International & UK Railway News Saturday 21st June 2014

 Total Railway News






Around the world high speed rail seems to be exercising most people's minds...whether India, or the USA...In the USA California and Amtrak have called off joint bids for high speed trains...




Baroness Kramer  visited developments at Huyton and Roby and said "These vital improvements will make a real difference to passengers who use this route every day, as well as helping to secure lasting economic growth across the north of England."


And GE seem to be the preferred bidder for Alstom....

Michael Portillo takes us on a Great British Railway Journey..(Aylesford to Tunbridge Wells) and Christian Wolmar reflects on the decision taken when Michael Portillo was a member of government, that is , in reprieving the Settle - Carlisle line...and what a success the line has been since... 


With approaching celebrations and remembrance of the railways role in the First World War , we take a look at Christian Wolmar's excellent book "Engines of War"....


And Raildate takes a look at the week's news, and upcoming events...


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



Headlines
Alstom: GE and French state agree to work on new offer.(BBC News).




(India) Debate rages on high-speed train plans.(Hindustan Times)

(USA) High-Speed Rail Study Begins.(eerietvnews)

(USA) California and Amtrak cancel joint bids for high-speed trains.(Fresno Bee)


(USA)Behind GE's Vision For The Industrial Internet Of Things | Fast Company


Bombardier Wins Fleet Maintenance Contract with Virgin Trains for West Coast Franchise - Bombardier.






Great British Railway Journeys. Series 2: 17. Aylesford to Tunbridge Wells.(BBC iPlayer).(3 days left!)



(C) Boundless Productions


Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw's Britain remains, as his journey goes through Kent, from London Bridge around the scenic south coast to Hastings.


Michael explores the life of Victorian hop pickers, finds out about Maidstone's revolutionary paper industry and discovers how the railways turned cricket into a national sport.

(UK) Rail 746: Settle – Carlisle line was turning point in rail history.(Christian Wolmar)

(UK) Rail 747: It’s almost all rosy in the rail garden(Christian Wolmar)


(UK)Rail 745: Higgins changes direction – ever so slightly(Christian Wolmar)


(UK)Rail 748: Labour’s dither over renationalisation(Christian Wolmar)

Christian Wolmar - Britain's Leading Transport Commentator

On 28^th July 2014, the world will recall the 100^th anniversary of the start

of World War 1.  With over 37 million casualties, the war proved to be truly devastating for Europe, and indeed, the world.

 

In his 2010 book “Engines of War”, Christian Wolmar argues convincingly that railways changed the very nature of war. And he takes a close look, not at just the First World War, but earlier wars in the 19^th century which  utilized the railways to conduct their campaigns…such as the American Civil War, which was the first war to be fought making extensive use of the railways.

 

In the following  “Steam Tube Productions and TRFF” collaboration, Christian Wolmar outlines the main points of his argument.

“Engines of War” changed the world forever… never again  would the railways be viewed solely as a benign benefactor to the world’s  progress… but as a weapon to be used to further national aspirations….

GOV.UK





Baroness Kramer views rail improvements at Huyton and Roby
Transport minister sees how improvements will transform rail travel and boost economic growth across the north of England.


Transport minister Baroness Kramer visited Huyton and Roby stations on Thursday (19 June 2014) to see how more than £1 billion of investment will transform rail journeys and boost economic growth across the north of England.
During her visit, Baroness Kramer saw how work on the Northern Hub and North West Electrification Programme was progressing. Once completed in 2019, these schemes will increase capacity, slash journey times and improve reliability on train services across the region – generating more than £4 billion worth of economic benefits and up to 30,000 new jobs.
Network Rail has spent 18 months on the project to install a third track and make line speed improvements, allowing for faster services and removing a bottleneck from the network. Additional platforms are also being built, while other improvements include new lifts, improved accessibility and upgraded customer information systems.
Baroness Kramer said:

These vital improvements will make a real difference to passengers who use this route every day, as well as helping to secure lasting economic growth across the north of England.

More than £38 billion is being spent on maintaining and improving the UK’s rail network over the next 5 years, and the work at Huyton and Roby is an important part of that.

The Northern Hub scheme will allow hundreds more trains to run each day across the north of England, providing space for millions more passengers a year. Through a series of targeted improvements, it will provide faster journeys between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull by 2019.
As a result of these improvements, earlier this year, a new direct service between Newcastle and Liverpool was introduced, reducing journey times by 10 minutes, while further improvements will allow electric trains to run on the route between Manchester and Liverpool from December.
Network Rail is working on the electrification of other routes, including:

• Preston to Blackpool
• Manchester to Preston
• Manchester to Leeds and York
• Oxenholme to Windermere
• Wigan to Lostock

Once operational, this will mean modern, reliable electric trains will be able to run across the region.
As part of the work at Huyton and Roby, which is due to be completed this year, there will be a closure from Edge Hill and Bryn, via St Helens Central, and between Edge Hill and St Helens Junction between 5 and 13 July. Rail replacement services will be available.










Raildate


A summary of the week's rail news, and forthcoming heritage events courtesy of Howard Sprenger.


NETWATCH

Paul Bartlett has added a number of photographs of rolling stock from the 1950s to his Zenfolio site, including some 23 in
http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/gwrcarriage
and about a dozen in
http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/lnerlivestock

Stockholm metro deserted beauty caught on camera
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27824848

SEFT-1 Abandoned Railways Exploration Probe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27929846
http://tinyurl.com/o3quj75

Amazing colour pictures of London under siege from Nazi bombers during World War II
http://tinyurl.com/445mp6n

Flying with the jet set back when travel was glamorous
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27629532

White Pass & Yukon Railroad
http://www.wpyr.com/index.html
Public Transport to Giants Causeway (The hard way - there's an hourly train service to Portrush and hourly buses along the coast road!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27870572
London's derelict stations and railways
http://tinyurl.com/ppjgr8q
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)

In pictures: Audley End miniature railway celebrates 50 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-27812706
Kings Cross replica with steam train ride in Florida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFYQ3JVUWEI
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)

Garden railway: 10 scale miles - Drivers Eye View of Bekonscot Model Railway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMsJ_P6d-zg
Cock o’ the North, pride of Doncaster railways
http://tinyurl.com/oh458xo
World War I in Photos: The War at Sea - The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/wwi/wwisea/
MV Balmoral Fund Ltd
http://www.heritagesteamers.co.uk/balmoral/index.html
The First Air Force One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehwvZXVKmPU
Freydis Sharland obituary - pioneering female pilot for the wartime Air Transport Auxiliary
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/10/freydis-sharland
(Spotter: Alan Rushworth)

============


IN THE NEWS

China wants to back High Speed 2 and new nuclear
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27888027

Virgin West Coast contract extended
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27917711

Bombardier wins Virgin Trains maintenance contract
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-27943470

Network Rail plans 300 station pick-up points for online shoppers
http://tinyurl.com/k8mygjs

Marylebone station shut by cable fire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27874985
http://tinyurl.com/p967abe

Power supply problems Hatfield Peverill
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27901663

Greater Anglia apologises over London to Norwich train disruption
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27901663

Car skewered by rising bollard outside Cambridge railway station
http://tinyurl.com/kev9lf4

Asbestos adds £1m to Didcot Parkway railway station revamp costs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-27902960

Portishead railway station location consultation begins
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-27857122

Maiden Newton railway work 'keeps residents awake'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-27900539

Ramp access to Backwell and Nailsea station postponed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-27900803

Plymouth's Laira Bridge to become new cycling route
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-27915236

Light rail or heritage ideas for old Cranleigh-Guildford line
http://tinyurl.com/pr5utl9

Rail bosses to meet transport campaigners at Cambridge conference
http://www.railfuture.org.uk/Press+Release+17th+June+2014

Redditch-Barnt Green railway line works closure 'needed'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-27869368

Warwick finally on track for disabled railway access
http://tinyurl.com/pon4u8w

York loses rail college bid
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11276293.York_loses_rail_college_bid/

Property of the Week: The Old Station House in Brockholes
http://www.examiner.co.uk/lifestyle/property-of-the-week-7252436

Train derailment in Crewe causes delays
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27925517

Marylebone station shut by fire, hitting Chiltern rail services
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27874985

Woman on railway line
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Woman-railway-line/story-21235685-detail/story.html

RAIB report on level crossing near miss near Barton-on-Humber June 2013
http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/140616_R122014_Butterswood.pdf

RAIB report into locomotive failure near Winchfield
http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2014/report132014.cfm

Rail enthusiasts call for line revival (DN&SR)
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/rail-enthusiasts-call-for-line-revival

Veteran, 97, returns to the railway
http://tinyurl.com/q3nlgl4

LUL Sub surface line power supply upgrade
http://www.globalrailnews.com/2014/06/17/tfl-announces-power-upgrade-frameworks/

Chancery Lane Tube commuters panic after smoke pours from bag
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27920006

Work starts on Galashiels transport interchange
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-27813207

Glasgow 2014: Trains staff agree Games payments
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27912186

Train forced to make emergency stop after it hits object on track
http://tinyurl.com/kglr7j4

Bid to re-open Portobello railway station
http://tinyurl.com/lsovfo3

Volunteers relaunch Weardale Railway's heritage line
http://tinyurl.com/pwums9w

Scrapyard locomotive is back on the tracks
http://tinyurl.com/mcw59zg

Iarnro'd E'ireann financial recovery
http://www.railstaff.co.uk/2014/06/17/iarnrod-eireann-overcome/

French rail strike enters second week
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27914250

Over €1bn earmarked for Dutch railway improvements
http://tinyurl.com/m4emb72

Sioemens & Alstom financial discussions
http://tinyurl.com/lsfmy4n

Spain to privatise High Speed services
http://tinyurl.com/klnhklo

Rail exam leads to derailment at railway station, bus stand
http://tinyurl.com/newed7b

Cairngorms funicular railway to be closed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-27889335

Mock tram seeks home - What would you do with it?
http://tinyurl.com/mv4odd7

More arrests in enquiry into Padarn Bus fraud investigation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-27839596

Bus timetables placed too high to read
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-27908373

Harley-Davidson invites public to test electric motorbike
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27926348

Sully Island traffic lights to cut high tide rescues
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-27890806

Thames heritage boat museum approved
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-27856905

Economics of the cruise industry
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27865627

Port of Ramsgate close to bankrupcy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-27905037

UK dock operators battling to run Marchwood Military Port
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-27911430

Plane crash near M1 investigated by air accident officials
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-27856966

Newquay Airport passengers rise as storms hit rail use
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-27894810

Channel Islands Air Search replacement plane arrives
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-27888630

Plane crashes after take off from Guernsey Airport
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-27894906

Scottish Government funds for Prestwick Airport
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27897006

First of 14 new Chinooks delivered to RAF Odiham
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27874534

De Havilland Mosquito B.35 VR796 (CF-HML) flies
http://tinyurl.com/pp556d3

Malaysia MH370: Inmarsat confident on crash 'hotspot'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27870467
Malaysia MH370 jet hunt will move south, Australia says
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27936167

A350 wraps up hot-weather test in UAE
http://tinyurl.com/pc9cqxu

American cuts Venezuela schedule as trapped cash mounts
http://tinyurl.com/kvllawb

Ultimate selfie? Dutch F-16 pilot snaps pics on 787 escort
http://tinyurl.com/mcgxhd2

Virgin Atlantic to implement Google Glass strategy
http://tinyurl.com/oqxlmh4

Photographer collects glossary of British landscape
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27780066

The elaborate appeal of Heath Robinson
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27813927

Spotters: Tom Baldwin, Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Ted Millward, Reg Nerps, Mike Price, Alan Rushworth

============


TV and RADIO

21/06/14 Channel 4 1900-2000
"The Restoration Man" An old water mill becomes a home

22/06/14 BBC2 2100-2200
"A Cabbie Abroad" A London cabbie in Cambodia

23/06/14 BBC4 1930-2000
"Great British Railway Journeys" The Channel Tunnel

23/06/14 BBC2 2200-2230
"The Culture Show: Tents - the Beginning of Architecture"

23/06/14 BBC4 2200-2300
"Majesty and Mortar: Britain's Great Palaces" 1/3

24/06/14 BBC4 1930-2000
"Great British Railway Journeys" Hythe to Hastings

25/06/14 BBC4 1930-2000
"Great British Railway Journeys" Ayr to Skye

25/06/14 BBC4 2100-2200
"Majesty and Mortar: Britain's Great Palaces" 2/3

25/06/14 BBC4 2200-2300
"Caravans: a British Love Affair"

26/06/14 BBC4 2000-2100
"Precision: the Measure of Things" History of measurement 1/3

27/06/14 Channel 5 1900-2000
"World's Busiest Airport" 1/4 Hong Kong International

============


EVENTS
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracies or changes.

Until Priest's House Museum, Wimborne, Dorset, UK
30/06/14 Lost Tracks - Remembering East Dorset's Railways
Exhibition to mark 50 years since East Dorset's last scheduled passenger trains
http://www.priest-house.co.uk/exhibitions.html

20/06/14- Great Central Railway: 8-mile Long Model Railway & Engineering Exhibition
22/06/13 In association with the Soar Valley Model Railway Club
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/
EMT link: http://tinyurl.com/kqsv5hj

21/06/14 Rushton, Higham & Wellingborough Railway: Armed Forces Day
http://www.rhts.co.uk

21/06/14- Mid-Hants Railway: Dene Rally
22/06/14 http://www.watercressline.co.uk/

21/06/14- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Diesel Locomotive Weekend
22/06/14 http://www.e-v-r.com

21/06/14- European Railways Association: Cromford 2014
22/06/14 Cromford Community Centre, Market Place, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3QF
Raildater Derek Gillkerson will be attending with New Stanton Lees Mk3
1030-1700 both days

21/06/14- Churnet Valley Railway: Anything Goes Gala
22/06/14 http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

21/06/14- Llangollen Railway: Heritage Railcar Gala
22/06/14 http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

21/06/14- Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum: Worldwide Weekend Trolleydays
22/06/14 http://www.sandtoft.org

22/05/14 Peak Rail: Vintage Car Rally
http://www.peakrail.co.uk

26/05/14- Mid-Norfolk Railway: East Coast Summer Steam Gala
29/05/14 http://www.mnr.org.uk

28/06/14 Winchester: Chesil Railway and Tunnel Tour
http://winchestertouristguides.com/index.php/tours/themed-tours

28/05/14- The Battlefield Line: Fireman Sam
29/05/14 http://www.battlefieldline.co.uk

29/06/14 Ilkeston Heritage & Classic Vehicle Show
Ilkeston Market Place, Derbyshire
1000-1600

05/07/14 Romsey and District Railway Modellers Society Open Day (Romsey Festival)
Abbey United Reformed Church Hall, The Abbey, Romsey, SO51 8EL
1030-1630
Free admission, bucket collection in aid of Abbey URC funds
http://www.rdrms.hampshire.org.uk/
http://tinyurl.com/o2fp8zm

05/07/14 Romsey Signal Box open day (Romsey Festival)
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1600 (to be followed by the Friends of Romsey Signal Box AGM)
off Latham Road, Romsey, SO51 7DB
Parking available at the Nightingale Surgery near the top of Greatwell Drive
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
http://www.romseyfestival.org/genre/2014/7/5/

05/07/14 In aid of The Friends of the Cromford Canal:
Railway Open Day and Garden Party
14 Millfield, off Wilne Lane, Shardlow, Derby, DE72 2HD
1300-1900
Admission: £3.00

05/07/14- Wiston Steam Rally
06/07/14 Wiston Park, Steyning Road, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3DZ
http://www.sussexsteamrally.co.uk

05/07/14- Great Central Railway: Edwardian Weekend
06/07/14 **** Cancelled ****
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/

05/07/14- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Classic Bus Weekend
06/07/14 http://www.e-v-r.com

05/07/14- Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum: Weekend Trolleydays
06/07/14 http://www.sandtoft.org

06/07/14 Rushton, Higham & Wellingborough Railway: Getting to Know Rushton Week
http://www.rhts.co.uk

06/07/14 Friends of the Cromford Canal - Horseboat trips
http://www.cromfordcanal.info/

06/07/14 Leawood Pumping Engine Steaming Day, Cromford Canal
Engine in motion 1200-1700
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/

06/07/14 Twyford Waterworks: Miniature Steam Power Open Day
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/


Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @

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