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 | On 12 January General Motors Corp. - GM, Greenbriar Equity Group LLC and Berkshire Partners LLC announced that they have reached a definitive agreement in which GM will sell its Electro-Motive Division (EMD) to an investor group led by Greenbriar and Berkshire Partners. Terms of the transaction will not be disclosed. The sale agreement covers substantially all of the Electro-Motive businesses, including North American and international locomotives; power, marine and industrial products; the spare parts and parts rebuild business; and all of Electro-Motive's locomotive maintenance contracts worldwide. Both the LaGrange, Illinois and London, Ontario manufacturing facilities are included in the agreement. The proposed sale is contingent on completing negotiations with the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) and the subsequent ratification by its members. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005. EMD employs some 2.600 hourly and salaried co-workers. The company designs, manufactures, markets, sells, and services freight and passenger diesel-electric locomotives and diesel marine and power generation products for use worldwide. Since the early 1930's, Electro-Motive and its associates have produced more than 58.000 diesel-electric locomotives for customers in 73 countries. Electro-Motive diesel engines are used in over 100 countries worldwide. The world's largest vehicle manufacturer General Motors, employs about 325.000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. Greenbriar Equity Group LLC is focused exclusively on making private equity investments in the global transportation industry, including companies in freight and passenger transport, commercial aerospace, automotive, logistics, and related sectors. Greenbriar and Berkshire Partners LLC have entered into a strategic joint venture and co-investment agreement to address transportation and related investment opportunities. Greenbriar, together with Berkshire, has access to more than USD 1 billion for investment in privately negotiated equity investments within the transportation industry. Berkshire Partners has invested in mid-sized private companies for the past twenty years through six investment funds with aggregate capital commitments of some USD 3,5 billion. In Europe EMD delivers one of the largest selling diesel locomotives for international traffic, the Class 66 that currently is certified for operation in United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. Target certification for the Class 66 locomotive is set for Czech Republic, Italy, and France. |  |
| The Scandinavian private rail freight operator Hector Rail has signed a 5-year agreement with ScandFibre Logistics for traction of daily trains between Hallsberg and Göteborg, Grums, Frövi, Norrköping, Dynäs and Piteå. In Sweden the first trains will depart on June 12, and the agreement will continue until December 31, 2010. Hector Rail’s annual production will grow from about 0,5 million train kilometres to about two million train kilometres when the ScandFibre Logistics volumes are added. This agreement means that Hector Rail will assume responsibility for the majority of the domestic Swedish volumes in the so-called ”Rail 99” system operated by ScandFibre Logistics. With the additional assignment for ScandFibre Logistics, the remaining three locomotives purchased from Malmtrafik A/S - MTAS will also be put in traffic, and about 25 locomotive drivers will be recruited. 3 of these locomotives bought from MTAS have been refurbished and are already in use in the present operation of daily transports between Sweden and Norway for EuroShuttle. Hector Rail AB is a Swedish limited company with the aim to offer traction of full freight trains. The main owner of Hector Rail AB is Höegh Capital Partners. This company is controlled by the Norwegian family Höegh, that among others owns the shipping company Leif Höegh & Co. The shipping company is through the subsidiary HUAL one of the leading car transporters throughout the world, with more than 50 car transport ships. | |
| The DHL Group is strengthening its network for rail traffic in Europe. The conclusion of a co-operation contract with the railway transport company TX logistics forms the start signal for regular rail freight traffic between German Lübeck/Travemünde and Italian Verona. As of the beginning of January a freigh train operates with 28 railway wagons in shuttle traffic. Thus the transport of some 130.000 tons of road cargo is shifted onto rail. Besides, DHL Express made an agreement with the Lübecker Hafengesellschaft mbH(LHG) over a close co-operation regarding a mutual use of the train. The freight train operates twice weekly. At present the train consists only of container wagon, it is however planned to supplement it in the course of the first half-year with a row of conventional freight wagons. Hereby is DHL according to own statement the only pan-European logistics company that can offer regular transports with mixed trains for all types of cargo. An important advantage is thereby, according to Hendrik Kassebohm, general manager Rail by DHL Freight, the reduced environmental impacts. The carbon dioxide emission is reduced clearly. The output is reduced by the shift from road to rail by carbon dioxide by 70%, which corresponds to a saving of some 15.000 tons carbon dioxide per year. The network for intermodal transports in Europe is to be c developed onsiderably, according to Hendrik Kassebohm. DHL already uses the Parcel InterCity in Germany, which transports cargo on the route München - Nürnberg - Hannover - Hamburg in intermodal traffic and thereby connects the flexibility of the road traffic with the speed and reliability of express trains. | |
| Hupac operates an intermodal network withmore than 70 trains per day for the transportation of containers, swap bodies, semi-trailers and complete trucks. The operation predominantly takes place on the north-south-north axis through Switzerland. On offer are Continental Transport and Maritime Transport. For 2004 the result on the total shuttle net was +12,2%, when looking at the total transport network of the Hupac Group, an increase of 12,6% was achieved. The Shuttle network transalpine accounted for 330.929 consignments (some 760.000 TEU) or +7,5%, and the non-transalpine network accounted for 91.949 consignments (some 211.483 TEU) and that is an increase by 33,5% compared to 2003 volumes. This means that the total shuttle network with 422.878 consignments (972.619 TEU) shows an increase of 12,2% all in all. Further the Rolling highway on the Gotthard line shows an increase by more than 20% to 25.153 consignments (57.852 TEU). All of this means that the total transport volume for Hupac in 2004 is some 448.000 consignments or above 1 million TEU. This means an increase by 12,6% compared to the year 2003. For further information please see this weeks focus article through this link. | |
| The direction of the Italian Railways — FS has announced that its’ staff is putting down the work for 24 hours starting on Sunday 16 January at 21.00. This will also influence the international traffic with Italy heavily, apart from all the Italian inland rail traffic. In Switzerland, SBB will operate the trains according to the schedules onto the Italian borders stations Chiasso and Brig. | |
| Bombardier Transportation announced on 4 January that it received an additional order for 100 high-capacity trains AGC type (Autorail Grande Capacité) from the French National Railways (SNCF), valued at some 350 million EUR. The SNCF represents the French Regions in this transaction. The trains will be delivered between December 2007 and February 2009. Bombardier will manufacture these AGC trains at its Crespin plant, in the Valenciennes region in France. This firm order follows the selection of Bombardier by SNCF in September 2001 for the supply of 500 high-capacity regional trains AGC type for the French Regions. In December 2001, a first firm order of 192 was signed followed by two additional options, one for 73 trains in February 2003 and one for 14 trains in March 2003. With the current order, the total number of firm orders from SNCF for high-capacity regional trains AGC type is 379. The AGC is available in numerous versions. The seating capacity of the trains can range from 160 to 220 seats, depending on the number of cars. Modular interior design exists in the High Class and Intercity versions. The trains can run on either diesel fuel, electricity or a combination of the two. The AGC travels at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. Thanks to its articulated architecture, it sports wide carbodies and inter-circulation gangways, as well as a continuous low floor. These features provide excellent access for travellers, make it easier to move about in the trains and deliver greater comfort, visibility, and security. The first AGC was delivered in January of 2004 and about 30 are currently operating in France. | |
| Proposals to reduce overcrowding and improve service patterns and journey times for passengers using the British Great Western Main Line, a key artery to the Thames Valley, the Cotswolds, South Wales and the West Country, were published by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) on 12 January. The new 'Route Utilisation Strategy', which aims to make better use of existing tracks and trains on the route, is also designed to improve punctuality and reliability. The Strategy, on which a 12-week consultation started the same day, would deliver: § Over 800 more seats for peak-time Thames Valley commuters into London Paddington station - another 4% capacity increase over and above that introduced in December 2004; § More frequent off-peak local services between London and Slough; § Improved local and regional services across the wider Bristol, Cardiff and South West areas, including additional peak seating capacity, more regular pattern timetables and greater cross-Bristol journey opportunities; § Further improvements to journey times on services between London, Exeter, Plymouth and beyond. Many of the changes could be introduced with the start of the new Greater Western rail franchise in 2006 - some could be introduced sooner. The proposals build on the improvements already introduced in December 2004 through the 'wider benefits' timetable, agreed between the SRA and First Group as a result of the new First Great Western Link (Thames Trains) franchise. In order to deliver the Strategy's benefits there would be a limited number of downsides: a reduction in First Class seating capacity on some Thames Valley commuter services (to increase standard class capacity); reduced off-peak train frequencies on the lightly used Paddington - Greenford service (some trains diverted to increase Slough - London frequency); and a small reduction in the overall number of trains between Bristol and Penzance (eliminating duplication and introducing a more even-interval timetable). The draft Strategy covers the short to medium-term period up to around 2012. Longer-term issues will be dealt with by the SRA's Regional Planning Assessment for the South West, due to be published later in 2005. | |
| RailReLease is a free and independent European marketplace for rail wagons and locomotives, standing idle, for sale or for long and short-term lease/rent. RailReLease helps companies with their demand or request for railcars and locomotives. Target companies are railway companies, leasing and rental companies and Shippers with own rail vehicles. Rail assets are very capital-intensive. In a transport contract, capital costs can go up to 40% of the total contract price. This means that assets have to be very productive. Wheels have to roll, so to speak. In a market where transport contracts are getting shorter (one to three years) the share of capital costs in the total costs is rising. Resulting in more and more short-term lease/rental contracts. A major chance of increasing profits and lowering costs in rail freight lies in the increase in efficiency through better utilisation of rail capital assets. This asks for a more flexible market for the offer and demand of rail assets. And that is where RailReLease comes in. For further information please contact RailReLease through this link . | |
| The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), is looking for an economist to join their team in Brussels. CER represents directly the majority of European passenger and freight rail operators, as well as infrastructure companies. It monitors and actively contributes to European rail policy. It is committed to promoting a competitive, high-quality rail service across Europe. The job entails: · developing European rail infrastructure strategy, including financing aspects; · liaising with experts from member companies, including running an internal working group on infrastructure issues; · developing contacts within European institutions and the private sector; · contributing to a wide range of CER activities; The ideal candidate would have: · a University degree, preferably in economics or finance; · 3 to 7 years of professional experience in regulated industries, preferably in the rail sector; · experience with financing and cost issues; · a keen interest in European rail policy; · an entrepreneurial outlook, with an ability to meet tight deadlines; · proficiency in English, with a good knowledge of at least one other major European language. Terms and conditions are competitive, depending on the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Interested candidates should submit a C.V. electronically to Sylvie De Mees, (sylvie.demees@cer.be) before 18 February 2005. Applications will be treated in confidence. | |
| English Welsh & Scottish Railway — EWS, Britain’s largest rail operator, has appointed Gerry Skelton as the company’s new Human Resources Director. Gerry Skelton joined EWS in May 2004 as Corporate Industrial Relations Manager and has over 20 years experience in employee relations across a range of industries within the UK and Europe. Keith Heller, EWS Chief Executive, said: “Gerry is a talented human resources professional who will lead the continued development of EWS’s most important asset - its staff.” Gerry Skelton, EWS Human Resources Director, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Human Resources Director for EWS. EWS is a company that is rich in railway experience and is the most diverse railway operator in Britain. Its extensive range of services is delivered daily by committed and professional people, and I look forward to working with them.” EWS employs 5.400 people across Britain, is one of the country’s largest railway employers, and through the diverse nature of its service provision, is able to offer its staff a wide range of career opportunities within the company. | |
| · 26 - 27 January 2005 in Berlin (DE): Eighth annual EuroRail 2005, organised by Terrapinn Ltd. EuroRail is still Europe’s only dedicated executive level strategic railway summit. EuroRail 2005 will bring together the region’s key decision makers from operators, infrastructure managers, regulators and government ministries in one place at one time. For further information please follow this link . · 3 - 4 February in Rome (IT): “Next Station”, 1st international conference on railway stations in Rome on the role of stations and their prospects for development in the 21st century. The conference is organised by the Italian College of Railway Engineers (C.I.F.I.), in close cooperation with the International Union of Railways - UIC and the Italian railways (Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato). The conference will highlight the new trends in station design and optimisation, aiming at turning stations into multifunctional areas for transport, sales and services, communication and culture. For more information, please find the conference programme through this link . The registration form can be found through this link . · 28 February - 1 March 2005 in Rome (IT): The Adam Smith Institute’s 10th Anniversary Conference, “The future of European Rail”. With the rail sector facing intensifying competition, new legislative developments and the recent EU expansion, this event finds itself in an exciting period of transition. This 10th anniversary conference will address these central issues, providing a forum to discuss strategies for winning back market share and positioning the European Rail industry for an increasingly competitive future. For further details please visit www.marketforce.eu.com/eurail . · 16 - 17 March 2005, London (UK): Fire Protection of Railway Vehicles Europe 2005, organized by Vision In Business, SPG Media Ltd. The primary purpose of the conference is to serve as a vital and timely platform for top European rail decision makers, standards bodies and innovators from across the value chain to converge and drive forward progress in a critical section of the industry: Fire Protection. Concentrating on those key issues currently facing the industry and the latest solutions, as well as giving special focus to pre-empting forthcoming legislative developments and their inevitable repercussions, TRC’s essential Fire Protection of Railway Vehicles Europe 2005 will allow the cost-effective absorbance of tomorrow’s standards and technical specifications in to business models, managerial process and engineering approach. For further information please contact us! If you have any events for the X-Rail.net Calendar, please do not hesitate to send us an email with information of the event! Send an email to: editor@x-rail.net with your event information! | |
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