World – Page 12 – Railfanning.org

Indian Railway Bulletproofing Locomotives

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW DELHI — An Indian railway that is at times the subject of terrorism is bulletproofing some of its locomotives, officials said. “The idea is to instill some confidence in our engine drivers,” Northeast Frontier Railways general manager Ashutosh Swami told Indian Express newspaper. “The move, along with the bulletproof jackets which are already being provided by the Assam Police, will boost their morale.” The move comes as the railway is working to resume operations on its Lumding-Badarpur division. The Black Widow militant group has targeted that section of line, and a strike on May 15 killed an engineer. The

Toronto Transit Commission Orders Composite Ties

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Toronto Transit Commission ordered specialty-engineered composite railroad switch ties from Axion International, the company said. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transport authority, operates buses, streetcars, subways and advanced light rapid transit in Toronto, Ontario. Axion, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed plastics technology that uses almost 100 percent recycled plastic. Axion’s structural products have the distinct advantage of being environmentally friendly as well as providing superior products to customers, officials say. Officials tout that the company’s products address the increasing worldwide environmental concerns for deforestation coupled with the specific goals for recycling,

Reports: Olympic Construction Played Role in China Crash

April 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ZIBO, China – Construction in advance of this summer’s Beijing Olympics is at least partly to blame for a train wreck that killed more than 70 people and injured hundreds more, Chinese officials say. According to Li Chenggang, Zibo city spokesman, the tracks where the trains crashed are being upgraded in advance of the Olympics. The upgraded line is supposed to reduce travel time between Jinan and Qingdao, a coastal city that is hosting the Olympic sailing competition. Officials previously said excessive speed could be to blame for the Monday (April 28) train crash. Investigators said train operators were advised

Speed May Be to Blame for China Rail Crash

April 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ZIBO, China — Excessive speed could be to blame for a Monday (April 28) train crash that killed at least 70 people and sent hundreds more to the hospital. According to a Xinhua news report, an express train traveling to the east China city of Qingdao from Beijing was traveling 131 kph (81 mph) in an 80 kph (50 mph) zone. The train derailed and crashed into a second train, which was traveling from Yantai in the Shandong province to the Jiangsu province city of Xuzhou, authorities said. “So far, the accident site has been cleaned up and the stranded

70 Killed in China Train Wreck

April 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ZIBO, China — At least 70 people were killed when two passenger trains collided near the east China city of Zibo, located in the Shandong province, authorities said. Hundreds more were injured — included dozens in serious condition — in the pre-dawn train wreck, said to be the worst in China in more than a decade. Some authorities indicated the death toll could rise. The wreck occurred when an express train traveling to the east China city of Qingdao from Beijing derailed and crashed into a second train, which was traveling from Yantai in the Shandong province to the Jiangsu

China Ministry of Railways Chooses Verint IP Video Solution to Enhance Security of Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Rail System

March 11, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

MELVILLE, N.Y. — The People’s Republic of China Ministry of Railways has selected Verint System Inc.’s Nextiva Critical Infrastructure IP video solution with integrated analytics to enhance the security of certain portions of the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed passenger rail system. The first high-speed rail system built in mainland China, the Beijing-Tianjin circuit will feature trains reaching speeds in excess of 300 kilometers per hour. The 74.6-mile rail system will connect the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and is scheduled to be fully operational by August of 2008 to support passenger transit at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. “Verint is pleased

Euro-Asian Countries Agree to Improve Transport Links

February 28, 2008 Voice of America

Transport Ministers from 19 European and Asian countries have agreed to continue work on developing transport links they say will act as an economic boon to the whole region.

Axis Network Cameras on Norway’s Railways

February 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

STOCKHOLM — Axis Communications’ network cameras will be installed on trains in Norway. Axis’ partner ESP Group, a systems integrator with focus on intelligent video surveillance, received the order for a security solution from NSB, the Norwegian State Railways. Initially, the order comprises about 3.200 AXIS 209FD-R and AXIS 221 cameras, with a potential for additional installations. Axis network cameras are part of a solution on the trains to improve security for passengers and personnel. Mounting of the cameras will begin in spring 2008 and is expected to be completed mid-2010. The AXIS 209FD-R will be used for surveillance in

Fitch Upgrades Kansas City Southern de Mexico to ‘BB-‘

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) to ‘BB-‘from ‘B+’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Fitch has also upgraded to ‘BB-‘ from ‘B+’ the following senior unsecured obligations of KCSM: –US$165 million 7.375% senior notes due 2014: –US$460 million 9.375% senior notes due 2012; –US$175 million 7.625% senior notes due 2013. These rating actions reflect KCSM’s improving operating profile, increased financial flexibility and stronger liquidity over the past two years. Operating EBITDAR, defined as operating EBITDA plus KCSM’s locomotive and railcar

Ferromex Joins the TTX Railcar Pool

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — TTX, one of the nation’s leading railcar providers, today announced the expansion of its railcar pool with the addition of Mexican railway Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex). Ferromex becomes the first new owner of TTX in 43 years. Its addition to the TTX family is expected to enhance the utilization of energy efficient rail transportation for international movements. “This is an important step for our company,” said TTX President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew F. Reardon. “With Ferromex, we will extend the benefits of TTX’s time-tested business model to an important and growing participant in the North