International & UK Railway News Monday 20th January 2014

Total Railway News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather this last month has seriously affected punctuality rates in the UK, especially in the southern area franchise.... the Isle of Wight has reopened its line, whereas the Cambrian line will be closed for months for urgent repairs of storm damaged track. For those dependent on rail travel in the Stirling- Alloa - Kincardine area, travel will be disrupted for several years whilst extensive repair works are scheduled..... If you live in the Greater Anglia area, local MP Mark Prisk wants to hear commuters' complaints.......what a brave man!

 

The EU is making significant funding towards greener integrated transport systems, whilst in the US arguments continue over the need for high speed rail.

 

And what a sight a restored "Big Boy" would make on the mainline!!

 

 

 

Headlines:

 

Island line reopens after storms

 

Flood-hit rail line shut for months

 

 

Years of delays on Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line

 

 

Campaigners fight rail plans

 

HS2 compulsory purchase powers 'threaten blight along route'

First of 40 upgraded trains introduced by First Capital Connect

 

 

Mark Prisk MP ahead of Greater Anglia and Network Rail meetings: 'I want to know commuters' complaints and questions'

 

 

Pressing need for Main Line 2

 

 

Storm over rail punctuality

 

Group touts high-speed rail line through Valpo

 

No cap-and-trade money for high-speed rail..

 

High-speed rail in New England on track despite congressional budget axing Obama priority

 

€6 billion EU funding for smart, green and integrated transport

 

BIG BOY: Steam engine begins journey to restoration

 

Full Stories Here

 

 

 

International Railway Journal

 

 

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) in cooperation with French Rail Network (RFF) and intermodal operator Kombiverkehr operated a 1500m-long freight train on January 18 between Sibelin yard near Lyon and Nîmes

 

HUNGARY's Györ-Sopron-Ebenfurth Railway (GySEV) has awarded Siemens a €30.7m contract to supply five Desiro ML emus for regional services between Hungary and Austria.

 

THE FIRST of 31 Škoda type 26THU3 ForCity low-floor LRVs for Hungary's third-largest city Miskolc entered service on Line 1 on January 20 following the completion of more than 11,000km of endurance testing.

 

BRAZIL's largest railfreight operator Latin American Logistics (ALL) and Rumo Logistics, a subsidiary of Cosan Group which specialises in the transport of ethanol and sugar, have announced plans to merge.

 

BRITISH mining company Beacon Hill Resources announced on January 16 that two South African suppliers have completed production of locomotives and wagons for its coal operations on Mozambique's Sena Line.

 

THE Urban Community of Marseille Provence Métropole has issued a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for a contract to carry out feasibility studies for a 4.1km eastern extension of metro Line M2 from Dromel-St Marguerite to St Loup-Pagnol.

 

 

www.progressiverailroading.com US News

APTA: Appropriations bill includes good news for transit

 Foxx names FTA's Rogoff, McMillan to new posts

Farmrail, Pioneer Railcorp realign management

Federal spending bill includes $250 million for Honolulu's transit-rail project


 North Carolina DOT seeks public input on transportation priorities

California's Capitol Corridor marks December ridership gain


Georgia port authority earns EPA award for emission-reduction efforts

Crossing improvements advance in North Carolina, Washington




www.railway-technology.com Updates


Bombardier Consortium wins $4.1bn Queensland Government contract
Bombardier NGR Consortium has won a A$4.4bn ($4.1bn) contract from the Queensland Government for the New Generation Rollingstock Project.        


Alstom to open new tramway manufacturing line in Brazil
Rail products supplier Alstom Transport is planning to open a new tramway manufacturing line in Taubaté, Brazil, in order to address the rising Brazilian and Latin American markets.
       
UK Government shortlists bidders for new InterCity East Coast rail services
The UK Government has shortlisted three bidders to submit their proposals to deliver improved services for passengers on the Intercity East Coast rail franchise. 
       
ABB to supply electrical systems for Sweden's SJ 2000 high-speed trains
Sweden's state-owned rail operator SJ has awarded ABB a $200m contract to supply electrical systems for all its 36 SJ 2000 next-generation high-speed trains to improve punctuality, reliability and energy efficiency.



 Other News


Project Marathon tests long freight trains - Railway Gazette


SNCF to expand Eurostar terminal in Lille - Railway Gazette


Bombardier Consortium wins $4.1bn Queensland Government contract - Railway Technology






Mallard 75 - National Railway Museum

See all six A4s together

The Great Goodbye (Shildon)

15-23 February 2014, Shildon. 9:30am-5pm. Main offer is FREE and non-ticketed (although note car park charges below)
The last chance to see all six A4 locomotives together before the transatlantic locomotives return to their home museums in late spring/early summer 2014. Sir Nigel Gresley, Bittern and Union of South Africa will be in light steam, with one of the locomotives positioned on the platform (see below) to the left of the collections building to allow easier access. The order of the six steam icons changes each day, so anyone making a repeat visit can get new photos for the album:
Platform Schedule
Saturday 15 - Sir Nigel Gresley (in steam)
Sunday 16 - Bittern (in steam)
Monday 17 - Bittern (platform access to footplate)
Tuesday 18 - Dominion of Canada (platform access to footplate)
Wednesday 19 - Dwight D Eisenhower (platform access to footplate)
Thursday 20 - Mallard (platform access to footplate)
Friday 21 - Union of South Africa (platform access to footplate)
                                                  Saturday 22 - Union of South Africa (in steam)
                                                  Sunday 23 - Sir Nigel Gresley (in steam)
Please note, these could change at short notice.
At the weekends, enjoy the opportunity to experience the true power of the mighty machines and ride behind an A4 in steam. Adults £2.90, concessions available.

Gala Dinner

The final opportunity to view and photograph all six A4s floodlit and without the crowds, featuring a special preview of multimedia opera 'Steamsong'.
21 February 2014. Shildon. 7pm-11pm. Tickets £70 per person (must be booked in advance).
A celebratory dinner providing a fitting finale to the Mallard 75 season which is the very last opportunity to view all six surviving A4 locomotives together without the crowds. Photograph the floodlit locomotives for one last time, before enjoying a sumptuous dinner in the award-winning Collections building at Locomotion. Be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the A4s with a preview extract of 'Steamsong', a multimedia opera by John Kefala-Kerr inspired by Mallard and the story of the A4s. This sensory experience includes live vocal and instrumental performance blended with the unique sounds of chime whistles and footage from the British Transport Film archive. Please note the locos will be in their daytime location. To book please call 01904 621261 or book online.
Dress code: Formal
Admission to persons over 18 years only.
Admission by pre-booked ticket only.

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Special photography events

Want to avoid the crowds? Sign up for one of our exclusive events, where numbers are limited. Please note all events involving operational locomotives are subject to change at short notice.
To book please call 01904 621261 or book online.

The Great Goodbye photography evenings (Shildon)

SOLD OUT
Photograph a classic line-up of the six surviving A4s, in light steam where possible, outside the Collections Building at the National Railway Museum at Shildon. SOLD OUT.

Pacifics on Parade

NEW DATES - 16 & 21 February 2014. 8am – 9.30am. £15.00 per person.
Early morning access sessions - view and photograph the A4 Pacifics as we set the stage for The Great Goodbye. See the locomotives being shunted into position then enjoy exclusive pre-event access and view and photograph the engines up-close. Tea and coffee served on arrival. To book please call 01904 621261 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm) or book online .
Persons under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note that the locomotives will not be displayed in the 'classic' line-up.

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Other events

East Coast Giants

8-9 February 2014, Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Chesterfield.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Dominion of Canada and Dwight D Eisenhower in a genuine working engine shed environment before their late Spring return to their respective homes in Canada and the US. Also on display are sister A4 Bittern and Britain’s newest steam locomotive Tornado, plus the Roundhouse's resident steam locomotives including 60532 Blue Peter, 251 Atlantic and Butler Henderson. Tickets on sale from 1 December 2013 at www.theticketfactory.com or telephone 0844 338 8000.

VIP preview

SOLD OUT
Enjoy a special evening preview where you can view and photograph Mallard and her sister locomotives. The A4 Pacifics will be displayed with evening lighting and Union of South Africa, Bittern and Sir Nigel Gresley will be in light steam. Buffet included.
Persons under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note that the locomotives will not be displayed in the 'classic' line-up.

Curator Talks

Fascinating insights delivered by our experts. These talks are free but you will need to book - call 01904 621261 to book your tickets.

Date	Description	Speaker
Sat 15 February 2:30-3:30	Rocket to TGV - two centuries of railway speed records	Bob Gwynne
Sat 15 February 11:30-12:30	The Story of the A4 Pacifics	Chris Nettleton
Mon 17 February 2:30-3:30	Bringing them Home - Moving the transatlantic A4s to the UK	Andrew Goodman
Wed 19 February 2:30-3:30	The restoration of Dwight D Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada	Richard Pearson & Chris Beet
Fri 21 February 2:30-3:30	The Great Gathering - a retrospective	Anthony Coulls
Sat 22 February 2:30-3:30	Top Shed Men - insights from Kings Cross
Sun 23 February 2:30-3:30	Mallard in steam - tales from the footplate and support coach	Helen Ashby

All talks take place in the Hackworth Room (Collection Building)and will last approximately 45 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for questions.

Headboard auction

For our Mallard 75 celebrations, we commissioned six 'Great Gathering' headboards which are being displayed on the A4 throughout our season of celebratory events. We are now offering rail fans a unique opportunity to own one of these specially-designed headboards via a sealed bids auction. The money raised will support the work of the museum in caring for the National Collection. Read more about submitting your bid here. Closing date 6pm 23 February 2014. Terms and Conditions apply.