<p>Victorian transport minister Peter Batchelor unveiled Connex’s new suburban train the X’Trapolis last week.</p> <p>Alstom is supplying Connex with 58 three-car sets. </p> <p>Fit out and assembly is taking place at Alstom’s Ballarat workshop.</p> <p>Trials will be made before the train is introduced into regular service later this year.</p> <p>This is the first new train model introduced to Melbourne’s suburban network since 1981.</p> <p>The trains include features such as inter-connected carriages, push button-operated doors and priority seating for senior citizens.</p> <br />
Fourth annual Rail Summit coming up
<p><em>Lloyd’s List DCN’s</em> National Rail Infrastructure Summit is on in June and will look at key initiatives for development of the national rail track.</p> <p>The importance of community consultation, state projects, investment, links with other modes, and management issues are among topics to be covered during the conference.</p> <p>The conference is being held on June 20-21 in Sydney and will be previewed in next month’s edition of <em>Rail Express</em> .</p> <p>For further information call (02) 9080 4307.</p> <br />
Leongatha passenger services this year
<p>Tourist trains will soon be able to travel to Leongatha once again.</p> <p>A Victorian Government decision to fast track a $500,000 restoration grant will allow timber bridges on the South Gippsland rail line to be restored.</p> <p>Tenders will be let soon for strengthening four timber bridges at Ruby and Kardella that were certified unsafe for passenger trains in December 2000.</p> <p>The work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.</p> <p>The tourist railway has been operating since 1994. Before the bridges were closed it carried more than 6,000 passengers a year. The service now terminates at Korumburra.</p> <br />
Perth Rail Committee reconvened
<p>The Perth City Rail Advisory Committee has been re-established to continue its work on finding the best route for the city’s new South-West Metro railway.</p> <p>Originally the committee was convened to recommend options for bringing the line from the Narrows Bridge to the city centre.</p> <p>This report led to the Western Australian Government considering two options, and the committee will further evaluate these routes and hear community and stakeholder views.</p> <p>It will provide a final recommendation on which is the best long-term option for Perth by mid-May.</p> <p>The government is expected to make its decision at the end of May.</p> <br />
2001 a good year for Bombardier
<p>Bombardier reported consolidated revenues of C$21.6bn for the year ended January 31, with its transportation division contributing C$7bn to this result.</p> <p>This was a 36% increase on the previous year. However, net income for the year was C$390.9m, compared with C$975.4m, because of special items and goodwill amortisation.</p> <p>Bombardier Transportation’s revenue was up from C$3bn, mainly because of the acquisition and consolidation of the results of Adtranz.</p> <p>During the year the transport division has new contract wins worth C$6.6bn and it has an order backlog of C$20.4bn.</p> <p>The company’s overall backlog at January 31 was C$44.1bn.</p> <br />
Tranz Rail names new CFO
<p>Wayne Collins has been named as Tranz Rail’s new chief financial officer to replace Mark Bloomer, who resigned this month.</p> <p>Tranz Rail managing director Michael Beard praised Mr Bloomer for his work at the rail operation over the last three years.</p> <p>Mr Collins is a former investment banker with nearly 20 years’ experience in New Zealand capital markets, raising equity and debt and performing advisory roles.</p> <p>He took up his position with Tranz Rail yesterday (Monday, April 29). </p> <p>Mr Bloomer will stay on for a transitional period.</p> <br />
ARA wants annual budget allocation
<p>The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) wants the Federal Government to start an annual rail allocation of at least $200m in next month’s Budget.</p> <p>ARA executive director John Kirk said the government should make an ongoing commitment to rail infrastructure in the same way it does for roads.</p> <p>It has written to the prime minister and all federal politicians seeking support for this proposal.</p> <p>The ARA is urging the Commonwealth to kick off the spending program with the $220m it received for the sale of National Rail.</p> <br />
V in V&&semicolan#47&semicolanLine stands for veterans this Anzac Day
<p>V/Line Passenger is offering a 30% travel concession to war veterans travelling for Anzac Day.</p> <p>The discount applies on any intra-state train or bus service from April 24 to April 26 inclusive.</p> <p>V/Line Passenger general manager Geoff Arthur said veterans simply have to show their RSL membership badge to qualify for the concession.</p> <p>"This is a great value offer which ensures veterans from regional Victoria can take part in the Anzac Day activities," he said.</p> <p>Veterans are also entitled to free Anzac Day travel on the metropolitan network.</p> <br />
WA implements level crossing safety plan
<p>Western Australia is implementing an action plan to improve safety at rail crossings.</p> <p>The plan includes better lighting, upgrading of level crossings and a public education campaign.</p> <p>Infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan announced the plan at the same time as she released an independent report on the effectiveness of auxiliary lighting on locomotives.</p> <p>A trial found that no matter what combination of lighting was used, locomotives were not significantly more detectable.</p> <p>However, despite the findings, Ms MacTiernan believes there is sufficient evidence to warrant the installation of crossing lights on locomotives operating in the state.</p> <br />
Alstom NZ wins $50m deal
<p>Alstom New Zealand will has won a $50m contract to provide freight wagon inspection and maintenance services for Tranz Rail over the next two and a half years.</p> <p>Under the agreement, Tranz Rail will retain the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin as a wagon manufacturing base and Alstom will take over maintenance operations around the country. The main wagon maintenance bases in Christchurch, Mt Maunganui and Auckland will be maintained.</p> <p>Alstom was also recently awarded seven-year $200m contract to provide locomotive engineering services to Tranz Rail.</p> <p>This agreement brings Tranz Rail’s outsourcing program to an end.</p> <br />