June 2010 in rail transport

Updated on Oct 27, 2023

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

Events

June 1

United States – 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."

June 6

United Kingdom – 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 in Scotland. 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 injuries, 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. See also Falls of Cruachan derailment

June 7

China – The MTR Corporation, the only railway company in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the rail merge in 2007, has loosened its 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.

June 21

Republic of the Congo – 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. See also: 2010 Yanga train derailment

June 22

Norway – The first stage of the Bergen Light Rail opens, connecting the city center of Bergen 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.

References

June 2010 in rail transport Wikipedia

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