Congressional Hearing on NEC HSR April 17, 2013
High speed rail is in the news again! This time in the U.S. Senate yesterday afternoon with a hearing on high speed rail.
California Governor Jerry Brown is cruising around China on their high speed rail system. Impressed with the speed at which China has built their new high speed rail system, Brown said "We sit around and mope. And process. And navel gaze, and the rest of the world is moving at mach speed. So when we go back, we'll emulate some of that."
The California high speed rail phase one construction is getting closer to starting with bid selections. See more below. High speed rail is also being considered in more countries such as Australia, while its underway in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries.
The California high speed rail phase one construction is getting closer to starting with bid selections. See more below. High speed rail is also being considered in more countries such as Australia, while its underway in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Press release
Students and apprentices gear up to compete to make the best small-scale locomotive
April 18, 2013
Teams of engineers from around the country prepare to take part in Railway Challenge in Leicestershire
Teams of student and apprentice engineers are gearing up to compete in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge, taking place near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire in June.
The competition will see five teams compete against each other to design and manufacture the best, and most efficient, small-scale locomotive. The teams competing this year are: Huddersfield University; Mott MacDonald’s Youth Team; Manchester Metropolitan University; Birmingham University; and the Interfleet Graduate Team. The competition this year will see a number of different transmission types including Birmingham University’s entry of a hydrogen/electric hybrid locomotive.
Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport and Manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:
“The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge is a fantastic event which really challenges students and apprentices taking part. Teams have to prepare a business case, finance, design, and build a locomotive from scratch. The Challenge is run along the lines of a real-life tendering process, giving teams a taste of a real business experience.
“These locomotives, while small-scale, have to be powerful enough to transport a 600kg load – including one of the Railway Challenge judges. I look forward to seeing if the Interfleet apprentices can defend their title after winning last year’s competition.”
A key part of the competition is the Energy Challenge where teams need to ensure that the locomotive is able to store energy during braking and use it to drive the locomotive up a gradient.
In addition to the Energy Challenge, there are two other practical challenges focusing on traction and ride comfort.
The trophy will be presented by the Technical Director for Network Rail, Steve Yianni.
The Railway Challenge will be taking place at Stapleford Miniature Railway near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire on 29 and 30 June.
Notes to Editors
- First image shows 2012's winning team Interfleet. Second image is Birmingham University's locomotive from 2012.
- Click here for more information about the Railway Challenge
- Click here for more information about Stapleford Miniature Railway.
International Railway Journal
CZECH rolling stock manufacturer Škoda Transportation has been granted an EC Declaration of Conformity for its 109E multi-system electric locomotive, meaning the design complies with the European TSI for High Speed Rolling Stock (TSI-HS RST).
AFTER six months of preparatory works, construction began on April 18 on Scotland's £294m Borders Railway project, which involves rebuilding a 48km section of Edinburgh – Carlisle line between Newcraighall and Tweedbank.
HIGH-speed passenger operator Eurostar, which runs services between Britain and mainland Europe, reported what it describes as an "encouraging start to the year" after revenues increased by 1% during the first quarter to £213m from £211m during the same period in 2012. Passenger numbers remained stable year-on-year at 2.23 million.
THE German Federal Railway Authority (EBA) has granted unrestricted series approval for the 15L BB variant of Voith's Gravita diesel-hydraulic shunting and trip freight locomotive.
THE THAI government has announced plans to establish a railway investment and regulation unit, taking over functions currently managed by State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
www.progressiverailroading.com US News
www.railway-technology.com Updates
Bombardier to provide signalling system for Delhi metro extensions Bombardier Transportation has secured a new Rs2.5bn ($47m) order from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in India to deliver the Cityflo 350 integrated train control and signalling system for two extensions of the Delhi Metro.
Network Rail selects C Spencer to upgrade Gravesend station in UK
Network Rail has awarded a contract to UK-based engineering firm C Spencer to carry out an upgrade at Gravesend station to improve railway services in Kent, UK.
Lilee Systems partners with Alstom to launch PTC products
Lilee Systems and Alstom have jointly unveiled a new suite of interoperable positive train control (PTC) products for rail lines.
Bombardier to operate and maintain SunRail commuter rail in Florida, US
Canadian rail manufacturer Bombardier has won a $195m contract from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in the US to provide operations and maintenance services for the SunRail commuter project in Orlando, Florida.
UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)
ORR shines a light on the finances and growth of Britain’s railways
18 April 2013
ORR/9/13
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today published more detail than ever before on the costs, funding and growth of Britain’s railways.
‘GB rail financial information 2011-2012’ provides a detailed analysis of latest financial data from train operators, Network Rail and governments, and highlights:
- The cost of Britain’s railways in 2011-12 was £11.61 billion (bn) – up 2.9% from £11.28 bn in the previous year. ORR’s analysis also examines the effects of inflation, and on this basis costs decreased by 2.1%.
- Income from passenger fares is covering a higher proportion of the cost of Britain’s railways relative to taxpayers. Fares contributed 57.6% of the industry’s total income in 2011-12, up from 55.8% in the previous year. Governments’ funding contributed 32.1% in 2011-12, down 1.8% over the past year.
- There are significant regional variations in governments’ funding for the railways. Public subsidy in 2011-12 was £2.27 per passenger journey in England, £7.67 in Scotland, and £9.15 in Wales.
“Governments have recently committed billions of pounds to improving Britain’s railways in the coming years because of the benefits it will bring to our economy and society. Taxpayers and rail customers have every right to know exactly where their money goes and what it delivers. Our report shines a light on the funding and growth of Britain’s railways, providing more detail than ever before.
“This data is valuable as we scrutinise the proposed £37.5bn plan for the railways between 2014-19 to ensure it is affordable, that every penny is made to count and that all those involved in delivering the plan work together to achieve high levels of safety, performance and value for Britain.”
Notes:
- To read the complete report, visit: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/GB-financials-2012
- Passenger income was £7.2bn in 2011-12, an increase of 8.7% from 2010-11. This is partly attributable to a 7.2% increase in the number of passenger journeys. Passenger income represents ticket income from passenger journeys as opposed to non-ticket industry income such as car parking and retail income at stations.
- ORR’s analysis shows that the franchised rail industry received £4.0bn of net governments’ funding in 2011-12, representing 32% of the industry’s total income. Governments’ funding decreased by £19 million (m) (0.5%) compared to 2010-11.
- The two main sources of direct governments’ funding of the rail industry were the Department for Transport (£3.1bn) and Transport Scotland (£0.7bn). DfT funding decreased by £70m (2.2%) in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11, and Transport Scotland funding increased by £60m (9.7%).
- Total industry expenditure was £11.6bn, an increase of 2.9% from 2010-11. £5.9bn (51%) was incurred in train operations and £5.7bn (49%) incurred in operating rail infrastructure. Financing Network Rail’s debt contributed £1.5bn (13%) of these costs. The current level of Network Rail’s debt is restricted by set limits. ORR is examining Network Rail’s debt and financial sustainability as it assesses the company’s Strategic Business Plan 2014-19. ORR’s draft determination of the funding, projects and targets for the railways from 2014-19 will be published on 12 June 2013. Later this year, ORR will also outline rail financing options for consideration as part of its long-term regulatory statement.
- ORR’s analysis also examines the effects of inflation and passenger growth.
- ORR thanks the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, the Welsh Government, Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies and train operators for helping to validate the statistics and ensure the accuracy of this report.
- Follow the Office of Rail Regulation on Twitter @railregulation
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railwaygazette.com - UK: Network Rail and principal contractor BAM Nuttall began main construction works on the Borders Railway project on April 18, following six months of advance preparations.
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