UK: Alstom's Technology Centre at Widnes has rolled out the first of 27 Class 175 long-distance 160 km/h regional diesel multiple-units to be refurbished in a £6·7m programme which is being undertaken for Transport for Wales. The Alstom-built Class 175 has received TfW’s exterior branding, with interior changes including fitting USB

USA: Two Knoxville Locomotive Works low-emission diesel locos have entered service on Genesee & Wyoming’s California Northern Railroad following the completion of trials. The 1·79 MW locomotives have 12-cylinder MTU engines and use selective catalytic reduction technology to meet Tier 4 emissions requirements. They are expected to provide fuel savings of

GERMANY: Electrification, battery power and fuel cells are the most sensible options for replacing diesel multiple-units, according to an environmental and value-for-money study undertaken by the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies. The Alternatives to DMUs in Rail Passenger Transport study was undertaken by VDE with funding from the Federal

BORIS Johnson has won his battle to become Prime Minister, and his appointment may have raised fresh doubts about HS2. The results of the election were announced by Dame Cheryl Gillan a few minutes after midday. Mr Johnson gained 92,153 votes, and his rival Jeremy Hunt 46,656. Mr Johnson will travel to

USA: Wagon manufacturer FreightCar America is to permanently close its factory at Roanoke, Virginia, by mid-November. The company has leased the site from Norfolk Southern since 2005.   ‘The closure of our Roanoke facility is another next step in our “Back to Basics” strategy as we continue to streamline our manufacturing

THE 10¼in-gauge Watford Miniature Railway marked its 60th anniversary on April 27-28 with a gala event at Cassiobury Park.  The resident locos were joined by 2-4w-2P (Shepperton Metal Products 1970), which ran on the line until the early 1990s, visiting from Vanstone Woodland Railway, Hertfordshire. The last

THE Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society’s resurrected 1896-built Heywood 0-4-0T Katie was the star of Fairbourne Railway’s May 25-27 Steam Gala, returning to the line where it last steamed in 1926.  Two gauges at Fairbourne station showing visiting 15in-gauge Heywood 0-4-0T Katie and rolling stock preparing for a departure,

USA: California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued a request for qualifications for its Phase I Track & Systems contract, which has an estimate value of $1·6bn. This would cover design, construction, and testing of the trackwork, electrification, signalling, train control and other railway systems for the 190 km route between Merced

THE Labour Party is increasing the urgency of its demands for an inquiry into HS2. The call follows unconfirmed reports that HS2 chairman Allan Cook has written to the Department for Transport warning that all phases of the high speed project will cost more than £55.7 billion. According to the

All night trams for Edinburgh TRAMS will run all night for the first time in Edinburgh during August. The special 20-minute service between 00.01 and 05.30 will be provided on Fridays and Saturdays during the city’s festivals, which will be taking place between 3 and 25 August. Visitors to