Siemens Mobility has sold its minority stake in Russian manufacturer Ural Locomotives to Otavit for EUR 22.7 million (USD 25.7 million), the Russian newspaper Izvestiya reported. The sale is in line with EU sanctions, as Siemens is no longer associated with the joint venture (JV). Otavit acquired 50% of the capital of Ural Locomotives Holding, which owns 100% of Ural Locomotives. Around 35% of the payment, corresponding to EUR 7.9 million, goes to the Russian state as a levy. Since 2010, Ural Locomotives has been a JV between Siemens Mobility and Sinara Group for the production of electric locomotives and electric multiple units (EMU). Sinara took control after Siemens\'s withdrawal from the Russian market in June 2022. The Russian government has set production targets for 2025-2027, which the Ministry of Trade is monitoring. Ural Locomotives expects revenues of EUR 480.6 million in 2025, EUR 535.9 million in 2026 and EUR 1.1 billion in 2027. At least 4,000 jobs are to be maintained. In addition, there are legal disputes between Siemens and Ural Locomotives due to breaches of contract, in which Siemens was ordered to make payments and deliver goods.
Source: Rolling Stock World 15.04.2025

Voith Turbo has been working with Siemens Mobility and Austrian state railway ÖBB to test hybrid couplings on two Siemens Vectron electric locomotives, in order to evaluate the conditions for installation and the interaction of components under practical circumstances. The aim is to prepare the rolling stock for the transition to the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) in mixed fleet operations. Two systems were tested: the CargoFlex Hybrid from Voith Turbo and the Hybrid Link from Knorr-Bremse. Both systems enable locomotives to couple, regardless of whether the end of the car is equipped with a DAC head or a conventional UIC screw coupling. The tests, which were carried out with technical support from Siemens and ÖBB, confirmed the mechanical compatibility in DAC mode and the technical feasibility of coupling with traditional freight wagons. However, the field work also identified practical conditions that need to be adjusted before regular installation, such as dimensional checks and mechanical tolerances. The tests provide data for the ongoing ‘Full Digital Freight Train Operation’ framework under Europe\'s Rail Joint Undertaking. No timetable was given for series installation or certification.
Source: Rail Market News 15.04.2025

Softronic has delivered the first of 19 modernised electric locomotives to CFR Calatori. The locomotives, originally from Electroputere Craiova, are being extensively overhauled as part of a programme financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan PNRR to meet current requirements for traction, digitalisation and energy efficiency. They are designed for speeds of up to 160 km/h and will be used for passenger transport on electrified lines. The corresponding contract was signed at the end of 2023 (SCI RAILDATA Issue 36/2024).
Source: Economica.net 10.04.2025

The UK government has taken control of British Steel after its Chinese owner Jingye announced it would close the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, the last UK site for the production of crude steel. According to Jingye, the site was losing EUR 816,300 (GBP 700,000) a day and was no longer economically viable. The government offered Jingye EUR 583 million of investment to keep it running, but negotiations broke down. To safeguard domestic steel production, the government recalled parliament from its Easter break to pass a law giving it emergency powers to prevent the site\'s closure. Operations continue while the government sources coal and iron ore to keep the blast furnaces running, with funding coming from a EUR 2.9 billion steel fund. Full nationalisation is not ruled out, and the government is looking for private funding. The Chinese Embassy in London is pressing for negotiations with Jingye.
Source: UK Government press releases 12.04.2025 & 15.04.2025, RGI 15.04.2025

Manufacturer Irizar and the operator Empresa Municipal de Transportes Urbanos de Gijón (EMTUSA) have signed a contract for the delivery of four Irizar ie electric buses to Gijón. EMTUSA will use the 12 m electric buses on bus line 10, which is used by more than 2.8 million passengers per year, following delivery in 11 months. The Irizar ie buses, with a charging capacity of up to 150 kW, will be charged either via the reverse pantograph or via a Combo 2 socket in the depot. Cyber security measures are also included in the equipment.
Source: Irizar press release 15.04.2025