International & UK Railway News Friday 21st February 2014

 Total Railway News

 

 


If good PR gained prizes, then Siemens would come out on top! Deutsche Bahn , having ordered new train sets in 2008, had to endure a two year delay before being able to bring the sets into revenue earning operation  ... so, having delivered 16 sets, Siemens have "given" DB a set without charge! A 33 million euro compensation!


Perhaps train operators could compensate passengers for delays without being asked..... 


HS2 continues to attract praise and criticism in pretty much equal measure.... but there is only sadness now that the "Great Good-Bye" (the 6 A4 event at Shildon) draws to a close.


Read on.....






Headlines..

 

When to claim for a late train? Most have no idea.(The Scotsman)

 

Most train users unaware of rights, says rail regulator. (BBC News)

 

Departures Board at London Marylebone.

 

Cardiff metro: Rhondda Cynon Taf transport corridor plan.(BBC News)

 

MP clashes with council on homes. (Nottingham Post)

 

Train services under threat, warn campaigners (Inverness Courier)

 

John Snell: Devoted steam man salvaged UK's rail heritage.(Sydney Morning Herald)

 

Shildon railway museum locomotives attract 70,000 visitors. (BBC News)

 

Steam trains: Transports of delight from a lost age of travel.(Telegraph)



Mallard at NRM York.

 

SBB to introduce new safety measures in Simplon Tunnel.(Global Rail News)

 

People Counting: Improve decision making, optimise services and increase customer satisfaction.(Eurotransport)

 

China’s high-speed-rail network and the development of second-tier cities. (Journalists Resource)

 

Siemens to deliver free ICE 3 train in goodwill gesture(Global Rail News)

 

At the occasion the World Congress of Rail Research 2013 organised in Sydney, the International Union of Railways launches the second edition of its Innovation Awards. Anticipate the future and propose your ideas to make rail the backbone of a sustainable transportation and mobility tomorrow! Good luck to all applicants of the 2014 edition! - 
Apply HERE

 

 

Siemens
Joint Press Release by Siemens AG and Deutsche Bahn AG
The new ICE 3: More comfort for passengers

Munich, 2014-Feb-18

• Siemens to deliver a total of eight new trainsets by the end of March
• Smooth start for passenger service

Andreas Busemann, Head of Production at DB Bahn Long Distance, and Jürgen Wilder, CEO of the High Speed and Commuter Rail Business Unit of Siemens AG, presented the new ICE 3 of Deutsche Bahn (DB) today on a press tour.

 

"Above all, the new ICE 3 offers our customers a real plus when it comes to service and comfort. Passengers can keep informed about the train's progress on the new overhead monitors, and comfortably dine in the full-sized onboard restaurant with 16 seats while traveling through Germany at speeds of up to 300 kilometers an hour. In addition, the Series 407 scores with lower energy consumption and higher technical reliability," commented Busemann.

 

In particular, the most modern ICE train offers numerous improvements for passengers with reduced mobility. The new trainsets are the first in Deutsche Bahn's long-distance trains to provide a lift for wheelchair users. The wheelchair area is generously dimensioned, and both wheelchair spaces are fitted with a height-adjustable table and a service call button. A tactile guidance system including floor strips and tactile seat numbers helps sight-impaired and blind passengers. In addition, grab poles are provided in longer aisle sections, aisle seats have grab handles, and the door steps and inner doors are designed with stronger visible contrasts.

 

The Series 407 is based on Siemens' Velaro platform. The new ICE 3 also has eight cars – like its forerunner – yet offers more seats: 444 including 111 in first class. Two trains can be coupled into a double unit with a seating capacity of 888. Externally, the new train differs from its forerunner through a newly designed front end and a front-to-rear raised roof section for improved aerodynamics.

 

In December 2013, the new ICE 3 was approved for double-unit operation within Germany. By the end of December 2013, four ICE trains were handed over to Deutsche Bahn. Four additional trains are to follow by the end of March 2014. "We have successfully mastered the challenges, in particular those presented by the certification process, and are pleased to see the new ICE 3 running on Germany's lines," said Wilder.

 

Siemens is delivering a total of 17 trains to DB. At present, the first new ICE 3s are primarily running on the Cologne-Frankfurt (Main)-Stuttgart line in place of the previous ICE 3. Beginning in mid April, the eight delivered trains will be integrated into the current timetable. In coordination with DB, Siemens is conducting comprehensive test runs in France and Belgium with an additional eight trains in order to prepare for official approval of cross-border operation to these countries.

 

 

For further information, please go to: www.siemens.com/press/ICE

 

 

Courtesy: Siemens Press Pictures.




www.progressiverailroading.com US News

 

BNSF seeks proposals for 5,000 'next-generation' tank cars
 
FTA, LACMTA sign off on $670 million grant, $160 million TIFIA loan for light-rail connector
 
Metrolink launches PTC system on BNSF track
 
Works resumes on Panama Canal's third lock set
 
U.S. rail traffic registered another drop in year's seventh week
 
Sen. Schumer promotes tax credit extension at New York short-line summit

Foxx, Biden help mark ARRA's fifth anniversary by touring inland Illinois port

Current Conversations on MyProgressiveRailroading:

Toby Kolstad on tank-car standards and what's at stake

The what-to-do-about-tank-car-design discussions continue in public and private — mostly the latter, at least from where we sit. One rail-industry observer weighing in publicly is rail-car market consultant/forecaster Toby Kolstad, who offers his take...

     Pat Foran, Be the First to Reply

---

Poll question: Raise the gas tax?

Last week, U.S. business and labor leaders urged Congress to consider ways to maintain and increase transportation infrastructure investment, including raising the federal gas tax to prevent the federal Highway Trust Fund from going broke...

     Julie_Sneider, Vote Here

---

The 'collaboration' pursuit in the purchasing department

When it comes to purchasing activities, railroads these days are trying to partner more with their suppliers and contractors to obtain reasonable prices, better-quality materials and services, timely deliveries and...

     Jeff Stagl, Be the First to Reply

---

The keyest of the key issues for rail finance and leasing execs

There are any number of key issues facing North American finance and leasing executives this year. The keyest of the key? The uncertainty surrounding tank-car design standards, as industry execs told us (and told us and told us) last month as we put together...

     Pat Foran, Be the First to Reply

---

Rail on Capitol Hill in 2014

When a bitter, partisan political fight over Obamacare led to the U.S. government's 15-day shutdown in October 2013, many in the rail industry were left wondering whether Congress would be able to accomplish...

     Julie_Sneider, Be the First to Reply

International Railway Journal


POLISH long-distance operator PKP Intercity has selected Pesa, Poland to supply and maintain 20 160km/h emus in a deal worth Zlotys 1.32bn ($US 430m).


LATVIAN Railways (LDZ) has issued an invitation to tender for a contract to carry out conceptual design and development work for its national electrification programme.


TAIWAN High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) has awarded a Yen 2.8bn ($US 27.5m) turnkey contract to Toshiba, Japan, for installation of electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems at three new stations.


OKINAWA, the only Japanese prefecture without a railway, is to develop plans this year for a 69km line linking the capital Naha on the southern part of Okinawa Island with Nago in the north.




www.railway-technology.com Updates....


Network Rail awards £300m zero-value civil assessments frameworks
Network Rail has awarded five zero-value civil assessments frameworks worth £300m to cover each of its routes over the next funding period, 'control period five'. 
 
Toshiba wins systems supply order in Taiwan
Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has won a turnkey order worth JPY2.8bn from the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) to supply electrical and mechanical systems (E&M) for three new stations. 
       
Škoda Transportation's new Konya tram enters revenue service in Turkey
European manufacturer Škoda Transportation's new 28T Konya tram has entered into revenue service in Turkey, as part of Konya municipality's plans to expand its 21km-long tram line. 
       
Dawlish railway restoration work to complete by mid-April
Network Rail has said that Dawlish railway restoration work will be completed by mid-April as its resources are working night and day to accelerate the programme.



Other News


East Coast Main Line: A Tale of Fast Horses and Flying Ducks.: Mallard 75 - The end of a momentous year in preservation.


Heritage Lottery Fund grant for South Tynedale - Steam Tube


Weekly newsletter 19/02/14 | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway(GCR)


Events calendar « West Somerset Railway


South Heart terminal to support Bakken oil industry - Railway Gazette