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LEO Express has started its operation
LEO Express has started its operation
Pictures: Courtesy : Leo Express
The Czech private railway operator LEO Express has started carrying
passengers on its first route between Prague and Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
From the 13th November 2012, LEO Express
has a total of 4 connections per day in a partial operation. According to the
new timetable from 9th December, LEO Express starts the s operation in a full
range with 16 connections per day on the line of
Prague-Pardubice-Olomouc-Ostrava-Bohumin.
„Thank to all passengers who chose for their transport our company.
We will evaluate the entire pilot operation thoroughly and we are also trying
to solve all the suggestions from our passengers," said Leoš Novotný, founder and CEO of LEO Express, in reference to the pilot operation.
There are two possible ways how to buy the ticket, and so through
the booking system on www.le.cz, or at the LEO Express box offices.
Passengers are advised to purchase their tickets as soon as
possible. LEO Express has adopted a price concept known from air travelling,
which means the sooner you order. Also
off – peak travelling is cheaper.
Timetable of LEO Express is available at www.le.cz/cms/56-jizdni-rad.html
LEO Express ordered altogether 5 intercity trains from the Swiss
rolling stock producer Stadler. The new intercity FLIRT trains, are equipped
with the most state-of-the-art technology available in the railway industry,
which provides LEO Express all necessary means to reach an outstanding
performance in the competition for passengers.
LEO Express has
assigned Stadler with the production and delivery of 5 intercity trains back in
2010. LEO Express plans to set the trains into commercial operation in full
range already from December 2012, with 16 connections per day on the line of
Prague-Pardubice-Olomouc-Ostrava-Bohumin. Based on the model it launches on the
Czech market, the private operator also has plans to extend its service to the
neighbouring countries.
On the new train
passengers is to be able to choose among Premium, Business and Economy classes.
The trains are equipped with 237 seating places, out of which 6 belong to the
Premium, 19 to the Business, and 212 to the Economy class. WIFI internet,
advanced passenger information system, air-conditioning, as well as disabled
accessible toilets and large luggage racks are also default features of the
trains, which make travelling especially comfortable and convenient for
passengers. The 90 meter long 5 part vehicles have a maximum speed of 160 km/h,
including an unrivalled speeding and braking ability within its category.
The trains have a
modern, light and very durable construction, thus their weight is only the half
of the conventional vehicles. This modern design and construction significantly
decrease the power consumption and as a result, the overall operational costs.
The maintenance friendly design of the train also lets the operators reach
outstanding availability results in operation.
International Railway Journal
THE Young Railway Professionals (YRP), a professional network for young people working in the rail industry which was founded in Britain in 2009, has launched a new website which the organisation hopes will establish an online community to bring young rail professionals closer together.
BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) and Balfour Beatty Rail have completed the first full track and ballast modular switch & crossing (S&C) replacement during a midweek possession.
LYON inaugurated the latest addition to the city's already-extensive light rail network on November 17 with the opening of the initial phase of Line T5.
Progressive Railroading - US Railroad News
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Georgia Ports Authority marks opening of expanded container transfer facility in Savannah
Sound Transit to jointly study transit expansion with Seattle, add parking at Edmonds Station
Hurricane Sandy update: NJ Transit restores all but one rail line
NS names Atlanta rail fabrication plant after former MOW group leader
Chicago Transit Authority awards contract for Red Line South project
Cargill to build CSXT-served rail loop at Illinois grain elevator
Rail supplier updates from Cleveland Track and Harsco (Nov.19)
www.railway-technology.com Updates..
EIB funds Cairo metro project The European Investment Bank (EIB) has extended a loan of €200m to Egypt as the first tranche of the €600m loan for the third-phase extension of the Cairo metro.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit selects designer for Streetcar Oak Cliff Line
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas, US, has selected the Witbeck/Carcon JV to design the 1.6 mile Dallas Streetcar Oak Cliff Line.
Vycon to deploy clean energy flywheel technology at LA Red Line
Vycon has received a contract from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in the US to deploy its clean energy flywheel technology at LA Metro's Red Line Westlake / MacArthur Park Station.
Moreton Bay Rail Link project in Australia moves forward
Earth work and bridge construction has started at Mango Hill in Queensland as part of the Australian Government's A$1.15bn ($1.18bn) Moreton Bay Rail Link project.
UIC RAME High-Level Conference (UIC on YouTube)
Office of Rail Regulation (UK)
Two reports......
North Yorkshire steam railway operator fined £4,000 for level crossing collision
19 November 2012
ORR/18/12
Heritage railway operator, Wensleydale Railway, has today been fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,000 following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for breaches of health and safety law which led to a collision between a train and a car at a level crossing near Newton-le-Willows in North Yorkshire.
On 1 August 2011, a steam train carrying 58 passengers collided with a car at Fox Park No.1 crossing, which connects a private farm access road with a public road across the rail line operated by Wensleydale Railway. The car was extensively damaged in the collision, and the train sustained minor damage. Neither the driver of the car nor any passengers on board the train suffered any injuries.
Today’s sentencing at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court follows an extensive investigation by ORR into the incident which found that users of the crossing had insufficient visibility of oncoming trains, placing them in unnecessary danger. This was caused by Wensleydale Railway not having in place adequate procedures to manage vegetation alongside the rail line. Evidence showed that prior to the collision vegetation at the crossing had not been cut back since October 2010.
Ian Raxton, ORR’s Principal Inspector of Heritage and Light Rail, said:
“Wensleydale Railway’s failure to cut back vegetation alongside the route of its rail line placed those using the level crossing in grave danger. Crossing users had severely limited visibility of oncoming trains, making it extremely difficult to take a safe decision to cross. It is indefensible to have such a lax approach to public and worker safety, and only after the regulator undertook enforcement action did Wensleydale Railway make significant improvements.
“The vast majority of heritage railways in Great Britain successfully identify, manage and control the safety risks associated with their business. ORR will be closely monitoring Wensleydale Railway’s performance and will not hesitate to intervene should further failings be found.”
Rail company fined £180,000 for causing death of 13 year old boy and serious injury of two teenage boys at Liverpool rail depot
16 November 2012
ORR/17/12
English, Welsh and Scottish Railways International (EWSI) has today been fined £180,000 and ordered to pay costs of £59,554 following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for breaches of health and safety law which led to the death of Liam Gill, aged 13, and the serious injury of two teenage boys, aged 14, at Allerton rail depot in Liverpool in August 2009.
On 9 August 2009, Liam and two friends trespassed on the disused Allerton rail depot, gaining access through a gap in the boundary fence. The depot contained a number of abandoned train wagons, stored beneath a live 25,000 volt overhead power line. Liam climbed onto the roof of a train wagon, was electrocuted and died of his injuries. His two friends suffered severe burns.
Today’s sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court follows an ORR investigation into the incident which found that EWSI had failed to adequately prevent trespass on the depot by not ensuring the boundary fence was maintained. The judge found that the company failed to carry out a legally required assessment of the safety risks, failed to secure the wagons to prevent trespassers, and did not ensure appropriate security patrols were in place. These factors were a significant cause of Liam's death. EWSI pleaded guilty to two charges relating to these failings at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in autumn 2011.
Ian Raxton, ORR’s Principal Inspector, said:
"This was a devastating incident. Liam Gill’s tragic death and the serious injury of two teenage boys could have been prevented. My thoughts are with Liam’s family and all those involved in this incident.
"Liam’s death was caused by EWSI’s failure to manage safety risks at the site. The judge found that EWSI was aware that trespassing was taking place at the depot yet did not take sufficient steps to prevent unauthorised access to the site. It is also totally unacceptable to leave unused high voltage overhead cables switched on in a largely abandoned depot which is known to be accessed by trespassers.
"However, there is no denying that Liam and his two friends should not have been trespassing on Allerton rail depot. Trespass on the railway poses serious safety risks. The rail industry spends a great deal of time attempting to educate young people, as well as to ensure suitable security on the network. Despite this effort, more must be done. 53 trespass fatalities were reported in the last year alone and where there are known risks there is no excuse for companies to not take appropriate action against trespass."
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