The USDOT Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Proposed Rule on Minimum Train Crew Size, and the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee has approved other key recommendations on Train Securement and Hazardous Materials Regulations.. but there will be exemptions.....
And a safety campaign for grade crossings has begun in the US too.
HS2 has been the subject of a couple of government announcements regarding property compensation... but Tory MPs are launching HS2 objections, and one MP Edward Leigh starts his bid to block the line's progress... or certainly slow it down....
All of which leads one to ask "What is the point of HS2?" Read Christian Wolmar's essay in the London Book of Reviews... and more.....
Headlines...
Public outing for Birmingham’s new tram.(GlobalRailNews)
Tories launch HS2 objections.(The Telegraph)
Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh bids to block HS2 high speed rail line.(Lincolnshire Echo)
What’s the point of HS2? asks Christian Wolmar.(London Review of Books)
A comprehensive review of the situation with HS2 so far, by Britain's leading transport commentator.
'Safety' trains patrol East Midlands rail network to tackle crime.(BBC News)
Study shows rail improvements between Reading and Waterloo could have huge economic impact.(getreading)
Fears over trains on new Borders railway.(heraldscotland)
'Low Moor railway station plan is still on track'.(Bradford Telegraph & Argus)
Teenager electrocuted at Horley station.(BBC News)
Great British Railway Journeys. Series 4: 14. Inverness to Plockton .(BBC iPlayer-6 more days!)
Arriva Trains Wales map of Welsh destinations causes anger by leaving off Newport - Wales Online
See Tracks? Think Train!
Every three hours someone is hit by a train in the United States. On foot or in a vehicle, the result is the same — severe injury or even death. The video and content below teaches you and your loved ones how to be safe around railroad tracks, grade crossings and transit platforms.
Operation Lifesaver kicks off 'See Tracks? Think Train!' campaign
NTSB sets agenda, panelists for crude/ethanol safety forum
RFA, AAR disagree on root causes of recent rail service issues
NTSB issues preliminary report on CTA derailment at O'Hare
SunRail to launch new service May 1 with free rides
Rail supplier news from Harsco, Michael Baker, Protran, Thales, STV and Jacobs (April 9
Pennsylvania short lines: Rail authority advances bridge program, RBMN acquires tamper
Georgia DOT to hold public outreach meetings for state rail plan
High-speed rail from Melbourne to Brisbane could be completed by 2025.(The Guardian)
East coast high speed rail is financially viable.(ABC Australia)
High-speed rail: Experts tip Tuas West or Jurong East for end-point.(The Straits Times,Singapore)
Indian Railways freight revenue data for April- February 2014(irailnews.com)
www.railway-technology.com Updates...
LU to modernise 70 stations over next seven years
London Underground (LU) is set to upgrade 70 railway stations in the next seven years, as part of the Transport for London's (TfL) £330m Station Stabilisation programme.
Panama Metro Line 1 opens
The Republic of Panama President Ricardo Martinelli has inaugurated the new 15.9km-long Panama Metro Line 1 that connect Albrook national bus station in the north to San Isidro station in the south.
Egypt and China sign MoU for $800m railway project
Egypt's Ministry of Transportation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Government, along with Aviation Industry Corporation of China, for the development of a new $800m railway project.
Ireland launches plan to fund Dublin rail transportation
Irish National Transport Authority has launched the Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 to develop transportation in the Greater Dublin Area.
US Department of Transportation: Federal Railroad Administration.
FRA to Issue Proposed Rule on Minimum Train Crew Size
Railroad Safety Advisory Committee Approves Other Key
Recommendations on Train Securement and Hazardous Materials Regulations
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced its intention to issue a proposed rule requiring two-person train crews on crude oil trains and establishing minimum crew size standards for most main line freight and passenger rail operations. The FRA also intends to advance a rulemaking on train securement and recommends a rulemaking on the movement of hazardous materials.
“Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to assure the safety of those who work for railroads and shippers, and the residents and communities along shipping routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The proposed rulemaking on crew size is the latest effort in our comprehensive strategy to ensure crude oil is transported as safely as possible.”
Today’s announcement follows the deliberations of three Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) Working Groups on Appropriate Train Crew Size, Securement, and Hazardous Materials Issues. All three Working Groups were created at DOT’s request last summer in response to the Lac-Mégantic derailment. The emergency meeting was held to evaluate and consider wide-ranging proposals to further enhance railroad safety including the safe shipment of crude oil by rail. Two of the Working Groups produced recommendations that were adopted by the full RSAC for consideration in future rulemakings. In light of the working group's failure to reach consensus on crew size, the FRA took action today to move forward with a rulemaking.
“We believe that safety is enhanced with the use of a multiple person crew—safety dictates that you never allow a single point of failure,” FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo said. “Ensuring that trains are adequately staffed for the type of service operated is a critically important to ensure safety redundancy. We commend the RSAC’s efforts and will use the valuable input received to formulate a proposed rule that protects the public and recognizes the nuance of railroad operations.”
While existing FRA regulations do not mandate minimum crew staffing requirements, current industry practice is to have two person crews for over-the-road operations. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) will most likely require a minimum of two person crews for most mainline train operations including those trains carrying crude oil. It is also expected to include appropriate exceptions.
FRA plans to issue an additional NPRM based on the consensus recommendations of the Securement Working Group and approved by the full RSAC that would prohibit certain unattended freight trains or standing freight cars on main track or sidings and require railroads to adopt and implement procedures to verify securement of trains and unattended equipment for emergency responders. It would also require locomotive cabs to be locked and reversers to be removed and secured. Railroads would also be required to obtain advance approval from FRA for locations or circumstances where unattended cars or equipment may be left.
The full RSAC also approved four recommendations of the Hazardous Materials Issues Working Group relating to identification, classification, operational control and handling of certain shipments. The four recommendations, directed to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), include amending or revising the definitions of “residue” and “key train,” and clarifying its regulatory jurisdiction over the loading, unloading and storage of hazmat before and during transportation. PHMSA continues to advance a rulemaking addressing the integrity of DOT Specification 111 tanker cars and the safe shipment by rail of flammable materials such as crude oil.
On August 29, 2013, the first-ever emergency session of the RSAC was held in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment of an unattended Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway freight train containing crude oil in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada. Building upon Secretary Anthony Foxx’s February Agreement with the Rail and Petroleum Industries
, the FRA’s Emergency Order 28 and Safety Advisory 2013-06,
PHMSA’s Operation
Safe Delivery, Safety Alerts and a
DOT Emergency Order, the three RSAC working groups
reviewed existing regulations and standards to identify and mitigate the risks
posed by such shipments and prevent future accidents.
BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI); Freight Shipments Rose 1.2% in February from January
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 1.2 percent in February from January, rising after two consecutive monthly declines, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) released today. The February 2014 index level (115.2) was 21.6 percent above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession (Tables 1, 2, and 2A).
The level of freight shipments in February measured by the Freight TSI (115.2) was two percent below the all-time high level of 117.6 in November 2013 (Table 2A). BTS’ TSI records begin in 2000.
The January index was revised to 113.9 from 113.6 in last month’s release. The December index was also revised up.
The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
Analysis: The February rebound in the freight index was dominated by trucking and rail intermodal as the other freight modes declined or were stable. The unusually severe weather that hampered freight shipments in January continued in February but the demand for goods to ship increased despite the weather. The Federal Reserve Board Industrial Production Index, which had declined in the face of January’s severe weather, rebounded in February.
Trend: The freight TSI increased after declining for two consecutive months. While still below the all-time high reached in November 2013, it is at the third highest level ever and higher than at any time prior to that month. After dipping to 94.8 in April 2009, the index rose by 21.6 percent in the succeeding 58 months.
See Freight TSI Press Release for summary tables and additional data. See Transportation Services Index for historical data and methodology. 
GOV.UK
Ambition and opportunity: Rail Industry Day 2014
Outlines our plans for improving and expanding Britain’s railways.
I’d particularly like to extend a warm welcome to colleagues who have joined us from overseas.
You will be hearing a lot of the detail behind our plans for improving and expanding Britain’s railways over the next few hours.
So I thought I would start with the big picture.
We are here today (9 April 2014) because we are ambitious for Britain’s railways and the rail industry.
Over the past 20 years they’ve been a major success story.
But we all know our railways can and must improve further.
They will need carry more people and more freight.
They will need to become more punctual and reliable.
And they will need to continue to build on their excellent safety record.
Doing so requires a long term commitment to investment.
That’s why we are backing Britain’s railways with £38 billion through control period 5.
It will fund projects across the whole of the UK to give us the modern, efficient railways that we need to compete.
We are also going to build High Speed 2.
The first north-south line for a century.
Our ambition for Britain to have world-class railways.
Will generate huge opportunities for your businesses to grow further.
To compete both here and overseas.
And to create and sustain thousands of jobs.
All of which will boost the economy.
We’re not just investing in the infrastructure.
We’re also investing to help people get the skills the industry needs.
For example, Crossrail’s Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy is already training people like Rudy Nieddu.
He’d previously been self-employed as an electrical labourer.
But there were times when the work just wasn’t there and he didn’t get paid.
He’s now undertaking his apprenticeship with BBMV building Whitechapel station.
Providing Rudy with a secure income and a skilled job.
And BBMV with an enthusiastic and highly skilled employee.
HS2 will see the creation of the first new further education college for 2 decades.
Supplying the additional skilled professionals required to make HS2 a success.
Our ambitious rail programme is also attracting new inward investment.
From companies like Hitachi, which is moving their global rail business to the UK.
Joining big manufacturers like Alstom, Bombardier and the many others who are already based in Great Britain.
Hitachi plan to double the size of their business and to sell more here and export abroad.
It’s a real vote of confidence in engineering and manufacturing in Britain.
The investment along will create almost 2000 jobs in the north-east.
But it also means there are even more opportunities for the UK supply chain.
So our rail programme is not only good for people who use the railway, it’s good for the health of the economy too.
Finally, I’d just like to say a brief word about the new Rail Executive.
Because it’s not just about the size of the investment we are making in Britain’s railways.
It’s also about getting much better value-for-money.
So we are changing the way we operate. Clare will provide more of the detail.
But the headline is this change will help strengthen our focus on passengers.
It will build commercial expertise and innovation.
It will ensure greater coordination of improvements to track and trains.
And it will increase the department’s capability and the commercial experience of the management team.
In conclusion, we are putting record amounts of government funding into our railways over the next 5 years.
And we are building High Speed Two.
They are an investment that is central to our long term economic plan.
Because faster journeys, greater comfort and better punctuality for passengers generates growth, creates jobs and boosts business.
You have a great day ahead of you.
I hope you enjoy it.
And thank you all for coming.
Policy paper
HS2 property compensation consultation 2013 for the London to West Midlands route: decision document.
Outlines our decisions following the HS2 property compensation consultation in 2013.
Following the HS2 property compensation consultation 2013 we will introduce an HS2 property package including:
More about the new property package of measures:
- express purchase for owner-occupied properties within the safeguarded area outlined on the HS2 Ltd website
- a voluntary purchase offer available for property owners living up to 120 metres from the railway in rural areas
- a need to sell scheme to assist property owners who have a compelling need to sell their home but are unable to do so because of our plans to build HS2
- ‘rent-back’ - a rule that means that if a property that the government has purchased under any of our schemes is suitable for letting, the previous owner can, if they wish, be considered for a Crown tenancy
More about the new property package of measures:
- Your guide to our new property proposals and the HS2 residents’ charter
- Your guide to the HS2 express purchase scheme
- Your guide to rent back
- New help for property owners affected by HS2, press release 9 April 2014
- HS2 Phase One property, written ministerial statement 9 April 2014
www.parliament.uk
Investment in Crossrail
On Wednesday 9 April the Public Accounts Committee holds an evidence session for the Committee’s inquiry into Crossrail. The session explores the issues raised in the National Audit Office report.
Witnesses
Philip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary, Department for TransportSir Peter Hendy, Commissioner, Transport for London
Andrew Wolstenholme, Chief Executive, Crossrail Ltd
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