NETHERLANDS: ProRail has awarded enterprise telecoms specialist Nokia a contract to migrate its existing 2G telecoms assets to a cloud environment as part of preparations for the roll-out of FRMCS in the next decade.

AUSTRIA: Graz-Köflacher Bahn has begun electric operation of S-Bahn Steiermark service S6 from Graz Hbf via Hengsberg and Wettmannstätten to Wies-Eibiswald.

This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.

This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.

UK: Chiltern Railways has finally signed a 10-year agreement to lease push-pull sets of diesel locomotives and MkVa coaches from Beacon Rail for use on services between London Marylebone and Birmingham.

NORTH AMERICA: Atlas Holdings has formed Orion Steel Companies following the completion of its acquisition of the Evraz North America businesses.

FRANCE: As part of an ongoing renewal of the city’s metro network, Lyon’s Line D is to be resignalled and re-equipped under a €300m agreement announced by Alstom.

FRANCE: As part of an ongoing renewal of the city’s metro network, Lyon’s Line D is to be resignalled and re-equipped under a €300m agreement announced by Alstom.

GERMANY: Siemens Mobility has unveiled the Mireo Smart Plus B battery-electric multiple-units which will enable locally emission-free operation on Regiobahn’s service RE47 from Remscheid-Lennep to Solingen and Düsseldorf.

UKRAINE: The city of Kamianske has awarded Tatra-Yug a contract to supply 17 single-section trams to replace its ageing fleet.

UKRAINE: The city of Kamianske has awarded Tatra-Yug a contract to supply 17 single-section trams to replace its ageing fleet.

SWEDEN: Leasing company AB Transitio has awarded Stadler a firm order to supply a further 13 double-deck electric multiple-units for services in the Stockholm-Mälaren region.

USA: Transport asset data capture and analysis company Cordel Group has launched PTC Asset Connect, which uses LiDAR and artificial intelligence to automatically detect and accurately locate trackside infrastructure assets.

TURKEY: Infrastructure manager TCDD has secured US$2·8bn in external financing for the development of the planned Kars – Iğdır – Aralık – Dilucu line which would extend its network to the border of Azerbaijan’s Naxçıvan exclave.

PHILIPPINES: The first three of 16 three-car light rail vehicles built by CRRC Dalian have entered revenue service on Manila’s MRT3 metro line a decade after they were ordered.

PHILIPPINES: The first three of 16 three-car light rail vehicles built by CRRC Dalian have entered revenue service on Manila’s MRT3 metro line a decade after they were ordered.

News from the world rail freight market.

UK: The Centre for Transport in Cities initiative has been launched to bring rail research bodies at universities in Huddersfield and Leeds into a ‘strategic alliance’ with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

SPAIN: High speed infrastructure manager ADIF Alta Velocidad has awarded contracts for the remodelling and expansion of Valladolid-Campo Grande station to accommodate a predicted increase in passenger traffic.

Growing rail’s role in the Spanish logistics sector was the focus of UIP’s Wagon Keepers’ Summit in València. While the global trend for ‘nearshoring’ offers a huge opportunity, many speakers were frustrated at enduring problems in connecting Spain to the pan-European rail network. Nick Kingsley reports.