Brief overview of key events and news in the rail rolling stock markets.
The national passenger operator Amtrak has issued a request for proposals for the supply of a bi-level long-distance passenger rail fleet. Although the size of the purchase is not disclosed, the operator describes it as a “multi-billion-dollar order” to be funded under the $1.2 trn infrastructure bill passed in 2021, which provides for five years of federal support. Amtrak expects responses from manufacturers by mid-May, with delivery of the new rolling stock beginning after 2030.
The Vande Sadharan push-pull train. Source: ANI Photo
Indian Railways plans to place an order for 50 Vande Sadharan push-pull trains, worth INR 20 bln ($240.8 mln). The rolling stock will be produced at three of the operator’s sites: ICF in Chennai, RCF in Kapurthala, and CLW in Chittaranjan. The first two Vande Sadharans, positioned as economy-class trains, have been undergoing operational tests since November last year.
In 2023, the national operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, KTZ, purchased 112 locomotives, which it says will reduce the average depreciation of its traction rolling stock to 52%. Earlier, KTZ had announced plans to take delivery of 138 locomotives by the end of last year, with its main suppliers of diesel and electric locomotives being Wabtec, Alstom, and TMH. Over the past three years, the operator has purchased a total of 254 locomotives.
Rendering of the Mireo electric train for OBB. Source: Siemens Mobility
The Austrian national operator OBB has fulfilled the first part of its agreement with Siemens Mobility and placed a €811 mln firm order for 70 Mireo EMUs. The framework agreement worth more than €5 bln for up to 540 of these trains was signed last year. Under the current order, the operator will receive 59 trains with a length of 105 m and 11 trains with a length of 73 m.
The Turkish manufacturer Bozankaya has signed a contract for 17 low-floor trams worth €1.9 mln each for the Romanian city of Timisoara. The new trams, equipped with batteries ensuring an operation range of 70 km, will join the existing fleet of 21 five-car vehicles from Bozankaya. The rolling stock is expected later this year.
The Sakhalin Passenger Company, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, in cooperation with the Government of the Sakhalin region, will purchase 12 passenger coaches. They have signed a relevant agreement with the Tver Carriage Company, TVZ, a subsidiary of TMH. According to Maksim Zhogolev, Minister of Transport of the Sakhalin region, the rolling stock will be delivered in Q1 2024.
