International & UK Railway News Thursday 31st January 2013

Commercial services on the 131 km high-speed connection between Barcelona and Figueres, which completes the 804 km high-speed line between Madrid-Barcelona and the French border, began on January 9. The investment amounts to over 3,700 million euros.

(31/01/2013) The new line, which provides a high-speed connection between the four provincial capitals of Catalonia and the centre and south of the peninsula, also becomes one of the main links between Spain and Europe, while being part of the so-called Mediterranean Railway Corridor.

The section will allow connection with France in April, once direct high-speed passenger services between Barcelona and Paris are launched.

With the completion of this high-speed section comes the commissioning of an over 1,200 km corridor between Figueres and Málaga that links the northeastern and southern parts of the country. This leaves Spain second only to China in the size of its high-speed rail network, with 3,000 kilometres in service. With this extension there are 29 high-speed stations in Spain which serve about the 57.7% of the Spanish population.

Characteristics of the section
The new section covers 131 kilometres of double track UIC gauge and is electrified at 25kV. The line is equipped with the most advanced signalling and communications systems like ERTMS and GSMR. Adapted to the most demanding high speed parameters, trains are able to reach speeds of 300 km/h and are suitable for both passenger and freight services.

The line’s route, starting at Barcelona Sants station and ending at the connection with the Figueres-Perpignan international section, runs through the provinces of Barcelona and Girona. Outstanding features of the infrastructure include 30 tunnels, which total 34.3 km, and 60 viaducts, with a total length of 12.6 km.

Stations
The project also includes renovation work at two stations, Barcelona Sants and Figueres, which has been enlarged, and the construction of the new Girona station.

In order to minimise the new high-speed line's impact, other integration measures have been taken, such as constructing 69 acoustic screens with a total length of 18.1 km.

A significant part of the Barcelona-Figueres route passes through areas of great environmental value, such as the Montseny and Montnegre-Corredor nature reserves. In order to ensure permeability for crossing fauna, three specific crossings have been built on the Sant Celoni-Riells stretch and one wildlife crossing on the Riells-Massanes stretch.

Other significant actions include building overpasses, such as two gangways in the Vilafant municipality, river channelling and urban restoration operations in cities, including landscaping and tree planting.



http://www.eurotech.com/en/

Eurotech Receives 1.2M Euro Order for Railway Application

Amaro (Italy) – January 28, 2013 – Eurotech, a leading supplier of embedded technologies, products and systems, today announces they have received an order for 1.2M Euro to supply on-board equipment for railway application to Alstom Italy. Deliveries will take place over a period of two to three years. 

“Eurotech has a long tradition in providing embedded platforms for railway applications”, said Domenico Bondì, Sales Director for Central and Southern Europe. “Our expertise in mobile devices for harsh environments makes our offering an excellent fit in the transportation vertical market.”

 

International Railway Journal

 SPAIN's national train operator Renfe this week announced a major change in its fares policy, with an 11% reduction in all tourist class AVE train tickets and new discounts in an effort push ridership beyond the 22 million mark.

BRITAIN's transport secretary Mr Patrick McLoughlin has laid down the first tentative steps to restart the letting of passenger franchises following the publication of Richard Brown's recommendations to improve the process.

CANADIAN Pacific (CP) reported a 15% increase in its diluted earnings per share "exclusive of significant items" to $C 1.28 from $C 1.11 in its 2012 annual results published on January 29,

THE supervisory boards of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Holding and ÖBB Passenger Transport have authorised the executive board to place an order for 100 Desiro ML emus from Siemens, the first batch of trains from a framework contract signed in April 2010.

 

 

www.progressiverailroading.com US News

 

CTA set ridership records in 2012

ASLRRA leader Timmons to retire by August's end

Despite Hurricane Sandy, Metro-North posted slight ridership gain in 2012

FTA streamlines transit project environmental paperwork

Teamsters Canada MOW division members ratify Canadian Pacific contract

Carload Express begins to restore Ohio route for new short line

North Carolina Railroad, DOT announce appointments

Rail supplier updates from RTS Holdings, Siemens, Eurotech, Bombardier, BMT and Georgetown Rail (Jan .31)

www.railway-technology.com Updates

 

HS2: on the right track? (Feature)

The UK Government is pushing ahead with HS2, recently announcing the route for the second phase of its ambitious high-speed rail project. The line is intended to bridge the country's north-south economic divide and cut journey times in half, but the government's plans have met stiff opposition from critics.

 

Future Rail: Issue 5

In this issue: London’s Crossrail stations, Amtrak’s high-speed vision, fire-safe metro carriages, the new Eurostar trains, mobile eTicketing, and more ..

 

 

More News....

 

Shedmaster Railway News

From RailwayGazette.com.....

Rail franchising programme revised

31 January 2013

UK: Following the publication of Eurostar Chairman Richard Brown's independent review of the Department for Transport's franchising programme earlier in the month, on January 31 the government announced its plans to restart three passenger franchise tendering competitions.

World Heritage & Railway News

..takes a look at nrm.org.uk - Enjoy nine fantastic days of toys, models and rides. Get hands on in our play areas and workshops and enjoy rides of all shapes and sizes*. You can see a wide range of family friendly model layouts...

 

 

Railway Engineering News

 

Read about Norfolk Southern's $2bn 2013 investment programme....

 

 

 

 

 

 HS2 - Phase 2

We have released an animated film clip to give you a taster of a larger film in production that we hope to share with you later in the year. The film showcases our early thinking around areas such as passenger experience and the benefits of HS2 for regional economic growth.

 

The Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, has announced his initial preferences for the line of route for HS2 Phase Two. Find out all about Phase Two on this website at http://www.hs2.org.uk/phase-two

International & UK Railway News Wednesday 30th January 2013

The announcement for the HS2 route north of Birmingham has caused both critics and supporters alike to voice their contrasting views and opinions.

The Railway Chronicle, whilst acknowledging the arguments on both sides of the HS2 project, takes a neutral position, and merely presents the information for your consideration...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

ATOC

“Passenger satisfaction at a record high” - ATOC responds to Passenger Focus National Passenger Survey

29/01/2013

Responding to the publication of Passenger Focus’s Autumn 2012 National Passenger Survey (NPS), Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said:
“The latest report from the independent watchdog is further evidence of the success of today's railway. Overall passenger satisfaction is at a record high and people are taking the train in growing numbers.
"The report’s strong results include significantly improved scores in satisfaction with services, stations and dealing with delays. These are a testament to the industry's hard work and major government investment in rail.

“We recognise there is still much to be done. Train companies are working with Network Rail on a long term programme to continue improving services and to deliver better value for passengers and taxpayers alike."
ENDS

Notes:

Compared to Autumn 2011, overall passenger satisfaction in the Autumn 2012 survey has increased by 1% to 85%, the highest since NPS began in Autumn 1999. Passenger Focus also reports that passenger satisfaction with punctuality and reliability has risen 2% to 83%, a level only achieved once previously in Autumn 2009.

The survey also shows that satisfaction with space to sit and stand has risen by 1% to 69%, personal security onboard by 2% to 79%, ticket buying facilities at stations by 2% to 75%, the upkeep/repair of stations and platforms by 5%to 72%, facilities and services by 7% to 57%, satisfaction with the station by2% to 80%, value for money by 1% to 47% and how train companies deal with delays by 6% to 44%. Every indicator surveyed in Autumn 2012 has either improved or stayed the same.

To view the full report, click here

Transport for London (TfL)


London Underground outlines plan to cut Tube delays even further 29 January 2013 New programme will enable London Underground to meet the Mayor's commitment of reducing delays by 30 per cent by end of 2015. Radical new approach taken to deliver even greater reliability for passengers. First wave of improvements have already cut incident response times by half and helped achieve record reliability.


  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



London Underground (LU) has today outlined far-reaching plans to meet the Mayor's commitment of reducing delays by a further 30 per cent by the end of 2015. The ambitious strategy, which will be presented to the TfL Board on 6 February, will see LU examining every aspect of how the Tube is operated and maintained to further embed reliability and to radically reduce delays to passengers.

Continue reading....







Fourth Railway Package: CER calls for a two-track approach

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

 

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) takes note of the European Commission’s proposals for a Fourth Railway Package, and calls for a two-track approach, favouring the Technical Pillar of the Package and the introduction of commercial competition over the highly controversial proposals on governance and on public service obligations.

CER is pleased to find vitally-needed proposals for more efficiency in the safety certification of railway undertakings and in the authorisation of railway vehicles, based on a strengthened role for the European Rail Agency (ERA). Reducing the time-to-market for undertakings and their vehicles will boost market entry and innovation in the railway sector.

CER warmly welcomes the Commission’s proposal for opening domestic rail markets to commercial competition (open access), subject to safeguarding the economic equilibrium of public service obligations. However CER cannot support the Commission’s attempt to impose open tendering as the only mechanism for organising public service obligations. CER also doubts the applicability of the proposed thresholds for the size and scope of PSO contracts. CER considers that the competent authorities in the Member States are the best placed to determine the size, scope, and award mechanism for public service contracts.

CER cannot support the disproportionate set of proposed measures regarding separation between infrastructure managers and railway undertakings. The existing legislation already contains substantial safeguards against distortions to competition. Also, available economic assessments from sources independent from the Commission demonstrate that no specific structural model is superior to any other. Thus, although CER appreciates the fact that the Commission has stepped back from imposing vertical separation as the only structural model for rail undertakings, it is hard to understand why the Commission continues attempting to narrow down the options available to Member States in such a dramatic manner.

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “The so-called technical pillar of the Fourth Railway Package, in conjunction with generalised open access rights, will mark an important step forward for the Single European Railway Area. CER looks forward to constructive exchanges with policy-makers in order to ensure progress on these vital issues. On the other hand, CER urges policy-makers to defend the principle of subsidiarity with respect to Public Service Obligations and governance matters.”

Download(s)

130130 4RP CER_4RP_FINAL.pdf

International Railway Journal

NORFOLK Southern will spend $US 2bn on capital improvement projects in 2013, including $US 831m on infrastructure maintenance and replacement of sections of rail, sleepers, ballast and bridges.

INVENSYS Rail Dimetronic has begun dynamic testing of the signalling system on the initial 4.3km section of Singapore's Downtown Line between Chinatown and Bugis in preparation for the start of commercial services in October.

HOPES of finally opening the long-delayed 4.7km light rail line in the Spanish city of Jaen have faded after an audit by the Catalonian train operating company...

MEXICAN transport minister Mr Geraldo Ruiz signed a cooperation agreement on January 28 with the governor of the state of Querétaro, Mr Jose Calzada, to advance plans for a new passenger railway between Mexico City and Querétaro.

BRITISH Infrastructure manager Network Rail has awarded a £40m contract to Carillion for electrification of the 50km line from Cumbernauld to Glasgow Queen Street in Scotland.

SANCTIONS could be imposed on vertically-integrated railways obstructing competition in their home market under new measures included in the draft Fourth Railway Package, which was unveiled by the European Commission (EC) on January 30.


www.progressiverailroading.com US News

FRA extends comment period for proposed PTC rulemaking

Eighty-Eight Oil to build BNSF-served unit train facility at Wyoming hub

New Mexico's Rio Metro seeks proposals for commuter-rail operation, maintenance

The T seeks public input on proposed TEX Rail changes

CN, port authority project in Prince Rupert won't greatly impact the environment, minister says

Georgia, Washington ports pumped up volumes in December

NAPTA names O'Brien Primmer next chair

Rail supplier updates from Koppers, Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, IDS and TranSystems

 
USHSR

CNN'S ANDERSON COOPER ATTACKS HIGH SPEED RAIL! In the most blatant, one-sided attack on high speed rail ever, CNN's Anderson Cooper did the most unbelievable smear of the national high speed rail program ever to hit the airwaves! With the shared message from the extremely anti-rail Cato Institute, Anderson Cooper sounded like he was working for Cato instead of CNN. In what they called an "investigative report", Cooper insinuated that the entire national HSR program is nothing more than a few low level repair jobs to Amtrak. By focusing the entire show on a small rural rail line in Vermont that only has a few trains per day, Cooper tried to make it look like the entire national HSR program will be a series of similar projects all across the country, with few riders, and positioning the entire national high speed rail program as a big waste of money. "This show is a disgrace to CNN, and Anderson Cooper's reputation," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "We are used to this type of garbage from the anti-rail think tanks, but are shocked that CNN would stoop this low in their so called reporting. This is not news, or even journalism, this is a smear campaign," added Kunz. The Cato Institute, Reason Foundation, Heritage Foundation, and a number of other anti-rail think tanks work together to regularly spread myths, deceptions, half-truths, and distortions all across America in an attempt to kill the national high speed rail program. It's well known they receive funding from oil, road, and aviation interests and therefore attack anything and everything that would impact those industries. Myth spreading machine Anderson Cooper proudly announced they will be doing a series of these show investigating (attacking) high speed rail projects across America! TAKE A MOMENT TO EMAIL THE PRODUCERS OF THE ANDERSON COOPER SHOW One click advocacy (it will only take a second): Click to automatically email RAIL RIDERSHIP SOARING ACROSS AMERICA! Despite the distortions Anderson Cooper and the Cato Institute crank out, passenger rail ridership is soaring in America. Amtrak reports record ridership year after year. Amtrak carries more than three times as many riders between Washington DC and New York City than all airlines combined! Amtrak has set new ridership records year after year for nearly a decade. Service continues to get better, new trains are being added, and speeds are increasing. Amtrak's Acela service carries business travelers along the busy Northeast Corridor (NEC) daily between Washington DC, New York City, and Boston. Most of the trains sell out, even at premium prices. Business travelers prefer taking the train because of ease of boarding, lack of invasive security procedures and restrictions, and the ability to work throughout the trip. The trains deliver passengers directly into the heart of the cities, and are on time the majority of the time. Amtrak recently announced several new Acela trains per day to meet the growing demand. "The Acela is in big demand, and many days all 300 seats are sold out on many of the trains," said Andy Kunz, USHSR President & CEO. "It's a pleasure to ride, and sure beats the misery flying has become," added Kunz on board the Acela. USHSR VP Joseph Shelhorse added "I bet Anderson Cooper rides the Acela all the time!" AMTRAK'S PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT HIGH SPEED RAIL SUMMIT! Amtrak's President & CEO will address the conference and give the latest updates on the improvements to the NEC (Northeast Corridor), which includes a planned $151 billion upgrade to 220 mph capabilities. Hear about Amtrak's projects and procurements including plans to purchase a new fleet of 220 mph trainsets to meet the growing demand along the busy NEC. Hear about the $7 billion TOD development at DC's iconic Union Station including over 3 million square feet of new mixed-use development, and a major expansion to Union Station including new high speed train platforms and station areas. This project is being led by DC's Akridge developers known for the successful Gallery Place development at the Gallery Place/China Town metro station in central DC. More information "High-speed rail is one of the best, most forward-looking, legitimate society-improving things we can spend money on."

www.railway-technology.com Updates

Norfolk Southern to invest $2bn in rail infrastructure in 2013 US railroad operator Norfolk Southern is planning to invest $2bn in 2013 to improve its rail freight transportation network. 
      
Eurotunnel and Siemens complete freight test through Channel Tunnel
Eurotunnel and Siemens have tested the Vectron locomotive in the Channel Tunnel as part of an effort to increase cross-Channel rail freight.
      
New Orleans opens new streetcar line in US
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) in Louisiana, US has opened the new Loyola Avenue-Union Passenger Terminal Streetcar Line.
      
Siemens to install GSM-R technology on Danish rail fleet
Siemens has won a €20m contract from Danish railway infrastructure operator Banedanmark to equip 840 rail vehicles with GSM-R (global system for mobile communication railways) technology.


More News......      

Shedmaster Railway News

Video on the forthcoming USHSR High Speed Rail Summit 2013 - Washington, DC


World Heritage & Railway News

A good reason to go on the eastlancsrailway.org.uk -  A ride on the East Lancashire Railway offers not only stunning countryside but tucked away villages, hidden gems (and pubs) and plenty of fascinating history! The Rail Ale Trail ....!!!!!!!!



Railway Engineering News

Featuring Crossrail Project Progress

Tunnelling in pictures from Crossrail

21kms of new twin-bore tunnels are being constructed to deliver the new rail tunnels through which the Crossrail trains will operate. The five tunnels to be constructed are:

• Royal Oak to Farringdon west (Drive X) - length of drive approximately 6.4 km
• Limmo to Farringdon east (Drive Y) - length of drive approximately 8.3 km
• Pudding Mill Lane to Stepney Green (Drive Z) - length of drive approximately 2.7 km
• Limmo to Victoria Dock Portal (Drive G) - length of drive approximately 0.9 km
• Plumstead to North Woolwich (Drive H) - length of drive approximately 2.6 km

International & UK Railway News Tuesday 29th January 2013

Christian Wolmar - Britain’s leading transport commentator

Let battle commence. The controversy so far over the building of the new north-south high-speed railway line, HS2, has been led by well-heeled residents of the Chilterns who are seen as self-serving nimbys. Now that the northern sections of the route have been announced, the arguments will undoubtedly intensify and broaden out to examine the viability of a project that will cost at least £33bn and take 20 years to build.

Indeed, ministers face an uphill task in convincing many of their own supporters, let alone a sceptical public, of the project’s wider benefits. Let’s take that price tag first. It was first announced when the broad outlines of the scheme were set out by the Labour government in its dying days and is therefore merely a guess with no detailed analysis to back it up. Indeed, the decision announced today to build stations in the centre of Leeds and Manchester, while definitely correct in terms of bringing benefits to those cities, will increase the cost enormously since, as our Victorian forebears found out, that last mile or so of rail line into urban areas is by far the most expensive.

Then there is the gradually weakening case for the line. When HS2 was first announced, it was presented as not only having enormous economic benefits but also as environmentally sustainable because of people transferring from road and air to rail. In fact, subsequently the environmental case has all but collapsed since the effect of the line would be pretty much carbon neutral according to the study by HS2 Ltd, the government body charged with taking forward the scheme, if the impact of its construction were taken into account. The environmental case was fatally weakened by the realisation that few high-speed train passengers would transfer from air. Again, HS2 Ltd found that most users would otherwise have taken conventional train services or simply not made the trip.

That left the business case as the principal justification for the scheme and this has steadily worsened over time as more details of the plan emerged. The benefits are based largely on journey time reductions made by those travelling, but when opponents highlighted the fact that since people now can work on trains with their laptops and mobiles, these savings are largely illusory. Today’s document promises “benefits” of just £2 for every £1 spent, a pretty weak ratio for such a massive scheme, especially as it is based on an unrealistic cost estimate and these imaginary savings.

That is why, in announcing the second stage, the government is now focusing on the regeneration benefits, presenting the line as a way of bridging the north-south divide. However, the evidence that the new line will help reduce divisions between the regions is thin and, indeed, can point the other way, with London being the beneficiary. On Radio 4′s Today programme, Prof John Tomaney of the School of Planning at University College London, who has researched the effect of high-speed lines across the world, said: “The argument that high speed can reshape economic geography has been used in several countries around the world such as France, Spain, South Korea… but in practice there is very little evidence that building a high speed rail line heals north-south divides.” In fact, Tomaney found there was strong evidence the other way, with the capital cities rather than the provincial towns, benefiting from the line. In terms of employment, therefore, the argument in the government’s report that the line would create 100,000 jobs smacks of pure fantasy.

Ultimately, this whole scheme is a finger-in-the-air job. The Victorians built their railways on that basis, not really aware of the huge impact they would have or, indeed, whether they would ever pay for themselves. However, in the 19th century, the railways were a monopoly and it took almost a hundred years before the car and the lorry made inroads into the railways’ market.

Today we have the internet, broadband, mobile telephony and even the possibility of driverless cars let alone more mundane exogenous factors such as oil prices and planning policies that ultimately could all affect demand for rail travel. The variables and what Donald Rumsfeld would call the unknown unknowns over a 20-year period are so great that in effect, despite all the pseudo scientific business case methodology, this is all one big punt by the politicians. Yet, despite the lack of evidence to support the case for the line, it has now become part of the political consensus supported by all three main political parties rather like the idea in the noughties that Britain’s wealth would be sustained by allowing bankers free rein. And we all know what happened next.

Article reproduced with kind permission.

 
Great Railway Revolution
The Epic Story of the American Railroad...
- Find out more
- Order online







International Railway Journal

MOLDOVA's minister of transport and road infrastructure, Mr Anatol Salaru, is hoping to secure financial aid of €50-60m from the European Bank for Reconstruction..

ALPINE Rolling Motorway (AFA), the piggyback shuttle service between France and Italy operated jointly by SNCF Geodis and Trenitalia, has gained 52 new customers in the six months since the 12.2km Mont Cenis tunnel was cleared for trains carrying 4m-high semitrailers.

INVENSYS Rail Dimetronic has begun dynamic testing of the signalling system on the initial 4.3km section of Singapore's Downtown Line between Chinatown and Bugis in preparation for the start of commercial services in October.

LATVIAN Railways (LDZ) has selected a consortium of Bombardier and Belam Riga to deliver Bombardier's Interflo 200 mainline signalling system on a section of the Bolderaja - Zasulauks line which connects the capital Riga with the Bolderaja and Riga harbour area. The contract is worth Lats 9.5m ($US 17.9m), including a Lats 3.7m share for Bombardier.


www.progressiverailroading.com US News

LaHood won't serve a second term as transportation secretary

Senate passes $50.7 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill; PATH and NJ Transit continue to restore services

South Florida transportation authority to take over rail corridor operation from CSXT

Canadian Pacific made some strides along 'transformational journey' in 4Q

Norfolk Southern breaks down $2 billion capex budget for 2013

Union Pacific set safety record in 2012

LIRR posted slight ridership gain in 2012 despite Hurricane Sandy

New Orleans opens Loyola Avenue streetcar line

Wisconsin provides grants for two freight-rail projects

www.railway-technology.com Updates

Siemens to install GSM-R technology on Danish rail fleet Siemens has won a €20m contract from Danish railway infrastructure operator Banedanmark to equip 840 rail vehicles with GSM-R (global system for mobile communication railways) technology.        Bombardier-led group wins signalling contract from Latvian Railways A consortium of Bombardier and Belam Riga has secured a LVL9.5m ($18.2m) contract from Latvian Railways (LDz) to build and upgrade signalling and associated infrastructure systems in the district of Bolderaja in the Latvian capital, Riga.        CSX to build new intermodal facility in Quebec, Canada US-based transportation firm CSX has announced that it will build a $100m intermodal rail terminal in the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield in Quebec, Canada.        California High-Speed Rail Authority awards Central Valley construction contract The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has awarded a project and construction management (PCM) contract to PGH Wong Engineering and Harris & Associates for the initial phase of California's high-speed rail project.

UITP, CER, EMTA and EPTO call upon European Parliament and member states to take action to preserve the PSO Regulation Brussels, 29 January 2013 The International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the European Metropolitan Transport Authorities (EMTA) and European Passenger Transport Operators (EPTO) today announced their concerns with the so-called state aids Block Exemption Regulations. The proposal includes a change to the public service obligations (PSO) regulation for land passenger transport which induces legal uncertainty. UITP, CER, EMTA and EPTO now call upon the European Parliament and the European Council to take action to withdraw the PSO part of this proposal in order to preserve the special needs of the land transport sector. UITP, CER, EMTA and EPTO consider that this Proposal for a Regulation isunacceptable for the following reasons: The Proposal for a Council Regulation would introduce major legal uncertainty for all public service contracts in the inland passenger transport sector; The Proposal would create an unacceptable democratic deficitas it would remove both the European Parliament and the Member State governments from having a future significant role in deciding on how funding for public transport complies with European law. Contrary to what is asserted by the European Commission, the current regime regulating public service compensation in the inland transport sector is not contradictory to the TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). The PSO Regulation in force since 2009 is the result of a long and difficult legislative process, a well reflected fine-tuned political equilibrium which should not be changed so easily. UITP, CER, EMTA and EPTO hope that both the European Parliament and the European Council will share these concerns and convince the European Commission to re-think this part of the proposal. Future Rail - Issue 5 - February 2013 Read about Crossrail taking shape....... More news.... Shedmaster Railway News According to the mirror.co.uk - The new 225mph high-speed rail link will help create nearly a quarter of a million new jobs in the North of England, a think-tank claims. World Heritage & Railway News Drive a steam locomotive on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway....

Railway Engineering News

High speed rail-Announcing the preferred route for consultation north from Birmingham and on to Leeds and Manchester.
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about our railways.
Investing in transport infrastructure is not a choice.
To create jobs and to rebalance our economy we need…
…better roads, better airports and better trains.
And high speed 2 is a central part of that investment.
That is why, today, I am announcing our preferred route for consultation north from Birmingham and on to Leeds and Manchester.
These new services will reach 8 out of 10 of our largest cities.
Places such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
In all 18 cities and many more towns too will be served by HS2 services.
It will be completely integrated with the existing rail network.
It will bring people and businesses together.
It will create an estimated 100,000 jobs.
And it has the backing of businesses and cities across Britain.
We will introduce legislation for the first phase in this parliament.
And legislate for the second in the next one.
Construction is set to begin in 2017.
The first trains will run in 2026.
And the second phrase will open fully by 2033.
Mr Speaker, I would like to make 3 further points.
The first is about the need for the line.
HS2 will be the first main line to be built north of London for almost 120 years.
Some say we don’t need another.
But the truth is that we are already good at squeezing the most out of our Victorian railway network.
And yes, we will get even more out of it in the coming years with massive investment.
We are electrifying 800 miles of track, building Crossrail and the Northern Hub upgrade.
These will help to keep us going for the next decade or 2.
But what then?
Rail passenger numbers have doubled… doubled… over the last 15 years.
And demand will keep growing,
The West Coast Mainline is filling up.
There is not enough space for all the commuters, freight trains and inter-city trains that need to use it.
That is why I am publishing, after very careful consideration, my initial preferences for phase two of HS2.
The case for going ahead rests on the capacity it will provide.
And on the new connections it will create.
It is not just about faster trains to London…
…but also changing the way our great cities work with each other.
Easy links on journeys that are difficult today.
Giving muscle to the economies of cities beyond London.
Producing an estimated £2 in economic benefit for every £1 that is spent.
Mr Speaker, frequently, I hear calls from colleagues in this House for better services to their local stations.
They are right to ask for them.
And high speed 2 is part of the solution.
By creating free space on existing routes it will allow better services to places like Milton Keynes and many more.
Because I am determined to make sure the benefits of HS2 run much wider than the places directly served by the new line.
Mr Speaker, let me turn to my second point.
The detail of the route I am announcing today.
This follows the government’s announcement last year about phase one between London and Birmingham.
On the western leg from Birmingham to Manchester I propose 2 new high speed stations.
The first in the heart of Manchester, right alongside the existing station at Manchester Piccadilly.
Allowing easy connections to places such as Salford, Stockport and Bolton.
And a journey time to London of just 1 hour 8 minutes, down from over 2 hours today.
The second station will be at Manchester Airport, giving direct access to the wider Cheshire area.
HS2 also will serve Crewe via a dedicated link and high speed trains will continue on the existing railway to Liverpool and Runcorn.
They will also benefit greatly reduced journey times.
Further north, near Wigan, HS2 will connect with the West Coast Main Line…
so that high speed trains can then continue at regular speeds to places such as Preston, Penrith, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
I am working with counterparts in Scotland on their aspirations for high speed rail.
And I have already set out a long-term ambition to get journeys to Scotland below 3 hours.
Turning to the eastern leg…
we will construct 3 new stations to bring people and businesses in the East Midlands and Yorkshire closer together…
with Birmingham…
with the North East…
and with London.
The east midlands station will be located between Nottingham and Derby at Toton.
Links will be upgraded to provide fast access to nearby cities.
The second station will be at Sheffield Meadowhall.
It already has good connections and these can be improved further …
allowing it to serve all of Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
The third station will be located in the centre of Leeds alongside the south bank area.
As with the western leg, there will be a connection from HS2 onto the existing rail network.
A connection to the East Coast Main Line, just 9 miles from York, will allow the north east to benefit, too.
London to York in just 1 hour 23 minutes.
And Newcastle in just 2 hours 18.
Finally, a decision on how best to serve Heathrow will be taken after the outcome of the Airports Commission has been considered by the government.
But from day one HS2 will provide far faster journeys than now via a major new interchange at Old Oak Common…
linking to the Great Western Mainline, Crossrail and the Heathrow Express.
The third point I want to make today is about design and help for those most affected.
I know this is an issue that many hon. members want the government to take extremely seriously.
And we are.
I know that although the line will benefit the country as a whole…
…it will also create great anxiety among those close to proposed route.
So we will consult properly.
Design carefully.
And compensate fairly.
Let me stress that today I am announcing a preferred route.
This is the start of the process not the end.
We are ready to listen. Ready to improve.
I want this line to create jobs and prosperity not harm it…
so where businesses may be affected, we will work with them to find a solution.
We will now begin a period of informal consultation on phase two.
This will inform the official public consultation, originally planned for 2014…
but which I can announce will be brought forward to this year.
Mr Speaker, I understand how proposals like these can affect property markets.
So compensation will be as generous as on the first phase, and more generous than when we built motorways.
Today I launching a public consultation on the exceptional hardship scheme for those who must sell but can’t because of HS2.
Under this scheme, we will pay the full price, valued as if there was no HS2.
This will be followed by the next stage of our property compensation scheme once the final route is confirmed.
Mr Speaker, there aren’t many issues on which all the political parties in this House agree on.
It often feels like there are none at all.
But this is one.
Because regardless of the nature of the government when the first trains run in 13 years’ time.
What matters are the jobs…
the rebalancing of the economy…
our country’s future prosperity.
I commend this statement to the House.
 Statement to the House of Commons by the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP
(28th January 2013)

Tourism Package for Kashmir

www.kashmirtours.net.in  provides all kind of Kashmir Tour Packages and Travel Packages of your budget and your choice.

You can best affordable and genuine Tourism package for Kashmir.

 

For more details visit our official website www.kashmirtours.net.in   

International & UK Railway News. Monday 28th January 2013

Find out about accessible travel on London Overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains, by taking a journey with Lee from St Pancras International to Custom House. Lee travels with her guide dog, Josh, and will show you the facilities and assistance available for disabled and older people along the way. Watch the other films to find out about accessible travel in London using buses, the Tube, Taxi and Private Hire and River services. There's also an introduction to planning journeys and tickets from Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson. There are also versions of these films with audio description and closed captions (subtitles). You need to turn on the subtitles using the button at the bottom of the Youtube player.
Original version (with closed captions): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtnlusA0ZogiVwd5nTMofyct4xYbSZWH0 Audio description: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtnlusA0ZogjwgbPeqQPLPvFCl1zAugFq British Sign Language: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtnlusA0ZoghqKE5HEMC6m4KLnGjkJkks


International Railway Journal


EUROTUNNEL's attempts to further develop railfreight services through the Channel Tunnel continued this weekend with the successful test of a Siemens Vectron locomotive.

NEW figures released by Trenitalia show ridership on the operator's Freccia high-speed services increased 6.5% last year to reach a record 38.9 million passengers, despite the launch of NTV's competing Italo services.

HABTOOR Leighton Group (HLG), the civil works contractor building Qatar's Education City light rail line, has awarded Rail.One a contract to supply its Rheda City ballastless track system for the project.

www.progressiverailroading.com US News

CSX to build intermodal terminal in Quebec

Texas-New Mexico Railroad operates first crude oil unit train

Capitol Corridor ridership dipped, revenue rose in December and first fiscal quarter

Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit to receive $12.5 million in state funds for airport extension

Kansas City Southern arm to move more vehicles from Mexican port

California High-Speed Rail Authority awards project oversight contract

Global Partners to acquire BNSF-served crude oil transload facility in Oregon

WMATA provided 779,000 rides for Obama inauguration, APTA says

www.railway-technology.com Updates


California High-Speed Rail Authority awards Central Valley construction contract
Monday, January 28, 2013 The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has awarded a project and construction management (PCM) contract to PGH Wong Engineering and Harris & Associates for the initial phase...
 
UK's HS2 phase two plans unveiled
Monday, January 28, 2013 The UK Government has unveiled its plan for the second phase of the £32bn HS2 high-speed rail network,


More news at:

Shedmaster Railway News

More on UK's HS2 proposals.....

World Heritage & Railway News

nymr.co.uk - Book and pay in full for a Pullman Dining Train before the 31st January and receive a complimentary bottle of quality NYMR wine on your next dining adventure..


Railway Engineering News

railwaygazette.com - EUROPE: A Siemens Vectron AC electric locomotive was tested in the Channel Tunnel on the night of January 25-26. The aim was to test compatibility with Channel Tunnel systems and safety rules,






HS2 phase two initial preferred route flyover
A visualization of the proposed high speed rail connection between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester (transportgovuk on YouTube)



Network Rail

HS2 will form heart of re-shaped railway for Britain, says Network Rail.

Network Rail has today welcomed the Government’s announcement on the proposed route of HS2 phase 2 as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform both the railway and connectivity in this country.

Once complete, the new line will provide much-needed extra capacity on Britain’s busiest rail lines and help boost economic growth through better connections between our biggest cities.

David Higgins, Network Rail chief executive said: “A new high speed network is valuable not only for the railway but also for Britain’s prosperity. The railways don’t just move people and freight; they create jobs, connect economic centres and open up new markets.

“Unprecedented growth in the last ten years has seen passenger journeys grow by 50 per cent to almost 1.5bn a year and that number is set to continue to grow. More people use the railways today than at any time since the Second World War, on a network half the size it was then.

“We are already delivering the biggest capacity improvement programme since the Victorian era, but even this is not enough. Without HS2 the West Coast Main Line – our busiest and most economically important line – will be full in a little over a decade. This is a rare chance to stop playing catch-up on capacity. If we get ahead of the game we can create huge opportunities for growth and connectivity.

“HS2 could be that rarest of things – a genuine game-changer for the railway. It can transform long distance travel, improve daily commutes on existing lines and create space on the network for passengers and freight to transfer from congested roads to an expanded railway.

Commenting on plans for the integration of HS2 into Britain’s existing rail network, Mr Higgins continued: “This is not a bolt-on piece of infrastructure. HS2 will be at the heart of a reshaped rail network in Britain. To spread the benefits of HS2 to as many people as possible, we will need seamless integration. We are already planning how HS2 will integrate with the existing railway, supporting development of plans that will keep as many trains running during construction as possible and planning future train services that make best use of the capacity on both high speed and existing lines.”

Notes:

HS2 phase 1: Relieving a capacity crisis on the WCML
Phase 1 of HS2 between London and Birmingham will solve the looming capacity crisis on the West Coast Main Line, freeing up the space we need to meet passenger and freight growth and improve services.

Many shorter-distance commuters on the southern end of the WCML already experience overcrowding. Despite continued investment in capacity to meet growth, by the mid-2020s the southern end of the WCML will be full, with many commuters unable to board trains at the busiest times, before problems start to affect longer-distance services.

We examined potential solutions to the capacity problem in our 2009 New Lines Study and reviewed two specific proposals in 2011 but our conclusion was the same. A new line is the only viable option to meet the long term growth in demand from passengers and freight.

HS2 phase 2: A step-change in connectivity
Phase 2 of HS2 to Leeds (via Toton and Sheffield) and Manchester (via Manchester Airport) will deliver a step-change in Britain’s connectivity, bringing our biggest economic centres closer together and creating opportunities to improve existing services.

How does Britain compare with Europe on high-speed rail?
Britain currently has only one high speed railway line, HS1, covering 113km from London to Kent and the Channel Tunnel. This compares with:

• Spain: 2,144km, with a further 1,679km under construction
• France: 2,036km, with a further 70km under construction
• Germany: 1285km, with a further 378km under construction

China has more than 9,000km of high speed railway, with thousands more kms under construction.

Network Rail and HS1
Britain’s existing high speed rail line, HS1, connects St. Pancras International station in London with Kent, the Channel Tunnel and Europe. Since 2007, Network Rail has operated and maintained the line on behalf of HS1 Ltd, with the contract recently extended to run until 2025.

HS1 is among the world’s most reliable railways, with an average train delay of between six and eight seconds.



UK Department for Transport(DfT)

High speed rail a catalyst for high speed Britain

The construction of a network of high speed rail links is the biggest single infrastructure investment of our lifetime and will generate a return on investment that will continue paying back for generations to come.

The world is getting faster and our competitors are investing in modern transport systems that help businesses by bringing cities closer together.

More and more people in Britain want to travel by train. The government is already investing £9.4 billion in improving our current rail network over 2014-19. And we know that investment in the railways brings cities closer together and helps the UK thrive. But unless we invest and plan for the capacity demands of the future, our rail network risks becoming out of date, damaging business efficiency, reducing opportunities and making day-to-day travel more difficult. We intend to put this right.

High speed rail 2 (HS2) will link eight of Britain’s ten biggest cities, bringing the major cities within 20 minutes of each other and two-thirds of people in the north to within two hours of London.

It will dramatically increase the amount of capacity, with twice as many seats from London to Birmingham. It will open space on the existing network for more freight and commuter traffic. And it will offer an alternative to congested roads and airports.
The result will be a flourishing train service and a more prosperous Bri
tain.