1/2010
Dragon, From Gliwice
In 2008 ZNLE Gliwice (see R 6/09, pp. 44 - 46) ventured into a completely new field - the design and construction of a brand new electric locomotive for main line freight duties. Designated type E6ACT, it is also brand-named Dragon.
Its design is based on experience gained in the past from the realisation of major rebuilds of electric locomotives.
The first E6ACT stands next to the first batch ET22 rebuild in the ZNLE works on 3 November 2009.
Photo: ZNLE
ALP-46A Electrics For NJT
On 12 November 2009 4629, the first of 36 type ALP-46A electric locomotives being built for New Jersey Transit, was handed over at Bombardier’s Kassel works amid celebrations, and five days later, together with 4630, it departed for Bremerhaven and the USA. The machines were ordered at cost of 317 million USD as a follow-on from the earlier batch of 29 ALP-46s, which entered service on passenger trains on routes between New Jersey and New York City in 2002.
On 19 January 2010 the locomotive 4630 stands on the quayside at Newark, having crossed the Big Pond.
Photo: Bombardier
Modern Urban Rail Networks For Bangkok
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is looking to rail as the answer to the burgeoning road congestion which reflects its swelling population and rising car ownership levels. The city covers an area of 1,568 km2 and is home to around 10.3 million people, ranking among the world’s 15 largest urban centres. The metropolitan district as a whole, covering 7,761 km2, has a population of close on 12 million. Until recently there were only basic suburban services on the railways radiating from the city. Over the past decade or so development of various new urban and suburban railway systems has been in progress, with Siemens as the project manager and train builder.
Externally the Airport Express Desiro EMUs are practically identical to their British cousins, apart from the large roof-mounted air conditioning pods. They have a red and white livery and are fitted with 2 + 2 seating, in bays, the seat backs coinciding with the window pillars. Those used on the stopping services (City Line) have a blue and white livery and are fitted with metro-style longitudinal seating to maximise standee capacity.
Photo:
Class HXN3 Diesel Locomotives
Electro-Motive Diesel and its Chinese partners are building a batch of 300 4,400 kW Class HXN3 freight diesels. These are members of the new-generation Hexie (Harmony) family currently being acquired by Chinese Railways to modernise and expand its fleet, and the first was delivered in April 2009. The HXN3 is also the first EMD-designed locomotive for the Chinese market.
HXN30001 at Dalian works, shortly after completion in late June 2008.
Photo: EMD
Latest Developments At ŽOS Vrútky
On 5 February 2010 ŽOS Vrútky invited a Railvolution editorial team to inspect the various projects currently being realised at the works, these including contracts for Slovakian, Czech and Azerbaidzhan operators.
As we reported in R 3/09, p. 46, in April 2009 ZSSK ordered 12 Class 861 DMUs from ŽOS Vrútky, and project development is now proceeding apace. The image offers an indication of what these three-car, partially low floor articulated trains will look like.
Photo: ŽOS Vrútky
RhB's Berninalinie Celebrates Centenary!
On 5 July 1910 the inaugural train traversed the 61 km metre gauge line, electrified from the very beginning at 1,000 V DC, over the Bernina Pass between St. Moritz in Graubünden canton, Switzerland, to Tirano in Italy, one of the world’s most spectacular railways.
On 17 January 2010 the century-old electric motor coaches ABe4 30 and ABe4 34 negotiate one of the many tight curves on the Berninalinie, at Alp Grüm.
Photo: Armin Schmutz
And much more!
Cover of 1/2010
Poster
Features: HXN30002 and 0001 on 10 July 2009 during summer testing on the line