World

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World

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

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World

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

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World

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

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World

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

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Kansas City Southern

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

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Miscellaneous

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

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Commuter Rail

Japanese Bullet Train Returns to San Francisco

February 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN FRANCISCO — Californians are showing increasing interest and support for high-speed trains in advance of a November ballot measure, proponents of high-speed rail say. On Feb. 1, officials held a seminar in San Francisco to discuss “Shinkansen,” Japan’s High-Speed Train System. Retired San Mateo Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp offered opening remarks to a crowd of public officials, policy makers and California resident about the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed trains. “The sincerity and commitment expressed here today, reflects the strong bonds between our countries,” Kopp said. “This is a critical year for high-speed rail in California, and

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Weather

More Than 150,000 Rail Passengers in Southern China Stranded

January 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BEIJING — Thousands of Chinese railway passengers were stranded following heavy snow in southern China. More than 150,000 passengers were stranded at the Guangzhou railway station. The station is on the southern end of a the rail line that connects Beijing. Many of the passengers were heading home for Lunar New Year holiday. An additional 450,000 passengers were expected to be stranded in the coming days. It isn’t clear when rail service might be restored. Several major highways and airports were also been closed because of the heavy snows and freezing rains. — Railfanning.org News Wire