Tests in India, conducted in cooperation with Japanese experts, have proved that it is possible to run double-stack container trains along lines with overhead electrification.

Stone India, a Kolkata-based company, has developed a pantograph suitable for contact wires at the normal 5500 mm above rail level as well as the enhanced 7450 necessary for double-stack container trains.

The pantograph had to be compatible with existing standards - to use the same mountings, to have similar stability, to have similar weight limits and to be able to deal with strong winds.

Bahrain International Airport intends to provide a high speed rail link into its planned "Cargo Oasis" - its greatly expanded cargo area.

The airport is already a hub for DHL, and wishes to attract more cargo traffic.

DHL is already involved in a potential high speed rail link for cargo at its European hub, Leipzig-Halle Airport.

More information about both projects would be appreciated.

About a year ago there were plans by DHL to run an air-rail cargo service into Leipzig-Halle airport.

The trains would serve 6 DHL destinations in Germany (Hamburg, Kassel, Frankfurt and so on): they would use the high-speed passenger network to shuttle between these cities and the airport in less than 3 hours. This would avoid road and air congestion in Germany.

Converted high speed passenger rolling stock was to be used so that passenger train speeds could be attained.

A line was created into the airport from the railway to the south of the airport - the Schkeuditz line. It is being used to bring fuel into the airport: the new tank farm is just beyond DHL's terminal.

A trial of DHL's cargo service was to be started last October - but I don't know what has happened since!

Do any of my readers know, please?

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