International & UK Railway News Sunday 27th April 2014

So Siemens has intervened in the Alstom-GE affair! On the 25th April 2014, Alstom has no knowledge of  "any public tender offer for the shares of the company". ..A day later GE say they are in talks with the French Government, to be quickly followed by a Siemens approach......It could all get very interesting by 7th May 2014, when Alstom "plans to communicate its annual results and will use this opportunity to give an update on the prospects of its activities".....


And HS2 enters another stage of its progress tomorrow(28th) when the Hybrid Bill is debated in UK Parliament, with several noises off suggesting this will not be an easy ride....


Read on.....






Headlines


Siemens intervenes in General Electric’s bid to acquire Alstom.(FT.com)


Alstom

25/04/2014

In response to recent speculation in the economic press, Alstom is not informed of any potential public tender offer for the shares of the Company.
The Group constantly reviews the strategic options of its businesses.
Alstom plans to communicate as scheduled on May 7 its annual results and will use this opportunity to give an update on the prospects of its activities.

Siemens signals Alstom willingness to discuss.(Siemens)
27/04/2014
Siemens has submitted a letter to the Board of Alstom to signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities. No further comments will be made at this time.

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Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the fields of industry, energy and healthcare as well as providing infrastructure solutions, primarily for cities and metropolitan areas. For over 165 years, Siemens has stood for technological excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. The company is one of the world's largest providers of environmental technologies. Around 43 percent of its total revenue stems from green products and solutions. In fiscal 2013, which ended on September 30, 2013, revenue from continuing operations totaled €75.9 billion and income from continuing operations €4.2 billion. At the end of September 2013, Siemens had around 362,000 employees worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at: http://www.siemens.com.

This document contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Siemens that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "looks forward to," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," "project" or words of similar meaning. We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports, in presentations, in material delivered to shareholders and in press releases. In addition, our representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Siemens' management, and are, therefore, subject to certain risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Siemens' control, affect Siemens' operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Siemens to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or anticipated on the basis of historical trends. These factors include in particular, but are not limited to, the matters described in Item 3: Key information—Risk factors of our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, in the chapter "Risks" of our most recent annual report prepared in accordance with the German Commercial Code, and in the chapter "Report on risks and opportunities" of our most recent interim report.

Further information about risks and uncertainties affecting Siemens is included throughout our most recent annual and interim reports, as well as our most recent earnings release, which are available on the Siemens website, www.siemens.com, and throughout our most recent annual report on Form 20-F and in our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the Siemens website, www.siemens.com, and on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of Siemens may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statement as being expected, anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought, estimated or projected. Siemens neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated.

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

Crossrail


The Railway Chronicle takes a look at the Crossrail project.
Here we have "Crossrail in Numbers", and "Skills and Legacy", followed by a few images from the Bond Street site, and the latest video from the Crossrail YouTube page.

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 Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
• There will be 40 Crossrail stations including 10 new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House, Woolwich and Abbey Wood.
• 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.

Skills and Legacy

• Crossrail already has over 260 Apprentices working on the project.  At least 400 Apprentices will be created by Crossrail
• The Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) is a purpose-built training facility that supports the key skills required to work in tunnel excavation, underground construction and infrastructure.
• By building and establishing TUCA, Crossrail is contributing to the development of new qualifications and Health and Safety standards across the industry.
• Crossrail is working with industry, professional bodies and other organisations with a requirement for skilled underground workers, to ensure that the facilities and training at TUCA are aligned with the needs of the industry.
• Crossrail needs TUCA to address the shortage of people with the necessary skills to work on the programme. TUCA will ensure that all people working underground on Crossrail sites achieve the Tunnel Safety Card (TSC) before working underground on any Crossrail site.
• TUCA will support the UK economy by equipping workers with the specialist skills they need to meet the demand for labour in this area.
• TUCA now provides a number of pre-employment and work-force development training courses. By April 2013, 1,486 individuals had attended pre-employment courses on a range of construction and tunnelling related topics.
• CRL established an accredited Tunnel Safety Card (TSC) in response to an industry need for standardised tunnelling health and safety training.  By April 2013 2,221 individuals had undertaken the course, with an 85% pass rate. The successful attainment of the TSC is a requirement for any individual wishing to access Crossrail tunnelling sites. The TSC supports individuals seeking to pass the more advanced Health and Safety Tunnelling Operations Test.
• CRL has a target of providing 350 work placement opportunities across the Crossrail Project.  By the April 2013, 148 work placement opportunities had been created with an additional 382 work experience opportunities for 14-19 year olds.
• CRL established a Jobs Brokerage Service in partnership with Job Centre Plus in March 2010.  This ensures that new job opportunities are efficiently advertised, and that candidates with relevant skills can quickly be identified for new roles.  By April 2013, 1858 job opportunities had been advertised through the Jobs Brokerage Service, of which 47% have been successfully filled.

and now for HS2....


The latest news from HS2 - engine for growth


Proposed dates for petitioning HS2 hybrid Bill announced by Parliament


Parliament has today (10 April 2014) published the proposed dates for the formal period for petitioning against the HS2 hybrid Bill. The Leader of the House of Commons, Andrew Lansley, has also confirmed the date for the Bill’s Second Reading debate in the House as 28 April 2014.
All those directly or specially affected by the first phase of HS2, from London to the West Midlands, will - if the Bill secures its Second Reading - be able to submit petitions (objections) against the Bill during the petitioning period.
The process provides individuals, groups and organisations an opportunity to oppose the Bill or to seek its amendment before a specially-convened Select Committee in either or both Houses.
Local authorities, excluding parish councils, and businesses will have from 29 April to 16 May to deposit their petitions. Individuals and all other petitioners will have a further week, until 23 May.
Comprehensive guidance on petitioning is available from the House of Commons Private Bill Office and on the Parliament website at:
www.parliament.uk/business/bills-and-legislation/current-bills/hybrid-bills/hybrid-bills-faqs
The primary purpose of the Bill is to secure the powers required to construct and operate Phase One of HS2. HS2, a national high-speed rail network linking Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds with London, will transform the UK – bringing cities together, delivering jobs and growth, and providing a long-term solution to the capacity crunch facing the existing rail network.
The First Reading of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill took place on 25 November 2013 in the House of Commons.



MPs are to debate the second reading of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 28 April 2014.

The debate is expected to start at 3.30pm following the conclusion of Home Office Questions, but could be later if any Urgent Questions or Ministerial Statements are granted on the day.
Timings are approximate and Parliamentary business is subject to change.

• Watch the second reading debate of the High Speed Rail Bill live on Parliament TV on Monday 28 April 2014

Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available three hours after they happen in Today’s Commons Debates.

Further information

Summary of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill

The Bill confers the powers required to construct phase 1 of the proposed HS2 scheme from London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street with intermediate stations in West London (Old Oak Common) and at Birmingham Airport. It provides for a connection to the existing rail link to the Channel Tunnel (HS1) but not to Heathrow Airport.



New threat to HS2 as experts say boost for North 'is a myth': Think tank's warning as more than 20 Tory MPs prepare to rebel in key rail vote.(Mailonline)


HS2 rail-link: Resistance fading as Labour prepares to support high-speed line, but demands 'green corridor' along the route.(The Independent)


Leadsom will fight against HS2…(conservativehome)


Leading Tories to join Commons revolt over HS2.(Sunday Times)

How Network Rail is working to get Wales on the right track - Wales Online


Industrial Integration. (Siemens)




Railway Herald - Railtours

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.

Monday 28th April 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 3 (Railway Touring Company)

• 44932 Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Tunnel - Abergavenny - Hereford - Leominster - Shrewsbury - Warrington - Preston - Carnforth - Grange-over-Sands

Additional Tour Information

24/4: 44932 reported to replace 46233 throughout: 46233 definitely not available. It will be working York-Milford running in turns that day to test repaired tender axle box.

Added 17:57 on Thursday 24th April 2014

Tuesday 29th April 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 4 (Railway Touring Company)

• 46115 Grange-over-Sands - Barrow-in-Furness - Ravenglass -Workington - Carlisle (break) - Beattock - Edinburgh Waverley

Wednesday 30th April 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 5 (Railway Touring Company)

• 44871 and 45407 Edinburgh Waverley - Shotts - Paisley Gilmour Street - Troon - Ayr - Stranraer and return

Thursday 1st May 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 6 (Train 2) (Railway Touring Company)

• 62005 Edinburgh Waverley - Criagendoran Junction - Crianlarich - Rannoch - Fort William

Great Britain VII : Day 6 (Train 1) (Railway Touring Company)

• 60009 Edinburgh Waverley - Forth Bridge - Tay Bridge - Dundee - Montrose - Aberdeen
• 60009 Aberdeen - Inverurie - Inverness

Friday 2nd May 2014

The Robbie Burns Express (MCRUA)

• WCRC Class 47 & 57 Hooton (pu) - Chester (pu) - Mouldsworth (pu) - Cuddington (pu) - Greenbank (pu) - Northwich (pu) - Plumley (pu) - Knutsford (pu) - Mobberley (pu) - Hale (pu) - Altrincham (pu) - Stockport (pu) - Manchester (pu) - Bolton (pu) - Chorley (pu) - Preston (pu) - Shap - Carlisle - Dumfries (sd) - Kilmarnock (sd) - Ayr (sd) and return

Additional Tour Information

Charter originally planned for 3rd May, but brought forward one day, due to an engineering blockade on the original date.

Added 19:46 on Friday 21st February 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 7 (Train 2) (Railway Touring Company)

• 62005 Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig and return

Great Britain VII : Day 7 (Train 1) (Railway Touring Company)

• LMS Black 5 TBC Inverness - Dingwall - Garve - Kyle of Lochalsh and return

Saturday 3rd May 2014

The VSOE British Pullman Surrey Hills Luncheon Train (Belmond (British Pullman))

• 35028 London Victoria (pu) - Staines - Woking - Guildford - Shalford - Reigate - Redhill - East Croydon - London Victoria

Great Britain VII : Day 8 (Train 2) (Railway Touring Company)

• 62005 Fort William - Rannoch - Crianlarich - Craigendoran Junction - Edinburgh Waverley

Great Britain VII : Day 8 (Train 1) (Railway Touring Company)

• LMS Black 5 TBC Inverness - Keith - Aberdeen
• 60009 Aberdeen - Montrose - Dundee - Tay & Forth Bridges - Edinburgh Waverley

The Settle & Carlisle Statesman (Statesman Rail)

• WCRC Class 47 & 57 Leicester (pu) - Loughborough (pu) - East Midlands Parkway (pu) - Langley MIll (pu) - Alfreton (pu) - Chesterfield (pu) - Dronfield (pu) - Sheffield (pu) - Meadowhall (pu) - Swinton (pu) - Moorthorpe (pu) - Normanton (pu) - Hellifield - S&C - Carlisle
• WCRC Class 47 & 57 Carlisle (pu) - Penrith -Shap - L:ancaster - Preston - Normanton (sd) - Moorthorpe (sd) - Swinton (sd) - Meadowhall (sd) - Sheffield (sd) - Dronfield (sd) - Chesterfield (sd) - Alfreton (sd) - Langley Mill (sd) - East Midlands Parkway (sd) - Loughborough (sd) - Leicester

A Corfe Mixture (UK Railtours)

• SWT Class 159 London Waterloo (pu) - Woking (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Bournemouth (pu) - Wareham - Corfe Castle (sd) - Swanage (break/rev) & return

Sunday 4th May 2014

Great Britain VII : Day 9 (Railway Touring Company)

• 60009 Edinburgh Waverley - Newcastle-upon-Tyne - York
• 46233 York - Grantham - Peterborough - London King's Cross

Steam Tube - The Home of Steam on the Net!


A selection of videos from this week's UK mainline steam excursions.










Americas News


California Eyes Plan to Speed Bullet Train.(Wall Street Journal)


Governor Brown Wants a High Speed Bullet Train (Liberty Voice)


Sounding Off: Irving-Coppell readers tell us if they think DFW should get a bullet train to Houston.(Dallas Morning News)


Student raises funds for “American Train” documentary.(FIUSM.com)

Bechtel's Dulles Transit Partners Achieves Substantial Completion of Silver Line.(Washington Business Journal)

Europe
The Sofia Morning News


CREDITORS PLANNING TO SELL OFF BULGARIA'S STATE RAILWAYS ASSETS
The creditors of Bulgaria's State Railways (BDZ) will most likely sell of the company's most valuable assets, said Transport Minister Danail Papazov.

According to him, the large creditors – the banks BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, KFW, Dexia, Depfa and First Investment Bank – will have a meeting in the beginning of May, at which will decide to sell off the 25 diesel Desiro trains and more than 3000 freight cars.

According to Papazov, this would not bankrupt BDZ.

The company owes its creditors BGN 620 M. The negotiations with them are hard, as they want a meeting with Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski and a state guarantee covering the debts.

Papazov said the hardest negotiations were with the German FMS Wertmanagement who froze BDZ's bank accounts in March because of a default on EUR 11 M debt.

An year earlier Depfa Bank froze the assets of BDZ Freight Transports, again because of default on a loan. read more





Far East


Race against the clock: Shinkansen staff have just 7 minutes to get bullet train ready to ride.(ROCKETNEWS24)