Keith Fender
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Eurostar to merge with Thalys to form ‘Green Speed’
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International high-speed operators Eurostar and Thalys announced plans in late September to merge the two companies to create a new pan-European high-speed operator to be known as Green Speed. French Railways (SNCF) is the majority shareholder for both operators, along with Belgian Railways (SNCB), which is a minority shareholder in both Eurostar and the two…
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Washington to New York non-stop
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AMTRAK has announced plans to introduce a non-stop ‘Acela’ high-speed train pair between New York and Washington DC from September 23. The non-stop trains will take 2hr 35min, with the current fastest ‘Acela’ services taking just under three hours, stopping in major cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore en route. Read more News and Features…
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‘Chopper’ takes up Watercress Line duties
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CLASS 20 No. D8059 arrived at the Mid-Hants Railway (MHR) on July 26 from the Midland Railway-Butterley. It is owned by Somerset & Dorset Locomotives and is visiting the MHR on an extended stay, initially standing in for Class 50 No. 50027 Lion, which is receiving attention. The English Electric Type 1 entered passenger traffic on the…
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Sulzer Type 2s in spotlight at Caledonian weekend event
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THE Caledonian Railway, running between Brechin and Bridge of Dun, held a diesel weekend on August 17-18. All trains were worked by a pair of Sulzer Type 2s – Class 26 No. D5314 and Class 27 No. D5370. Only one was double headed on the Saturday, returning top-and-tailed. All other trains were headed by one loco or…
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Rail operator MARC using new and rebuilt locos for Maryland commuters
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MARYLAND commuter rail operator Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) has recently taken delivery of eight Siemens-built SC44 ‘Charger’ diesel electric locos. These are currently largely used ‘under the wires’ between Baltimore and Washington DC on Penn Line services. MARC has replaced all of its older AEM7 electric locos with the new diesels, but has refurbished…
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Battery-fitted trams for Oklahoma
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THE new light rail system in Oklahoma City opened on December 14, 2018, and is operated as two loops: a 7.8km north-south Downtown Loop, which also shares tracks with almost all of the route used by the 3.2km Bricktown Loop in the Bricktown entertainment district. The system is electrified at 740V DC except for several short…
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Stadler ‘FLIRTs’ in service in Texas
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TEXAS gained a new commuter railway in January, which is operated using eight Stadler-built ‘FLIRT’ DEMUs, incorporating central diesel power pack units. Stadler assembled the trains at its new factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 43km TEXRail line links two stations in central Fort Worth with DFW Airport, and currently has five other intermediate…
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Classic Viennese trams fading away as new stock takes over
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ONE of Europe’s most numerous tram designs is fast disappearing. Vienna tram operator Wiener Linien bought more than 500 Type E trams, based on the German Duewag articulated design, between 1959 and 1990. The older trams have already been replaced by the Siemens-built ‘ULF’ (Ultra Low Floor) design LRVs, and most of the remaining Type…
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Chinese-built steam back on USA main line
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One of two Chinese-built ‘QJ’ 2-10-2 steam locos – based on the Iowa Interstate freight railroad – has been in action this summer operating short-distance day trips to raise funds and awareness for local fire departments in towns along the railroad’s route. Two ‘QJs’ (Nos. 6988 and 7081, built in 1985 and 1986, respectively) were imported…
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Two monorail lines for Egypt – with trains built by Bombardier in Derby
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IN LATE-May it was announced Bombardier was ‘preferred bidder’ for a major contract, with local partners, to build and operate two monorail lines in Egypt. Bombardier also announced the 280 ‘Innovia’ vehicles required would be built in the UK at Derby. Bombardier’s share of the contract is worth around €1.2billion (£1.07bn) with an additional €1.1bn…
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