to Munshi Puliya to open in December 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIEMENS and Russian Machines have announced that they intend to submit a joint bid in a tender for new trains for the Moscow metro, which is due to be issued by the end of the year.

 

The two companies presented a full-size mock-up of their proposed train at the Expo 1520 exhibition in Scherbinka near Moscow on September 11.

 

Moscow Metro intends to order up to 3000 new metro cars by 2020 to replace life-expired vehicles and provide additional capacity for the expansion of the network.

 

The venture is the first rail sector collaboration between Siemens and Russian Machines, which is the major shareholder in freight wagon manufacturers Ruzkhimmash and Abakanvagonmash.

 

 

 

  

 

A ceremony was held in the tunnel at Hong Kong University station yesterday to mark the completion of tracklaying on the 3km West Island Line (WIL) from Sheung Wan to Ka Wai Man Road in Kennedy Town.

 

Construction of WIL commenced in 2009 and 80% of the work is now finished, with tracklaying taking 13 months to complete. The tracks will facilitate the delivery of equipment to all parts of WIL, allowing electrical and mechanical installation works, including the installation of overhead cables, telecommunications systems, train control and the signalling system to take place. Mr Jay Walder, CEO of MTR Corporation, said during the ceremony that the line remains on schedule to open in 2014.

 

WIL will connect the Western District of Hong Kong to the city's railway network and will allow passengers to travel from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan without changing trains. It also means that 90% of the residents of the district will be within walking distance of an MTR station.

 

 

 

 

NIPPON Koei Company, Japan, has been selected by Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) as the design consultant for Dhaka's inaugural metro project, Line 6, a 20km north-south elevated route between Uttara North and Bangladesh Bank in Motijheel.

 

Nippon Koei will also be responsible for construction supervision, procurement support and project management for the line which is expected to serve 510,000 commuters every day and will offer a journey time of 36 minutes.

 

In February the Bangladeshi government signed a Yen 10.48bn ($US 106.8m) loan agreement with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) for implementation of the metro project, which is part of a Yen 70.69bn agreement for infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. The government will fund the remainder of the $US 2.83bn overall cost of the metro project.

 

Jica issued its approval for the Nippon Koei selection following the review of three bids by a technical committee comprising officials from DTCA, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

 

DCTA is responsible for building the metro and expects to call international tenders in September 2015 for five contracts covering main line and stations, electrical and mechanical systems, a maintenance depot, depot equipment and rolling stock. The line is scheduled to open in September 2021.

 

 

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DELHI Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has awarded Bombardier a contract worth around Rs 3.9bn ($US 62m) to supply communications-based train control (CBTC) for Line 7, the city's first driverless metro line.

 

Bombardier will supply its Cityflo 650 moving-block system, which will allow operation in both Unattended Train Operation (UTO) and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) modes.

 

Line 7 will follow the route of Delhi's inner ring road from Mukundpur to Shiv Vihar, tracing an almost complete circle around the eastern, southern and western edges of the city on a mostly elevated alignment.

 

The 58.3km line will link all of the existing lines with no less than 10 interchanges, easing the pressure on the handful of existing hubs such as Central Secretariat and Rajiv Chowk by offering alternative routes across the city which avoid the most congested stations.

 

The 54.3km Mukundpur – Maujpur section is due to open in 2015 and the remaining 4km from Maujpur to Shiv Vihar will be commissioned in 2017.

 

 

 

 

Luo Sang Jiang Cun, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, has assured Nepali officials that China would expand rail service to Nepal once Lhasa-Shigatse rail service comes into operation.

 

Luo made the commitment during a meeting with visiting Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudel in Tibet on Thursday.The Nepali delegation, led by Poudel, is in Tibet to participate at the ´14th Nepal-China´s Tibet Economic and Trade Fair -2013´ in Shigatse. The event started on Thursday.

 

At the meeting, the Nepali delegation solicited Chinese support for the construction of Kathmandu-Lumbini rail service and linking it with Shigatse.

 

Shigate is being linked to Beijing with rail service within a few months.

 

“Feasibility study is underway for expanding rail service between Nepal and Tibet. We will immediately commence the process for implementing the plan once railway line reaches Shigatse from Beijing,” Hari Basyal, Nepalese Consul General in Lhasa, quoted Luo as saying in the meeting.

 

Luo also expressed commitment to extend ´meaningful support´ to Nepal for achieving the common goal of socio-economic development.

 

According to Basyal, chief secretary Poudel also asked Chinese government to support Nepal in development of trade infrastructures, including construction of dry ports, upgrading roads and building new railway, which are instrumental in promoting bilateral trade.

 

Meanwhile, Poudel and Ding Yexian, the executive vice-chairman of TAR of China, jointly inaugurated the ´14th Nepal-China´s Tibet Economic and Trade Fair -2013´ on Thursday.

 

On the occasion, Poudel reiterated the Nepal´s policy of not allowing anti-China activities in its soil. He also highlighted the importance of economic and trade interactions between neighboring countries for healthy bilateral relation in the age of globalization. He requested the Chinese officials to scale up economic cooperation for the development of trade related infrastructures such as port facilities and expansion of road and railway networks to link both countries.

 

Poudel also requested Chinese officials for simplification of quarantine process and recognition of quality standardization certificate issued by Nepali officials, harmonization of working hours between customs office of the two countries to boost bilateral trade.

 

Informing the Chinese officials about institutional and procedural reforms initiated by the Nepal government, Poudel solicited more Chinese investment in crucial sectors of economy such as construction, energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture in Nepal.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Yexian mentioned that bilateral trade fairs would be an important forum for enhancing trade and commercial interaction between entrepreneurs of both the countries. He expressed willingness to help Nepal for its socio-economic development and underscored the need for joint efforts to fully operationalize the agreed border points between Nepal and China.

 

More than 200 representatives from 70 business enterprises, 36 observer business enterprises, and representatives of Trade and Export Promotion Center are participating from Nepal in the biennial fair. Similarly, around 200 participants from Tibet are also showcasing their products in the five-day event that runs until Monday.

 

Nepali handmade products, garments, silver and bronze statues of various deities, hand knitted Nepalese Carpet, incense, jewelry, Thankas and herbal products, among others have been showcased in the fair.

 

Three passengers were abandoned by a Shenzhen metro train on Sunday evening after it stopped in a tunnel and one of the carriage doors opened suddenly, local media reported on Monday.

 

The three passengers were travelling on the Luobao line, riding in the rear carriage of a train that came to a halt in the tunnel between Gangxia station and the Convention & Exhibition Centre station.

 

One passenger, surnamed Wu, told New Express Daily his wife was squeezed out of the overcrowded train when the door suddenly opened. Wu then jumped from the carriage to rescue his wife.

 

Another man leapt from the train shortly afterwards, the report said, but the door quickly shut and the train started to move again, abandoning the three at the scene.

 

They called the police and “had to hold onto a fire hydrant [to avoid] being hit by another train cruising past them shortly after,” the report cited Wu as saying.

 

Metro staff hurried to the scene and within minutes lead the passengers out of the tunnel, according to Wu. The three were not reported to be injured.

 

A Shenzhen Metro spokeswoman surnamed Tang told South China Morning Post on Monday the accident was triggered by a scuffle that broke out between two passengers in the carriage. The chaos prompted someone to pull the emergency cord that eventually brought the train to a stop.

 

Tang declined to explain why the train driver opted to abandon the trio at the scene, adding the authority is still investigating the case.

 

Meanwhile in southeastern city Hangzhou on Sunday a metro car broke down in a tunnel beneath the Qiantang River.

 

More than 100 passengers had to walk along the track for half of an hour to escape.

 

Hangzhou Metro said the train’s engine failed due to a sudden break in its power supply, according to a report in the Qianjiang Evening News. The Metro spokesman added that it is still investigating the cause of power cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On August 16, 2013, CNR Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. delivered new type, 40-ton axle load, stainless ore wagon. The operational axle load of this type of wagon can be increased to 44 tons thus this is the heaviest railway wagon in the world.

 

This kind of wagon can be used for 30,000 to 50,000 tons freight fleet in the special railway lines. Because of its heaver transportation ability, more efficiency and relative lower costs, heavy axle load wagons will be booming in the near future. Now, heavy load freight wagon fleets have been operated in United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa and Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melbourne’s Metro Trains has been named Spikes Asia’s advertiser of the year.

 

The company claimed the accolade for creating the most watched public service video of all time, Dumb Ways to Die.

 

The video, created by McCann, has been watched more than 58m times on YouTube.

 

Terry Savage, chairman of Lions Festivals, said: “It is remarkable what Metro and its agency have achieved with the “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign. This is the best use of creative communications that we have seen recently.”

 

“Not only has it captured the imagination and engaged the public through multimedia platforms – radio, outdoor, gaming, social media, etc. – but it has also been effective in achieving a change in people’s behaviour.”

 

 

 

 

 

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation as the lead member of a consortium with Trans-Signal-Rabita Ltd, the Azerbaijani railway construction and installation company, has won a major new and first signalling order from Azerbaijan Railways CJSC on the international Kars-Baku transport corridor connecting Asia and Europe.

 

Bombardier will deliver its globally-proven INTERFLO 200 mainline signalling solution on the 503 km long Baku-Boyuk-Kesik section of the line, a part of the Republic of Azerbaijan's programme to strengthen its transportation infrastructure. The total value of the consortium's contract is approximately $288 million (217 million euro) with Bombardier's share valued at approximately $203 million (153 million euro).The contract covers the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the double track line.

 

The system will provide continuous automatic train protection (ATP) based on the latest generation technology, the high capacity EBI Lock 950 computer-based interlocking (CBI) with new R4 Central processors, fully integrated EBI Track train detection and axle counters, as well as EBI Screen central traffic control systems. The solution is adapted for the network in operation in the CIS Region, with features including functionality to operate in AC or DC mode. Bombardier has over 14 years of experience in delivering technology for this network having equipped over 220 stations in the CIS and Baltic countries.

 

Project delivery and engineering work will be by Bombardier Transportation (Signal) and BT RCS Russian engineering JV. Commissioning is planned in four phases, with final completion in 2017.

 

Peter Cedervall, President, Rail Control Solutions, Bombardier Transportation, commented: "We are proud of our first contract in Azerbaijan, the largest signalling contract ever awarded in the CIS countries. This major signalling upgrade reflects our commitment to provide our state-of-the art technology to Azerbaijan and to continue to deliver our signalling solutions to the region through our well-established engineering and manufacturing joint ventures in Moscow".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malaysia will play host to prominent rail policy makers, asset owners, operators and leading rail industry players at Rail Business Asia 2013, scheduled to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia from 10-12 September 2013.

 

Malaysian Prime Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, will officiate the Official Opening Ceremony of Rail Business Asia 2013 on the 10th September 2013. Rail Business Asia is co-hosted by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

 

In what promises to be the must-attend event of the year for the rail industry in Asia, Rail Business Asia will bring together more than 20 practitioners and thought leaders as speakers who will share their views and best practices in designing and delivering rail innovation, sustainability and mobility.

 

Topics to be discussed include project planning and updates, high speed rail, service optimisation and safety, human capital development, rail infrastructure and sustainability, and investment and financing. This billion dollar industry is seeking rapid expansion and high growth in the emerging markets of ASEAN, particularly Malaysia, so Rail Business Asia 2013 is set to become a platform of international interest and is anticipated to not only provide thought leadership from industry leaders but also promote debate and discussion on best practices for the industry moving forward.

 

 

 

Shanghai’s Metro lines will stretch over 500 kilometers when Line 12, 16 and Line 11’s north section between Anting to Huaqiao Station in neighboring Jiangsu Province start operation at the end of the year.

 

Line 12 connects Line 10’s Tiantong Road Station to Jinhai Road Station in the Pudong New Area. It then links up with Line 4 at Dalian Road Station and Line 6 at Jufeng Road Station.

 

Line 16 starts from Luoshan Road Station in Pudong New Area—the southeast end of Line 11—and runs all the way to Dishui Lake in Nanhui Area.

 

With the second phase of Metro Line 11 pressed into service last month, Shanghai already boasts the world’s longest Metro network at 462 kilometers. It should cover 600km by the end of 2015.

 

Meanwhile, the shorter announcements on the subway trains have been generally welcomed by commuters, with Metro operators saying yesterday there were no plans to add Shanghai dialect.

 

“We have been soliciting public opinion over whether it’s necessary to add a local dialect into the broadcasts,”said Wu Xinyi, general manager of Metro operator Shanghai Shentong Metro Group.“But there doesn’t seem to be any demand for it.”

 

Some citizens consider it unnecessary as they say that Mandarin and English broadcasts essentially serve the purpose. As it is, they point out, the Metro operators decided to cut down on the long-drawn announcements, adding a local dialect defeats the purpose.

 

But there are few who would like to hear the dialect used at certain stations.

 

“I think it adds a flavor to the broadcasts especially at stations with tourist sights like the Dashijie and Laoximen stations on Line 8,”a commuter, surnamed Huang, said.

 

Dashijie and Laoximen stations in Huangpu District have many entertainment spots of old Shanghai.

 

The new broadcasts announce the name of the coming station, the side of the platform and transfer information in Mandarin and English—all within 20 seconds.

 

Wu expects Metro to be the people’s choice of transportation in the near future. The public bus is the favored choice among citizens right now.

 

Shanghai aims to have 800km Metro network by 2020.