THE Chairman of Central Japan Railway Mr Yoshiyuki Kasai has launched a stinging attack on China's rail industry, accusing suppliers of "stealing" foreign technology and neglecting safety.

BANK of China is to acquire a stake in the company building the Beijing - Shanghai high-speed line in a deal worth Yuan 6 billion ($US 879 million), which was signed on Tuesday. Subject to regulatory approval, the bank will acquire 4.54% of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Company from its biggest shareholder, China Railway Construction Investment Company, which is owned by the Ministry of Railways.

SPANISH rolling stock manufacturer CAF is celebrating another successful year after posting a profit of Euros 124.3 million, up 17.5% on 2008 levels. By the end of December CAF's order backlog stood at Euros 4.34 billion, 55% of which related to orders from outside Spain.

KAZTEMIRTRANS, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways has secured a $US 50 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to renew its ageing rolling stock.

BLS, Switzerland, has placed its largest-ever rolling stock order after signing SFr 493.7 million ($US 462.6 million) deal with Stadler for 28 double-deck emus for the Bern S-Bahn.

THE people of Reims got a preview of the city's new LRV fleet last week when the first Alstom Citadis tram to be delivered was displayed on the square outside the city's cathedral.

GERMAN RAIL (DB) is to support the planning, construction and operation of a new railway in the United Arab Emirates under a joint Memorandum of Understanding signed today in Abu Dhabi. DB will enter a strategic partnership with the UAE's Al Masaood group under the agreement, which was signed by German minister of transport Dr Peter Ramsauer, DB CEO Dr Rüdiger Grube, Al Masaood chairman His Excellency Abdullah Al Masaood, and Mr Martin Bay, chairman of DB International.

Railways minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has announced plans to radically expand and improve India’s network over the next 10 years. Kevin Smith takes a closer look at the 2010-11 railway budget and how this fits into Indian Railways’ Vision 2020 plans.

 

GERMAN Rail (DB) successfully maintained profitability during 2009 despite the adverse effects of the economic crisis. Although revenues dipped 12.3% to Euros 29.3 billion, DB ended the year with an operating profit of Euros 1.7 billion, Euros 800 million below the record result achieved in 2008. Net debt fell by 5.9% to Euros 15 billion.

BRITISH infrastructure contractor and railfreight operator Jarvis announced on March 25 it had gone into administration, citing a significant reduction in rail renewal work as a contributor to the company's worsening financial performance.