With its punishing gradients, sharp curves, and intensive freight traffic, the Brenner corridor between Germany and Italy poses daily challenges for the many operators that use the route. Erwin Reidinger looks at how significant investment in additional capacity will bring a step-change in performance on this vital transalpine artery.

Fitting out of the Durchmesserlinie, Zurich's second cross-city line, is now underway. Completion of this $US 2.1bn project, which is planned in phases from 2014, will provide much-needed additional capacity on the city's congested rail network as Valentina Kumpusch, project manager with Rhomberg Bahntechnik explains.

THE University of Alberta has formally launched the Canadian Rail Research Laboratory, a partnership which aims to address some of the most pressing technical challenges facing North America's railways.

Ilya Shirokobrod, vice-president, head of the railway products division of Evraz (pictured), tells Keith Barrow how the company is expanding its rail production facilities in an effort to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic market.

GERMANY's Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development and German Rail (DB) have reached agreement to fund a €693m project to construct a 16km 250km/h section of line to the south of Karlsruhe.

SWEDEN's prime minister Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt, speaking in Linköping on August 29, says he plans to increase railway investment by 30% between 2014 and 2025 as part of a plan to invest more in infrastructure to encourage economic growth.

WITH work progressing on the North-South railway in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has selected Plasser & Theurer to supply 12 machines to maintain the mixed traffic lines.

ISRAEL National Roads Company invites companies or groups to prequalify by October 24 for a contract to construct the superstructure, and equip two new lines currently under construction.

FERROVIA Trans Rail Solutions, the joint venture awarded the Rs.1.56bn ($US 28m) contract to build the 66km New Kawadia - Durgapur section of India's 1839km Ludhiana - Dankuni eastern dedicated freight corridor (DFC), will import a refurbished Harsco Rail track laying machine in December.

BRAZILIAN mining giant Vale has announced on August 23 that it has concluded a Reais 3.9bn ($US 1.92bn) financing deal with Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES) to fund its Logistics Capacity North (CLN) 150 enhancement project, which will boost iron ore throughput by 30.4% on the Carajás Railway (EFC) and at the port of Ponta da Madeira.