DOWNER EDI announced on February 4 that it has secured a 10-year contract worth around $A 1bn ($US 782m) to maintain more than 300 locomotives for Pacific National, Australia's largest private railfreight operator.

SNCF has given approval to TTG Transportation Technology, Australia, to provide more than 1500 TGV drivers with hand-held Energymiser Driver Advisory System devices.

THE first tunnel boring machine on Sydney's North West Rail Link has broken through into the future Norwest station and the project is already ahead of schedule and under budget.

THE government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) says four private sector consortia have submitted formal expressions of interest for the Capital Metro light rail project in Canberra.

A CONTRACT has been signed between the New South Wales state government and the Altrac Light Rail consortium (previously known as Connecting Sydney) for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the $A 2.1bn ($US 1.72bn) Sydney CBD and South East Light Rail line.

GENERAL sluggishness in the global economy and softening thermal coal prices continue to create uncertainty for proponents of major coal mines and associated rail infrastructure in the Galilee Basin region in the north of the Australian state of Queensland.

IN the run up to the election on November 29 in the Australian state of Victoria, the Liberal/National coalition government has promised to invest $A 3.9bn ($US 3.4bn) in new rolling stock for the state's suburban, regional and light rail networks, should it be re-elected.

PUBLIC consultation began on November 3 on route alignment options for the first light rail line in Sunshine Coast, Australia.

ADANI Mining has selected Parsons Brinckerhoff as its project management consultant for the Carmichael integrated coal mine, railway and port project in the Galilee Basin in the Australian state of Queensland.