— MONGOLIA (via AKIPress.com) Construction of more than 400 miles in rail line continues in southern Mongolia despite threats posed by Coronavirus, according to AKIPress. The new lines connect two settlements in the south part of the country with the border with China at Gashuunsukhait. One of the settlements, Tavan Tolgoi, reportedly has significant coal deposits. The construction was the focus of a visit by Mongolia’s President Khaltmaagiin Battulga.
— WASHINGTON — (via E&E News) Environment & Energy News published a news analysis on May 11 that says access to high speed rail is one difference when comparing the outcomes of U.S. and European Union-French airline bailout negotiations. In addition to concessions on reducing emissions, AirFrance must drop short-haul routes that are also served by high speed rail in the country. The condition is unlikely in the U.S. because of the relative lack of high speed passenger routes.
— NEW DELHI (via the Times of India) Indian Railways plans limited re-opening of its rail network after a 50-day shut down because of Corona virus concerns on May 12. India operates one of the largest passenger rail networks for its country of about 1.3 billion people. The rail network’s re-opening comes when much of Indian is still locked down, but the rail network has posted guidelines for social distancing and sanitary travel.
— FORNOVO di TARO, Italy (via news release) Italian company WEGH Group announced its involvement in desgining, building, and installing a slab track system for the planned Storstrom Bridge in Denmark. According to the news release, WEGH Group will use its ARIANNA precast and prestressed slab track system on the bridge connecting Zealand with the island of Falster. Bridge completion is expected by 2022. More information is available online.
I’ve got great memories of travel in and across Mongolia by train and an old Soviet Jeep. Neat country. And with some of the friendliest people I’ve met.
Charles , i agree it is hard to believe India could manage to control the teeming masses , but by some accounts , they are actually doing pretty well.
WEGH Group’s video would be better if it had subtitles or was over dubbed. But it had a picture story that was co-mingling a love story (?) with trains. Not sure how handsome men and attractive women gazing out the windows of trains promotes rail infrastructure but what do I know.
Yes, social distancing on Indian Rails: Stay six millimeters apart when riding on roof, holding onto the side of the wagon, or packed inside.
Mongolia builds railroads and other countries but here in the USA we pull up tracks.