The Railway Chronicle

2015-01-28T16:02:00.003+00:00

UK & International Railway News Tuesday 27th January 2015

2015-01-27T10:29:00.001+00:00

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Headlines
UK
Dundee MSP seeks assurances from new rail operators.(The Courier)

Rail chaos after computer bug blacks out information screens.(Daily Mail)

Network Rail
Easier access for passengers as work set to begin at Severn Tunnel Junction station

(Network Rail Picture)
Passengers will benefit from a better travelling experience after Network Rail announced today that work will soon begin to increase accessibility at Severn Tunnel Junction station by installing a new footbridge.

The installation of a new stepped-footbridge with ramps means that for the first time passengers will have a step-free route between all four platforms.
Step-free access at the station will not only be of benefit to passengers with reduced mobility, but also to those travelling with children or heavy luggage or who simply find stairs a struggle.
The new bridge will also be raised slightly to allow for the future electrification of the railway.
James O’Gorman, Network Rail’s project sponsor for the scheme, said: “The new footbridge with ramps at Severn Tunnel Junction station will make travelling by train easier and more accessible for passengers.
“We are working hard to make sure that this work is completed with minimal disruption and that a normal train service continues to operate throughout.
“This is an important part of our work to build a bigger and better railway for Wales, with a record investment over the next five years to cater for increasing demand and transform the railway in Wales.”
The £6.7m project has been funded through the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ scheme which is designed to improve accessibility at rail stations across Britain.
As part of the scheme, a new ticket office will be built, new tactile paving installed on the platforms and there will be additional disabled parking bays at the station.
Whilst the project is at an early stage, the main bulk of work is expected to begin in June 2015 and continue until the winter.
The station, which is on the main line giving passengers access to Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and London, will remain open during construction and we are working to keep disruption to a minimum.
Members of the public who have questions about the programme should call our 24-Hour National Helpline on 08457 11 41 4108457 11 41 41.

Passengers planning to use the West Coast main line in February urged to check before they travel
Passengers are being advised to check before they travel on the West Coast main line in February as Network Rail continues its programme of investment and improvements.

There will be no direct services between London Euston and Watford over the weekend of 14 and 15 February and 21 and 22 February while Network Rail installs the latest upgrades in the Watford area.

On Monday 16 and Monday 23 February only two of the four lines through the area will be open until 4pm which means there will be an amended service in operation affecting Virgin Trains and London Midland services.

The closure and reduced service levels are necessary to allow Network Rail to install overhead power equipment and new points on the West Coast main line at Watford.

This will build on work in 2014 and over Christmas and the New Year when new track was installed and new signalling was brought into use. The combined work will help to provide a more reliable and efficient West Coast main line which is one of the busiest mixed use railways in Europe.

To minimise disruption Network Rail, Virgin Trains and London Midland are advising passengers to check before they travel as journeys on the West Coast main line in and out of London and between the West Midlands and north west of England will be longer and may involve a bus replacement service.

In addition passengers using the West Coast main line north of Preston will see trains diverted or replaced by buses between Lancaster and Preston on Saturday 14 and 21 February from 1200; and on Sunday 15 and 22 February until 1600.

On Sunday 22 February some Virgin Train services between Liverpool and Crewe will also be diverted on to other routes, extending journey times.

The closures will affect passengers from across parts of Scotland, north Wales, the West Midlands, north west and those travelling between Rugby, Northampton and Milton Keynes into London. Full details and alternative routes are available on the National Rail Enquires website at www.nationalrail.co.uk/february.

Jim Syddall, acting route managing director for Network Rail, said: “This is the latest phase of planned work in the Watford area which will provide a better railway for the millions of passengers who use the West Coast main line every year.

“There is never a good time to carry out this type of work and we have liaised closely with the train operators to plan for it to take place at a quieter time on the railway.

“The section of track at Watford is one of the most intensively used, high-speed pieces of railway in Britain and has seen tremendous growth in traffic and passengers over the last five years.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused but the work is essential to improve the network and maintain reliable services on the West Coast main line.”

Network Rail will continue to work with train operators to provide passengers with information in the build up to, and during, the work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Terry Oliver, London Midland's head of West Coast services, said: “My advice to passengers would be to consider taking an alternative route into London or postponing travel to another date if possible.

“London Midland will be running rail-replacement bus services on the affected Saturdays and Sundays, with extra staff at key locations to provide passenger assistance.

“There will be a significantly reduced train service in operation on the Mondays following the closures, so please plan ahead and check before you travel.

'Thank you to our passengers for their patience and cooperation while these essential works take place.”

Phil Bearpark, Virgin Trains’ executive director for operations and projects, said: “On the weekends of 14/15 and 21/22 of February customers will have to seek alternative services to and from London which means their journeys will take significantly longer and could be extremely busy.

“Services will also be affected on the following Mondays (16 and 23 February) until 4:30pm, when lines are due to re-open. If it is possible for passengers to defer their travel until Tuesday, when normal services resume, we’d urge them to do that. If it is necessary to travel over that weekend, it’s really important to plan your journey and get advice from Virgin Trains to help you identify the best route.

“We have worked really hard with Network Rail over the last weeks and months to get the message out to customers about the disruption they will face over this weekend so they can plan appropriately.”

Further work is planned in the Watford area this Easter when Network Rail will close the railway between London Euston and Hemel Hempstead to replace a key bridge south of Watford station and complete all remaining engineering work. There will be no rail services between London Euston and Hemel Hempstead with passengers urged to travel before or after the railway closes. Those wishing to travel are urged to check before they travel as journeys will be longer and busier.

Work taking place on the West Coast main line at Watford in May 2014 (Network Rail Photograph)

International
UIC - Background film explaining ERTMS

Film presentation of the benefits of the European system of management of the rail traffic directed by UIC on the occasion of the conference jointly organized by the UIC and the Hungarian Railways (MAV). Are interviewed: Mr. Johanne Ludewig, Executive Director of the CER, Mr. Luc Aliadière, Director General of UIC, Mr. Marc Falchi, Secretary-General of EIM, Mr Karel Vinck, ERTMS coordinator appointed by the European Union, Mr. Christoph Gralla, leader of the team of the corridor A (DB Netz AG), Mr Umberto Foschi, head of the team of the corridor B (RFI), Mr. Eric Peetermans, head corridor c. (SNCB Holding) team, Mr. Patrick Castan, team leader of the corridor D (RFF), Mr. Libor Lochman, leader of the corridor E (CD / CER), Mr. Marcin Jaczewski, leader of the corridor F (PKP PLK), Mr. Drewin Nieuwenhuis, Director General of UNIFE, Mr. Owen Griffith, Speaker of the Group of industrial GSM - R, Mr. Dan Otteborn, President of the UNISIG, Mr. Marcel Verslype, Executive Director of the ERA.

China
€330 million Hong Kong CBTC contract awarded to Thales & Alstom.
(SmartRail World)

Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway starts turning profit (CCTV)

India
R-Day parade: Railways showcases bullet train on Rajpath (Economic Times)

Metro Railway observes 66th Republic Day (indiablooms)

Increase in railway division revenue (The Hindu)

Selfie in front of running train costs three college-goers their life (Times of India)

Train Rams Into Small Van at Unmanned Railway Crossing in India, 12 Killed (Sputnik International)

USA

www.progressiverailroading.com

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com.

TasRail's Western line in Tasmania closed after freight train derailment
TasRail's Western line in north-west Tasmania has been closed after ten wagons came off the tracks following a freight train derailment near Kimberley, Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

AnsaldoBreda to deliver €250m worth of driverless trains for Milan underground's M4 Line
Italian industrial group Finmeccanica's subsidiary AnsaldoBreda has received a €250m contract to deliver driverless metro trains for Line 4 of the Milan underground.
Hong Kong's MTR awards €330m signalling contract to Thales and Alstom
Hong Kong's metro network operator MTR has awarded a €330m contract to Thales and Alstom to upgrade the signalling systems of its seven metro lines.
Mott MacDonald to review ETCS implementation in Belgium
The Belgian Mobility and Transport Federal Public Services (FPS) has appointed engineering consultant Mott MacDonald to review plans for the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the country's conventional, high-speed rail network.

UK & International Railway News Monday 26th January 2015

2015-01-26T08:47:00.001+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Headlines
UK
London rail tunnel flood causes Thameslink 'major delays'.(BBC News)

Trainline targets international growth after float plans derailed(Insider Media)

Whatever happened to the future?(BBC News)

Rolls-Royce to power Chinese-made freight trains.(The Telegraph)

International
Bangladesh
Trains get more fire extinguishers (DhakaTribune)

India
Day temperatures continue to take a dip, fog and mist affect air traffic and rail movement (Times of India)

Yet another sabotage on railway (The Daily Star)

"The Railway Chronicle" is moving platform!

Go to Rail Tube

UK & International Railway News Sunday 25th January 2015

2015-01-25T09:21:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewiss

Benefits of the Border Railway identified for local businesses, but no real beneficiaries of and for the lorry park that is the M20 following Eurotunnel disruption.

9 deaths per day during 2014 for Mumbai's rail network..
And not everyone is happy with some terms of the tender for Mexico's high speed line project....

Click on the links for the full stories....

Headlines
UK
Businesses hear Borders Railway benefits.(ITV News)

Eurotunnel disruption: Police 'babysitting' parked lorries on the M20.(BBC News)

Trams and light rail linking key town and cities a priority for travel bosses expressandstar.com

Mainline Steam Schedule
Railway Herald - Railtours

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.

Friday 30th January 2015

The English Bulldog (re-dated To 9 May 2015) (UK Railtours)

tbc London Waterloo (pu) - Clapham Junction (pu) - Staines (pu) - Virginia Water - Reading - Oxford - Evesham - Worcester Shrub Hill
tbc Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Cheltenham Spa - Stroud - Sapperton - Kemble - Swindon - Reading (sd) - Virginia Water - Staines (sd) - Clapham Junction (sd) - London Waterloo

Postponed

Saturday 31st January 2015

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

86259 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (by service train to Rugby) - Rugby - Nuneaton - Crewe (pu)
46233 Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay - Preston - Carnforth - Shap - Carlisle
46233 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) (for Preston) - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe (sd)
86259 Crewe - Nuneaton (sd) - Rugby (sd) - (Northampton by service train from Rugby) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

Thursday 5th February 2015

Belmond British Pullman Luncheon Train (Belmond (British Pullman))

35028 London Victoria (pu) - Staines - Woking - Guildford - Shalford - Reigate - Redhill - East Croydon - London Victoria

Cancelled

Saturday 7th February 2015

The Buffer Puffer 12.0 (Pathfinder Tours)

2x DRS Class 20s tnt Crewe (pu) - Stafford (pu) - Nuneaton (pu) - Coventry (pu) - Banbury (pu) - High Wycombe - Greenford - Ealing Broadway - London Paddington
2x DRS Class 20s tnt London Paddington (pu) - Park Royal - West Ealing - Acton Wells Junction - West London Junction - Kensington Olympia - Clapham Junction - Brentford - Windsor & Eton Riverside
2x DRS Class 20s tnt Windsor & Eton Riverside - Feltham - Richmond - Clapham Junction - Factory Junction - Herne hill - Streatham Junction - Wimbledon - Chessington South
2x DRS Class 20s tnt Chessington South - Raynes Park - Wimbledon - Clapham Junction - London Waterloo
2x DRS Class 20s tnt London Waterloo - Clapham Junction - Wimbledon - Surbiton - Hampton Court
2x DRS Class 20s tnt Hampton Court - Surbiton - Wimbledon - Clapham Junction - London Waterloo
2x DRS Class 20s tnt London Waterloo - Clapham Junction - New Malden - Kingston - Shepperton
2x DRS Class 20s tnt Shepperton - Strawberry Hill - Twickenham - Barnes - Clapham Junction
2x DRS Class 20s tnt Clapham Junction - New Kew Junction - South Acton - Acton Wells Junction - Neasden Curve - South Ruislip - High Wycombe - Banbury (sd) - Coventry (sd) - Nuneaton (sd) - Stafford (sd) - Crewe

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

86259 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Rugby - Nuneaton - Crewe (pu)
46233 Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay - Preston - Carnforth - Shap - Carlisle
46233 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) (for Preston) - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe (sd)
86259 Crewe - Nuneaton (sd) - Rugby (sd) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

Wednesday 11th February 2015

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

61306 Norwich (pu) - Ipswich (pu) - Colchester (pu) - Witham (pu) - Windsor & Eton Riverside
61306 Windsoe & eton Riverside (pu) - Central London (actual location tbc)
WCRC 47/57 Central London (actual location tbc) - Witham (sd) - Colchester (sd) - Ipswich (sd) - Norwich

Friday 13th February 2015

Six Nations Welsh Rugby Supporters Train 2015 (Pathfinder Tours)

To be confirmed Carmarthen (pu) - Llanelli (pu) - Neath (pu) - Bridgend (pu) - Cardiff Central (pu) - Newport (pu) - Cwmbran (pu) - Pontypool & New Inn (pu) - Abergavenny (pu) - Shrewsbury (pu) - Crewe (pu) - Edinburgh Waverley (sd) - Motherwell

Saturday 14th February 2015

The Valentines White Rose (Railway Touring Company)

60009 London Kings Cross (pu) - Stevenage (pu) - Huntingdon (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - York (break/rev) & return

Valentines Luncheon Over The South Downs (Steam Dreams)

61306 London Victoria (pu) - Clapham Junction (pu) - Twickenham (pu) - Staines (pu) - Addlestone (pu) - Woking (pu) - Winchester - Eastleigh - Fareham - Havant - Petersfield - Guildford - Woking (sd) - Addlestone (sd) - Staines (sd) - Twickenham (sd) - Clapham Junction (sd) - London Victoria

Valentines Dinner To Brighton For Brief Encounter (Steam Dreams)

61306 London Victoria (pu) - Brighton (break/rev) & Return

The Settle & Carlisle Winter Wonderland (UK Railtours)

tba London Kings Cross (pu) - Potters Bar (pu) - Stevenge (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - Doncaster - Leeds - Skipton - Hellifield - S&C - Appleby - Carlisle
tba Carlisle - Hexham - Durham - York - Doncaster - Peterborough (sd) - Stevenage (sd) - Potters Bar (sd) - London Kings Cross

The Valentines Express (Vintage Trains)

4965 Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Coleshill Parkway (pu) - Nuneaton - Leicester - Sheet Stores to Stenson Junctions - Burton upon Trent - Tamworth - Coleshill Parkway (sd) - Tyseley Warwick Road

Additional Tour Information

28/11: now running to Oxford, out via Evesham and back through Banbury.

Added 09:03 on Friday 28th November 2014

Valentines Express (Vintage Trains)

4965 Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Worcester Shrub Hill - Evesham - Oxford
4965 Oxford - Banbury - Leamington Spa - Tyseley

Snow On The Settle & Carlisle? (West Coast Railway Company)

WCRC Class 47/57 Skegness (pu) - Wainfleet (pu) - Boston (pu) - Heckington (pu) - Sleaford (pu) - Lincoln (pu) - Gainsborough (pu) - Doncaster (pu) - Leeds - Hellifield - S&C - Carlisle
WCRC Class 47/57 Carlisle - Hexham - Durham - York - Doncaster (sd) - Gainsborough (sd) - Lincoln (sd) - Sleaford (sd) - Heckington (sd) - Boston (sd) - Wainfleet (sd) - Skegness

Sunday 15th February 2015

The Great North Of Scotland Reviver (Pathfinder Tours)

2x DBS Class 66 tnt Edinburgh Waverley (pu) - Forth Bridge - Inverkeithing (pu) - Kirkcaldy - Tay Bridge - Dundee - Arbroath (pu) - Montrose - Aberdeen
2x DBS Class 66 tnt Aberdeen - Kittybrewster (rev) - Waterloo Goods Branch A.H.B. Siding (rev) - Kittybrewster - Dyce - Raith's Farm Terminal (rev) - South Arrival/Departure Line (rev) - Inverurie - Huntly - Keith Loop - Elgin (rev) - Elgin East Yard (rev) - Elgin
2x DBS Class 66 tnt Elgin - Keith (rev) - Dufftown branch platform (rev) - Huntly - Inverurie - Raith's Farm North & South Arrival Line/Departure Line - Dyce - Aberdeen - Craiginches Up Loop - Montrose - Arbroath - Dundee (sd) - Tay Bridge - Ladybank - Thornton Junction - Inverkeithing (sd) - Forth Bridge - Edinburgh Waverley

The Tin Bath (re-dated From 11th May, 25th May & 2 November) (Railway Touring Company)

44871 and 45407 Preston (pu) - Wigan North Western (pu) - Manchester Victoria (pu) - Denton - Stockport - Hazel Grove Chord - Chinley - Hope valley - Sheffield (break) - Meadowhall - Wombwell - Barnsley - Penistone - Denby Dale - Huddersfield - Brighouse - Hebden Bridge - Copy Pit - Accrington - Blackburn - Darwen - Bolton - Manchester Victoria s
To be confirmed Manchester Victoria - Wigan North Western (sd) - Preston

Additional Tour Information

28/10: Tin Bath further postponed due to the proposed Fire Brigade Union's planned industrial action on that day-new date tba.

Added 14:57 on Tuesday 28th October 2014

17/10: now confirmed as running as advertised

Added 17:33 on Friday 17th October 2014

Given the current issues with WCR steam operation on Network Rail's LNE route - confirmation on the routing of this tour is awaited.

Added 13:37 on Sunday 28th September 2014

Monday 16th February 2015

Six Nations Welsh Rugby Supporters Train 2015 (Pathfinder Tours)

To be confirmed Motherwell (pu) - Edinburgh Waverley (pu) - Crewe (sd) - Shrewsbury (sd) - Abergavenny (sd) - Pontypool & New Inn (sd) - Cwmbran (sd) - Newport (sd) - Cardiff Central (sd) - Bridgend (sd) - Neath (sd) - Llanelli (sd) - Carmarthen

Saturday 21st February 2015

Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard (West Coast Railway Company)

WCRC 47/57 pool Doncaster (pu) - Retford (pu) - Newark (pu) - Grantham (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - Huntingdon (pu) - St. Neots (pu) - Portsmouth & Southsea (sd) - Portsmouth Harbour (break/rev) & return

===================================================================================

International
India

Maoist Blast Derails Train Services Ahead of R-day (The New Indian Express)

Mumbai: Local train accidents claimed 9 lives per day in 2014 (Daily News & Analysis)

Kenya

Uhuru: High speed rail system will raise Kenya's GDP by 1.5 pc (Kenya Broadcasting Corporation )

Mexico
5 Companies interested in Mexico bullet-train contract Fox News Latino

Aspects of Mexican train tender not fair: watchdog Taipei Times

Vietnam

Late Vietnam railway chief likely killed himself by hanging: police.(Tuoitrenews)

UK & International Railway News Saturday 24th January 2015

2015-01-24T16:39:00.001+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

HS2 is in the Birmingham headlines... a former attorney general says the compensation scheme is "woeful".....
And the view of MPs of northern rolling stock is that they are cast-offs.....
A tragedy at Sutton Coldfield Station (1955) claiming 17 lives is recalled....
Network Rail explains what happens with signal power supply failure...
DB Schenker announces a doubling of services from London Gateway to Manchester Trafford Park...And in Mexico, recommendations to insure a fair train tender are issued, so as to avoid the previous embarrassment...

Click on the links...

Headlines

HS2: Former attorney general blasts rail line and says compensation scheme is woeful (Birmingham Mail)

New tram lines and rail services to be considered for Black Country (expressandstar.com)

'The level of poverty is shocking': readers discuss UK urban inequality The Guardian

Trains outside London are 'cast-offs' MPs say.(BBC News)

Sutton Coldfield rail crash memorial call 60 years on.(BBC News)

Look back at Sutton Coldfield Railway Disaster of 1955 which took place 60 years ago today (Sutton Coldfield Observer)

Network Rail

Signal power supply failure

How signal power supply failure can cause delays - and what we're doing to reduce them

The power supply to our signalling system can fail for a variety of reasons, for example due to a power cut or a blown fuse in the circuit.

Our signalling system is designed to fail safe: when the power fails, the signals turn black; if the driver can’t see a green or yellow signal, they must stop the train.

What we’re doing to reduce signal failure and resulting delays

We’re introducing uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs) which take over when the power supply is cut, minimising the delays felt by passengers. UPS systems were introduced on the West Coast Mainline during the upgrade works and further UPSs will be introduced as part of re-signalling schemes.
We monitor the health of our power supply system using wireless monitoring backed up with annual inspections.
For areas without UPS, we're replacing aging cable to improve power supply reliability.
Our power suppliers notify us of any planned interruptions to the power supply so we can make sure backup supplies are in place.
We’ve invested in fault finding equipment for our older systems so we can fix problems before they affect services.
Our modern “intelligent” systems immediately identify the location of faults as soon as they occur, enabling us to respond more quickly and get trains running faster.
Sometimes the quickest and simplest option is to switch to another power source, so in some situations we use portable generators to restore power.

Signallers in Rugby signalling centre(Network Rail Photograph)

DB Schenker

Press release 20 January 2015

DB Schenker Rail UK Doubles Services from London Gateway to Trafford Park

DB Schenker Rail UK has doubled the number of intermodal services it runs from London Gateway to Trafford Park in Manchester.

The company has responded to customer demand and increased volume by increasing its services between the two terminals from two a week to four.
Adrian Fleming, Head of Intermodal at DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “Delivering a quality service to our customers is at the heart of everything we do so we are delighted to be able to provide these increased services to meet their needs. The intermodal market continues to be buoyant as customers look to the most cost efficient and environmentally friendly way of moving freight across the country.”

He added: “Intermodal looks set to increase at a staggering rate. It currently represents 27% of rail freight business and this is predicted to rise to 68% by 2033. The Network Rail long-term freight market study suggests a 6.4% per annum growth in intermodal rail freight from ports until the year 2023. The impact on rail freight will be dramatic.”
London Gateway has the UK’s largest port rail freight terminal, with more than 30% of the port’s cargo being carried by rail. DB Schenker Rail UK was the first company to offer scheduled rail freight services from the port. Along with the services to Trafford Park the company also runs trains from the port to Daventry and South Wales.

DB Schenker Rail UK was also the first rail operator to integrate its own order-management systems directly with those of the port. This gives customers a seamless, efficient, rapid intermodal freight service, direct from the port to terminals across the country. The close integration of its systems with London Gateway has enabled the company to achieve an impressive ‘shore-to-door’ delivery record of 99.7% of containers transported on time.
DB Schenker Rail UK is the country’s leading rail freight operator, running over 5,000 train services every week and employing more than 3,000 people.

International

Canada

Canadian Pacific Railway's (CP) CEO Hunter Harrison on Q4 2014 Results - Earnings Call Transcript .(Seeking Alpha)

China

7000 Kilometres in 2 Days? China to Build $242 Billion Beijing-Moscow 'High-Speed' Railway Link (International Business Times, India Edition)

Kenya

High speed rail system will raise Kenya's GDP by 1.5 percent, says President Uhuru Kenyatta (The Standard Digital News (satire) (press release) (registration) (blog) )

Mexico

Mexico agency issues recommendations to insure fair train tender (Reuters)

Netherlands
Rail freight capacity boost for North Sea ferry services - Railway Gazette

USA

California high speed rail's runaway spending will crash (Watchdog.org)

Other Railway Press
Raildate
Events...Courtesy Howard Sprenger)
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.

23/01/15 Oxford House Industrial History Society (Risca)
Risca Colliers Institute, Oxford House Adult Ed Centre, Grove Road, Risca, NP11 6GN
"Crumlin Viaduct and TVR Extension" by Keith Sankey
1900 for 1915, meetings finish by 2130
Friends and visitors welcome: admission £2
http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk

25/01/15 Gauge 0 Guild: Bristol show
UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre, Filton Road, Bristol, BS34 8QZ
1000-1600
http://www.gauge0guild.com/events/events.aspx

30/01/15 Oxford House Industrial History Society (Risca) Risca Colliers Institute, Oxford House Adult Ed Centre, Grove Road, Risca, NP11 6GN Artefacts night - bring something interesting 1900 for 1915, meetings finish by 2130 Friends and visitors welcome: admission £2
http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk

31/01/15 Town Hall, Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AD“Railways Remembered - GWR” a film show by Rob Foxon Starts 1430 Tickets: £7.50, Child: £5.0031/01/15 A New Life for Bennerley Viaduct? A Sustrans consultation Ilkeston Football Club, New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF 1000-130002/02/15 Hampshire Industrial Archaeology Society The Underhill Centre, St John's Road, Hedge End, SO30 4AF“What's in the Pantry?” by Jenny Carter Starts at 1945
http://www.hias.org.uk/

02/02/15 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery Street, Sheffield, S3 8GG“The Matlock Cable Tramway” by Glynn Waite Starts at 1930 For a requested £3 donation on the door, all welcome
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch

04/02/15 A New Life for Bennerley Viaduct? A Sustrans consultation The Gardeners Inn, Awsworth Lane, NG16 2RZ 1900-2100

06/02/15 RCTS Bristol St Peters Church Hall, Church Road, Filton, BS34 7BX "St Pancras District Part 4: Bringing the Story Up to Date" with Arthur Turner Starts at 1930 (room open from 1900) At each meeting we ask for a donation of £2 from non-members and £1 from members A free cup of tea or coffee will be available during the interval, and a large selection of new and second hand books will be on sale
http://www.rcts.org.uk/branches/bristol/events.htm

06/02/15 Oxford House Industrial History Society (Risca) Risca Colliers Institute, Oxford House Adult Ed Centre, Grove Road, Risca, NP11 6GN "Surviving Stationary Steam Engines in South Wales" by Brian Davies 1900 for 1915, meetings finish by 2130 Friends and visitors welcome: admission £2
http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk

07/02/15 Trinity Church Hall, Higher Market Street, Farnworth,Bolton, BL4 SEX “Railways Remembered” a film show by Rob Foxon Starts 1900

UK & International Railway News Friday 23rd January 2015

2015-01-23T08:51:00.002+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

To help in publicizing adjusted timetables involving London Bridge, The Railway Chronicle reproduces an important message from Southern Railway regarding the timetable effective from 26th January 2015.

In this edition, read the Transport Select Committee's conclusions regarding the overrunning engineering works.....the Class 800s en route from Hitachi, and a Network Rail explanation of the effects of damaged overhead lines... ..

For more details...click on the links...

Headlines

Changes to London Bridge services from Monday 26th January.(Southern Railway).

Changes to London Bridge services

Date: effective from Monday 26 January 2015
The new track layout on the approach to the station has meant that so far, it has been a challenge to deliver the new timetable for which Southern and Network Rail apologise. We reviewed this and from 7 January a small number of London Bridge to West Croydon services in the evening peak were removed. Additional changes were made w/c Monday 19 January to help us deliver an improved service. Although there has been some improvement to performance we are making further changes from Monday 26 January to services into and out of London Bridge to provide a more reliable service for all our passengers.
All the changes from the published 5 January timetable are listed below and will remain until further notice. Changes in bold were introduced prior to Monday 26 January and remain.
Morning Peak
OXTED

05.58 East Grinstead to Victoria retimed to depart 05.55, Dormans 05.59, Lingfield 06.02, Hurst Green 06.09, Oxted 06.14 then as now

06.14 East Grinstead to London Bridge retimed to depart 06.13, Dormans 06.17, Lingfield, 06.20, Hurst Green 06.27, Oxted 06.30, Woldingham 06.35, Upper Warlingham 06.39, Riddlesdown 06.42, Sanderstead 06.46 then as now

06.35 East Grinstead to Victoria retimed to depart 06.32, Dormans 06.36, Lingfield 06.39, Hurst Green 06.47, Oxted 06.50, Woldingham 06.55, Upper Warlingham 06.59, Riddlesdown 07.02, Sanderstead 07.07 then as now

06.43 East Grinstead to London Bridge retimed to depart 06.40, Dormans 06.44, Lingfield , 06.47, Hurst Green 06.54, Oxted 06.58, Woldingham 07.03, Upper Warlingham 07.07, Riddlesdown 07.10, Sanderstead 07.14 then as now

07.05 East Grinstead to Victoria retimed to depart 07.02, Dormans 07.06, Lingfield 07.10 then as now

The 07.19 East Grinstead to London Bridge service will depart three minutes earlier at 07.16, three minutes earlier at Dormans and Lingfield, two minutes earlier at Hurst Green, Oxted, Woldingham, Upper Warlingham and Riddlesdown and one minute earlier from Sanderstead and South Croydon.

07.36 East Grinstead to Victoria retimed to depart 07.33, Dormans 07.37, Lingfield 07.40, Hurst Green 07.49, Oxted 07.52, Woldingham 07.57, Upper Warlingham 08.01, Riddlesdown 08.04, Sanderstead 08.08 then as now

WEST LONDON LINE

The 08.07 East Croydon to Milton Keynes service will start from South Croydon at 08.05

UCKFIELD

05.18 Uckfield to London Bridge retimed to depart 05.16, Buxted 05.20, Crowborough 05.27, Eridge 05.33, then as now

05.42 Uckfield to London Bridge retimed to depart 05.40, Buxted 05.45, Crowborough 05.52, Eridge 05.58, Cowden 06.06, Edenbridge Town 06.12, Hurst Green 06.20, Oxted 06.24 then as now

07.08 Uckfield to London Bridge retimed to depart 07.05, Buxted 07.10, Crowborough 07.18, Eridge 07.24, Edenbridge Town 07.36 Hurst Green 07.44, Oxted 07.48 then as now

07.34 Uckfield to London Bridge retimed to depart 07.31, Buxted 07.36, Crowborough 07.44, Eridge 07.50, Ashurst 07.56 then as now

08.04 Uckfield to London Bridge retimed to depart 08.01, Buxted 08.06, Crowborough 08.13, Eridge 08.19, Ashurst 08.24, Cowden 08.29 then as now

The 07.56 London Bridge to Uckfield service will depart one minute earlier at 07.55 and will depart one minute earlier at Norwood Junction until East Croydon where it will call at stations to Uckfield at the normal times.

METRO

07.01 Norwood Junction to London Bridge retimed to depart 07.04 – 3 minutes later to New Cross Gate

The 07.20 Victoria to East Croydon service will be extended to call at South Croydon.

07.25 London Bridge to East Croydon will not stop at Norwood Junction

Alternative trains from London Bridge at 07.18 and 07.28
CATERHAM

06.35 Caterham to Victoria retimed to depart 06.32 – 3 minutes earlier to Purley

06.45 Caterham to London Bridge retimed to depart 06.42 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

07.01 Caterham to Victoria retimed to depart 06.58 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

07.15 Caterham to London Bridge retime to depart 07.12 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

07.30 Caterham to Victoria retimed to depart 07.28 - 2 minutes earlier to Purley

07.45 Caterham to London Bridge retimed to depart 07.42 – 3 minutes earlier to Purley

08.01 Caterham to Victoria retimed to depart 07.58 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

08.17 Caterham to London Bridge retimed to depart 08.14 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

08.27 Caterham to London Victoria retimed to depart 08.24 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

TATTENHAM CORNER

05.56 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge retimed to depart 05.54 – 2 minutes earlier to Purley

06.31 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge retimed to depart 06.30 – 1 minute earlier to Purley

06.48 Tattenham Corner to Victoria retimed to depart 06.45 – 3 minutes earlier to Purley

07.17 Tattenham Corner to Victoria retimed to depart 07.15 - 2 minutes earlier to Purley

07.32 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge retimed to depart 07.29 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

07.48 Tattenham Corner to Victoria retimed to depart 07.45 - 3 minutes earlier to Purley

08.04 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge retimed to depart 08.01- 3 minutes earlier to Purley

08.14 Tattenham Corner to Victoria retimed to depart 08.13 - 1 minute earlier to Purley

COASTWAY WEST

05.01 Havant to Victoria depart Chichester 05.12 - 3 minutes earlier, Barnham 05.20, Angmering 05.30, Worthing 05.37, Lancing 05.41, Shoreham by Sea 05.45, Portslade 05.50, Hove 05.54,then as now

05.13 Bognor Regis to Littlehampton will depart Bognor Regis 3 minutes earlier at 05.10

BRIGHTON

06.01 Brighton to London Bridge retimed to depart Haywards Heath 06.32 – 2 minutes later to East Croydon, Three Bridges 06.41, Gatwick Airport 06.46, East Croydon 07.02. Arrives London Bridge as now at 07.20

Evening Peak
METRO

The 16.36, 17.06, 17.38, 18.06 and 18.36 London Bridge to West Croydon services are withdrawn. Passengers for Penge West and Anerley can use Southern or LOROL services to Norwood Junction and come back up to their stations.

The 17.12, 17.42 and 18.13 West Croydon to London Bridge services are withdrawn

METRO (Caterham)

The 15.09 Caterham to London Bridge service will depart four minutes earlier at 15.05, four minutes earlier at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times.

The 15.39 Caterham to London Bridge service will depart four minutes earlier at 15.35, four minutes earlier at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times.

The 16.07 Caterham to London Bridge service will depart two minutes earlier at 16.05, two minutes earlier at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times.

The 16.39 Caterham to London Bridge service will depart four minutes earlier at 16.35, four minutes earlier at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times.

The 17.09 Caterham to London Bridge service will be withdrawn.

An additional 17.12 Caterham to Purley train will run, calling at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley.

The 18.09 Caterham to London Bridge service will depart four minutes earlier at 18.05, four minutes earlier at Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Kenley, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times.

METRO (Tattenham Corner)

The 15.20 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge service will depart one minute earlier at 15.19, one minute earlier at Tadworth, Kingswood, Chipstead, Woodmansterne, Coulsdon Town and Reedham, and then depart from Purley and stations to London Bridge at the normal times

The 16.20 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge service will be revised from Purley to call at all stations to London Bridge. (This train attaches to the 16.35 Caterham to London Bridge train at Purley).

The 16.50 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge service will be revised from Purley to call at all stations to London Bridge. (This replaces the 17.09 Caterham to London Bridge service).

The 17.19 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge service will terminate at Purley at 17.42.

The 17.51 Tattenham Corner to London Bridge service will be revised from Purley to call at all stations to London Bridge. (This train attaches to the 18.05 Caterham to London Bridge train at Purley).

METRO - TATTENHAM CORNER/PURLEY SHUTTLE CHANGES
The 11.33, 12.33, 13.33, 14.33 and 15.33 Tattenham Corner to Purley services will be withdrawn.
(There are still services at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour to London Bridge)
METRO - PURLEY/TATTENHAM CORNER SHUTTLE CHANGES
The 12.02, 13.02, 14.02, 15.02 and 16.02 Purley to Tattenham Corner services will be withdrawn.
(There are still services at 16 and 46 minutes past the hour from Purley)
REDHILL

The 16.14 Reigate to London Bridge service after East Croydon will be diverted to London Victoria calling at Clapham Junction at 16.50, arriving at Victoria at 16.57.

BRIGHTON

15.56 Brighton to London Bridge will not stop at Burgess Hill (16.10) and Gatwick Airport (16.33)

16.28 Brighton to London Bridge will not stop at Burgess Hill (16.42) and Gatwick Airport (17.02)

16.56 Brighton to London Bridge will not stop at Burgess Hill (17.10) and Gatwick Airport (17.33)

Alternative trains from Brighton to London at 16.06, 16.36 and 17.08.
Alternative trains from Burgess Hill to London at 16.18, 16.46 and 17.18.
Passengers from Gatwick to London Bridge should use alternative trains to East Croydon and change there for London Bridge.

Parliament.UK

Network Rail must deliver record investment following Christmas disruption

MPs warn that Network rail must show it can deliver record investment, following Christmas disruption, in its report on the investing in the railway inquiry.

Transport Committee welcomes record investment committed to the 'classic' rail network but calls for greater regional balance in spending. Network Rail must also regain the confidence of passengers following recent disruption.

Chair's comments

Launching a report examining Network Rail’s programme of investment for 2014-19, Louise Ellman MP, Chair of the Transport Committee says:

"With over 1.5 billion journeys made last year, millions of people rely on a train service to get to work or see family and friends. We welcome the record spending planned for the ‘classic’ rail network, but Treasury statistics demonstrate that for too long this spending has been focused on London. We call for revised — and published — criteria to ensure fairer funding allocations that reflect wider economic and social objectives.
The chaos faced by passengers over Christmas at King’s Cross and Paddington, and the continuing disruption at London Bridge, are unacceptable. They are also a worrying sign for the capacity of Network Rail to manage multiple, complex engineering projects simultaneously. Network Rail must demonstrate that it can deliver key improvements —such as electrification in the North West and the Great Western Main Line — on time, and while still delivering safe an efficient services for all passengers.
Reported delays to key infrastructure projects must be addressed by the Department for Transport. If a rail improvement or electrification project is announced for delivery in a set time period, there should be an expectation that it will be delivered on time."

Government to take responsibility

The Committee calls for the Government to take responsibility for rolling stock, to address general shortages and ensure there will be sufficient trains to run on newly-electrified lines.
Commenting on this, Louise Ellman said:

"Ministers must ensure there is sufficient rolling stock - of a decent quality - to run timetabled rail services and maximise the benefits of new infrastructure. Rising numbers of rail passengers have not being matched by investment in new rolling stock, resulting in overcrowding, and passengers unable to board some busy trains.
The Secretary of State refused to tell us when the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains will be removed from the rail network — in Wales and the South West, as well as the North. We call for a clear commitment to remove Pacers from the rail network by 2020 at the latest."

Conclusions

The Committee also concluded:

Record levels of funding show a welcome commitment to ‘classic’ rail but this should be set in a longer-term strategic plan for the rail network, which ties into a wider transport strategy.
The overrunning Christmas engineering works were unacceptable.
Network Rail must have adequate contingency plans. They must also work with Passenger Focus and train operating companies to improve communication with passengers when engineering works fail.
In the light of the change of status of Network Rail the ORR must reconsider whether fining a public sector body remains an effective means for the regulator to exert control.
Greater transparency is essential around rail spending. Criteria used to allocate spending should be published.
A traffic-light system should provide clarity on the status of each rail investment project.
The public should be able to track the spending and outcomes for each Network Rail spending period.
The Department for Transport must ensure there is sufficient rolling stock to operate existing services and on newly electrified lines.
It is concerning that the DfT chose to order brand new trains for passengers in London and the South East, while expecting passengers in the rest of the country to be content with reconditioned older trains.
Pacer trains should be removed from the rail network by 2020 at the latest.
The needs of rail freight - a crucial part of the UK economy - must be balanced with those of passenger rail. Government should produce a strategy covering road and rail freight together.
The Office of Rail Regulation must consult on the track access charging regime with a view to reducing the current complexity.
Department for Transport should clarify future plans for improving resilience at Dawlish, where the “Orange Army” of Network Rail engineers rebuilt the seawall and successfully re-opened the line.
Government should also clarify its future plans for improving connectivity between the classic and high speed network, including any proposals for a HS3 or improved East-West connectivity

Transport - Seventh Report .Investing in the railway

==========================================

GOV.UK

New state-of-the-art InterCity Express train to arrive in the UK in March

The first of Britain’s new generation of high-tech passenger trains has started its journey from Japan to the UK.

The Class 800 train, specially designed and built by Hitachi for the government’s £5.7 billion InterCity Express Programme (IEP), will revolutionise rail travel and play a vital role in the country’s long term economic future.
The trains will provide significant benefits to passengers on the East Coast and Great Western routes, with more seats on each train, reduced journey times and improved reliability.
The first IEP Class 800 train was built in Hitachi’s Kasado works in Japan and has today (22 January) set sail for Southampton, UK. Once Hitachi’s new purpose-built facility at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has opened, the majority of the fleet will be manufactured in the UK, creating hundreds of jobs.
Rail Minister Claire Perry said:

This is a great moment in the delivery of a new class of state-of-the-art trains that the UK needs and deserves. I look forward to seeing the first train as it arrives here and even more so when they are being manufactured in the UK.
We are investing record amounts building a world-class railway that provides more seats, more services and better journeys for passengers. The new InterCity Express trains tick all the right boxes, and will revolutionise train travel to some of the UK’s biggest cities.

The IEP is also helping to secure long-term economic growth by creating hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships at Hitachi’s new factory in County Durham, as well as thousands more jobs across the UK supply chain.

A total of 866 Class 800 carriages will be manufactured at Newton Aycliffe, creating 730 jobs locally.
After its arrival in the UK, the train will be used to run a host of tests to get the fleet ready for service as early as 2017. The new IEP trains will bring faster services and additional capacity between London and major UK cities including Reading, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea along the Great Western Main Line, and Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line.
The new train is expected to arrive at Southampton in March.

================================================

Trains outside London are 'cast-offs' MPs say.(BBC News)

Eurotunnel freight traffic delays extend to sixth day.(BBC News)

Tube congestion fears at Victoria station as subway lift work starts .(London Evening Standard)

Plans to close London Underground ticket offices costing £134 million.(London Evening Standard)

Debate on HS2 funding proposed by Christchurch MP Christopher Chope.(Bucks Free Press)

Return of Flying Scotsman still on track for 2015.(NRM)

Network Rail

Overhead line equipment

How problems with overhead lines cause delays - and what we're doing to reduce them

(Network Rail Photograph)

Overhead line equipment (OLE) refers to the cables and supporting infrastructure that carries electricity at 25,000 volts to power trains.
Problems generally fall into two categories:

Power supply failures - electric trains cannot run but diesel trains can still use the track
Mechanical problems, eg the wire is down or parts are displaced from the gantry - no trains can run until the broken equipment is cleared away, then diesels can run and, if the affected part is short enough, electric trains can coast past

When the failure is serious, for example if the wires have been brought down by a falling tree or are tangled in a train’s pantograph, the solution is more complicated and takes more time. Where this happens we may need to take passengers off the train.

What we’re doing to reduce faults and delays

Our New Measurement Train runs computerised checks on the OLE during inspections, giving us the information that we need to fix potential problems before they affect services
We routinely inspect the OLE manually from both ground and high level
Investment to upgrade OLE is coordinated nationally to target the routes that are most at risk of problems and those with the highest traffic
If it is possible to do so, we'll run diesel trains or coast electric trains through the area and repair the OLE over night, reducing disruption to trains
In straightforward cases we try to get trains running again quickly, though we may have to impose temporary speed restrictions until the problem is fixed

============================================
International
Europe
Eurotunnel freight delays continue for seventh day.(Lloyd's Loading List)

France
Putting France's Tracks on the Map (Future Rail)
Hundreds of kilometres of the French railway network have been surveyed using a 3D laser mapping system developed by FIT ESIC. Frances Marcellin finds how data is captured and what benefits the project brings to safety and maintenance.

Russia
Beijing-Moscow high-speed rail plan confirmed CCTV

USA
Another View: Debate about high-speed rail should be based on facts

(Sacramento Bee)

www.progressiverailroading.com

KCS broke revenue record, improved operating ratio in Q4

MTA OKs 4 percent fare hike

Watco reaches deal to acquire Kinder Morgan terminals, reassigns three execs

WMATA orders safety actions after fatal smoke incident

U.S. Class I workforce widened again in December

Chicago transit agencies craft ad campaign to attract riders

ARCI: Rail-car orders dipped a bit, deliveries rose a skosh in Q4

Rail supplier news from Koppers, Atkins, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Alstom, Plenary Infrastructure, Zebra and AREMA (Jan. 23)

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com

Alstom to deliver signalling and electrification solutions for India's Kochi Metro Rail
French rail manufacturer Alstom has secured two contracts worth more than €65m from India's Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to deliver signalling, telecom and electrification solutions for the new Kochi metro line in Kerala, India. Kapsch to install GSM-R technology on rail transit corridor in Czech Republic
Austrian telecommunication provider Kapsch CarrierCom has secured a €14.7m GSM-R project from Czech Republic's state-owned Railway Infrastructure Administration.
Nomad to install onboard communication solution for Bombardier trains
Wireless solutions provider Nomad Digital has secured an order from Bombardier to deliver onboard connectivity solution for 100 trains in the north European metro system.
UK Government joins with industry to strengthen rail supply chain
The UK Government has joined with supply industry firms and train operators to develop the strategic vision to strengthen the country's rail supply chain.

SmartRail World

Expert insights: Maintaining a more efficient rail industry.

Something a little bit different for SmartRail World today, as we investigate how maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) within rail can achieve significant improvements in financial performance by adapting new techniques and perspectives. To find out more about this subject our Editor, Luke Upton spoke to Mandyam (“Srini”) Srinivasan, Ph.D., the Pilot Corporation Chair of Excellence in Business at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Srinivasan has many years of experience with leading automobile manufacturing organizations, consulted with a large number of industries and has recently written the book, Lean Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, which looks set to become the definitive guide to this subject.

Read more »

UK & International Railway News Thursday 22nd January 2015

2015-01-22T09:34:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

More campaigning for local railway investment(Basingstoke, electrification, Stoke), but some dark clouds ahead, possibly, for DLR users, (and the Tube..see yesterday's news)
Network Rail provides timely advance information on the Scarborough Railway Bridge.. and Industry and government join forces to launch new vision for UK rail supply chain..
And a European Award for Andrew Adonis....

For more details on these, and other world stories, click on the links......

Headlines
UK

Report criticises government's HS2 strategy (Bucks Free Press)

Eurostar hits fresh problems, with delayed and cancelled trains (The Independent)

DLR workers vote for strike over terms and conditions.(BBC News)

Wrexham to Birmingham commuters fear peak-time service cut.(BBC News)

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller campaigns for investment in Hampshire railways.(Basingstoke Gazette)

Campaigners want electrification to speed up railways.(Hartlepool Mail)

Stoke HS2 station 'could deliver greater value' - report.(insider media)

KKR buys thetrainline.com (FT.com)

British Rail's Galloway landscape returns to Kirkcudbright.(BBC News)

Network Rail
Countdown to Scarborough Railway Bridge replacement

(Network Rail Photograph)

Rail passengers, York residents and visitors to the city are being reminded to plan ahead this half term as the old bridge deck of Scarborough Rail Bridge will be lifted out and a new one installed.

The work to refurbish the bridge means that no trains can run over it between 14 and 23 February, with coaches replacing First Trans-Pennine Express trains between York and Seamer.

The worksite in York will also affect local residents and visitors. Marygate car park will be closed from 2 to 27 February to safely accommodate the crane and other construction equipment. The footbridge alongside Scarborough railway bridge which also carries National Cycle Network route 65 across the river will be closed from 9 February to 2 March and the shared use paths on either side of the river under Scarborough railway bridge will close between 14 and 22 February.

Network Rail Route Managing Director, Phil Verster, said: “We thank rail passengers, residents and visitors to York for their patience as we complete this essential work. The bridge has given good service for 140 years but now needs significant replacement.

“This is a complex project as the bridge spans the River Ouse and is in the middle of a residential area with narrow streets as well as being close to several important rail lines.

“We have worked very closely with City of York Council and First Trans Pennine Express to minimise our impact on both local residents and the travelling public. We will also deliver around 17 other projects between York and Scarborough while the bridge work is carried out. This additional improvement work is worth around £2m and will help provide more reliable journeys for passengers for many years to come.”

Engineers will be working 24 hours a day on the bridge to complete the work on time.

The last direct trains between York and Scarborough on 13 February leave York at 22:00 and Scarborough at 22:07.
Replacement coaches will run between York and Scarborough every hour. There will be two coaches in each direction each half hour; one stopping service and one express service.
Direct trains between York and Scarborough re-start on Monday 23 February. The first train out of Scarborough will be the 06:30 and the first train out of York will be the 06:40.
Between 14 and 23 February First Trans-Pennine Express services to and from the west will all use platforms 1, 6 & 7 at York station, not platform 4.
The Hull to Scarborough via Bridlington (Yorkshire Wolds Coast) route operated by Northern Rail remains open.

Anna-Jane Hunter, from First Trans-Pennine Express, said: “We are working with Network Rail to minimise the disruption caused by the improvement works and put in place the best possible journey options for customers.

"Express coaches will replace rail services between York and Scarborough and we have issued updated timetables and customer information posters.

"We would advise customers to check before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journey. Full details of the improvements works and alternative arrangements will be available from National Rail Enquiries."

Notes:

The other projects on the York to Scarborough during the bridge deck replacement include:
- vegetation clearance to improve driver visibility
- improvement work at Haxby level crossing and Haxby Station level crossing
- track renewals at Malton
- improvements to around eight culverts to improve flood resilience
- general maintenance
- minor improvement work on platforms 2 and 4 at York station
Network Rail has planned this work closely with the Canal and Rivers Trust, Natural England and Environment Agency, securing the necessary permissions. The River Ouse will need to be closed to river traffic for certain times while the work is undertaken.
During the Marygate car park closure, alternative parking can be found at www.york.gov.uk/parking .
Alternative walking and cycle routes are available via either Lendal Bridge or Clifton Bridge for the footbridge closure (9 February to 2 March),.
During the footpath closure (14 and 22 February), pedestrians and cyclists should use Kingsland Terrace/Leeman Road if they would normally use Cinder Lane; and via Longfield Terrace/the subway under the railway/Marygate Lane if they would normally use the path on the Museum Gardens side of the river.
Deliveries and site management are being carefully planned and managed to protect the safety of pedestrians, local residents and the engineers involved.
Parking will be restricted on Marygate and Netherton Road overnight between Friday 6 and Thursday 12 February. The restricted parking areas will be coned off well in advance.

Have your say on updated plans for the Hope Valley rail line

Members of the public are invited to comment on plans to construct two new sections of railway track near Dore & Totley station and between Bamford and Hathersage.

Network Rail intends to deliver this package of work to allow more trains to run on the Hope Valley railway line between Sheffield and Manchester. The work is a key part of over £1 billion of investment to deliver faster, more frequent services across the north of England.
Phil Verster Route Managing Director for Network Rail said: “The updated plans to improve the railway between Manchester and Sheffield are an important part of a wider programme of investment in the north of England. Demand for train travel between the two cities is increasing, with forecasts showing by 2029 demand will grow by 56% in Sheffield and 66% in Manchester. These proposals will deliver better journeys on the Hope Valley line, improving capacity, frequency and reliability.”
Consultations were held on the original plans in November 2013. These proposals included the construction of a new 1km passing loop near Grindleford station as well as improvements around Dore & Totley station. Since then, the project has developed a new option to the East of Bamford station as a replacement for the previous proposal at Grindleford

While Grindleford was the optimum location for new track that would allow four fast trains to run each hour between Manchester and Sheffield; timetable constraints meant it would not be possible to evenly space those services. As a result, the rail industry decided to progress plans for three fast trains per hour and a review of the scheme developed the revised proposals for Bamford.
The new option close to Bamford is easier to build than the previous one at Grindleford and does not affect any ancient woodland. The new plan will also free up capacity for additional local stopping services.
Proposals for the area east of Bamford station include a new section of track running alongside the existing railway between the station and Jaggers Lane in Hathersage. At Dore, the railway line between West View Lane and Dore West Junction will be extended and a new platform constructed with a footbridge and lifts at Dore & Totley Station.

A Transport and Works Act Order from the Secretary of State for Transport will be required to build the new sections of track. It is anticipated that an application will be submitted in summer 2015 following a period of consultation and, subject to consent, work is due to complete by the end of 2018.

====================================================================

GOV.UK
Industry and government join forces to launch new vision for UK rail supply chain
Industry and government have come together to set the strategic vision for the strengthening of the UK’s rail supply chain
Industry and government have today (21 January 2015) come together to set the strategic vision for the strengthening of the UK’s rail supply chain.
At an event hosted by Business Secretary Vince Cable, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Terence Watson, President of Alstom UK, the Rail Supply Group (RSG) presented a vision statement outlining how it will meet the demands of tomorrow’s railways, create more jobs and boost UK exports.
The vision statement also confirms that over the coming months the RSG will develop an Industrial Strategy for the rail supply chain with a clear implementation plan.
Speaking at the launch, Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

Britain’s valuable train supply chain is renowned for excellence in an array of disciplines from train design to signal solutions. We are committed to keeping the industry on track as a global leader which is why we are creating a unique partnership through the Rail Supply Group.

The group will work together to future proof this valuable sector through a long-term Rail Supply Chain Industrial Strategy - creating more jobs and ensuring the UK can capture a share of the global rail market, worth £150 billion per year.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

We are investing record amounts in the UK’s rail network, and other countries around the world are following in our footsteps. This is a massive opportunity for British rail suppliers to capitalise on this investment and win new business at home and abroad.

The Rail Supply Group has a vital role to play in supporting these companies, ensuring they deliver a lasting legacy of long-term economic growth.

Co-chaired by the Business Secretary, Transport Secretary and Terence Watson, President of Alstom UK, the Rail Supply Group brings together private sector representatives from across the rail industry with government.
The group is seeking to help British manufacturers take full advantage of the anticipated growth in domestic and international rail. Over £38 billion is being spent in 2014 to 2019 to maintain and improve the UK rail network in the biggest modernisation programme for over a century and projects such as Crossrail supporting 55,000 jobs and creating more than 400 apprenticeships along the supply chain.
Meanwhile the world’s rail supply market is expected to grow by 2.7% per annum over the next 6 years, presenting a wealth of exporting opportunities for UK suppliers.
The Rail Supply Group Vision Statement sets out an ambitious view of the future where, by 2025, the industry will:

more than double export volumes
attract the very best UK talent to create a sustainable skills base and to develop new technologies
harness the energy, drive and innovation of SMEs to meet the needs of the global railway market
be a global leader in High Speed Rail
have an entrepreneurial supply chain that constantly innovates to meet customer needs, from urban to intercity networks

Terence Watson President, Alstom UK said:

All of the UK’s industrial companies should be watching the rail sector closely. There are opportunities for growth not only for established players, but for digital, manufacturing, engineering and service companies of all sizes and from all industries. We need the best of the UK’s talented, innovative and entrepreneurial people to help us create a truly world class rail supply industry - and to make the UK a global leader in rail again.

The RSG announcement is a further example of government support for the rail supply industry, such as the ‘Accelerating Innovation in Rail’ collaboration between rail companies and Innovate UK. Two competitive rounds have awarded £12.2 million of funding to date to 27 projects worth £22.2 million to the industry, with a further £6 million available from March 2015 in the third round of competition. This funding is awarded to businesses innovating in technologies which can address future challenges and customer needs in UK and international rail markets, laying the tracks for long-term growth.

International
Canada
Canadian National Railway Is An Efficient Company That Enjoys Long-Term Prospects.(Seeking Alpha)

China
Inter-city Bullet Trains to Stop Operation.( CRIENGLISH.com)

Bohai Sea underground rail project gets nod from NDRC (WantChinaTimes)

Europe
European Railway Award
Lord Andrew Adonis and Alexander Neumeister receive the European Railway Award 2015(CER & UNIFE).

The European Railway Award 2015 was presented today to Lord Andrew Adonis, former Secretary of State for Transport in the UK (2009-2010), and to industrial designer Alexander Neumeister. Since 2007 the European rail sector has celebrated and recognised personalities in the political and technical field. The ceremony, which took place at the Musées Royaux D’Art et Histoire in Brussels, was followed by the joint CER-UNIFE Annual Reception and attracted more than 500 guests from all over Europe, including high-level politicians and transport stakeholders.

Keynote speaker of the gala evening was the recently appointed European Commissioner for transport, Violeta Bulc, who congratulated the winners and reflected on her work as Transport Commissioner to improve rail transport, remarking, “Rail is an essential part of my vision of transport for next five years. The adoption of the Fourth Railway Package is my main priority for that sector. It should finally ensure stability of the regulatory framework as there will not be any ‘Fifth Railway Package’ if the fourth one as adopted by Council and European Parliament is sufficiently ambitious.”

Latvia´s Minister of Transport Andrijs Matīss presented the plans of the Latvian Presidency for the next six months. He highlighted: “Rail transportation and, in particular, rail freight services […] play a vital role in Latvian economy. We, therefore, strongly believe that the railway sector has a crucial role to play in ensuring the competitiveness and growth of the Union.”

Representing the European Parliament, MEP Michael Cramer (Greens/EFA, DE), Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, addressed the work of his Committee on rail transport under his leadership and commented: “The European Railway Award puts the spotlight on the most environmentally-friendly mode of transport. It shows that we should not be shy in communicating how attractive, comfortable and sustainable travelling by train can be!”

CER Chairman and CEO of ÖBB Christian Kern commented: "We need new and forward-thinking railway policies for the next four years. A way forward means investments in infrastructure, pushing the Technical Pillar of the Fourth Railway Package, reducing costs and increasing the quality of customer services. And we need the European railway sector as a major backbone of European growth and jobs: the 2.3 million employees and 142 Billion Euro - a 1.1% contribution to the European Gross Domestic Product – speak for themselves.”

UNIFE Chairman and President of Bombardier Transportation, Lutz Bertling, congratulated the laureates and took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of the Technical Pillar of the Fourth Railway Package, stating that, “it will lead to more efficient and less costly authorisation procedures, providing railway operators and European citizens with new vehicles in a quicker and more predictable manner. It is the cornerstone of the Single European Railway Area and it will help create the strong home market that the European rail industry needs to maintain its world leadership.”

As UK Secretary of State for Transport, Political Award winner Lord Andrew Adonis spearheaded the plan for High Speed 2, the proposed high-speed railway line from London to Birmingham and the north of England—which was adopted and by the British Government in 2010. He was also a key leader in promoting the electrification of railways throughout the UK. Under his leadership in the Ministry for Transport, the British rail system has improved extensively as a result of his many initiatives in high speed and mainline electrification. Moreover, he played a key role in the development of the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering.

Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility Division, gave the laudatory speech for Lord Andrew Adonis. When accepting the award, Lord Adonis commented: “Policy on high speed rail in the UK has been revolutionised in the last five years, drawing on the success of high-speed rail in continental Europe and Asia. HS2 and HS3 are set to become the biggest infrastructure projects in Europe and their impact is driving positive assessments of high-speed rail more widely across Europe, Asia and the United States. I’m delighted and privileged to have played a part in bringing about this fundamental change, which will also help to create far more effective, trans-European transport networks built around state-of-the-art rail systems.”

The laureate for the Technical Award 2015, Alexander Neumeister, is one of the most renowned industrial designers worldwide. Some of his famous designs include the German ICE-3 high-speed trains, the MagLev trains ‘Transrapid’, the Japanese ‘Shinkansen 500 Nozomi’, the German DMU trains ‘Talent’ and ‘Desiro’ or the C1 and C2 train-generations of the Munich subway.

The laudatory speech for Alexander Neumeister was given by Pablo Vázquez Vega, President of Renfe Operadora. When accepting his award, Alexander Neumeister remarked, “For nearly 45 years I have been designing trains! And still today, I see no other means of transport - be it private-cars, buses or airplanes, which combine so many positive factors - so many ‘unique points of sale’ - so to say.”

Each award is accompanied by a donation of €10.000 to the charity of the laureate’s choice. Lord Andrew Adonis gave the prize money to Teach First, and Alexander Neumeister gave his to the Mia Foundation.

Eurotunnel - Press Release.

22 January 2015

Eurotunnel Group 2014 Traffic and Revenue

2014 revenue growth +7%^{1 to €1.207 billion}

Channel Tunnel Fixed Link Concession  Eurotunnel Shuttles: further revenue growth (+7%)  High speed trains: continued increase in traffic (+3%)  Rail freight: a major increase in tonnage (+21%)

Europorte: continued development with an increase in revenues of 8% to €66.5 million

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Eurotunnel SE, stated: "Eurotunnel has had a record year in 2014, with a strong growth in all areas of its business. The year of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel has been dynamic: Eurotunnel continues to invest to maintain its leadership".

1 All comparisons with 2013 revenues are at a constant exchange rate of £1 = €.258

Germany
KB Holding makes Vossloh takeover bid - Railway Gazette

Ireland

The Seat Sale continues with excellent value one way fares available online from just €14.99

No hidden fees or charges just relaxed fares like

Dublin to or from: -

Cork

Limerick

Galway

Sligo

Mayo

from just €14.99

Book online today at www.irishrail.ie

India
'We are looking at monorail, high-speed and Metro projects' (Hindu Business Line)

Alain Flausch: Falling oil prices give chance to review fuel subsidy, tax policies.(UITP)

►REVENUES: FULL YEAR In million euros	2014 un audited	2013 recalculated*	Change 2014/2013	2013 published**
Eurotunnel Shuttles Railway Network Other revenues	526.7 305.3 15.2	491.4 297.4 13.3	+7% +3% +14%	477.0 289.3 12.9
Sub-total Fixed Link	847.2	802.1	+6%	779.2
Europorte	266.5	246.2	+8%	238.5
MyFerryLink	93.0	74.3	+25%	74.3
Revenue	1,206.7	1,122.6	+7%	1,092.0

USA
www.progressiverailroading.com.

UP broke three financial records in Q4, four in 2014

CP shattered operating ratio record in Q4

Shuster: 'Common ground' exists on infrastructure legislation

Gov. Cuomo proposes 'AirTrain' to LaGuardia

AAR: U.S. rail traffic registered mixed results in year's second week

San Francisco MTA to expand Muni rail service

CTA retires last of 2400-series rail cars

ACE to dedicate Los Angeles-area grade separation

US HSR

TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY, CLIMATE

As transportation and energy debates heat up in Washington, one of the most important pieces
ever to be published in the leading DC political insider paper The Hill, outlined the incredibly
important choice before us - to go forward or backwards... investing in yesterday's outdated
technology, or 21st century high speed rail.

"Last week, we saw two big announcements from California: the start of construction on the
first high-speed rail project in the U.S. and a new goal for renewable energy - 50 percent by 2030.

At the same time, Republicans continue their obsession with approving the Keystone XL pipeline.
Among their spurious reasons for making it a top priority are the 42,000 jobs it will create, a number
many people take issue with.

While around 2,000 direct jobs are expected during the brief construction period - even if all the
indirect jobs add up to their number - that's nothing compared to the 100,000 California's
high-speed rail will create, sustained over the 14 years it takes to build the network.

Then there's the other big job creator: the rise of renewable energy in our country. With
California on track to reach 33 percent renewable energy by 2020, a cap-and-trade system that
prices carbon, and strong incentives for cleaner transportation, Gov. Jerry Brown (D-Calif.)
announced that it's time to establish the next set of objectives in his fourth inaugural address.

By the end of this year, 500,000 people in California will be employed by the booming clean
energy industry - more than those in the TV and film, semiconductor and aerospace industries,
according to the Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE) - in areas like solar and wind, energy
efficiency and electric vehicles. This is the largest advanced energy workforce in the country and
the growth can be directly attributed to the state's leading policies.

"The AEE Institute's report is further proof that California's economy is thriving - not in spite of
our climate change goals but because of them," says Kish Rajan, director of the Governor's
Office of Business and Economic Development.

Yet Republicans push all this aside. Unless they happen to be governing states like Iowa that are
benefiting too much from wind energy to drop it, their sole interest is in more fossil fuels at a
time when most of our country wants to break that addiction. They can't even bring themselves
to acknowledge the reality of climate change, holding the U.S. back from the greatest job creator
of all, the next industrial revolution - one that prioritizes clean air and clean water; restores forests,
prairies and wetlands; and reverses global warming.

They would rather have endless fracking, dangerous deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and
the Arctic, and tar sands - all delivered through trains with the potential for accidents or pipelines
built by companies with histories of costly ruptures. And they put all of their energy into fighting
regulations that would make any of that safer, such as controlling methane emissions from fracking
or keeping it out of our treasured public lands, set aside as last bastions for wildlife.

While Republicans focus on the cost of high-speed rail, every advanced nation has invested in it.
In Europe, a new line runs on solar energy and China is moving on it full speed ahead. "California's
population is expected to grow [60 percent] over the next 40 years. Investing in a green job creating
high-speed rail network is less expensive and more practical than paying for all the expansions to
already congested highways and airports that would be necessary to accommodate the state's projected
population boom," notes Ray LaHood, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. More

Other Railway Press & Events
www.railway-technology.com.

UK Government joins with industry to strengthen rail supply chain
The UK Government has joined with supply industry firms and train operators to
develop the strategic vision to strengthen the country's rail supply chain.
UK's Network Rail to install collision protection beams on railway bridge in Stoke
UK's rail infrastructure operator Network Rail is set to install collision protection
beams on a railway bridge on Stoke Road to reduce the risk of damage during
accidents.
Finland to replace existing GSM-R network with VIRVE radio system on trains
Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications is planning to replace the current
GSM-R network radio system for rail transport with its own VIRVE network.
Leighton-led JV receives $760m contract from Hong Kong's MTR Corporation
A joint venture between Australia's Leighton and China State Construction Engineering
has secured a A$929m ($760.52m) contract from metro operator MTR Corporation for
works on the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) in Hong Kong.

Think Railways

Sofia’s underground operator issues EUR 214 m tender to purchase new metro trains

Sofia underground operator, Metropolitan has issued a BGN 420 million (EUR 214 million) tender for the

purchase of 20 metro trains to be used on the 3rd Metro Line, with an option to a further 10 units

( BGN 140 million / EUR 71.5 million). More

EUR 5 million EU financing for the overhaul of Yerevan metro system

Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Armenia and the EU Delegation to Armenia held a ceremony

on the launch of eight EU – Armenia Financing Agreements, intended to assist development and reforms in

Armenia. The new actions entail an EU contribution of € 77.5 million (44 billion AMD). Two large infrastructure

initiatives have also been agreed. More

Alstom to provide pro bono installation of passenger information systems on Metrorex’s Bombardier metro cars

Alstom will provide pro bono installation of 216 passenger information systems on Metrorex’s Bombardier BM2

metro cars. The project is estimated at EUR 800,000 and financing will be provided only by Alstom. More

Romanian consortium in the tender for Budapest metro cars modernisation

Romanian companies Electroputere VFU – Reloc Craiova, part of Grampet Group, and Astra Passenger

Coaches (Arad) are participating in the EUR 205 million tender launched by Budapest Transport Company (BKV)

to modernise 222 metro cars, with an option of further 42 cars. More

Infrastructure

Construction of Belgrade-Budapest railway line to start in September

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed in Davos, Switzerland,

about the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest railway line and agreed on deadlines for the project. More

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana signs three contracts for the construction of new high – speed lines

Italian rail infrastructure manager, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and the consortia CEPAV Due, IRICAV Due e

COCIV have signed three contracts for Brescia – Verona, Verona – Vicenza and Terzo Valico new high speed lines. More

2nd UITP MENA Assembly & Morocco Seminar

Public Transport Financial & Economic Governance

16-17 Feb 2015 - Casablanca, Morocco

UITP MENA will have their 6^th UITP MENA Assembly along-with Public Transport Financial & Economic Governance Seminar on 16th & 17th of February 2015. It will be the first historical event in Morocco and you are cordially invited to witness the same. While the assembly will update the members with UITP MENA's past two years achievements and future plans, the Seminar with focus on the challenges and experiences of Morocco, Iran and GCC.

Eurotransport

In our latest free-to-view Vehicle Design Supplement, Mike Weston from TfL gives details about bus sensor technology trials in London; Richard McClean from DB Regio Tyne & Wear explains the Metro’s massive refurbishment programme; and Yannis Vardakastanis from the EDF outlines the importance of vehicle design for persons with disabilities...

UK & International Railway News Wednesday 21st January 2015

2015-01-21T09:43:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Another Tube strike ballot....and no weekend trains from London to Norwich to facilitate essential engineering work...but will it overrun? Network Rail remind travellers to check in advance..
Also, NR have a couple of videos on YouTube featuring senior roles for women ....
Indonesia cancels a high speed rail project, whilst China plans a 100km underwater high speed link in the next 5 year plan.....
And sad news..Bob Symes, doyen of many modelling programmes..and a series for the BBC on heritage lines...has passed away...

Click on the links....

Headlines

Commuters face new Tube strike threat in row over driver who 'failed alcohol breath test' (London Evening Standard)

Transport Committee to publish investing in the railway report on 23rd January 2015.(Parliament.UK)

No Norwich to London weekend trains for two months.(BBC News)

Fare's fair: does UK rail offer value for money?(railway-technology.com)

Video: Transport Secretary 'can't promise weekend work will not over run'.(Essex County Standard)

London Bridge: Small errors snowball to create political headache.(BBC News)

Woman hurt after being hit by train near Penarth.(BBC News)

'Kiss and ride' sign erected at Preston train station.(BBC News)

Union backs campaign to save Wrexham to Birmingham rail service(Daily Post)

UK plans world-class railway supply industry - Railway Gazette

Network Rail

Manchester Victoria station’s Metrolink stop to reopen in February
Network Rail will restore services to Manchester Victoria’s Metrolink stop next month after completing work to build new platforms and tracks.

The tram stop upgrade is part of the redevelopment of Manchester Victoria station which is being delivered as part of a £1bn+ investment in the railway in the north west of England.

The redesigned and expanded Metrolink stop will ultimately allow more frequent tram services to run through the iconic city centre station as well as providing better links with the national rail network.

Network Rail will complete the work between Saturday 14 February and Saturday 21 February which involve changes to tram services through the station.

Details of the specific changes will be provided by Metrolink and TfGM at stops and online at www.tfgm.com and www.metrolink.co.uk.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “The completion of and reopening of the tram stop at Manchester Victoria is a milestone in the redevelopment of the station. To allow us to complete the work, there will be changes to tram services between 14 and 21 February and we apologise for that.

“However the result will ultimately be a better tram service with better connections to the railway as part of the stunning new Manchester Victoria station.”

Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink director, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back on-board at Victoria as the station’s wider redevelopment enters its final stages.

“We’ve been working closely with Network Rail to ensure this important stop reopens as soon as possible because, although there will still be a lot of construction activity in the station when that happens, it will restore key services and connections for passengers.

“There will be changes to services in the run up to the re-opening – during the traditionally quieter half-term period – and we’ll be publicising these as widely as possible.

“With such a major programme of improvements across the Metrolink system at the moment, we’re grateful for people’s patience and this is reflected in the decision to freeze Metrolink fares this year.”

The Metrolink network as a whole is benefiting from a £1.5 billion investment in new lines, new trams and stop improvements, and Manchester Victoria is a key part of the network-wide upgrade.

The Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop works and associated enhancements are being funded by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund and European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.

Manchester Victoria (Network Rail Picture)

Passengers reminded to check before they travel as work to improve the railway between London and Norwich continues
Essential improvements to provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers between London and Norwich will take place over eight weekends from the end of January to the middle of March affecting services at Colchester, Witham, Chelmsford and Marks Tey.

Upgrades worth £15m will start on the weekend of Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1 and continues for eight weekends until Sunday March 22nd.
Abellio Greater Anglia will run a planned bus service for passengers to keep people moving on the affected sections of the line as the vital upgrades takes place.

Network Rail route managing director, Richard Schofield, said: “This investment is absolutely vital to help us deliver a better service for passengers. We know that people want to travel by train and not a bus, but the line from London Liverpool Street to Norwich carries a huge amount of traffic and desperately needs this boost.
“The project will deliver a more consistent and reliable service for passengers who travel on this line. We would like to thank passengers in advance for bearing with us over these weekends as it will mean some changes to their travel plans.”

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Abellio Greater Anglia said: "Although there is never a good time for such engineering works, this investment by Network Rail will help in our joint objective to deliver more consistent train service performance on our mainline. We will be doing all we can to minimise inconvenience to passengers during the course of these works. In addition to Network Rail's investment in the infrastructure, we are also investing over £30m in the current short franchise to improve customer service, train cleaning and rolling stock, including £9m in the project now underway to upgrade our intercity Mark III carriages."

Work will be carried out at the following locations:

Colchester: Engineers are returning to Colchester for the second part of this project, which will see more than two kilometres of track installed on this stretch of the route. The current track is more than 30 years old at both Colchester and Witham

Witham: Network Rail is installing new track and points at Witham. Points allow trains to move from one part of the track to another.

Chelmsford: Engineers continue to upgrade the overhead lines to improve reliability along the Great Eastern Main Line.

Marks Tey: Network Rail is installing new points at Marks Tey, which allows trains to travel from the main line to Sudbury.

In 2015, there are currently no plans for any major disruptive engineering work on the main line out of Liverpool Street to Norwich beyond May to the end of the year that would require a bus replacement service during weekends on both days.

On January 3,Network Rail started to upgrade the track between London Liverpool Street and Norwich. It is currently renewing the track foundations between Norwich and Stowmarket as part of an overall investment of £170m on this line in 2015.

Train travelling on the Great Eastern Main Line(Network Rail Photograph)

The importance of motivating a team and how (Network Rail on YouTube)

The Head of Business Operations describes the most important skill required for her roll and discusses the importance of motivating her team and how she does this.

Business Analyst - Why there are fewer women in the IT industry

Senior Business Analysts voices her opinion on why there are fewer women in the IT industry than men and discusses what motivates her.

International
Africa
Railways Africa.
FATAL WASHINGTON DC METRO FIRE
KISS FOR A LADY FROM SPAIN
MINISTER EMPHASISES SKILLS SHORTAGE
LOCO FROM SPAIN HEADS STELLENBOSCH SPECIAL
NO COMPENSATION FOR METRORAIL DELAYS
UMGENI STEAM RAILWAY
THAT WATER IN THE GAUTRAIN TUNNELS
SIGNALS CONTRACT IN EGYPT
MOROCCO TGV MAINTENANCE DEAL

Canada

High speed train proposed between Portland and Vancouver (CBC.ca)

China

New undersea railway.(China Economic Net)

An undersea railway, linking Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning Province with Yantai in East China's Shandong Province, with a total length of over 100 kms, is proposed for the 2016-2020 period.

Egypt

Egypt’s rail and metro projects..(Future Rail)

The top 10 rail and metro projects being developed in Egypt such as the Ain Shams - 10th of Ramadan Railway Project, the development of the high speed railway, reconstruction of the Egyptian National Railways, and much more.

Indonesia

Jokowi's Administration Cancelled Jakarta-Surabaya High-Speed Train Project

Global Indonesian Voices (GIVnews.com)

USA

www.progressiverailroading.com

Obama emphasizes 'bipartisan infrastructure' plan in SOTU address

Canadian Pacific names Marsh senior VP of sales and marketing

Metro-North to continue rebuilding efforts in 2015, Giulietti says

Minnesota DOT releases final scoping document for proposed 'Zip Rail'

LIRR to focus on improving on-time performance, fleet reliability

Progressive Railroading is searching for 'Rising Stars'

Hedlund joins Parsons Brinckerhoff as director of public-private partnerships

Rail supplier news from Vossloh, Oldcastle, RailComm and ProTran (Jan. 21)

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com

Bombardier selects AEG to supply equipments for DB's electric locomotives
Netherlands' AEG Power Solutions has received an order from Bombardier Transportation to provide onboard battery chargers, inverters and DC/DC converters for Deutsche Bahn (DB) electric locomotives.

Leighton-led JV receives $760m contract from Hong Kong's MTR Corporation
A joint venture between Australia's Leighton and China State Construction Engineering has secured a A$929m ($760.52m) contract from metro operator MTR Corporation for works on the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) in Hong Kong.
New international railway postal service from China to Russia launched
Russian Railways has launched a new international postal delivery service for the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Post (FSUE), which will allow packages to be delivered by rail from China to Russia.
ABB to provide traction converters for Stadler Rail's trains
Power and automation technologies provider ABB has secured orders worth $40m from Swiss firm Stadler Rail for train projects in Europe and the US.

SmartRail World

Latest news and features from SmartRail World

FEATURE: Which is most expensive metro network in the world?

NEWS: Ground broken on pioneering USA high-speed rail project.

NEWS: BNSF confirms $1.5 billion investment to increase capacity and expand PTC.

NEWS: Token gestures soon to be over in Philadelphia as Smartcard arrives.

NEWS: CBTC goes live in India with Hyderabad Metro test run.

NEWS: Mega merger ahead as China’s CNR + CSR = CRRC Corporation.

FEATURE: 9 innovations that are shaping the future of your railway station.

NEWS: Irish Rail boosted as passenger numbers grow and apprentices return.

FEATURE: What were the most read rail stories of 2014?

NEWS: Nigerian railway modernization presses ahead despite challenges.

NEWS: Privately funded passenger Wi-Fi launches across Moscow Metro.

Thanks for reading!

Regards, Luke Upton (Editor, SmartRail World).

UK & International Railway News Tuesday 20th January 2015

2015-01-20T11:12:00.002+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

An interesting perspective on the recent overrunning engineering works offered by a former railway worker .. and the continuing challenge for London Bridge station and its users.
Two items from Network Rail..one highlighting a problem bridge in Stoke, and the other relating to advance notice of engineering works on the London to Norwich line.
GOV.UK releases a couple of news items relating to the 400th apprentice on the Crossrail project, and improving safety for women on public transportation....
Plus another high speed link in China...in the western corridor.... and Eversholt Rail is acquired by a Chinese consortium......
Click on the links for the full stories..

Headlines
UK
Rail chaos will happen again unless we fix the system.(The Telegraph)
A former railway employee's insight......

London Bridge part-closure timetable 'not working well'.(BBC News)

Eurostar Trains Halted By Fire Outside Paris (Sky News)

Rail company faces delays 'pressure'.(BBC News)

Video:Hitachi training carriage arrives at Port of Tyne.(Shields Gazette)

Li Ka-shing to acquire Eversholt Rail (FT.com)

Network Rail
Collision protection beams to be installed on railway bridge in Stoke
Network Rail is to install collision protection beams on a railway bridge on Stoke Road to reduce the risk of damage if the bridge is hit by vehicles.

The bridge has a history of incidents where drivers have failed to observe the height restriction and driven their vehicle into the structure.

While damage is often minimal, the beams will provide additional protection to the bridge, reducing the risk of structural damage and potential disruption to rail services.

To install the beams Stoke Road will be closed to traffic from 8am on Sunday 1 February until 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 March and work will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

There will be overnight work on Saturday 21 February from 10pm until 6am on Sunday 22 February, and again between the same hours the following weekend (28 and 29 February).

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “These beams will provide protection to a bridge which has a history of being struck by vehicles whose drivers do not observe the height restriction warning signs that are clearly visible on the structure and on the approach to it.

“We have tried to balance disruption to traffic and disturbance to our neighbours by carrying out the majority of the work during the day in the safest and quickest possible way. There are two weekends where overnight work is essential and we will be writing to neighbours to alert them to this.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this essential work which is necessary to protect the structure as part of our commitment to provide a safe and reliable railway.”

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times apart from the overnight work on 21 and 28 February. A diversion has been agreed with the local authority and will be clearly signposted.

For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 08457 11414108457 114141.

Stoke Road bridge, Stoke, where collision protection beams will be installed.
(Network Rail Photograph.)

Work to improve the railway between London and Norwich continues
Upgrades will start on the weekend of Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1 and continues for eight weekends until Sunday March 22nd.

Greater Anglia train at Colchester Station(Network Rail Photograph)

Essential improvements to provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers between London and Norwich will take place over eight weekends from the end of January to the middle of March affecting services at Colchester, Witham, Chelmsford and Marks Tey.

Alternative service

Abellio Greater Anglia will run a planned bus service for passengers to keep people moving on the affected sections of the line as the vital upgrades takes place.

"This investment is absolutely vital to help us deliver a better service for passengers. We know that people want to travel by train and not a bus, but the line from London Liverpool Street to Norwich carries a huge amount of traffic and desperately needs this boost.

"We would like to thank passengers in advance for bearing with us over these weekends as it will mean some changes to their travel plans."

Richard Schofield, route managing director, Network Rail

Locations of improvements

Work will be carried out at the following locations:
Colchester: Engineers are returning to Colchester for the second part of this project, which will see more than two kilometres of track installed on this stretch of the route. The current track is more than 30 years old at both Colchester and Witham.
Witham: We are installing new track and points at Witham. Points allow trains to move from one part of the track to another.
Chelmsford: Engineers continue to upgrade the overhead lines to improve reliability along the Great Eastern Main Line.
Marks Tey: We are installing new points at Marks Tey, which allows trains to travel from the main line to Sudbury.

Check before you travel

For more information please visit National Rail Enquries.=================================================================

Creating jobs in the transport industry (DfT on YouTube)

Watch this short video to see how transport investment is delivering thousands of jobs and better networks.
Find out more about the work of the Department for Transport by visiting www.gov.uk/dft

GOV.UK
Transport Secretary congratulates 400th Crossrail apprentice
Transport Secretary highlights importance of apprenticeship schemes to the UK.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin today (19 January 2015) visited Crossrail’s Bond Street site to congratulate the 400th apprentice appointed to work on the project.
Crossrail will transform rail travel across London and beyond. As well as increasing the capacity of the capital’s transport network, it supports economic regeneration and cuts journey times for the 200 million passengers who are expected to use the service every year.

Crossrail has committed to creating at least 400 apprenticeships over the lifetime of the project and has achieved this milestone ahead of schedule with the appointment of Fatima Alghali, 23, today.

Patrick McLoughlin (Secretary of State for Transport) with Terry Morgan (Crossrail Chairman) and Fatima Alghali (Crossrail Apprentice). (GOV.UK Photograph)

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport said:

Crossrail is the biggest construction project in Europe and shows UK engineering at its best. I am delighted it has created so many opportunities for young people in civil engineering and construction.

This government is investing significant amounts in the country’s infrastructure. As we start work on other major projects like HS2 and the Thames Tideway, apprenticeship programmes that ensure young people have the right skills to build our long-term economic future are vital.

Apprenticeships are at the heart of the government’s drive to equip people of all ages with the skills employers need, giving them a chance to reach their potential and achieve a successful career. The government has fulfilled its commitment to starting 2 million apprenticeships in this Parliament.
As part of this drive, construction is well underway on the multi-million pound national training academy funded by the government to serve as a hub for skills development in rail engineering.
Around 2 in 5 of Crossrail apprenticeships have been filled by people that were previously not in work. They have been trained in a range of professions from construction to accountancy, quantity surveying to business administration.
Terry Morgan, Crossrail Chairman said:

In 2009 Crossrail made a commitment to reinvigorate the UK’s tunnelling and construction skills base with new talent. I’m delighted that we have achieved this major milestone but we will not stop there, and will continue to create new apprenticeships as the project evolves.

As a former apprentice I have seen first hand how beneficial apprenticeships are for both individuals and employers. Crossrail’s approach to skills training is a model that can be adopted across the industry to help deliver the infrastructure projects of the future.

Crossrail will run over 100 kilometres from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will call at 40 Crossrail stations including 10 new ones:

Paddington
Bond Street
Tottenham Court Road
Farringdon
Liverpool Street
Whitechapel
Canary Wharf
Custom House
Woolwich
Abbey Wood

When it opens in 2018, it will bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London, linking them to key employment, leisure and business districts.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transport Minister vows to improve safety for women on transport
Claire Perry showed her commitment to increase safety for women on public transport at a seminar.
Transport Minister Claire Perry today (20 January 2015) showed her commitment to increase safety for women on public transport at a ground-breaking event bringing together more than 60 delegates from women’s charities, campaigning groups and grassroots organisations.

Claire Perry (GOV.UK Photograph)

Speaking at the Women’s Safety on Transport seminar, Claire Perry said:

Investment in transport is at the heart of the government’s long-term economic plan, and that includes making it safe for everyone to use.

I am determined to do everything I can to make transport safer for women. That’s why my department, along with British Transport Police (BTP), has funded a research project to find out what measures work on the ground, both here in the UK and internationally. I also know there is more we can do, which is why I want to hear directly from the many groups represented at today’s event.

The research by Middlesex University and commissioned by the Department for Transport and BTP is looking at the effectiveness of common approaches like CCTV, increased police presence, lighting, and panic buttons and phones in reducing unwanted sexual behaviours on public transport.
The findings will be launched in a seminar later in the spring to transport organisations, women’s groups, policy makers, researchers and police officers.
The Department for Transport makes personal safety considerations a part of all future rail franchise awards, and is working closely with BTP and rail operators to explore different partnership approaches to tackle violence and sexual offences across the network.
Claire Perry praised the progress made by Project Guardian, a partnership between Transport for London, BTP, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police that aims to increase the reporting rate of sexual offences on London’s transport systems by 20%.
The Women’s Safety on Transport seminar is part of the women’s engagement programme run by the Government Equalities Office. The programme aims to bring women from all parts of the community to share views and debate on a wide range of issues, from violence against women and girls to gender pay gap.
The UK is a signatory of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action that was signed 20 years ago and which committed the government to a programme of action to end gender inequality.

International
China
Stakes raised for government takeover of Taiwan's high-speed rail (WantChinaTimes)

High-speed rail corridor in west China to link north with south (ecns)

Planes, trains and automobiles - the Chinese way (FT.com)

India
For the Third Constitutive Day Fog Delays Over 50 Trains in Delhi

(The New Indian Express)

USA

US-Mexico International Railway Nears Completion (Nearshore Americas)

www.progressiverailroading.com.

CP enters joint venture with DREAM Unlimited to develop surplus real estate

Genesee Valley Transportation lines report double-digit carload growth in 2014

FRA publishes highway-rail crossing inventory reporting rule

VTA set to begin tunnel construction for BART extension in San Jose

California high-speed authority forum to focus on rail-delivery contract

Toronto transit agencies launch fare pilot project

HART collects additional tax revenue for Honolulu rail project, considers cost concerns

CURE names Warner to serve as interim executive director

Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com.

ABB to provide traction converters for Stadler Rail's trains
Power and automation technologies provider ABB has secured orders worth $40m from Swiss firm Stadler Rail for train projects in Europe and the US.
BNSF announces investment details to boost rail network in 2015
US freight transportation company BNSF Railway has announced investment details about major rail projects that will be undertaken this year in the south, north and central regions to boost its network.
Alstom to deliver signalling equipment for Egyptian Railway
Alstom has secured a €100m contract from Egyptian National Railways (ENR) to deliver signalling equipment for the Beni Suef-Asyut line in Egypt.
TSA receives orders from MTU Friedrichshafen and Turkey's Bozankaya
Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA) has secured an order from Turkish car-builder Bozankaya to deliver 120 traction motors.

UK & International Railway News Monday 19th January 2015

2015-01-19T09:26:00.002+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Safety features came into their own following smoke detected in the Channel Tunnel at the weekend, though still disruption to traffic and passnegers, with complete reopening and resumption of services not yet achieved..perhaps by tomorrow...

HS2 compensation packages announced...though not universally approved...
And there is opposition to high speed railway in Italy ..
And India considers fresh sources of funding for the railways...

Plus, take a look at the latest "The Rail Engineer " edition app....

Click on the links...

Headlines
UK
Eurotunnel at 50% following lorry fire.(Lloyd's Loading List)

Channel Tunnel: Eurostar resumes after disruption.(BBC News)

Fresh Eurostar misery as six trains are cancelled due to power fault a day after fire.(London Evening Standard)

Government unveils HS2 compensation package.(Insider Media)

MPs opposing HS2 call for taxpayers referendum.(Birmingham Post)

Review of infrastructure funding recommended to help meet climate change targets, finds Committee - See more at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/

East Coast travellers in line for airmiles under new franchise.(herald scotland)

Rail price rises add heat to valley’s transport debate.(Todmorden News)

International
Australia
Investigation: RO-2014-020 - Derailment of train 735 near Colebrook, Tasmania on 9 November 2014(atsb.gov.au)

China
What's wrong with high speed rail? (China Post)

India
ET GBS: Railways must look to new institutions for funding, says Minister Suresh Prabhu.(Economic Times)

Fog delays 60 trains in Delhi.(The Hindu)

Italy

Activists rally against high-speed train plans in Italy (RT)

USA

BNSF confirms $1.5 billion investment to increase capacity and expand PTC. (SmartRail World)

www.progressiverailroading.com.

Sound Transit receives $1.33 billion TIFIA loan for light-rail expansion

NTSB preliminary report of WMATA smoke incident focuses on 'severe electrical arcing'

Secure Rail to debut next month

BNSF Logistics helps develop universal fixture for wind-turbine blade movements

American Rock Salt to extend rail siding at New York plant

Crossing upgrades on tap in Ohio, Washington

Caltrain launches final 'Freedom Train' run

North Shore Railroad's Shields to attend White House forum on veteran hiring

VRE board elects 2015 officers

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com.

TSA receives orders from MTU Friedrichshafen and Turkey's Bozankaya
Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA) has secured an order from Turkish car-builder Bozankaya to deliver 120 traction motors. USDOT grants $1.33bn loan for East Link Light Rail Extension Project
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has granted a $1.33bn loan to Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for construction of the East Link Light Rail Extension Project in Seattle.
UK TfL appoints four consulting groups for Crossrail 2 project
The UK's Transport for London (TfL) has appointed four consulting groups to develop detailed plans for the proposed £20bn Crossrail 2 project.
Eurotunnel orders three new freight shuttles from Waggonbau Niesky
Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel has placed a €40m order with WBN Waggonbau Niesky to deliver three new freight shuttles.

UK & International Railway News Sunday 18th January 2015

2015-01-18T08:36:00.001+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

The weekend's news features the Channel Tunnel fire.....
A scrap metal database.... building on the reduction in cable theft crime...
A look ahead to the rest of the month's railtours...
And The Railway Chronicle's exchange with Mark Carne, Network Rail CEO...

Read on...or click on the links...

Headlines
UK
Channel Tunnel train services resume after fire.(BBC News)

Channel Tunnel closure: Eurostar services set to resume.(BBC News)

West Midlands pilot for scrap metal database.(BBC News)

Mark Carne, Network Rail CEO in discussion with The Railway Chronicle

This has been a difficult week for Network Rail. Following the overrunning engineering which resulted in severe congestion issues at London Kings Cross, London Paddington and Finsbury Park, Network Rail's CEO Mark Carne and Operations Director Robin Gisby were invited to appear before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, and explain the "farce"..(Chair's opening comment)

The session is viewable on Parliament TV.....

So, The Railway Chronicle very much appreciates the time that Mark Carne has taken to answer some questions posed by Peter S Lewis for The Railway Chronicle.....

Mark Carne Network Rail Chief Executive

(Network Rail Picture)

Q1: The last year has been a trying one for the network... Dawlish, flooding, the current situation.. Something of a baptism of fire!! So, what have you found to be a factor in maintaining a positive outlook?

A1: Two things spring immediately to mind, the people and the challenge. When I joined in February last year the network was under siege by some of the worst weather the country had seen for over 200yrs. Very heavy rain had flooded the Somerset levels and caused over 400 land slips across the country. We had dozens of sites where our railway resembled lakes and rivers and of course a huge storm in the south west had breached the sea wall at Dawlish and washed away some 60m of railway, cutting off the rail connection to Cornwall. But in traveling around the country, visiting many of these locations, time and time again I found dedicated, committed, professionals working tirelessly and innovatively to fix the railway and get services up and running again as quickly as possible. I saw the very best of our people and that has given me tremendous confidence that we will be able to deliver what is required of us - our huge challenge.

In less than 20yrs passenger numbers using our railway has doubled. We're carrying 1.2m more people a week today than just 12 months ago and this demand and growth is tremendous. What business doesn't want to see it customer base grow! But this success does present massive challenges as our old and constrained network tries to cope with record numbers of trains and people and congestion is having a very noticeable impact on train performance. Improving underlying train performance is our first challenge.

Our second challenge is to improve, grow and expand our railway to respond to this unprecedented demand. We are in the midst of the biggest sustained investment programme since Victorian times. £25bn will be invested in improving our railway in the five years to 2019 in removing bottlenecks on the network, adding more capacity, delivering better, faster more frequent services and hugely improved stations.

But things do sometimes go wrong, as we saw at King's Cross and Paddington on December 27(2014), and these events have a very severe impact on passengers. Over the festive period we had almost 2,500 possessions. 99% of these were handed back on time or early with only two (Kings Cross & Paddington) causing significant passenger disruption. I completely understand that our track record here is of no consolation to those caught up in the upheaval we caused. We have investigated those incidents thoroughly and publicly issued our findings and the full report on January 12, which can be found on our website. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt, but we cannot afford to be diverted from our task of improving Britain’s railways

Q2.Punctuality is an issue over which the popular (and unpopular!) press regularly challenge and criticize Network Rail....What particular strategy has NR in place to cope with this? And how much does this cost NR in terms of compensation to the TOCs?

A2: Performance varies across the country and it is therefore important that each of our operational routes and their partner train operator(s) have their own specific improvement plan targeted on the issues most relevant to them. However, it is also true that there are common themes that span the industry. These themes should be a consistent 'rallying cry' used by industry leaders to explain what we are doing and to give passengers, employees and the general public confidence that we know what the issues are and are addressing them head-on!

There are five core strategies that we, as an industry, are adopting to improve performance;

1. Increase asset reliability (fixed and rolling stock)
2. Eliminate temporary speed restrictions
3. Increase weather resilience
4. Improve operation to the timetable, and improve the timetables themselves
5. Reduce the impact of reactionary delay.

Q3. Another issue seems to be overcrowding, particularly at peak times. This is a TOC problem. How easy/difficult is it for the TOCs to just add a carriage or two to a train? Presumably there is some protocol involving Network Rail? On a related matter, what can be done to safeguard the public on crowded platforms? ( A case reported today of a woman falling in front of an arriving train....)Is there a case for barriers at the platform edge in notorious places?

A3. At peak times, our railway in many places is full. Every piece of rolling stock is in use. Over the last 20 years we have seen passenger numbers double to 1.6bn per year. In the last year alone we have seen growth of 1.2m people more using the railway per week. We have a full, congested and constrained network with the current train fleet (almost 13,000 carriages) which is why we have the huge investment programme we have to improve and expand the network which includes thousands of brand new train carriages

Q4. Network Rail has a safety vision... everyone getting home safely.(Amey have a video outlining a near miss on one of their level crossing work sites last year.) What are your feelings about level crossings in general?

A4. It would be ideal if there were none. If we were building our railway today from scratch we would design it without any level crossings as we have done with HS1 and as we are doing with HS2. Any interface between train and people and vehicles creates inherent risk and our job is try to reduce that risk to a low as is reasonably practicable. Over the last five years we’ve reduced the risk at levels by 25% mainly through closing over 800 level crossings. By 2019 our target is to reduce risk by a further 25% through closure and a programme of safety enhancements

Q5. Network Rail have had many projects come to completion on time.... so the current situation is unfortunate...Without pre-empting tomorrow's appearance(before the Transport Select Committee), what factors didn't help?

A5. See report HERE

Extract from Mark Carne's introduction to the 36 page report by Dr Francis Paonessa,Managing Director Infrastructure Projects, Network Rail...

The report describes a number of improvements that must be made. I would highlight three that deserve special prominence.

1. Improve the effectiveness of our project and operational contingency plans so that we put minimising passenger disruption at the very heart of our planning.

2. Improve our management of the performance of critical contractors and, in the case of one specific contractor, do a better job of working with them to improve their signalling commissioning process.

3. Work with industry colleagues to improve service recovery and to provide better information to passengers.

Q6.What are your hopes for the current year, let alone the current Control Period

A6. My priorities are very clear:

1. Improve the underlying performance of the network and its 24,000 daily services

2. Improve our railway through the successful delivery of our huge £25bn investment programme

3. Reduce the cost of running our railway. We have been set a target of a 20% saving by 2019, on top of the almost 40% reduction we’ve delivered since 2004

4. Plan for the future – develop robust long-terms plans for radically increasing the capacity of our network through the use of digital technology.

The Railway Chronicle wishes to place on record its thanks for this interview.

We wish Mark Carne and Network Rail well for the coming months and years as various projects come to completion...Thameslink, Crossrail... and as others start.. HS2?

===================================================================

Mainline Steam Schedule
Railway Herald - Railtours

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.

Sunday 18th January 2015

BLS Merseyrail 750v Tracker (Branch Line Society)

Merseyrail Class 507/508 EMU Hooton (pu) - Rock Ferry - James Street (pu) - Stock Interchange Stabling Sidings - James Street - Birkenhead North - West Kirby - Bidston East Junction - Birkenhead North Depot Washer Road - Birkenhead North Back Road - New Brighton - Bidston East Junction - Birkenhead North - Hamilton Square -James Street - Liverpool Central - Liverpool Central Reversing Siding - Liverpool Central - Kirkdale Depot Washer Line - Aintree - Aintree Signal 1206 - Aintree - Kirkdale Depot North Run Round Line - Sandhills Reversing Siding - Southport - Southport Signal 112 - Southport Wall Siding - Southport Signal 112 - Southport - Southport Sidings No. 10 - Southport -Southport Signal 112 - Birkdale Siding No. 3 - Hall Road Signal 1055 - Hall Road Wallside Siding - Liverpool Central - Liverpool South Parkway (sd) - Liverpool Central - Stock interchange Line - James Street (sd) - Hamilton Square - Rock Ferry - Hooton

Friday 23rd January 2015

Belmond British Pullman Luncheon Train (Belmond (British Pullman))

35028 London Victoria (pu) - Staines - Woking - Guildford - Shalford - Reigate - Redhill - East Croydon - London Victoria

Saturday 24th January 2015

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

5690 and 45407 Manchester Victoria (pu) - Bolton (pu) - Preston (pu) - Shap - Carlisle

5690 and 45407 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) - Bolton (sd) - Manchester Victoria

Additional Tour Information

2/1: 45407 replaces 45699

Added 18:09 on Friday 2nd January 2015

Friday 30th January 2015

The English Bulldog (re-dated To 9 May 2015) (UK Railtours)

tbc London Waterloo (pu) - Clapham Junction (pu) - Staines (pu) - Virginia Water - Reading - Oxford - Evesham - Worcester Shrub Hill

tbc Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Cheltenham Spa - Stroud - Sapperton - Kemble - Swindon - Reading (sd) - Virginia Water - Staines (sd) - Clapham Junction (sd) - London Waterloo

Postponed

Saturday 31st January 2015

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

86259 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (by service train to Rugby) - Rugby - Nuneaton - Crewe (pu)

46233 Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay - Preston - Carnforth - Shap - Carlisle

46233 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) (for Preston) - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe (sd)

86259 Crewe - Nuneaton (sd) - Rugby (sd) - (Northampton by service train from Rugby) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

International

Bangladesh

Railway revenue sees Tk 22 lakh cut a day (The Daily Star)

India

Konkan Railway site to turn showroom for traditional products (Times of India)

Photographs courtesy: Konkan Railway

Govt has no intention to privatise Railway & Coal India: Fin Min.(Day & Night News)

The Railway Chronicle. Feature Article: Punctuality..keeping the trains moving in all weathers....with GBRf & Network Rail at Tonbridge

2015-01-17T20:51:00.000+00:00

Running the railway on a daily basis is a challenging affair.... and keeping trains to time is one such challenge...

Why is punctuality important? And how is this accomplished in the south east, for example?

The following feature provides some answers....

Punctuality….keeping the trains moving in all weathers…

“Time is money”… although the origins of this saying are various, the truthfulness of the expression is certainly felt on the railways, especially in relation to the need for punctuality, for there is no greater annoyance for the travelling passenger than to be waiting on the platform, and seeing the announcement… “delayed “.

In the UK, the financial incentive to keep trains to time is also keenly felt by both the Train Operating Companies, and Network Rail, which owns and is responsible for the track upon which the trains run.

So, what is done on a day to day basis to keep interruptions to services at a minimum, particularly through the autumn and winter periods? How is the track kept in good order to facilitate optimum running? What benefits are accrued to the travelling public?

Firstly, how is punctuality, in this particular scenario, defined?

The “Public performance measure” is that percentage of franchised operator trains that arrive ‘on time’at their destination (that is within 10 minutes of scheduled arrival time for long distance, and five minutes for regional, London & South East and Scotland).

For 2014, the actual percentage was 90.0% compared with a target of 92.0%.

For freight operations… that arrive ‘on time’at their destination (10 minutes for all operators). 74.8% actual as compared with a target of 74.9%.

Relevant background information

In a letter from Norman Baker MP, then PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT he states, regarding “Schedule 8” that “The purpose of the compensation regime in the Track Access Agreements is to incentivise Network Rail and the train operator to achieve an acceptable level of performance, and for Network Rail to compensate the operator if performance drops below an acceptable level. Payments under this regime are also designed to compensate for the effect of delays on an operator’s future business which, if unaddressed, could ultimately have an impact on public finances.”

The formulae for working out the compensation is not simple…phrases such as “Lateness Multipliers” (also called “delay multipliers”), which reflect the value put on one minute of average lateness relative to one minute of timetabled journey time; and “GJT elasticities”, which measure the sensitivity of rail demand to changes in Generalised Journey Time (GJT) are found in the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook (PDFH)

On its own website, for example, Southeastern Trains notes as follows “ The effects of autumn and winter create numerous challenges for train operators across the UK, and have a significant impact on our performance.Despite our best efforts to keep the tracks clear, leaves on the line can cause traction problems and affect the speed our trains can run. Our timetable changes in Autumn to allow some early morning services to start earlier, ensuring our drivers can drive safely in the challenging conditions.

Train services south of London are also vulnerable to snow and icy conditions as we use a third conductor rail to draw power and move our trains, as opposed to overhead power lines available in other areas of the UK.

The past few years have seen our network suffer more than most from seasonal changes; causing more delays to your journey.

Together with Network Rail, we continue to work to prepare the track, trains and teams for the seasonal challenges.”

A look at recent “Punctuality” figures issued by the UK rail regulator ..the Office of Rail Regulation(ORR) ,Southeastern’s punctuality is running at a moving annual average of 87.5%.

Safety Critical

So, given the above, and the need to avoid paying out vast sums of money in compensation (either by Network Rail and/or the Train Operating Companies), especially in the light of the annual furore over rail fare increases..it is in everyone’s interests to do all that can be done to keep the trains running to time in all weathers…safely.

The Southeastern’s website previously referred to spoke of the challenges of the autumn/winter period… “leaves on the line” is an expected annual phenomenon affecting the tracks….left untreated, the tracks would be covered by a film of mulch (rather like unseen black ice on the roads in winter) that would be hazardous to trains at signal stops, station platform stops, and traction generally. Similarly ice would create the same difficulties, with the added problem of freezing points..and in the south east..ice on the third rail carrying the electric current to power the trains.

The Solution

In the last year, Network Rail, in conjunction with Keltbray Rail and GB Railfreight(GBRf) ,have been involved in a project based at Tonbridge to address these foregoing issues in the Southeastern franchise area (i.e.Kent and Sussex)..the provision of RHTTs (Rail Head Treatment Trains) and SITTs (Snow and Ice Treatment Trains)

Tonbridge Station viewed from the yard.

SITT (coupled to Class 66) and RHTT (blue tanks) in background- at Tonbridge.

Meet The Project Team

The Project team provide background information to the project, and their specific roles.

Left to right:

Martin Creighton (Project Manager - Keltbray)

Keltbray Rail (www.keltbrayrail.com)- a privately owned company., and the UK’s leading specialist engineering , construction, decommissioning and environmental services business – developed the site at Tonbridge.

Ben Thear (Production Manager, GB Railfreight)

Operations Manager at Tonbridge covering Tonbridge, Hoo Junction & Eastleigh depots.

Responsible for driver training.Depending on previous experience, passenger drivers to freight driver conversion is around 3 months. To train up a new driver from scratch takes around 9 - 12 months.

Ben Thear at the controls of 73212

Mark Wyborn (Seasonal Contracts Manager – GB Railfreight)

Works closely with NR and the TOC's to deliver what is required. 2 sets (1 for Kent and 1 for Sussex) go out every day, leaving Tonbridge at 0605, on working timetable circuits… The other 4 sets go out as required by Network Rail,which in practicality this year has meant every day. Sufficient drivers are on standby to cover requested trains (RHTTs finished on 21/12/14)Now SITTs are undergoing testing…..These trains are used to de-ice the 3^rd rail- the conductor rail.

A SITT ..Snow & Ice Treatment Train

Paul Taylor (Business Manager – GB Railfreight)

6 Trains are sent out daily, with 2 spare sets on standby. For 3 weeks in the year when there is snow and ice it’s a case of all hands to the pumps. Last year, though, it was more about wind , rain and flooding, so locos were sent out on line proving before the first trains of the day, checking for debris, fallen trees and flooding etc.

When setting up the operation priorities as to likely challenging areas were established resulting in appropriate route knowledge maps and then training the 30 drivers in an intensive route learning programme through last summer. Extra drivers would be brought in from Southampton as needed.

It is an intensive operation for a few months….the rostered drivers are prepared for this situation, realizing that they would have more time off in the summer months. This enables Network Rail to have more track possession for maintenance work overnight in the summer, which can’t always be done in the winter.

Adam Doy (Regional Business Manager, NSC – Network Rail)

My involvement in the project was essentially as the client. My day to day work during autumn is essentially the link between Network Rail and the supplier (in this case GB Railfreight) providing the specification for the treatment programme and then managing the contract once everything is up and running. The part of Network Rail (National Supply Chain) I work for designed and built the new RHTT sets in York and essentially provides the logistical support for autumn running.

This involved requesting from GBRf the particular number of RHTTs and SITTs needed on a daily basis and then working out the train paths and working with GBRf to ensure that they were sighted on the plan in sufficient time to ensure they had drivers with the required route knowledge, etc

The RHTTs were used in conjunction with the MPVs operated by another supplier (Balfour Beatty) to operate on a daily pattern. To this end we had 2 RHTTs working on booked circuits and 5 MPVs operating on other circuits. We would then utilise 4 RHTTs in a 'work as required' mode to pinpoint reported trouble spots of low adhesion.

Luis Cabecinha (Project Manager, SE Works Delivery – Network Rail)

Integrated the project management team of the Works Delivery organization that installed the new roads for the RHTT, the tank and all the other works (slabs, lighting columns, water and electrical supply, etc).It was a particularly fast scheme - from design to the final commissioning, roughly 9 months

Bobby Hannah (Project Manager, SE Works Delivery – Network Rail)

The lead project manager for the scheme on behalf of the Network Rail South East Route Works Delivery team,who were responsible for the upgrade works to the yard, delivering the new track work in-house and appointing Keltbray Rail Ltd, (with whom NR worked in partnership on the scheme) who were responsible for the civils and electrical elements of the work.

Tonbridge West Yard..Before and After

(C) Courtesy Robert Hannah

The Operation

The whole operation is something of a “war of attrition”! There has been excessive wheel wear on the locomotives and wagons…all have been on wheel lathes in the last 3 weeks!.. and as if to really make the point there was on display a specially left uncleaned locomotive..or two!!

A very dirty Class 66…..No 66720

…..and very dirty tanks……deliberately left unclean on one side for the occasion!

In theory there is sufficient treatment carried for 2 days work out of each load in the tanks….but these are always topped up overnight…So, each load contains 85,000 litres…And the biggest circuit is 290 miles..which uses 70,000 litres

An RHTT train, showing the 5 x 17,000 litre tanks, headed by 73212

The trains carry out the cleaning at 60mph, and the treatment is jetted onto the track head at 1,500 psi….enough power to damage the rail head if left operating when stationary!

Prepared for all weather….

Snow plough and Conductor rail ice remover.

This project..a collaboration involving Network Rail, Keltbray Rail…and GB Railfreight.. will no doubt play its part through the challenging winter months to ensure that, as far as is humanly possible, all trains will run “ On Time”

The Railway Chronicle would like to extend thanks to James Clark (Westbourne), Amanda Kenny(Keltbray Rail) and the project team at Tonbridge, with special thanks to Paul Taylor (GBRf) without whose help this article would not have been possible. Thank you.

(C) Peter S Lewis (The Railway Chronicle)

UK & International Railway News Saturday 17th January 2015

2015-01-17T09:08:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis
Railway technology moves on, so while some nations debate its suitability( Morocco), others ponder choices with existing networks,(France) and still others haven't yet got around to starting their high speed projects (UK), Elon Musk shows his enthusiasm for the next generation of rail travel (The Hyperloop) by committing to building a Hyperloop test track!

Click on the links for the full details...

Headlines
UK
Read The Railway Chronicle's interview with Mark Carne, Network Rail CEO... (previous post)

'Batteries included': East Anglia leading a railway revolution with self-charging train

(The Independent)

The wrong kind of train, or the wrong approach? (The Independent)

Severe Winter weather conditions forecast for the rest of January (Rail.co.uk)

Toy trains from the past 200 years.(BBC News)

Avonmouth station demolition plan fought by campaigners.(BBC News)

'Berlin Wall across Suffolk' fears over level crossing closures.(BBC News)

HS2: More cash for homeowners living near rail line.(BBC News)

Rail link bid for Aberystwyth and Carmarthen outlined at meeting.(BBC News)

International
France
France faces tough choices over future of TGV (IRJ)

Morocco
Morocco: Country questions high-speed rail line (ANSAmed)

USA

Elon Musk commits to building a Hyperloop transport system test track .(The Guardian)

Other Railway Press
Raildate
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Events
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.

16/01/15- London Model Engineering Exhibition
18/01/14 Great Hall, Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY
1000-1700 (Fri, Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://www.londonmodelengineering.co.uk

17/01/15- East Lancashire Railway: Winter Gala 18/01/14
http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

19/01/15 Newbury and District Transport Group The Community Space, Kennet School, Stoney Lane, Thatcham, RG19 4LL 1915 for a prompt 1930 start 21st anniversary of first meeting "The Claverton Pumping Station, its History and Renovation" by George Eycott Plus extra events and special guests Non-members welcome Admission and car parking free, but donations towards expenses welcome19/01/15 RCTS, Weston Flavell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Weston Flavell, NN3 3EP“Railways Remembered - LMS (WCML)” a film show by Rob Foxon Starts 140020/01/15 RCTS Cheltenham Victory Club, Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham GL50 2SY "A Pot Pourri from Six Decades" by David Walker Starts at 1930 Non-members are very welcome - a donation of £3.50 is requested
http://www.rcts.org.uk/branches/cheltenham/events.htm

23/01/15 Oxford House Industrial History Society (Risca) Risca Colliers Institute, Oxford House Adult Ed Centre, Grove Road, Risca, NP11 6GN "Crumlin Viaduct and TVR Extension" by Keith Sankey 1900 for 1915, meetings finish by 2130 Friends and visitors welcome: admission £2
http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk

25/01/15 Gauge 0 Guild: Bristol show UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre, Filton Road, Bristol, BS34 8QZ 1000-1600
http://www.gauge0guild.com/events/events.aspx

30/01/15 Oxford House Industrial History Society (Risca) Risca Colliers Institute, Oxford House Adult Ed Centre, Grove Road, Risca, NP11 6GN Artefacts night - bring something interesting 1900 for 1915, meetings finish by 2130 Friends and visitors welcome: admission £2http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk

31/01/15 Town Hall, Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AD“Railways Remembered - GWR” a film show by Rob Foxon Starts 1430 Tickets: £7.50, Child: £5.0002/02/15 Hampshire Industrial Archaeology Society The Underhill Centre, St John's Road, Hedge End, SO30 4AF“What's in the Pantry?” by Jenny Carter Starts at 1945
http://www.hias.org.uk/

02/02/15 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery Street, Sheffield, S3 8GG“The Matlock Cable Tramway” by Glynn Waite Starts at 1930 For a requested £3 donation on the door, all welcome
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch
Courtesy: Howard Sprenger,Raildate

The Railway Chronicle - Special Supplement. Saturday 17th January 2015

2015-01-16T22:57:00.002+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

The session is viewable on Parliament TV.....

So, The Railway Chronicle very much appreciates the time that Mark Carne has taken to answer some questions posed by Peter S Lewis for The Railway Chronicle.....

Mark Carne Network Rail Chief Executive

(Network Rail Picture)

A5. See report HERE

Extract from Mark Carne's introduction to the 36 page report by Dr Francis Paonessa,Managing Director Infrastructure Projects, Network Rail...

The report describes a number of improvements that must be made. I would highlight three that deserve special prominence.

1. Improve the effectiveness of our project and operational contingency plans so that we put minimising passenger disruption at the very heart of our planning.

3. Work with industry colleagues to improve service recovery and to provide better information to passengers.

Q6.What are your hopes for the current year, let alone the current Control Period

A6. My priorities are very clear:

1. Improve the underlying performance of the network and its 24,000 daily services

2. Improve our railway through the successful delivery of our huge £25bn investment programme

3. Reduce the cost of running our railway. We have been set a target of a 20% saving by 2019, on top of the almost 40% reduction we’ve delivered since 2004

4. Plan for the future – develop robust long-terms plans for radically increasing the capacity of our network through the use of digital technology.

The Railway Chronicle wishes to place on record its thanks for this interview.

We wish Mark Carne and Network Rail well for the coming months and years as various projects come to completion...Thameslink, Crossrail... and as others start.. HS2?

===================================================================

UK & International Railway News Friday 16th January 2015

2015-01-16T09:12:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Firstly Network Rail faces the music..( today issues an apology regarding London Bridge works).....and now HS2 is experiencing some discomfort, given MPs think the scheme will not give value for money....
And don't mention the forgotten north..(according to some, that is)
Fair fares come under scrutiny on Southern's trains....the devil is in the ticketing details, it seems.
Meanwhile, across the pond, and right across the USA, California gets excited after the ground breaking ceremony effectively started the construction of the California high speed railway.

Click on the links....

Headlines
UK
HS2 value for money questioned by MPs.(BBC News)

MPs doubt high speed rail scheme will give value for money (Financial Times)

North East forgotten about as Ministers planned high speed rail scheme (The Journal)

UK rail fares aren't just overpriced – they're confusing and unfair, too(CityMetric)

Train company accused of rip-off smart card ticket prices despite fairness pledge.(The Telegraph)

Rudyard Lake Steam Railway in Staffordshire for sale.(BBC News)

Government slammed over ‘piecemeal’ commitment to Yorkshire rail.(The Yorkshire Post)

Stagecoach beat East Coast rivals on quality.(Passenger Transport)

Network Rail

Network Rail apologises to passengers and tackles reliability problem at London Bridge

Network Rail Picture

Network Rail has apologised to passengers after equipment on the railway near London Bridge has proved unreliable and caused delays this week.

The equipment, which includes a set of points at a junction east of London Bridge station near New Cross Gate, has not provided the reliability expected and engineers are tackling the problem.

Thameslink programme director Simon Blanchflower said: "Passengers and operators expect equipment to work reliably and so do we. We realise the quality of the service we have offered around London Bridge has not been good enough this week and we are doing everything we can to get to the root of the problems.

"We have already undertaken a great deal of work on site and we have identified the key equipment that needs to be tackled.

"The Thameslink Programme is a huge undertaking that will bring a big improvement to travel through London Bridge, but in the meantime we are working hard to improve the services people are relying on today."

Views sought on railway crossings from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough

People from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough will have the opportunity to give their views on how railway crossing safety can be improved in their area by attending public consultation events on January 21 and 28.

The railway between Princes Risborough, Aylesbury and Bletchley will be upgraded and reconstructed as part of the East West Rail scheme and this includes the level crossings in Stoke Mandeville, Great and Little Kimble, Monks Risborough and Princes Risborough.

As part of this work Network Rail is undertaking a study which will look at how to improve safety at these crossings.
Charles Hurst, Network Rail’s project manager for East West Rail, said: “Safety on and around the railway is a top priority for us. The East West Rail project will open up many new journey opportunities, but we want to make sure that the reinstated sections of railway are safe for everyone to use, which is why we are undertaking this study.
“So far, we have discussed our initial proposals with the local authority, landowners and ramblers, but we are keen to hear the wider community’s views. This event gives us the chance to share our initial plans with residents and invite them to give us the benefit of their local knowledge and experience.”
Details of the public consultation event are as follows:
For railway crossings at Aylesbury and Stoke Mandeville
Date: Wednesday 21 January
Time: Drop-in anytime between 5.00 and 8.00pm
Location: Stoke Mandeville Stadium, The Lodge, Rooms 3 & 4, StokeMandeville, Aylesbury HP21 9PP
For railway crossings at Little Kimble, Great Kimble, Monks Risborough and Princes Risborough
Date: Wednesday 28 January
Time: Drop in anytime between 4.30 and 7.30pm
Location: St Mary's Church Hall, Church St, Princes Risborough, HP27 9AW

Notes:

The East West Rail project plans to reintroduce passenger and freight services between Bedford and Oxford, and between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. It will connect the Great Western, West Coast and Midland main lines, creating many new journey opportunities, reducing journey times and avoiding the need to travel via London.

The work involves re-constructing and upgrading disused and underused sections of track and signalling between Bletchley and Claydon junctions and upgrading other sections of the line.
For more information about East West Rail, visit www.networkrail.co.uk/east-west-rail or www.eastwestrail.org.uk

Crossrail
Crossrail submits plans for improvements to Goodmayes station
Crossrail has submitted proposals for improvements to Goodmayes station for approval.
The proposed improvements, which will be delivered by Network Rail, have been submitted to the London Borough of Redbridge and include:

Three new lifts to provide step free access to all platforms
Platform extensions to ensure that the station can accommodate the new, 200m long Crossrail trains
New platform lighting

In addition to these upgrades, Crossrail has been working with Redbridge Council on proposals for improvements to the area around the station.

From 31 May 2015, Transport for London (TfL) will begin operating the existing rolling stock between Shenfield in Essex and Liverpool Street. In 2017, new Crossrail rolling stock will be introduced on the line. In 2019, when the Crossrail route fully opens, passengers will be able to travel right through central London without having to change trains.

From 2019, the journey from Goodmayes to Bond Street will take 29 minutes and passengers will be able to reach Heathrow in 57 minutes.

Matthew White, Surface Director at Crossrail said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in Redbridge – better stations, new trains and quicker journeys. Passengers will be able to travel right through central London without having to change trains, making it quicker and easier for them to get to a whole range of destinations across London and the South East.”

Councillor Helen Coomb, Redbridge Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration said: “The planned improvements to Goodmayes station are welcomed and if approved should, together with the eventual introduction of Crossrail services and new state of the art trains, transform the experience of local commuters. The improvements will make travel safer and more attractive for our residents, businesses and visitors to Redbridge, including disabled passengers and others with reduced mobility.”

When TfL takes over the Shenfield to Liverpool Street services in May 2015, there will be staff at every station at all times that trains are running, better accessibility provision, full integration with TfL customer information channels and with TfL fares and ticketing.

TfL will also put in place a phased programme of deep cleaning and painting the stations and introducing help points, CCTV, gate lines and better lighting and customer information. Ahead of the new Crossrail trains being introduced TfL will clean up the existing trains and refresh them inside and out within six months of taking over the services.

===================================================================

Rail Accident Investigation Branch

Near-miss involving construction workers at Heathrow Tunnel Junction, west London, 28 December 2014

RAIB is investigating an incident in which a train almost struck two construction workers, and collided with a small trolley, on the Up Airport line between Heathrow Airport Tunnel and the Stockley Flyover.

The incident occurred at about 10:05 hrs on Sunday 28 December 2014 and involved train 1Y40, the 09:48 hrs service from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to London Paddington. The track workers jumped clear just before the approaching train struck a small engineering trolley that they had been placing on the line. The train, formed by a Class 332 electric multiple unit, was travelling at approximately 36 mph (58 km/h) when it struck the trolley.

The two track workers were among a large number of people carrying out construction work on the approach to a new bridge that had been recently constructed adjacent to the existing Stockley Flyover. This new structure, which carries a new railway track over the mainline from London Paddington to Reading, was built as part of the Crossrail surface works being undertaken by Network Rail.

To enable this work to take place, parts of the operational railway in and around the construction site had been closed for varying periods during the few days before the incident. The two construction workers were unaware that the Up Airport line had returned to operational use a few hours before they started to place the trolley onto this line. They formed part of an eight person workgroup which included a Controller of Site Safety (COSS). The COSS and other group members were not with the two track workers at the time of the incident. The presence of temporary fencing, intended to provide a barrier between construction activities and the operational railway, did not prevent the two track workers accessing the open line.

Network Rail owned the infrastructure at the site of the accident and had employed Carillion Construction as the Principal Contractor for the construction works. The two track workers and the COSS were all employed by sub-contractors.

RAIB’s investigation will establish the sequence of events, examine how the work was planned, how the staff involved were being managed and the way in which railway safety rules are applied on large construction sites adjacent to the operational railway. It will also seek to understand the actions of the people involved, and factors that may have influenced their behaviour.

RAIB will also consider whether there is any overlap between this incident and the factors which resulted in an irregular dangerous occurrence at the same construction site on the previous day. This occurrence involved a gang of railway workers who walked along a line that was open to traffic, and without any form of protection, until other construction workers warned them that the line was open to traffic.

Our investigation is independent of any investigations by the safety authority or the police. We will publish its findings at the conclusion of the investigation. This report will be available on our website.

Parliament.uk

Lessons learned from major rail infrastructure programmes report published

The Department still lacks a clear strategic plan for the rail network according to the Public Accounts Committee's report, published on Friday 16 January 2015.

Report: Lessons learned from major rail infrastructure programmes

Report: Lessons learned from major rail infrastructure programmes (PDF 171KB)

Inquiry: Lessons learned from major rail infrastructure programmes

Public Accounts Committee

The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, today said:

"Investment in major rail infrastructure programmes takes a long time and costs a lot of money. It is therefore hugely important to ask the right questions and make properly informed judgements on priorities. Yet the Government takes decisions without a clear strategic plan.
For instance, the Government recently announced proposals for High Speed 3. It did not carry out an assessment of High Speed 3 before it gave the go-ahead to High Speed 2 and it therefore did not test whether improved connectivity in the North was a greater priority.
The Department has still to publish proposals for how Scotland will benefit from High Speed 2, including whether the route will be extended into Scotland.
The Department should set out a long term strategy covering the next 30 years for transport infrastructure in the UK, and use this strategy to inform decisions about investment priorities and specific investment decisions.
We are sceptical about whether the Department can deliver value for money for the taxpayer on High Speed 2. The overall funding envelope of £50 billion includes a generous contingency, and we are concerned that this will simply be used to mask cost overspends, rather than valid calls on contingency funds.
The contingency includes provision for likely inflation based on the Treasury’s guidance on the rates to apply, but construction costs can increase more quickly than general inflation.
Furthermore, David Higgins, the Chair of HS2 Limited, had said in announcing HS3 that he believed both HS2 and 3 could be built at the same time but the Department has not yet properly considered the impact of this on construction capacity, capability and costs.
Even though regional economic growth is one of the objectives of High Speed 2, from which businesses will presumably benefit, the Department considers measures to reduce the burden on the taxpayer, such as a supplement to business rates as happened with Crossrail, are not appropriate for High Speed 2.
The Department has a long way to go to prove that it is being more effective in realising benefits from major programmes.
The lessons from Ebbsfleet show that, without proper planning and active intervention, regeneration and the expected substantial economic benefits have not been delivered, despite High Speed 1 construction being completed seven years ago. The Government is only now putting in place an urban development corporation at Ebbsfleet to rectify this. We should not repeat these mistakes with HS2.
Finally, all too often extra costs, long delays and poor implementation result, in part, from a failure by the Department to invest enough people and money into supporting the infrastructure projects.
We are concerned that the Department is repeating the mistakes of the past with HS2 given the limited resources it is investing in supporting the project to secure regeneration benefits from this £50 billion programme."

Margaret Hodge was speaking as the Committee published its 28th Report of this Session which – on the basis of evidence from Philip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, David Prout, Director General, High Speed 2 Group, DfT and Clare Moriarty, Director General, Rail Executive, DfT – examined lessons from major rail infrastructure programmes.

The Department for Transport is responsible for a number of ambitious, expensive transport infrastructure programmes including the planned High Speed 2 programme. We are not convinced that these programmes are part of a clear strategic approach to investment in the rail network. In particular, recent proposals for a railway connecting cities in the north of England—a possible High Speed 3—suggest that the Department takes a piecemeal approach to its rail investment, rather than considering what would benefit the system as a whole and prioritising its investment accordingly. The Department told us it will deliver the full High Speed 2 programme within its overall funding envelope of £50 billion.

However, this funding includes a generous contingency and we are concerned that, without appropriate controls, it could be used to mask cost increases. When it comes to the wider regeneration benefits, insufficient planning meant that regeneration benefits in Ebbsfleet did not flow from High Speed 1 as expected. Although the Department told us that it has learned and is applying these lessons on High Speed 2, it needs to set out clearly who is responsible for ensuring that benefits are realised, and how that work will be coordinated.

Over the last 20 years the Department for Transport has overseen several large rail infrastructure programmes through which it aims to improve services to the public. We have reported on five such programmes over the last decade or so: the modernisation of the West Coast Mainline and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now known as High Speed 1), which are now complete; Crossrail and Thameslink which are under construction; and High Speed 2, which is being planned. The programmes are all expensive—costing between £3.6 billion for Thameslink and up to £50 billion for both phases of High Speed 2. They also take a long time to complete, with some taking nearly 30 years from planning to completion, and construction alone taking up to 10 years.

The Department has faced a number of issues during its sponsorship of these programmes, such as setting out a clear case for investment, planning effectively, and evaluating and realising programme benefits. The Department is currently looking at further rail infrastructure programmes, including possible routes linking cities in the north of England, currently referred to as High Speed 3, and Crossrail 2.

Conclusions and recommendations

The Department still lacks a clear strategic plan for the rail network, and it is unclear how the Department makes decisions about which programmes to prioritise for investment. The Department acknowledged that one project can have an impact on other projects and routes, so it follows that programmes should be considered together. However, it did not provide a clear explanation for why an assessment of a high speed rail line between cities in the north of England (so-called High Speed 3) was not carried out before High Speed 2, to test whether improving connectivity in the north was a greater priority. We are also concerned that the Department continues to have a narrow geographical focus. For example, the Department is still to publish proposals for how Scotland will benefit from High Speed 2, including whether the route will be extended into Scotland.

Recommendation: The Department should set out a long term strategy covering the next 30 years for transport infrastructure in the UK, and use this strategy to inform decisions about investment priorities.

We remain concerned about the Department’s ability to deliver on time and budget. On some past programmes, including modernisation of the West Coast Mainline and Thameslink, the Department has needed to extend timescales and alter its approach to bring programmes back on budget and schedule. We also saw academic research which showed that the cost of delivering a kilometre of railway in the UK is higher than in other countries, and the Department acknowledges that it may be possible to make faster progress and considerable savings by adopting construction techniques used overseas.

The Department acknowledges that good planning and preparation determine success on major programmes and there are some signs that this lesson is being applied. For example, the Department told us that it is applying the governance structures used on Crossrail to High Speed 2, including the separation of the Department’s role as sponsor from the delivery role of HS2 Limited. HS2 Limited is recruiting the people who will build the railway now, earlier than has been done on other programmes, and has appointed a Chief Executive for Construction from Network Rail. While we recognise the importance of good preparation, we note that the scale of expenditure on High Speed 2 before the High Speed Rail Bill has been passed is unusually large.

Recommendation: The Department should apply learning from its previous projects and from overseas to speed progress and improve value for money to all projects it sponsors, including High Speed 2.

We are sceptical about whether the Department can deliver value for money for the taxpayer on High Speed 2. The Department told us that it is confident that it will deliver phase one of High Speed 2 within its available funding of £21.4 billion. However, the Department has included a generous contingency within that amount to give it 95% certainty that it can deliver within the available funding. Value for money will depend not only on the programme coming in within its funding, but also on the use of contingency funds being properly controlled. The Department is less confident about current cost estimates for phase two of High Speed 2 because it is at an earlier stage of development. Nonetheless, it told us that it will complete the whole of High Speed 2 within the overall funding envelope of £50 billion. This is despite the complexity of the programme, and uncertainty around, for example, future construction inflation.

The Department and Transport for London used various means including a supplement to business rates in London to help pay for Crossrail. However, even though regional economic growth is one of the objectives of High Speed 2, from which businesses will presumably benefit, the Department considers that such measures to reduce the burden on the general taxpayer are not appropriate for High Speed 2.

Recommendation: The Department should set out how it will control use of contingency on High Speed 2 and other projects, to provide assurance that generous contingency funds will not be used to hide cost overruns.

There is a risk that industry does not have the capacity to deliver all current and proposed programmes. David Higgins, the Chair of HS2 Limited, has stated his belief that High Speed 2 and High Speed 3 can be built at the same time. The Department, however, told us that it would need to carry out further work to establish whether this was feasible. One of the challenges in delivering multiple programmes is whether there are the skills and capacity to do so both within government and industry. The Department is taking steps to increase its own capacity and capability to sponsor programmes, and it told us that the most acute skills shortage facing the rail industry is in signalling.

Recommendation: The Department should work with industry and with other departments responsible for major infrastructure programmes to understand gaps in industry capacity, and put in place plans to manage any gaps to ensure all programmes can be delivered on schedule and within budget.

The Department has a long way to go to prove that it is being more active in realising benefits from major programmes. There was insufficient planning for regeneration at Ebbsfleet in Kent, and the expected substantial economic benefits have not been delivered, despite High Speed 1 construction being completed seven years ago.

The Government is only now putting in place an urban development corporation at Ebbsfleet to rectify this. The Department told us that it has learnt and is applying this lesson on High Speed 2, and that it has accepted 18 of the 19 recommendations of Lord Deighton’s Growth Task Force for High Speed 2. The Department sees it as the role of local authorities to use their existing powers and budgets to plan for development around proposed High Speed 2 stations, although it told us that it is looking into establishing an organisation to work with local areas on this. However, we remain concerned about the scale of action and resources the Department is dedicating to secure regeneration benefits from this £50 billion programme.
Recommendation: The Department should set out who is responsible for ensuring that benefits are realised, and how that work will be coordinated.

International

Africa

Benin inaugurates railway station of sub-region railway.(xinhuanet)

Canada

Crude oil weakness won't stop the railroad boom, Credit Suisse says (Seeking Alpha)

Technical Pulse on Railroads Stocks - CSX Corp., Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, Canadian ...(MarketWatch)

China

China runs more trains to meet travel demand.(China Economic Net)

Mexico
Mexico reopens high-speed rail project for new bids (Town Hall)

USA

Costly high-speed rail not good for state or San Diego U-T (San Diego)

Sacramento rail car builder excited at prospect of high-speed rail (News10.net)

www.progressiverailroading.com.

BNSF breaks down planned track maintenance, capacity expansion projects for 2015

AAR: North American rail traffic was strong in 2015's first full week

Richards named Pennsylvania DOT's new chief

California agencies seek public input on emissions reduction grant program

CSX to start crossover construction project in North Carolina

CN, rail traffic controllers union reach tentative agreement

Rail supplier news from Koppers, Alstom, HNTB, Auto Truck and TranSystems (Jan. 16)

US HSR

HIGH SPEED RAIL HAS LAUNCHED!

Last week, more than 1,200 people gathered in Fresno, California along with Governor Jerry Brown, elected officials, business leaders, and a who's who of high-speed rail officials to formally kick off construction for the visionary fast rail project - one of the biggest transportation projects the country has ever seen.

"It was an amazing and inspiring event," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "This is history in the making - the day America began its revolutionary 21st century transportation system! Congratulations to all those who have worked to deliver this exciting project."

CA HSR Awards $1.4 Billion Contract

The California High-Speed Rail Authority board awarded a $1.36 billion contract for the design and construction of its second segment of rail line in the central San Joaquin Valley, a 65-mile stretch from American Avenue south of Fresno to the Tulare-Kern county line.

"This is big news!" said Joe Shelhorse, US High Speed Rail Association Vice President. "The multi-billion dollar contracts are now coming out as the project gets underway."

The consortium submitted the low bid of $1.2 billion for the rail segment. The team is comprised of Dragados USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spain's Grupo ACS and Dragados S.A.; Flatiron West Inc. of the Southern California city of San Marcos; and Shimmick Construction Co. of Oakland.

Dragados has 25 years of international high-speed rail experience including 41 different projects totaling more than 630 miles, according to the team's website. Flatiron and Shimmick have expertise on infrastructure projects in California.

Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick offered the lowest of three bids for the work, which engineers had forecast would cost between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The consortium also scored the highest in a state evaluation of its technical ability to perform the work.

"This is a big deal," said Jim Hartnett, the rail board's vice chairman. "This is not just symbolism in a groundbreaking. These are concrete steps to fulfill the vision of high-speed rail in California. ... As technical as some of the contract issues are, and as comprehensive as the process is for evaluating (the bids), we should not lose sight of the true significance of this." More

QUOTES FROM GROUNDBREAKING

"Today we make history," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo. "This Administration could not have asked for a more resolute partner than Governor Jerry Brown. Thanks to his visionary leadership, California will set the standard for high-speed rail in America."

"We've got a lot to be proud of today," said Governor Brown.

"This marks the transition from all the planning and appropriations and legal challenges and the design work to continuous construction," said Dan Richard, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. "Now we build. We are entering a period of sustained construction on the nation's first high-speed rail system for the next five years in the Central Valley, and in the decade beyond that we will be building across California," added Mr. Richard.

"This is the day we commemorate the beginning of the nation's first high-speed rail project that promises to connect Northern, Central and Southern California like never before," said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.

"Are we capable of making similar serious investments for future generations? The answer is not only yes we can, but yes we will," said U.S. Congressman Jim Costa.

Gina McCarthy, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said the all-electric trains, running on renewable energy, will take cars off highways and provide an effective alternative to flying on jet fuel, which pumps far more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

"High speed rail is good for our health, it is good for our climate and it is good for our economy," she said.

"The future is now, and it's in high speed rail!"

Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com
Eurotunnel orders three new freight shuttles from Waggonbau Niesky
Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel has placed a €40m order with WBN Waggonbau Niesky to deliver three new freight shuttles.
London's St Pancras station launches new retail and consumer interactive app
London's St Pancras International has become the UK's most digital-friendly train station with the launch of St.P, its own retail and consumer interactive app.
Indra to deliver €266m ticketing and access control technology for Saudi Arabia
ArRiyadh Development Authority (ADA) has selected technology firm Indra to provide ticketing and access control technology for the new public transportation system, which is currently under construction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
UK's first battery-powered train enters revenue service
Network Rail has launched UK's first battery-powered train, a modified Class 379 Electrostar known as an independently powered electric multiple unit (IPEMU), in timetabled service this week.

UK & International Railway News Thursday 15th January 2015

2015-01-15T09:05:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

As expected, the UK's Network Rail comes in for some flack from the press following Mark Carne and Robin Gisby's appearing before the Transport Select Committee to answer questions relating to the overrunning engineering works over the Christmas period which resulted in severe congestion issues at Finsbury Park...

And Network Rail and Southern issue a joint statement on performance related issues that they are addressing..
Japan continues to expand its high speed railway....Mexico reveals fresh bid terms for its high speed line..
And Rail Staff magazine takes a professional look at the key UK news stories....

Click on the links....

Headlines
UK
Network Rail defends Christmas chaos despite using ‘unsuitable’ station.(The Guardian)
Network Rail bosses blasted for Christmas travel 'farce' .....(Daily Mail)

Christmas rail disruption: Finsbury Park was 'unsuitable'(BBC News)

Network Rail bosses could get more than £100,000 in bonuses despite Christmas chaos.(The Telegraph)

Train travellers face another two years of chaos because of over-running projects.(Daily Mirror)

Chuka Umunna in Twitter row with rail bosses over 'consistently late' trains. (London Evening Standard)

Network Rail
Press Release
Joint statement on performance from Network Rail and Southern
Southern and Network Rail accept that performance on the Brighton Main Line and routes into London Bridge has not been good enough and we understand passengers' frustration when things go wrong.

Both companies are working hard together to improve reliability and investing heavily in improving the reliability of trains and infrastructure.

Network Rail's area director Steve Knight said: "Trains to Victoria and London Bridge travel over the most congested part of the whole of Britain's railway network and we are constantly pushing against the boundaries of what is physically possible on the infrastructure.
“We are striking a balance between running as many trains as we can when people want them - which is overwhelmingly in peak times - and improving punctuality. The sheer number of trains also means that knock-on delays are magnified: for example a delay of one minute to one train in peak times will quickly delay more than 25 other services.
"To make things better we are rebuilding the railway around Bermondsey and London Bridge, which will make a huge difference to reliability. While the work is going on we are operating with reduced capacity, but we are doing all we can to continue to run as many trains as possible."

David Scorey, Southern Deputy Managing Director said: “We understand our passengers’ frustration and apologise for the levels of performance they are currently experiencing.
“We and Network Rail are creating a joint improvement plan for the railway to improve the reliability of the infrastructure and are working on timetable improvements to certain trains in peak times - including around London Bridge.”
ENDS

******************************************************************************

Transport for London to review train fare hike.(This Is Local London)

Crossrail 2 recognised by business as top of London's list for next major infrastructure project - European Railway Review

pteg - The Voice of Urban Rail

Following on from the end of outgoing Chair’s David Brown two year term, TfGM Chief Executive, Dr Jon Lamonte is the new Chair of pteg.

pteg networks and represents the strategic transport bodies serving the six largest city regions outside London and is a wider professional network which includes London, Strathclyde, Bristol and the West of England, and Nottingham.

Dr Jon Lamonte said:

‘I am delighted to have this opportunity to Chair the group and to work with my colleagues from across the city regions to realise some of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for us in this new era of devolution to the city regions. There’s a firm consensus around the need for high quality, integrated urban public transport networks that can underpin the key role that our cities play in driving regional economies and promoting growth. This is now matched by an understanding of the need to improve the strategic links between our cities through initiatives around High Speed Rail, Rail North, Midlands Connect and Transport for the North. My colleagues and I are right at the heart of turning these concepts into reality through delivering investment programmes which encompass mass transit and heavy rail systems, smart and integrated ticketing, better bus services and supporting active travel. We are also playing a key role in emerging and wider strategic bodies to transform the links between the city regions. At the same time we are keenly aware the pressure that we are all under on funding, and through the pteg network we will continue to seek ways to reduce costs through co-commissioning, sharing expertise and through making an effective collective case for greater investment and support for urban transport.’

Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester

***************************************************
International
India
Railways starts first train that chugs on CNG.(Times of India)

Italy
Italy's Salini wins $720m high-speed rail contract (Global Construction Review)

Japan
Japan to accelerate Shinkansen extensions.(IRJ)

Mexico

Mexico reveals fresh bid terms for high-speed train (Shanghai Daily - subscription)

Spain
World's longest railway stalled in Madrid.(The Local.es)

USA
High-speed rail board OKs $1.36B contract for second phase (Visalia Times-Delta)
2000 rally against plan to put high-speed rail in Angeles forest (Los Angeles Times)

www.progressiverailroading.com

California, Indiana ports set volume records in 2014

The T names Baulsir VP of TEX Rail; Robinson leaves All Aboard Florida

'Substantial investments' help keep network fluid in Chicago area, CN's Mongeau says

NCDOT joins project to reduce train's environmental impact

Progressive Railroading is searching for 'Rising Stars'

Transportation Services Index tallied fifth-straight monthly gain in November

DART takes lead in new partnership to combat human trafficking

Taylor-DeJongh pact will help prompt short line acquisitions, Continental Rail says

Rail supplier updates from Northeast Maglev, Thales, Bentley, Plasser & Theurer, L.B. Foster and ZTR (Jan. 16)

Other Railway Press
Think Railways

EC identifies infrastructure development needs representing EUR 700 bn of financial investment until 2030

The European Commission has published nine studies on the state of play and the development needs of the TEN-T core network corridors. The studies have identified infrastructure development needs which represent approximately €700 billion of financial investment until 2030. More

European Commission adopts improved set of specifications for ERTMS

The European Commission adopted a Decision amending Commission Decision 2012/88/EU . These new technical requirements (Technical Specifications for Interoperability – TSI) will take effect upon notification to Member States and will be applicable as of July 2015 across the whole European railway network. More

Overview – Polish rolling stock manufacturers
Poland is a country with a rich railway tradition – the country’s economy is based on coal, which has practically always been traditionally delivered by rail. Accordingly, the number of companies producing or repairing rolling stock in Poland has always been many. They were all part of the state railway until 1989, but everything changed with the advent of the free market because companies needed to find ways to adapt to new market realities. Most did not succeed in doing this. More than a dozen companies that still exist today were mostly completely dependent on orders from national railway companies until recently. More

PKP Cargo announces tender for multi-system locomotives

Polish rail freight operator PKP Cargo has announced a tender for the purchase of 20 multi-system locomotives, including the option for further five units. The total value of the contract may amount to PLN 400 million (EUR 100 million). More

Bulgarian Railways plans to purchase new single-car diesel units

Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) is assessing until the 15th of February the number and technical specifications of the single-car diesel trains it needs in order to renew the rail-buses fleet dating from 1960, already taken out of service. More

UK: Prototype battery-powered train carries passengers for first time

The first battery-powered train to run on Britain’s rail network in more than half a century carries its first passengers this week. This marks an important milestone in the project to demonstrate the viability of an eco-friendly battery-powered train for the twenty-first century. More

Turkish company Tumosan to sign MoU with Patentes Talgo

Turkish tractors and diesel motors manufacturer Tumosan Motor ve Traktor Sanayi announced it will sign a memorandum of understanding with Patentes Talgo SLU on production, sales and maintenance of train equipment. More

Infrastructure

Over 800km of Ukraine’s railway network to be electrified until 2020

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia, UZ) will carry out projects to electrify a number of 838 track km across the country, towards the Black Sea and the borders with Poland and Belarus. The deputy minister of infrastructure Alexander Kava insisted that priority should be given to the most cost- effective railway segments. More

Kabatas-Mecidiyeköy, new metro line project in Istanbul

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality announced for January a tender for the construction of Kabatas-Mecidiyeköy metro line. The 6.5 km long line extension will connect eight districts (Beyoglu, Besiktas, Sisli, Kagithane, Eyüp, Gaziosmanpasa, Esenler and Bagcilar). Works are expected to early start this year and to be completed by end of 2018. More

ITS

Transport for Athens and Masabi launch mobile ticketing city-wide across all transport modes

Transport for Athens (OASA Group) and Masabi announced that they have deployed mobile ticketing in the city across all modes of public transport. The deployment, which soft launched as a pilot in late December, represents the city’s first implementation of a digital ticketing system that supplements its co-existing paper ticket cash-based operation. More

Indra signs biggest ticketing contract in the world in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for EUR 266 m

Indra has signed a EUR 266 M contract to implement the entire ticketing and access control technology in the new public transportation system currently under construction in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. More

Rail Freight

Rail-Air, new multimodal transport solution on the route China-Kazakhstan-Europe

Multimodal operator KTZ Express, subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways, with the assistance of DB Schenker and air operator KLM, tested a pilot shipment of Hewlett Packard electronic equipment from China to Europe through Kazakhstan via rail and air transportation modes. More

Estonian rail freight operator EVR Cargo hauled 15.8 million tons in 2014

Estonian state-owned rail freight operator EVR Cargo hauled 15.76 million tons in 2014, remaining just 0.85 per cent or 135 thousand tons short of the 2013 freight volume. EVR Cargo’s chairman of the management board Ahto Altjõe said that last year was a stable year for the company and was on a par with expectations. More

Rail Operators

Belarusian Railways to install GSM-R terminals on 34 locomotives

Belarusian Railways received EUR 160,000 EU funding for International technical assistance project “Improvement of express passenger service between Vilnius and Minsk”, included in the Cross Border Cooperation Programme “Lithuania-Latvia-Belarus” (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007 – 2013). More

Slovenian Railways ends 2014 with EUR 30 million operating profit

Slovenske železnice (Slovenian Railways SZ) finished 2014 above plans in terms of profit, while both profit and revenue increased compared to 2013, general manager Dušan Mes has told an interview with the STA. SZ’s operating profit reached approximately EUR 30 million, according to preliminary results, while the target was EUR 22 million. More

www.railway-technology.com

UK's first battery-powered train enters revenue service
Network Rail has launched UK's first battery-powered train, a modified Class 379 Electrostar known as an independently powered electric multiple unit (IPEMU), in timetabled service this week.

SilverRail Technologies acquires Swedish rail technology firm Linkon
US-based passenger rail search and booking technologies provider SilverRail Technologies has acquired the Swedish rail technology firm Linkon.
GCC to invest more than $200bn on regional railway projects
Oman Transport and Communications Minister Dr Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Salim Al Futaisi has revealed that the governments of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are set to invest more than $200bn in railway projects across the region.
Smoke at Washington DC Metrorail tunnel kills one woman
A woman has died and at least two have been critically injured after smoke filled a Virginia-bound subway train on the Washington DC Metro, the second busiest mass transit system in the US.

Behind the headlines
Overrunning works at King’s Cross and serious capacity problems at London Bridge were eagerly seized upon by the press.
First IEP despatched from Japan
The first of the new Intercity Express Programme (IEP) Class 800s is on its way to Britain.
Borders Railway winter progress
Tracklaying on the Borders Railway should be completed by February allowing driver training to start this summer.
Young Rail Professionals mark five-year success
2015 marks the beginning of a new partnership between Young Rail Professionals (YRP) and Rail Media.
California high-speed rail dream becomes reality
California has finally broken ground on the USA’s very first high-speed railway following several years of political and legal wrangling.

Read the whole magazine online
See the full digital edition here - now downloadable.

UK & International Railway News Wednesday 14th January 2015

2015-01-14T11:32:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

The lead headline is the House of Commons Select Committee enquiry into the Christmas/New Year problems for passengers caused by overrunning engineering works, which caused significant overcrowding ..and lack of information issues.. at London King's Cross, London Paddington and Finsbury Park. Added to that, the newly configured London Bridge station experienced crowd difficulties on the first day of its new running...

A battery powered train takes to the tracks...
Network Rail video explains signal power supply failure.....
Thameslink outlines arrangements for its schedules over the coming weeks...
For full details, watch the videos..and click on the links..

Headlines

Railway network disruption over Christmas

Witnesses
i.Mark Carne, Chief Executive, and Robin Gisby, Managing Director, Network Operations, Network Rail
ii. Richard Price, Chief Executive, and Joanna Whittington, Director, Railway Markets and Economics, Office of Rail Regulation

Commuters should get refunds for 'consistently bad service', says David Cameron.(The Telegraph)

Manchester's 'new' trains are cast-offs from the south - but there will be more seats(Manchester Evening News)

Rail workers to strike again over job cuts on Carlisle to Settle line (Carlisle News & Star)

Appleby Station on the S & C 2008(DWLewis)

£4 million for local transport in rural and isolated areas.(GOV.UK)

Network Rail

Batteries included: Prototype battery-powered train carries passengers for first time

Battery-powered train (IPEMU) on level crossing

Network Rail Picture

Monday 12 Jan 2015

Battery-powered train (IPEMU) on level crossing

The new train contributes to Network Rail’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact, improve sustainability and reduce the cost of running the railway by 20 per cent over the next five years. It could ultimately lead to a fleet of battery-powered trains running on Britain’s rail network which are quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment.

Network Rail and its industry partners – including Bombardier, Abellio Greater Anglia, and the Rail Executive arm of the Department for Transport (‎which is co-funding the project through the FutureRailway innovation programme) – recognise the potential for battery-powered trains to bridge gaps between electrified parts of the network and to run on branch lines where it would be too expensive to install overhead electrification.”

Following its successful retrofitting and trials at test tracks in Derby and Leicestershire last year by Bombardier, the modified Class 379 Electrostar battery-powered train – also known as an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU) – will run in weekday timetable service for five weeks between Harwich International and Manningtree stations in Essex.
Network Rail Principal Engineer James Ambrose said: “We’ve made terrific progress with this project so far and seeing the battery-powered train in timetabled service is a huge step forward.

“After months of engineering and testing, the train is running just as we would like it. We’ll be using this five-week period to gather data on how it handles during passenger service – most travellers will recognise how quiet and smooth the ride is compared to a diesel-powered train.”
James continued: “We are always looking for ways to reduce the cost of running the railway and make it greener too. This project has the potential to contribute significantly towards both those goals.”

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “This is a major milestone in this innovative project, and further proof of our commitment to deliver a world-class rail network fit for the 21st century.
“These trains potentially offer a real alternative where diesel or electrified services aren’t suitable, and I look forward to seeing the results of the trials.”

***********************************************************

Signal power supply failure

How signal power supply failure can cause delays - and what we're doing to reduce them

Signallers in Rugby signalling centre (Network Rail Picture)

The power supply to our signalling system can fail for a variety of reasons, for example due to a power cut or a blown fuse in the circuit.

Our signalling system is designed to fail safe: when the power fails, the signals turn black; if the driver can’t see a green or yellow signal, they must stop the train.

What we’re doing to reduce signal failure and resulting delays

We’re introducing uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs) which take over when the power supply is cut, minimising the delays felt by passengers. UPS systems were introduced on the West Coast Mainline during the upgrade works and further UPSs will be introduced as part of re-signalling schemes.
We monitor the health of our power supply system using wireless monitoring backed up with annual inspections.
For areas without UPS, we're replacing aging cable to improve power supply reliability.
Our power suppliers notify us of any planned interruptions to the power supply so we can make sure backup supplies are in place.
We’ve invested in fault finding equipment for our older systems so we can fix problems before they affect services.
Our modern “intelligent” systems immediately identify the location of faults as soon as they occur, enabling us to respond more quickly and get trains running faster.
Sometimes the quickest and simplest option is to switch to another power source, so in some situations we use portable generators to restore power.

Thameslink Programme

House of Commons Debate.. Network Rail.

Go to 4pm 13/01/15 Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (UKIP):

International

Africa

Railways Africa.

NEW PRASA LOCOS

MORE AUSTRALIAN LOCOS DUE IN SOUTH AFRICA

CT METRORAIL DELAYS: 7 JANUARY

BLUE TRAIN TO DROP DURBAN, ADD KRUGER

GAUTRAIN STILL CHEAPER THAN DRIVING TO WORK

LUANDA RAILWAY

ETHIOPIAN LIGHT RAIL TESTS BEGIN IN FEBRUARY

***************************************************

Mozambique resumes traffic on flood-affected railway line (StarAfrica.com)

Europe

Eurotunnel on Track.(Eurotunnel Group)

(LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS)

Ireland

Irish Rail boosted as passenger numbers grow and apprentices return. (SmartRail World)

USA

Passengers describe panic as Washington subway fills with smoke.(BBC News)

www.progressiverailroading.com

CSX touts Q4 and full-year financial records, announces 2015 capex budget

NTSB's latest 'Most Wanted' list targets tank-car safety, PTC implementation

NS EVP and CMO Seale to retire March 1

SFMTA exercises contract option to purchase 40 light-rail vehicles

PANYNJ to review cross-harbor program's draft environmental report at public hearings

New M-8 rail cars now running on Metro-North's New Canaan branch

Amtrak to hold open house for Philadelphia 30th Street Station plan

Ceres Global launches operations at BNSF-served ag hub in Saskatchewan

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com

Smoke at Washington DC Metrorail tunnel kills one woman
A woman has died and at least two have been critically injured after smoke filled a Virginia-bound subway train on the Washington DC Metro, the second busiest mass transit system in the US.

GCC to invest more than $200bn on regional railway projects
Oman Transport and Communications Minister Dr Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Salim Al Futaisi has revealed that the governments of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are set to invest more than $200bn in railway projects across the region.

Trafikverket contracts Strukton for €50m railway maintenance in Sweden
Dutch rail technology company Strukton Rail has secured a contract from the Swedish Transport Administration Trafikverket for the maintenance of railways around Malmö, Sweden.

CER - The Voice of European Railways

Transporting goods from Asia to the EUWhat role for intermodality?

Tuesday, 24 February 201518:30 - 20:00
Restaurant "L'Atelier"Rue Franklin 28 - 1000 Brussels

The EU 2011 Transport White Paper highlighted several crucial challenges that Europe will need to overcome in the coming years, including:

The need to be well connected with all regions of the world, in particular Asia

The need to maintain the competitiveness of the European transport sector

Asia is the EU’s biggest commercial partner, both for export and import. The container traffic flow between the EU and Asia is set to almost triple in the next decade.

Intermodality is one solution to these challenges. However, new transport patterns must emerge so that larger volumes of freight can be carried to their destination by using the most efficient combination of transport modes.

This will be the focus of an event organised by CER in Brussels, on 24 February, with the kind support of the Latvian Presidency.

Please find attached the agenda for this event.

To register, please fill in this form before 18 February 2014.

Website: www.ilcad.org

UK & International Railway News Tuesday 13th January 2015

2015-01-13T11:12:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Punctuality to the fore...or rather, a lack of it for Southern commuters on the 0729 Brighton to London.....
And trains could get where they are intending to go..if there were enough drivers...
Developments include a revenue earning low carbon battery powered train...
And how they managed to keep the trains running through Bristol Temple Meads , even with a major work project ongoing (Timelapse video)
HS2 has a serious opponent.. a 9 year old appears before a parliamentary committee, questioning their maths....
Eurotunnel looks to expand on the back of increasing ecommerce.....
..and African aspirations have a Chinese look.......

Click on the links....

Headlines

Britain's worst train service: Southern's 7.29 Brighton to London train was late every day for a year.(The Telegraph)

Christmas rail chaos caused by lack of train drivers(The Telegraph)

The train can't take the strain(Telegraph View)

Network Rail

Performance

The number of trains that arrive on time has risen dramatically since we took over the running of Britain's railway in October 2002

Public performance measure

The public performance measure (PPM) shows the percentage of trains which arrive at their terminating station on time.
PPM combines figures for punctuality and reliability into a single performance measure. It is the industry standard measurement of performance.

Performance for 9 November to 6 December 2014 (period 9)

The national PPM is 85.7%.
This compares to 84.4% for the same period last year.
The moving annual average (MAA) is 89.3%.

Performance 2002-2015

Performance by train operator

The table below shows the average PPM for Britain as a whole and by train operating company. The moving annual average is calculated over the 365 days to 6 December 2014.

Franchise	Punctuality % period 9 2013/14	Punctuality % period 9 2014/15	Moving annual average
Abellio Greater Anglia	86.8	87.3	90.7
Arriva Trains Wales	87.1	92.6	92.1
c2c Rail	97.3	97.7	96.4
Chiltern	93.6	94.3	94.6
Crosscountry	80.9	84.8	86.8
East Coast	78.7	81.0	86.7
East Midlands Trains	87.7	91.2	91.8
First Great Western	84.1	84.5	87.4
First Hull Trains	73.3	85.8	86.6
First Scotrail	83.5	88.8	91.6
First Transpennine Express	84.7	85.4	88.8
Govia Thameslink Railway	80.5	81.0	84.9
Grand Central	71.9	85.2	85.6
Heathrow Express	92.2	89.8	93.3
London Midland	76.0	81.8	87.2
London Overground	94.8	92.1	95.8
Merseyrail	90.5	94.7	95.5
Northern Rail	81.8	85.9	90.8
Southeastern	82.9	82.9	87.5
Southern	81.8	77.1	83.4
Stagecoach South West Trains	86.4	85.3	88.6
Virgin Trains	79.5	82.5	85.2

National	84.4	85.7	89.3

Notes:

The measure of train punctuality also known as PPM (public performance measure) means trains arriving at their terminating station within five minutes for commuter services and within 10 minutes for long distance services.

This measure of punctuality is commonly used throughout Europe.

National train punctuality is measured for all trains across the whole network, including cancelled services and delays caused by external factors (such as vandalism, extreme weather, suicides etc).

Punctuality was not recorded in this thorough way until 1997. Before then Railtrack, and British Rail before that, did not measure all services and also excluded external factors and other items from their numbers.

These figures represent provisional data for the period and individual operators' performance data may vary slightly from the full period performance report that we publishes on our website every month.

Network Rail and the train operators run more trains across Great Britain than are run in most European countries - almost 20% more than in France and 60% more than in Italy.

Great Britain's 24,000 trains per-day is also more than Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Norway combined.

Delays explained: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetables-and-travel/delays-explained/
****************************************************************************

Railway trespasser escapes immediate jail term after shutting down line - at a cost of £122k

(Get Surrey)

Railway report rekindles row over break-up.(FT.com)

North ‘needs one voice on transport’ - McLoughlin.(The Yorkshire Post)

Gillan claims HS2 land plans won't be published until after General Election (Bucks Free Press)

Video: Young foe of HS2 cannot be railroaded by committee on Whovian timescale.(The Guardian)

Train bosses buoyed by rail link numbers.(Blackpool Gazette)

Low carbon battery-powered train carries first passengers.(The Guardian)

on YouTube

Network Rail on YouTube
The removal of the conveyor belt at Bristol Temple Meads station timelapse
*****************************************************************************

International
Africa
Six African countries bonded by China's high-speed rail dream WantChinaTimes

Europe

Europe's high-speed rail networks face problems down the line (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel announces order for 3 new Freight Shuttles to meet growing demand.

With the British economy continuing to grow and cross-Channel traffic flows concentrating on the shortest routes as a result of environmental constraints, the market in the strait of Dover is set to grow over the coming years.

In order to reach the target of transporting 2 million trucks per year in 2020, Eurotunnel today announces the order of three new freight shuttles to add to the 15 in its existing fleet.

These additions to the fleet will enable Eurotunnel to increase its capacity by 20% and to run up to 8 departures per hour at peak, compared to 6 currently. This immediacy of departure added to the established speed of crossing is a major differentiating factor which will enhance the attraction and the competitiveness of the Eurotunnel service.

The new, €40 million order, has been placed, following a European tender process, with WBN Waggonbrau Niesky GmbH. It is for the construction of three new shuttles, each 800 metres long, with 32 carrying wagons, 3 loader wagons and a carriage to transport the truck drivers.

The new shuttles will be built using the latest technology to ensure that energy efficiency and strength are coupled with reliability: they will be fully interoperable with the existing shuttles. Delivery is set for the end of 2016 and early 2017.

The order for three new shuttles is supported by a €30 million programme of investments in the expansion of the terminals in Folkestone and Coquelles which will ensure the fluidity of traffic across the Eurotunnel site.

Michel Boudoussier, Chief Operating Officer – Concession of Groupe Eurotunnel stated: "As the world leader in the rolling motorway industry, Eurotunnel has been able to draw upon its 20 years of experience in the design of these third generation shuttles. The consultation that we led confirmed that we are at the leading edge of railway development.

*******************************
Eurotunnel eyes expansion as ecommerce drives trade.(FT.com)

*********************************

Ireland

The Iarnród Éireann Seat Sale continues, with relaxed fares

available online from €14.99 to many popular destinations like

Dublin to or from: -

Cork from €14.99

Ennis / Limerick from €14.99

Galway from €14.99

Westport from €14.99

Sligo from €14.99

Kerry from €21.99

Book the Seat Sale today and dont miss out on these great value fares.

See irishrail.ie for more details

Germany

Say hello to 2015 and test the Probe BahnCard 25 for just EUR 15 for second-class travel. Don’t wait too long, as this special offer can only be ordered until 31 January 2015!In addition:

■	Europa-Spezial: Travel to the most exciting cities in Europe
■	IC Bus: New routes for 2015 – check them out! bahn.de

USA

Washington DC Metro passenger dies and dozens injured as smoke fills train and station.(The Guardian)

California High-Speed Rail: The Collector's Edition The Atlantic

www.progressiverailroading.com

NTSB investigating WMATA smoke-filled train incident

Panama's growth bodes well for canal railway, KCS says

NJ Transit to rebuild rail station in Elizabeth

Virginia port broke container volume record in 2014

RDC makes quarter-stake investment in Eurorail

Shuster announces T&I committee leaders

North Carolina Railroad notes completion of siding, bridge on rail corridor

Rail supplier news from Bombardier, Alstom, DSC Logistics and R&R (Jan. 13)

Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com
Brazil's Trensurb to receive last metro train from Alstom
Brazilian metro rail operator Empresa de Trens Urbanos de Porto Alegre (Trensurb) is set to take delivery of a new metro train from Alstom.
UK's Northampton railway station reopens
UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has reopened the new £20m railway station in Northampton, providing improved journeys for thousands of passengers every day.
Trafikverket contracts Strukton for €50m railway maintenance in Sweden
Dutch rail technology company Strukton Rail has secured a contract from the Swedish Transport Administration Trafikverket for the maintenance of railways around Malmö, Sweden.
US Federal Government grants $996m for Boston's Green Line extension
Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx have announced a $996m federal grant to extend the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail service from East Cambridge to Somerville and Medford.

UK & International Railway News Monday 12th January 2015

2015-01-12T08:50:00.003+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

In the week when its chief executives appear before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee,(Wednesday) Network Rail publishes a report on the passenger disruption over the Christmas/New Year period caused by overrunning engineering works...... Lessons to be learned.....

Crossrail bring us up to date with progress so far...and progress expected in the coming months....
Progress film (very brief) on a battery powered train....

A new station opens...
Something on the lines.....and its not leaves either....but what it is might make them sprout.....
A nine (9) year old will appear before Parliament to express opposition to HS2.....
Alstom look back on 2014 achievements...Bombardier look forward with its award winning monorail...
And a new administrator for USDOT's Federal Railroad Administration..

For full details...click on the links....

Headlines

Network Rail

Christmas passenger disruption investigation report published

12 January 2015

Our report into the disruption affecting thousands of passengers using King's Cross and Paddington services on 27 December has been published.

On 27 December 2014 thousands of passengers using London King's Cross and London Paddington services, many of whom were travelling home after visiting friends and family, suffered severe delays and disruption.

Network Rail launched an immediate investigation into what went wrong and today publishes its findings.

Mark Carne, chief executive, said: "The report highlights what went wrong and it is quite clear that there are areas that could have been done better. Equally, our contingency plans should have protected the travelling public from any problems we had and our industry service recovery could have done more to minimise the impact of disruption.

"We sincerely apologise for the disruption over the festive period and we are determined to learn the lessons so that we can continue to make the improvements the travelling public deserve."

King's Cross and Paddington overruns report (2.5 MB)

Battery powered train trials in Manningtree

Network Rail’s battery powered train (IPEMU) cuts through the countryside during live, on-track trials. The new train contributes to Network Rail’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact, improve sustainability and reduce the cost of running the railway by 20 per cent over the next five years. It could ultimately lead to a fleet of battery-powered trains running on Britain’s rail network which are quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment
(Network Rail on YouTube)

===================================================================

Thameslink Programme: For information about how your journey may be affected by changes to train services from January 2015, please click here, then select from train operators listed...

==========================================================================

Surge in cross-Border rail travel as more passengers choose train over plane.(herald scotland)

Virgin Trains reports surge in cross-border travel.(BBC News)

Christmas railway chaos could see engineering works carried out in Summer.(The Telegraph)

LIVE FEED: Opening day of Northampton's new railway station (Northampton Herald and Post)

London Bridge passengers face more rail disruption.(BBC News)

Toilet waste horrors lurking on UK train tracks.(BBC News)

Nine-year-old boy to appear before parliament to oppose high-speed rail.(The Guardian)

Level crossing closures ‘could split communities’ along Suffolk’s London rail line.(EADT)

Full steam ahead for £1million project to link Nottingham and Loughborough by steam train.(Nottingham Post)

GOV.UK
Transport Secretary sees Northamptonshire transport improvements
Patrick McLoughlin visits new Northampton rail station and meets local leaders to discuss A45 scheme.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited Northampton today, Monday 12 January 2015, to mark the opening of a £20 million new railway station that will provide improved journeys for thousands of passengers every day.
The new station, which has been partly funded with £10 million of government investment, will provide a modern gateway to the town, and will help meet the demand from growing numbers of visitors and commuters. The building is more than twice the size of the previous station, and features more ticket gates to reduce bottlenecks, along with accessible lifts.
Patrick McLoughlin said:

As part of our long-term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in building a world-class rail network fit for the 21st century.

I am delighted that passengers in Northampton are able to benefit from this impressive new station, with further improvements to come as the work is completed. This, along with the thousands of extra seats being provided by £62 million of government investment, will make a real difference to passengers’ journeys.

The station, which is managed by London Midland, has been built by Network Rail in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council. Work can now begin to fit out the station’s new shops.
The opening of the station is further good news for passengers. Last month, London Midland launched 10 new trains into service on its network, providing 40 new carriages in total. The trains, which were paid for by £62 million of government funding, are providing passengers in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard, Tring, Hemel Hempstead and Watford Junction with 139,000 extra seats every week.
Over the next 5 years, £38 billion will be invested in improving and maintaining the UK’s rail network.
Following the visit to Northampton station, the Transport Secretary then visited the Chowns Mill roundabout at A45/A6 junction at Higham Ferrers. The scheme which was announced at Autumn Statement 2014, is part of government’s £1.4 billion vision to improve roads in the Midlands.
Once the scheme is completed, road users will benefit from new segregated lanes, improved signalling and additional carriageways at the A45/A6 junction at Higham Ferrers. The work which is expected to be completed in 2019, will help increase capacity, improve journey reliability and ease congestion in supporting local growth.

Rail sector: export help
Companies providing products and services in the railways sector can get help from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to export overseas.

UK companies have the expertise to provide equipment and services for rail systems worldwide.
Companies in the rail supply chain make a significant contribution to the UK economy accounting for £7 billon turnover and employing 80,000 people. UK based companies have an established supply chain and lots of experience in:

building bigger and better rail systems
managing and improving long-established rail networks
managing the privatisation of a rail industry

UKTI help for companies

We help UK rail companies to:

exhibit at major international trade fairs
take part in our trade missions
meet important decision makers and potential partners
overcome challenges of doing business in overseas markets
apply for large business opportunities through our High Value Opportunities (HVOs) programme

We do this by:

providing grants to attend trade fairs
running workshops, seminars, inward missions
making it easier for companies to access overseas markets
working with the main industry bodies and stakeholders
promoting the UK’s rail infrastructure sector overseas
helping to develop the UK’s supply chain by working with the sector
bringing major overseas opportunities to the attention of UK companies

Contact UKTI

We’d like to hear from companies that want to grow and do business with overseas railways. Sign up and meet with a trade advisor.

Find out about other UKTI services for exporters.
===================================
Crossrail

Tunnelling to complete this Spring and Liverpool Street to Shenfield rail services to be integrated with TfL in major year for Crossrail

Crossrail programme is now over 60 per cent complete

Major tunnelling to complete in spring 2015 with focus shifting to huge task of fitting out new tunnels and stations

TfL to operate services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield from May 2015

During 2015, Crossrail’s major tunnelling works will conclude and the focus will shift towards fit-out and implementing railway systems within the tunnels and stations.

Eight 1,000 tonne tunnelling machines have bored over 39 kilometres of new 6.2m diameter rail tunnels under London with tunnelling due to complete in spring 2015. Construction is also advancing on the ten new Crossrail stations and on works above ground west of Paddington and east of Stratford. Over 10,000 people are currently working on Crossrail, including nearly 400 apprentices, with the project at peak rate of construction.

On 31 May this year the rail services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will join the TfL transport network. This will be the first phase of the introduction of Crossrail, which will be fully integrated with TfL services. Customers will benefit from stations staffed at all times trains are operating as well as better accessibility provision with turn up and go services being offered for those who need ramps to board trains.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “Crossrail is being delivered on time and within budget. While we are over 60 per cent complete there is still a huge amount of work to be undertaken as the challenge shifts to the complicated and substantial task of fitting out the stations and tunnels with the necessary systems and equipment to enable Crossrail services to operate.”

Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director of London Rail, said: “While construction is forging ahead the first steps towards opening London’s new rail line will happen as rail services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield become part of the TfL network this Spring. This is another step in our transformation of rail services across the capital as we work to support London’s economic growth and meet the demands of the city’s rapidly growing population.”

Upcoming Crossrail milestones include:

Major tunnelling for Crossrail to complete in spring 2015 when tunnelling machines Elizabeth and Victoria reach Farringdon.
Network Rail to continue major surface works on the existing rail network including construction of a landmark new station at Abbey Wood. Major station improvements in outer London will get underway; a number of stations will be completely rebuilt, providing passengers with brighter, more spacious ticket halls.
The fit out of Crossrail’s tunnels will begin in early 2015. New track will be laid as well as overhead conductor bar to power the trains, lighting, signalling, ventilation and everything else that is required to run Crossrail’s new trains beneath the streets of London.
As part of the UK’s largest archaeology project, Crossrail will excavate the former Bedlam burial ground in Liverpool Street from March 2015 to enable construction of the Broadgate ticket hall. The dig will exhume thousands of bodies and artefacts dating from Roman times through to the 18th Century.
The Wallasea Island nature reserve in Essex, constructed using Crossrail excavated material, will be flooded with sea water in summer 2015, creating a new wetlands habitat for bird and marine life.
Joint venture partners will be sought during 2015 for major above station property developments at Paddington, Tottenham Court Road West, Fisher Street, Farringdon East and Woolwich.
Announcement of commissions for the Crossrail Art Programme, which will see large-scale permanent art-work put in place at seven central London sites.
Construction of the major new Crossrail depot at Old Oak Common is underway and will continue throughout 2015.
From 31 May 2015, Transport for London will begin operating the existing rolling stock between Shenfield and Liverpool Street. There will be staff at every station at all times that trains are running, better accessibility provision, full integration with TfL customer information and with TfL fares and ticketing, including cheaper journeys in many cases using Oyster or contactless pay as you go. TfL will also put in place a phased programme of deep cleaning and painting the stations and introducing help points, CCTV, gate lines and better lighting and customer information.
Ahead of the new Crossrail trains arriving on the Shenfield to Liverpool Street services in 2017, TfL will clean up the existing trains and refresh them inside and out within six months of transfer.

London’s population is set to grow from 8.4 million today to around 10 million by 2030. The Government, the Mayor of London and TfL are investing in Crossrail and other transport infrastructure to support access to jobs, education, housing and to boost economic growth. Crossrail is part of TfL’s investment programme.

Over the course of the project, it is estimated that Crossrail and its supply chain will support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs across the country. More than 8,000 people have completed training at Crossrail’s Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in Ilford, which opened in 2011.

A total of 84,300 jobs were supported last year across the UK, through TfL's investment programme and Crossrail. TfL and its suppliers have also created over 5,000 apprenticeship roles since April 2009.

Crossrail will add 10 per cent capacity to London’s rail network. It will serve 40 stations, connecting Reading and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via central London.

************************

Key Crossrail milestones to date include:

Start of Crossrail construction began at Canary Wharf on 15 May 2009.
The first giant tunnel boring machine broke ground in May 2012. Since then, 39 out of 42 kilometres of new train tunnels have been created under London. Six of Crossrail’s eight tunnelling machines have now completed their drives.
Another 9.5 kilometres of new passenger, platform and service tunnels have been constructed within the new Crossrail stations using a technique called sprayed concrete lining.
Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract awarded by Transport for London to Bombardier Transportation and Crossrail train operating concession awarded to MTR Corporation.
The surface works, delivered by Network Rail, are now over one-third complete.
All 40 Crossrail stations will have step free access from street to platform.
Completion of the Canary Wharf station ticket hall, and the roof of Canary Wharf Group’s over station development.

Around 400 apprentices have gained work on Crossrail. More than 8,000 people have undertaken training at Crossrail’s Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in Ilford, which opened in 2011.
Excavated items from the UK’s largest archaeology programme include skeletons from Bethlehem Hospital burial ground, 55 million year-old amber, Roman artefacts and industrial-era factories.
Crossrail’s Community Investment Programme has seen major contractors donating expertise, time and resources to create a lasting benefit to communities neighbouring Crossrail worksites.
Crossrail has plans in place to develop over three million square feet (gross) of commercial, residential and retail space above its stations and construction sites. Over 1 million square feet of this now has planning permission including Bond Street West (Davies Street), 101 Moorgate, Fisher Street and a number of developments above Crossrail Tottenham Court Road station
Alongside the physical railway a ‘digital version’ of Crossrail is being built using Business Information Modelling (BIM). This will be passed on to the train operator, helping to reduce long-term maintenance and operating costs, and to other major UK infrastructure projects to assist planning and design.

The Culture Line, a programme to deliver a permanent exhibition of large-scale world-class artworks in Crossrail’s central London stations is being delivered in collaboration with leading art galleries. The City of London Corporation is 50 per cent match funding the art works.

PRESS RELEASE

Terry Morgan re-appointed as Crossrail Chairman

Crossrail Limited today announced that Terry Morgan CBE has been re-appointed by the Crossrail Board as Non-Executive Chairman for a three-year term from 1 June 2015.

When Crossrail opens in 2018, it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10 per cent and dramatically cut journey times across the city, bringing an extra 1.5m people to within 45 minutes of central London.

Video125co

InterCity Norwich Driver's eye view preview

www.video125 for Driver's eye views. This takes us aboard a class 86 electric loco hauling a train of MK2 coaches still in BR InterCity livery all the way from Norwich to London Liverpool Street at speeds up to 100 mph.

Cross City Birmingham Driver's eye view preview

Redditch to Lichfield Trent Valley via Birmingham New Street. This is a Driver's eye view from a class 323 electric multiple unit (EMU). To place an order for this DVD, please go to our website: www.video125.co.uk

International
China
Record breaker: China's incredible north-south high-speed train line plan (KETK)

China aids building of railway in Africa (ecns)

France

Look back at Alstom’s achievements, innovations and successes in 2014

(Alstom on YouTube)

USA

Why California's High-Speed Rail Matters (Gizmodo)

Ground broken on pioneering USA high-speed rail project.
(SmartRail World)

www.progressiverailroading.com

USDOT installs Feinberg as acting FRA administrator

Caltrain's board OKs final environmental report, peninsula corridor electrification project

McMillan renominated to FTA leadership post

KCSR starts training, data surveying aspects of PTC implementation

Major ports can expect more import gains in first half, Global Port Tracker predicts

OMB needs to quickly review USDOT's proposed tank-car rule, Sen. Schumer says

Cincinnati Metro names Grether rail services director

Former Sandersville Railroad leader Hugh Tarbutton dies

Metrolink's board elects new officers

USDOT - Federal Railroad Administration.

U.S Transportation Secretary Foxx Names Sarah Feinberg Acting Administrator of FRA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced today that Department of Transportation Chief of Staff Sarah Feinberg will serve as Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). She succeeds Joseph C. Szabo who was appointed and confirmed as the agency’s twelfth Administrator is 2009. Szabo stepped down as the agency’s head last Friday.

“Sarah has been my partner and served as my closest advisor during her tenure as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation. With her ability to bring clarity, focus and direction to complex challenges, she has become a proven leader within our agency,” said Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Sarah has the right mix of experience and skills to adeptly lead the FRA as it continues its important work to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods.”

Feinberg becomes the second woman to lead the agency since its founding in 1966.

Since 2013 Feinberg has served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), managing the agency’s ten modal departments, and spearheading the agency’s legislative, policy, and communications efforts. Feinberg provided strategic advice and counsel to the Secretary regarding operational and legislative initiatives across all modes of transportation, as well as leading the department’s efforts on its $302 billion surface transportation reauthorization plan, sent to the U.S. Congress last year.

During her time as Chief of Staff, Feinberg worked closely with Secretary Foxx and each agency in the Department to ensure that they are continuously raising the bar on safety. As Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Feinberg will work to strengthen the culture of safety across the railroad industry.

The FRA is the Nation’s chief safety regulator for the passenger and freight rail industries. The agency has a $1.6 billion budget and employs nearly 900 people in Washington, D.C. and eight regional offices across the country. It establishes and enforces safety rules for the rail industry as well as manages a $20 billion rail investment portfolio.

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com

.UK's ORR rejects GNWR's proposals for new direct train service

Arriva subsidiary Great North Western Railway (GNWR)'s proposals to introduce a new direct train service between north Manchester and London have been rejected by the UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

Germany's Knorr-Bremse acquires Swiss train control management firm Selectron Systems

Germany-based braking system manufacturer Knorr-Bremse has signed an agreement to acquire train control management specialist Selectron Systems of Lyss, Switzerland.

US Federal Government grants $996m for Boston's Green Line extension

Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx have announced a $996m federal grant to extend the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail service from East Cambridge to Somerville and Medford.

UK Government signs agreement to enhance rail service in north of England

The UK Government has signed an agreement with TransPennine Express and Northern Rail to provide extra rolling stock for the north of England.

Bombardier.

BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Monorail 300 System Wins GOOD DESIGN Award

January 12, 2015 Berlin Transportation, Press Release

GOOD DESIGN Awards recognize innovative and cutting-edge designs

INNOVIA Monorail 300 system offers iconic aesthetics, mass transit capacity and fast-to-build infrastructure

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has won a GOOD DESIGN^TM Award for its BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Monorail 300 system. This driverless transit system is designed on the principles of iconic aesthetics, mass transit capacity and fast-to-build infrastructure.
The INNOVIA Monorail 300 vehicle’s sleek, aerodynamically styled exterior design has attracted the attention of developers, politicians and the public like no other. The focus on design continues inside; spacious interiors with flexible seating arrangements provide high capacity mass transit capability and open gangways allow passengers to walk through the cars to enhance passenger flow, comfort and safety. System infrastructure is architecturally designed to integrate seamlessly into urban environments with slender, contemporary guidebeams that direct the vehicles and provide structural support.
Bombardier is currently delivering two INNOVIA Monorail 300 systems. In Saudi Arabia, a 3.6 km system with six stations and six two-car monorail trains will be the primary mode of transport for the prestigious new King Abdullah Financial District. In Brazil, the addition of the new 24 km line, with 17 stations and 54 seven-car trains, will enhance the city of São Paulo and substantially reduce travel times for up to half-a-million people every day.
Pierre Attendu, President, Systems Division at Bombardier Transportation, said, “Bombardier’s award winning INNOVIA Monorail 300 system combines excellence in product design with innovative technologies such as the Permanent Magnet Motor and the BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 train control system for driverless operation. INNOVIA Monorail 300 is a truly game-changing solution for city and airport authorities requiring an attractive, cost-effective and fast-to-build mass transit solution.”
Founded in 1950, the Chicago Athenaem: Museum of Architecture and Design’s GOOD DESIGN Award is the oldest and most recognised program for design excellence worldwide. The emphasis of the GOOD DESIGN program is on quality design of the highest form, function and aesthetic standard.

UK & International Railway News Sunday 11th January 2015

2015-01-11T08:24:00.001+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Crossrail could face signalling problems on opening , according to one source. The BBC asks "What happened to England's forgotten railway stations?".... and the government considers whether strikes in the public sector should be permitted when less than a certain percentage take part in the ballot....

In India, a centre for Railway Research... and encouraging investment from the private sector...
A Chinese consortium is still interested in bidding for the Mexican high speed rail building contract.....
And opposing views on high speed rail in both California, and Texas....

Click on the links....

Patrick McLoughlin: Strike action 'needs more participation'.(The Telegraph)

What happened to England's forgotten railway stations? (BBC News)

Crossrail faces prospect of signal trouble from day one (The Independent)

Mainline Railtours Schedule
Railway Herald - Railtours

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.

Saturday 17th January 2015

The Mendip Mariner (Pathfinder Tours)

DBS Class 66 x 2 tnt Eastleigh (pu) - Salisbury (pu) - Westbury (pu) -
DBS Class 59 and DBS Class 66 tnt Westbury - Bath Spa - Keynsham - Bristol East Down Goods Loop - Dr. Days Junction - Filton West Junction - Hallen Marsh Junction - Avonmouth Docks
DBS Class 66 and DBS Class 59 Avonmouth Docks - Severn Beach
DBS Class 59 and DBS Class 66 Severn Beach - Holesmouth Junction - Sea Mills - Clifton Down - Narroways Junction - Dr. Days Junction - Bathampton Up Passenger Loop - Trowbridge - Westvury Down Reception Line - Link Line - Clink Road - Frome West - Whatley Quarry Branch (Hanson) (rev)
DBS Class 66 and DBS Class 59 Whatley Quarry - Frome North - Clink Road Junction - Westbury
DBS Class 66 Westbury - Salisbury (sd) - Eastleigh

Sunday 18th January 2015

BLS Merseyrail 750v Tracker (Branch Line Society)

Merseyrail Class 507/508 EMU Hooton (pu) - Rock Ferry - James Street (pu) - Stock Interchange Stabling Sidings - James Street - Birkenhead North - West Kirby - Bidston East Junction - Birkenhead North Depot Washer Road - Birkenhead North Back Road - New Brighton - Bidston East Junction - Birkenhead North - Hamilton Square -James Street - Liverpool Central - Liverpool Central Reversing Siding - Liverpool Central - Kirkdale Depot Washer Line - Aintree - Aintree Signal 1206 - Aintree - Kirkdale Depot North Run Round Line - Sandhills Reversing Siding - Southport - Southport Signal 112 - Southport Wall Siding - Southport Signal 112 - Southport - Southport Sidings No. 10 - Southport -Southport Signal 112 - Birkdale Siding No. 3 - Hall Road Signal 1055 - Hall Road Wallside Siding - Liverpool Central - Liverpool South Parkway (sd) - Liverpool Central - Stock interchange Line - James Street (sd) - Hamilton Square - Rock Ferry - Hooton

Friday 23rd January 2015

Belmond British Pullman Luncheon Train (Belmond (British Pullman))

35028 London Victoria (pu) - Staines - Woking - Guildford - Shalford - Reigate - Redhill - East Croydon - London Victoria

Saturday 24th January 2015

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

5690 and 45407 Manchester Victoria (pu) - Bolton (pu) - Preston (pu) - Shap - Carlisle
5690 and 45407 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) - Bolton (sd) - Manchester Victoria

Additional Tour Information

2/1: 45407 replaces 45699

Added 18:09 on Friday 2nd January 2015

Friday 30th January 2015

The English Bulldog (re-dated To 9 May 2015) (UK Railtours)

tbc London Waterloo (pu) - Clapham Junction (pu) - Staines (pu) - Virginia Water - Reading - Oxford - Evesham - Worcester Shrub Hill
tbc Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Cheltenham Spa - Stroud - Sapperton - Kemble - Swindon - Reading (sd) - Virginia Water - Staines (sd) - Clapham Junction (sd) - London Waterloo

Postponed

Saturday 31st January 2015

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

86259 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (by service train to Rugby) - Rugby - Nuneaton - Crewe (pu)
46233 Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay - Preston - Carnforth - Shap - Carlisle
46233 Carlisle - Appleby - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn (sd) (for Preston) - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe (sd)
86259 Crewe - Nuneaton (sd) - Rugby (sd) - (Northampton by service train from Rugby) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

International
Bangladesh
Railway struggles to keep schedule The Daily Star

India
18-year-old to advise railways on travails of suburban rail travel gulfnews.com

Modi govt's plan to allow 100% FDI in rail infra picks up pace; but investors in wait-and-watch mode (Economic Times)

Centre for Railway Research is being built at IIT-Kharagpur (India Today)

Mexico
Rail consortium from China to bid again for Mexico project WantChinaTimes

USA

High Speed Rail could be Brown's legacy, good or bad (Porterville Recorder)

Texas taxpayers should not be railroaded into high-speed project (Your Houston News)

Bullet train: Benefit or boondoggle? (WND.com)

UK & International Railway News Saturday 10th January 2015

2015-01-10T08:37:00.003+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Yesterday's storms cause a few problems in the north of the UK... and in the south east, an MP is urging a rail summit to address constant time tabling issues....
And its interesting to note a political pledge to reduce rail and bus fares by 10% ...!
Canada's railroads are under pressure from the agricultural community over not doing enough to move grain..
...and in California, the euphoria of the high speed railway ground breaking is tempered somewhat by a comment or two asking whether the project will be finished without investors' money.
And finally, an excellent documentary from Silk Purse Drama on the railway carriage that is linked by two World Wars...... watch and share....

For full details....click on the links....

Headlines
UK

South East rail summit urged by Caroline Lucas MP.(BBC News)

North England storms bring down trees and cause disruption on roads and railways.(BBC News)

Green Party pledges average 10% cut in rail and bus fares.(BBC News)

Can Trainline be more than a railway middleman? (Telegraph.co.uk)

Could the dining car ever make a comeback? (BBC News)

Lincoln transport hub plans unveiled.(BBC News)

Direct rail link to London from Salford, Stalybridge and Manchester Victoria thrown out by rail watchdog.(Manchester Evening News)

Railway Viaduct over A56,Manchester Victoria.

International
Canada
Railway fines for failing to transport grain don't reflect damage: lobby groups.(CTV News)

India
Dense fog delays 59 trains in Delhi.(India Today)

Railway tableau to showcase high speed train (Zee News)

Rs 2000-crore makeover for 20 Mumbai railway stations (Mid-Day)

USA
The Fight to Stop a Boom in California's Crude by Rail (Huffington Post)

Construction underway on America’s first high-speed rail.(USDOT ..blog)

Denham Predicts Fresno High Speed Rail Project to be "Abandoned Pieces of Track" (www.TurlockCityNews.com)

California high-speed rail: Q&A about bullet train details (TheReporter.Com)

HSR board considers awarding second construction contract (Fresno Bee)

California's High-Speed Rail Kicks Off Without Money To Finish It Investor's Business Daily (blog)

Other Railway Press & Events

Raildate: Courtesy Howard Sprenger

EVENTS

All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.

13/01/15 Great Western Society (Bristol Group)
Room 7, BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG.
"Steam Recreations - Steam in the Landscape" by Don Bishop
1930 for 1945
There is no admission charge, but a donation of at least £2 is appreciated
http://www.gwsbristol.org/gwsmeetings.html

14/01/15 Chesterfield Canal Trust The Red Lion, Church Street, Brimington, nr Chesterfield, S43 1JG "From Dream to Steam - the Tornado Story" by Alexa Stott Starts at 2000 Admission free
http://www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/

14/01/15 RCTS South Wales Old Church Rooms, Park Road, Radyr, Cardiff, CF15 8DF AGM + "South Wales and Bristol through the Decades (late 1960s-1980s)" by Phil Bidwell Starts at 1930 (room open from 1900) Non-members are very welcome - a donation of £2.00 is requested
http://www.rcts.org.uk/branches/south_wales/events.htm

15/01/15 Monmouthshire Railway Society Lecture Theatre A10, City Campus, Usk Way, Newport, NP20 2BP "Five Decades of MRS Railtours Part One 1963 -1978" by David Matthew and John Livsey Starts at 1900 prompt, admission for non-members is £3 and for members, £2
http://mrsoc.co.uk/

16/01/15- 18/01/14 London Model Engineering Exhibition Great Hall, Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY 1000-1700 (Fri, Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://www.londonmodelengineering.co.uk

17/01/15- 18/01/14 East Lancashire Railway: Winter Gala
http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

19/01/15 Newbury and District Transport Group The Community Space, Kennet School, Stoney Lane, Thatcham, RG19 4LL 1915 for a prompt 1930 start 21st anniversary of first meeting "The Claverton Pumping Station, its History and Renovation" by George Eycott Plus extra events and special guests Non-members welcome Admission and car parking free, but donations towards expenses welcome

19/01/15 RCTS, Weston Flavell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Weston Flavell, NN3 3EP“Railways Remembered - LMS (WCML)” a film show by Rob Foxon Starts 1400

20/01/15 RCTS Cheltenham Victory Club, Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham GL50 2SY "A Pot Pourri from Six Decades" by David Walker Starts at 1930 Non-members are very welcome - a donation of £3.50 is requested
http://www.rcts.org.uk/branches/cheltenham/events.htm

25/01/15 Gauge 0 Guild: Bristol show UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre, Filton Road, Bristol, BS34 8QZ 1000-1600
http://www.gauge0guild.com/events/events.aspx

For specialist railway titles..... Kestrel Railway Books

The Coach that made History from David Doré on Vimeo.

The story of the Dining Car in which the 1918 Armistice was signed, thus ending the Great War, and the 1940 Armistice which brought France to its knees. It is a story that spans events which shaped the 20th century.

Narrated by Richard Mitchley
Original music by Jeremy Green
Written & directed by David Doré

UK & International Railway News Friday 9th January 2015

2015-01-09T08:59:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

The ground breaking ceremony in California for the state's high speed railway claims the limelight... we shall watch the project's progress with interest. Two opposing local views to the project....

More bad UK weather stretches resources in Scotland... and more chaotic scenes at London Bridge...again..

Groupe Eurotunnel seeks a buyer for its ferry business ..

Click on the links...

Headlines

Network Rail says sorry for fourth consecutive night of chaos at London Bridge.(London Evening Standard)

Scotstorm leaves trail of travel disruptions across the country.(herald scotland)

Trainline on track for £500m float.(insider media)

Can Trainline be more than a railway middleman?(Telegraph)

Wales' first 'Super Express' train to be tested this year.(BBC News)

London to expand 100-year-old power plant to run 'Tube' railway(Reuters)

Day of protest at stations calls for re-nationalisation of the railway(Frome Standard)

Record breaking year for Swanage Railway(Blackmore Vale Magazine)

Simon Calder says: Why 2015 is the year of travel Evening Standard

Rail Accident Investigation Branch

Tram derailment near Mitcham Junction, London, 29 December 2014

At about 23:55 hrs on Monday 29 December 2014, a tram travelling from New Addington to Wimbledon on the Croydon Tramlink system became derailed shortly after leaving the tram stop at Mitcham Junction, while travelling at about 11 km/h (7 mph). There were about 20 passengers, plus the driver, on board the tram, and no-one was hurt. There was some minor damage to the tram.

To the west of Mitcham Junction tram stop, the single tram line becomes two lines at a set of spring-operated points. On leaving the tram stop, the tram driver noticed that an indicator, which shows the position of these points, was indicating that the points were not correctly set. He stopped the tram before reaching the points, and after speaking to the tramway control room by radio, he left the tram and used an operating lever to manually move the points until he observed that the indicator was showing that they were correctly set. He then drove the tram slowly over the points, but the centre bogie and one wheelset of the trailing bogie became derailed.

RAIB’s investigation will focus on the points mechanism and the way that it behaves in degraded operating conditions.
RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or the Office of Rail Regulation.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation. This report will be available on our website.===========================================
Eurotunnel Press Release

MyFerryLink prohibited from operating in Dover: Groupe Eurotunnel seeks buyer for its ferry business

Groupe Eurotunnel acquired the assets of the defunct company, SeaFrance, in June 2012 following an open and public process.

Groupe Eurotunnel subcontracted the operation of the ferries Rodin, Berlioz and Nord-Pas-de-Calais to an independent company, the SCOP SeaFrance.

Operations began on 20 August 2012 and in 2014, MyFerryLink, the maritime business owned by the Group achieved its objectives with close to 400,000 trucks and 350,000 cars transported.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) recognized the validity of the case put forward by the Group and, independently, by the SCOP but decided that these were not sufficient to overturn again the decision taken by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), published on 18 September. This decision is illogical. It reduces competition across the short straits and it is contrary to the interests of free trade. The CAT is forcing Groupe Eurotunnel to withdraw from this activity.

Groupe Eurotunnel is proud to have created a competitive and respected cross-Channel ferry brand in just two and a half years and with no support whatsoever. Groupe Eurotunnel congratulates the SCOP, its management and staff for their professionalism and the quality of their service.

In view of the requirement to cease operations within six months, which has been confirmed, and to realise the value of the work achieved Groupe Eurotunnel will now seek a buyer for MyFerryLink.

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Eurotunnel stated: "MyFerryLink is an operating and commercial success. We are proud to have succeeded where so many others have failed. Given the position of the British authorities, the future of MyFerryLink will now be determined outside the Group".

International

India

2014 saw 9 deaths a day on rail tracks in Mumbai(Times of India)

USA

www.progressiverailroading.com.

WMATA names Requa interim GM, CEO

AAR on 2014: U.S. roads tallied most carloads in six years, broke intermodal volume record

South Carolina port, NS handle heavy steam generator

Connecticut Gov. Malloy highlights rail corridor, transportation projects in state address

'Remarkable generosity, big crowds' colored CP's holiday train

Denver RTD seats new board members, elects officers; Denton County agency installs Recker as VP

Reading & Northern broke traffic, revenue records in 2014

Rail supplier news from Appalachian Railcar, Knorr-Bremse, HDR, Alpha Products, Greenbrier, IntegriCo and LTK (Jan. 9)

US HSR

IT'S OFFICIAL... HIGH SPEED RAIL

HAS BEGUN IN AMERICA!

On Tuesday this week, more than 1,200 people gathered in Fresno, California along with Governor Jerry Brown, elected officials, business leaders, and a who's who of high-speed rail officials to formally kick off construction for the visionary fast rail project - one of the biggest transportation projects the country has ever seen.

"It was an amazing and inspiring event," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "This is history in the making - the day America began its revolutionary 21st century transportation system! Congratulations to all those who have worked to deliver this exciting project."

"We've got a lot to be proud of today," said Governor Brown.

"This marks the transition from all the planning and appropriations and legal challenges and the design work to continuous construction," said Dan Richard, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. "Now we build. We are entering a period of sustained construction on the nation's first high-speed rail system for the next five years in the Central Valley, and in the decade beyond that we will be building across California," added Mr. Richard.

"This is the day we commemorate the beginning of the nation's first high-speed rail project that promises to connect Northern, Central and Southern California like never before," said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. "Are we capable of making similar serious investments for future generations? The answer is not only yes we can, but yes we will," said U.S. Congressman Jim Costa.

"High speed rail is good for our health, it is good for our climate and it is good for our economy," she said.

California high speed rail is a project of national significance as it represents the start of a new era of transportation planning in America. In addition to providing a new high-capacity transportation system, the project will reduce congestion on highways and runways, spur statewide rail modernization, encourage transit-oriented development, revitalize American manufacturing, help solve climate change, and create new economic development and millions of jobs.

High speed rail sets up America to save energy, money, and time - year after year. It delivers a fast and reliable mobility option, it protects the nation from energy price spikes, and increases national security by reducing our dependency on foreign oil. More

High speed rail delivers!

California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Amended MONTHLY MEETING AGENDA (13th January 2015)

Kevin McCarthy and Jon Coupal: California should halt high-speed rail boondoggle

(Fresno Bee)

Why you should embrace the $68-billion California bullet train project

Los Angeles Times

Problems down the line (The Economist)

Other Railway Press and Events

Planning tomorrow’s smart city: Turning plans into reality

Make your city ready for the challenges of the future by joining UITP in Brussels, on 22 January 2015.

What can you expect during this Seminar?

> Presentations on the successful principles of Integrated Mobility Plans with practical examples from cities like Munich, Oslo, ...

> An interactive breakout session where you will discuss the key factors for a successful Integrated Mobility Plan with other participants

> A high-level panel discussion about Smart Cities and the role of technologyCheck out the detailed programme on http://www.uitp.org/smartplanning

===========================================================

SmartRail World

Which is most expensive metro network in the world?

UK & International Railway News 8th January 2015

2015-01-08T10:55:00.000+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Better news for those living in the North of the UK.... a couple of Government announcements about extra carriages ...and some revised services.
It seems services have had to be revised through London Bridge given the chaotic scenes perhaps brought on by over optimistic planning .....hence the Network Rail apology....
Christian Wolmar takes a look at freight haulage from Felixstowe with John Smith and GBRf...
and makes a point about revenue protection on the WCML.
On a related matter, Eurotunnel reports an excellent year, with records broken..
In the USA, the much heralded Californian high speed railway gets started in a ground breaking ceremony...
India experiences a profitable railway... and potential sabotage ..
And Jessica Valenti's piece in the Guardian re women passengers being routinely harassed makes for sombre and thought provoking reading....
Click on the links for more details....

Headlines
UK
GOV.UK
New plan to secure rail services for the north
Existing rail services will be maintained and more seats will be offered in the north of England as part of a plan to secure rolling stock.

Rail services will be maintained and capacity on key routes will be increased as part of a plan to secure additional rolling stock for the north of England, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today (8 January 2015).
The plan means that existing rail services will be maintained from May 2015. This follows a decision by rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook to move trains running on the TransPennine Express route to the Chiltern franchise.
In addition, the Department for Transport has agreed a plan with the operators of the Northern and TransPennine Express routes to offer more carriages and seats.
Patrick McLoughlin said:

Rail services across the north are vital for passengers and for the economy. By helping people access work and leisure more easily, we are securing long-term economic growth across the region.

That is why we have worked hard with Northern and TransPennine Express to ensure we expand services and enhance passenger journeys.

Over the coming months, the agreement will deliver a number of benefits to passengers.

More carriages between Manchester and Blackpool

Capacity on selected services between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport / Manchester Oxford Road will be increased, providing extra seats for the benefit of passengers in destinations including Preston, Bolton and Salford.

Additional capacity on Cumbrian Coast services

Longer trains will provide extra capacity to Carlisle, Maryport, Workington, Whitehaven, Sellafield and Barrow-in-Furness, with potential to create additional jobs. There will also be an enhanced early-morning service from Carlisle to Sellafield, arriving in time for the morning shift at the power station.

Electric trains on Manchester Victoria to Liverpool and Liverpool to Preston routes

Refreshed electric trains, providing faster, smoother and greener journeys, will be rolled out on busy commuter routes between Liverpool and Manchester Victoria from May, at a faster rate than previously planned. In addition, refreshed electric trains will be rolled out on the Liverpool to Preston route in the autumn. This will free up existing diesel trains to create additional capacity elsewhere on the north’s network.

Revised services for South Cumbria and Windermere

A new 10:53am service from Windermere to Manchester Airport will be introduced, while the existing 1:33pm service from Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester Airport will depart at 12:13pm to provide more balanced services throughout the day. The 6:18am Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness service will no longer run, but a new, direct 5:14pm service from Manchester Oxford Road to Barrow-in-Furness will be introduced, with a connection for Windermere.

Revised services on the South TransPennine route

An hourly service will be maintained between Manchester Airport, Sheffield, Doncaster and Cleethorpes. The vast majority of these will remain as direct services. Limited amends are planned, with customers for the 3:55pm between Manchester Airport and Cleethorpes and the 4:26pm Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport needing to change at Doncaster.

Services between Manchester, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast, Humberside and the Northeast

All services will be operated with a minimum of 3 carriages or 181 seats, whereas at present some services on the route are operated by 2 carriage trains with 116 seats.
Nick Donovan, Managing Director for First TransPennine Express (FTPE) said:

A great deal of background work has been undertaken by ourselves, Northern Rail and the Department for Transport that seeks to ensure capacity and frequency of FTPE services across our network is maintained for the timetable change in May 2015.

I am delighted that we have been able to work together and develop a plan that aims to protect rail services for the huge majority of customers in the north of England and, indeed, deliver some additional capacity at a time when demand across our network is higher than ever.

Alex Hynes, Managing Director, Northern Rail said:

Rail travel is increasingly popular in the north of England placing capacity at a premium. That is why we have been working with First TransPennine Express and the Department for Transport to ensure customers would not be disadvantaged by the loss of some FTPE trains.

In doing so we are delighted to be able to provide more seats for customers on some of our busiest routes. Through deploying more electric trains to take advantage of newly electrified routes, we are able to help maintain capacity for FTPE and add more seats for customers in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Written statement to Parliament

Rail in the north: rolling stock

An agreement has been reached with with TransPennine Express and Northern Rail that will offer extra rolling stock for the north of England.

My department has reached agreement with TransPennine Express and Northern Rail on plans to maintain and increase capacity on key routes and these plans will offer extra rolling stock for the north of England.
Rail services across the north are vital for passengers and for the economy. By helping people access work and leisure more easily, we are securing long-term economic growth across the region.
That is why my department has worked hard with Northern and Transpennine Express to reach an agreement which means that existing rail services will continue from May 2015. This follows a decision by rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook to move Class 170 diesel trains running on the Northern and Transpennine Express routes to the Chiltern franchise.
In addition, the Department for Transport has taken this opportunity to secure benefits for passengers and has reached agreement with the operators of the 2 franchises to offer more carriages and seats, increasing capacity on a number of routes in the north, including between Blackpool and Manchester and into and out of Sheffield in the peaks.
Northern Rail will also be increasing capacity on the Cumbrian Coast line and will be finalising details on this shortly. I will make a further statement on this in due course.

===============================================================
Network Rail

Network Rail announces £16m enhancement for Edinburgh-Fife line
Network Rail and Transport Minister Derek Mackay have announced that one of Scotland’s iconic rail routes will benefit from a £16m signalling enhancement.

A contract has been awarded to Siemens to upgrade signalling on the route between Edinburgh and Fife, over the Forth Bridge.

The works, part of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme, will improve reliability on the route and create additional capacity on the lines serving key commuter routes into Fife and beyond.

Mr Mackay said: “Scotland’s railways are in the midst of a renewed golden age and these signalling upgrades will see sympathetic improvements to one of our most world-famous landmarks, which draws tourists from around the world as well as carrying daily commuters.
“The Scottish Government is currently investing £5billion in ensuring our railways and train services continue on this path of increased patronage, as this will support growth in our economy, as well as modal shift from roads use to increase our carbon efficiency.”

David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, added: “Rail travel is more popular now that ever before and we need to continually invest in our infrastructure to meet the needs of today’s businesses and commuters.
“The investment announced today will help to ensure we can continue to improve reliability on the network and also look to increase services on our railway in the future as we strive to meet the ever-rising demand for rail travel.”

The contract will see the existing 3-aspect signalling on the Fife lines between Haymarket and Dalmeny replaced by continuous 4-aspect signalling – decreasing signalling headways and increasing train speeds on this section of the route.

On the Forth Bridge, six new signals are to be installed while the project will also involve a range of associated works to interlockings, power systems and telecoms along the line between Haymarket and the bridge.

Work on the project has now started and will be completed by summer of this year. Once complete, the project will improve reliability; create more options for how trains use the network and the potential for new services to be introduced in the future.
EGIP is a Scottish Government-funded investment worth £742m which is delivering a rolling programme of electrification across the central belt – reducing journey times and boosting capacity on routes including the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) line.

Network Rail Picture

Mayor to grill rail chiefs over delays after another day of chaos at London Bridge.(London Evening Standard)

London Bridge delays: Rail boss 'deeply regretful' about problems.(BBC News)

Network Rail Statement
Media statement on London Bridge
Network Rail and Southern apologise for the unacceptable disruption and delays to passengers at London Bridge this week resulting in severe overcrowding on the concourse. This is not the level of service that customers deserve, expect or that we want to deliver.

Over the festive break we undertook 16 days of work rebuilding two new platforms, removing and replacing 3km of track and installing new signalling into London Bridge. This work was completed on time.

However, the new timetable has proved challenging to manage. We have reviewed this and made some immediate changes to a small number of evening peak services which will reduce the pressure on the infrastructure and allow us to deliver a more punctual service that passengers deserve.

We will monitor the service this week and assess if any longer term changes are required.

We have reviewed the operation of the station concourse, placed more staff at London Bridge, and implemented additional crowd control measures to separate passengers entering and exiting trains. By the end of the week, we will have additional passenger information screens, so the concourse is used more evenly.

Passengers are asked to check with their train operator before they travel.

========================================================

Ice on railway in Hampshire causes delays and cancellations.(BBC News)

Concerns raised over cuts to Stranraer-Glasgow rail service.(BBC News)

Charity 'inundated' after dog and case left at Ayr station.(BBC News)

Talyllyn steam locomotives get secret 150th paint job.(BBC News)

Video: York’s National Railway Museum turns 40.(The Yorkshire Post)

Teenager runs out of toilet paper on Virgin train before Twitter came to the rescue.(Birmingham Mail)

International
Europe

Eurotunnel

PRESS RELEASE

An exceptional year end for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle with several new traffic records

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which connects Folkestone in Kent to Calais in France, broke a series of traffic records during the year end period. Between Friday 19 December and Sunday 4 January 217,791 cars^{1, coaches and trucks were carried, making the highest number of vehicles ever transported in the Group’s history, representing almost}600,000 passengers using Le Shuttle services. 175,821 cars were carried, an increase of 8% over the previous all-time record.

But, even more remarkably, more than 19,000 vehicles2 were carried, in both directions, in one day, on 19 December. This is the highest total ever recorded in one day in 20 years of operations.

The Truck Shuttle hit a new record high, with 25,253 trucks carried3 from Calais to Folkestone. This is the highest volume ever achieved in a comparable period.

And, finally, more than 20,0004 dogs and cats took Le Shuttle between 19 December 2014 and 4 January 2015, an increase of 16% compared to the same time last Christmas, proof again that Le Shuttle is the go-to transporter for our four legged friends and their owners, who appreciate spending the 35 minute crossing time together, in their own vehicle.

Eurotunnel Commercial Director, Jo Willacy stated: "These results show that Eurotunnel Le Shuttle really is the preferred choice for customers crossing the Channel and justifies our decision to undertake a number of major investment programmes that will increase our overall capacity and enable us to offer an even greater frequency of departures over the coming years."

UITP - Europe

PRESS RELEASE

MAJOR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATIONS DECLARE OPPOSITION TO POTENTIAL SPLITTING OF 4th RAILWAY PACKAGE

BRUSSELS, 8 JANUARY 2015

With discussions of the technical and market pillars of the Fourth Railway Package beginning again under the Latvian Presidency of the European Council, UITP (International Association of Public Transport), EMTA (European Metropolitan Transport Authorities) and EPTO (European Passenger Transport Operators) have declared their opposition to any potential splitting of the Package.

With the re-opening of discussions of the Package under the new Latvian Presidency, the three associations express their concern about potential priority given in Council discussions to the technical pillar to the detriment of the market pillar. The expected benefits from the future adoption of the technical pillar are only likely to be realised in a context of progressive market opening hence why the associations defend a ‘package approach’ whereby both pillars are taken forward jointly.

For the three associations, the key to finding an agreement on the market pillar is to stick to more limited ambitions. The associations have consistently called for the revision of regulation 1370/2007 to be strictly limited to the minimum changes necessary to open domestic passenger rail markets to competition without impacting urban and local public transport, for which the current regulation already provides a progressive and balanced market opening.

In order to facilitate an agreement on the market pillar in the Council certain modifications such as the introduction of compulsory public transport plans or the revision of the definition of a ‘competent local authority’ could be avoided.

For UITP, EPTO and EMTA the opening of the passenger rail market should be carried out within a reasonable timeframe. It should provide legal security as a number one priority but it must be effective if we want to stop further stagnation in the rail sector, attract the required investments, remove impediments for new entrants, meet the rapidly evolving needs of passengers and provide better value for the public money spent. This progressive market-opening process must establish a general principle of competitive award for public service contracts in rail and allow for the possibility of retaining direct awarding in certain limited and strictly defined cases.

The top 10 reasons to attend

1. Key trending topics
Risk management, E-bus, Citizens and employees engagement, Master planning, Smart cities, Modal choice, Market growth, Health, Open data...
More info

2. Renowned speakers, experts in their domain
It's the only (truly) global public transport gathering where speakers from all around the world, top-level professionals from authorities, operators and industry get together.
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3. All urban and regional transport modes worldwide
It's the only worldwide event that covers all urban and regional transport modes and combines a full programme of congress sessions with an exhibition of all the latest industry innovations.
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4. Growth of the Exhibition
We provide buyers despite the crisis and tough budget choices, executives keep coming back. Our sales-driven exhibition has grown every year between 8 and 12% since 2007.
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5. Expo Focus Sessions
Our Expo Focus Sessions get you up close and personal to tomorrow's innovations and innovators.
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6. Peers from around the world
You'll meet peers from around the world and make long-term professional relationships. Ever wondered how public transport runs in time zones other than your own? Don't just read about it, come face to face with it.
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7. Networking events
You will take part in many social events, the Welcome Reception and the Networking Dinner among others, that are not-to-be missed get-togethers specially designed to offer you the opportunity to get to know your peers and potential partners.
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8. Stakes for urban mobility It's also the place where government officials, decision-makers and top-brass policy-makers come to find out the stakes for urban mobility. Not for yesterday, not for last year, but for today and tomorrow.
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9. Youth For Public Transport (Y4PT) new projects on the spot
Since the Y4PT Group was founded in 2005, they've been encouraging young people of the world to come up with innovative and imaginative ideas for sustainable mobility. Discover the results of their projects and their new ideas for public transport in Milan and visit them at their stand.
More info

10. UITP Awards 2015
UITP will be rewarding our members' most ambitious and innovative projects. Let's reward the organisations that are contributing to a sustainable future for all of us.
More info

India
Re-girdering work begins on Pamban rail bridge.(The Hindu)

Security of Railways means Security of millions of travelling People: Suresh Prabhu - See more at: http://www.indiainfoline.com/

Railways' earnings up by over 12%.(Economic Times)

CBTC trials begin in Hyderabad - Railway Gazette

Russia
Moscow Metro orders 768 cars - Railway Gazette

USA
Statement by APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy on California High-Speed Rail Groundbreaking.(American Public Transportation Association)

www.progressiverailroading.com

Hoeven-Manchin bill seeks to approve Keystone XL pipeline without presidential blessing

NS logged 94 industrial development projects in 2014

SORTA seeks contractor for Cincinnati Streetcar operations, maintenance

NJ Transit to add quiet cars on Atlantic City line

UP provides donation to Kansas National Guard

Morristown & Erie notes 2014 traffic gain; TNW tabs Stokes to head health, safety programs

Lehigh Gorge excursion train adds stops, boosts annual ridership to record level

Other Railway Press
Women shouldn't need special train cars to avoid harassers. Men need to leave women in peace.(The Guardian)
Jessica Valenti asks..Why do we ask for gender-segregated transport for women if the problem is men behaving badly? Harassment doesn’t start and end on the commute

............................................................................................................................................

A Foreword from John Verity, Chief Advisor of ITSO Limited

Ticketing SupplementAssessing how contactless payment technology is stepping up a gear

A look at public transport development in Budapest, Riga and Istanbul

Vehicle Design SupplementMike Weston, Director of Buses at TfL explains how trials of detection software can help reduce pedestrian and cyclist accidents in London; a look at Tyne & Wear Metro’s £30 million fleet modernisation project; plus vehicle design and accessibility for persons with disabilities

Read..HERE

www.railway-technology.com
Alstom installs signalling system on West Island metro line in Hong Kong
French transport group Alstom has installed the signalling system on MTR-operated West Island metro line in Hong Kong.
Metrans commissions ninth intermodal terminal at Usti nad Labem in Czech Republic
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik's subsidiary Metrans has commissioned its ninth intermodal terminal at Usti nad Labem in North Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Hitachi begins shipment of Class 800 train for UK
Japan-based Hitachi has started shipment of the first completed pre-series Class 800 train built for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) of UK's Department for Transport (DfT).
Network Rail completes £200m investment upgrade programme
The UK's Network Rail has completed a £200m investment upgrade programme at more than 2,000 locations around the country.

Christian Wolmar

Rail 762: On the freight train

‘We are like Millwall – the rest of the industry all hates us’, said John Smith, the managing director of GB Railfreight, as we head back to London after a tour of Felixstowe docks. Indeed freight is the Cinderella of the industry and the tremendous success of the passenger side ironically puts added pressure on the freight carriers.
Smith, a career railwayman, who clearly enjoys every minute of his job, is joking but is nevertheless also making a serious point. Both GB Railfreight and the port of Felixstowe are very much part of the transformation in the way that goods are moved around in the UK. GB Railfreight is a child of privatisation, one of the most successful companies to emerge from the upheavals of the mid 1990s. It was started in the aftermath of privatisation as an offshoot of Anglia which was one of the few start up companies to win one of the early franchises. ‘Let’s do freight’ one of the directors said and Smith found himself undertaking tasks such as ordering locomotives and dealing with shipping companies for which his previous career had not prepared him.

The first contract, which started operating in 2000, was with Railtrack, which was eager to break the monopoly of EWS, at the time owned by Wisconsin Central, which ran all the trains needed for maintenance and renewal of the track. Smith ordered seven Class 66 locomotives and soon the embryonic company was battling for the container market with Freightliner, at the time the only other significant player apart from EWS, in the rail freight market.

GB Railfreight has subsequently gone through several incarnations, being bought initially by FirstGroup and then sold onto Eurotunnel, which has invested heavily in its expansion. Turnover is around £130m this year and has risen steadily every year since the creation of the company except for a brief blip during the worst of the recession when it all but stagnated for a couple of years. The company now carries substantial amounts of coal and gypsum, and was also a supplier to Metronet, which was one of the London Underground infrastructure providers under the ill-fated Public Private Partnership.
Smith, who guzzles more Diet Coke than can be good for him, explains that to understand the rail freight market, each sector has to be viewed differently: ‘Apart from intermodal [containers], coal is the biggest market but it will not remain so. That will change and railfreight will have to adapt accordingly.
It is impossible not to be impressed when touring the Port of Felixstowe. There are the largest cranes in the world, needed to cope with both high and low tides, and one of the quays is 2.6 kilometres long, seemingly stretching out into infinity in the morning mist on the November day I visited. Whole new areas are being opened up, partly reclaimed from the sea, to cope with extra demand. The biggest ships can now carry 18,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units which means, as most boxes are now 40 foot, that means around 9,000) and the cranes have to cope with the up and down movement of the tides enabling them to reach the top of the highest stacks at high tide, and stretch deep into the holds at low tide’
A little friendly tiff between Deborah Coe, the port’s customer relations manager who is showing us around, and Smith highlights the delicate economics of railfreight. Smith complains that the Port charges £42 for every container put on the train, and yet does the same thing for free for trucks. However, Coe points out that the trucks move up to the stacks of boxes, whereas the Port has to supply vehicles and drivers to move the containers on to the trains: ‘We are a business, not a charity’ she says crisply, though, of course, the Port’s use of rail is an important part of its corporate social responsibility agenda and looks good as part of its PR.
Smith says that the industry’s high fixed costs, around 60 per cent, mean that much money can be lost quickly if for some reason demand falls. A train becomes profitable, highly profitable, when it is full, but that is quickly lost if 20 or 30 per cent of the capacity is empty, In some cases, shippers share in the risk, paying a set fee for the train, while in others it is the rail company that bears the risk. It is a fast moving industry where to remain profitable requires being fleet-footed in negotiations and an awareness of the changing markets.
Smith’s Millwall comment is a reference to the tension between freight and passenger operators on the network. At one point during the run up to the negotiations over Network Rail’s Control Period 5 (which started in April), the Office of Rail Regulation had threatened to greatly increase access charges for freight trains which currently only pay marginal costs. This would, at a stroke, have wrecked the industry. Smith told me: ‘basically, I said, do you want to pay us a billion quid or so and we will all just leave, and of course the answer was no.’
Nowhere is the tension between passenger and freight needs more in evidence than on the Felixstowe branch. The hourly passenger service operated by Abellio on the branch between Ipswich and Felixstowe eats up capacity that could easily be used by the freight trains. As we sit in the cab of a Class 66 at a signal waiting for the 10 58 from Ipswich, Smith and Kelvin, the driver, estimate how many passengers there are likely to be – and when the train flashes by, they argue about who is right: ‘I reckon it was just three’, Smith says ‘typical’. The low usage off peak in winter is hardly surprising given that the 11 mile trip takes 25 minutes but the local authority and rail groups have been adamant that reducing the frequency would kill off the line. Indeed, politically, rail passenger services, however ill-used, are sacrosanct these days and no politician would dare to advocate closure or cutbacks in service (except up North where Westminster politicians seem happy to be causing havoc, a story for another day).

Practically, it would make sense to free up those paths for trains that can take up to 50 ‘boxes’ off the roads, boosting the 28 per cent share of rail for domestic containers landing at Felixstowe. That proportion has doubled in the past ten years. There has been some improvement as the opening of the Bacon Factory chord means that trains no longer have to reverse at Ipswich. Doubling the track on the branch would, of course, be even better, but but as I have mentioned before (Rail 738) there has been a long dispute over who exactly should pay. The Port did not see why it should have to pay when its rivals such as Tilbury and the new London Gateway have had not had to pay for their rail connections. At last there are now firm plans for a dynamic loop which will add some capacity but doubling is seen as eventually inevitable. Currently the line can take 30 trains per day (six of which are Smith’s trains) in each direction but Smith reckons that any extra capacity would be taken up quickly by the Port. For now, it is clear that these are good times for both GB Railfreight and the Port but with such high levels of investment and big fixed costs, both industries are dependent on the economy remaining buoyant. Oh, and also that all those boxes keep on coming from China.

Memo to Mark Carne: I was astonished on the cab ride from Felixstowe to Camden Road at the amount of old rail on the tracks, far more than anywhere else I have been. Given its value and also the untidy look it creates, surely much of this could have been removed during the numerous possessions on the line over the past few years. Time to do at the next opportunity.

TOCs failing to bother with revenue

My little rant a couple of issues ago about Virgin’s failure to bother with revenue protection, particularly in its northern outposts, attracted quite a post bag (or inbox flurry) from people inside the industry

A train driver, John, wrote how ‘I am booked to call into several stations that are managed by Virgin Trains, and not one station has a permanent barrier to prevent fraudulent travel. Rugby has 2 entrances with open unhindered access to all 6 platforms. Wolverhampton rarely has a barrier in force at the main entry point to its 5 platforms. Same at Stafford and Stoke on Trent and Crewe.’
The reason, he explains, is that for the most part, Virgin passengers are not in a majority at these stations. Therefore Virgin is reluctant to try to protect the revenue of other operators. Some of the fare dodging is clearly systematic and planned. John cites Runcorn where passengers going to Liverpool will let a London Midland service go because they know there is more likely to be an active guard, and take the Virgin train because checks beyond Crewe are never made.
He makes a good suggestion to get round this nonsense. He suggests making all mainline principal station booking offices serving more than one operator independent of either, and get them run by a third party with incentives to maximise takings. Or else, of course, as he says, the whole could be renationalised, but we won’t go there for now.
I am though, left bemused (as I am by other responses which I will write about in the future) Why do these capitalist organisations with such claims to efficiency fail to gather in the money they are due?

The Pathfinder Tours & Torbay Express Team would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and hope 2015 brings all that you hope for.

Welcome to ON-TRACK, the bi-weekly newsletter from Pathfinder Tours and Torbay Express. Please send any comments to marketing@pathfindertours.co.uk. Thank you for your continuing support, the useful feedback and also for all the suggestions. Our intention is to provide you with the latest news and information about our excursions, together with other interesting bits and pieces. If you decide ON-TRACK is not for you then you are able to un-subscribe by using the link at the bottom of the newsletter.

~ RECENT TOURS~

The Tugging Shedmaster, on Saturday 3 January, was hailed as a great success, despite a late departure and we have been asked to repeat it in the summer, so that people can see it all in daylight - this is being considered for 2016. For a taste of the tour please have a look at this video courtesy of Dazoink Dazman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-ih_tw3tE

~ CAN YOU HELP PLEASE ~

We would like to ask a favour of you - we have lots of reviews about The Torbay Express on TripAdvisor, but we don't have any at all for Pathfinder Tours, so we would be very grateful indeed if you would please write us a review for any of the Pathfinder excursions.

~ NEW BROCHURE & 2015 TOURS~

Details of new tours are being added to the Pathfinder website and the latest Brochure will be heading for the printers next week. This means that it should be with you towards the end of the month. The programme for the Torbay Express is still being finalised and we will confirm details as soon as we are able.

~ UP AND COMING EXCURSIONS ~

For full details and fares, or to book any of the excursions mentioned below please click on the name of the excursion. For details about any of the destinations or off-train options please click on the name of the place - an asterisk indicates a supplementary fare is payable for that option. Tables for Two with guaranteed window seats are available in First Class Plus and Premier Dining at a supplement of £25 per person. Seats are available in all classes on all tours unless indicated.

THE MENDIP MARINER Saturday 17 January

PICK-UP POINTS: Eastleigh, Salisbury, Westbury & Filton Abbey Wood

Photo courtesy of Martin Loader

A railtour which includes some loops and freight lines not normally traversed by passenger trains; a visit into Avonmouth Docks; a journey along the Severn Beach branchline, plus a circuit of the Avonmouth Loop via Henbury and Sea Mills. The Whatley Quarry freight branch is also traversed.

THE BUFFER PUFFER 12.0 Saturday 7 February

PICK-UP POINTS: Crewe, Stafford, Nuneaton, Coventry, Banbury, London Paddington & Clapham Junction

N.B. Only a handful of Standard Class seats remaining.

A visit to rail locations around Greater London not usually visited by long excursion trains. For details of the requested route please have a look at the website:
T he Buffer Puffer 12.0

THE GREAT NORTH OF SCOTLAND REVIVER
Sunday 15 February

PICK-UP POINTS: Ediinburgh, Inverkeithing, Dundee, Arbroath & Aberdeen

Photo courtesy of Martin Loader

A rare chance to visit some freight loops and terminals in North East Scotland. For details of the requested route please have a look at the website:
The Great North of Scotland Reviver

SABRINA'S TEA PARTY Friday 6 March

PICK-UP POINTS: Crewe, Stafford.

The first in our 'Going Everywhere' series - An evening restaurant railtour with an interesting Midlands itinerary that includes a chicken curry (vegetarian version available if advised at the time of booking), with rice and naan bread, freshly prepared on the train.

THE WHITE ROSE KIPPER
Overnight Friday 6 / Saturday 7 March

PICK-UP POINTS: Crewe, Stockport.

The second in our 'Going Everywhere Train' series - A 'through the night' railtour taking in a selection of destinations not normally visited because of the intensity of daytime traffic.

THE LANCS LINKS Saturday 7 March

PICK-UP POINTS: Crewe, Stockport, Manchester Picadilly & Liverpool Lime Street

The third in our 'Going Everywhere Train' series - A daytime railtour featuring a Loop and lots of Goods , Branch and Dock Lines

THE GOING EVERYWHERE TRAINS
Friday 6 / Saturday 7 March

PICK-UP POINTS: Crewe, Stafford, Stockport, Manchester Picadilly & Liverpool Lime Street

A combined ticket for each of our 'Going Everywhere Train' series:
Sabrina's Tea Train
The White Rose Kipper &
The Lancs Link
(For details of each please see above)
Each train will feature a Buffet, Gricers Grill, Real Ale Bar and a Sales Stand.

THE CUMBRIAN DOCKER Saturday 21 March

PICK-UP POINTS: Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Preston.

Nearly 14 million Europeans estimated to be exposed to railways transport noise above 55 dB

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published the “Noise in Europe 2014“ report, presenting the exposure to noise levels and an warning on the resulting environmental health problems. More

Over EUR 1.6 bn in EU funding for Bulgaria’s railway infrastructure during 2014-2020 programming period

The European Commission has approved Bulgaria’s Operational Programme Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014-2020, which includes projects estimated at EUR 2 bn. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov informed that under the new program infrastructure development projects of Bulgarian Railways will be receive EUR 1.6 billion, while EUR 400 million will be dedicated to building sections of the underground railway system in Sofia. More

Construction works for Sofia’s 3rd Metro Line to start this year

Construction of Sofia’s 3rd Metro Line is planned to start this year, stated city mayor Yordanka Fandakova. The third metro line will link the city’s southwestern neighborhoods with its eastern parts. Its first section, to stretch from Krasno Selo neighbourhood to the city center, will be seven kilometers long and will have seven stations. More

Railway Freight

CFR Marfa estimates over EUR 5 million profit in 2014

Romanian state-owned railway freight operator, CFR Marfa estimates for 2014 a profit of RON 23.69 million (EUR 5.2 million), an income of RON 1.11 billion and expenses of RON 1.09 billion. The company has unpaid debt of over RON 208.5 million and receivables of RON 450.7 million. More

Greenbrier to acquire a 19.5% ownership in Amsted-Maxion Hortolandia railcar manufacturer

The Greenbrier Companies announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire a 19.5% ownership in Amsted-Maxion Hortolandia, the leading railcar manufacturer in South America, for $15 million. The agreement also provides Greenbrier with an option to acquire an additional 40.5% ownership interest, to be exercised no later than September 30, 2017. More

Rolling stock

ÖBB Personenverkehr to supply 55 used passenger coaches to MAV Start

Hungarian railway passenger operator, MAV Start has awarded ÖBB Personenverkehr AG a EUR 6.5 million tender (approx. HUF 2 bn) for the supply of 55 used passenger coaches. More

Istanbul awards EUR 77.5 mln metro cars order to Hyundai Rotem

Hyundai Rotem announced it has received a KRW 103.8bn (EUR 77.5 million) order from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for the supply of 68 metro cars. The rolling stock will enter service on M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman Metro Line. More

UK & International Railway News Wednesday 7th January 2015

2015-01-07T09:49:00.002+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

The UK parliament Transport Select Committee meets with Network Rail executives Mark Carne and Robin Gisby..and Richard Price of the office of Rail Regulation next Wednesday. Originally scheduled for today, the session was put back a week to allow for the publication this Friday of Network Rail's own enquiry report from Dr Francis Paonessa(Infrastructure Projects Director,Network Rail).
Network Rail produce a video on YouTube outlining the challenges of winter weather on services..
Doncaster confirm the Lakeside location for the High Speed College...
California is no longer dreaming.... an official ground breaking ceremony has taken place earlier this week...
For more details....and more news... click on the links...

Headlines
UK
Parliament.uk

MPs to hear from Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation
This will be a one-off evidence session which will consider the over-running engineering works at King’s Cross and Paddington on the weekend of 27/28 December. The Committee will first take evidence from Network Rail, and then from the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation.

Witnesses

Wednesday 14 January 2015, Room TBC
2.05pm

Mark Carne, Chief Executive, Network Rail
Robin Gisby, Managing Director, Network Operations, Network Rail

2.50pm

Richard Price, Chief Executive, Office of Rail Regulation
Joanna Whittington, Director, Railway Markets and Economics, Office of Rail Regulation

Likely topics for discussion include:

The causes for the over-running engineering works at King’s Cross and Paddington;
the contingency planning for these overruns, and the use of Finsbury Park station in place of King’s Cross;
the level of information and support offered to passengers; and
the Office of Rail Regulation’s review into the overrunning engineering works.

The session was originally scheduled for 7 January, but was rearranged following a request from Network Rail, to allow the session to be informed by the report commissioned by Mark Carne from Dr Francis Paonessa, Network Rail infrastructure projects director. Dr Paonessa’s report, which is due to be published on Friday, will cover the sequence of events and associated decision making that led to the problems experienced, and make recommendations on immediate steps to be taken by Network Rail to improve delivery of engineering works.

Doncaster Council News

Doncaster to become rail sector hub

Lakeside has been confirmed as the location for the national High Speed Rail College in Doncaster.

Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet today (7 January) agreed that the 5.1 acre ‘ready to go’ site at Carolina Way would be the Council’s contribution to the High Speed Rail College which will place Doncaster at the heart of the booming rail sector.

Over 200 rail and engineering businesses are based in Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region with many world leading firms like Volker Rail, Network Rail, DB Schenker, SPL Powerlines, Unipart Rail, Wabtec, Rhomberg Sersa and the new £70million Hitachi rail maintenance facility already based in and around Lakeside.

With the rail industry expected to grow further through electrification and huge levels of investment in modernisation, the College will be the catalyst for attracting additional household names in the sector to Doncaster and the wider region.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: “We fought hard to bring the National High Speed Rail College to Doncaster and it will be one of the most important investments in the borough for many years, providing fantastic opportunities for local people to secure highly skilled, well-paid engineering and manufacturing jobs.”

A recent study by the National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering (NSARE) showed the rail industry needs about 1,000 apprentice engineers a year and no more than 600 a year are being created. This gap will be exacerbated by HS2.

The High Speed Rail College will address the skills shortage by providing people with the training, skills and qualifications needed by rail businesses to thrive and win contracts worldwide.

Mayor Jones added: “We plan to develop a rail and engineering campus at Lakeside which encourages further specialist training provision and links in with our schools and colleges so there are clear pathways for our young people into long lasting and rewarding careers. This really is a game changer for Doncaster.”

Commenting on the town’s rail heritage, Mayor Jones continued: “Doncaster has a rich history of rail innovation with internationally acclaimed locomotives like Flying Scotsman and Mallard designed, built and maintained in the town. We have always been at the forefront of rail and the College will further enhance our reputation as a rail town.”

“The College will be the fulcrum for substantial growth in the rail and associated sectors, delivering far-reaching economic benefits for Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region, Yorkshire, the North-East and beyond,” concluded Mayor Jones

In September 2014, the Government announced the High Speed Rail College would be based in Doncaster and Birmingham. This followed a successful bid by the Centre for Rail Engineering and Technical Excellence (CREATE) partnership, coordinated by Doncaster Council.

There was widespread support for the bid from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and towns, cities, city regions, Chambers of Commerce, universities and colleges, local authorities, businesses and residents right across the north.

As well as helping to shape the College and its curriculum, the Council will project manage its construction. The curriculum will be finalised by March 2015, with building works expected to start in 2015. The College will welcome its first intake of students at the start of the 2017/18 academic year.

For further information about the rail and engineering sector, CREATE and Doncaster as a business location go to: www.businessdoncaster.com

Pictures Courtesy Doncaster Council

Apology from Transport Secretary for Christmas rail chaos.(Swindon Advertiser)

Verdict in Jesse Quincey inquest: Redhill teenager electrocuted at Horley rail station.(Surrey Mirror)

London Bridge overcrowding continues for second night.(BBC News)

MP to meet transport secretary over London Bridge trains(Get Surrey)

Southern apologises after popular Brighton to London commuter train cancelled - again.(The Argus)

Union asks public for support in rail dispute.(News & Star)

Green Party pledges average 10% cut in rail and bus fares.(BBC News)

Rail link essential for airport.(herald scotland)

Six weeks of disruption on Edinburgh-Glasgow rail line.(herald Scotland)

Summer disruption for train commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow.(BBC News)

Edinburgh Waverley

Eurostar expands network, cuts travel time(Gulf News.com)

First Hitachi IEP trainset sets off for the UK - Railway Gazette

Network Rail on YouTube
Snow and ice can cause serious problems for the railway. Particularly at risk are areas where trains move more slowly, such as the approach to stations and points. Find out more, including how we're reducing delays caused by snow and ice at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetabl...

International

Africa

Railways Africa.

MoU SIGNED BETWEEN TRANSNET & CSR

THEFT EFFECT ON ROAD TO RAIL ENDEAVOURS

ATLANTIC RAIL TO OPERATE CERES TRAINS

PRASA PROBE COMPLETED

ADDIS LIGHT RAIL TO OPEN SOON

RVR FREIGHT FIGURES GROWING

China

Beijing subway fare hike weighs on commuters.(BBC News)

Hong Kong West Island Metro Line Starts Operation
(Alstom Press Release)
Alstom has successfully delivered the signalling system equipping Hong Kong’s MTR¹ West Island metro line which started passenger service on 28 December, 2014. Alstom’s cutting-edge signalling solutions boost the development of the Western District of Hong Kong bringing safe and reliable railway experience to passengers.Hong Kong’s West Island line is an extension of the Island line with three new stations which are expected to serve about 230,000 people living and working in the Western District.Following the contract signed in 2010, Alstom was responsible for the design, manufacture, testing and commissioning of the signalling system, as well as training and performance demonstration. The provided signalling trackside services and equipment include interlocking, Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision systems to interface with the existing Island line for which Alstom also supplied trains and signalling system in the 80’s.Alstom’s service-proven interlocking solution is designed to provide higher network availability and optimised lifecycle cost. The solution used for the West Island line enables more data to be processed, covers much larger geographical areas and works at far higher speed. Together with Alstom Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision system, the solution is capable of fulfilling the very high reliability and availability requirements of MTR.“We are honoured to contribute to the dynamic development of Hong Kong by providing state-of-art signalling technologies and solutions with excellent interfacing capabilities. The successful operation of the West Island line is an important milestone for Alstom’s long-term development in the local market, bringing great confidence in us for the execution of future projects in Hong Kong and Asia”, said Dominique Pouliquen, Senior Vice President of Alstom Transport Asia Pacific.Alstom has been present in Hong Kong for nearly 40 years and is a long-term dedicated partner of the city’s rail transport development. Since its first metro contract awarded in Hong Kong in 1975,Alstom has supplied the city with over 1,100 mass transit rail cars, provided infrastructure systems to 2 metro lines and signalling systems to 7 metro lines, such as the West Island line, Kwun Tung Line and South Island Line (East). Alstom was also contracted to refurbish about 350 metro cars for Hong Kong’s Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).

Israel

Israel Railways reports first-ever profit.(Globes)

Turkey

EBRD co-finances extension of light-rail network in Izmir.(EBRD)

USA

California High Speed Rail Authority

High-Speed Rail Authority Hosts Official Groundbreaking Ceremony

January 6, 2015
FRESNO— Marking significant progress toward modernizing California’s transportation infrastructure, the California High-Speed Rail Authority today joined hundreds of supporters and government, student, community, transportation, business and labor leaders to break ground on the nation’s first high-speed rail system.

"What is important is the connection that we are rooted in our forebears and we are committed and linked to our descendants," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. at a ceremony held at the site of the future high-speed rail station in downtown Fresno. "And the high-speed rail links us from the past to the future, from the south to Fresno and north; this is truly a California project bringing us together today."

In addition to the support of federal, state and local dignitaries, there was strong backing from Central Valley and California-based construction crews, small businesses, and local students who were eager to highlight how high-speed rail is positively affecting California today and will continue to into the future.

"We now enter a period of sustained construction on the nation’s first high-speed rail system—for the next five years in the Central Valley and for a decade after that across California," said High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors Chairman Dan Richard. "This is an investment that will forever improve the way Californians commute, travel, and live. And today is also a celebration of the renewed spirit that built California."

The ceremony included remarks from owners of a family-owned steel manufacturer already benefitting from high-speed rail construction. Student leaders from Fresno State and University of California, Merced also explained how high-speed rail is creating new local opportunities. Although today represented the official groundbreaking ceremony, the event also showcased ground that has already been broken in the Central Valley. The Authority provided tours of nearby construction activity, including various demolition sites. Other achievements to date include finalization of project designs, ongoing right-of-way purchases, and workforce training and mobilization. Local and statewide small businesses are completing a majority of this work. As of September 2014, 40 small businesses have active contracts valued at $296 million on Construction Package 1, a 29-mile stretch from Avenue 17 in Madera County to East American Avenue in Fresno County. This phase of construction includes

12 grade separations, two viaducts, a tunnel, and a bridge over the San Joaquin River. California-based Tutor Perini Zachry/Parsons (TPZP), A Joint Venture, is designing and building this first phase of the project.
# #

www.progressiverailroading.com

LACMTA CEO Leahy to step down in early April

NS to road test two 'emission friendly' switchers in Pennsylvania

Mexico to rebid high-speed rail contract

Alaska Railroad marks 30 years as state-owned enterprise

BNSF's Farmer takes gavel as IANA's first female chair
MassDOT, MBTA choose developer for turnpike, Hynes station project
Texas short line's T&E workers join SMART Transportation Division
Rail supplier news from Greenbrier, Teleste, Mitron, Kelso, Alstom, Visual Marketing and Holland (Jan. 7)

Other Railway Press
9 innovations that are shaping the future of your railway station. (SmartRail World)

www.railway-technology.com.

NSW Transport to launch South West Rail Link on 8 February
Australia's Transport for New South Wales (NSW) is set to commission the South West Rail Link on 8 February, following more than three years of major construction and months of testing.
California breaks ground on high-speed rail project
California High-Speed Rail Authority in the US has broken ground on the nation's first high-speed rail system, as part of efforts to modernise the state's transportation infrastructure.
STIF and SNCF order Regio 2N double-deck trains from Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to supply Regio 2N train sets to the Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France (STIF) and SNCF.
MTR opens Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has commissioned the 14.8km Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14 to serve commuters in the Chinese capital.

UK & International Railway News Tuesday 6th January 2015

2015-01-06T10:52:00.003+00:00

..Total Railway News

London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis

Tomorrow week (Wednesday 14th January 2015) is the day Mark Carne and Robin Gisby appear before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee to answer MPs' questions over the overrunning engineering works over the Christmas/New Year period which resulted in a certain level of uncertainty! "Unacceptable"..according to the Transport Secretary..

So Network Rail's Press Release on the holiday upgrade projects will make interesting reading for those who appreciate the situation, notwithstanding the inconvenience caused to a good number of travellers....

The increased fares flack continues to fly...apparently you could fly to Australia more cheaply than getting a return railway ticket from Carlisle to London.....

And safety on platforms again brings up the news that a woman fell off the platform at Birmingham New Street in front of an arriving service...thankfully, minor injuries only sustained.....

GB Railfreight yesterday (5^th January) ran its first train for Aggregates Industries (AI), the first train, part of a five year contract which trebles GBRf's work flows, according to John Smith, MD GBRf.

And in the USA, work is about to begin on the California High Speed Railway......

To check out the details..and more...click on the links....

Headlines

Christmas rail chaos unacceptable, transport secretary tells MPs (The Guardian)

Patrick McLoughlin: Christmas rail delays 'wholly unacceptable'.(BBC News)

Rail commuters face more delays on return to work.(The Telegraph)

No weekend trains in or out of Wimbledon as £7m repairs begin.(This Is Local London)

Network Rail

Press Release

Network Rail completes £200m festive upgrade programme

Network Rail completed its huge £200m investment programme this morning as major projects at Reading and London Bridge were completed and services restored for this morning's commuters.

Over the past 12 days over 11,000 railway people have been working tirelessly to deliver some £200m worth of improvements at over 2,000 locations nationwide.

The company's investigation into engineering overruns at King's Cross and Paddington on 27 December continues and its initial findings will be made public within the next week.

Major projects completed during the programme include:

London Bridge: As part of the £6.5bn Thameslink programme, London Bridge saw two new platforms opened and new track laid as the project moves to the next stage of the biggest station redevelopment that London has ever seen, which will transform the travel experience for the station’s 220,000 daily users. New signalling has successfully been installed on the New Cross Gate to Sydenham corridor and also in South London near Bermondsey allowing resumption of planned Southern and London Overground passenger services. Work to replace tracks at the entrance to the Hornsey Depot in North London has also been completed. This means that GoVia Thameslink can resume operation of their planned service on the Great Northern route

Reading: One of the last pieces of the jigsaw to unblock the notorious train bottleneck around Reading station has been finished with the completion of a newly-built viaduct to the west of the station, leading to smoother, more reliable services

West Coast Main Line: The latest phase of upgrade work at Watford, Norton Bridge and Stafford has completed. Work took place at Watford to replace and install new sections of railway and bring into use a new, modern, state-of-the-art signalling system meaning passengers will enjoy a more reliable and resilient service. A major bottleneck at Stafford and Norton Bridge has been unblocked, enabling faster, more frequent and reliable services for passengers; engineers carried out essential bridge and track work at Norton Bridge, and renewed the signals and overhead lines at Stafford, forming a key part of the overall £250m project

East Coast Main Line: Between London King’s Cross and Peterborough more than 1000 people worked to complete 13 different projects to deliver significant improvements to the rail network at key points; Peterborough, Holloway, Harringay and Canal Tunnels just outside King’s Cross. Further north, projects included bridge improvements in Dewsbury and Newcastle and track improvements near York and on the Doncaster to Leeds line

Midland Main Line: On the route serving St Pancras hundreds of people completed projects including signalling alterations for the Thameslink project; the demolition and partial reconstruction of two bridges for the Midland Main Line electrification project and track improvements between Kettering and Corby and at Toton

Scotland: The Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Project team demolished the roof of CarmuirsTunnel, near Falkirk, and installed a new tunnel over the New Year break. Signalling was renewed between Haymarket and Inverkeithing and track work was undertaken in Queen Street Tunnel, Glasgow

Anglia: Track renewals have been carried out between Stratford and Shenfield and upgrades to the overhead line equipment on the Great Eastern Main Line has been completed. Two bridges on the Gospel Oak to Barking line have been replaced. At Chadwell Heath work is underway on the eastern section of Crossrail

Wales: A bridge was replaced over the River Teme on the line between Hereford and Shrewsbury. Bridge demolition work was also successfully completed on the South Wales Main Line between Newport and Cardiff as part of electrification works

Notes:

Photographers were commissioned to capture the engineering work over the festive period andtheir images can be found in our newsroom

Videos were also captured of the engineering work which can be viewed on our YouTube channel

The army of engineers were fed materials by over 200 engineering trains hauling over 750 wagons

Joined end-to-end the engineering trains in use over the Christmas investment programme would be 15 miles long

The investment programme saw some:

55 kilometres of rail installed
120,000 tonnes of ballast used
28,000 railway sleepers replaced

Platforms 10,11 London Bridge first use. & Watford area re-signalling programme

Pictures courtesy: Network Rail.

The New Measurement Train - Network Rail engineering education

(Network Rail On YouTube..March 2012)

Our fleet of infrastructure monitoring vehicles inspect the network 24/7, in order to predict and prevent faults occurring. This film profiles the flagship New Measurement Train. A high-speed track inspector and test-bed for cutting edge technology, it's the most advanced train of its kind in the world.

==============

Western route study - draft for consultation

The Western route study sets out the strategic vision for the the next 30 years of this vital part of the rail network.
Western route study - draft for consultation
Western route study, draft for consultation (alternative download) - please try this if you are experiencing difficulties with the document above
The scope of the study is extensive with the key axis being the Great Western Main Line which runs from London Paddington to Bristol and into South Wales. Extending from this are routes from Reading to Penzance, to Oxford, the Cotswolds, Birmingham and the South Coast. Branch lines into the inner and outer London suburbs, around Bristol, to the Devon and Cornish coast and dedicated freight only lines complete the mix of routes.
The study proposes a strategy to accommodate the challenge of forecast demand for passenger and freight over 10 and 30-year periods. It also identifies ways to increase capacity and capability to meet the service characteristics from the Market Studies.
The document identifies a number of constraints across the network, the most significant of which is providing sufficient capacity into the major centres of London Paddington, Reading, Oxford, Bristol and Exeter.
A range of choices are identified for funders to address the constraints including making best use of existing capacity, train lengthening, additional services and / or changes to infrastructure.
The route study commenced in November 2013, with the draft for consultation published on 10 October 2014. The consultation period is 90 days.

Have your say

If you would like to comment you can email us at WesternRouteStudy@networkrail.co.uk.
All feedback must be received by 9 January 2015 when the public consultation period closes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andrew Adonis: The future of south London’s rail network has to be orange.(London Evening Standard)

ORGANISING BRITAIN'S RAILWAYS – IS THERE A BETTER WAY? - Railnews (blog)

Train fares go up: Why privatising the railways was a disaster Metro

Video: Train ticket price rises explained(The Telegraph)

Letters to the editor: Rail passengers need a new deal.(London Evening Standard)

Flight to Australia cheaper than Carlisle to London return train trip(News & Star)

Northampton railway station to open on 12 January.(BBC News)

Councillor calls for Borders railway halt at Heriot.(BBC News)

Edinburgh-Glasgow trains face summer of disruption.(The Scotsman)

Birmingham New Street traveller falls in front of train.(BBC News)

London Underground breaks Olympic record for weekly passenger numbers.(eurotransport magazine)

Ten years of my website(Christian Wolmar)

Labour's public option for railways 'will cost £85m to establish'(Survey Transport Network)

GB Railfreight

Press Release

(P.S Lewis)

GB Railfreight trebles aggregates work with Aggregate Industries contract

GB Railfreight yesterday (5^th January) ran its first train for Aggregates Industries (AI), as part of a five-year deal to transport aggregates, such as sand and stone, from AI quarries to various depots and handling sites across the UK.

Locomotive 66714, identification 6M28, left Croft Quarry at 23:15 on Monday, 5^th January, and arrived in Neasden Freight Terminal at 05:56 on Tuesday, 6^thJanuary.

The multi-millon pound contract involves GB Railfreight running five trains a day, five days a week, from Bardon Hill, Croft, Neath, Avonmouth, Shrewsbury and the Isle of Grain to the following locations:

Colnbrook

Harlow Mill

Angerstein

Neaden

Purley

Tinsley

Theale

Brentford

Bow West

This is a significant development for the freight operator in aggregates rail freight, as it almost trebles the work it is currently undertaking in the industry.

GB Railfreight has invested over £50m in rolling stock, both locomotives and wagons, over the past year, and has significantly increased its operating efficiency through a host of technological innovations. This contract is testament to the operator’s desire to support the supply chain and promote the wider construction and building materials sector across the UK.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “We have recently been looking at expanding our aggregates business across the UK, because we believe we have the team and fleet available to deliver optimum solutions in the area. This five-year contract with Aggregate Industries is a key milestone in this progression, trebling our workflows, and we are delighted to be working with such a prestigious name in supporting the construction sector.”

Simon Blake, Aggregate Industries General Manager, said: “We are pleased to have secured the services of GB Railfreight for the next five years. We rely on a reliable service and a committed team to support our rail distribution and GB Railfreight have shown they can provide both. We hope to harness their ambition and to grow our business alongside theirs with further traffic movements and services.”

Notes :

GB Railfreight is one of the UK's leading rail freight companies. It operates over 1,000 trains a week in the UK and is the main transporter of coal on the rail network and one of only two rail freight companies with regular contracts to move biomass. For further information about GB Railfreight please go to http://www.gbrailfreight.com/welcome-first-gbrfhtml/p_1/.

GB Railfreight at Tonbridge.(P.S Lewis)

Tottenham Court Road station redevelopment for 2016 - virtual tour walk-through - Tube improvements(TfL on YouTube)
As part of Tube improvements we are upgrading Tottenham Court Road station the improvements will be completed in 2016.

Once completed you will benefit from:
• A new, larger ticket hall
• New entrances and a public plaza outside the Centre Point tower
• Additional escalators
• New access to the Northern and Central line platforms to reduce congestion
• New Art on the Underground installations
• New lifts to provide step-free access from street to platform
• Tactile strips on platforms and stairs
• Contrasting handrails to help visually impaired passengers
• New CCTV cameras
• Better lighting

To find out more about Tube improvements visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube-improvements and follow us on social media.

===============================================================

International
Canada
Southern Railway of B.C. locks out unionized workers.(Business Vancouver)

China
Railway police crack over 5,700 cases in one month.(xinhuanet)

India
Pivotal Helps India Railways Keep On Moving (And Selling Tickets) Forbes

CBTC goes live in India with Hyderabad Metro test run. (SmartRail World)

A train operating with Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) ran last week in Hyderabad making it the first ever in India to use the system. Supplied by industry giant Thales, the train ran on the Hyderabad Metro line between Nagole and Mettugunda. CBTC, the radio communication based system which controls movement of trains through continuous two-way digital communication between trains and trackside equipment is used widely by metros around the world but this was the first time it became active in India. It offers the running of trains with a headway of 90 second frequency with very high reliability and offers built in redundancies to take care of any component failure. On successful completion of testing, the line will become fully operational in March 2015.

Read more »

Ireland

The Seat Sale is here, with relaxed fares on Intercity seats, it is the perfect time to book a trip.
No booking fees or hidden extras, just laid-back fares on the following routes, while stocks last:

Dublin to or from: -

Ennis, Limerick, or Cork, from €14.99
Galway, Mayo or Sligo from €14.99Kerry from €21.99and Dublin to Belfast from just €14.99
See irishrail.ie for more detailsBook today

Mexico

Mexico To Reopen Bidding For Multibillion High-speed Train At Center Of Scandal (Forbes)

Spain

Spain set for new high-speed rail links in 2015 (The Local.es)

Barcelona Metro’s new trams enter service.(eurotransport magazine)

USA

Is America falling in love with trains again?(The Telegraph)

California to break ground on $68 billion high-speed rail line Washington Post (blog)

US goes for 'wheels on steel' as high-speed rail option (Telegraph.co.uk)

www.progressiverailroading.com

MBTA receives $996 million in New Starts grants for Green Line extension

Sarah Mildred Long Bridge replacement underway between Maine, New Hampshire

CSX landed 107 industrial development projects in 2014

Genesee & Wyoming completes acquisition of Pinsly's Arkansas Division

Caltrans reports record Amtrak ridership, revenue for Thanksgiving holiday

Amtrak launches Northeast Corridor website

Washington state port lets rail bridge contract; Florida port creates intermodal position

Rail supplier news from L.B. Foster, GlobeSherpa, Ansaldo STS, Holland and dFuzion (Jan. 6)

Other Railway Press

www.railway-technology.com

MTR opens Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14

Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has commissioned the 14.8km Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14 to serve commuters in the Chinese capital.

STIF and SNCF order Regio 2N double-deck trains from Bombardier

Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to supply Regio 2N train sets to the Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France (STIF) and SNCF.

PKP Cargo to acquire majority stake in rail freight operator AWT

Poland-based PKP Cargo has entered an agreement to acquire 80% interest in Advanced World Transport (AWT) for approximately €103.2m.

UK rail fares increase by 2.2%

The decision to increase rail fares in England and Wales has come into effect with 2.2% hike in the average fare of a rail ticket.

Video125co

Heart of Wales Driver's eye view preview