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rail

Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

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Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom is to trial what could be described as “fully driverless trains” in Germany. 

The company has going ahead with a test project to implement Automatic Train Operation technology in the daily passenger operation of regional trains.

The project will begin in 2021 in partnership with the Regional Association of the greater area of Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin). [Read more…] about Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

Alstom starts production of passenger locomotives in Kazakhstan

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Alstom has started production of passenger electric locomotives at its 75%-owned EKZ joint venture in Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kazakhstan.

These locomotives are part of a contract signed with KTZ (Kazakhstan Railways) for delivery and maintenance of 302 Prima T8 KZ8A and 119 Prima M4 KZ4AT electric locomotives.

Alstom is expanding manufacturing lines at EKZ including for the construction of Prima T8 freight locomotives KZ8A for Kazakhstan and the production of on-board transformers for AZ8A, for export to Azerbaijan, and now the assembly of Prima M4 passenger locomotives.

[Read more…] about Alstom starts production of passenger locomotives in Kazakhstan

InnoTrans 2016 prepares for record number of exhibitors

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tgv

This year’s InnoTrans event is set to be the biggest in its 11-year history, with record numbers of companies booked to showcase their transport solutions. 

InnoTrans claims it is the world’s leading international trade fair for transport technology, and this year almost 3,000 exhibitors are preparing their stalls for the 100,000 trade visitors the organisers are predicting will attend.

InnoTrans is a favourite with train companies, particularly as they look to upgrade their rail networks using automation  technology as did Norway, and because there is increasing interest in and talk of intelligent transport systems.

And this year the French are particularly enthusiastic about the event.

Famed for the TGV – Train à Grande Vitesse – high-speed rail service, the French legion readying themselves to go to the event boast that the French are “at the forefront of the rail industry not only in France but all over the world”.  [Read more…] about InnoTrans 2016 prepares for record number of exhibitors

Industrial Networks prepares to launch rail automation drone

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inet drone
The INet drone

Industrial Networks (INet) is launching a drone that it says is “capable of fully autonomous scanning of the railyard for inventory and inspection of a railcar”. The company has been developing the drone since 2005, and last year applied to the authorities for a drone flying licence.

INet says the drone has transformed the rail industry for shippers and provided tools to automate the complete process of rail and truck shipping.

INet’s stationary and mobile Automated Equipment Identification (AEI) readers provide pivotal rail and truck shipment management for control over in-plant operations. This automation reduces the occurrence of errors and improves overall productivity for shippers across North America.  [Read more…] about Industrial Networks prepares to launch rail automation drone