International & UK Railway News Thursday 17th April 2014

This weekend sees the first major public holiday of the year, and after the very wet winter, will come as welcome relief, especially to the south west, now that the Dawlish line has been repaired and back in operation for two weeks... Compensation to the railway companies has been announced....but it will take time, if ever, for the businesses of the south west to recover their losses after the traumatic winter flooding.


So, get ready to enjoy your travel..but be aware of Network Rail engineering works....
And if you like to get to a local railway event near you, then take a look HERE for a comprehensive listing of UK heritage railways' website addresses...


High speed rail is, as always, in the news. See the US HSR  news item...
And is HS2 a foregone conclusion ? Not according to StopHS2!


Read on....










Headlines...


Storm-hit Dawlish rail line compensation payout revealed.(BBC News)


Artist appeals for spanners to put into her work.(BBC News)


Easter holiday getaway: Busiest day on roads expected...and rail engineering works, too.(BBC news)




Easter Weekend: Rail and road congestion as three million take UK break .(The Independent)


Hitachi seals £2.7bn train-building deal.(BBC News)


On track at last: £2.7bn funding secured for new East Coast line trains.(heraldscotland)

Kings Cross, London



New rail depot for Doncaster.(Doncaster Free Press)


Abellio holds on to Greater Anglia franchise until 2016.(Global Rail News)


Q&A with Crewe and Nantwich MP on HS2 plans. (Crewe Chronicle)


STOP HS2 | HS2 Hybrid Bill discussions – 28th and 29th April 2014



"Braunton" passing through Wilmcote
13th April 2014


Heritage(UK) News


A Message from: Somer Rail: Radstock-Frome Railway
We cannot do this without your support, if you share our aim of reopening the Radstock to Frome railway please consider joining up as a member today. At Somer-Rail we are working hard and totally committed to establish a railway for the benefit of the surrounding community, celebrate the area's rich industrial heritage and provide a valuable transport alternative for Radstock. It would be a great privilege to have as many of you on board as possible, thank you!




New owner Keith steps up to the plate at Lappa Valley miniature steam railway(WesternMorning News)


Weekly newsletter 16/04/14 | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway




European News

Welkom ERTMS! Dutch government set to invest €2.5bn in installing the European Rail Traffic Management System across full network by 2030. By Luke Upton, 17 Apr 2014 11:42:13 “The added value of the European safety system is greatest on the busiest railway lines, where the most passengers and freight are transported.” - Netherlands State Secretary for Infrastructure and the Environment Wilma Mansveld. ERTMS Level 2 will replace all existing train safety systems across the Netherlands following a government ruling. Already tested across Europe, including near neighbours Germany,the full installation of the system will begin in 2016. This news from the Netherlands moves ERTMS a step closer to its stated aim of the creation of a seamless European railway system. Read more »

S-Bahn Rhein-Main EMU deliveries begin - Railway Gazette


Distributed diesel traction tested on Europe’s longest freight train - Railway Gazette



La Vie Du Rail





Plus d'information : www.forum-transports-territoires.com




US News


High-speed rail loses appeals court bid Merced Sun-Star

From Chicago to Ohio: County asked to get on board with high speed rail

Chesterton Tribune

 

 www.progressiverailroading.com

UP set four first-quarter financial records despite winter's adverse conditions

 

 

KCS set Q1 revenue record due to strong grain, ag products business

FCC actions have slowed pace of PTC implementation, AAR says

MTA awards $628 million in contracts for tunnels, caverns project

MBTA launches first of new fuel-efficient locomotives

STB directs BNSF, CP to provide fertilizer delivery plans

TriMet unveils new name for Portland-Milwaukie light-rail bridge

Massachusetts DOT provides grants for seven freight-rail projects


D.C.'s cherry blossom week spurs rail ridership highs for WMATA

 

USHSR

Discount ends tomorrow!   JEFF MORALES TO HEADLINE CONFERENCE California High Speed Rail Authority CEO     Jeff Morales has a distinguished record of experience managing large and complex transportation issues and projects. As the former Director of the California Department of Transportation, Morales managed a $10 billion program and more than 23,000 employees working to build, maintain and operate the largest state transportation system in the U.S. Morales is the past executive vice president of the Chicago Transit Authority where he spearheaded major reforms at the nation's second-largest transit agency. His experience at the federal level includes serving as a member of President-Elect Obama's transition team focusing on transportation, Vice President Al Gore's National Performance Review, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, the United States Department of Transportation and as U.S. Senate staff. He most recently was Senior Vice President of Parsons Brinckerhoff, where he worked with transportation agencies across the United States and internationally to develop and implement major capital programs. Billion dollar deals are being signed... FIRST $1BN CONSTRUCTION DEAL SECOND $2BN CONTRACT OUT FOR BID

An Insight into Middle East Rail Projects(Total Rail)