Asia: China unveils maglev bullet train prototype
A floating magnetic-levitation train capable of traveling at 600 km/h (372 mph) has rolled off the assembly line in the Chinese city of Qingdao. Commercial production is expected by 2021. [cnn.com]
Latin America: Cuba tries to revive its once-great railway network
Cuba’s Ministry of Transportation has taken possession of 80 new Chinese-made passenger cars as part of a project that is hoped to restore a rail service that was once the envy of Latin America. [apnews.com]
USA: Review of Elon Musk’s DC-to-Baltimore ‘Loop’ system reveals safety concerns
The Boring Company’s Loop transit system that aims to shuttle people in autonomous electric vehicles fails to meet several key national safety standards, a review of its proposal reveals. [techcrunch.com]
Canada: Officials unveil first light-rail vehicles for Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown Line
Metrolinx, the Toronto Transit Commission, and the Ontario government have unveiled six new LRVs to be used on Toronto’s future line between the Mount Dennis and Kennedy subway stations. [progressiverailroading.com]
Europe: Passenger rail between Turkey and Bulgaria to open Friday
Turkish State Railways (TCDD) has announced that a new passenger rail service between Turkey’s Edirne and Bulgaria’s Plovdiv will begin operations on June 1st. [dailysabah.com]
USA: Washington State to replace rail cars like those involved in fatal derailment
WSDOT will replace Talgo rail cars similar to those involved in a fatal 2017 Amtrak derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board has said the vehicles don’t meet current crashworthiness standards. [progressiverailroading.com]
Europe: World’s largest passenger fuel cell train fleet planned in Germany
French manufacturer Alstom plans to deliver 27 hydrogen fuel cell trains for use in the central German state of Hesse by 2022, creating the world’s largest fuel cell passenger train fleet. [cleanenergywire.org]
