MASSACHUSETTS Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has approved the purchase of 24 light rail vehicles from CAF, Spain, for the Green Line.

AFTER many years of indecision, the mayor of Virginia Beach Mr William Sessoms and Virginia state transportation secretary Mr Aubrey Layne have agreed to develop plans for a light rail link between Virginia Beach and the neighbouring city of Norfolk.

THE latest commuter rail line in the United States opens today in Florida following an official opening ceremony for SunRail on April 30.

SAN Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart) has awarded a contract worth $US 58m to Stadler to supply eight two-car DMUs for use on the 16km East Contra Costa Bart extension project, which is currently under construction.

NIPPON Sharyo's new DMU for North America is to be powered by Cummins QSK 19-R engines which are certified to meet Tier 4 Final ultra-low emissions standards which come into effect on January 1 2015.

GENERAL Electric (GE) is reportedly in negotiations with Alstom over a $US 13bn takeover of the French company, and is said to have the support of Alstom's majority shareholder Bouygues, which holds a 29% stake.

DALLAS Area Rapid Transit (Dart) operated its first test run on the 8km light rail Orange Line extension to Dallas Forth Worth International Airport on April 16.

MUNICIPAL authorities in San Diego, California, and the neighbouring city of Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California have revived plans for a light rail line spanning the US-Mexican border.

WESTPORT Innovations, Canada, has delivered the first of four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tenders ordered by Canadian National (CN) to Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), United States, which is developing a pilot low-pressure LNG:diesel dual-fuel locomotive for the Class 1 railway.

THE governor of Illinois Mr Pat Quinn has announced plans to invest in commuter rail, long-distance passenger and freight projects in the US state as part of a $US 8.6bn six-year capital construction programme, which will be funded from federal, state, and local sources.