Do hydrogen and battery trains mean the end for diesel traction?
European passenger train operators are steadily embracing alternatives like battery-power and hydrogen-power as means of eliminating the use of diesel engines. Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Britain and France are all part of a revolution which promises to bridge the gap between diesel ubiquity and electric sustainability. Siemens, Alstom, Stadler, Hitachi and CAF are all active in the alternative traction market as demand for these types of solutions gathers pace. Meanwhile, in North America and elsewhere, diesel remains king. [railjournal.com]
California rail panel unveils draft environmental report for Sacramento extension
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) has begun seeking public input on a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the proposed Valley Rail Sacramento Extension project in California. The project would expand Amtrak San Joaquins and Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) passenger-rail services to the greater Sacramento area through the construction of six rail stations and track improvements along the Union Pacific Railroad Sacramento subdivision tracks. [progressiverailroading.com]
Construction of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway resumes
The Transportation Ministry of Indonesia is resuming construction the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project following a two week suspension due to the Coronavirus. Construction will continue by utilising the country’s local workforce as a current flight ban prevents the return of Chinese workers. The project is still expected to be completed, as planned, in December 2021. [constructionreviewonline.com]
Bullet-train home delivery ready for service in Japan
Ever since Japan’s first high-speed rail link opened in 1964 between Tokyo and Osaka, the idea of using the shinkansen bullet trains for freight transport has been around. Now the idea is finally becoming reality, by simply carrying parcels and passengers in the same carriage. Delivery company Sagawa Express is teaming up with Hokkaido Railway to launch a new delivery service using vacant shinkansen seats. Testing of shinkansen parcel shipping will begin as early as this month. [nikkei.com]
