June 2010 in rail transport

This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in June 2010.

Events

June 1

• – Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest construction equipment manufacturer, announces that it has agreed to buy Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) from Greenbriar and Berkshire for US$820 million. EMD will be merged into Caterpillar's Progress Rail Services division. In making the announcement, Doug Oberhelman, the incoming Caterpillar CEO called the purchase part of the company's "strategic plan to aggressively grow our presence in the global rail industry."^[1][2]

June 6

Wikinews has related news: Eight injured after train derails in Argyll, Scotland

• – At approximately 2100 BST (2000 UTC), a derailment occurs due to a landslide on the Glasgow – Oban railway near the Falls of Cruachan railway station. The two-car diesel multiple unit caught fire and one carriage was left in a precarious position on the 50 feet (15 m) high embankment. Sixty passengers were evacuated, some with minor injures, with eight of those being hospitalised as a precaution. In addition to blocking the line, the incident also caused the closure of the A85 road below the rail line.^[3][4] See also Falls of Cruachan derailment

June 7

Wikinews has related news: Hong Kong's only railway company modifies regulations

• – The MTR Corporation, the only railway company in Hong Kong since the rail merge in 2007, has loosened their rules. The new set of rules, which will be effective as of September 2010, allow 'non-disruptive' use of profanity in private conversations, and the punishment for inflammatory use of expletives is lowered from a fine of HK$5000 to HK$2000. The new set of rules have also excluded the regulation against wandering in MTR premises, as well as the rule against attempting to eat or drink.^[5][6][7][8]

June 21

• – A train operated by Chemin de Fer Congo-Ocean traveling between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire in the Republic of the Congo derails at Yanga and plunges into a ravine. At least 60 people were initially reported to have been killed and hundreds disappeared with the death toll expected to rise further. No cause for the crash was immediately established, although excessive speed was blamed by the government.^[9][10] See also: 2010 Yanga train derailment

June 22

• – The first stage of the Bergen Light Rail opens, connecting the city center of Bergen, Norway with Nesttun. The 9.8 km (6.1 mi) long line features 15 stations and will be operated using 12 Variotrams. It is the first light rail to open in the country.^[11]

References