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August 31, 2013

International & UK Railway News Saturday 31st August 2013





Railway Herald - Railtours

(Week commencing Monday 2nd September 2013)

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm timings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.
Thank you.


Monday 2nd September 2013

The Devonian (Compass Tours)

  • WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Liverpool South Parkway (pu) - Runcorn (pu) - Crewe (pu) - Whitchurch (pu) - Wem (pu) - Shrewsbury (pu) - Craven Arms (pu) - Ludlow (pu) - Leominster (pu) - Hereford - Exeter St. Davids (sd) - Torquay (sd) - Paignton (break/rev) & return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Tuesday 3rd September 2013

The Welsh Mountaineer (Railway Touring Company)

  • 45305 or 61994 Preston (pu) - Warrington (pu) - Frodsham (pu) - Chester (pu) - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction (sd) (rev) - Blaenau Ffestiniog (break/rev) & return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Wednesday 4th September 2013

The Dorset Coast Express (Railway Touring Company)

  • 34046 London Victoria (pu) - Barnes - Staines (pu) - Woking (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Eastleigh - Southamptonb Central - Bournemouth (sd) - Poole - Wareham - Dorchester South - Weymouth
  • To be confirmed Weymouth - Dorchester South - (steam banker from Weymouth to Dorchester South)
  • 34046 Dorchester South - Wareham - Poole Bournemouth (pu) - Southampton Central - Eastleigh - Basingstoke (sd) - Woking (sd) - Staines (sd) - Barnes - London Waterloo

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Thursday 5th September 2013

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

  • DBS Class 67 Shalford (pu) - Guildford (pu) - Effingham Junction (pu) - Leatherhead (pu) - Epsom (pu) - Wimbledon (pu) - Kensington Olympia (pu) - Willesden
  • tbc Willesden - Hertford North (pu) - Lincoln (break/rev) - Hertford North (sd) - Willesden
  • DBS Class 67 Willesden - Kensington Olympia (sd) - Epsom (sd) - Leatherhead (sd) - Effingham Junction (sd) - Guildford (sd) - Shalford

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Friday 6th September 2013

The High Peak Moorlander (Compass Tours)

  • WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Helensburgh Upper (pu) - Dumbarton Central (pu) - Westerton (pu) - Coatbridge Central (pu) - Motherwell (pu) - Carstairs (pu) - Lockerbie (pu) - Carlisle (pu) - S&C - Hellifield - Blackburn - Buxton Spa (break/rev) & return

The 75th Anniversary Special: Day 1 (PMR Tours)

  • WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Sheffield (pu) - Chesterfield (pu) - Belper (pu) - Derby (pu) - Uttoxeter (pu) - Stoke on Trent (pu) - Crewe (pu) -
  • 46233 Crewe - Warrington Bank Quay - Preston - Shap - Carlisle - Beattock - Carstairs - Mossend - Cumbernauld - Larbert - Stirling - Perth

The Scarborough Flyer (Railway Touring Company)

  • 60009 Crewe (pu) - Wilmslow (pu) - Stockport (pu) - Denton - Rochdale (pu) - Hebden Bridge - Brighouse (pu) - Wakefield Kirkgate (pu) - York (sd) - Scarborough (break/rev) & return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Saturday 7th September 2013

The Western Wessex (Pathfinder Tours)

  • DBS Class 67 Leicester (pu) - Nuneaton (pu) - Coleshill Parkway (pu) - Birmingham New Street (pu) -
  • D1015 Birmingham New Street - Stourbridge Junction (pu) - Kidderminster (pu) - Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Cheltenham Spa (pu) - Bristol Parkway (pu) - Bath Spa - Westbury - Yeovil Pen Mill - Dorchester West - Weymouth
  • D1015 Weymouth (pu) - Dorchester South - Wareham - Poole - Bournemouth - Southampton - Eastleigh - Basingstoke - Mortimer - Reading West - Didcot - Oxford - Moreton in Marsh - Evesham - Worcester Shrub Hill (sd) (passengers for Cheltenham Spa & Bristol Parkway return by road coach) - Kidderminster (sd) - Stourbridge Junction (sd) - Birmingham New Street
  • DBS Class 67 Birmingham New Street - Coleshill Parkway (sd) - Nuneaton (sd) - Leicester

The 75th Anniversary Special: Day 2 (PMR Tours)

  • 46233 Perth - Stirling - Larbert - Cumbernauld - Mossend - Carstairs - Beattock - Carlisle - Shap - Preston - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe (sd) -
  • WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Crewe - Stoke on Trent (sd) - Uttoxeter (sd) - Derby (sd) - Belper (sd) - Chesterfield (sd) - Sheffield

The Cumbrian Mountain Express (Railway Touring Company)

  • 60009 Crewe (pu) - Wilmslow (pu) - Stockport (pu) - Manchester Victoria (pu) - Bolton (pu) - Blackburn (pu) - Hel;lifield - S&C - Carllisle (break/rev) - Carlisle - Penrith - Shap - Preston (sd) - Bolton (sd) - Manchester Victoria (sd) - Stockport (sd) - Wilmslow (sd) - Crewe

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

  • 60163 London Waterloo (pu) - Wimbledon - Surbiton - Woking (pu) - Andover (pu) - Salisbury (pu) - Westbury (pu) - Bath Spa (sd) - Cardiff Central (break/rev) & return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return

Sunday 8th September 2013

The Royal Duchy (Railway Touring Company)

  • To be confirmed Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Yatton (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St. Davids (pu) - Plymouth (pu) - Liskeard (sd) - Bodmin Parkway - Par (break/rev) & return

The Torbay Express (Torbay Express Ltd)

  • 34046 Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Weston-Super-Mare (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot - Paignton (sd) - Kingswear (break/rev) & return

The Shakespeare Express (Morning Train) (Vintage Trains)

  • 4965 or 5043 Birmingham Snow Hill (pu) - Birminngham Moor Street (pu) - Tyseley (pu) - Shirley - Henley in Arden (pu) - Stratford upon Avon (break/rev) - Stratford upon Avon - Claverdon - Hatton North Junction - Dorridge - Solihull - Tyseley (sd) - Birmingham Moor Street (sd) Birmingham Snow Hill

The Shakespeare Express (Afternoon Train) (Vintage Trains)

  • 4965 or 5043 Birmingham Snow Hill (pu) - Birminngham Moor Street (pu) - Tyseley (pu) - Shirley - Henley in Arden (sd) - Stratford upon Avon (break/rev) - Stratford upon Avon - Claverdon - Hatton North Junction - Dorridge - Solihull - Tyseley (sd) - Birmingham Moor Street (sd) Birmingham Snow Hill

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

  • To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan (break) - Arisaig - Mallaig (break/rev) & return
 
 
 

Shedmaster Railway News

Tenders called for DLR operating concession - Railway Gazette

On-tram wi-fi on test in Manchester - Railway Gazette

Electric freight locomotives unveiled in Uzbekistan - Railway Gazette


World Heritage & Railway News

The Great Central Vision | National Railway Museum blog

Late Summer Weekend « West Somerset Railway

Great For Groups North Event - The Future of Group Travel Exhibitions - Inspiration, Innovation, Interaction


Railway Engineering News

Weihenstephaner - Machine building - Siemens

Appoint HS2 minister to get grip on costs, urges Lord Adonis | UK news

High Speed Rail UK: HS2 and the north-south divide



MENA Rail News

Satisfaction Increases with Jerusalem Light Rail

Six Groups Bid for Omani Railway Management Programme


Mecca to Medina High Speed Railway
Work on the 450 km Mecca to Medina high speed railway is going to plan, announced Mohammed Al-Suwaiket, president of the Saudi Railway Organisation. It is set to open in late 2014 or early 2015.

Prioritizing Rail in the African Region

Tanzania transport system is expected undergo up-gradation with approximately $330 million to be pumped into of its railway network. TAZARA, ZRL and SNCC, the three railways companies operating in Tanzania, Zambia and Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) respectively, jointly signed a tripartite agreement to harmonize operations in the East African Railway Sector. The contract is expected to provide better connectivity in transportation of goods and passengers in the three states. According to Dr. Damas Daniel Ndumbaro, Deputy Managing Director at TAZARA, the acquisition of new locomotives and other measures by management are expected to increase the tonnage of cargo that it hauls.

Dr. Damas will present on what the future entails for the Tanzania Zambia Railways at the 2nd Annual African Railway Summit. He will elaborate on the challenges and advantages into the working of railways between three countries and expanding social and economic opportunities. The summit will be held on 5 & 6 November at Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.


Bombardier

Deutsche Bahn and Bombardier Sign Vehicle Contract Worth 216 Million Euro.

  • Call-off under framework agreement
  • New trains will operate on the regional network in Bavaria, Germany, from 2016

  • Deutsche Bahn AG has ordered 18 electric double-deck multiple units from Bombardier Transportation for regional transport in Germany. The order is valued at approximately 216 million euro ($289 million US). The new trains will operate from December 2016 on the lines Augsburg – Treuchtlingen – Nuremberg and Treuchtlingen – Ingolstadt – Munich.

    Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Chairman of Deutsche Bahn, said: “Our consistent investments in new rail vehicles clearly show that we are strengthening our company for the future requirements of the transport markets.”

    Dr. Lutz Bertling, President, Bombardier Transportation, added: “Our modern and environmentally friendly BOMBARDIER TWINDEXX Vario trains can be flexibly adapted to passenger volumes. This is how our trains create value for our customer Deutsche Bahn and contribute significantly to effective regional transportation.”

    TWINDEXX Vario DB

    TWINDEXX Vario DB (Courtesy: Bombardier)

    The three new four-car and 15 new six-car TWINDEXX Vario double-deck multiple units of the generation Do2010 each comprise two power cars with two or four intermediate cars. They can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. Particular attention has been paid to attractive facilities for passengers, such as comfortable legroom between seats, wide doors and lots of storage space.
    The contract with Bombardier is a call-off under a framework agreement from 2008. The total number of variable double-deck cars ordered under the agreement now stands at 392.



    August 30, 2013

    International & UK Railway News Friday 30th August 2013





    Siemens

    Siemens and Swiss Federal Railways establish partnership in control systems field.

    Siemens and SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) have concluded a cooperation agreement relating to the automation and centralization of rail traffic control in Switzerland. In this connection, Siemens will continue the development of the Iltis control and information system, which permits the largely automated operational handling of rail traffic. The contract will run until the end of 2025, and will encompass goods and services worth some 260 million euros.
     
    The Iltis control system has been in service in Switzerland for some fifteen years now, ensuring the safe, convenient and economical handling of rail traffic. Iltis controls and monitors train operations in their entirety. This includes the remote control for interlocking and the monitoring of operations at stations. Until now, control has been carried out from more than 25 regional locations. In the next few years these activities will be brought together in four operations centers in Lausanne, Olten, Zurich Airport and Pollegio. Concentrating these facilities is intended to improve communication and coordination in the event of disruption, so that corrective measures can be more rapidly coordinated and the provision of travel information speeded up.
     
    Within the framework of the collaboration, Siemens will be handling the necessary modifications to facilities, and the further development of the system. In concluding the partnership contract, Siemens and the SBB have laid the foundations for continuous productivity improvements in the rail traffic sector.


    Community Transportation Association of America

    The Challenge of Growth: Public-Private Solutions

    This important edition of DigitalCT focuses on the increasing use of partnerships between public agencies and private entities to improve mobility options. We take a look at a wide range of examples of public-private collaboration, including financing, taxi programs, intercity connectivity, facilities and intercity passenger rail.

    Download

    New rail services are demonstrating an increasingly cost-effective and perhaps even profitable operating environment for passenger rail. Over the coming years and decades, new projects -- including high-speed rail routes -- with greater private sector backing will test the long-held myth that passenger rail is an inherently money-losing proposition.
    USDOT Federal Railroad Administration

    Railroad Safety Advisory Committee Holds Emergency Meeting: Group Considers Additional Rail Safety Measures for Hazardous Materials Transport.


    WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) met today in an emergency session to begin consideration of additional regulatory or other safety measures following the derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Canada earlier this summer.

     “Safety is our top priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.  “While 2012 was the safest year in rail history, we are constantly reviewing our work to ensure the public’s safety on our nation’s rails and value the important input we are receiving from industry stakeholders.”

     The RSAC is a technical and policy stakeholder advisory group that makes recommendations to the FRA on rail safety issues, and includes representatives from every facet of the rail industry.  The issues discussed at the meeting included the safety requirements contained in FRA Emergency Order No. 28 (EO 28) and the recommendations made in Safety Advisory 2013–06, both issued on Aug. 2.  

    EO 28 is a mandatory directive to railroads requiring them to undertake a number of immediate actions to ensure that trains transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) are secured and not left unattended.  The directive also includes communication requirements.  Failure to comply with the emergency order requirements will result in enforcement action. 

     The safety advisory contains recommendations issued jointly by FRA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to railroads and hazmat shippers, including requiring railroads to review their crew staffing requirements for transporting hazardous material, conduct system-wide evaluations to identify hazards that may make it more difficult to secure a train or pose other safety risks, and develop procedures to reduce those risks. The advisory served as the agenda for today’s meeting.   The implications as well as potential costs and benefits of new or expanded safety requirements and initiatives, including possible new RSAC tasks to implement them, were also discussed.

     “Today’s meeting brings together some of the best and brightest minds our industry has to offer in order to tackle issues of paramount importance,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo.  “The dialogue will serve to build upon the comprehensive regulatory framework we already have in place, and allow us to further enhance safety by eliminating additional risk from the railroad system.”

     During the meeting, RSAC members voted to accept four task statements on: appropriate train crew size; requirements for the securement of trains; operational testing for employees to ensure appropriate processes and procedures for securing trains are followed; and hazardous materials issues relating to the identification, classification, operational control and handling of such shipments in transportation.  The RSAC will now establish working groups with the necessary expertise to examine each task, gather relevant facts, and develop a range of options.  The recommendations of those working groups will be presented to the RSAC by April 2014.

     “As greater quantities of hazmat are transported by rail and other modes, the risks increase and we have to make sure our regulations are keeping pace with market and technology forces,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. “We have to work together to identify gaps, be willing to acknowledge them and close them.”

     Under current U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, freight railroads are required to undertake safety and security risk assessments and implement procedures in order to transport certain hazardous materials, including creating a plan to prevent unauthorized access to rail yards, facilities, and trains carrying hazardous materials.  Railroads that carry hazardous materials are required to follow established protocols while en route, and railroad employees are subject to background checks and must complete training.  Railroad training programs and operating practices are reviewed and audited by the FRA routinely and are generally designed to be progressive so that as the level of risk increases, so does the level of safety and security required.  A description of past, present, and proposed FRA actions on this issue can be found here.


    Eurotransport Magazine...

    Just some of the articles in Issue 4 include:
    • A Foreword from Frédéric Cuvillier, Minister for Transport and Maritime Economy, France
    • Developments in Rome and Turin
    • Safety & Security Supplement with articles from Metrolink, UITP and BSIA
    • Contactless bank card ticketing on London’s buses – an interview with Shashi Verma – TfL’s Director of Customer Experience
    • ITS & Traffic Management Supplement with articles from SSB, ERTICO-ITS Europe, AustriaTech and Polis

    You can read this issue here:
    http://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/digital/et-issue-4-2013/



    International Railway Journal

    TRAMS are set to return to the streets of Tours tomorrow (August 31) when the city officially inaugurates its first 15km, 29-station light rail line, 64 years after its original network closed.

    ESSEX Thameside franchisee, c2c, which operates services from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness and the Essex Coast, is to upgrade ticketing systems at all of its stations outside of London to enable its passengers to use smart card ticketing.

    JR Central has confirmed that construction of the inaugural 286km section of its Yen 5.1 trillion ($US 51.97bn) maglev line between Tokyo and Nagoya will commence as early as April next year.


    www.progressiverailroading.com US News

  • Quebec accident fallout: FRA's Railroad Safety Advisory Committee targets four key 'tasks' at emergency meeting
  • Class Is' 2Q crude volume record not enough to shake U.S. carload traffic from year-long malaise
  • MARTA to consider major transit expansion in Georgia 400 corridor
  • CTA breaks ground on new station near McCormick Place
  • Tie purchases and production jumped in July, RTA says
  • Amtrak to provide free Wi-Fi on all Michigan trains, allow bikes on Blue Water route
  • Savannah port to help distribute Hyper bikes in Southeast
  • TransLink readies test of new fare-card system

  • www.railway-technology.com Updates

    Amtrak Michigan trains to get free wi-fi service in 2014
    US rail operator Amtrak is planning to roll out a cellular-based wi-fi service on trains operated in Michigan, making it the first Midwest state to get the service.

           
    Alstom secures Bangkok Green Line extension contract
    Alstom has secured a contract from Thailand-based general contractors and basic infrastructure designer CH. Karnchang Public Company to extend the Bangkok Metro's existing Green Line by 12.6km.

           
    BNSF to improve rail capacity in Missouri and Kansas
    BNSF Railway is planning to invest $210m in Missouri and $175m in Kansas during 2013 to carryout for railway maintenance, capacity improvements and expansion projects.

           
    UK rail operators asked to use 'traffic light' overcrowding warning system
    The UK government has requested that all train operating companies publish service-by-service overcrowding information on their timetables to allow passengers to make informed decisions about when they travel


    Shedmaster Railway News

    Siemens to supply traction equipment for Guangzhou trams - Railway Gazette

    Mapping investment in the existing network

    Countdown to Autumn Great Gathering at National Railway Museum in York (From York Press)


    World Heritage & Railway News

    Half price travel for NYMR residents | North Yorkshire Moors Railway :: A steam train adventure through the stunning Yorkshire Moors

    West Somerset Railway


    Railway Engineering News

    Electric freight locomotives unveiled in Toshkent - Railway Gazette

    Tenders called for DLR operating concession - Railway Gazette



     

    August 29, 2013

    International & UK Railway News Thursday 29th August 2013



    International Railway Journal

    HOHENZOLLERN Railways (HzL) has won the tender to continue to operate stopping services on the 87.5km line between Tübingen and Sigmaringen, south of Stuttgart.

    MASS Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which owns Bangkok's metro network, has approved construction of the 21.6km Brown Line for an estimated Baht 45bn ($US 1.45bn).

    GERMAN Rail (DB) has exercised an option worth €214m from a 2008 contract with Bombardier for 18 double-deck emus for regional operations in Germany.Bombardier will supply three four-car and 15 six-car Twindexx Vario double-deck emus...


    www.progressiverailroading.com US News


  • Shuster: Transportation investment is tied to the nation's economic competitiveness
  • Intermodal, domestic coal and petroleum products will help propel U.S. rail traffic through year's end, Baird says
  • BNSF, McKay TransCold to launch refrigerated service next year
  • Alaska Railroad seeks CEO applicants
  • GO Transit to open new parking structure, station in Mississauga
  • WTS praises Feinberg's appointment as USDOT chief of staff
  • BNSF details capital projects slated for Kansas, Missouri
  • Rail supplier news from Siemens, Bombardier, DB Netz, SYSTRA and IRSE (Aug. 29)
  •  
     
     

    www.railway-technology.com Updates




    Louis Berger-Hill joint venture wins Riyadh metro project management contract
    A joint venture of Louis Berger and Hill International has secured a $265m contract from the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) to offer project management and construction management services for the new $22bn automated metro system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

           
    UK rail operators asked to use 'traffic light' overcrowding warning system
    The UK government has requested that all train operating companies publish service-by-service overcrowding information on their timetables to allow passengers to make informed decisions about when they travel. 

           
    Siemens to support SBB's rail traffic management system
    Siemens has secured a €260m contract from Swiss federal railway operator SBB to support and further develop its Iltis traffic management system. 

           
    Five consortiums bid for $15bn Oman Rail project management
    Five international engineering and consulting groups have submitted technical proposals to provide project management consultancy (PMC) services for the construction of Oman's OMR6bn ($15bn) national railway network.
     



     
    Shedmaster Railway News

    Gamla Uppsala double tracking gets underway - Railway Gazette

    Perth light rail funding - Railway Gazette


    World Heritage & Railway News

    GWR - Gloucestershire's mainline heritage railway - Monster Moves on Channel 5

    Diesel Gala 7th & 8th September | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway

    Restored pre-war teak carriage arrives at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway | North Yorkshire Moors Railway :: A steam train adventure through the stunning Yorkshire Moors


    Railway Engineering News

    Rail market was rigged - Railway Gazette

    Railway Gazette | The Capacity Challenge (video)

    Chamber dismisses HS2 grand folly claim « Express & Star

    High-Speed Rail Dispute Goes to U.K. Supreme Court in October - Bloomberg





    August 28, 2013

    International & UK Railway News Wednesday 28th August 2013





    International Railway Journal


    IN the run-up to Australia's federal election on 7 September 2013, both major political parties have given their backing to the eventual construction of the $A 5bn ($US 4.4bn) Inland Rail project..

    POLISH long-distance operator PKP Intercity has selected a consortium of Stadler and Newag, Poland, as preferred bidder for a contract worth more than Zlotys 1.5bn ($US 472m) to supply and maintain 20 160km/h emus..

    MTR Corporation has awarded Aecom a contract to design the cross-harbour tunnel on Hong Kong's North South Line (NSL), which forms part of the new Shatin – Central Link (SCL).


    www.progressiverailroading.com US News


  • League of Railway Industry Women names NS's Butler 'Woman of the Year'
  • Longtime railroader Orseno appointed Metra's interim CEO
  • 'Climate Corps' program continues to produce results, CSX says
  • Illinois Gov. Quinn helps Continental Tire commemorate rail spur opening
  • L.A. port terminal project enters environmental review phase; Virginia port terminal operator becomes limited liability company
  • MTA riders to vote on 49 transit apps; TriMet to unveil mobile tickets next week
  • Denver's RTD hosts Ethiopian rail delegation
  • BLET-represented engineers sign contract with Tacoma Rail
  • Rail supplier news from Vossloh, Alstom, Rail Safety Consulting, Louis Berger, Ritron and Parsons Brinckerhoff (Aug. 28)
  •  
  • BTS Releases June North American Freight Numbers
    Trucks Transported 60.7% of U.S.-NAFTA Trade in June 2013

  •  
     
    The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation today released June North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) freight numbers showing that trucks carried 60.7 percent of the $93.5 billion of freight moved in June 2013 between the United States and its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico. Trucks were followed by rail at 15.8 percent, vessels at 8.2 percent, pipelines at 6.5 percent and air at 3.9 percent.
     
    BTS, a part of the Department’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.0 percent of the total NAFTA freight flows, $77.6 billion of the total of $93.5 billion carried by all modes, including air and vessel. The value of freight carried by the surface modes in June 2013 declined 1.0 percent from June 2012, compared to the 0.8 percent decrease for all modes. Freight value on all modes rose 56.7 percent from June 2009.
     
    For freight flows with Canada, trucks carried 56.0 percent of the $52.7 billion of the freight, followed by rail at 16.8 percent, pipelines at 10.8 percent, vessel at 5.5 percent and air at 4.5 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.7 percent of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.
     
                For freight flows with Mexico in June, trucks carried 66.8 percent of the $40.8 billion of the freight, followed by rail at 14.5 percent, vessel at 11.7 percent, air at 3.2 percent and pipeline at 0.9 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.1 percent of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.
     
    Beginning with January 2013, BTS monthly TransBorder press releases contain data for all modes of transportation. Press releases and the BTS website now define surface transportation modes as truck, rail and pipeline. Data on surface modes can be found in Figure 3 and in Tables 2, 3, 4 and 7. See North American TransBorder Freight Data on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.
     
    Data in this press release are not adjusted for inflation, except for the monthly totals illustrated in Figure 2 for comparison.
    See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables, state rankings and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data  on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.
     
     
    ATTEND THE HIGH SPEED RAIL EVENT OF THE YEAR!
    HIGH SPEED RAIL EVENT OF THE YEAR
    Business and political leaders will come together with the world's top experts to bring high speed rail to America.  The first $1Bn construction contract was signed last week to begin the first phase of the state-wide, 800-mile state-of-the-art transportation system - set to revolutionize mobility in California and the US.  Conference info
    Network with business and political leaders
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    • Network with business and political leaders    High speed rail is coming to Los Angeles!
    • California HSR construction schedule 
    • Project updates from across America
    • LA Metro projects moving forward
    • Financing, PPPs  
    • HSR Private Investment Fund  
    • RRIF Loan Workshop
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    • Real estate development opportunities 
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    High speed rail conference brings the world together!
     FIRST BILLION $ CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT SIGNED
    CA HSR signs first big construction contract CALIFORNIA HSR TO START CONSTRUCTION!

    Tutor Perini just signed the first major construction contract to begin the visionary Califronia High Speed Rail project.  The 800-mile, state-of-the-art high speed rail project has been years in the making methodically planning, engineering, permitting, and preparing for the start of construction.  That day is here!

    Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE:TPC), a leading civil and building construction company, announced that its joint venture has executed a contract with the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the design and construction of the initial Madera to Fresno segment of the California high-speed rail system. The contract is valued at approximately $985 million, plus an additional $53 million in provisional sums. Tutor Perini is the managing partner of the joint venture team, which includes Zachry Construction Corporation of San Antonio, Texas and Parsons Corporation of Pasadena, California.

    Ronald Tutor, Chairman and CEO of Tutor Perini, said, "We are truly excited to be building the groundwork for America's first high-speed rail system and look forward to working with the Authority to deliver a high-quality project that will modernize California's transportation system and support economic growth."  More info 
     
     
     
    Five consortiums bid for $15bn Oman Rail project management
    Five international engineering and consulting groups have submitted technical proposals to provide project management consultancy (PMC) services for the construction of Oman's OMR6bn ($15bn) national railway network. Stadler starts production of first FLIRT train for LKA in Poland
    Stadler Polska, a Polish subsidiary of Stadler Rail, has started production on the first of 20 two-car FLIRT EMUs to be delivered to Lodz Agglomeration Railway (LKA).
    Network Rail reopens Nottingham railway station
    Network Rail has reopened Nottingham station after the completion of a £100m project under which rail infrastructure around the city has been rebuilt, including new signals and relaying of tracks.
    KiwiRail adds 20 new DL locomotives to fleet
    New Zealand's national rail operator KiwiRail has unveiled its second-generation DL Locomotives in Auckland.



    Shedmaster Railway News

    Siemens to support Swiss network control system to 2025 - Railway Gazette

    Captrain acquires Scandinavian operators - Railway Gazette


    World Heritage & Railway News

    BBC News - London to Brighton non-stop: Tracking the changes to a seaside rail journey

    75 Experience - Events in York, Visit York, Local News Yorkshire, Things to Do in York – Oneandother.com


    Railway Engineering News

    Knorr-Bremse buys Railcare from administrators - Railway Gazette

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    August 27, 2013

    International & UK Railway News Tuesday 27th August 2013




    International Railway Journal

    FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) stepped up the operation of high-speed services between France and Germany on August 26 with the launch of a daily TGV between Paris and Freiburg-im-Breisgau.

    UNITED Streetcar despatched the first of eight low-floor LRVs for Tucson's Sun Link light rail line from its plant in Clackamas, Oregon, on August 26.

    NETWORK Rail reopened Nottingham station on August 26 following the completion of a £100m project to remodel and resignal the station and its approaches.

    KNORR-BREMSE announced on August 27 that it has acquired British rolling stock overhaul, accident repair, and component specialist Railcare..

    CUBAN Union Railways (UFC) has placed an order for 300 two-car dmus with Russian manufacturer Murom, the first of which has already been shipped..



    www.progressiverailroading.com US News

  • Department of Energy, NJ Transit to jointly design storm-resilient power infrastructure system
  • Colton Crossing grade separation completed earlier, cheaper than expected
  • National Grain Car Council to hold meeting in Kansas City next month
  • California high-speed project is 'good news' for Central Valley firms, foundation says
  • BNSF Logistics targeted cancer awareness during large transformer move
  • Van Schaick joins Watco as AVP of government affairs
  • Amtrak honors memory of Pullman Porters' union founder
  • CTA completes 'Train Tracker' screen installation
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    www.railway-technology.com Updates

    Australian PM supports Melbourne-Brisbane high-speed rail network
    Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to provide A$52m ($47m) to set up a rail authority to build a high-speed rail line between Sydney and Melbourne by 2035. 

           
    Genesis to start construction of new crude unloading rail facility in Louisiana
    US-based Genesis Energy is planning to start construction of a new crude-by-rail unloading facility in Raceland, Louisiana at a cost of $75m. 

           
    KiwiRail adds 20 new DL locomotives to fleet
    New Zealand's national rail operator KiwiRail has unveiled its second-generation DL Locomotives in Auckland. 

           
    Slovenian Railways selects IBM SmartCloud to streamline operations
    Slovenian Railways has selected IBM's SmartCloud solution to centralise its IT systems and improve its business operations and customer service


    totalrail - Investment and Development in Rail....

    2013 update: Discover the latest and biggest metro rail projects in Asia

    Top 5 rail movies

    Transnet issues R1,5 billion domestic bond


    European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

    EBRD to diversify in Mongolia: First Vice President Phil Bennett

    The Bank will focus on sustainable mining but also support development of infrastructure, financial institutions and SMEs.

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), having approved its 2013-2016 strategy for operations in Mongolia, is aiming to diversify the Bank’s investment strategy in the country.

    The EBRD’s First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Bennett, has said that the Bank is looking to increase investments in non-natural resource sectors, and especially to support the development of infrastructure, financial institutions and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while maintaining a focus on sustainable mining.

    “So far we’ve had a large participation in the mining and natural resources sector. By value about 60 per cent of our investments have been in that sector.

    “Our goals going forward are to try to diversify away from mining and natural resources to build up our other businesses, while maintaining our focus on mining in a sustainable, environmental way.
    “We want to foster private sector development, we want to foster infrastructure development, particularly in transport, heating and water.

    “We also want to strengthen the financial institutions sector because that is the most effective, sustainable channel for investment into the economy”.

    Phil Bennett added: “The absorption capacity of this economy is growing quite quickly, so we are very confident that we can continue to build on some of the smaller enterprises and grow those slowly but surely into medium-sized enterprises.

    “We have a lot of opportunity here; it’s a very active economy, we are looking forward to staying committed and staying engaged across all of the economic developments”.

    The EBRD’s President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, will reaffirm the Bank’s commitment to sustainable economic development in Mongolia during his first visit to the country as EBRD president from 30 August – 2 September 2013.

    Since 2006 the Bank has invested about US$ 1 billion in about 60 projects across Mongolia, mobilising approximately twice that amount in further financing for those projects from other sources.


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    World Heritage & Railway News

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