Whilst flooding preoccupies those people on the Somerset levels, flooding of a different sort (i.e. people) concerns Chinese Railway officials as they cope with the huge movement of passengers over the holiday period.
And the influence from Asia is causing Transport for London to look to Hong Kong for inspiration... and Times Square was overcome by images of high speed trains in China.
Health and safety feature in a couple of items from the UK... In Glasgow, residents affected by railway contractors work would sleep...if they could. And a lorry driver was as good as asleep (well, he wasn't that awake to his responsibilities) on a level crossing, according to MKWeb.
Perhaps "Grade crossings" are included in the TRB's look at transportation issues (2013)..
...Read on.........
Headlines:
China Media....Travel Concerns....(BBC)
Chian's High Speed Train Makes Impact on Times Square (Nasdaq Global Newswire)
Chian's High Speed Train Makes Impact on Times Square (Nasdaq Global Newswire)
Slideshow: Lorry racing through level crossing as barriers lowering(MKWeb)
Glasgow residents losing sleep through contractors' noise..
Critical Transportation Issues 2013. (TRB)
Yorkshire benefits from multi-million pound transport schemes
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin officially opens Wakefield Westgate’s new £8.6 million train station during tour of region.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin officially opened Wakefield Westgate’s new train station today (3 February 2104) during a tour of multi-million pound infrastructure projects being rolled out across West Yorkshire.
The new £8.6 million station was the centrepiece of his visit to the region, which also included stops in Leeds and Pudsey to discuss how government investment is improving transport links for passengers. He also viewed work to reduce congestion on the A647 between Leeds and Bradford.
The government is investing heavily in the Yorkshire and Humber region with £370 million planned to be spent on roads this year, while rail passengers will benefit from improved services as part of the £500 million Northern Hub project.
West Yorkshire will also benefit from the government’s new north-south high speed rail link, which will improve connectivity and boost the regional economy by £1 billion annually.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
The government initiative, jointly funded by Network Rail and the English Cities Fund, has brought about improvements for passengers, providing a new travel centre, ticket machines and gates, first and standard class waiting lounges and a host of new retailers. In addition, access between the station building and platforms 1 and 2 has been significantly improved through a new footbridge and lifts as part of the government’s Access for All scheme – a multi-million pound initiative to improve disabled access at stations.
The Transport Secretary also marked the start of work on the Leeds Station southern access scheme. The £17.3 million project, funded by Department for Transport, West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan and Leeds City Council, will provide a brand new pedestrian entrance to the south of Leeds Station. This will support the continued regeneration of the southern quarter of the city centre, where significant development has already taken place.
He also visited the ongoing improvements works at New Pudsey Station, which is being refurbished as part of the industry’s national station improvement plan. Works are taking place to improve the booking hall, toilets and waiting area as well as improving access to the car park and station forecourt.
He concluded the tour by meeting Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Richard Lewis and viewing investigation works for the A647 Thornbury Barracks Local Pinch Point Scheme, ahead of work starting in early summer.
This £3.4 million project, to which the Department for Transport is contributing £2.4 million, will address both congestion and road safety issues on the main highway connecting Leeds and Bradford. It will also improve the reliability of bus journeys on this key commuter route. The work will include putting signals at the junction and constructing central running lanes through the roundabout.
This scheme is part of the government’s multi-million pound Pinch Point programme, which has been launched to tackle bottlenecks on the local road network.
Wakefield Express Video here...
The government is investing heavily in the Yorkshire and Humber region with £370 million planned to be spent on roads this year, while rail passengers will benefit from improved services as part of the £500 million Northern Hub project.
West Yorkshire will also benefit from the government’s new north-south high speed rail link, which will improve connectivity and boost the regional economy by £1 billion annually.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
Strong transport links are vital to ensuring that communities and local economies can thrive. That is why we are investing heavily in West Yorkshire delivering a raft of improvements across the region’s rail and road network, bringing real benefits to passengers and motorists.The Transport Secretary started his tour in Wakefield, where the new Westgate station has been serving the public since late December.
The region will also receive a massive boost from the new high speed rail line, which will significantly improve connections and boost the regional economy.
The government initiative, jointly funded by Network Rail and the English Cities Fund, has brought about improvements for passengers, providing a new travel centre, ticket machines and gates, first and standard class waiting lounges and a host of new retailers. In addition, access between the station building and platforms 1 and 2 has been significantly improved through a new footbridge and lifts as part of the government’s Access for All scheme – a multi-million pound initiative to improve disabled access at stations.
The Transport Secretary also marked the start of work on the Leeds Station southern access scheme. The £17.3 million project, funded by Department for Transport, West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan and Leeds City Council, will provide a brand new pedestrian entrance to the south of Leeds Station. This will support the continued regeneration of the southern quarter of the city centre, where significant development has already taken place.
He also visited the ongoing improvements works at New Pudsey Station, which is being refurbished as part of the industry’s national station improvement plan. Works are taking place to improve the booking hall, toilets and waiting area as well as improving access to the car park and station forecourt.
He concluded the tour by meeting Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Richard Lewis and viewing investigation works for the A647 Thornbury Barracks Local Pinch Point Scheme, ahead of work starting in early summer.
This £3.4 million project, to which the Department for Transport is contributing £2.4 million, will address both congestion and road safety issues on the main highway connecting Leeds and Bradford. It will also improve the reliability of bus journeys on this key commuter route. The work will include putting signals at the junction and constructing central running lanes through the roundabout.
This scheme is part of the government’s multi-million pound Pinch Point programme, which has been launched to tackle bottlenecks on the local road network.
Wakefield Express Video here...
More apprentices needed to join railway revolution
Network Rail is on the hunt for more than 220 apprentices to join its ranks and help deliver a multi-billion pound programme of work to renew and maintain one of the most intensely used networks in Europe while boosting capacity and improving performance.
Candidates who are successful in gaining a place on the award-winning three-year scheme will spend their first year at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. There apprentices specialise in track, signaling, telecoms and electrification and plant. During their second and third years they earn as they learn on the rail network’s front line, gaining vital experience from experienced teams as they train to become maintenance technicians. Throughout this time they regularly return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training to add to the experience gained on the rail network.
Michelle Palin, who heads up recruitment for the Network Rail scheme, said: “It's a very exciting time to work in rail with huge multi-billion pound projects set to transform the network as we revitalise stations, increase the frequency of trains and make journeys faster, more reliable and greener.
"We need more highly skilled people to help us meet the challenges of a busier network and focus on improving the reliability of the railway and increasing capacity as passenger numbers continue to grow."
Jessica Keers, a 20 year old electrical engineering apprentice based in York said: “I found out about the apprenticeship from a family friend who joined the scheme about four years ahead of me. It sounded like a brilliant opportunity and that he was also having a lot of fun alongside his learning. I really enjoyed my time at the Navy bases in Gosport, gaining independence and growing as a person living away from home.
"At the depot there is so much to learn and so many new people that it is a good atmosphere to come into, with everyone willing to help out as well as good support from my manager. Even after many months doing the job there are still always new things to learn, new faults to fix and that is what keeps the job fresh and very enjoyable. The opportunities which are open to you throughout the scheme are brilliant, including taking part in the Junior Leaders’ Field Gun event two years in a row and I hope to go back and take part again this year.”
The apprenticeship is just the start of the learning programme. Many apprentices go on to be team leaders and managers and take up the opportunity to further their education through Network Rail. Since 2005, Network Rail has trained 1050 apprentices across Britain through the three-year scheme with a further 600 currently still in training.
Ms Palin added: "The scheme offers young people the chance to gain recognised qualifications and expert training, which will not only set them up for a challenging career but also teach them all they need to know to become invaluable members of the Network Rail team. They can be proud to be part of a company which keeps Britain moving and helps four million people and millions of tonnes of freight travel every day.”
Anyone who is 17 by 31st August 2014 can apply via www.facebook.com/ontrack . Applicants will need to provide their home address postcode to see what vacancies are available in their areas as placements in maintenance depots will be allocated on application. Advice and information is provided on the Facebook page including videos and case studies of current and former apprentices, talking about their own experiences on the scheme.
VIDEO: See what women who have been through the apprenticeship scheme have to say about it
Michelle Palin, who heads up recruitment for the Network Rail scheme, said: “It's a very exciting time to work in rail with huge multi-billion pound projects set to transform the network as we revitalise stations, increase the frequency of trains and make journeys faster, more reliable and greener.
"We need more highly skilled people to help us meet the challenges of a busier network and focus on improving the reliability of the railway and increasing capacity as passenger numbers continue to grow."
Jessica Keers, a 20 year old electrical engineering apprentice based in York said: “I found out about the apprenticeship from a family friend who joined the scheme about four years ahead of me. It sounded like a brilliant opportunity and that he was also having a lot of fun alongside his learning. I really enjoyed my time at the Navy bases in Gosport, gaining independence and growing as a person living away from home.
"At the depot there is so much to learn and so many new people that it is a good atmosphere to come into, with everyone willing to help out as well as good support from my manager. Even after many months doing the job there are still always new things to learn, new faults to fix and that is what keeps the job fresh and very enjoyable. The opportunities which are open to you throughout the scheme are brilliant, including taking part in the Junior Leaders’ Field Gun event two years in a row and I hope to go back and take part again this year.”
The apprenticeship is just the start of the learning programme. Many apprentices go on to be team leaders and managers and take up the opportunity to further their education through Network Rail. Since 2005, Network Rail has trained 1050 apprentices across Britain through the three-year scheme with a further 600 currently still in training.
Ms Palin added: "The scheme offers young people the chance to gain recognised qualifications and expert training, which will not only set them up for a challenging career but also teach them all they need to know to become invaluable members of the Network Rail team. They can be proud to be part of a company which keeps Britain moving and helps four million people and millions of tonnes of freight travel every day.”
Anyone who is 17 by 31st August 2014 can apply via www.facebook.com/ontrack . Applicants will need to provide their home address postcode to see what vacancies are available in their areas as placements in maintenance depots will be allocated on application. Advice and information is provided on the Facebook page including videos and case studies of current and former apprentices, talking about their own experiences on the scheme.
VIDEO: See what women who have been through the apprenticeship scheme have to say about it
The future of the Tube - our commitment to London
Every journey matters to us. We have set out our vision to make the Tube fit for the future.
Our five commitments to Londoners
1. A new 24 hour Tube at weekends
2. Improved reliability and more capacity
3. Stations controlled and staffed while trains are running
4. Easier journeys with new technology
5. Deliver best value for money
For more information visit our website:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/futuretube
International Railway Journal
THE first battery emu for JR East, which was delivered in January, will enter service in March enabling through operation on the partly-electrified line between Utsunomiya and Karasuyama.
MOZAMBIQUE's minister of transport and communications Mr Eusébio Saíde unveiled the first four of 10 GE Transportation C30ACi diesel locomotives for Mozambique Railways (CFM) on January 29.
BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has awarded six regional framework contracts to four suppliers as part of a £2bn electrification programme covering more than 3200 route-km over the next seven years.
THE FRENCH cities of Amiens and Caen will jointly procure equipment for their first light rail lines under an agreement signed on February 4..
ALGERIAN National Railways (SNTF) has awarded a joint venture of Faiveley Transport and Compin, France, a €75m contract to modernise 202 long-distance and suburban coaches.
www.progressiverailroading.com US News
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Metro-North to upgrade New Haven Line's power supply; Gov. Malloy to meet with MTA's Prendergast, Metro-North's Giulietti
Coming Thursday: Free webcast on electronic detection, monitoring systems
Oklahoma port completes marshaling yard track project
MassDOT authorizes $23.9 million bridge contract for MBTA
Oklahoma DOT accepts four bids for Sooner Sub rail line sale
Northern Frac Proppants to construct UP-served frac sand mine in Wisconsin
Virginia port embargoes empty container rail moves due to winter storm
www.railway-technology.com
New Wakefield UK Westgate station officially opens
The new Wakefield Westgate train station in West Yorkshire on the East Coast Main Line has been officially opened by the UK Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
Network Rail selects four suppliers to electrify railway across Britain
Network Rail has selected four suppliers to electrify over 2,000 miles of Britain's rail network for a period of seven years, in a bid to deliver environment friendly and safe journeys for passengers and freight users.
Etihad Rail and ZonesCorp sign MoU to develop multimodal rail terminal
UAE's railway network operator Etihad Rail has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with industrial cities operator ZonesCorp to develop a new multimodal rail terminal in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) IV.
Crossrail begins £50m Ilford Yard depot enlargement work
Crossrail has started construction work to enlarge a train depot at Ilford Yard, in London, that will be used to stable up to 12 trains.
Other News......
HS2 Phase 2 Consultation: a summary assessment by Greengauge 21 | Greengauge 21
Northern Rail - Offers and Events - Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon
Crossrail in numbers
Crossrail is among the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK. From improving journey times across London, to easing congestion and offering better connections, Crossrail will change the way people travel around the capital.
General Crossrail info
- Crossrail is Europe’s largest construction project – work started in May 2009 and there are currently over 10,000 people working across over 40 construction sites.
- Over 35 million working hours have been completed on the Crossrail project so far.
- Crossrail will transform rail transport in London, increasing capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city.
- The Crossrail route will run over 100km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
- There will be 38 Crossrail stations including 9 new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House and Woolwich.
- Crossrail will bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London and will link London’s key employment, leisure and business districts – Heathrow, West End, the City, Docklands – enabling further economic development.
- The first Crossrail services through central London will start in late 2018 – an estimated 200 million annual passengers will use Crossrail.
- The total funding envelope available to deliver Crossrail is £14.8bn.
Crossrail reached another important milestone on 30th January 2014 when 1,000 tonne tunnel boring machine Victoria broke into one of Europe's largest mined caverns, 40 metres below Stepney Green in east London
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