The weather is still the issue in the UK.. and doesn't look like its going to get much better any time soon. Network Rail get on with the Dawlish sea wall repair, and there is already talk of an alternative route to keep Devon and Cornwall connected to the rest of the UK. As to when that will happen, it will probably be anytime soon... well, at least the announcement, when it comes.
Felixstowe is losing faith in the railway service it gets.... and Bedford will benefit from new rolling stock on the Thameslink route....
With all the talk of compensation, well, that's not what Chinese travellers will experience. Apparently, they should be prepared for the effects of bad weather on train timetables...even high speed train timetables.
Two other items of note...
30742 Charters have announced the details of the charity day in aid of the Railway Children Charity and run in conjunction with Statfold Barn and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway on 9th May 2014..
and VSLC would like us to "Like" them... with monetary support, if we can..
Read On...
and VSLC would like us to "Like" them... with monetary support, if we can..
Read On...
Headlines
André Rieu
Upsetting,these images that reach us from the UK.Reminds me of the flooding in Holland back in 95.I want to help with a fundraising concert.....
The funding period, known as Control Period 5, begins in April 2014 and will benefit the rail experiences for four million daily passengers, freight users and strengthen Britain’s economic growth.
Over the period £38bn will be spent in maintaining, renewing and improving the network. More and new trains will be added to the network, new stations built, facilities improved, platforms lengthened and transformational projects, such as the Thameslink programme, Birmingham New Street, the Northern Hub and main line electrification, completed.
Manchester Victoria (Network Rail Photo)
David Higgins, chief executive, said: “The railway is a complex, long-term, critical element of Britain’s infrastructure and needs sustained, high levels of investment if we are to meet the public’s rapidly increasing appetite for rail travel, and businesses’ desire to move freight off congested roads.”
"We were clear in the development of our plans that we would need to do some things very differently in CP5 if we are to be successful in meeting the new challenges that we face and we remain committed to continuing with these changes
“Together with the ORR, we are determined to continue our drive to improve safety. Fundamental to this will be on-going improvements to our safety culture and how we manage our assets. By achieving this we can also deliver on-going efficiency savings and improve the reliability of train services, but getting the balance right between running more trains and improving punctuality will be a major challenge,”
“We are disappointed that we will start CP5 at a lower level of performance than was assumed at the time of the Final Determination. This is partly because of the weather but we also recognise our responsibility for the missed targets. We can still meet the targets for the end of the control period. Although we cannot do so as quickly as assumed or in all weather, we will work with operators to improve performance as fast as possible.”
Manchester Victoria (Network Rail Photo)
David Higgins, chief executive, said: “The railway is a complex, long-term, critical element of Britain’s infrastructure and needs sustained, high levels of investment if we are to meet the public’s rapidly increasing appetite for rail travel, and businesses’ desire to move freight off congested roads.”
"We were clear in the development of our plans that we would need to do some things very differently in CP5 if we are to be successful in meeting the new challenges that we face and we remain committed to continuing with these changes
The latest view of Dawlish, with the breakwater made from shipping containers
(Network Rail Photo)
Dawlish breakwater construction. Work to protect the damaged sea wall site in Dawlish from the sea is going well in between high tides. A row of shipping containers is being put in place and filled with rubble to provide a breakwater, while concrete spraying has continued, in order to protect the vulnerable sub-soil.
Water levels bring disruption to Thames Valley
Water levels in the River Thames are at their highest for many years and are bringing disruption to certain routes in the area.
Flooding in the Datchet area and several other locations mean trains are not able to run between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations. Water levels are expected to rise throughout the day and it is expected to be some time before we are able to re-open the railway line. A replacement bus service is in operation.
Meanwhile, the line from Oxford to Didcot is disrupted, but still running, with flooding at Hinksey. Network Rail engineers removed sensitive equipment from the line over the weekend, to allow for a swifter resolution when water levels drop.
Work to protect the damaged sea wall at Dawlish continues, with a temporary breakwater erected from rubble-filled shipping containers enabling the start of repairs to the main area of damage.
Sussex suffered a further landslip over the weekend near Stonegate adding to two slips that were already being repaired. Buses replace trains between Wadhurst and Battle until repairs can be made.
Flooding in the Datchet area and several other locations mean trains are not able to run between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations. Water levels are expected to rise throughout the day and it is expected to be some time before we are able to re-open the railway line. A replacement bus service is in operation.
Meanwhile, the line from Oxford to Didcot is disrupted, but still running, with flooding at Hinksey. Network Rail engineers removed sensitive equipment from the line over the weekend, to allow for a swifter resolution when water levels drop.
Groundwater is also causing problems with equipment in the Maidenhead area, but trains are still able to run
Two of the three routes from Exeter to London - via Athelney and Crewkerne - have reopened following flooding and a landslip at the weekend, and trains are also able to run from Taunton to Exeter following the completion of engineering work at Whiteball Tunnel. The line through Bridgwater, linking Taunton to Bristol, remains closed with the flooding on the Somerset Levels.Work to protect the damaged sea wall at Dawlish continues, with a temporary breakwater erected from rubble-filled shipping containers enabling the start of repairs to the main area of damage.
Sussex suffered a further landslip over the weekend near Stonegate adding to two slips that were already being repaired. Buses replace trains between Wadhurst and Battle until repairs can be made.
Network Rail considers Dawlish alternative route (BBC News)
West Somerset Railway PLC statement following the decision by Somerset County Council to sell the freehold of the line.(WSR) New
Tube strikes: talks to avert further action set to resume. (The Guardian)
HS2 college: Derby wants 'centre of excellence' to be built in their patch. (Nottingham Post)
Commissioners Make Informal Agreement To Help Fund High-Speed Rail Study (VIDEO) (INCNow)
No recompense for delayed travelers. (Global Times)
(Facebook page)
Victorian Steam Locomotive Company updated their cover photo.
After almost 3 years, it's time to change the cover photo for our page.
This member of the V class was built by Phoenix between 1900-01. Although the photo is actually of the locomotive in VR two tone green with a brass steam dome cover & boiler bands, we decided to give it Canadian Red livery for this image.
And now we can announce all the details of the charity day in aid of the Railway Children Charity and run in conjunction with Statfold Barn and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway
9th May 2014
www.railway-technology.com Updates...
Britain launches £600m Northern Hub rail upgrade project
The £600m Northern Hub project, which includes upgrades to the railway in the North of England, was launched by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne when he flagged off the £20m platform upgrade at Manchester Airport station.
Rotterdam Transport Authority orders additional Bombardier Flexity Swift LRVs
The Rotterdam Transport Authority (RET) has placed a third order with Bombardier Transportation to deliver 16 additional Flexity Swift light rail vehicles (LRVs).
Network Rail signs over £600m contract with five suppliers
Network Rail's National Delivery Service (NDS) has signed a five-year contract worth over £600m with DB Schenker, Freightliner Heavy Haul, GBRf, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail to provide haulage in different proportions for its fleet of engineering trains.
Faiveley Transport to upgrade door system of Swedish SJ 2000 train
Swedish State Railways (SJ) has awarded a contract to Faiveley Transport to modernise the door system of the 36 SJ 2000 high-speed trains fleet.
CBO: Transportation bill will need $100 billion in new taxes or fund transfers
Transport Canada proposes new grade crossing regulations
Progressive Railroading to launch Secure Rail conference in 2015
Export coal facility's stormwater management system scores sustainable results, NS says
RTA five-year study reflects economic impact on Chicago mass-transit ridership
Metro-North takes steps to improve safety
CG Railway owner plans return to New Orleans
Quiet zone progresses in North Dakota; crossing work advances in Ohio
BRITAIN's infrastructure manager, Network Rail (NR), has agreed to spending and performance targets laid down by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for 2014-2019 known as Control Period 5 (CP5).NR will invest £12bn on infrastructure..
THE Greenbrier Companies, United States, says development is underway of a new-generation tank wagon as well as retrofit solutions for wagons already in service or under construction that will improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials including crude oil and ethanol by rail.
THE AF Consortium of Ayala Corp and Metro Pacific Investments (MPIC), which recently won the contract to upgrade ticketing on urban rail lines in Metro Manila, says it will spend $US 40m on the automatic fare collection project.
BRITISH operator GB Railfreight has ordered another 13 class 66 diesel-electric locomotives from Electro Motive Diesel, United States, and is acquiring 16 class 92 electric units as part of its plans to double its £100m annual turnover within the next three years.
New
Freight carried by Indian Railways during Apr13 -Jan 14 = 866.14 million tonnes, an increase of 4.63 % over the corresponding period last year. (Source: The Economic Times -India)
High Speed Rail Summit - Washington DC 2014 (US HSR)
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