OPENING UP: NETWORK RAIL'S TRANSPARENCY PROGRAMME (Network Rail) 30th June 2012

Network Rail underlined its commitment to greater transparency today with the unveiling of a new information portal on its website. For the first time people will have easy access to a range of information about Britain’s rail infrastructure operator. Categories of information include:

• Budget and costs of high-profile projects
• Assessments for 50 high risk level crossings scored on the rail industry's level crossing risk model
• Real-time train running data
• Agendas and minutes of meetings of the board
• Executive directors’ expenses
• Number of high earners by £25k band

David Higgins, Network Rail’s chief executive said: “I believe in transparency. It helps improve decision making and can drive culture change in an organisation. Given the amount of money that taxpayers put into the rail industry, it is only correct they are given the right to scrutinise what their money is paying for. I believe Network Rail has to take the lead in opening up the industry to new levels of transparency and I hope others will soon follow that lead.”
Network Rail is committed to increasing the amount of information they make available, and want the choices on what they publish in the future to be informed by what people would find helpful. So as well as proactively releasing this information, Network Rail invites suggestions on what information should be added to this initial offering in the future.
Mark Farrow, Network Rail’s head of transparency added: “Public feedback will help guide us as we decide what information and data we can make available in the future. We won’t be able to publish everything people suggest – there will be some times where security, cost or commercial confidentiality issues will intervene – but we will do everything we can to keep the scheme’s content fresh, relevant and informative.”

Notes:

To view all the information and data being made available and to suggest future content, go to: www.networkrail.co.uk/transparency
Software developers can download information about real time train running data feeds here: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/data-feeds/. This service is available on a pre-registration basis until 20.00 on Thursday 28^th June, and the full service will be available thereafter.

The data feeds available will be:

• Train Movements - train positioning and movement event data, including incident and delay messages
• TD - train positioning data, at signal berth level
• TSR (Temporary Speed Restrictions) – details of temporary reductions in line speeds across the rail network
• VSTP (Very Short Term Plan) – schedule records created via this process (and thus not available via CIF)
• RTPPM (Real Time Public Performance Measure) - this shows the performance of trains against the timetable, measured as the percentage of trains arriving at destination on time
• SCHEDULE – extract of train schedules from the Integrated Train Planning System

NORTH EAST RAIL REPAIR CONTINUES OVER WEEKEND (Network Rail) 30th June 2012

Hundreds of engineers will be working throughout the weekend to restore rail services following Thursday’s storms in the north east.

Areas of the track beds have been torn away by floods at Haltwhistle on the Newcastle to Carlisle route and Scremerston on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between Newcastle and Berwick. Both sites require significant rebuild – at Scremerston 400 tonnes of new material is on site ready to go.

In order to carry out the work safely no trains will run between Haltwhistle and Carlisle over the weekend. Services will only run between Newcastle and Haltwhistle. The limited, hourly service which has been reintroduced over the ECML between Berwick and Newcastle this afternoon (Friday) will continue all weekend.

Warrick Dent, general manager for Network Rail, said: “I would like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we carry out these significant works. Some of the damage is extensive and requires significant work to make good. Our engineers will be working around the clock to restore services as quickly as possible.”

Passengers are advised to consult National Rail enquiries before they travel.

World Railway News.. 29th June 2012

www.railwaygazette.com

FRANCE: The 25-year PPP contract covering financing and construction of the mixed-traffic high speed line bypassing Nîmes and Montpellier has been formally signed...

RAILWAY GAZETTE TV: Rail transport will still be the most environmentally-friendly mode of transport in the next decade, despite advances in energy efficiency...
See The Greener Railway webinar HERE

GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has signed a €160m contract for 38 Alstom Coradia Lint regional diesel multiple-units, which will be used on Dieselnetz Südwest services

ETHIOPIA: State railway development agency Ethiopian Railways Corp has signed contracts for the construction of a new railway network in the north of the country


International Railway Journal

BRAZILIAN mining giant Vale has been granted environmental licenses for its huge $US 19.5bn project (called S11D) to develop a new iron-ore mine at Serra Sul to the south of its existing Carajás mine

THREE subsidiary companies - Traintic, Trainelec and DTQ4 - set up by CAF, Spain, are being merged into one unit called CAF Power & Automation which will design and produce electric power distribution, communications and control systems for all types of rolling stock.



www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Harrison takes helm as Canadian Pacific's CEO; CN intends to continue pursuing legal action against Harrison

Industry leaders respond to transportation bill's compromises

Alaska Railroad's transit funding less shaky under transportation bill

AAR: Both carloads, intermodal loads climbed for U.S. roads in week No. 25

Sound Transit's board adopts $2.1 billion light-rail budget, schedule

Patriot Rail installs Schultz as EVP, chief administrative officer

Farmrail System obtains temporary FRA waiver for Oklahoma line

Rail supplier updates from Wabtec, Bombardier, Alstom, Thales, Wartsila and Pricelock (June 29)


NEWS UPDATE:
Congress passes major surface transportation bill
Today, the House and Senate passed a major, two-year surface transportation reauthorization bill (H.R. 4348).
The bill now is on its way to President Obama for his signature.
“This measure includes historic reforms — cutting red tape and consolidating or eliminating nearly 70 federal programs,” said Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in a prepared statement.

The bipartisan legislation would fund federal highway, transit and safety programs at current funding levels through the end of fiscal-year 2014, which would allow states to plan and undertake transportation projects.

www.railway-technology.com Latest Headlines...

BNSF to improve rail capacity in Oklahoma
US-based freight transport firm BNSF Railway (BNSF) is planning to invest $92m in Oklahoma during 2012 for railway maintenance, capacity improvements and expansion projects.       
                   
Beijer Electronics to deliver rail equipment to Washington metro rail network
Westermo, a subsidiary of Beijer Electronics, has won a SEK30m ($4.27m) order from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in the US to deliver IP communication solutions for 364 rail cars.       
                   
SEPTA to tap breaking energy from trains
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has started a project to capture breaking energy from subway cars and trains on the Market-Frankford Line and supply it back to the regional electric grid.       
                   
Bombardier wins order for 150 additional rail cars from BART
Bombardier Transportation has won a $266m order from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to deliver 150 additional rail cars.       

India's railway investments to 2017: a bumpy ride?
In March 2012, India announced its biggest railway budget in history to tackle network capacity and safety issues. Looking into some of the most significant Indian railway projects from now until 2017, Railway-Technology asks whether the measures will be enough to modernise a network that is still one of the most dangerous in the world.       

Siemens to show products and solutions for urban mobility at InnoTrans 2012.

Cities are facing the huge challenge of reconciling growth and quality of life. And energy-efficient and sustainable mobility that is attractive to passengers is playing a key role in their plans. Mobility within and between cities will therefore be Siemens' main theme at InnoTrans in Berlin, the world's largest trade fair for transport technology. The company will be showing solutions and products from a single source: rolling stock specially designed for maximum energy efficiency; ultramodern rail automation that ensures optimum utilization of line and vehicle capacities; technology for optimizing complete operational processes and reducing downtimes and operating costs; and, last but not least, Smart Grid solutions for intelligent traction power supply networks. Siemens provided information on this extensive portfolio at a pre-press conference in Vienna in the runup to this year's InnoTrans trade fair for the railway industry.



Siemens Picture the Future - Mobility research looks into the future of mobility in Australia. It delivers a technology blueprint could help Australia achieve seamless mobility by 2030.

UK Railway News..... 29th June 2012

ATOC

Overall satisfaction with rail services near record levels

28/06/2012

In response to the publication of the latest National Passenger Survey, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said:

“Overall passenger satisfaction is still at near record levels with over a third of all categories surveyed showing improvements year on year. But, despite this progress, train companies understand that there is no room for complacency.

“Satisfaction has risen significantly in areas such as information on train times, personal security and the availability of staff to help passengers. This reflects the hard work of train companies in providing better services that are attracting more and more people to rail.

“We recognise that value for money scores remain lower than others and that is why the railways are already focussed on tackling costs as well as improving services.”


But.......

Passenger Focus survey results ....

Value for money? Mixed feelings from Britain’s rail passengers

28th June 2012

---

Satisfaction with Britain’s railways holds up at 83% of passengers satisfied overall with their journey. However, this overall figure masks enormous variations on different routes and widely differing value for money scores.
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: “Well done to London Midland, Merseyrail and Heathrow Connect, all of whom improved significantly. Particularly impressive was London Midlands’ whopping 17% rise in how they dealt with delays. Greater Anglia (previously National Express East Anglia) will be well aware of the work needed to boost passenger satisfaction.”
Key findings include:

• First Capital Connect (FCC) passengers noticing improvements at stations.
• East Midlands Trains recording some good gains both on train and at stations.
• Overall satisfaction scores on individual routes varied from 97% (Merseyrail – Wirral) to 70% (FCC – Thameslink South and Greater Anglia* – Metro) with value for money satisfaction ranging from 75% (ScotRail – Rural) to 23% (Greater Anglia – Mainline) on those routes.
• Satisfaction with value for money dipping to 42% from 44% in Spring 2011.
• Passengers using different tickets giving very disparate scores for value for money.
• Comparing the views of Advance and Off-Peak ticket holders who think that the railway is reasonably good value, with Season ticket holders who do not. For example, value for money scores for Advance tickets on CrossCountry and Virgin Trains were 64% and 68%, while the scores for Annual Season tickets on Southeastern and South West Trains were 12% and 23% (respectively).

Mr Smith, added: “Annual Season ticket holders, particularly in London and the South East, despite having regulated fares, unsurprisingly do not think their tickets represent value for money. The industry must keep its focus on getting the trains on time while Government must think very carefully about the forthcoming decision on the rate of rises for regulated fares. The message from passengers is clear.”
It is interesting to note bus passenger value for money scores in the March 2012 Passenger Focus Bus Passenger Survey. Satisfaction with value for money among fare-paying bus passengers ranged from 39% to 68% across the 23 areas of England surveyed.

Leaves on the line..?

(From Christian Wolmar)

NR needs to be more sensitive but leaves must be kept off the line.

Network Rail has brought out the fierce Amazonian tribesman in many of us. From Whitstable to the Wirral, the company responsible for the nation’s railway infrastructure has been accused of chopping down trees in a cavalier fashion with no regard for the environment. The RSPB yesterday claimed that Network Rail’s tree-cutting policy menaces 1.5 million birds’ nests found in the greenery of rail embankments.
There is no doubt that, as admitted by Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s managing director of operations, the company has occasionally transgressed by cutting more than necessary. For example, the line next to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in North London is now in full view of the crowds, whereas previously it was shielded by tangled foliage that muffled the noise from the trains and provided a habitat for wildlife quite far from the tracks.
However, the idea that Network Rail is endangering a substantial proportion of Britain’s bird life is a tale straight out of Thomas the Tank Engine. The RSPB’s “conservative estimate” would suggest that there are 150 nests alongside every mile of Britain’s railway lines and that Network Rail has its eyes on all of them.
They may sound like a music hall joke, but “leaves on the line” are a serious issue.
Continue reading here.....

World Railway News. 28th June 2012

International Railway Journal


KIWIRAIL has begun the technical and legal process to revalue its assets to better reflect the revenue they generate.

SPEAKING at a visit to view progress of construction on the Tel Aviv light metro, Israel's transport minister, Mr Yisrael Katz, said he will present a motion very soon to the government to build a rail network covering the entire Greater Tel-Aviv Area, known locally as the Dan Agglomeration.

GERMAN Rail (DB) has ordered 38 additional Coradia Lint regional trains from Alstom in a deal worth €160m. The order consists of 14 trains with 112 seats which is part of a framework contract..

www.railwaygazette.com

The green benefits of rail have long been seen as one of the industry’s inherent advantages. But in the teeth of a global economic downturn, how far is the environment still a priority for operators and suppliers? Many railways are taking concrete steps to manage their energy use, but rail remains partly reliant on decarbonisation of the power grid to deliver green benefits.

In the  interactive debate of  Wednesday June 27, an expert panel of speakers addressed the key issues:

• Peak oil: what are the secure energy sources of the future? How will changes in energy supply affect rail policy? Is rail responsible for sourcing its own green energy?
• How does rail make best use of its energy? What techniques are available to store and re-use energy, both onboard and at stations? How are drivers assisted to minimise power take?
• How is traction technology evolving to meet an energy-scarce future? What benefits are offered by alternative fuels, permanent-magnet motors and composite materials?
• Tighter regulation is impacting rail operations. How do operators and suppliers best respond to stricter noise and emissions standards?
• What can we learn from existing research programmes and case studies such as Sweden’s Gröne Taget?
• The commercial angle: how far do load factors, service frequency and passenger amenities affect the carbon footprint? Is a green train simply a busy train?

In case you were not able to view the debate, you can register for free now and view the broadcast as well read all the comments and questions from our live feed. You will also still be able to continue the debate by posting comments, sharing links and tweeting using hash tag #GreenRail.
Within the feed you will also be able to find and download PDF's of recent articles within Railway Gazette which are very relevant to the discussions.


www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Progressive Railroading to present free fuel management webcast tomorrow

House, Senate conference committee strikes deal on new transportation bill

VIA Rail advances modernization efforts

CN lands long-term bitumen transportation agreement with Southern Pacific

BNSF, Union Pacific bolster lines in Illinois and Oklahoma

West Baltimore MARC station project advances

World's largest container cranes come to Baltimore port

George resigns from Canadian Pacific's board; Georgia Ports Authority elects board officers

Former New York Gov. Paterson joins MTA's board

www.railway-technology.com Latest News...

Bombardier wins order for 150 additional rail cars from BART
Bombardier Transportation has won a $266m order from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to deliver 150 additional rail cars.       
                   
Downer and EMD sign deal to manufacture locomotives outside Australia
Downer EDI has signed a five-year agreement with Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) for the production of Australian-market locomotives at one of its new low-cost overseas facilities.       
                   
New York MTA awards subway station contract to EE Cruz-Tully Construction JV
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded a $324.6m contract to a joint venture (JV) of EE Cruz and Tully Construction to carry out work associated with 96th Street Station on the Second Avenue Subway.       
                   
Mitsubishi Electric opens railroad HVAC equipment plant in the US
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products has opened a new railway equipment plant near its headquarters and main manufacturing operation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US.       

Dean Forest Railway News.... 28th June 2012

Hello everyone.

We are delighted that Whitecroft Station is now open, giving the option of catching the train to Parkend, then walking over the footbridge and along the forest paths back to Whitecroft Station to re-join the train. Or simply stopping off at Whitecroft for refreshment at the Miners' Arms (which is well known for its real ales and ciders) adjacent to Whitecroft Station. (You can even get 10% off the cost of lunchtime meals at the Miners' Arms by showing your DFR travel tickets for that day when you order!).


This makes a day trip to the DFR even more enjoyable. Why not come by train or bus? It is now possible to book tickets from main line stations direct to Parkend and make a saving on booking separate tickets. Wednesdays are good if you are coming by bus, when there are connections from Bristol, Cardiff, Newport and Gloucester. And if you are lucky enough to have a bus pass, you only have to buy a ticket for the DFR! Check out this link to "Bus pass Wednesdays" for details of the bus times for a cheap day out on the DFR: www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/section.php?xSec=8  Steam services run every Wednesday until the end of September and every Sunday until end October.


Next weekend, 30 June/1July, we have our annual Great Western Gala Weekend, with an enhanced timetable and three GW locos in operation and don't forget the youngsters, the last visit of Thomas this year on 17-19 August.

More details at the Dean Forest Railway website here

NEW STREET REBUILD ACCELERATES BIRMINGHAM’S RETAIL RENAISSANCE (Network Rail) 28th June 2012

The transformation of Birmingham New Street station and the Pallasades gathered pace today as the backers behind the scheme saw the progress being made to construct John Lewis’ new department store which is being delivered as part of the redevelopment.

Andy Street, managing director John Lewis, David Higgins, chief executive Network Rail and Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council were on hand at New Street to see the foundations for the new shop being laid.

The new 250,000 sq ft full line John Lewis department store will anchor an upgraded Pallasades shopping centre to create a new retail destination in the heart of Birmingham and cementing the city’s status as one of the UK’s premier retail destinations.

David Higgins, chief executive, Network Rail said: “The exciting changes we are delivering at New Street vividly show how investment in transport infrastructure can benefit cities and communities by triggering regeneration, new jobs and economic growth. With a new John Lewis and Pallasades coming in 2014, and a state of the art station complete in 2015, Birmingham has a lot to look forward to.”

Work to redevelop the Pallasades centre got underway in 2011 and the demolition of Stephenson Tower earlier this year paved the way for construction of John Lewis Birmingham.

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “A true feat of engineering is taking place on the New Street site to transform the station, whilst tens of thousands of people continue to travel in and out of our city - uninterrupted - every day.

“In the coming months, residents and visitors will start to see the station and the John Lewis store take shape. We welcome the retail offer it will bring to the city, boosting the local economy by more than £25m each year along with the opportunity for 650 local people to take up new jobs in the store.”

With the foundations laid, the superstructure of the shop will start to take shape over the coming months, with John Lewis and the new Pallasades centre set to open in Autumn 2014. New Street station will remain open throughout construction, passengers will notice the first major change in April 2013 when a new concourse opens, the station redevelopment completes in 2015.

Andy Street, Managing Director, John Lewis said: “We are very pleased to be playing a part in the regeneration of Birmingham city centre and believe this will cement the city’s status as a key UK retail destination. With construction of John Lewis Birmingham now underway, we are looking forward to fulfilling our long term ambition of bringing our unique retail and employment offer to the city.”

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers added: “This is an exciting time for rail passengers travelling across the Midlands. Not only has the Government backed the transformation of Birmingham New Street which will give the city a station it can truly be proud of, we are also pressing ahead with a national high speed network with Birmingham at it’s very heart.”

More from Network Rail here....

World Railway News.... 27th June 2012

www.railwaygazette.com
(News Feed..)

News in Brief...
The German Land of Thüringen has directly awarded incumbent Erfurter Bahn a contract to operate Erfurt – Illmenau services from January 2014 to December 2016, ending at the same time as other agreements to enable a change in routes covered by operating contracts. Moldovan national railway Calea Feratã din Moldova and UK high speed line promoter HS2 Ltd joined CER on May 3, taking membership to 78 organisations. Electric operation of SNCFT commuter services from Tunis to the suburbs of Borj Sedria and Riadh began on April 6, using Hyundai Rotem metre gauge 25 kV 50 Hz EMUs. Israel National Roads Company has invited expressions of interest in a contract to review preliminary designs for a high speed line to Eilat. Work is expected to be completed by August 2012. The UK Department for Transport has extended the Northern passenger operating franchise held by a joint venture of Serco and Abellio until April 1 2014. The franchise was originally due to end on September 15 2013, after it had already secured a two-year performance-based extension in 2010.

UK must start developing tram-train now

‎26 ‎June ‎2012, ‏‎15:48:00

UK: Detailed planning for tram-train projects should begin immediately rather than wait for the outcome of the recently-confirmed Sheffield - Rotherham pilot project, Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of West Midlands transport authority Centro, told the All-Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group on June 13. The pilot scheme is scheduled to run for two years from 2015, and evaluation will add more time. If transport authorities wait until the conclusions are available before developing their own proposals, it would be many years before services could begin, Inskip pointed out. Inskip stressed that tram-train is 'fundamentally a proven concept' in continental Europe, saying 'we should put caution away, and start thinking about what we actually need.' Centro sees tram-train as a way to improve local passenger services, using rail lines to avoid the cost of constructing new tram alignments while exploiting the ability to run onto city-centre streets to avoid the need for expensive works to provide extra capacity on the 'last two miles' into congested stations such as Birmingham New Street. Inskip confirmed that Centro has a 'whole list' of possible tram-train routes, including Wolverhampton - Walsall and a disused freight line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. Northern Rail is strongly supporting the Rotherham pilot project, according to Simon Coulthard of Network Rail's tram-train team, and with backing from its Dutch parent Abellio has also drawn up a list of potential routes for future deployment.

International Railway Journal

ITALIAN infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) opened the new 180km/h high-speed tunnel beneath Bologna on June 21. The 17.8km line, which is equipped ERTMS, runs north-south across the city

IN an unexpected move, the Dutch Environmental and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has banned Vossloh G1206 and G2000 diesel locomotives from operating light engine on the Dutch railway network.

According to ILT, the restrictions have been introduced because of problems with activating track circuits. Recently two G2000s were lost to the signalling system while running singly, one between Europoort and Maasvlakte and the other between The Hague HS and The Hague Moerwijk. On June 3 a G1206 was also lost by traffic control between Europoort and Maasvlakte.

BANGALORE Metro Rail Corporation today began dynamic testing of the first trains for the Namma Metro Green Line at Peenya depot

www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Surface transportation trade value tumbled in April, BTS says

Amtrak completes Union Station improvements in Chicago

Oregon Transportation Commission considers funding for 38 multi-modal projects

SEPTA modernizes Spring Garden, Girard subway stations

Kansas City Southern de Mexico turns 15; Schneider National marks 20 years in Mexico

Rep. Huizenga tours Marquette Rail yard, demonstrates support for short-line tax credit

Rail supplier updates from R.J. Corman, Bombardier, Atkins and Parsons Brinckerhoff; Also, in memoriam: PB's William Kennedy (June 27)

www.railway-technology.com Latest Headlines..

LTSE selects Mott MacDonald for Mumbai monorail project
LTSE, a consortium of Larsen & Toubro and Scomi Engineering Malaysia, has selected Mott MacDonald as an independent assessor for the testing and commissioning of the first phase of the Jacob Circle to Chembur corridor of the Mumbai monorail project.       
                   
Mitsubishi Electric opens railroad HVAC equipment plant in the US
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products has opened a new railway equipment plant near its headquarters and main manufacturing operation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US.       
                   
Ethiopia signs $1.5bn rail deal with China's CCCCEthiopian Railways (ERC) and China Communication Construction (CCCC) have signed a $1.5bn agreement to build a 268.2km railway line in the northern part of Ethiopia.       
                   
Downer to build 19 locomotives for Fortescue
Engineering firm Downer EDI (Downer) has won a A$73m ($73.4m) rolling stock supply and support contract from iron ore miner Fortescue Metals group (Fortescue) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

National Railway Museum Dinner (transportgovuk on YouTube) 27th June 2012

Transport Minister Norman Baker gave a video address to the National Railway Museum Dinner held in York. He explains this is the golden age of Britain's railways because the Coalition Government is pressing ahead with an ambitious set of rail projects that is bigger in scale than anything attempted for over a hundred years.

Bombardier Confirms Order for 150 Additional Rail Cars for the San Francisco Bay Area (Bombardier Press Release) 27th June 2012

Firm orders now total 410 rail cars
Bombardier Transportation announced today that the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) confirmed an order for 150 additional rail cars valued at approximately $266 million US ($274 million CDN, 213 million euro). The order represents the exercise of an option under a contract signed on June 14, 2012. With this option, Bombardier now has firm orders for 410 cars with a total value of approximately $897 million US ($921 million CDN, 715 million euro).

Designated by BART as its “Fleet of the Future”, the new cars will replace BART’s entire existing fleet and enable system expansion. Bombardier will assemble the cars at its manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh, New York. Ten pilot cars are scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2015, followed by comprehensive testing of the pilot cars on the BART system. The delivery of the 400 remaining production series cars is expected to follow between early 2017 and the spring of 2020.

Raymond Bachant, President, Bombardier Transportation North America, said: “We appreciate the confidence that BART is demonstrating in Bombardier and look forward to providing BART, its passengers, and all citizens of the Bay Area with new rail cars that meet the need for rapid, reliable and cost-effective urban transport.”

Bombardier website..

RAILWAY FACTORY MEANS NEW JOBS AND INVESTMENT FOR DONCASTER (Network Rail) 27th June 2012

Plans for a new factory to supply vital components to Britain’s rail network have been given the go-ahead by Doncaster Council.
The new factory will produce hundreds of thousands of concrete sleepers needed for Network Rail’s programme of track improvement works.
Martin Elwood, director of Network Rail’s National Delivery Service, said: “This factory is crucial if we are to deliver better value for money whilst maintaining a safe, reliable railway.
“We need around 700,000 concrete sleepers each year and, once commissioned, this factory will produce around 400,000 of those. It will also directly create around 30 new jobs, with knock-on benefits to the local supply chain.”
Located on the former Woodyard site near Ten Pound Walk in Doncaster, the factory will be owned by Network Rail but built and operated by a new consortium, Trackwork Moll.
Martin Elwood added “This is a strategic decision by Network Rail to protect the supplies which are vital for our track programme. At the same time, we can reduce costs by increasing competition and introducing more modern production methods.
“Doncaster is the ideal location for this factory as these sidings are already used as a hub for engineering trains and its central location will make distribution across Britain’s rail network easier and more efficient.”
Supply of concrete sleepers from Britain is limited to just two suppliers – one of which has given notice that they plan to close their plant. Network Rail decided to seek a build and supply contractor in 2009. Trackwork Moll won this process and the scheme received board approval in spring 2011.
On 25 June 2012, Doncaster Council agreed planning permission for the new building and a formal agreement between Network Rail and Trackwork Moll has now been signed.
Peter Heubeck, general manager for Trackwork Moll, added: “We are delighted to have been successful and look forward to providing an excellent service from this very efficient new plant.”
Clearance of the Woodyard site has already begun and construction is due to start in July with full production due to begin in spring 2013.

Notes :

Trackwork Moll (TM) is a consortium made up of:

• Trackwork, a Doncaster based company which has contracts with Network Rail for materials handling at Crewe and Westbury depots, the supply and disposal of wooden sleepers and bearers, the manufacture and supply of switches and crossings and is also a Network Rail approved contractor.
• Leonhard Moll, a German-based concrete products company with three factories in Germany and one in Poland. They were one of the early pioneers in developing concrete sleepers and have manufactured more than 10,000,000 of them with an excellent quality record.

The factory design and build is Network Rail funded with three key elements:

• Design and build of new facility at the Doncaster Woodyard site
• Lease agreement for the factory
• 10-year contract for sleeper supply

Trackwork Moll will fit out the factory with specialised production machinery which will remain in their ownership.

House of Commons Transport Committee

HoC Transport Committee Committee Room 15 Meeting started at 10.05am. Ended at 12.19pm Rail 2020 Witnesses i. Christian Wolmar, Railway author and broadcaster, Nigel Harris, Managing Editor, Rail Magazine, and John Nelson, Chairman, First Class Partnerships Limited ii. Tom Smith, Chairman, Association of Train Operating Companies, Gatwick Airport iii. Tim Shoveller, Managing Director, South West Trains, Paul Plumber, Network Rail, and Dominic Booth, Abellio / Greater Anglia Trains Visit the Committee's homepage.

USHSR-Promotion to win free trip for 2 to Europe!(US Residents only) 26th June 2012

USHSR is excited to announce an HSR promotion to win a free trip for 2 to Europe!  Just donate $5 to enter online.  Your donation will help support our new TV series set to begin filming this summer in Europe:  High Speed Rail Around the World.  Donate now!


This new TV series will feature a different country in each show - looking at their high speed rail systems and the many benefits delivered to the people every day.  The series will look at how the systems were built and financed, who the visionaries were who fought to get them started, how they operate, and more.  You will meet the people who ride the trains and hear their stories, and how much easier their lives are with high speed rail.





One winner will receive all of the following:    
Two  (2) round-trip coach-class airplane tickets (winner and their  guest).

Three  (3) nights hotel accomodations in London.

A  day trip to Oxford, England on Virgin Rail.

A  day tour of London.

Two  (2) Tickets for a West End play.

Two  (2) London Pass cards for free entry to numerous destinations.

Five  Hundred ($500) U.S. Dollars spending money in London.

Two round  trip tickets on Eurostar high speed train from London to Paris.

Three  (3) nights hotel accomodations in Paris, France.

Two  (2) Paris Pass cards for free entry to numerous destinations.

A  day tour of Paris.

Dinner  for two (2) at Jules Vern restaurant on the Eiffel Tower.

Five  Hundred ($500) U.S. Dollars spending money costs in Paris.

2  train tickets from London to Heathrow International Airport for return flight to  the United States. 

Approximate  retail value of prize $7,200.00

US Residents only offer....

ENTER HERE

World Railway News.. 26th June 2012

International Railway Journal

TRENITALIA has signed a distribution agreement with transaction processor Amadeus, which will allow Trenitalia tickets to be sold through all Amadeus sales channels around the world.

DOWNER EDI Limited has signed a five-year agreement with EMD that will see EMD manufacture all future Downer locomotive orders for the Australian market at one of its overseas facilities



PORTUGUESE Trains (CP) CEO Mr José Benoliel has revealed that CP ended 2011 with a loss of €289m, compared with a loss of €201m in the previous year


www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Progressive Railroading to present free fuel management webcast on Friday

U.S. Class I workforce shrank a smidgen in May, STB data shows

Pittsburgh-area port authority adopts operating, capital budgets

New York City's MTA awards Second Avenue Subway contract

Long Beach port's board accepts TIGER III grant for rail project; Stockton port completes trackwork

CSX releases 2011 'social responsibility' report

California construction authority receives six bids for San Gabriel trench; Arizona DOT sets public meeting to address grade separation study

Amtrak hires Molfetas as chief information officer

Rail supplier updates from PS Technology, Bombardier, Mitsubishi, Sygnet and Konecranes (June 26)


www.railway-technology.com Latest News...

Downer to build 19 locomotives for Fortescue
Engineering firm Downer EDI (Downer) has won a A$73m ($73.4m) rolling stock supply and support contract from iron ore miner Fortescue Metals group (Fortescue) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.       
                   
EIB funds Y Vasca high-speed rail project in Spain
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has extended a loan worth €500m to Spanish company Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF) to finance the construction of the Y Vasca high-speed rail line in Spain.       
                   
Crossrail awards Tottenham Court Road ticket hall contract to Laing O'Rourke
Crossrail has awarded a £200m contract to build the Western Ticket Hall at Tottenham Court Road station to Laing O'Rourke Construction.       
                   
Thales to deliver signalling solution to Port of Le Havre rail line in France
Thales has won a €2.1m turnkey contract from the Grand Port Maritime du Havre (GPMH) of France to equip the rail line to the Port 2000 intermodal terminal with PIVOS computer-based interlocking system.       

Department for Transport (DfT) Press Releases. 26th June 2012

Warwick Parkway extension given go ahead

Commuters are to benefit from extra car parking spaces at Warwick Parkway station thanks to a £1m Government contribution to the investment to build a new multi-storey car park, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced today.
The substantial car park extension will boost capacity for passengers, increasing the current number of spaces to 959, from its current capacity of 737 spaces.
The Department for Transport will provide £1m, working in conjunction with Chiltern Railways, towards the total cost of the £2.5m project.
Work has already started on the new extension to the car park scheduled to be opened by December 2012.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said:

“I am delighted that we are able to announce the investment for this considerable car park extension at Warwick Parkway. There is no doubt that this will encourage more people to travel by train.”
“Adding additional car park capacity will mean more spaces for passengers, easing congestion and helping improve overall journey satisfaction.”

Together with funding from Chiltern, the Government’s contribution will improve the passenger experience and bring new commuters to the station.
Chiltern Railways became the first UK operator to own and build a new station when Warwick Parkway opened in October 2000.
Business Development Director for Chiltern Railways, Graham Cross said:

“The launch of our Mainline service between London Marylebone and the West Midlands has resulted in record growth levels and a dramatic increase in passengers travelling from Warwick Parkway. The new multi-storey car park will meet the rising demand and demonstrates our commitment to offering the best service to our customers.”

Government's support for Welsh rail

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers visited South Wales yesterday to restate the Government’s commitment to supporting Wales’ transport infrastructure.
Visiting the Welsh Government’s headquarters in Cardiff ahead of the UK Government’s forthcoming announcement on rail investment, the Minister met Assembly members to discuss rail services in Wales.
Speaking after her visit, Theresa Villiers said:

“We are overseeing the biggest rail upgrade programme since the Victorian era because we believe a better transport system can play a vital role in spurring economic growth. We want Wales to share in the opportunities that improved rail services can provide.
“Last year, we confirmed plans to electrify the railway line to Cardiff, a move that will bring real passenger benefits including significant time savings between London and south Wales and cleaner and greener train services. New trains will also add to passenger comfort and further speed up journey times.
“We are also supporting the Welsh Government in developing a business case for the Valley lines. Electrification of the Valley lines network was singled out as a priority in the budget, with a decision to be taken this summer.

Passengers views sought on rail franchise for Kent

Passengers across South East London and Kent are being asked for their views to help shape a new franchise for train services across the area.
The consultation launched by Rail Minister Theresa Villiers today gives local communities served by the franchise a chance to say what improvements to train services they would like to see. It also asks for the views of potential bidders on how they will improve service quality for passengers.
Theresa Villiers said:

“Before we let this franchise, we want to make sure we make the right decisions to maximise the benefits passengers get from it.
“This consultation sets out a range of standards we expect any new operator to deliver as a matter of course, including improvements to stations, rolling out smart ticketing technology, better passenger information and good levels of punctuality. But we also want passengers and anyone else with an interest in the railways to tell us about other ways services could be improved.”

The new South Eastern franchise is due to start in April 2014 and run until September 2020 with a possible extension by up to two years. The consultation commences on 21 June 2012 and closes on 13 September 2012.

Intercity East Coast franchise consultation launched

Rail passengers who travel between London and Scotland via the North East and Yorkshire are on track to get a host of improvements to their services, including a fleet of brand new trains and better stations.
Launching the InterCity East Coast franchise consultation today, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers invited passengers, local councils and anyone with an interest in improved services on the East Coast Main Line to send in their views on what they want from the next franchise.
Theresa Villiers said:

“There are exciting changes on the horizon for the East Coast Main Line. It is set to receive a brand new fleet of InterCity Express trains. The next franchise will be up to 12 years in length giving the operator greater opportunities to invest in improvements that will benefit passengers.
“The consultation outlines what we expect the next operator to deliver, including better service quality, improvements to stations, the roll out of smart-ticketing technology and good levels of punctuality. Bidders will need to share with us their plans to improve the passenger experience.
“The East Coast Main Line is a key part of our nation’s transport infrastructure providing heavily used and economically significant services between north and south. Before we let this franchise, we want to hear from the people who use East Coast and listen to their ideas on better services. This consultation will help us make decisions on how we get the most from the improvements planned for the line over the coming years.”

The winning bidder, which will operate services on the East Coast Main Line from 2013, will need to deliver a number of different improvements including in relation to service quality and provision of information to customers, particularly during times of planned engineering works and unplanned disruption. The new franchisee will be responsible for ensuring that overall passenger experience improves throughout the life of the franchise.
The successful bidder is expected to oversee the introduction of new InterCity Express trains on the route, providing more capacity than the High Speed Trains they are planned to replace on much of the franchise. We also want to hear bidders’ ideas on how they will improve stations and make them more attractive gateways to rail services.

Related documents

• InterCity East Coast franchise consultation, 26 June 2012

Chasewater Railway Event....(with Walsall Symphony Orchestra on 30th June 2012. (25th June 2012

Walsall Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert - 30th June

World Railway News. 25th June 2012

International Railway Journal

THE vessel Clipper Amber docked in Durban on June 22, carrying 33 former QR National locomotives for reuse in Africa.

NETWORK Rail (NR) has approved the Comparon EPS modular polystyrene platform system developed by MegaTech Projects for use on the British mainline network

THE FIRST light rail line in the French city of Brest was officially inaugurated on June 23, in time for the maritime festival held in the city every four years.

BANGLADESH Railways (BR) has signed a $US 74m contract with Rites, India, for the supply of 16 1676mm-gauge diesel locomotives.

www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

USDOT selects 47 projects for TIGER IV grant awards

Canadian freight-rail service review facilitator issues recommendations; CN urges feds to favor commercial solutions to service issues

New York City's MTA seeks real estate management proposals

Port of Tacoma projects container volume boost from new ocean carrier service

SFMTA's Muni fares to increase July 1

USDOT signs pact to share transportation stats with neighboring nations, provides funds for Amtrak station project

Santa Clara transit agency switches to smart card fare system

Rail supplier updates from NCC Construction, RailComm, Thales, Caterpillar, Kasgro and Cubic (June 25)


www.railway-technology.com Latest Headlines

Scotland unveils £5bn rail investment plan
The Scottish Government has unveiled plans to invest £5bn between 2014 and 2019 to improve rail infrastructure and services.       
                   
Australia's QR National awards WIRP rail loop contract to Abigroup
QR National has awarded a A$76m ($77m) contract to Abigroup for the A$900m (US$960m) Wiggins Island rail project (WIRP) in Australia.       
                   
Thales to deliver signalling solution to Port of Le Havre rail line in France
Thales has won a €2.1m turnkey contract from the Grand Port Maritime du Havre (GPMH) of France to equip the rail line to the Port 2000 intermodal terminal with PIVOS computer-based interlocking system.       
                   
Brazil to invest $6.7bn in four rail projects
Brazil is planning to invest BRL13.7bn ($6.7bn) to lay four railway lines in the south of the country.       
______________________________________________________________________________
North East Railtours' Rail Tour from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Stratford-upon-Avon passes through Wilmcote on the return leg at 1620 headed by 47270 Swift, with another Class 47 bringing up the rear of the 8 coach train on the 23rd June 2012





Tyseley Steam Open Day 2012 featuring 5043, 4965, 6201, 46233, L94, 9600
(C) John Edkins on Steam Tube

www.railwaygazette.com News Feed... 25th June 2012

Prototype 220 km/h trainset on test

‎24 ‎June ‎2012, ‏‎05:00:00

UKRAINE: Testing is underway with the first of two prototype 220 km/h inter-regional electric multiple-units being built by Kriukov Car Building Works for national railway UZ. The nine-car units are rated at 4 MW, and equipped for operation on lines electrified at 3 kV DC and 25 kV 50 Hz. The two driving cars have 20 second class seats and all axles powered. There are two first class trailers cars with 64 seats, three second class cars with 94 seats, a third class car with 112 seats and a 47-seat dining car. Onboard facilities include air-conditioning, CCTV and two wheelchair spaces. The stainless steel car bodies are 3420 mm wide, and the axle load is 18 tonnes. The first unit is based at Kharkiv depot for testing. UZ intends to operate the units at up to 200 km/h on the Kharkiv - Kyiv route.

News in Brief - June 2012

‎23 ‎June ‎2012, ‏‎05:00:00

Construction of the 1260 km Luliang - Rizhao heavy haul coal railway which will link mines in China’s Shanxi province with the coast in Shandong province was launched on May 5. The line is being built at cost of 99·8bn yuan and is expected to open in 2014 with an annual capacity of 200 million tonnes. Trafikverket has awarded SJ Norrlandståg a SKr100m/year contract to operate overnight trains from Stockholm to northern Sweden for 5½ years from June 2013, with an option to extend for two years. Following a successful pilot on 18 routes, Indian Railways has announced plans to roll out Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation across the network over the next 18 months. Simran enables mobile phone and computer users to obtain real-time information on train positions. Russian Railways plans to invest 737bn roubles modernising the Baikal Amur Magistral to accommodate more general freight transferred from the Trans-Siberian line, where 181bn roubles will be spent to focus on passenger and container traffic. Spanish infrastructure authority ADIF has completed a €31m programme to install GSM-R on the 80 km Bilbao suburban network. The two-year project included the development with Indra of an operator’s terminal for analogue and digital track-train communications. On May 1 RailAmerica announced the completion of its acquisition of Marquette Rail for $40m. Swedish open access freight operator Peterson Rail ceased trading on May 11. Set up by Norwegian paper and packaging group Peterson AS in 2007, it was sold to Nordic Rail in January 2011. The Norwegian national budget has ben revised to allocate a further NKr326m to infrastructure manager Jernbaneverket. NKr200m will go towards repairing flood damage to the Dovrebanen and tunnel fire safety in Oslo, NKr100m is for upgrading the Ofotbanen and the remainder for work to separate co-located Jernbaneverket and BaneTele communication systems.

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UK Mainline Steam Week Starting 25th June 2012

This listing , courtesy Railway Herald, offered in good faith.

Please check with operators to confirm runnings.

 

Monday 25th June 2012

The Magnificent Snowdonian (Pathfinder Tours)

• DBS Class 67 (Pair) Didcot Parkway (pu) - Oxford (pu) - Banbury (pu) - Leamington Spa (pu) - Coventry (pu) - Birmingham International (pu) - Tame Bridge Parkway (pu) - Stafford - Crewe - Chester - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction (sd) - Bangor (sd) - Holyhead (break/rev) return

Additional Tour Information

28/2: Includes a through working between Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog and Caernarvon for passengers detraining at Llandudno Junction, and from Caernarvon to Blaenau Ffestiniog for those leaving at Bangor. Train continues to Holyhead.

Added 18:36 on Tuesday 28th February 2012

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

The Jacobite: Afternoon Train (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Tuesday 26th June 2012

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

• 60163 Westbury (pu) - Melksham (pu) - Swindon (pu) - Reading (pu) - Canterbury West (break) & return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

The Jacobite: Afternoon Train (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Wednesday 27th June 2012

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

The Jacobite: Afternoon Train (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Thursday 28th June 2012

The Thanet Belle (Railway Touring Company)

• 34067 London Victoria (pu) - East Croydon (pu) - Redhill (pu) - Edenbridge - Tonbridge - Tonbridge - Ashford International - Canterbury West (sd) - Ramsgate - Margate - Whitstable - Faversham (break/rev) - Canterbury East (pu) - Dover - Folkestone - Ashford International - & return as outwards

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

• 60163 Salisbury (pu) - Andover (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Reading West (pu) - Pangbourne (pu) - Worcester (break/rev) & return

The Maid Marian (UK Railtours)

• DBS Class 66 (Pair) London Finsbury Park (pu) - Potters Bar (pu) - Stevenage (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - Grantham (pu) - Nottingham - Trowell Junction - Pye Bridge Junction - Pinxton - Shirebrook - Warsop Junction - Network Rail Proving Track to High Marnham (rev) - High Marnham - Warsop Junction - Shirebrook - Shireoaks West Junction - Brancliffe East Junction - Maltby - St. Catherines Junction - Decoy South Junction - Doncaster - Shaftholme Junction - Askern - Knottingley - Pontefract Monkhill - Crofton East Junction - Oakenshaw South Junction - Monk Bretton (rev) - Monk Bretton - Oakenshaw South Junction - Castleford - Church Fenton - York (break/rev) - Doncaster - Grantham (sd) - Peterborough (sd) - Stevenage (sd) - Potters Bar (sd) - Finsbury Park

Postponed

Additional Tour Information

29/5: Postponed as High Marnham branch will not be passed for passenger trains in time

Added 17:27 on Tuesday 29th May 2012

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

The Jacobite: Afternoon Train (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Friday 29th June 2012

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

The Jacobite: Afternoon Train (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Saturday 30th June 2012

York And Scarborough (in Partnership With Pathfinder Tours) (Cheshire Cat Tours)

• DRS Class 37 (Pair) Cardiff Central (pu) - Newport (pu) - Cwmbran (pu) - Abergavenney (pu) - Hereford (pu) - Leominster (pu) - Ludlow (pu) - Craven Arms (pu) - Church Stretton (pu) - Shrewsbury (pu) - York (sd) - Scarborough (break/rev) and return

Additional Tour Information

9/4: now advised traction will be 2 x DRS 37s instead of 2 x DRS 47s.

Added 01:40 on Tuesday 10th April 2012

9/4: now advised traction will be 2 x DRS 37s instead of 2 x DRS 47s.

Added 01:39 on Tuesday 10th April 2012

The Snowdon Mountain Ranger (Compass Tours)

• WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Skipton (pu) - Keighley (pu) - Shipley (pu) - Wakefield Kirkgate (pu) - Huddersfield (pu) - Denton (pu) - Stockport (pu) - Altricham (pu) - Knutsford (pu) - Chester - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction (rev) - Llanrwst - Betws y Coed (sd) - Blaenau Ffestiniog (break/rev) & return

The Royal Wessex (Railway Touring Company)

• 34067 Three Bridges (pu) - Haywards Heath (pu) - Preston Park (pu) - Hove (pu) - Worthing (pu) - Chichester - Havant - Fareham - Eastleigh - Southampton - Bournemouth (sd) - Poole - Wareham (sd) Dorchester South - Weymouth (break/rev) -
• 70013 and 34067 Weymouth - Dorchester South (detach banker )
• 70013 Dorchester South - Wareham (pu) - Poole - Bournemouth (pu) - Southampton - Eastleigh - Fareham - Havant - Chichester - Worthing (sd) - Hove (sd) - Preston Park (sd) - Haywards Heath (sd) - Three Bridges

Additional Tour Information

Train is booked to be banked from Weymouth to Dorchester South by 34067

Added 12:45 on Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Aviemore & Inverness (SRPS Railtours)

• 46115 Glenrothes with Thornton (pu) - Cupar (pu) - Leuchars for St.Andrews (pu) - Dundee (pu) (rev) -
• WCRC Class 47 Dundee - Perth (pu) (rev) -
• 46115 Perth - Pitlochry - Aviemore (sd) - Inverness - (break/rev) - Inverness - Aviemore - Pitlochry - Perth (sd) (rev) -
• WCRC Class 47 Perth - Dundee (sd) (rev) -
• 46115 Dundee - Leuchars for St. Andrews (sd) - Cupar (sd) - Glenrothes with Thornton

Additional Tour Information

20/6: 46115 will now operate this tour

Added 10:24 on Wednesday 20th June 2012

17/6: SRPS advise that 60009 will not be available for this tour. A replacement steam locomotive is being lined up, the identity of which will be announced shortly.

Added 11:52 on Sunday 17th June 2012

The train will be hauled between Dundee and Perth in each direction with diesel traction, and 60009 positioned at the rear

Added 11:08 on Friday 13th January 2012

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

• 60163 London King's Cross (pu) - Potters Bar (pu) - Stevenage (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - York - Durham (break/rev) & return

The Rossendale Venturer (UK Railtours)

• DBS Class 66 (Pair) London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (pu) - Rugby (pu) - Stafford (pu) - Crewe Independent Line - Sydney Bridge Junction - Stockport - Heaton Norris Junction - Denton Junction - Brewery Curve - Ashton Moss North Junction - Castleton (rev) - Castleton West Junction - Heywood (ELR) - Bury Bolton Street (ELR) - Rawtenstall (ELR) (rev) - Rawtenstall (ELR) - Bury Bolton Street (ELR) - Buckley Wells (ELR) (rev) - Buckley Wells (ELR) - Bury Bolton Street (ELR) (rev) - Bury Bolton Street (ELR) - Heywood (ELR ) - Castleton West & South Junctions - Manchester Victoria - Newton-le-Willows - Winwick Junction - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe - Stafford (sd) - Rugby (sd) - Northampton (sd) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

The Scarborough Flyer (Vintage Trains)

• 46233 Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Coleshill Parkway (pu) - Tamworth High Level (pu) - Burton upon Trent (pu) - Derby (pu) - Chesterfield - York - Scarborough
• 46233 Scarborough - York - Chesterfield - Derby (sd) -
• Tyseley Class 47 Derby - Burton upon Trent (sd) - Tamworth High Level (sd) - Coleshill Parkway (sd) - Tyseley Warwick Road

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Sunday 1st July 2012

The Weymouth Seaside Express (Railway Touring Company)

• 5029 or 34046 Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Keynsham (pu) - Bath Spa (pu) - Trowbridge (pu) - Westbury (pu) - Frome (pu) - Castle Cary - Yeovil Pen Mill - Maiden Newton - Dorchester West - Weymouth (break/rev) & return

The Torbay Express (Torbay Express Ltd)

• 4492 or 70000 or 71000 Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Weston Super Mare (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St. David's - Newton Abbott - Paignton (sd) - Kingswear be and return

The Shakespeare Express (Morning And Afternoon Trains) (Vintage Trains)

• 6201 Birmingham Snow Hill (pu) - Birmingham Moor Street (pu) - Tyseley (pu) - Henley in Arden (pu morning/sd afternoon) - Stratford upon Avon
• 6201 Stratford upon Avon - Claverdon - Dorridge - Tyseley (sd) - Birmingham Moor Street (sd) - Birmingham Snow Hill

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William (pu) - Glenfinnan (short break) - Mallaig & return

Visit Railway Herald here....

New freight link to revive Northfleet (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK News) 23rd June 2012

The Northfleet freight railway launched yesterday (June 21st) is to create jobs and help give the impression that the region is open for business, according to local MP Bob Neill.

Opening the rail line, he described it as a "win-win" situation for the area, with commercial advantages underlined by the benefits it will deliver to the environment.

He added that the project would help enhance the area's infrastructure and attract more jobs and business to the site by linking it to the Thames Gateway.

The freight railway is expected to increase efficiency and take around 50,000 lorries off the road a year, with Crossrail to work on the project until 2018.

According to Invest Thames Gateway, the area offers "one of the most versatile port clusters in the world".

It has invested a great deal in sustainable energy solutions such as this new freight railway, as the UK bids to cut its carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2020.

Network Rail News. 23rd June 2012

NEW TRAIN CREW CENTRE LIGHTS UP NEW STREET

 

Birmingham saw the opening of one of the rail network’s greenest buildings today as a new base for railway staff officially arrived at platform 1 at Birmingham New Street station.

The new building, known as the Lamp Block, sits on the west end of platform 1 at the station rising above Hill Street and Navigation Street. It was delivered by Network Rail for CrossCountry and is now the base for over 450 of their train crew who run CrossCountry services across Great Britain.

Built in less than a year within a very challenging environment between a rock face and the railway, it sits on the site of a 19^th century depot which supplied gas lamps to workers who maintained the railway tunnels either side of New Street station.

Chris Montgomery, project director for Network Rail said: “The opening of the Lamp Block not only provides a fantastic facility for CrossCountry staff; it also marks an important step towards the redevelopment of New Street to deliver a better station for passengers. We’ve worked carefully to avoid disruption to train services during construction and offset the building's carbon footprint by incorporating green technology as part of the building design.”

The new facility is expected to receive a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of excellent. It boasts a number of sustainable features including solar panels to generate electricity, a solar thermal system to generate hot water, sub-metering for all water, heating and cooling to monitor energy consumption and an energy efficient lighting system. Sharing the space with the solar panels is also the building’s green roof, containing over 14 different species of plant to contribute to the area’s biodiversity and reduce rainwater run off into the drainage system. This renewable technology is expected to reduce the building’s carbon emissions by 10%. Over 85% of all non-hazardous construction and demolition waste for the build has either been re-used or recycled.

Andy Cooper, CrossCountry’s managing director, added: “Our new train crew centre replaces accommodation more than 50 years old and reflects the standards expected in a modern business. The innovative solution provided by the Lamp Block has released even more space on the main station to provide a better environment for our customers too. We are very pleased with the result.”

The Lamp Block
(C) Network Rail

Notes:

The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and the Pallasades centre is backed by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Centro and Advantage West Midlands.
The project will deliver:
Space to accommodate passenger growth: the new concourse will be three and a half times bigger than at present and will be enclosed by a giant atrium which will flood the station concourse and Pallasades with natural light.
Better access for all: over 30 new escalators and 15 new public lifts will make it much easier to travel between the platforms and the concourse above.
Cutting edge design: a stunning new station façade will create a new landmark building in the heart of Birmingham.
A revitalised city centre: the new redeveloped Pallasades centre anchored by the new John Lewis department store will offer new retail brands alongside quality places to eat and drink, cementing Birmingham’s reputation as one of the UK’s top retail destinations.
Regeneration and economic growth: new pedestrian links will open up the city centre, stimulating regeneration and creating new jobs. We’re also working to open up job opportunities to the local workforce during construction.
The station will remain open throughout the redevelopment. Passengers will notice the first changes to their journey when they start using the first half of the new station concourse opens in April 2013. Work will then switch to redeveloping the old existing station. The project completes in 2015.


NETWORK RAIL PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2011/12 
Commenting on the report’s publication, Rick Haythornthwaite, Network Rail's chairman, said: “The last year has been one of steady progress across many areas but especially in cutting the cost of running the rail network. The year has also seen the company grappling with the difficult balance and trade-offs between cost, capacity and performance with more work needed to meet tough punctuality targets."
Financial and performance highlights for the year:

• £120m cut from the cost of running the railway
• Post tax profit increased by £441m (£754m, 2010/11 £313m)
• Revenue was £6,004m (20010/11 £5,712m)
• Operating profits were £2,337m (2010/11 : £2,028m)
• Capital expenditure was £4,600m (2010/11 : £3,997m)
• Net debt at year end was £27,281m (2010/11 : £25,049m)
• Gearing ratio (debt to regulated asset base) was 62.5% (2010/11: 63.4%)

• In 2011/12 91.6% of passenger trains ran on time, up on the 2010/11 figure of 90.9%

Earlier this year Network Rail's chief executive, David Higgins, announced that he, and his fellow executive directors, would forego any entitlement to an annual bonus this year (2011/12). Also, a long-term incentive scheme is still in discussion with key stakeholders and members, so a new scheme has yet to be put in place.
Therefore there are no bonus payments being made this year (either annual or long-term) to the executive directors of Network Rail.