CANADIAN Pacific Railway (CP) has reported a 53% jump in first-quarter net income to $C 217m ($US 213m) and a 51% improvement in earnings per share which was ahead of predictions by Wall Street analysts.
PLANNING for a direct rail link beneath the IJmeer Lake to connect eastern Amsterdam with Almere has been suspended due to the slump in the Dutch property market and constraints on public finances.
FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) and Renfe have postponed the launch of direct TGV services between Paris due to delays in completing certification of TGV Dasye sets for operation on the Figueres – Barcelona high-speed line.
AROUND 1000 guests attended a ceremony in the Korean city of Yongin today to mark the inauguration of the Yongin EverLine, an automated light metro linking Giheung station on Korail's Bundang Line with Everland, the country's largest theme park.
A CONSORTIUM of RATP Dev and Transdev has secured a three-year contract to operate the 60km light rail network in the Chinese city of Shenyang, which is due to open on July 1.
USHSR
High speed rail is in the news again in hearings on both coasts! Yesterday in Washington DC, the House Committee on Appropriations - Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development held a hearing on rail funding.
California HSR cleared its final legal hurdle with a court ruling and settlement with the Central Valley farmers. This clears the way for construction to begin this summer.
New York City is launching one of the largest bike share programs in the world with 10,000 bikes in 600 locations. This rivals similar systems in Paris and cities in China.
New York City is launching one of the largest bike share programs in the world with 10,000 bikes in 600 locations. This rivals similar systems in Paris and cities in China.
NEC Commission released a report in January called Critical Infrastructure Needs on the Northeast Corridor outlining needed projects to repair and upgrade the busy corridor.
More countries are advancing high speed rail projects.
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Future visions - the UK's Radical Train project.
As the UK rail industry's Enabling Innovation Team (EIT) asks inventors and companies to submit innovative ideas as part of the Radical Train project, its coordinator, Richard Jones, explains what exactly the project is hoping to achieve and how innovation is the key to the industry's future success. By Heidi Vella. HERE
In Tanzania and Kenya, the two East African countries in which we currently work, there are an estimated 5 million orphans. In Kenya alone, more than 250,000 children live on the streets.
'Struggling to Survive' our recent research, found that in both countries children who live alone on the streets often experience extreme violence at the hands of parents and authority figures before and after leaving home. Rape and sexual violence are common experiences for many children and girls are particularly at risk.
There is a universal desire for self-improvement through education in children living on the streets in Kenya and Tanzania. For many children, being forced to work because their families cannot afford the cost of education is the trigger for leaving home.
Children alone on the streets are frequently regarded by society as a nuisance that must be tolerated - a 'problem' rather than vulnerable children who desperately need help and support. Many are treated as criminals and locked up with adults, where they are subjected to further violence and sexual abuse.
There is a universal desire for self-improvement through education in children living on the streets in Kenya and Tanzania. For many children, being forced to work because their families cannot afford the cost of education is the trigger for leaving home.
Children alone on the streets are frequently regarded by society as a nuisance that must be tolerated - a 'problem' rather than vulnerable children who desperately need help and support. Many are treated as criminals and locked up with adults, where they are subjected to further violence and sexual abuse.
Watch our latest video that gives a voice to the children living on the streets
Sustainability Report 2012
To achieve maximum transparency, Siemens provides information on its sustainability-related activities.
Driving sustainability – An aim, a responsibility and an opportunity
That is the motto of Siemens’ report on its sustainability activities and achievements during fiscal 2012. In the first part of the report, focusing on selected everyday activities in our company, we invite you to take a look at how we’re demonstrating accountability while driving efficiency and growth – in other words, how we’re contributing to sustainable development. The second part of the report uses selected indicators to illustrate how Siemens integrates sustainability in its corporate strategy and how the company fared during fiscal 2012 in its efforts to meet the economic, environmental and social demands placed on it.
Anti-trust authorities give their consent to Siemens' acquisition of Invensys Rail
Munich, 2013-Apr-19
- Siemens expands presence in growing global rail automation market
- European Commission gives last remaining consent to the acquisition
- As planned, transaction can close in the second quarter of calendar year 2013
- Transaction is expected to close at beginning of May
Continue reading here
Network Rail
Final countdown for Birmingham New Street's half-time switchover.
The switchover will see the first major changes at New Street in over 40 years and mark a major milestone in the redevelopment of the station, which started in 2010.
The first half of the new concourse and three new entrances will open to passengers, with cars using a new entrance off Hill Street. This will allow the old station and all of its existing entrances to close for redevelopment.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail’s project director, said: “The first half of the new concourse will be bigger, brighter and better than the old station, with new escalators and lifts also providing better access. With two days to go, we’re busy making final preparations to welcome passengers into the first of their new station – then, we’ll turn our attention to rebuilding the other side. By switching off the old station and opening the first half of the new concourse next door, we can keep passengers moving through New Street while keeping the station open.”
A major information campaign has taken place over the last few months, reaching over 1 million people, to inform passengers about the changes to the station on 28 April. The final public exhibition on the old concourse runs until 7pm this Saturday. Once the new station opens an army of volunteers, Network Rail and Birmingham City Council staff will help passengers find their way to, from and around the new concourse. Network Rail is recommending passengers allow some extra time for their journey the first time they use the new concourse.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The opening of the western concourse is a key milestone for the New Street project and gives the public a real view of how the redevelopment is progressing.
“When I visited the works at the end of February I was very impressed - the transformation of the site is giving the West Midlands the fantastic travel hub it deserves as well as opening up this part of the city centre to pedestrians.
"The regeneration potential of this £600m development is plain to see and I am pleased that Government funding is being put to good use."
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It has been a tremendous feat of engineering and logistics to keep one half of New Street station operating pretty much as normal for passengers travelling in and out of the city; and I have every confidence that we will see the same smooth running on the other side after the switchover happens this weekend."
Cllr Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for transforming rail travel, added: “The transformation of New Street Station is only at its half way stage and many exciting elements, such as the giant glass atrium, are still to come. Nevertheless this new modern concourse with platforms served by new escalators and lifts will bring real benefits for the thousands of passengers using it each day.”
ATOC
Responding to a poll about disabled rail travel, David Sindall, head of disability and inclusion for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said: “Record numbers of people with disabilities are travelling by train and facilities for disabled passengers are better now than they’ve ever been.”
More News ......
Shedmaster Railway News
From railwaygazette.com -
NORWAY: The government has published its national transport strategy for 2014-23, setting out proposals to spend a total of NKr168bn on rail, up 49% from the current 10-year plan.
SOUTH KOREA: Passenger services on the EverLine light metro in Yongin started on April 26.
VOSSLOH: The company has announced that it got 'back on track' in 2012, with sales figures up, a record order backlog and a forecast 2013 sales growth of up to 10%.
World Heritage & Railway News
Where will you be going this weekend?
West Somerset Railway?
East Lancashire Railway....for a cream tea?
NYMR....on a treasure hunt?
Or your local heritage line?
Details of your local line......HERE
Railway Engineering News
News from Bombardier and Siemens......
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail’s project director, said: “The first half of the new concourse will be bigger, brighter and better than the old station, with new escalators and lifts also providing better access. With two days to go, we’re busy making final preparations to welcome passengers into the first of their new station – then, we’ll turn our attention to rebuilding the other side. By switching off the old station and opening the first half of the new concourse next door, we can keep passengers moving through New Street while keeping the station open.”
A major information campaign has taken place over the last few months, reaching over 1 million people, to inform passengers about the changes to the station on 28 April. The final public exhibition on the old concourse runs until 7pm this Saturday. Once the new station opens an army of volunteers, Network Rail and Birmingham City Council staff will help passengers find their way to, from and around the new concourse. Network Rail is recommending passengers allow some extra time for their journey the first time they use the new concourse.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The opening of the western concourse is a key milestone for the New Street project and gives the public a real view of how the redevelopment is progressing.
“When I visited the works at the end of February I was very impressed - the transformation of the site is giving the West Midlands the fantastic travel hub it deserves as well as opening up this part of the city centre to pedestrians.
"The regeneration potential of this £600m development is plain to see and I am pleased that Government funding is being put to good use."
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It has been a tremendous feat of engineering and logistics to keep one half of New Street station operating pretty much as normal for passengers travelling in and out of the city; and I have every confidence that we will see the same smooth running on the other side after the switchover happens this weekend."
Cllr Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for transforming rail travel, added: “The transformation of New Street Station is only at its half way stage and many exciting elements, such as the giant glass atrium, are still to come. Nevertheless this new modern concourse with platforms served by new escalators and lifts will bring real benefits for the thousands of passengers using it each day.”
Notes:
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and the Pallasades Shopping Centre is backed by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Centro and Advantage West Midlands.
Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner Mace.
Upon completion in 2015, 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 shopping centre 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 revitalized city centre: the new Grand Central Birmingham anchored by the 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.
- 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 shopping centre 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 revitalized city centre: the new Grand Central Birmingham anchored by the 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.
Once the new concourse opens, the Network Rail & Mace delivery team will turn their attention to redeveloping the old station concourse and the remainder of the Pallasades shopping centre. The centre will be transformed into a new premium fashion and lifestyle shopping destination, Grand Central Birmingham, incorporating a four storey John Lewis, over 40 more shops and more than 15 cafes and restaurants. The station redevelopment completes in 2015.
Major changes on 28th April include:
- The existing vehicle and pedestrian entrance outside the front of the station on Smallbrook Queensway will close, with vehicle access moving across to a new drop off area and short stay car park located off Hill Street
- Passengers travelling from Moor Street station and pedestrians on Smallbrook Queensway will be able to access the new concourse via the new Moor Street link pedestrian walkway which links the east side of the station to the new entrance on Stephenson Street.
- Passengers can still access the station from Pallasades and Bullring through a new set of escalators which link the shopping centre above down to the new concourse.
- The Victoria Square entrance on Navigation Street will close to passengers as new entrances will open onto Stephenson Street and Hill Street
- The station taxi rank will temporarily move to Navigation Street.
ATOC
"Record numbers of people with disabilities are travelling by train": ATOC
25/04/2013Responding to a poll about disabled rail travel, David Sindall, head of disability and inclusion for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said: “Record numbers of people with disabilities are travelling by train and facilities for disabled passengers are better now than they’ve ever been.”
More News ......
Shedmaster Railway News
From railwaygazette.com -
NORWAY: The government has published its national transport strategy for 2014-23, setting out proposals to spend a total of NKr168bn on rail, up 49% from the current 10-year plan.
SOUTH KOREA: Passenger services on the EverLine light metro in Yongin started on April 26.
VOSSLOH: The company has announced that it got 'back on track' in 2012, with sales figures up, a record order backlog and a forecast 2013 sales growth of up to 10%.
World Heritage & Railway News
Where will you be going this weekend?
West Somerset Railway?
East Lancashire Railway....for a cream tea?
NYMR....on a treasure hunt?
Or your local heritage line?
Details of your local line......HERE
Railway Engineering News
News from Bombardier and Siemens......
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