Australia’s largest rail freight operator to phase out diesel locos

Aurizon, the largest rail freight operator in Australia, is planning to invest 18.8 million dollars (17.3 million euros) to phase out diesel fuel and embrace renewable energy sources. The project entails pairing “a big battery-pack on wheels” with modified locomotives to operate as a hybrid unit. Half of the investment is covered by a grant…

Khorgos grain terminal starts operating in test mode

A new grain terminal has been opened in Khorgos on the Kazakh-Chinese border. The terminal is currently operating in test mode. In the future, local authorities plan to increase storage capacity twentyfold, up to one million tonnes. In the special economic zone of Khorgos, the new grain terminal has begun accepting grain wagons. It facilitates…

DB Cargo to get 150 hybrid, lighter locomotives from Siemens

DB Cargo ordered 150 Vectron Dual Mode light locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The new locomotives are several tonnes lighter than the usual Vectron Dual Mode. As DB Cargo mentioned, they can be used “​​on branch lines and sidings with a lower load capacity”. The company stated that this initiative will favour single wagonload traffic in…

Shortages delay and suspend nearly 50,000 trains in Russia

Russian rail maintenance companies are struggling to acquire enough spare parts to service locomotives. They also face a shortage of highly educated staff. As a result, Russian Railways (RZD) has had to suspend or delay almost 50,000 trains throughout 2023. In comparison to 2022, the amount of delayed or suspended trains due to a lack…