Railway export / 鉄道輸出

[quashlo]

JICA considers soft loan to fund Mumbai Metro
http://in.news.yahoo.com/japan-consi...073757997.html

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Japan is soon expected to finalise concessional financing for the $2.26-billion Line 3 of the mass rapid transit system in Mumbai on the lines of soft-funding the hugely-popular Metro in the national capital.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is in the final phases of deciding the funding for the third line of the Mumbai Metro multi-billion dollar project with a soft loan at an interest of around 1.4 percent per annum, a top Japanese official said.

'We have been requested by the Indian government to provide funding for Mumbai Metro's Line 3. The request is being reviewed positively by the Japanese authorities,' said Yuichiro Sano, the top representative for the Japanese agency here.

'I am hopeful the Mumbai Metro will also be financed on the lines of Delhi Metro. Japan will also be keen to provide technical support,' Sano told IANS in an interview.

The federal government's request to JICA is for the 20-km underground link of Mumbai Metro, referred as Line 3, which will run from Colaba in south Mumbai to Bandra in the northwest of the metropolis, often called the queen of the suburbs.

The foundation stone for the 63-km Phase One of Mumbai Metro was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in June 2006. Conceived then in three phases, the total project cost at that time was estimated at $8.03 billion.

Under Phase One, the 11-km Line 1 runs in the suburbs of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar and the 32-km Line 2 connects Charkop and Bandra with Mankhurd, both being developed by a consortium led by industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance Group.

Both these are elevated lines under the public-private-partnership mode.

The two projects have a holding arm, Mumbai Metro One, in which Reliance Infrastructure holds 69-percent equity, the state-run Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has 26 percent, while the remaining is with French giant Veolia Transport.

'The third line is mostly underground. It requires a huge investment. Accordingly, it is not seen as a viable public-private partnership project. The cost for this 20-km phase is estimated at over Rs.10,000 crore,' Yuichiro said.

'That's why the Indian government has aproached us for a soft loan.'

As regards the rate of interest, the Japanese official said the standard rate for India is 1.4 percent. 'I hope the new loan will also come at this rate with a repayment period of 30 years and a grace of 10 years.'

Yuichiro said Japan may also make available two other options -- one, an interest rate of 0.80 percent, with repayment period of 20 years and grace period six years; and, two, a rate of 0.70 percent, with repayment period 15 years and grace period of five years.

[quashlo]

Penta-Ocean awarded construction contract for Singapore MRT Downtown Line
http://www.kensetsunews.com/article....&class=pickups

Of the construction work for Stage 3 of the MRT’s new Downtown Line, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has selected Penta-Ocean Construction to execute Section 933. The contract value is approx. ¥13.666 billion and includes construction of Bendemeer Station and associated tunnels. Work is expected to break ground as early as this month. Ten firms participated in the bidding process, with Shimizu Corporation and Taisei Corporation also submitting bids.

The Downtown Line is a new 42 km line stretching in the northwest and northeast directions, with Stage 3 work covering the 21 km northeast leg. Stage 3 connects the central business district and the new urban center in the Marina Bay area, and includes 16 stations. It will connect with the Circle Line and East-West Line, and it is hoped that the new line will improve commuter convenience. Full completion is targeted for 2017.

Penta-Ocean Construction was awarded Section 933, which will involve construction of Bendemeer Station underneath roads, as well as construction of associated tunnels. The plan hopes to improve access to the surrounding retail and office buildings in conjunction with construction of the station.

As for the other sections, Section 923 involving construction of Upper Changi Station and tunnels was awarded to Korea’s Samsung C&T for ¥16.318 billion. Section 923A, which primarily focuses on tunnel work between Upper Changi Station and Tampines East Station, was awarded to China’s Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. for ¥5.787 billion.

[quashlo]

Tōkyō Metro donates 30 ex-Tōzai Line cars to Indonesia

Tōkyō Metro is donating another 30 cars from the Tōzai Line 05 series to KRL Jabotabek in Indonesia. With the debut of new wide-door 15000 series trains, several of the 05 series trains have been decommissioned, and this set of 30 includes cars from the first through fourth order of the 05 series. Some of these cars were running up until July.

Cars being lifted by 17,000 ton cranes onto the boat at Kawasaki Municipal Pier, in preparation for the journey to Jakarta (2011.08.20):
Source: Pierre2427 on YouTube

Unit 12F, car 05-112:



Unit 05F, car 05-105:



Japan is investing in a lot of infrastructure export to Indonesia (article), and the vice-ministers of transport of both countries met in Tōkyō in late July, so hopefully there’ll be some fruits out of these efforts, such as rolling stock and construction contracts for the mass transit system for Jakarta.

[ukiyo]

Once again I am kind of negative on those indian loans. Too much money and way too low grace periods and interest. Even assuming japanese companies win 100% of the orders it seems like the net profit won't even be alot. Japan is suffering from reconstructing our devastated cities, huge debt and possible tax increases so I hope that is a good use of our tax money.

[quashlo]

JICA agrees to help fund Kochi Metro
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9973729.cms

KOCHI: The much-awaited Kochi Metro Rail project has emerged out of a major cloud of uncertainty with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreeing to provide nearly 52 per cent of its estimated Rs 4,427 crores cost.

They have agreed to provide the fund as loan and have included the project in their next year's funding programmes. We are waiting for the Central clearance for going ahead with the plans to avail the loan,'' Tom Jose, Managing Director of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) told TOI on Tuesday.

He said the move to avail a loan from JICA is based on the assessment that their funding cost is lower than what is being offered by many similar international lending institutions, and much lower than the domestic rates. It charges less than three per cent including non-interest components, while even World Bank charges over five per cent interest.

The JICA loan has a repayment period of 30 years and they have also agreed to provide 10 years of moratorium on repayment. "No Indian funding institution will be ready to lend us money on such attractive interest rates and terms," Jose said.

JICA is already funding the Jalanidhi drinking water supply project in Kerala.

KMRL and Kerala government are insisting on Centre's equity participation in the project because that would step up its credit rating. It would also make other processes like provision of sovereign guarantee for global funding easier, Jose explained. We have requested for 15 per cent equity participation by the Centre. However, the Centre says it is even ready to provide 20 per cent of project cost as a grant but will not engage in equity participation,'' he revealed.

Asked about the Centre's reluctance on equity participation, he said, "apparently they are not convinced of the economic feasibility of the project." Jose was confident that the project could break even in 20 years even with a fare level between Rs 10 and Rs 30, even after taking into account the possibility of the project cost going up to Rs 5,000 crores.

[quashlo]

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries APM system begins operation at Miami International
http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1109091451.html

Tokyo, September 9, 2011 - The MIA Mover Automated People Mover (APM) system for Miami International Airport (MIA), which Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.(MHIA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has been building, was completed and will begin operation on September 9 (U.S. time). The MIA Mover is two-kilometers long and runs between the stations at MIA and Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), an off-airport multi-modal transportation center. The trip takes approximately four minutes, replacing the previously existing bus service which passengers were using, and supports mobility of an ever-increasing number of passengers.

MHIA received an order for the MIA Mover project in September 2008 with support from Sumitomo Corporation and completed the project in three years. MHIA was responsible for integration of the entire APM system, including installation work. MHI provided the basic design and supplied the APM cars and signalling system. The MIA Mover represents fourth APM system implemented by MHI for the US market, following successful APMs at the Miami International Airport North Terminal and at Washington Dulles and Atlanta International Airports. For the MIA Mover, MHIA is also under a five-year contract to perform operation and maintenance work for the system.

The APM is a driverless, fully-automated passenger transport system. The eco-friendly system, which is driven by electric power, also features rubber-tired vehicles providing low-noise and a smooth and comfortable ride.

Outside of the US, MHI has received APM orders for urban transportation systems including the Senkang/Punggol Lines in Singapore as well as for several airports throughout the world including Hong Kong, Singapore (Changi), Korea (Incheon) and UAE (Dubai). Furthermore, MHI received an order for 108 new cars for the Yurikamome Waterfront Line in Tokyo in June 2010 and the Macau Light Rapid Transit system in March 2011. With this robust track record, MHI has established a leading position in the global APM market.

As we move forward into the future, MHI aims to further boost its continued marketing activities for APM systems for airports and urban transportation networks, worldwide.

Not-so-great quality, but I suppose there’s not much interest on YouTube for airport APMs:


Source: freddytv on YouTube

[quashlo]

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries celebrates Dubai Metro Green Line opening
http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1109131452.html

Tokyo, September 13, 2011 - The Dubai Metro, a fully automated, driverless rail system serving transportation needs in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), inaugurated a new Green Line on September 9. The line was constructed by an international consortium including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), three other Japanese companies - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Obayashi Corporation and Kajima Corporation - and Yapi Merkezi Insaat ve Sanayi A.S. of Turkey. The Green Line, which represents the second phase of the Dubai Metro construction project, runs a distance of 23 kilometers through the old city along Dubai Creek, a densely populated area. Initially the line commences operations with 18 stations, excluding two stations yet to open. Together with the interconnecting Red Line that went into operation in September 2009 at two stations, the two lines will serve transportation needs throughout Dubai's urban center.

To celebrate the launch of the Green Line, a ceremony hosted by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, took place on September 9. Distinguished guests from the UAE included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and numerous governmental officials. Attendees from Japan included: Tadashi Nagashima, General Manager of MHI's Transportation System & Advanced Technology Division; Shigeaki Yoshikawa, Senior Vice President of MC; and Kotaro Nonaka, Executive Officer of Obayashi.

The Dubai Metro is the world's longest driverless rail system, with a total length of approximately 75 kilometers. It consists of the Red Line, the focus of Phase I construction, which runs between Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali, a new area under development along the coast, and the newly inaugurated Green Line. The network will substantially ease Dubai's traffic congestion stemming from rapid population growth.

The five-partner Japanese-Turkish consortium has supplied the rail system and performed related civil and construction work since the start of Phase I construction work in August 2005. MHI and MC supplied the complete rail system, including rolling stock, automatic train control system, power supply system and rail tracks; and Obayashi, Kajima and Yapi Merkezi together constructed the tunnels, station buildings and substructures for elevated rail tracks. The consortium completed the six-year construction project as contracted, enabling revenue service to begin on schedule.

Many other transportation infrastructure projects are currently being planned in the Middle East region, including rail projects in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. Leveraging the completion of the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, going forward MHI now intends to proactively seek involvement in these other projects in the region.

Video tour:


Source: Rootsman1307 on YouTube

One of my favorite Kinki Sharyō-produced train series.

[quashlo]

Kinki Sharyō’s ameriTRAM to make showing at APTA Expo
http://www.ameritram.com/newsroom/ki...o-october-3-5/

WESTWOOD, Mass. – SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C., the number one supplier of low-floor, light-rail vehicles in North America, will have ameriTRAM™—its prototype of the 100 percent low-floor, electro-hybrid streetcar specifically designed for North America—in booth #5732 at the American Transportation Association Expo in New Orleans. This will be the final destination of a year-long tour that included stops in Charlotte, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Phoenix and Tempe.

“We have had enthusiastic support and response from local government, transit officials and the public everywhere we have been with ameriTRAM,” said Bill Kleppinger, project manager of KINKISHARYO International. “Plus, we also drew attendees from cities all over the country to the various events. Being on the show floor at APTA will give everyone who was unable to make any of the city events a chance to see this revolutionary vehicle up close and get all their questions answered.”

ameriTRAM ™ is a 100 percent low-floor streetcar powered by e-Brid™, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries. e-BridTM charges the batteries while running on catenary power and when braking. In battery mode, e-BridTM uses the stored electricity to operate at full performance without overhead wires. Depending on conditions, ameriTRAM™ can run on battery power for up to five miles.

The e-Brid™ propulsion system offers compelling advantages. Less electrification equipment and maintenance means that e-Brid™ saves municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs, including $5 – $6 million for every mile of catenary avoided. Eliminating overhead catenary wires allows ameriTRAM™ to serve sensitive historic preservation areas and areas where installing overhead wires is just not practical, such as under low bridges. Also, because e-Brid™ enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM™ delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

ameriTRAM™ was specifically engineered for North America and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, NFPA-130 and ASME RT-1. What’s more, ameriTRAM™ has a modular design allowing the length of the cars to be increased thereby increasing passenger capacity without increasing the total fleet size.

“Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM to comply with North American regulations and standards, we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike,” added Kleppinger. “ameriTRAM’s 100 percent low-floor, energy-efficient and cost effective design is uniquely engineered for North America’s sustainable cities.”

The prototype was on display with Valley Metro in the Phoenix / Tempe area on 2011.09.18, where it was being marketed for the Tempe Streetcar project. East Valley Tribune news report:



Looks like they gave it a new paint job, too.

[quashlo]

Japan keen about Dhaka's metro scheme
http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205832&cid=2

Dhaka, Sep 12 (bdnews24.com) — Japan is keen to lend money for a metro rail in Dhaka, the communications minister says.

Syed Abul Hossain said on Monday that the Japanese aid agency, JICA is interested to lend some $1.7 billion for Dhaka's metro.

The minister said that agency has sought the Bangladesh government's opinion regarding a plan that connects Pallabi with Motijheel. The government will have to respond within a month.

JICA director Tomohide Ichiguchi, who led a four-member team at a meeting with the minister, said the agency would be able to provide the money by January if Bangladesh clarified its position within a month.

"Otherwise, you have to wait another year clearance of the fund," Ichiguchi was quoted as saying by Hossain.

JICA drafted the latest report after its last effort in February to finalise a metro rail route for Dhaka city fell through after opposition from several authorities, including the University of Dhaka. That plan also suggested acquisition of land, he added.

Hossain said the air force opposed the new plan as it suggests linking Pallabi with Motijheel via Bijoy Sarani, which is adjacent to the old airport.

The air force suggested re-drawing the route from Pallabi to Khamarbari at Farmgate and Khamarbari to Motijheel to avoid Bijoy Sarani, he said.

The minister, however, said a ramp from four-lane elevated expressway, which will be built from Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway via Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Satrasta, Moghbazar, Kamlapur, Khilgaon and Golapbagh, would be located at Khamarbari.

In that case the route for the elevated expressway could hamper the proposed metro route, he said.

"JICA opposed the route. Meetings are on with both sides," Hossain added.

A decision in this regard would be taken soon, he said and expressed hopes that it would be possible to start the metro project next year.

Still appears to be some uncertainties surrounding this project…
http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205873&cid=4

[quashlo]

Hitachi develops integrated railway systems simulator for global expansion
http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/110920.html

Tokyo, September 20, 2011 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT / TSE:6501) today announced that it has developed an "integrated railway systems simulator", which contributes to developing systems that meet the needs of local railway operators, including the improvement of transportation capability and saving energy costs. In the global market, especially outside of Japan, manufacturers are required to provide proposals covering whole railway systems. To expand its global railway systems business, Hitachi will apply this simulator and thereby strengthen its capability in this area.

In the global railway markets, railway operators require manufacturers to provide proposals considering a broad range of items, such as differences in power-feed equipment used by different countries and lines, variations in types of rolling stock, and services passing through electrified and non-electrified zones. Hitachi's new simulator will be able to evaluate whole railway systems from a comprehensive viewpoint, by simulating large-scale railway systems in consideration of coordination between multiple types of equipment, such as rolling stock, signaling, traffic control, and feeding equipment. It also has the capability to evaluate the effects of changes of conditions, further facilitating the installation of new facilities and equipment in line with technological advances. By applying this simulator, Hitachi will be able to realize optimal equipment location and appropriate energy allocation. Consequently, Hitachi will be able to provide solutions that match global railway infrastructure improvement plans by leveraging the simulation capability.

In recent years, railway systems have been introduced in various countries around the world as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and the demand of railway markets is growing strongly in the global arena. As for the international market for railway systems, it is necessary that a manufacturer makes proposals for whole railway systems. In addition, it is necessary to swiftly estimate energy costs in consideration of a variety of complex transportation needs, for example, the differentiation of power-supply systems, AC/DC, and safety standards in different countries as well as operation in electrified and non-electrified zones. In the case of conventional simulators, which simulate stand-alone operations of single-facility models, it is problematic that optimal evaluation of a whole railway system requires a considerable amount of time. With this problem in mind, Hitachi has developed an integrated simulator for railway systems which can evaluate a whole railway system from a comprehensive viewpoint by taking into account interactions between all pieces of equipment and facilities. The key technical features of the developed simulator are summarized as follows.

1. Integrated estimation and analysis technology for railway systems
   Interactions and coordinated control between multiple railway sub-systems, such as rolling stock, signaling, traffic control, and power-feed equipment, are taken into account. Single pieces of equipment can be focused on according to their purpose. In addition, it is also possible to change parameters and the combination of the sub-systems that form the whole railway systems according to an evaluation target. This technology makes it possible to estimate the running performance of a single unit of rolling stock, the effects of phenomena occurring in one sub-system on other sub-systems, for example, through services on several different lines, and performance of a whole railway system including energy consumption.
   
2. Analysis technology for railway systems with multiple energy supply sources
   Energy supply sources for railway systems differ according to countries and lines. Some rolling stock use electricity supplied from sub-stations, while others utilize internal combustion engines such as diesel engines. As for power-feed systems, some lines use direct current or alternating current, and other lines mix the two. To handle such a variety of railway systems, an energy-flow model for each type of rolling stock, a current/voltage supply model which simulates energy supply sources, and a model that simulates operation of each piece of equipment used in rolling stock were developed. By combining these models in a flexible manner, it becomes possible to analyze railway systems with multiple energy supply sources.

When this simulator is applied, by adding an electrical storage device model to a rolling stock equipment model and a power equipment model, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate energy savings owing to installation of electrical-storage devices in rolling-stock equipment or in above-ground equipment. Consequently, it is possible to propose the most appropriate railway systems that utilize electrical-storage devices. In addition, it is possible to estimate energy consumption of combined multiple railway sub-systems such as fluctuation of substation power consumption, which depends on substation capacity and headway, devise measures for improving energy saving and transportation capacity, and propose optimum railway systems that match improvement plans for railway infrastructures in different countries around the world.

From now onwards, this simulator will be applied to globally expanding Hitachi's domestically established technologies in the main systems of rolling stock, signaling, and traffic control, and power feed equipment.

[quashlo]

JICA agrees to release loan to Bangladesh Railway for buying locomotives
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.co...ate=2011-09-13

Japan has finally relaxed its condition of reform and agreed to release a loan for Bangladesh Railway (BR) to purchase 11 locomotives.

The assurance of the loan came when a four-member delegation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by its Director Tomohide Ichiguchi met Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain at his office Monday.

Officials said Japan had earlier taken a loan assistance programme for BR in five projects including buying of 11 locomotives at a cost of Tk 3.35 billion in 2007. But the Japanese lending agency suspended the allotment on condition of reform of the railway.

They said the delegation also agreed to release fund for the Laksam- Chinakiastana line double tracking project and $18 million for the Eastern Bridge Project under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

During the meeting, the communications minister requested the JICA delegation to consider funding the additional cost of the Tongi Bhairab double tracking project.

He also requested the JICA to conduct feasibility study on the bridges on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway including 2nd Meghna Bridge as China is yet to confirm their interest in the project.

The JICA team arrived in the city Sunday on a five-day visit to strengthen the bilateral relations by settling different issues including fixing of the routes of Mass Rapid Transit line-6.

Communications Secretary Mozammel Haq Khan, Rail Division Secretary Ebadat Ali and Director General of Bangladesh Railway Abu Taher attended the meeting. Mayumi Endoh, senior representative of JICA, was also present.

[keLmikez]

Originally Posted by happosai

The EMU's have arrived!! 5 units spotted at Tutuban yard.

EMU 203 arrival at Tutuban Yard

[quashlo]

Japan to fund Cairo's fourth metro line with $1.2 billion loan
http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsCo...th--billi.aspx

Japan grants Egypt long-term loan following Egyptian request; International cooperation minister describes loan conditions as 'very easy'

Japan has agreed to extend Egypt a $1.2 billion loan to fund Cairo's planned fourth underground metro line, Egypt's official MENA news agency quoted Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Fayza Aboul-Naga as saying on Monday.

Egypt will repay the loan over a 40-year period at 2 per cent interest, with a ten-year grace period. According to the loan agreement, at least 30 per cent of the scheduled repayment must come in the form of purchases of Japanese goods and services.

However, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has been tasked with conducting feasibility studies for the project, has yet to confirm the minister's announcement.

Aboul-Naga said she was told that the loan had been approved at a recent joint meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington. The minister, who described the loan conditions as "very easy," is expected to soon put the agreement before Parliament for approval.

In late 2010, the Egyptian government submitted a request to Japan's embassy in Cairo for a long-term loan with which to finance construction of the planned fourth metro line.

Construction of Cairo’s underground metro first began in 1982 with substantial loans from the French government. A second metro line was built in the 1990s, bringing total passenger capacity to an estimated 700 million per day.

In September of last year, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation agreed to fund construction of a third line with a loan of $100 million. Currently under construction, the third line is expected to become operational by 2019.

Japan has a pretty strong relationship with Cairo Metro, and a good portion of the cars currently operating have been supplied by Japanese rolling stock manufacturers. The most recent order was placed in September of last year for 88 cars for Cairo Metro Line 3:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=2563

Hopefully, this will mean continued work in supplying more trains in the future as Cairo Metro expands.

[quashlo]

Kawasaki develops its own locomotive-hauled HSR trains for U.S. market
http://www.nikkei.com/news/category/...08122009000000

Targeting the high-speed rail projects currently being planned for the United States, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has developed its own train capable of running at over 200 km/h. In Japan, rolling stock development is spearheaded by railway companies such as JR, but overseas, the typical project requires railcar manufacturers to design their own trains. Kawasaki Heavy Industries hopes to gain an advantage in the competition to win contracts, pivoting off of an internally-developed train that will easily satisfy the United States’ technological requirements.

The new train is being called the “K-Star Express”, and is envisioned for commercial operations of 200 to 250 km/h. In conformance with U.S. federal government standards, the train has been designed with sufficient strength to withstand a 225-ton object colliding with the end cars. The design philosophy is substantially different from that of Japan, which assumes complete collision avoidance as a prerequisite.

So far, Kawasaki has primarily won contracts in the United States for subway trains. Through the development of the K-Star, the company will aim to win contracts for the 200+ km/h railways being planned in Chicago (Illinois) and rolling stock replacement for long-distance trains operated by Amtrak.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ revenues in its railway-related businesses for the fiscal year ending March 2011 were approx. ¥130 billion, of which 60% comes from overseas contracts. Focusing on the United States, the company will now expand its contracts overseas, drafting a plan to increase revenues to ¥160 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2013.

In the United States, a six-firm consortium comprised of East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi, and others are aiming to win contracts for the 300+ km/h high-speed railway being planned for California. While the strategy is to market Japan’s Shinkansen technology—from signaling to operations management—unmodified, the hurdles in the way of winning contracts are many, with current Shinkansen trains not strong enough to satisfy the United States’ collision safety standards.

The railways being targeted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in this latest project, such as Amtrak, are different from Japan’s Shinkansen model, and involve a lead locomotive hauling passenger cars. As the trains will run on classic lines with other trains instead of exclusive tracks like the Shinkansen, JR representatives are lacking in technological expertise and operational knowhow. As there is no need to form a Japanese consortium in order to satisfy the demands of U.S. railway operators, it may make it easier for railcar manufacturers to develop their own rolling stock individually.

[Gag Halfrunt]

Originally Posted by quashlo

Japan has a pretty strong relationship with Cairo Metro, and a good portion of the cars currently operating have been supplied by Japanese rolling stock manufacturers. The most recent order was placed in September of last year for 88 cars for Cairo Metro Line 3:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=2563

Hopefully, this will mean continued work in supplying more trains in the future as Cairo Metro expands.

The genesis of the Cairo Metro's trains seems to be quite complicated. French consultants and contractors (and French money) were involved in building the system, and the trains are based on French designs. The trains for Lines 2 and 3 are based on the Paris Métro MF 77 class, while the Line 1 trains look similar to the RER's MS 61. However, trains for both Line 1 and Line 2 were built by Kinki Sharyo, presumably because they were financed with soft loans from Japan conditional on purchasing from Japanese suppliers. Meanwhile, SEMAF in Egypt also takes credit for building the trains.

As the press release linked by quashlo says, a consortium of Mitsubishi Corporation, Toshiba and Kinki Sharyo is supplying fourteen trains for Line 3 and four additional trains for Line 2, with some of the trains assembled by "an Egyptian rolling stock manufacturer" (presumably SEMAF).

P.S. Photos of a Line 3 train on a test run.

[quashlo]

Taiwan HSR to purchase three additional Shinkansen trainsets
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7KS24K20110928

(Reuters) - Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp (THSR) is planning to buy trains from a Japanese consortium in an estimated T$3 billion ($98 million) deal, its chairman said on Wednesday, as the bullet train operator anticipates an increase in passengers.

The company plans to add three sets of trains to the 30 sets of the 700T series it already has due to an expected increase in passengers in the next three years, chairman Ou Chin-teh told Reuters on the sidelines of a business event.

He did not identify what types of trains that THSR plans to purchase. Each set of the 700T series cost about T$1 billion, according to a company official, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorised to talk to the media.

The 700T series are built by a consortium that includes Kawasaki Heavy and Toshiba . Most of the Taiwanese company's track runs on viaducts or through tunnels with technology mainly based on Japan's Shinkansen system mixed with European standards and system components.

THSR swung to a profit of T$1.98 billion in the first half of this year, after posting losses each year since it began services in 2007.

[k.k.jetcar]

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday repeated his hope that a journey on the under-construction Airport Rail would take 28 minutes from Taipei Railway Station to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

Ma visited the Airport Rail’s Cingpu (青埔) Depot in Taoyuan County to inspect the four train carriages to be used for the commuter train service, which arrived last month. The Bureau of High Speed Rail also briefed him on the progress of construction work.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiw.../29/2003514479

Being loaded onto a barge at KHI's Hyogo factory in Kobe:


Being unloaded at Port of Taipei:

[k.k.jetcar]

He did not identify what types of trains that THSR plans to purchase.

I assume more 700T, for spare parts and systems compatibility. I doubt N700 will be built for such a small order, and perhaps(?) JR Tokai (Nippon Sharyo) controls the rights for that design, not KHI.

[Gag Halfrunt]

The THSR line was designed to European technical and safety standards, and the company planned to buy trains from a European consortium until the Japanese government offered soft loans in return for switching to Shinkansen technology. The 700T has various modifications necessary to meet THSR's requirements, including a nose redesgined to suit the larger cross-section of THSR tunnels. Modifying a different Shinkansen type to THSR specifications for an order of just three trains clearly wouldn't be feasable, so the 700T is the only possible choice.

[ukiyo]

Seven railway operators to join on overseas expansion push
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201110050243.html

Seven railway companies will link up on Nov. 1 to start a consulting firm to explore expanding overseas railroad operations with the aim of making a push in emerging markets such as Southeast Asian countries, the companies said on Oct. 4.

"We want the firm to receive requests for advice (on railway business) from Southeast Asian countries and other nations where demand for railway business is expected to grow," said Satoshi Seino, president of East Japan Railway, one of the seven railways involved.

The other railway operators, which will invest in the firm, include West Japan Railway Co., Kyushu Railway Co., Japan Freight Railway Co., Tokyo Metro Co., Tokyu Corp. and Keihan Electric Railway Co.

The consulting firm is capitalized at 480 million yen ($6.26 million). East Japan Railway owns the largest shares of stock in the venture at 54 percent, with West Japan Railway and Tokyo Metro each holding 21 percent and the other four companies 1 percent each.

The firm will start operations next spring and will offer advice on railway planning to overseas governments and provide technical training support to local railway operators. It will also offer comprehensive assistance on railway projects in areas such as railway network planning, operations management and maintenance.