Poland: Testing has started of the first of 21 Impuls 2 five-car EMUs being built by Newag for Warsaw commuter rail operator SKM. The air-conditioned trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, USB chargers, a modern passenger information system, ticket machines and defibrillators. The trains will enter service in spring 2022. 

Czech Republic: Czech Railways (ČD) has purchased four Siemens EuroSprinter ES64U4 electric locomotives  from Wiener Lokalbahnen Cargo (WLC) and will be used on freight trains across the country. The acquisition brings the ČD fleet to six units. 

Italy: Medway Italia has doubled its fleet of Traxx DC3 locomotives by placing an order with Alstom for a further three. The electric locomotives are due to be delivered in the second half of 2022.  

Spain: The first ETR1000 high-speed train for Ilsa has arrived in Spain for testing along the Mediterranean coast. Two more are expected to be delivered by Hitachi before the end of the year. The 200m-long trains are capable of 360km/h (although they are being limited to 300km/h initially) and can accommodate 467 passengers.  

Russia: TMH and Samara Metro have signed a contract to overhaul five series 81-717/714 metro trains. All will be complete by the end of the year, and they will remain in traffic for 15 years. TMH will undertake the work in St Petersburg. The trains date from the 1990s and will receive new electrical equipment, bogie frames, wheelsets, and handrail coatings. Video surveillance will be fitted in both the passenger areas and driver cabs. The driving vehicles will be fitted with fully-accessible areas for passengers with reduced mobility. 

The first Stadler Flirt for Ottawa prior to shipment. Credit: Twitter/JimWatsonOttawa

Canada: The first Stadler Flirt has left Switzerland for shipping to Ottawa. It is the first of seven four-car trains that the City of Ottawa and SNC-Lavalin ordered in 2019 to be released. The train is part of the Stage 2 Trillium Line south extension project. 

Brazil: The AeroGRU consortium, comprising Aerom, HTB, FBS and TSEA, has selected Marcopolo Rail to build three two-car trains for the 2.7km automated peoplemover which the consortium is building to connect the Paulista Metropolitan Trains (CPTM) Line 13-Jade station with Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport.  

Poland: PKP InterCity has awarded a Zlotys 258.6m ($US 66.5m) contract to Newag, Poland, for 10 multi-system electric locomotives, with an option for another five units worth Zlotys 129.3m. PKP Intercity originally launched a tender for the locomotives in 2019 and Newag was the only bidder.