The Railway Chronicle

The Railway Chronicle is brought to you by www.steamtu.be "Steam Tube" is not responsible for external /third party news items.

Their presence on here does not mean we condone/ agree with any sentiments expressed. Items are included purely for information purposes"

Please note: "Copyrights acknowledged. Please advise if unintentional infringement affects your rights"

November 30, 2011

www.railroad.net Latest News 30th November 2011

Amtrak: Record Breaking Thanksgiving Ridership
Posted: 30 Nov 2011 02:02 PM PST

It is well known that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, but an Amtrak press release has revealed that this Thanksgiving may have been one of the busiest ever.  Amtrak’s preliminary ridership numbers indicated that 720,000 people traveled on Amtrak trains this holiday.  When compared to the 2010 Thanksgiving travel week, this year’s passenger numbers mark a 2.2% increase.  Luckily, Amtrak was well prepared for the serge in passengers and operated every passenger rail car in its fleet, in addition to additional services.  Amtrak’s Vice President of Marketing connects the record breaking numbers to a variety of factors, saying that, “While retailers are reporting sales are up at stores and on the internet, travel on Amtrak also exceeded expectations due, in part, to increased capacity and the recent introduction of free Wi-Fi service on several Amtrak routes.”
The fact that 720,000 passengers were able to travel safely to spend time with their families is great news in itself and record breaking ridership totals can be considered an added bonus. Although this Thanksgiving week was one of the busiest in Amtrak’s history, proper preparation allowed for relatively smooth travels. Amtrak’s Thanksgiving ridership numbers mirror the trend that passenger rail has been taking recently.  Every year ridership numbers are increasing and projections show more increases in the future.


Federal Funding Granted For Honolulu Rail Transit Project
Posted: 29 Nov 2011 05:21 PM PST

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project has been approved to receive a share of the $510 million federal fund allocation for Hawaii, according to the statement by Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced on Tuesday.  After a passing vote in Senate of 70 to 30, President Barack Obama recently signed the Conference Report, which grants funding for several projects in Hawaii in the next fiscal year.
The specific amount going toward rail construction is yet to be determined, but the rail project anticipates a $125 million share of funding to complete construction.  An additional $13 million is currently set aside for Native Hawaiian housing and $386,000 for the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund.  The measure will also allocate funds for marine mammal and sea turtle protection, youth programs, and other social improvements.
In addition to the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, federal funding will also go to smaller scale rail transit projects in cities other than Honolulu.  Hawaiian officials are encouraged by the federal support of these rail projects.  Federal funding will allow the cities to offer green options of transportation, and the new construction projects will create employment for residents as well.  The project must advance to a certain point, however, before it is able to actually receive funding.  If the project does not reach that designated stage before December 31, 2012, then the offer will expire.  Senator Daniel Inouye expressed this sense of urgency in a statement, saying, “We have planned this project and debated its merits for decades, and we must move forward.  We must set aside our differences and work together.”

www.railway-technology.com News Update. 30th November 2011

US allocates funds for Houston light rail projectUS Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has extended a $900m grant to Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) to extend Houston's light rail system...       
                   
Referendum in Germany favours €4.5bn Stuttgart 21 rail project
Nearly 60% of voters in a referendum in the German state of Baden-Württemberg have backed the controversial Stuttgart 21 rail project...       
                   
Indra to unveil new system for railway traffic management solutionsIndra is planning to unveil its advanced railway traffic management solution, ticketing and access control systems, as well as its STACrail, a system for assisted exploitation, at BcnRail,...       
                   
Bombardier to supply propulsion system to Indian RailBombardier Transportation has won a $214m contract from Mumbai Railway Vikas (MRVC), a joint venture between the Indian Ministry of Railways and the Government of Maharashtra state, to provide...       

www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News 30th November 2011

NCCC, three unions remain on 'cooling off' period clock as extension attempt fails

Watco to acquire controlling interest in Wisconsin & Southern, operate new Wyoming short line

Canadian public transit modes post ridership gain in 2011's first half

PANYNJ committee picks two firms for agency review

UP wins National Chamber Foundation's award for military hiring efforts

WMATA to mark completion of escalator work at two stations

CSX boots up new-and-improved 'carbon calculator'

Updates from Gross & Janes, Cubic, Bombardier and Birmingham Rail

Bluebell Railway Extension Last Day of November (Cashpotty on YouTube) 30th November 2011


Sorry about the technical quality - think you can hear from the wind just how cold it was! Work on the 30th November 2011 removing waste near East Grinstead just before lunchtime and awaiting the arrival of the train

USHSR.....US High Speed Rail Network Map. 30th November 2011



US High Speed Rail Network Map.

USHSR Conference Videos. 30th November 2011


USHSR NYC 2011 from Steven Skemp on Vimeo.

Chairman John Mica - USHSR NYC 2011 from Steven Skemp on Vimeo.

Secretary Ray LaHood - USHSR NYC 2011 from Steven Skemp on Vimeo.

James Oberstar - USHSR NYC 2011 from Steven Skemp on Vimeo.

More from USHSR here.....

Alstom presents first Italian AGV (Google) 30th November 2011

Alstom presents first Italian AGV

Railway Gazette International - ‎1 hour ago‎
ITALY: On November 30 Alstom Transport presented the first of eight AGV.italo high speed trainsets that it is building at its Savigliano works for open access operator Nuovo Trasporti Viaggiatori. NTV has ordered 25 AGV trainsets from Alstom, ...

ALSTOM : Builds on Its Leading Position in High-Speed and Very High-Speed Rail ...

4-traders (press release) - ‎7 hours ago‎
On 30 November, Alstom (Paris:ALO) unveiled the latest high-speed Pendolino trains at its Savigliano plant in Italy, due to be delivered to UK rail operator Virgin Trains in the next few weeks. The company also took the wraps off its first very ...

The V499 Project. (www.vicsteam.com) 30th November 2011


The Compound Chronicle-Official Newsletter of the Victorian Steam Locomotive Company

Steam Tube and The Railway Chronicle will keep you posted  on the progress of this project...

WORK STARTS TO REDUCE CONGESTION AT EAST CROYDON (Network Rail media) 30th November 2011



WORK STARTS TO REDUCE CONGESTION AT EAST CROYDON
East Croydon _8
The first phase of a multi-million pound upgrade to increase capacity and make it easier for passengers to move around East Croydon station will start this Christmas with the removal of the disused Royal Mail conveyor bridge which runs across the platforms.
On Christmas day and Boxing day, a series of large mobile cranes will remove sections of the disused structure to make way for a new footbridge which will allow passengers to transfer between platforms without using the busy ramps and concourse and later provide access to and from the Ruskin Square development and Lansdowne Road. Lifts will be installed on the new footbridge to provide an alternative step-free route around the station.
Mark Ruddy, Network Rail's route managing director for Sussex, said: "East Croydon is one of the busiest stations in the country. The new footbridge will provide more capacity, reduce congestion and make the station easier to use for everybody. The improved station will play an important role in the regeneration of East Croydon, creating better links for the community and businesses."
"The removal of the old Royal Mail bridge marks the first major milestone in this project. The Christmas period allows us time to do this when no trains are scheduled to run, keeping disruption to a minimum for passengers. We thank people for their patience during this time."
Southern’s East Croydon station manager, Andrew Bolton, said: “This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in East Croydon station’s history. When the new footbridge is in place, our passengers will benefit tremendously. In the meantime, while the old conveyor is removed, we will ensure that our passengers have all the information they need to get around the station.”
From the early hours of Christmas day until the early hours of Tuesday 27 December the taxi rank and drop-off point and Billinton Hill will be closed to all traffic. The station subway may also be out of use on a number of evenings (between 9pm - 5am) during December. Alternative routes will be signposted during this time.
The cycle storage facilities on Billinton Hill have been relocated to a temporary location on Cherry Orchard Road until February 2012.
The station upgrade forms part of Croydon Council’s East Croydon masterplan which includes providing a more efficient transport interchange and high-quality public realm in the town.
Councillor Jason Perry, Croydon’s cabinet member for planning, transport and sustainability, said: “Our borough is looking at its largest wave of regeneration since the 1960s.
“The work starting at East Croydon station over Christmas will be the first ripple of this major transformation, and the coming year promises to be the beginning of an exciting period of delivery that will transform the way our town looks and operates – and serve the residents of, and visitors to, Croydon well for generations to come.”

BBC Railway News. 30th November 2011

BBC News
  • Hampshire & Isle of Wight / NEW 10 hours ago… the project is complete. About £11m was also confirmed to replace an old railway bridge at Northern Road, Cosham. Portsmouth City Council said…


  • Leeds & West Yorkshire / NEW 13 hours agoThe North TransPennine railway will be electrified, cutting journey times between Leeds and Manchester. Two railway stations will be built at…
  • RailwaysAfrica Latest News. 30th November 2011

    COAL, ORE, MANGANESE RAILINGS IMPROVE

    Throughputs of coal, iron ore and manganese export traffic, to Richards Bay, Saldanha and Port Elizabeth respectively, have all increased in recent months, according to the South African Chamber of Mines. Though it is understood that actual figures are not exactly startling, the improvement is to be welcomed, following years of complaint from the mining [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    COSATU ANNOUNCES METRORAIL STRIKE ACTION

    The Congress of Trade Unions in South Africa (Cosatu) has reiterated intentions to strike on 6 December, to draw governmental attention to declining standards in suburban train services in the city. Western Cape Cosatu head Tony Ehrenreich says there have been many promises over the years but things are not getting any better. According to [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    BOTSWANA COAL

    Following the concept study in September that confirmed the viability of Botswana’s Sese coal project, African Energy Resources has begun bulk sampling work. According to the earlier findings, extraction of up to 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in a first-stage initial operation could generate cash flow with effect from 2013 through selling washed coal [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    KZN-EAST LONDON DIRECT RAIL MOOTED

    On 29 August 1906, a 278km line was opened from Sterkstroom (272km from East London on the main-line to the interior) to Maclear. In 1916, a 358km line entered service from Amabele, 76km from East London (also on the main-line) to Umtata, now Mthatha. Both lines ran in a generally northerly direction, with hopes of [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    BULAWAYO NEWS

    Chas Rickwood on zimrail: “Managed to get to the main workshops yesterday [22 November] in company of the passenger services manager and museum custodian Gordon Murray….we went to check on museum assets currently in the workshops, ie • Dining car 644 Vumba in a very dilapidated state after coming off the Beit Bridge run a [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    SCHEDULED FREIGHT TRAINS

    At Transnet Freight Rail, trains running to schedule are the current flavour of the moment. The new scheme of things was implemented several months back and results to date are encouraging. So much so there’ve been pats on the back from parts of the mining industry, a perennial source of dissatisfaction with rail service, one [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    LAGOS BLUE LINE PROGRESS

    On 27 November, Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola inspected progress on Blue Line construction together with Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) deputy managing director Shi Hongbing. Afterwards he said he is confident the first eight kilometres will be complete in 2012.
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    Environmental approval

    Environmental approval for the Mbalam mine, railway and Lolabe port project in Cameroon was granted in 2010. The government has now declared the extent of land along the rail corridor which it intends to acquire so that the line can be built. No further property transactions or construction will be permitted in this strip.
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    FISHING IN THE CHIMNEY OF A MODIFED FAIRLIE

    Andre Kritzinger received an interesting note commenting on his superb South African loco series for Wikipedia. Dr Raimund Loubser, son of Dr M M Loubser (former SAR chief mechanical engineer) and brother of Dr Kobus Loubser (who was SAR general manager some years later) explained that he graduated at the University of Stellenbosch in 1948, [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    ERITREAN STEAM TOUR

    FarRail Tours, based in Germany, has arranged a tour to Eritrea, starting on 28 January 2012 and ending on 2 February. Organiser Bernd Seiler explains: “Eritrea’s history and its phenomenal railway not only attract railway enthusiasts, they also create dreams for film producers. An innovative, young film producer has developed an interesting concept for a [...]
    Read full story Comments { 0 }

    November 29, 2011

    Arizona Power Company Wins $63 Million Case Against BNSF and UP (www.railroad.net) 29th November 2011

    Business Week has reported that a small nonprofit power company has won a significant legal battle against BNSF Railway and Union Pacific.  The company, the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Inc. (AEPCO), services about 150,000 customers in southern and western Arizona and has had a case against the railroads since 2008.  AEPCO has claimed to be a “captive shipper” with no alternative means to obtain coal shipments; a situation that they fell BNSF and Union Pacific have been taking advantage of by doubling their shipping rates.  While circumstantial evidence of price gouging is usually hard to find, AEPCO was able to prove that it would be cheaper for the power company to build and operate its own short rail line than to continue receiving shipments at the current rate. With the appropriate evidence on hand, the Surface Transportation Board ruled in favor of AEPCO and ordered refunds with interest for the last three years, as well as lower coal-shipping rates through 2018.  In total, the ruling will force BNSF and Union Pacific to pay $63 million to AEPCO and will result in a 37% decrease in coal-shipping rates over the next decade.  According to  AEPCO attorney Skip Whitley, “[The victory] will have the effect of dramatically lowering our fuel costs and the savings go directly to our members.” Whitley continues to say,  “We anticipate this will allow us to lower our rates to our members.”
    For the most part, our country’s major railroads help to ship goods across the country at efficient and affordable rates, but there are some situations where they can take advantage of the “little guy.” The ruling of this case shows that the law will not let railroads like BNSF and Union Pacific get away with unfair practices, regardless of the railroads size or influence.  The $63 million settlement will greatly benefit a small nonprofit energy company like AEPCO and it appears that their customers will also feel some of the relief.

    Welsh Railways-Full Steam Ahead. (BBC2 Wales) 29th November 2011

    BBC2 Wales

    Play Film on BBC iPlayer Here.


    In April 2011, Wales's newest and most ambitious railway, spanning 25 miles of a narrow gauge track through the stunning scenery of Snowdonia, was finally completed.
    Supported by royalty and donations from around the world, the Welsh Highland Railway has taken 15 years and cost almost 30 million pounds to build. It wasn't an easy ride. Many locals initially objected to what they believed to be the defiling of a quiet valley in the National Park, but for the many volunteers from Wales and across the world it was a dream come true.
    • Broadcast on BBC Two, 7:30PM Tue, 29 Nov 2011
    • Available until 7:59PM Tue, 6 Dec 2011
    • First broadcast BBC Two, 7:30PM Tue, 29 Nov 2011

    www.progressiverailroading.com Latest. 29th November 2011

    FTA signs $900 million agreements for Houston METRO's light-rail expansion

    Seattle port sets 2012 budget

    Metro-North to open new Fairfield Station on New Haven Line

    Modesto & Empire Traction turns 100; Arkansas & Missouri turns 25

    Washington transportation commission to help fund BNSF crossing upgrades

    Amtrak launches Wi-Fi on Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner

    TriMet begins solar panel installation on light-rail lines

    Ansaldo STS joint venture lands signed contract for Honolulu transit-rail project

    Aberdeen to Inverness Driver's eye view preview (video125co) 29th November 2011


    www.video125.co.uk is THE site for top quality Railway programmes. This Driver's eye view puts you in the cab of a ScotRail class 158 DMU running from the Granite City to the capital of the Highlands. The route is a fascinating one having been built by two competing companies and today still controlled by mechanical signalling. Sit back and enjoy this preview. You can order the full quality, full journey on line at Video125.co.uk.

    Liverpool Museum....... Google. 29th November 2011


    Liverpool museum displays Lion and Overhead Railway carriage


    BBC News - ‎10 hours ago‎

    The Museum of Liverpool opens its second phase of galleries on Friday 2 December with some of the largest objects from its collection, including a Liverpool Overhead Railway carriage and the steam locomotive Lion. The museum, which has attracted almost ...

    What's on in Liverpool: Tuesday November 29, 2011

    Liverpool Daily Post - ‎11 hours ago‎
    Alice in Wonderland, above, Tate Liverpool, until January 29, 2012; Mitch Epstein: American Power, Open Eye, until December 23; The Pleasure Principle, Open Eye, until December 23; A Christmas Carroll, ...

    Museum of Liverpool new galleries to open on Friday (VIDEO)

    Liverpool Echo - ‎11 hours ago‎
    FINAL preparations are being made for the opening of the new galleries at the Museum of Liverpool this Friday. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will get a preview of the exhibits when they pay a visit to the ...

    What's on in Liverpool: Monday November 28, 2011

    Liverpool Daily Post - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎
    Buddy, above, Liverpool Empire, until December 3, 0844 871 3017; Little Scouse on the Prairie, Royal Court, until January 7, 0870 707 1866. Bryan Adams, Echo Arena, 0844 800 3680; Electric Six, 02 Academy Liverpool ...

    Canadian Pacific News. Google. 29th November 2011

    Canadian Pacific Raises C$125M From 10-Year Debt Deal

    Wall Street Journal - ‎1 hour ago‎
    TORONTO (Dow Jones)--Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP) raised C$125 million (US$120.7 million) from an offering 10-year bonds maturing January 2022. The issue was priced at 290 basis points over the Government of Canada 3.25% 2021 benchmark to yield ...

    Canadian Pacific Announces the Results of its Canadian Debt Offering

    MarketWatch (press release) - ‎1 hour ago‎
    The offering is being made in Canada under the base shelf prospectus dated June 29, 2011 which allows for offerings of up to CDN $1.5 billion of medium term notes. The net proceeds from this offering will be used for a voluntary prepayment in 2011 to ...

    CPR debt offering seen as stabilizer

    Calgary Herald - ‎2 hours ago‎
    Canadian Pacific Railway Co. is issuing a debt offering it hopes will be a tax-efficient way to reduce the volatility of funding its defined benefit pension plan and give it greater flexibility to move cash into capital. Canadian Pacific Railway Co. is ...

    Full steam ahead for North American rails in 2012

    Financial Post - ‎3 hours ago‎
    A CN Rail locomotive pulling a line of cars. moves through the railroad's Macmillan Yard December 30, 2009, in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, just north of Toronto. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, a new survey of shippers by shows that it is full ...

    www.railway-technology.com News Update. 29th November 2011

                       
    Indra to unveil new system for railway traffic management solutionsIndra is planning to unveil its advanced railway traffic management solution, ticketing and access control systems, as well as its STACrail, a system for assisted exploitation, at BcnRail,...       
                       
    Bombardier supply propulsion system to Indian Rail
    Bombardier Transportation has won a $214m contract from Mumbai Railway Vikas (MRVC), a joint venture between the Indian Ministry of Railways and the Government of Maharashtra state, to provide...       
                       
    Etihad Rail invites bids for phase II of UAE rail networkEtihad Rail has invited prequalification bids for phase II of the UAE's $11bn rail plan, which includes civil and track works, and design, procurement and construction of the rail...       
                       
    GCC to spend $79bn on rail projects
    The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are planning to spend Dh290bn ($79bn) between 2011 and 2020 in railway projects, including metros, trams and stations, according to a new study...       

    High Speed Train Transfers..... Google. 29th November 2011

    No more waiting - future vision of high-speed transfers to cure public ...


    NEWS.com.au - ‎5 hours ago‎

    A tram docks next to high-speed train travelling at the same speed to let passengers transfer. Picture: Priestmangoode Source: Supplied PUBLIC transport can be the bane of existence. But what if you could halve your travel time - and feel like a super ...

    High Speed Trains that make no Stops

    Next Big Future - ‎22 hours ago‎
    We have been designing high speed trains around the world for a few years now. Our experience of various systems has led us to conclude that it is hugely inefficient to run a new 21st century high tech, high speed train service on a 19th century ...

    How to board a non-stop train while it's moving

    New Scientist (blog) - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎
    Do you always struggle to reach the platform in time when catching a train? Then how about a platform which comes to your house before catching up with a non-stop high-speed locomotive? That's the idea behind Moving Platforms, a transport concept ...

    'Moving platforms' could make rail travel more efficient

    Wired.co.uk - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎
    Paul Priestman from London design consultancy Priestmangoode has come up with a way of letting passengers board trains while they're moving, making the rail network more efficient. His "Moving platforms" concept would see long-distance ...

    Railway News from Amadeus Rail. 29th November 2011


    Bombardier Wins India Contract. Google. 29th November 2011

    Bombardier Names New TRAXX Multi Engine Locomotive as its Top Innovation of 2011

    MarketWatch (press release) - ‎9 hours ago‎
    BERLIN, GERMANY, Nov 29, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Bombardier, the world's leading rail technology innovator, has announced the next generation BOMBARDIER TRAXX diesel electric multi-engine locomotive as its top technology solution of the year. ...

    Bombardier wins 'breakthrough' rail contract in India

    CTV.ca - ‎19 hours ago‎
    MONTREAL — Bombardier's transportation division has beat out three rivals to win a "breakthrough" US$214-million propulsion systems contract to power regional trains in India. The order announced Monday is from Mumbai Railway Vikas Corp., ...

    Bombardier wins $214 mln railway contract in India

    IBNLive.com - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎
    REUTERS - Bombardier Inc's train unit received a contract worth $214.4 million (11.2 billion Indian rupees) to make railway equipment for Mumbai Railway Vikas Corp (MRVC). The contract will be funded equally by the World Bank and the Government of ...

    Bombardier wins $214 million railway contract in India

    Reuters Canada - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎

    (Reuters) - Bombardier Inc's (BBDb.TO: Quote) train unit received a contract worth $214.4 million (11.2 billion Indian rupees) to make railway equipment for India's Mumbai Railway Vikas Corp (MRVC). The contract will be funded equally by the World Bank ...

    India..Fog delays Trains.. Google. 29th November 2011

    Helpline for fog affected trains

    Hindustan Times - ‎4 hours ago‎
    PTI Northern Railway has launched a helpline dedicated to all inquiries related to trains affected by fog. Every day, more than 100 trains are affected due to the dense fog condition. "We have dedicated the helpline (23747110) for fog-related inquiries ...

    Passengers upset over rising cancellations

    Times of India - ‎22 hours ago‎
    NEW DELHI: The cancellations of 15 trains from December has upset a major section of passengers travelling to the eastern states, and a large portion of greater NCR passengers from places like Aligarh and Rewari whose trains have been cancelled well in ...

    Empty promises as Railways prepares to battle fog

    Times of India - ‎22 hours ago‎
    NEW DELHI: The fog is back. And nothing has changed on the ground. Like every year, Northern Railway have claimed they are ready for the challenges - from installing fog safety devices to colour-coded signals visible from a distance - the railways have ...

    6 more trains cancelled due to fog, Rajdhanis running hours

    IBNLive.com - ‎Nov 28, 2011‎
    PTI | 08:11 PM,Nov 28,2011 late New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Railways today cancelled six trains from here as dense fog over parts of North India continued to hamper train movement causing delay and rescheduling of services. The Agra Intercity express, ...

    German Nuclear Waste Train ...Google 29th November 2011

    Germany Nuclear Waste: Activists Vow To Continue Protests Against Storage ...

    Huffington Post - ‎2 hours ago‎
    11/29/11 04:57 AM ET AP BERLIN -- Anti-nuclear activists have vowed to continue their protests against a nuclear waste storage facility in northern Germany after 11 containers of reprocessed fuel arrived there. The containers reached the facility in ...

    Hundreds 'hurt' during German nuclear train demos

    AFP - ‎5 hours ago‎
    BERLIN — More than 100 police officers and over 300 demonstrators were injured in Germany during days of clashes over a shipment of radioactive waste from France, according to figures provided Tuesday. Police said 133 of the more than 20000 officers ...

    Germany anti-nuclear protesters reach the facility

    eTaiwan News - ‎8 hours ago‎
    Anti-nuclear activists have vowed to continue their protests against a nuclear waste storage facility in northern Germany after 11 containers of reprocessed fuel arrived there. The containers reached the facility in Gorleben late Monday, ...

    Nuclear waste reaches destination in Germany

    Seattle Post Intelligencer - ‎9 hours ago‎
    Containers with nuclear waste from France arrive at the interim storage plant in Gorleben, northern Germany, late Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. It was the longest lasting transport of nuclear waste from La Hague to Gorleben ever. Photo: Nigel Treblin / dapd ...

    Nuclear waste reaches destination in Germany

    Atlanta Journal Constitution - ‎9 hours ago‎
    AP BERLIN — Anti-nuclear activists have vowed to continue their protests against a nuclear waste storage facility in northern Germany after 11 containers of reprocessed fuel arrived there. Containers with nuclear waste from France arrive at the interim ...

    Nuclear waste reaches German destination at last

    euronews - ‎12 hours ago‎
    A convoy of nuclear waste has arrived at Gorleben in Germany for storage, after a tortuous journey from France where it had been sent for reprocessing. Eleven containers were loaded from a train onto fortified lorries for the final few kilometres under ...

    Hengist Project Latest news. 29th November 2011

    Clan






    The picture shows the front and the back of the new pattern, collected from expert pattern maker Brian Oldford by our engineer Geoff Turner. This is one of the three major cast frame stretchers incorporating the main spring hangers. The red areas are as they will appear in the finished casting. The areas painted yellow indicate the parts of the pattern that will be machined to the exact dimensions on drawing SL/DE/22042 ensuring everything lines up with the frames during the ensuing erection process. The black areas are where the core boxes are installed in the mould to form the internal profile. There are 16 pieces which make up the pattern and 3 core boxes. The pattern has two split lines in the mould which means 3 boxes, a drag box (on the bottom), a cheek box (in the middle) and cope (on the top). This is by no means a simple casting. The pattern has been safely placed in store while we await quotes from the several foundries contacted with a view to pouring the casting shortly.

    Hengist Project news here...

    Claud Hamilton Locomotive Group. Latest news. 29th November 2011

    Update 20/11/11 - Phoenix to go mainline?
    One of the drawings we obtained from the NRM of the Clauds whistle has been converted to CAD, we hope to have the first components for the locomotive made during 2012 - more on this in a future update.
    We are currently looking into whether Phoenix will be suitable to run on the mainline, this will enable the loco to reach and wider audience and haul 'short distance' charters such as London - Norwich and return on the Great Eastern Mainline.

    CHLG website here...

    Regional Rail Link: Anderson Rd, Sunshine, road/rail separations(Department of Transport,Victoria) TransportVic 29th November 2011


    The Regional Rail Link project will remove two level crossings on Anderson Road in Sunshine. This will be done by moving the road over or under the railway, eliminating the need to stop for trains, improving the flow of traffic and enhancing road safety on this busy arterial road.

    The design includes:
    · a new rail underpass for the Ballarat rail line at the southern crossing. The rail tracks will run under Anderson Road while the road will be raised slightly (up to 1.5 metres).
    · a new road underpass for the Bendigo and Sydenham lines at the northern crossing. The rail tracks will remain at their current height and the road will be lowered to allow vehicles to travel underneath.
    · new shared use paths on the eastern side of Anderson Road will provide uninterrupted bicycle and pedestrian connection across the Ballarat and Bendigo rail lines.

    BBC Railway News. Tuesday 29th November 2011

  • China / NEW 3 hours ago… and the US. In Guangdong province, Guangzhou's Southern Metropolis Daily reports that a new high-speed railway line connecting Guangzhou and Shenzhen…

  • 28 November 2011




    • China / NEW 17 hours ago… rail. China has already been expressing an interest in Britain's plans to build high-speed railway links. China's own high-speed railway network…
  • November 28, 2011

    Alstom and the Amsterdam Metro. (Alstom Web TV) 28th November 2011

    ALSTOM

    Show video information

    Video Title: Clip - Amsterdam Metro - English
    Channel: Transport
    Language: English
    Date Uploaded:23/11/2011
    Duration: 02'33min
    No. of views: 257
    Rating: starstarstarstarstar

    Video Summary Play Amsterdam Metro video here....

    With modernization it is vital to preserve what is good from the past while enhancing what could be on the way to obsolescence. This was the starting point for Alstom’s proposal for new metro vehicles for Amsterdam...

    Alstom unveils the Amsterdam metro
    24/11/2011

    Leon Linders, President of Alstom Netherlands, unveiled the first trainset of the Amsterdam metro at Alstom’s site in Valenciennes (Nord), where it was designed and manufactured. Representatives of the city of Amsterdam and the Dutch operator GVB were on hand for the event 1.
    The trainset is currently undergoing trials at Alstom’s Valenciennes site and at the Valenciennes Rail Testing Centre. It will be delivered next February and is due to enter commercial service in autumn 2012. All the trainsets will operate on the metro lines in Amsterdam.
    In February 2010, the city of Amsterdam (Netherlands) placed a €200 million order with Alstom Transport for 23 metro trainsets. The contract includes an option for additional metro trainsets for the future North/South line that is currently under construction.
    The Amsterdam metro will consist of trainsets from Alstom’s Métropolis range. Its large doors, visual management of their opening/closing thanks to LED lights, height ceiling superior to the standard (2,30 m vs 2,10 m), platform-height floor, wide seats and gangways will make access and moving around on board much easier. Enhanced interior design providing more natural light, 100% lighting in LED technology and dynamic travel information displays will improve passengers’ safety and comfort. The extended length of the new trainsets (116 m) means capacity will be increased by approximately 50%.
    Alstom relied on its expertise in metros to execute this contract. Besides Valenciennes, Alstom sites of Le Creusot, Villeurbanne (France), Charleroi (Belgium), Sesto (Italy), Katowice (Poland) and Montreal (Canada) also contribute to the project execution.
    One out of every four metros currently in service worldwide was supplied by Alstom. Over 4,000 cars from the Métropolis range run on the metro networks in Barcelona, Budapest, Istanbul, Warsaw, Singapore, Shanghai, Nanjing, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and Santo Domingo.

    Alstom Web TV

    Alstom Web TV

    Rolling stock Taken from Alstom Transport website

    Show video information

    Video Title: 360° issue 51
    Channel: Group
    Language:All
    Date Uploaded:02/11/2011
    Duration: 11'06min
    No. of views:2299
    Rating:
    starstarstarstarstar

    Video Summary

    AGV in Italy on the fast track - High Voltage Direct Current demystified - A robot that can weld signed Alstom - Bird's eye view of Alstom projects in Singapore

    Alstom Web TV here....

    The TRAXX AC with Last Mile- the new generation locomotive from Bombardier. (bombardiervideos) 28th November 2011


    After 1500 units of the TRAXX locomotive sold in 17 countries, now comes the next generation of locomotives...the TRAXX AC with Last Mile Diesel....from Bombardier..

    Golden Round Trip, Switzerland, 11th October 2011 (philhill1955) 28th November 2011


    This is a record of one of the magnificent rail/boat journeys that are available in Switzerland.
    I did this trip with my wife in October 2011 and although there was snow on the top of Mount Pilatus, it was surprisingly warm.
    The trip can be done either way, but we decided to start in Lucerne. First there was a boat journey to Alpnachstad. Then we picked up the ride on the worlds steepest cog railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Then the descent on the other side of the mountain starts on the Aerial Cableway to Frakmuntegg. Then the Panoramic Gondola takes you further down the mountain to Kriens, where a short bus ride took us into the heart of Kriens.
    We then took a train to Hergiswil where we were staying.
    The day was fantastic.
    Thanks
    Philhill1955

    Coal train (NatRailwayMuseum) 28th November 2011


    Coal being transported by train from ports to power stations, including a stretch over the Forth Bridge. This film is on display at the National Railway Museum in Shildon, alongside the last 1960s 'Merry-Go-Round' coal hopper to be built at Shildon. http://www.nrm.org.uk/AboutUs/PressOffice/PressReleases/2011/May/shildonwagon...

    British Railway Modelling FREE DVD of Leicester South - Video Preview(ModelRailwaysLive) 28th November 2011


    Watch a preview of our fantastic 'Leicester South' DVD! The DVD order form is inside the January 2012 issue of British Railway Modelling - and you can also download it here:

    https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Features/British_Railway_Modelling_FREE...

    The January 2012 issue of British Railway Modelling magazine includes an offer to all readers - a copy of the exclusive DVD on the magnificent OO gauge 'Leicester South' model railway layout with Derek Shore and the Shipley Model Railway Society!

    www.progressiverailroading.com 28th November 2011

    BMWED, NCCC propose to extend 'cooling off' period until February

    AAR: More traffic gains for North American railroads last week

    VIA Rail posts ridership, revenue gains in third quarter

    STB grants rate relief to Arizona utility, initiates proceeding on BNSF's coal dust practice

    Valley Metro holds hearings on proposed fare increases

    Poll shows little support for SMART repeal, business group says

    Honolulu transportation authority sets FY2013 budgets, seeks new CEO

    Updates from ABB, Bombardier, RailComm, Alstom, TÜV Rheinland, RailTerm and Hanson

    Railway Graveyard.... odentroll on YouTube. 28th November 2011


    A look at the Branxholm Railway Turkey Bush Dumpsite near Invercargill New Zealand and Rogers Locomotive Recovery Out of the Mud DVD now on sale White Bus Productions

    www.railway-technology.com Latest news Update. 28th November 2011

    Etihad Rail invites bids for phase II of UAE rail network
    Etihad Rail has invited prequalification bids for phase II of the UAE's $11bn rail plan, which includes civil and track works, and design, procurement and construction of the rail...       
                       
    GCC to spend $79bn on rail projectsThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are planning to spend Dh290bn ($79bn) between 2011 and 2020 in railway projects, including metros, trams and stations, according to a new study...       
                       
    Australia completes half of the Broken Hill-Parkes rail upgradeAustralia has completed 50% of the reconstruction of the interstate rail network between Broken Hill and Parkes, which is being implemented at a cost of A$253m...       
                       
    Crossrail awards Farringdon and Whitechapel stations contracts
    Transport for London subsidiary Crossrail has awarded the Farringdon station contract to a BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) and Kier Construction JV, and the Whitechapel station contract...       

    Russian Railways gathering speed (RT) 28th November 2011



    Russia is so vast it can take a week to travel from East to West by train, but if Russian Railways have their way it will become much much quicker.

    The first step will be a new high-speed link between Moscow and Ekaterinburg in the Central Urals. The 1600km journey currently takes at least 25 hours by train, by 2018 it could be down to just seven.

    There are also plans to link Moscow with Russia's second city St Petersburg according to boss of the Russian Railways high speed subsiduary Denis Muratov, “We are planning to built 659 km high-speed rail from Moscow to St. Petersburg with the capacity to speed up to 400 km/h.”

    Russia already has a high-speed train called the Sapsan which was introduced in 2009. It connects Moscow to St. Petersburg at up to 250 km/h.

    Both high speed lines are expected to cost about 2.2 trillion roubles. Two thirds will be invested in the high-speed Moscow-Ekaterinburg link and the rest on the route to St. Petersburg.

    Denis Muratov explains the project will benefit the Russian economy. It will save travellers time, create new jobs, bring dividends to Russian companies that will take part in the construction. The high-speed rail lines are planned to pay back in 30 years time and generate 3.8 trillion roubles of the socio-economic effect.

    The Moscow – Ekaterinburg line, for instance, will connect nine federal districts and have the potential to contribute to regional development and boost economic activity

    Russia does not have the resources or experience to build the project on its own, so it will be looking for foreign partners. Tenders will go out in 2012, and there's already been interest from Europe and Asia.

    Stuttgart 21 backed in referendum.... Various-Google. 28th November 2011

    Germans back new $5.5B train station in referendum

    BusinessWeek - ‎3 hours ago‎
    Voters in one of Germany's wealthiest regions on Sunday solidly backed the euro4.1 billion ($5.5 billion) construction of a disputed new underground train station in a referendum, official results showed Sunday. ...

    Germans hold referendum on $5.5 bn train station

    BusinessWeek - ‎3 hours ago‎
    Voters in one of Germany's wealthiest regions are deciding whether a disputed project to build a new euro4.1 billion ($5.5 billion) train station can go ahead. The project to take the state capital Stuttgart's train station underground has proven ...

    Germans held referendum on $5.5B train station

    BusinessWeek - ‎3 hours ago‎
    Voters in one of Germany's wealthiest regions on Sunday cast their ballot to decide whether a disputed project to build a new euro4.1 billion ($5.5 billion) train station can go ahead. The project to take the state capital Stuttgart's ...

    Germans Back Stuttgart High-Speed Rail Project After Conflict

    BusinessWeek - ‎6 hours ago‎
    Nov. 28 (Bloomberg) -- German voters in Baden-Wuerttemberg backed a high-speed rail hub project in a referendum, ending a conflict that helped oust Chancellor Angela Merkel's party from the state's leadership after almost six decades ...

    Controversial Stuttgart 21 rail project to go ahead

    Deutsche Welle - ‎9 hours ago‎
    After months of protests and attempts at reconciliation between the sharply divided political camps, the people of Baden-Württemberg have voted in favor of the controversial renovation of Stuttgart's main train station. The controversial Stuttgart 21 ...

    Stuttgart 21 referendum voters in favour

    euronews - ‎10 hours ago‎
    A referendum on a controversial rail project in Germany has resulted in nearly 60 per cent of voters opting to continue its state funding. Stuttgart 21, as it's known, forms part of a scheme that will modernise the link between Paris, ...

    Germans back giant rail station to end fierce battle

    Reuters - ‎17 hours ago‎
    BERLIN, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Germans in a southwestern state voted on Sunday in favour of building a 4.5-billion euro train station in Stuttgart, ending a controversy over the giant project that helped to push Chancellor Angela ...

    Germany: Vote on controversial rail project

    euronews - ‎Nov 27, 2011‎
    http://www.euronews.net/ Voters in the German state of Baden-Württemberg have been casting their ballots in a referendum on the controversial, multi-billion euro, Stuttgart 21 rail project. If a third of them vote to stop the funding then the state ...

    Stuttgart 21 survives crucial referendum

    International Railway Journal - ‎53 minutes ago‎
    AFTER many months of uncertainty, the people of the German state of Baden-Württemberg yesterday voted in favour of continuing the controversial Stuttgart 21 project, which involves replacing the city's terminus main station with an underground through ...

    Stuttgart 21 rail project to go ahead despite protests

    Demotix - ‎2 hours ago‎
    The controversial Stuttgart 21 rail project, which has polarized political discourse in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and sparked months of protests, is set to go ahead. 27th November 2011 A protester walks away after the demonstration, ...