A day or two ago, Alstom was not aware of General Electric's interest in a takeover....but given the fact that GE is to hold talks with the French government (according to the Financial Times)..it does know now! This will no doubt be an ongoing story for a day or two....
Network Rail came in for some hefty criticism for its attitude toward level crossings, and level crossing incidents....Now we have a concerted campaign by Network Rail to educate all users, with the theme, "See Track, Think Train".
The HS2 Hybrid Bill is discussed in UK Parliament on Monday (28th April 2014). Expect some minor fireworks......
And thanks to Howard Sprenger for his comprehensive summary in "Raildate."
Read on....
Headlines
GE to hold talks with French government over bid for Alstom (FT.com)
Woman detained for endangering train at Yarnton level crossing.(BBC News)
Great British Railway Journeys: Series 4: 20. Exmouth to Newton Abbot (BBC iPlayer)
Michael Portillo takes to sea with the heroes of the RNLI, visits a stormy coastal railway and has a close personal encounter with his boyhood hero.
David Cameron condemns 'unjustified' Tube strike.(BBC News)
Tube strike map April 2014: Which lines and stations will be affected by the walk-out? (The Independent)
Backing for High Speed Rail college.(The York Press)
HS2 UK rail project faces amber signals in court and parliament.(FT.com)
Treasury minister: I will fight against HS2 rail project(Telegraph)
Call for HS2 improvements or Old Oak Common and Northolt people 'will suffer'. (ThisIsLocalLondon)
DB Schenker to extend London Gateway services.(Global Rail News)
Network Rail
See track // think train – Network Rail launches new guides for level crossings users
New guides to help members of the public use level crossings safely have been launched by Network Rail.
Covering the potential dangers, and stressing the importance of never making assumptions before attempting to cross the railway track, the guides provide a useful reminder of the steps to take when approaching and using a level crossing.
They have been produced in partnership with the Office of Rail Regulation and the Heritage Railway Association.
Darren Furness, head of level crossings for Network Rail said: “Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe but level crossings remain a risk. We are investing £100 million in the next five years to upgrade and improve crossings across the country but we also want to help everyone who uses a level crossing have the knowledge they need so that they can approach a level crossing with confidence, knowing that they have taken every precaution necessary to get to the other side safely.”
Network Rail has invested £130 million into its programme to improve level crossing safety between 2010 and 2014. During this time it has:
• Closed nearly 800 level crossings
• Replaced footpath crossings with footbridges
• Installing warning lights as an additional safety measure at footpath crossings
• Launched a new schools programme – Rail Life – teaching both primary and secondary school children about how to stay safe when crossing the railway
• Rolled out safety camera enforcement vans
• Invested in new technology such as the obstacle detection radar technology
• Introduced power operated gate openers
• Installed spoken warnings to announce when “another train is coming” after one train has passed through
• Employed more than 100 new dedicated level crossing managers
• Community safety managers who work closely with local groups, councils and schools to raise awareness
Network Rail has pledged to close a further 500 crossings in the next five years, investing £100 million into its national level crossing safety programme.
The guides are available on the Network Rail website – http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/using-level-crossings/ – in both interactive form and as downloadable PDFs. Individual guides have been created for the four main groups of users of the crossings: pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and horse riders giving specific advice tailored to each user group.
Footbridge to replace West Coast main line level crossing as part of route-wide safety commitment
A footbridge is to replace a footpath level crossing on a busy section of the West Coast main line where trains travel in excess of 100mph.
They have been produced in partnership with the Office of Rail Regulation and the Heritage Railway Association.
Darren Furness, head of level crossings for Network Rail said: “Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe but level crossings remain a risk. We are investing £100 million in the next five years to upgrade and improve crossings across the country but we also want to help everyone who uses a level crossing have the knowledge they need so that they can approach a level crossing with confidence, knowing that they have taken every precaution necessary to get to the other side safely.”
Network Rail has invested £130 million into its programme to improve level crossing safety between 2010 and 2014. During this time it has:
• Closed nearly 800 level crossings
• Replaced footpath crossings with footbridges
• Installing warning lights as an additional safety measure at footpath crossings
• Launched a new schools programme – Rail Life – teaching both primary and secondary school children about how to stay safe when crossing the railway
• Rolled out safety camera enforcement vans
• Invested in new technology such as the obstacle detection radar technology
• Introduced power operated gate openers
• Installed spoken warnings to announce when “another train is coming” after one train has passed through
• Employed more than 100 new dedicated level crossing managers
• Community safety managers who work closely with local groups, councils and schools to raise awareness
Network Rail has pledged to close a further 500 crossings in the next five years, investing £100 million into its national level crossing safety programme.
The guides are available on the Network Rail website – http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/using-level-crossings/ – in both interactive form and as downloadable PDFs. Individual guides have been created for the four main groups of users of the crossings: pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and horse riders giving specific advice tailored to each user group.
Footbridge to replace West Coast main line level crossing as part of route-wide safety commitment
A footbridge is to replace a footpath level crossing on a busy section of the West Coast main line where trains travel in excess of 100mph.
Brock level crossing, near Bilsborrow in Lancashire, is the first of 200 crossings that Network Rail is aiming to close before April 2019 on the London North Western (LNW) route which runs from London Euston, through the West Midlands and north west of England, to the Scottish border.
The new bridge will provide a safe way to cross the railway and result in the permanent closure of the level crossing, reducing risk for the many people who use the existing route.
The new footbridge was formally opened by Councillor Bill Collinson and Jen Olivine of Myerscough and Bilsborrow Parish Council, on Wednesday 16 April.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “This new footbridge is a positive first step as part of our commitment to close 200 level crossings across the route by 2019.
“The West Coast main line is one of the busiest railways in Europe and trains travel through this area at very high speeds. With safety being at the heart of everything we do as an industry, closing this level crossing is an obvious decision and the new bridge will provide a much safer route across the railway.
“We are in the process of identifying other level crossings to close and will continue to liaise with local authorities, landowners and interested parties up and down the route to continue to make the railway a safer place.”
Jen Olivine, chair of Myerscough and Bilsborrow Parish Council, said: “At long last there is a safe crossing over the railway in Bilsborrow for those walking the footpaths that lead up to Brock Bottoms, providing a gateway to the Forest of Bowland.
“Our thanks go to Network Rail and its contractors, Murphy, which have delivered beyond what we could have expected and with such care and consideration.”
Targeting the closure of 200 level crossings on LNW by April 2019 is part of Network Rail’s national programme to invest £100m over the next five years to close 500 level crossings and reduce they pose to the network by a further 25%. This will build on the £130m invested by Network Rail since 2010 which has helped to close almost 800 level crossings across Britain.
The new bridge will provide a safe way to cross the railway and result in the permanent closure of the level crossing, reducing risk for the many people who use the existing route.
The new footbridge was formally opened by Councillor Bill Collinson and Jen Olivine of Myerscough and Bilsborrow Parish Council, on Wednesday 16 April.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “This new footbridge is a positive first step as part of our commitment to close 200 level crossings across the route by 2019.
“The West Coast main line is one of the busiest railways in Europe and trains travel through this area at very high speeds. With safety being at the heart of everything we do as an industry, closing this level crossing is an obvious decision and the new bridge will provide a much safer route across the railway.
“We are in the process of identifying other level crossings to close and will continue to liaise with local authorities, landowners and interested parties up and down the route to continue to make the railway a safer place.”
Jen Olivine, chair of Myerscough and Bilsborrow Parish Council, said: “At long last there is a safe crossing over the railway in Bilsborrow for those walking the footpaths that lead up to Brock Bottoms, providing a gateway to the Forest of Bowland.
“Our thanks go to Network Rail and its contractors, Murphy, which have delivered beyond what we could have expected and with such care and consideration.”
Targeting the closure of 200 level crossings on LNW by April 2019 is part of Network Rail’s national programme to invest £100m over the next five years to close 500 level crossings and reduce they pose to the network by a further 25%. This will build on the £130m invested by Network Rail since 2010 which has helped to close almost 800 level crossings across Britain.
Americas News
London’s(Ontario) High-Speed Rail Revelation.(BlackburnNews.com)
Florida Local group aims to halt high-speed train.(Myhometownnews.net)
Big Boy coming to Cheyenne for restoration.(Wyoming Business Report)
India/Far East News
To decongest Bangalore, high speed rail back on track.(Times of India)
Railways gung ho on high speed trains.(Times of India)
The Week in Review ..and The Week Ahead
Courtesy: Howard Sprenger,Raildate.
RAILDATE - your free weekly guide to what's happening, what's new and what's on
Read online here: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/RAILDATE/conversations/messages
NETWATCH
Walking Tour: "How the Railway Changed Somers Town"http://thesomerstownrailwaytour.wordpress.com/
A recent exploration of GWR railway tunnels in Devon and Somersethttp://tinyurl.com/l57cuz5
(Spotter: Tom Baldwin)
A recent exploration of the Standedge Tunnelshttp://tinyurl.com/lzuvo6w
Some recent photos of the remains of the Severn Railway Bridgehttp://tinyurl.com/mpfu45t
Railway clocks web sitehttp://www.railwayclocks.net/index.html
Memories of Shannon (the airport, not the loco at GWS Didcot!)http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27040076
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
4566 charter, Severn Valley Railway, 7th Aprilhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O8by4MOMjk
Battlefield Line Spring Gala 11th Aprilhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydca-N1s1IU
How to fire a steam locomotive (LMS film)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHo860Q66Gw
A German steam tractorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkEukI6H9cA
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Experience the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing in real timehttp://www.firstmenonthemoon.com
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
The baffling map of England's countieshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27140505
============
IN THE NEWS
Network Rail admits 'considerable problems' with £1bn rail electrification projecthttp://tinyurl.com/nu5vs76
Pudding Mill Lane DLR station moved for Crossrailhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27077851
Underpass 'slotted in' to Rochester stationhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-27052668
Oxford Parkway station plans unveiledhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-27107547
Good times for the railwayshttp://tinyurl.com/mfky8vy
East Midlands safety trains scheme hailed a success as trespassing incidents drophttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27121007
Glossop station’s poetry platformhttp://tinyurl.com/l5m36tc
£70m railway depot plan to bring 160 jobshttp://tinyurl.com/kcb7d3x
Plans on track to reopen Leamside railway linehttp://tinyurl.com/k54dt3o
Morpeth could lose rail services as East Coast train franchise sold onhttp://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/morpeth-could-lose-rail-services-7020425
Heathrow Express workers plan 48-hour strikehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27103230
Borders to Edinburgh railway: Carlisle extension would be 'wonderful'http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-27140140
Scotland would beat UK to high speed rail - Salmondhttp://tinyurl.com/mv8dbdx
Scottish and Welsh train travel get most subsidies (who chose the photo?)http://www.railwaybulletin.com/2014/04/scottish-and-welsh-train-travel-get-most-subsidies
Tributes to inspirational Derby company boss and loco enthusiast Richard Shawhttp://tinyurl.com/m4rbha7
Great Central bridge planning applicationhttp://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/gcr-bridge-plan-lodged-planners-7003515
Swanage Railway Wareham service undergoes restorationhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-27109322
Swanage Diesel Galahttp://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/diesel-gala
Purbeck explorer railtours Class 20s & 4TChttp://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/the-purbeck-explorer
SVR head office to move & new contact detailshttp://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=564
Eurostar reports strong first quarter growthhttp://tinyurl.com/mqyoqq5
Pensioner escapes with minor injuries on a rail crossing in the Czech Republichttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27137939
Senator nearly hit by train at press conferencehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27104700
Canada to drop 'flawed' tankers after Lac-Megantic blasthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27136272
My Day: Pakistani station masterhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26633792
DR Congo train in deadly Katanga derailmenthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27133215
Isle of Man village 'reinvigoration' beginshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-27064977
£1.5m investment will revive Derby firm's project for revolutionary tramhttp://tinyurl.com/ogvdvql
Northampton Greyfriars: Demise of the Brutalist 'mouth of hell'http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-26936810
Bugsworth basin reopens after restorationhttp://tinyurl.com/mqff82a
Work to develop the next phase of Staveley basin gets underwayhttp://www.chesterfieldpost.co.uk/news/local/localnews_00000620.html
The book shop on a boathttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27065292
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal reopens after £1m repairhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-27131998
Windermere ferry out of service for refithttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-27088026
Are passenger Ro-Ros inherently unsafe?http://tinyurl.com/l32bvty
FlyBe move to London City Airporthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27122754
Fuel pipeline illegally tappedhttp://tinyurl.com/kuyw4et
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Richard Maund, Reg Nerps, Mike Price, Alan Rushworth
============
TV and RADIO
27/04/14 Channel 4 2000-2100
"For the Love of Cars" 2/6 Land Rover Series 1
28/04/14 BBC1 1930-2000
"Bang Goes the Theory" Improvements to the railway network
28/04/14 BBC4 1930-2000
"Great British Railway Journeys goes to Ireland" Killarney to Cobh
28/04/14 Channel 5 2000-2100
"Classic Car Rescue" 3/8 Mercedes SL
28/04/14 BBC1 2030-2100
"Panorama: Bernie Ecclestone - Lies, Bribes and Formula One"
29/04/14 BBC4 1930-2000
"Great British Railway Journeys goes to Ireland" Charleville to Waterford
29/04/14 BBC4 2200-2300
"Britain's Park Story" with Dan Cruickshank
29/04/14 BBC4 2300-0000
"Caravans: a British Love Affair"
30/04/14 BBC Radio 4 1100-1130
"Voices from Our Industrial Past" Contemporary accounts
30/04/14 BBC4 2000-2030
"Great British Railway Journeys goes to Ireland"
============
EVENTS
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.
Until Priest's House Museum, Wimborne, Dorset, UK
30/06/14 Lost Tracks - Remembering East Dorset's Railways
Exhibition to mark 50 years since East Dorset's last scheduled passenger trainshttp://www.priest-house.co.uk/exhibitions.html
25/04/14- North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Spring Steam Gala
27/04/14 http://www.nymr.co.uk/
26/04/14 Fareham Rotary Club: "Rotarail 2014"
Fareham College, Bishopsfield Road, Fareham, PO14 1NH
1030-1700
Adult: £5.00, Child: £2.50
Raildater Derek Gillkerson will be attending with Boden am See and
Coniston Junctionhttp://rotarail2014.webs.com
26/04/14- Epsom & Ewell Model Railway Exhibition
27/04/14 North East Surrey College of Technology, Reigate Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 3DShttp://www.eemrc.org.uk/
26/04/14- Epping Ongar Railway: Spring Diesel Gala
27/04/14 http://www.eorailway.co.uk
26/04/14- Great Central Railway: Quorn Bus & Rail Event
27/04/14 Toy and Train Fayre (Sunday only)http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/
30/04/14 Vulcan to the Sky: Talk
"The Operational History of the Vulcan" by Barry Masefield & Andy Marson
Royal British Legion, Haig House, Pelican Lane, Newbury, Berks, RG14 1NP
1800 for an 1830 start - talk lasts about 3 hours, refreshments available
Tickets £10 available onlinehttp://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/543/82/Regional-presentations.html
01/05/14 Vulcan to the Sky: Talk
"The Operational History of the Vulcan" by Barry Masefield & Andy Marson
Wollstonecraft Lecture Theatre, Bournemouth House, 19 Christchurch Road,
Bournemouth, BH1 3LH
1800 for an 1830 start - talk lasts about 3 hours, refreshments available
Tickets £10 available onlinehttp://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/543/82/Regional-presentations.html
02/05/14 RCTS Bristol
St Peters Church Hall, Church Road, Filton, BS34 7BX
30-minute AGM followed by members presentations.
Starts at 1930 (room open from 1900)
Non-members are very welcomehttp://www.rcts.org.uk/branches/bristol/events.htm
02/05/14- North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Spring Steam Gala
03/05/14 http://www.nymr.co.uk/
03/05/14 Kidderminster Railway Museum: A day of classic railway films
Station Approach, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, Worcs, DY10 1QX
21 films being shown throughout the day and evening
Starts at 1100http://www.krm.org.uk/
03/05/14- Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Spring Steam Gala
05/05/14 http://www.bodminrailway.co.uk
03/05/14- Didcot Railway Centre: Steam Gala
05/05/14 http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
03/05/14- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Rocks and Rails Weekend
05/05/14 http://www.e-v-r.com
04/05/14- Friends of the Cromford Canal - Horseboat trips
05/05/14 http://www.cromfordcanal.info/
04/05/14- Leawood Pumping Engine Steaming Day, Cromford Canal
05/05/14 Engine in motion 1200-1700http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
05/05/14 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch)
The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery Street, Sheffield, S3 8GG
“Doug Copley’s Lineside Images” - cine films taken by the late Doug Copley
Starts at 1930
For a requested £3 donation on the door, all welcomehttp://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch
05/05/14 Dean Forest Railway: Come and see Peppa Pighttp://www.dfr.co.uk
05/05/14 Great Central Railway: Bank Holiday Monday Steam Specialhttp://www.gcrailway.co.uk/
08/05/14- Swanage Railway: Diesel Gala & Beer Festival
11/05/14 http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
09/05/14- Great Central Railway: Swithland Gala
10/05/14 http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/
10/05/14 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and Trent Barton: Big Bus and Train Bash
Wirkswirth stationhttp://www.trentbarton.co.uk/bigbash
10/05/14 Railway Film Show
St Mary's Church Hall, Thornhill Road, Ponteland, Newcastle, NE20 9PZ
Archive films (BTF films shown with the permission of the BFI)
Admission free, retiring collection, doughnuts at the interval
1500 and 1930http://ponthistsoc.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/railway-films.html
http://www.pontelandstmary.co.uk
10/05/14- Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Steam & Diesel Gala Weekend
11/05/14 http://www.rhdr.org.uk/
10/05/14- Derby Model Railway Exhibition
11/05/14 Moorway Sports Centre, Moorway Lane, Derby, DE24 9HY
1000-1700 both dayshttp://www.mmrg.org.uk/
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
Raildate may be freely distributed without permission as long as no changes whatsoever are made
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