Another rail plant goes to defence
GERMANY: Rheinmetall has confirmed talks to buy Alstom’s locomotive plant in Kassel, and around 300 workers protested outside the factory on 3 September against a sale that would move the Traxx production site from rail to defence.
Chief executive Armin Papperger said a meeting with Alstom’s management would follow within four weeks. The plant, which has built locomotives since 1848, employs around 900 people and is running at full capacity on a solid order book, according to its works council.
The precedent is Görlitz, where Alstom sold its plant to KNDS and rail production gave way to armoured vehicles. IG Metall wants to know which parts of Kassel are for sale and what guarantees the workforce gets.
Full story: Rheinmetall closes in on Alstom’s Traxx plant
Germany funds the first DAC trains in traffic
GERMANY: The federal transport ministry has opened the first call under PioDAK, a EUR 36m programme to fit and test the Digital Automatic Coupler on freight trains in regular operation. Project outlines can be submitted from 14 to 25 September.
The scheme, published in the Bundesanzeiger on 4 September and run by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility, covers pioneer trains, research and studies through 2029. A second call is planned for early 2027, subject to funds.
It is the first national money for putting DAC into commercial service after the DAC4EU demonstrator project closed, and ahead of the EU-wide migration planned for 2031 to 2036.
Full story: Germany opens EUR 36m funding call for DAC pioneer trains
One of three Talgo sets back with Leo Express
CZECHIA: Leo Express returned its only serviceable Talgo set to passenger service on 7 September, running four Bohumín–Prague legs after more than five weeks without a Talgo in traffic.
The other two sets remain out of service, one of them in Kutná Hora for rework of its electrical installation. Rail authority Drážní úřad, which set the operator a deadline for supplementary documentation, has not published a decision.
Full story: Leo Express puts one Talgo set back in service after five weeks
Beira Baixa line reopens 20 September after EUR 3.4m storm repair
PORTUGAL: Infraestruturas de Portugal will reopen the Mouriscas-A–Vila Velha de Ródão section of the Beira Baixa line on 20 September, eight months after storm Kristin caused two landslides that closed the route.
The EUR 3.4m repair restores the full line between Entroncamento and Guarda for CP’s regional and Intercidades services, and gives freight operators back their alternative to the Beira Alta line towards Spain.
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