The big news today involves big hitters in railway infrastructure and manufacturing....Siemens and Bombardier... Both have made statements about their future strategies, and both involving "streamlining" their businesses.....
The threatened Tube strike has been called off.. for now... but what chances that there may be more?
And TSSA have made a statement..."On Friday, 9 May, TSSA, RMT and Unite members (Bands 1-3) at TfL are standing together to take strike action. They are doing this to protest at TfL’s plans to impose their Pay for Performance proposals. This action is distinct and separate from the tube strikes involving London Underground staff". Who would be mayor of London!
This ongoing situation will not be easy to contend with...and the Transport Select Committee is seeking evidence on investment in the railways (UK), including addressing "What is expected to happen to passenger satisfaction over this period? Is the rail industry measuring passenger satisfaction in the right way?" Tube passengers may well have an answer to that question....
Did someone mention privatisation?
On the heritage front, two Gresley A4s are being returned to their respective homes across the Atlantic. And big news from the US is that a C & O 2-6-6-2 locomotive No 1309, for many years in the care of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, is being transferred to the Western Maryland Scenic Railway for restoration and return to service ....
Steam traction has global appeal!
For full details of these stories, click on the links!
Even bigger news just breaking from the US, regarding oil shipments by rail....
US Department of Transportation. (USDOT)
U.S. DOT Takes New Emergency Actions as Part of Comprehensive Strategy to Keep Crude Oil Shipments SafeEmergency order requires railroads transporting crude to notify state emergency response commissions; safety advisory urges use of tank cars with highest integrity
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an Emergency Order requiring all railroads operating trains containing large amounts of Bakken crude oil to notify State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) about the operation of these trains through their states.Additionally, DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Safety Advisory strongly urging those shipping or offering Bakken crude oil to use tank car designs with the highest level of integrity available in their fleets. In addition, PHMSA and FRA advise offerors and carriers to the extent possible to avoid the use of older legacy DOT Specification 111 or CTC 111 tank cars for the shipment of Bakken crude oil.
“The safety of our nation’s railroad system, and the people who live along rail corridors is of paramount concern,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “All options are on the table when it comes to improving the safe transportation of crude oil, and today’s actions, the latest in a series that make up an expansive strategy, will ensure that communities are more informed and that companies are using the strongest possible tank cars.”
Effective immediately, the Emergency Order (Docket Number DOT-OST-2014-0067), requires that each railroad operating trains containing more than 1,000,000 gallons of Bakken crude oil, or approximately 35 tank cars, in a particular state to provide the SERC notification regarding the expected movement of such trains through the counties in that state.
The notification must include estimated volumes of Bakken crude oil being transported, frequencies of anticipated train traffic and the route through which Bakken crude oil will be transported. The Emergency Order also requires the railroads provide contact information for at least one responsible party at the host railroads to the SERCs. The Emergency Order advises railroads to assist the SERCs as necessary to share the information with the appropriate emergency responders in affected communities.
FRA and PHMSA also issued a joint Safety Advisory, Number 2014-01, to the rail industry strongly recommending the use of tank cars with the highest level of integrity in their fleet when transporting Bakken crude oil.
The Department of Transportation continues to pursue a comprehensive, all-of-the-above approach in minimizing risk and ensuring the safe transport of crude oil. FRA and PHMSA have undertaken more than a dozen actions to enhance the safe transport of crude oil over the last ten months. This comprehensive approach includes immediate and long-term steps such as: launching “Operation Classification” in the Bakken region to verify that crude oil is being properly classified; issuing safety advisories, alerts, emergency orders and regulatory updates; conducting special inspections; moving forward with a rulemaking to enhance tank car standards; and reaching agreement with railroad companies on a series of immediate voluntary actions they can take by reducing speeds, increasing inspections, using new brake technology and investing in first responder training.
Click here to view the Emergency Order.
Click here to view the Safety Advisory.
The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods for a strong America, now and in the future. To learn more about the FRA visit www.fra.dot.gov
Headlines
UK & Europe
Commentary: RMT is helping the case for privatisation.(London Evening Standard)
'Largest' model railway with miniature worlds opens in Wroxham.(BBC News)
Mallard's sister locomotives head home to America and Canada.(The York Press)
Mallard at the NRM York.
Call for evidence on investment in the railway
06 May 2014
The Transport Committee launches an inquiry into investment in the railway.
Questions to be explored
The Committee would like to explore the following questions:- What are the main features of the rail investment plan for 2014-19 (Control Period 5)? How will the railway be different in 2019 following delivery of the plan?
- What is expected to happen to passenger satisfaction over this period? Is the rail industry measuring passenger satisfaction in the right way?
- Is Network Rail confident that it can deliver its planned investments and meet its targets for efficiency and punctuality? How should train operators assist in ensuring that Network Rail delivers? How will the Office for Rail Regulation ensure that planned investments represent value for money?
- Has Network Rail prioritised the right schemes for the purpose of improving the railway’s resilience?
- How might reclassification of Network Rail as a central government body in September 2014 affect rail investment?
- Is the balance between passenger and freight investment right? What additional demand for freight movements might be released with a different balance of investment?
- What will be the railway’s demand for new rolling stock over the next decade and how will this demand be met?
- How will electrification affect the passenger experience of the railway, rolling stock requirements and rail freight?
- What should be the priorities for investment after 2019 (Control Period 6), particularly in relation to connecting the classic railway with High Speed 2?
Chair's comments
Making this announcement, Louise Ellman, Chair of the House of Commons Transport Committee, said:“Much debate has taken place recently about HS2. We now want to focus on investment in the existing classic line, including how services can be improved and how efficiency in the railway can be increased, improving passenger satisfaction.”
Further information
www.siemens.com (on YouTube)
Published on 7 May 2014
Siemens - Vision 2020
In the future, Siemens AG will position itself along the electrification, automation and digitalization. Along these value chains Siemens has identified several growth fields in which it sees its greatest long-term potential. The company is orienting its resource allocation toward these growth fields and has announced concrete measures in this direction. The measures include the purchase of the major part of Rolls-Royce’s energy business and the contribution of Siemens’ Metals Technologies into a joint venture. A public listing of the audiology business will also be prepared. In addition, Siemens is making its organization flatter and more customer-oriented. This is Siemens – Vision 2020.
The future focus on electrification, automation and digitalization is the result of the in-depth and extensive analysis begun in August 2013. Siemens has identified the fields where it will be able to achieve long-term growth and high profitability with its products and its unique technological knowhow.
In electrification and automation, Siemens already holds a clear No. 1 position in many markets. The growth fields in these two areas include the markets for small gas turbines and offshore wind turbines, which are profiting from a growing demand for secure and sustainable power supplies. The process industry, for example, offers attractive opportunities that Siemens can leverage even more intensively with its automation and drives solutions. The market for the production of unconventional oil and gas also offers attractive growth potential for Siemens.
Siemens intends to fully exploit the potential of increasing digitalization not just in manufacturing. Utilizing software and simulations, the Digital Factory makes product development considerably faster and more efficient. Data-driven services, software and IT solutions are of decisive importance as they have a substantial influence on all of Siemens’ future growth fields.
In order to take full advantage of the market potential in these fields, Siemens is realigning its organizational structures. As of October 1, 2014, the organization will be streamlined by eliminating the Sector level and bundling business into nine Divisions instead of the current 16. In addition, Healthcare will be separately managed in the future. This means that regional organization structures can be tailored to the requirements of the healthcare market and do not have to conform to the company’s organizational matrix. This will give Healthcare greater flexibility on the medical technologies market, which is characterized by fundamental changes and paradigm shifts. As part of its realignment, Siemens is also preparing the going public of its audiology business.
Bundling the Divisions and eliminating the Sectors will reduce bureaucracy, cut costs and accelerate decision-making within the company. In addition, the company’s support functions – for example, human resources and communications – are to be streamlined and centrally managed in the future. These measures, which are expected to increase productivity by some €1 billion a year, are to be fully effective by the end of fiscal 2016. To optimize cost development sustainably, the company has set a new target for total cost productivity. Starting in fiscal 2015, it is to total three to five percent a year.
As of fiscal 2015, the Divisions will be assigned target profit margin ranges excluding ppa – that is, excluding the acquisition-related amortization of intangibles. These target ranges are oriented on the profit margins of each Division’s main competitors.
Find all information regarding Siemens' strategic realignment and the combined press and analyst conference on May 7, 2014 at 8:45 AM CEST at www.siemens.com/pressconference
Americas
www.progressiverailroading.com
Govs. Cuomo, Christie appoint PANYNJ reform panel
CP exercises option to add one year to Harrison's CEO contract
Bakken Shale reaches 1 billion barrels of crude production
SFMTA slates public meetings to discuss long-term transportation plan
L.A. port sizes up project's environmental impacts; New Orleans port sets ship-size record
TriMet marks 10 years of MAX Yellow Line light-rail service
CSX earns top veteran-hiring honors for second-consecutive year
Cape Cod summer train service to add a station
Courtesy: B & O Museum
Australasia
Siemens' strategic realignment
Siemens will focus in the future on three value chains - electrification, automation and digitalization. Siemens President and CEO Joe Kaeser presented the company's new organization structure and the business figures for the second quarter at a combined press and analyst conference in Berlin on May 7, 2014.
Find all information from the combined press and analyst conference regarding Siemens' strategic realignment and financial figures for Q2 FY 2014 at http://sie.ag/14Q2 .
Siemens – Vision 2020
Munich, 2014-May-07
- Focus on growth fields along the electrification, automation and digitalization
- Acquisition of Rolls-Royce gas turbine and compressor business, joint venture for Metals Technologies and public listing of audiology set the course
- New organization with flatter structures – Sector level eliminated
- Greater employee participation in company success – Siemens to make up to €400 million available annually depending on company performance
- Launch of share buyback of up to €4 billion upcoming
“Our Vision 2020 addresses our company’s long-term perspectives along the modern electrification and automation value chains. By expanding share-based employee participation in our company’s success, we’re creating a sustainable ownership culture at Siemens,” said Siemens President and CEO Joe Kaeser.
The company wants to expand its share plans for employees below the senior management level and increase the number of employee shareholders by at least 50 percent to well over 200,000. For this purpose, Siemens will make up to €400 million available annually depending on company performance. In addition, the launch of the previously announced share buyback program of up to €4 billion is upcoming.The future focus on electrification, automation and digitalization is the result of the in-depth and extensive analysis begun in August 2013. Siemens has identified the fields where it will be able to achieve long-term growth and high profitability with its products and its unique technological knowhow.
In electrification and automation, Siemens already holds a clear No. 1 position in many markets. The growth fields in these two areas include the markets for small gas turbines and offshore wind turbines, which are profiting from a growing demand for secure and sustainable power supplies. The process industry, for example, offers attractive opportunities that Siemens can leverage even more intensively with its automation and drives solutions. The market for the production of unconventional oil and gas also offers attractive growth potential for Siemens.
Siemens intends to fully exploit the potential of increasing digitalization not just in manufacturing. Utilizing software and simulations, the Digital Factory makes product development considerably faster and more efficient. Data-driven services, software and IT solutions are of decisive importance as they have a substantial influence on all of Siemens’ future growth fields.
In order to take full advantage of the market potential in these fields, Siemens is realigning its organizational structures. As of October 1, 2014, the organization will be streamlined by eliminating the Sector level and bundling business into nine Divisions instead of the current 16. In addition, Healthcare will be separately managed in the future. This means that regional organization structures can be tailored to the requirements of the healthcare market and do not have to conform to the company’s organizational matrix. This will give Healthcare greater flexibility on the medical technologies market, which is characterized by fundamental changes and paradigm shifts. As part of its realignment, Siemens is also preparing the going public of its audiology business.
Bundling the Divisions and eliminating the Sectors will reduce bureaucracy, cut costs and accelerate decision-making within the company. In addition, the company’s support functions – for example, human resources and communications – are to be streamlined and centrally managed in the future. These measures, which are expected to increase productivity by some €1 billion a year, are to be fully effective by the end of fiscal 2016. To optimize cost development sustainably, the company has set a new target for total cost productivity. Starting in fiscal 2015, it is to total three to five percent a year.
As of fiscal 2015, the Divisions will be assigned target profit margin ranges excluding ppa – that is, excluding the acquisition-related amortization of intangibles. These target ranges are oriented on the profit margins of each Division’s main competitors.
Find all information regarding Siemens' strategic realignment and the combined press and analyst conference on May 7, 2014 at 8:45 AM CEST at www.siemens.com/pressconference
Americas
www.progressiverailroading.com
Govs. Cuomo, Christie appoint PANYNJ reform panel
CP exercises option to add one year to Harrison's CEO contract
Bakken Shale reaches 1 billion barrels of crude production
SFMTA slates public meetings to discuss long-term transportation plan
L.A. port sizes up project's environmental impacts; New Orleans port sets ship-size record
TriMet marks 10 years of MAX Yellow Line light-rail service
CSX earns top veteran-hiring honors for second-consecutive year
Cape Cod summer train service to add a station
US Heritage
Large Steam Locomotive of the East #1309 set to be transferred from the B&O Museum to Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for operation. The locomotive is a Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2.These C & O Class H6 2-6-6-2s, numbered 1300 to 1309, were the last steam locomotives produced by Baldwin for use in the United States.Courtesy: B & O Museum
B&O Railroad Museum Announces the Transfer of C&O Locomotive No. 1309 to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
for Restoration to Operating Condition
WHAT: The B&O Railroad Museum and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced today an historic agreement to transfer ownership of Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Locomotive No. 1309 from the Museum’s collection to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad where the locomotive will be restored to operating condition for use for the scenic railroad’s passenger operations.
The historic locomotive was built in 1949 and was the last domestic steam locomotive manufactured by the once-mighty Baldwin Locomotive Works. This powerful locomotive is known as a “Mallet,” after Swiss engineer Anatole Mallet. Mallet’s design combined an articulated frame with “compound” steam to provide a flexible and powerful locomotive. Articulation of the frame allowed the 217-ton locomotive to navigate curves and the compound steam used the engine’s steam twice; first for the rear set of high pressure cylinders, and second for the low pressure front cylinders. No. 1309 worked out of the C&O’s Peach Creek Terminal in Logan, West Virginia hauling coal. It was retired in 1956 and remained in storage until it became a part of the B&O Railroad Museum’s Collection and was moved to Baltimore in 1972.
The Collections Committee of the Board of Directors of the B&O Railroad Museum considered this transfer over many months by assessing the value for both parties, the Museum's mission, and its collections policy. They consider this to be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for both non-profits, which will benefit the citizens of Maryland and others in the railroad heritage community nationwide.
Courtney B. Wilson, Director of the B&O Railroad Museum said “This historic agreement is a win-win for railroad preservation. It ensures the long-term preservation and restoration of an important steam locomotive which is central to our mission.
Mark Farris, President of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Board of Directors said “With the full support of the Board of Directors, the continued efforts of the executive directors, staff and employees of the WMSR have allowed for the growth and prosperity of our wonderful tourist attraction in Western Maryland. These efforts have provided the resources to give the WMSR the opportunity to acquire locomotive 1309, restore it, and place it back into service in a wonderful mountainous setting where thousands of people can enjoy the sights and sounds of a bygone era.”
The locomotive has been moved to the B&O Railroad Museum’s restoration facility in preparation for shipment to the Western Maryland’s shops. Once this is complete, the locomotive will travel by rail on specialized flat cars pulled by CSX. Restoration to operating condition is expected to take several years.
WHEN: May, 2014
WHERE: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21223
410-752-2490
FREE PARKING
NOTES: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is
dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on
American society, culture and economy. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. The 40-acre historic site is regarded as the birthplace of American Railroading and includes the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit www.borail.org.
dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on
American society, culture and economy. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. The 40-acre historic site is regarded as the birthplace of American Railroading and includes the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit www.borail.org.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) is dedicated to preserving local transportation heritage and promoting tourism in Allegany County while striving to provide a safe, unique and educational experience for members of our community as well as tourists from outside the area. The WMSR has successfully operated a steam locomotive on a 33 mile round trip for the past 20 years on the ex- Western Maryland Railway and Cumberland and Pennsylvania (C&P) track. For more information of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the WMSR Foundation please call 301-759-4400 Ext 130 or visit www.movingfullsteamahead.com.
Australasia
Melbourne Rail Link in A$14·5bn rail funding announcement - Railway Gazette
Far East, India, China.
Other Railway Press
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