The Railway Chronicle: International & UK Railway News Saturday 22nd February 2014

Railway travel is on the rise...and so is metro rail, with Cardiff and Edinburgh at varying stages in developing their networks. Additionally Crossrail, when completed in 2018...(and since it is on time and on budget at the present we can have reasonable assurance in that delivery date)...will take the pressure off Londoners travelling the Tube. Maybe the whole experience will not be as envisaged by a reworked Tube map ..the mythological, hellish Greek underworld. Still, if delays take place , you will know where to go for compensation..well, you will if you are of the 25% of rail users aware of their compensation rights, and how to claim it.. according to the UK's rail regulator (ORR)

Read on....

Headlines.....

London Underground Tube map re-imagined as the Ancient Greek underworld.(The Independent)

George Osborne advises 'thinking big' on HS2 terminus. (BBC News)

Mumbai local: New rakes to be tested in the day by railways for the first time -(Mid Day)

The enduring appeal of the model railway.(BBC News)

Cardiff metro: Plan encourages people to 'leave cars at home' (BBC News)

A Tram's Eye View of Edinburgh City Centre.(The Scotsman)

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

Mallard at NRM York

Network Rail

Network Rail signs £300m civils frameworks
Network Rail has awarded framework agreements to cover its programme of civil examinations and assessments for the next five years.

Dawlish railway restoration update
Following the latest severe storms last weekend, Network Rail has updated its estimate of the time it will take to restore the railway at Dawlish. It has now advised that the railway will be repaired by mid-April and that it will be working night and day with dedicated resources to accelerate this programme.

Dawlish - damage after the 14th Feb storms

Dawlish - damage after the 14th February storms

New Footbridge at St Neots station unveiled
Passengers and locals at St Neots are benefitting from improved access in and around the station after Network Rail completed a new £6m footbridge.

Plans submitted to improve the railway between Manchester and Liverpool as part of Northern Hub
Network Rail has submitted plans for a new section of railway near Huyton station as part of the £600m Northern Hub investment to provide faster, more frequent services across the north of England.

£800,000 plans to improve Hayle station access unveiled
A joint scheme of around £811k aimed at improving the access to Hayle station was today unveiled by Network Rail, First Great Western, Cornwall Council and Sustrans.

Swing bridge works underway in Selby
The most significant refurbishment of the rail swing bridge since it was built in 1889 is getting underway in Selby.
Engineers will refurbish the structure itself and the hydraulics on the swing span during the project.

UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)

Regulator's study shows three quarters of rail passengers unaware of compensation and refunds rights.

21 February 2014
Three quarters of rail passengers are unaware of their compensation and refunds rights when trains are delayed or cancelled, reveals a study by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) published today.
As the consumer law enforcement authority for the railways, the regulator conducted an independent study to see if rail passengers across Britain are aware of their consumer rights and how to exercise them. The survey shows that:

Over 75% of rail passengers 'do not know very much' or 'nothing at all' about their rights to a refund or compensation when trains are delayed or cancelled.
Passengers believe that train operators could do more to promote compensation rights awareness - 74% of the study participants said that train companies do 'not very much' or 'nothing at all' to proactively provide information about compensation when there are delays.
Passengers also suggested more effective ways of raising awareness, such as prominently displayed compensation information on websites; posters at stations; information on the back on tickets; automated claims processes; and compensation in cash or vouchers that can be used online.

This year, the regulator will oversee the development of a code of practice on provision of ticket retail information, which will be in place by the end 2014. The Code will provide clarity on what information passengers can expect from their train companies, including information on the different types of fares, any restrictions that apply, and key terms and conditions, such as compensation and refund rights.
Office of Rail Regulation chair Anna Walker said:

Passengers must be at the heart of the rail industry and are crucial to its growth and success. We want to see that passengers are treated fairly, receive the quality of service they pay for, and when this is not the case, can hold their service providers to account. Our research suggests that simply putting information on a website, or only making it available on request, is not sufficient to help consumers be aware of or exercise their rights.

Britain's rail industry needs to be more transparent and proactive in providing information. This includes data on passenger compensation. ORR will work with industry to develop a code of practice for train companies which will be in place by next year, setting out what ticketing information should be provided to customers to help them make informed choices.

There are a number of industry initiatives already underway to improve passenger awareness and take up of their rights. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has developed a 'toolkit' for operators setting out a range of measures they could adopt to make passengers more aware of their compensation and refund rights. ATOC will review the effectiveness of the toolkit in the summer and once the review is complete, ORR will decide on next steps to enhance passengers' rights awareness.

(UK) Rail Delivery Group

RAIL INDUSTRY RESPONDS TO REGULATOR’S Q3 PASSENGER USAGE FIGURES

Responding to the Office of Rail Regulation’s latest set of passenger usage figures (Q3), Michael Roberts, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, said:

"Growing passenger numbers are generating record levels of revenue which is helping to pay for more and better services, creating a virtuous circle by encouraging greater rail use. The strong partnership in the railway between the public and private sectors is a winning formula that is maintaining and expanding this public service vital to the nation’s well-being."
ENDS

RAIL INDUSTRY RESPONDS TO REGULATOR’S REPORT ON PASSENGER COMPENSATION

Responding to the ORR’s report on rail passenger compensation, Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, said: "Compensation has become increasingly generous and easier to apply for in recent years. Latest available figures show that in the space of a year, there was a £3million rise in Delay Repay money paid to passengers, despite punctuality hovering near record levels according to government set measures.

"Passengers can claim or find out about compensation on trains, at stations, online, through social media and via smartphone apps. But this research makes clear that there is more to be done to ensure that passengers know their rights. Operators are keen to respond to customer feedback and will continue to work with the ORR and others to raise awareness and confidence."
Other News..

Destructive Music » ‘To The Edge of the World: The Story of the World’s Greatest Railway’

Patching the throat-plate of boiler to #41312. Ropley, MHR, 11 February 2014 - Steam Tube

Making the Connection: railway records for family history - Plan a visit - National Railway Museum