Network Rail announces that the Dawlish line will be opening on 4th April 2014, almost two weeks ahead of the original estimated date... but long term concerns remain..and according to one report, railway funding will be reduced if HS2 is scrapped. Still, the south west asks(via the Mid Devon Gazette), where will the funding to repair the transport infrastructure come from?
The House of Commons Transport Select Committee releases its report on level crossing safety on Friday 7th March.... whilst at the end of April, the Royal College of Physicians holds its Rail Safety Summit 2014 with the theme.."Making Sense of Safety".
Russian Railways has just released its most recent freight and passenger figures, work has started on another Chinese high speed line, and China will contribute 60% funding for the Armenian Southern Railway Project...
And please take a look at the ambitious PRR T1 Steam Locomotive Trust news...and donation opportunity.....
Read On
The Rail Safety Summit
28th April 2014. The Royal College of Physicians, London.
The agenda for this year's Safety Summit is full of informative sessions that will provoke thought and discussion whichever area of the rail industry you work in. Whether you would like to hear the latest updates from Network Rail or you are more interested in understanding how to combat Occupational Health issues, then this year's Safety Summit is for you.
According to the latest figures, the Russian Railways' network loaded 93.3 million tons of freight in February 2014, which is down 0.6% on the same month last year.
Freight turnover in February 2014 increased by 4.4% compared to February 2013 and amounted to 171.3 billion tariff ton-km. Freight turnover including empty wagon runs increased by 5.7% and amounted to 222.6 billion ton-km in the same month.
According to the latest figures, loading in January-February 2014 amounted to 189.5 million tons, 0.3% more than during same month in 2013.
The railways shipped the following categories of freight. The change compared to January and February 2013 is shown in brackets:
- coal – 51.2 m tons (-0.4% 2013);
- coke – 1.8 m tons (-6.5%);
- oil and petroleum products – 43.4 m tons (+2.5%);
- iron and manganese ores – 17.3 m tons (+1.8%);
- ferrous metals – 11.2 m tons (-3%);
- ferrous metal scrap – 1.5 m tons (-5.4%);
- chemical and mineral fertilisers – 8.6 m tons (+13.2%);
- cement – 3.3 m tons (-11.8%);
- timber – 6.1 m tons (+12.1%);
- grain and milled products – 2.3 m tons (+50.5%);
- construction materials – 18.4 m tons (-11.8%);
- non-ferrous ores and sulphur feedstock – 3 m tons (-9.2%);
- chemicals and soda – 4.4 m tons (-1.7%);
- industrial raw materials and molded materials – 4.9 m tons (+19.5%).
Freight turnover since the beginning of 2014 amounted to 362.6 billion tariff ton-km (+5.9 %). Freight turnover taking into account empty wagon runs was 7.5 % to 470.4 billion ton-km.
Russian Railways' network transports 79.3 million passengers in February 2014
According to the latest figures, the Russian Railways' infrastructure carried 79,300,000 passengers in February 2014, 6.7% more than during the same month last year. Suburban commuter passenger numbers amounted to 73 million, an increase of 7.9% on February 2013, while long-distance passengers fell to 6.3 million, a decline of 5.5%.
Passenger turnover in February 2014 declined to 7.6 billion passenger-kilometres, 2.6% less than during the same month in 2013.In January- February 2014, the Russian Railways' network carried 154 million passengers, up 4.5% compared to January -February 2013. Long-distance passenger numbers were down to 14.7 million, a decline of 5.1%, and suburban commuters rose by 5.6% to 139,300,000.
Passenger turnover on the network of Russian Railways since the beginning of 2014 decreased by 3.2% compared to last year and amounted to 17.3 billion passenger-kilometres.
China ready to provide 60% of funding for Armenia's Southern Railway Project.(Think Railways)
Aubagne receives its first Citadis compact ( laviedurail.com)
HS2: Railways 'to receive a fraction of funding available should project be scrapped' (London Evening Standard)
Where will cash come from to repair transport network?(MidDevon Gazette)
Petition launched for direct train service to London from Cleethorpes and Grimsby.(Grimsby Telegraph)
The role of railways in WW1. (RailStaff Magazine)
Latest News
3-3-14
The T1 Trust To Present At The PRRT&HS Annual Meeting.
The T1 Trust has been asked to present two 45-50 minute talks at the May 1-4, 2014 annual meeting of the PRRT&HS, in Camp Hill, PA. The request came personally from Bruce F. Smith, President of the PRRT&HS, and The T1 Trust has gratefully accepted the invitation. The month of May is typically a little early for fireworks, but you just never know! 
Courtesy: PRR T1 Steam Locomotive Trust.
U.S. Department of Transportation’s Proposed Budget Invests $90.9 Billion in Safe, Efficient, Innovative Transportation Programs
Four-year, $302 Billion Surface Reauthorization Proposal Would Help Address Infrastructure Deficit, Provide Greater Access to Ladders of Opportunity
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today praised the Administration’s vision for transportation as outlined in his $90.9 billion budget requested for the U.S. Department of Transportation. These funds will lay a new foundation for economic growth and competitiveness by addressing our growing infrastructure deficit, investing in our national infrastructure network, increasing safety and efficiency, and providing greater access to ladders of opportunity.
“President Obama has offered the kind of aggressive transportation budget our country needs – one that replenishes the Highway Trust Fund today while also helping ensure the country has a safe, efficient transportation system for tomorrow,” said Secretary Foxx. “These funds will do everything from helping communities tackle their transportation to-do lists to improving access to ladders of opportunity. And we will do everything at the Department of Transportation to make this budget a reality, including sending a bill to Congress to support it.”
The centerpiece of the President’s FY 2015 budget for the Department is a four-year, $302 billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that will improve America’s highways and transit networks, continue building on the Department’s overall safety record, while also ensuring a stable funding source for rail. The proposed budget would be paid for with $150 billion from transition revenue generated from business tax reforms, along with current revenues from the gas tax.
Addressing the National Infrastructure Deficit
In order to tackle the nation’s growing infrastructure deficit and improve quality of life, the four-year, $302 billion budget includes $199 billion to rebuild America’s roads and bridges. The budget provides $72 billion to help meet the growing demand for transit, in addition to $19 billion to create and improve passenger rail service and $6.7 billion to build on the Department’s highway safety achievements.
Increasing Ladders of Opportunity
In light of transportation’s role in connecting people with jobs, education and other opportunities, the President’s FY 2015 transportation budget includes a focus on projects that provide greater opportunities for more Americans. For example, the budget includes $2.2 billion for a Rapid Growth Area Transit Program that will link people to job and educational opportunities in fast growing areas, along with $120 million for a workforce development program to support and enhance the diversity of our nation’s transportation workforce.
Improving Efficiency
Building on the Department’s continuing efforts to cut red tape and increase efficiency, the budget will provide $8 million to support an Interagency Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Center that will spearhead efforts to improve and expedite the federal approval and permitting processes across government.
Investing in the Safe Transportation of Energy Products
In addition to providing $10 billion over four years to strengthen the country’s freight system, the FY2015 budget proposal includes $40 million over two years to support multimodal prevention and response efforts that will improve the safe transportation of energy products. This funding is a direct outcome of the Department’s comprehensive efforts regarding the transportation of crude oil from the Bakken region and will be managed by the Office of the Secretary for increased inspections, investigations and research.
Click here for the highlights from the budget.
The Community Transportation Association of America recently launched its new project, RideShareNation. The new effort – located at http://www.ridesharenation.com – provides news, resources, research, networking, training, financing and more about the connections between the rideshare and transit industries for ridesharing and public transit professionals as well as advocates in order to improve the nation's mobility. RideShareNation users will be able create strategies that encourage the traveling public to help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. The project also focuses on abandoned areas and communities that have experienced declining use of of public transportation and ridesharing.
BNSF drove up revenue and income, drove down operating ratio in 4Q
Federated Railways acquires Cold Train intermodal service
USDOT report: More investments needed in transportation infrastructure
Crest Container Lines to help CN, Halifax port build business in India
Rail commission proposes Altamont Corridor Express fare hike
STB begins cost-of-capital proceeding, sets energy transportation committee meeting
San Diego MTS to restore vintage trolley car for Silver Line
Rail supplier news from Harsco, Greenbrier, Aecon, RPS, North American Equipment, Pandrol and Tealinc (March 4)
Direct Rail Services
DRS Charity Open Day - 19th July 2014 at our Gresty Bridge depot in Crewe
Bring the family along to our annual Charity Open Day this year for a fun day out. For all rail enthusiasts out there, we'll have our brand new Class 68 locomotive on display. Tickets will be on sale shortly. For an Exhibitor Application Form, please click here:
Exhibitor Application Form
Jobseekers benefit as Crossrail sets standard for attracting out of work into apprenticeships
· Almost half of Crossrail apprentices were not employed when securing their job, compared to 23% of apprentices across the UK
· More than 800 out of work jobseekers have secured jobs on Crossrail
· Crossrail’s successful apprenticeship programme could be rolled out to future infrastructure projects and other sectors
· Crossrail Minister Stephen Hammond meets new Crossrail apprentices
Almost one in two Crossrail apprenticeships (44%) has been filled by people that were identified as being not in work, a success rate that is almost double the UK wide average.
The new figures have been released during National Apprenticeship Week as Crossrail Minister Stephen Hammond visited Crossrail’s Whitechapel station construction sites to meet some of the 283 apprentices working on the project, including Crossrail’s Apprentice of the Year, Rudy Nieddu. For images of the visit click here.
Crossrail in partnership with its principal contractors has delivered the most significant injection of new skills into UK tunnelling and underground construction in a generation.
Crossrail’s highly effective recruitment approach is helping provide a new direction for the construction and tunnelling sector and could be replicated across other sectors of the economy to help address the large number of young people not in employment.
Crossrail Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Crossrail continues to set the benchmark for apprenticeships and is a shining example of our determination to invest in young people. Not only are we transforming the transport network through record levels of investment, we are creating a legacy of skilled workers who will keep Britain at the forefront of the global race for years to come. This is further proof that our long term economic strategy is on track, creating jobs and making a real difference to people’s lives.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “It’s fantastic news that Crossrail’s apprenticeship scheme is creating so many job opportunities for out of work young Londoners. Apprenticeships are win-win for the capital’s businesses, creating a talented and eager workforce that exactly matches the skills that industries need and giving young people the chance to get their first steps on the career ladder. That is why I committed to dramatically increasing the number of apprenticeships in the capital and have invested over £2.5m in schemes over the last two years. I urge all London’s firms to follow Crossrail’s lead and take on an apprentice.”
Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan CBE said: “Crossrail has succeeded in nearly doubling the UK average for filling its apprenticeships with people not in work. This is a significant achievement delivered by taking a different approach to apprenticeships. We are targeting unemployed people, providing pre-employment training and making sure that jobs are advertised externally through the National Apprenticeship Service and other routes rather than relying on word of mouth. With one in seven young people unemployed in the UK, there is significant opportunity for other sectors and industries to adopt a similar approach to attract new skills, while providing employment for those not in work.”
Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director of London Underground and London Rail said: “Apprentices are playing a key role in the modernisation and improvement of our transport network. As we continue to invest billions of pounds in transport to meet the needs of London’s growing population to support jobs, homes and economic growth, it is vital that we retain and train highly skilled and motivated staff to help us deliver a world class transport network.”
Civil Engineering Technician Apprentice Rudy Nieddu, 28, from Forest Hill was yesterday (3 March) named Crossrail Apprentice of Year.
Rudy Nieddu said: “I’d experienced long periods without work while an electrical labourer. I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out I’d been accepted onto an apprenticeship with Crossrail. To start my career on career on Europe’s largest infrastructure project is brilliant. This role gives me stability and allows me to start planning ahead.”
Beyond apprenticeships, more than 800 unemployed jobseekers have secured jobs on Crossrail.
EngineeringUK estimates that 1.8 million additional engineering jobs will be created by 2020. In order to meet the demand for skills, the sector needs to triple the number of apprenticeships on offer per-year to 69,000.
Crossrail has sought to attract new talent to the industry and open up opportunities to a broader pool of workers by:
· Working with its contractors, Crossrail requires all new jobs to be advertised externally and through Jobcentre Plus
· Providing training to more than 1,600 unemployed jobseekers at the industry-leading Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA), allowing them to gain basic construction qualifications
· Providing meet the contractor days where trainees can meet Crossrail contractors and hear about the latest jobs
· Working with contractors to engage local unemployment groups near construction sites to provide advice and exposure to Crossrail jobs
· Crossrail and its contractors visiting schools to promote the diverse career opportunities in the infrastructure, tunnelling and construction sectors.
Crossrail is on track to deliver its target of at least 400 apprenticeships during the construction of the new railway.
Parsons to offer consultancy services for Qatar long-distance rail design
A consultancy services contract has been secured by a joint venture of US-based Parsons and Systra for the design of the Qatar Long Distance Railway Network.
Deploy UK forms new rail division
Deploy UK has formed a new rail division to better cater to the needs of the rail infrastructure sector.
TramForward argues UK government could have avoided £300m pollution fine
The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) campaigning arm, TramForward, is arguing that the UK government should encourage the development of tram systems in the country's major cities in order to combat air pollution.
International Railway Journal
THIRTEEN years after launching its first rolling road service across the Alps, Swiss intermodal operator RAlpin carried its millionth lorry on February 28.
PAKISTAN Railways (PR) announced on February 28 that it is seeking Rs 47bn ($US 445m) through the country's Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the 2014-15 financial year, with the aim of improving the performance of infrastructure and addressing the railway's chronic locomotive shortage.
THE FIRST of 50 trains being supplied by China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock (CSR) to Kuala Lumpur for the Ampang Line extension was presented to representatives of the city's transport authority Prasarana ..
SPANISH infrastructure manager Adif last week approved the tendering of a contract to design, install and maintain signaling and telecommunications equipment on the Madrid-Galicia high-speed rail line, with a total value of €640.8m.
Other News.
European Rail Timetable March 2014 Edition
Unife26 | 02 | 2014UNIFE appreciates the work and commitment of the Members of the EP on the Technical Pillar of the Fourth Railway Package
West Somerset Railway 2015 calendar has now arrived at Minehead station shop. « West Somerset Railway
Slower trains will need more wagons - Railway Gazette
London Underground starts New Tube for London train procurement - Railway Gazette
When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018. It will serve 38 stations, connecting Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via central London.
Malaysia's Ampang LRT Line Extension Project to begin in October 2015
RapidKL LRT services owner and operator Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad is set to start the first stage of the Ampang LRT line extension project from Seri Petaling to Bandar Kinrara in Malaysia from October 2015.
RapidKL LRT services owner and operator Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad is set to start the first stage of the Ampang LRT line extension project from Seri Petaling to Bandar Kinrara in Malaysia from October 2015.
A consultancy services contract has been secured by a joint venture of US-based Parsons and Systra for the design of the Qatar Long Distance Railway Network.
Deploy UK forms new rail division
Deploy UK has formed a new rail division to better cater to the needs of the rail infrastructure sector.
TramForward argues UK government could have avoided £300m pollution fine
The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) campaigning arm, TramForward, is arguing that the UK government should encourage the development of tram systems in the country's major cities in order to combat air pollution.
International Railway Journal
THIRTEEN years after launching its first rolling road service across the Alps, Swiss intermodal operator RAlpin carried its millionth lorry on February 28.
PAKISTAN Railways (PR) announced on February 28 that it is seeking Rs 47bn ($US 445m) through the country's Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the 2014-15 financial year, with the aim of improving the performance of infrastructure and addressing the railway's chronic locomotive shortage.
THE FIRST of 50 trains being supplied by China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock (CSR) to Kuala Lumpur for the Ampang Line extension was presented to representatives of the city's transport authority Prasarana ..
SPANISH infrastructure manager Adif last week approved the tendering of a contract to design, install and maintain signaling and telecommunications equipment on the Madrid-Galicia high-speed rail line, with a total value of €640.8m.
Other News.
European Rail Timetable March 2014 Edition
Unife26 | 02 | 2014UNIFE appreciates the work and commitment of the Members of the EP on the Technical Pillar of the Fourth Railway Package
West Somerset Railway 2015 calendar has now arrived at Minehead station shop. « West Somerset Railway
Slower trains will need more wagons - Railway Gazette
London Underground starts New Tube for London train procurement - Railway Gazette
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us your Railway News!