International & UK Railway News Friday 6th June 2014

 Total Railway News




HS2's progress could seriously affect your golf...it could if you live in Kenilworth. Your local golf course could be a 17 hole course, after HS2 has its way through the links...
And HS2 could damage priceless exhibits..and help robbers too, apparently.


Edinburgh Trams are now rolling..at last... but over budget, half the distance, and twice the time originally promised... so an inquiry is the next obvious step...


And no prizes to whoever smashed the windscreen of a  Bradford to Ilkley train at Frizinghall.


If railway photography is your speciality, then this edition includes  details of two planned photo shoots in July and October. Martin Creese of 30742 Charters is your contact....


Click on the links for the full stories....








Headlines


UK


HS2 'could damage priceless exhibits.... and help robbers' .(Birmingham Post)


HS2 line would leave golf course with 17 holes.(Birmingham Post)


Fatal 1975 Nuneaton rail crash remembered on anniversary.(BBC News)


Inquiry launched into trams chaos.(heraldscotland)


Edinburgh tram inquiry announced..video.(BBC news)


Appeal after windscreen of Bradford to Ilkley train is shattered at Frizinghall.(Telegraph & Argus)




Plymouth MP calls for transport investment in the city instead of in London.(The Herald)




C-stock bow out. (Global Rail News)


Thameslink FAQs | Thameslink Programme
Passengers encouraged to know their alternative routes into London from 23 to 31 August as Network Rail continues to rebuild London Bridge station


The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project - Publications - GOV.UK


UK Heritage






Weekly newsletter 04/06/14 | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway(GCR)


Timetable | North Yorkshire Moors Railway :: A steam train adventure through the stunning Yorkshire Moors


Vacancies « West Somerset Railway


Taiwan
PHOTO: Restored Japanese steam locomotive chugging away in Taiwan.(The Asahi Shimbun)






United States of America


www.progressiverailroading.com

AAR: Weekly U.S. carload, intermodal averages ascended to high levels in May

FEMA policy bans hydraulic fracturing on certain properties, Sens. Shuster and Barletta claim

OCTA proposes $1.1 billion FY2015 budget

Washington State DOT seeks public input on freight mobility plan

BART honored for website design

Registration opens for Canadian Rail Summit

Metro Transit opens elevator tower to access new Green Line

TriMet to hold 'hackathon' to enhance transit apps

Poland
EIB supports modernisation of Polish railways with EUR 268m loan






www.siemens.com
Study: Cities can significantly boost their GDP by investing in public transport.

Singapore, 2014-Jun-02

• Study suggests an annual economic opportunity of nearly $800 billion
• Targeted investment in public transport secures cities' attractiveness and competitiveness
• Copenhagen is the most cost-efficient city of the 35 evaluated

Worldwide, major cities stand to gain around $800 billion per year of economic opportunity from 2030 by upgrading their public transportation networks. This is according to a study "The Mobility Opportunity" conducted by London-based consulting firm, Credo, and presented today in Singapore. Commissioned by Siemens, the study looks at transportation networks in 35 major cities around the globe and assesses how prepared cities are to meet future challenges, including population growth and higher competition. The results: If all 35 cities studied would implement relative "best in class" standards, they stand to gain an economic benefit of roughly $238 billion annually from 2030. Extrapolating to all comparably-sized cities globally with a population of around 750,000 and greater, this suggests an economic opportunity of roughly $800 billion annually. This corresponds to about one per cent of global GDP. Today the potential benefit would be about $360 billion per year.

Transport is considered one of the major factors of a city's competitiveness. However, lack of financial resources often constrains cities' ability to invest in their transport networks. This study is unique in seeking to put an economic value on the cost of inefficient transport, thus helping cities make the case for investment. Some of the factors considered were journey times, crowding and network density, all of which impact a city's productivity. In order to have a reasonable comparison, the study groups cities into three categories to account for different levels of wealth and development. According to Credo, the most cost-efficient cities are:

• Copenhagen, Denmark (Category "Well-established cities")
• Singapore (Category "High-density compact centers")
• Santiago, Chile (Category "Emerging cities")

Then, Credo compared cities to the leading city in their category. The comparison enabled them to quantify the economic benefits that investments in transport would bring, such as higher productivity and new economic activity. Finally, Credo has developed some key pointers on how cities can realize the potential economic uplift. Case studies show how potential investments can pay off.


"All cities can learn from the leading cities in their category in order to close the gap of their transport networks' efficiency, reduce costs and increase productivity. Because the more efficient a city's transport network is, the more attractive the city is to business and people", commented Chris Molloy, Partner at Credo.


"The best transportation systems are the ones that move people quickly, easily, and comfortably to their destination. The leading cities are already achieving this with efficient transport networks that feature modern infrastructure, easy connections across various modes of transportation, and, above all, a clear strategy of how to meet future needs," said Roland Busch, CEO of the Siemens Sector Infrastructure & Cities and member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG.


Cities are the engines for future growth. They generate 80 percent of global economic output. However, in a globalized economy, with businesses and workforces increasingly able to relocate internationally, they must compete to offer the most attractive environment for economic activity. The study "The Mobility Opportunity" is geared toward city decision-makers around the world so that they may use its recommendations to achieve the greatest economic benefit.

For further information and pictures from the event available at www.siemens.com/press/mobility-opportunity



Siemens Press Picture.
How Transport drives Growth

Jun 02, 2014 | Growth in the world's population and increasing migration to major cities will place ever more strain on cities' transport networks. However, transport plays a key role in a city's attractiveness. Investing in transport improvements would bring benefits for commuters and business, drive productivity and stimulate new economic activity. "The Mobility Opportunity", a new study commissioned by Siemens, helps make the case for investment. (In the picture: London)

Siemens Press Picture


The study "The Mobility Opportunity" puts an economic cost on inefficient transport and establishes the potential economic benefit improving transport systems could bring. The results offer guidance on the kinds of transport investments, technology solutions and enabling actions that can help urban decision-makers to address their challenges and prepare their cities for the future. (In the picture: Shanghai) 




Other Railway Press
SmartRail World


Building passenger loyalty through BYOD and digital technologies
"94% of people bring their own device when they travel"
The public transport sector is a tough battlefield for train operators. It is a market that is evolving in many directions. Many companies shift towards a strategy focused on loyalty programs and new digital technologies, like BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Today SmartRail World welcomes guest contributor Jesper Bang-Olsen, CEO of Aporta Digital to share his insight into this developing area for our industry…


"The Rail industry is facing an increasingly competitive pressure in terms of price level, quality and services required by their customers. Deregulation and liberalization has enabled operators to enter the market aggressively in terms of price level against established state-owned railway companies. At the same time the habits of rail passengers have changed and their expectations in terms of value for money, variety of choices and quality. This is highly affecting the rail industry and as new digital technologies evolve and becomes a central part of people’s habits it has become more complex for the operators to transform the journey into a valuable experience for the customers.

Read More…


www.railway-technology.com
Crossrail begins tunnel drive through Victoria Dock
Crossrail has started the tunnel drive from Limmo Peninsula, beside Canning Town station, towards Victoria Dock Portal in east London. 
       
France's RFF and Synerail select Kapsch for GSM-R upgrade contract
Rail communications provider Kapsch CarrierCom has been appointed by system operator Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) and Synerail to upgrade the existing GSM-R network. 
       
NSW approves $1.6bn CBD and South East light rail project
New South Wales (NSW) transport minister Gladys Berejiklian has approved the $1.6bn new CBD and South East light rail project. 
       
Spain's ADIF validates ERTMS on Albacete-Alicante line
Spanish railway infrastructure manager ADIF has completed validation of the new Alstom Atlas 200 European railways traffic management system (ERTMS) for level 2 signalling on the newly finished Albacete-Alicante high-speed line.

Friday 25^th July 2014 – Lake District Quarry 

Update 6th June 2014
We now have just 10 places remaining for this event. If you are interested and would like to join us please get in touch to book your place . If you know of anyone who may be interested please do feel free to forward this mail on.

Over the last few years Dave Tillotson has worked tirelessly to establish this as one of THE narrow gauge events of the year . A change in circumstance (well IT catastrophe) and David has kindly passed the baton on to me for 2014 . There are six engines booked to visit with Montalban (O&K) from West Lancs light railway, The Corpet and Statfold (New build Hunslet) from Statfold Barn , Chaloner (De Winton vertical boiler) from Leighton Buzzard , Jennie (New build Kerr Stuart “Wren” and Paddy from Amerton as well as Threlkeld resident Bagnall “Sir Tom”

Kick off will be with shed scenes (and bacon sandwiches) followed by loco’s out on the line with the two sets of stock . I’ve made it clear that we wish for controlled run pasts and whilst it is likely service trains will run, additional sidings by the quarry face mean we can continue up there un-interrupted with diggers and quarry cameo’s

I’ve had a very positive call with Martyn Ashworth and I know some of you bent his ear at Barrow Hill about what we want from Threlkeld and I’m much more confident we can deliver a great event. The task is to raise £3000 to cover the movement costs of the engines . I’ve wanted to do Threlkeld on my terms for some time and I really appreciate David and Martyn entrusting me with this.

Cost for the Day is £70 with 40 places available. I’ve put £200 into the pot to start the ball rolling. If you are interested please e-mail me to secure your place.

As always a very big thank you for all your support . Without it these events can't run and as always we look forward to welcoming you on an event in 2014 . Places can be reserved by e-mail . Cheques made payable to 30742 Charters and sent to 20 Portia Avenue, Shirley, Solihull , B90 2NW or payments accepted via PayPal

Back in Black 4566 Take 2

Our first day (in conjunction with Severn valley Photocharters with 4566 was enjoyable but lacking in sun until the last half hour when it went truly gold. With thanks to the SVR we are proud to present a second day with Small Prairie 4566 on the Severn Valley on Friday  10th October. The loco will be paired with 2 Blood and Custards MK1s and we may use also the cattle wagon during the day. This formation also is very 50s SVR. The paintwork is starting to weather as well now so the newly painted sheen of the spring is now passing

The day will start at 9am at Bridgnorth, with the loco facing South . We'll work our way down towards Kidderminster , turn and then in the afternoon run Northbound The day will finish at 6pm. As always we'll try a broad selection of locations. Adrian and Gary have already agreed to be our footplate crew

The price is for this charter is £52 or £47 for those of you who contributed to the 4566 repaint appeal fund. (Please let us know through email if you contributed to this) and early booking is recommended as we feel this will be a popular event.

Please also read the booking conditions at the bottom of the booking form. Your booking is acceptance of these

As always a very big thank you for all your support . Without it these events can't run and as always we look forward to welcoming you on an event in 2014 . Places can be reserved by e-mail . Cheques made payable to 30742 Charters and sent to 20 Portia Avenue, Shirley, Solihull , B90 2NW or payments accepted via PayPal