Posted on 19 February 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Brazil is to build a 511km high-speed railway linking the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Campinas. The estimated cost is $US17.4 billion. An auction is to take place on 2 May 2010 where potential contractors can bid for the opportunity to participate. Seven prominent international companies have indicated interest including [...] [...more]
Posted on 01 February 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
The Chilean operator Metro de Santiago has awarded Alstom Transport a contract to supply an automatic train control system for Santiago metro’s line 1 (27 stations, 20km). The project involves renovation of the existing train control system, including design, manufacturing, installation of the Urbalis solution and its maintenance over three years. The equipment will permit Metro [...] [...more]
Posted on 22 January 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Fourteen years after privatising its railway, the Bolivian government plans to renationalise during 2010. Former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada sold the two lines for $US14 million to Chilean consortium Cruz Blanca. The Chileans then sold the western line to an American investor and the eastern line to the Antofagasta Railway. The eastern line is [...] [...more]
Posted on 12 December 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
On 3 December, GE Transportation signed an agreement with America Latina Logistica (ALL) to supply 10 new AC44i locomotives for freight traffic. ALL operates the largest independent general freight railway in South America with a fleet of more than 1,000 locomotives and 21,000km of line connecting Brazil and Argentina. The AC44i locomotives are powered by diesel [...] [...more]
Posted on 06 November 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
South Korean firm Hyundai Rotem has delivered the first of 84 electric trains for the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. Worth $US160 million, the contract was awarded by the line’s concessionaire ViaQuatro. The unmanned trains are to run as six-car sets on the city’s Gold line – Line 4 – when it opens for service [...] [...more]
Posted on 14 September 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
In terms of a contract recently signed, Peru Rail will continue to run 10 daily services on the Cusco-Machu Picchu route, while new rail operators Inca Rail and Andean Railways will provide eight. Peru Rail general manager Armando Pareja is quoted saying that with this opening to competition “the tourism industry will be improved.” The new [...] [...more]
Posted on 27 August 2009 by Station Master
China Railway Group Limited has won a $US7.5 billion railway construction contract from the national railway department of Venezuela. The company is to construct a 471.5km double-track electrified line traversing Cojedes, Guarico, Aragua, and Anzoategui. It is to be capable of carrying 5.8 million passengers and 9.8 million tons of freight annually. The project is [...] [...more]
Posted on 16 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Alstom Transport has received a contract to supply 48 metro cars and a new signalling system for its metro network in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil. It is to add 12 four-car trains to the metro’s existing fleet of 20 trains. Delivery is to start in 2010. The company will also provide a signalling [...] [...more]
Posted on 01 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
The Colombian government in South America, which has been been working with advisors from the locally based consultancy group Concol, is offering a 30-year operational concession of the 1,050km Sistema Ferroviario Central railway (SFC) in exchange for a US$87.5 million capital injection from a private-sector partner. The proposed US$602.6 million overhaul of the line has attracted [...] [...more]
Posted on 23 July 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
The World Bank has agreed to lend Rio de Janeiro $US211.7 million for its Mass Transit 2 Project aimed at improving its suburban rail transportation system. The money will be used to buy nearly 120 coaches – 30 trains of four cars each. Funds will also go towards providing technical assistance to the state secretary [...] [...more]
