News of two new high speed rail projects just landed in my Inbox from Midwest High Speed Rail Association.

Air France-KLM confirms high speed rail discussions

FRANCE: Speaking at the opening of Terminal 2G at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport on September 9, Air France-KLM President Jean-Cyril Spinetta confirmed that the airline was in discussions with Veolia Transport over the establishment of a joint venture to operate high speed trains in place of short-haul flights.

'We are looking to see whether, from 2010 there is an economic or commercial justification for operating high speed trains on a commercial basis', he explained, although he would not confirm press reports that a joint venture company was to be officially established during September.

Announcing the start of negotiations at the company's AGM in July, Spinetta said he was 'certain new high speed rail operators would emerge as part of the liberalisation of the European passenger transport market'. He added that 'we have reached the conclusion that it is important that we should study the possibility of introducing Air France trains to a number of key destinations, in conjunction with an established and experienced rail operator.'

Air France and Veolia are reported to be looking at ordering a fleet of 350 km/h AGV trainsets from Alstom with a view to launching services from Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam, London and selected German cities in competition with SNCF, DB, Eurostar and Thalys.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2008/09/8852/kawasaki_unveils_350_kmh_environmentally_friendly_super_express_train.html

Kawasaki unveils 350 km/h Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train

JAPAN: Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled the design concept for efSET, a 350 km/h high speed train which it is developing to compete in the global export market.

The basic design of the Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train will be completed by March 2009, with engineering verification to be completed by March 2010.

The trains will have a lightweight aerodynamic body to minimise noise and vibration, will be equipped for regenerative braking. To ensure reliability, use will be made of components proven in service on Japan's Shinkansen network.

Kawasaki led the consortium which supplied Chinese Railways with 250 km/h CRH2 trainsets derived from Japan's Series E2-1000, and supplied Series 700-derived 700T trains to Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. The company is now looking at further export markets, aiming to use Japanese technology to complete with European manufacturers.

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