When is nationalization not nationalization? Is it public owned? Or privately owned?
More trouble for London Underground..overtime ban..
Network Rail and level crossings and footbridges...
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Headlines
UK
Network Rail joins the public sector: but don't call it 'nationalisation'.(The Guardian)
Ainsdale train collision victim 'trying to rescue dog'. (BBC News)
MP Jim Paice demands better services at Ely railway station.(Cambridge News)
Greater Anglia disruption: Design faults in new signalling.(BBC News)
Tube strike: London Underground workers to ban overtime.(BBC News)
Network Rail Press Releases.
Network Rail announces partners for £250m rail renewals programme.
Network Rail has awarded framework contracts worth a combined £250m for the delivery of building and civils work on the Scotland and London North Eastern routes.
Seven successful suppliers will deliver more than 1,000 maintenance, renewals and enhancements projects, improving earthworks, bridges, tunnels, footbridges and station buildings as part of Network Rail’s £38bn programme to build a bigger, better railway in control period 5 (2014-19).
The frameworks, which will run for an initial three years, have been designed to deliver a range of benefits including outstanding levels of safety, improvements in cost and quality and greater productivity through collaborative working. If suppliers can demonstrate that work has been delivered safely and successfully within budget, the contracts can each be extended by another two years plus one further year.
Rob McIntosh, regional director of infrastructure projects, Network Rail, said: “As the number of passengers and companies that rely on Britain’s railway continues to rise, it’s vital that all parts of our infrastructure are fit for purpose.
“These new frameworks represent a significant commitment by suppliers, allowing us to work closely with them so that work can be carried out more quickly and efficiently.
“Network Rail is continuing to drive down the costs of Britain’s railway and is committed to meeting tough efficiency targets. Our work with these suppliers will ensure that improvement work is delivered safely and efficiently, ultimately delivering a bigger, better and better value railway.”
The individual frameworks within the Renewals Collaborative Delivery Programme (as the overally contracting vehicle is known) are:
London North Eastern & East Midlands route:
Total value approx. £150m
Scotland route:
Total value approx. £100m
===================================The frameworks, which will run for an initial three years, have been designed to deliver a range of benefits including outstanding levels of safety, improvements in cost and quality and greater productivity through collaborative working. If suppliers can demonstrate that work has been delivered safely and successfully within budget, the contracts can each be extended by another two years plus one further year.
Rob McIntosh, regional director of infrastructure projects, Network Rail, said: “As the number of passengers and companies that rely on Britain’s railway continues to rise, it’s vital that all parts of our infrastructure are fit for purpose.
“These new frameworks represent a significant commitment by suppliers, allowing us to work closely with them so that work can be carried out more quickly and efficiently.
“Network Rail is continuing to drive down the costs of Britain’s railway and is committed to meeting tough efficiency targets. Our work with these suppliers will ensure that improvement work is delivered safely and efficiently, ultimately delivering a bigger, better and better value railway.”
Notes:
The framework contracts have been awarded by Network Rail Infrastructure Projects, Scotland and North Eastern, one of four regionally based project delivery businesses which supports the Scotland and London North Eastern routes.The individual frameworks within the Renewals Collaborative Delivery Programme (as the overally contracting vehicle is known) are:
London North Eastern & East Midlands route:
- Structures – Amalgamated Construction Ltd
- Viaducts – Taziker Industrial Ltd
- Bridge reconstruction – Amalgamated Construction Ltd
- Structure repairs – Amalgamated Construction Ltd
- Station footbridges – Construction Marine Ltd
- Earthworks – Construction Marine Ltd
- Station buildings – Miller Construction (UK) Ltd
- Major structures – Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd
Total value approx. £150m
Scotland route:
- Structures – Amalgamated Construction Ltd
- Structures repairs – Taziker Industrial Ltd
- Geotechnical (earthworks) – QTS Group Ltd
- Buildings – Story Contracting
Total value approx. £100m
New footbridge marks success for Network Rail / South West Trains Alliance level crossing programme.
A new footbridge has been opened over the railway near Petersfield in Hampshire, marking a notable success for the Network Rail / South West Trains Alliance level crossing programme.
The £400,000 footbridge, at Stodham, replaces a foot crossing across the railway that was closed in March this year.
Part of the popular Shipwright’s Way footpath, the increasing use of the crossing on a 90mph railway meant that the Alliance had to take action. It is the second crossing to be closed out of a target of 35 on the Alliance route in the next five years and part of a nationwide programme of level crossing closures.
Sharon Vye-Parminter, safety director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “We are committed to improving safety on what is already a very safe railway and we are always looking at ways to make level crossings safer.
“Closing level crossings is one way that we can reduce to the risk to the railway, but we also need the help of the public. Successfully closing a crossing isn't always a straightforward process, so we will need the support from local authorities, landowners and the public to help us achieve our new target and improve safety further still."
Building a footbridge meant the risk of the level crossing was removed completely, but was only possible with the help of the local Petersfield Golf Club, Liss Parish Council and Hampshire County Council.
Network Rail, Dyer and Butler, Petersfield Gold Club and Liss Parish Council representatives on the new Stodham bridge (Network Rail Photo)
Between 2010 and 2014, 750 crossings were closed across the country, and Network Rail is working towards closing a further 500 by 2019.
The South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance was formed on 29 April 2012 with the aim of delivering an improved service for passengers with faster, more customer-focused decision-making. It is also a step towards delivering a more efficient and cost effective railway for the long term.
· A single joint management team now look after train services and infrastructure across the South West Trains / Wessex route.
· The Alliance is the first of its kind in the UK.
· Train services operated by the Alliance are some of the busiest commuter train services in the UK. Over 2,000 passenger and freight services run on the network every day and the route covers 643 miles of track, with 1375 sets of points and 4394 signals.
==========================================================Part of the popular Shipwright’s Way footpath, the increasing use of the crossing on a 90mph railway meant that the Alliance had to take action. It is the second crossing to be closed out of a target of 35 on the Alliance route in the next five years and part of a nationwide programme of level crossing closures.
Sharon Vye-Parminter, safety director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “We are committed to improving safety on what is already a very safe railway and we are always looking at ways to make level crossings safer.
“Closing level crossings is one way that we can reduce to the risk to the railway, but we also need the help of the public. Successfully closing a crossing isn't always a straightforward process, so we will need the support from local authorities, landowners and the public to help us achieve our new target and improve safety further still."
Building a footbridge meant the risk of the level crossing was removed completely, but was only possible with the help of the local Petersfield Golf Club, Liss Parish Council and Hampshire County Council.
Network Rail, Dyer and Butler, Petersfield Gold Club and Liss Parish Council representatives on the new Stodham bridge (Network Rail Photo)
Notes:
The footbridge was built by contractors Dyer and ButlerBetween 2010 and 2014, 750 crossings were closed across the country, and Network Rail is working towards closing a further 500 by 2019.
The South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance was formed on 29 April 2012 with the aim of delivering an improved service for passengers with faster, more customer-focused decision-making. It is also a step towards delivering a more efficient and cost effective railway for the long term.
· A single joint management team now look after train services and infrastructure across the South West Trains / Wessex route.
· The Alliance is the first of its kind in the UK.
· Train services operated by the Alliance are some of the busiest commuter train services in the UK. Over 2,000 passenger and freight services run on the network every day and the route covers 643 miles of track, with 1375 sets of points and 4394 signals.
Campaign to improve safety at Furze Platt level crossing.
Local residents and other users of Furze Platt level crossing will be learning to stay safe on the railway during a campaign organised by Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP).
The crossing is one of the most misused on the Western route, with 28 recorded incidents since last September, including three near misses. These incidents have included motorists ignoring the warning lights; pedestrians continuing to use the crossing when a train is approaching; passengers exiting trains at Furze Platt station and then walking in front of the departing trains; and drivers parking on the approach to the crossing.
Alan Durham, Network Rail’s level crossings manager, said: “Earlier this year we organised a similar safety campaign that focused on school children. Our reported incidents show however that this is a much wider issue that also affects local residents, passengers and other users.
“Where we cannot close a level crossing we have pledged that we will make it safer. The purpose of this campaign is therefore to raise awareness of the risks involved in not using it correctly, and to help people understand that by following the advice we will be providing, they can keep themselves and others safe.”
The campaign will be taking place from Tuesday, 2 to Friday, 5 September. During this time, members of staff from Network Rail and BTP will be at the crossing at peak times to advise users and hand out flyers containing key safety information. These flyers will also be handed out to passengers at Furze Platt station and given to residents and businesses in the local area.
PC Richard Willis, of British Transport Police, said: “The danger of using level crossings illegally is the same as the danger on the rest of the railway. Our officers will be at the crossing to educate road users and pedestrians about how to use it safely and legally. We will specifically target those who ignore the law, as well as reinforcing the message that level crossings must be respected and used in the correct manner for the safety of all road and rail users.”
Furze Platt level crossing(Network Rail Photo)
Notes:
1. Staff from Network Rail and BTP will be speaking to members of the public and handing out flyers at the crossing from Tuesday, 2 to Friday, 5 September, between 7 and 9.30am and between 3 and 5pm. Members of the media are welcome to attend during these times to take photographs and speak to staff from Network Rail and BTP.
2. For more information on Network Rail's programme of activity on level crossings, including the education programme RailLife, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/
3. Network Rail has pledged to close a further 500 crossings by 2019, investing more than £100m over this period as part of its ongoing programme of work to improve safety and reduce risk to passengers and the wider public.
2. For more information on Network Rail's programme of activity on level crossings, including the education programme RailLife, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/
3. Network Rail has pledged to close a further 500 crossings by 2019, investing more than £100m over this period as part of its ongoing programme of work to improve safety and reduce risk to passengers and the wider public.
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Electrical arcing and fire on a Metro train and parting of the overhead line at Walkergate station, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 11 August 2014
RAIB is investigating an accident which occurred on the Tyne and Wear Metro system at Walkergate station on Monday 11 August 2014.
At 18:56 hrs a two-car Metro train, travelling from South Shields to St James, arrived at Walkergate station. While standing in the station an electrical fault occurred to a line breaker mounted on the underside of the train, which produced some smoke. It also caused the circuit breakers at the sub-stations supplying the train with electricity, via the overhead line, to trip (open). About one minute later power was restored to the train. There followed a brief fire in the area of the initial electrical fault and further smoke. Shortly afterwards, the overhead line above the train parted and the flailing ends of the wire fell on the train roof and one then fell on to the platform, producing significant arcing and sparks for around 14 seconds. Fortunately, there was no-one on the platform at the time. However, there were at least 30 passengers on the train who self-evacuated on to the platform using the train doors’ emergency release handles. The fire service attended but the fire was no longer burning. No-one was reported to be injured in the accident and there was no significant damage to the interior of the train.
Continue reading..At 18:56 hrs a two-car Metro train, travelling from South Shields to St James, arrived at Walkergate station. While standing in the station an electrical fault occurred to a line breaker mounted on the underside of the train, which produced some smoke. It also caused the circuit breakers at the sub-stations supplying the train with electricity, via the overhead line, to trip (open). About one minute later power was restored to the train. There followed a brief fire in the area of the initial electrical fault and further smoke. Shortly afterwards, the overhead line above the train parted and the flailing ends of the wire fell on the train roof and one then fell on to the platform, producing significant arcing and sparks for around 14 seconds. Fortunately, there was no-one on the platform at the time. However, there were at least 30 passengers on the train who self-evacuated on to the platform using the train doors’ emergency release handles. The fire service attended but the fire was no longer burning. No-one was reported to be injured in the accident and there was no significant damage to the interior of the train.
UK Heritage
Bid to restore five bridges and extend Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway to Broadway needs last push to reach £500,000 target.(Gloucestershire Echo)
Toddington Station on the GWSR
International
Senegal:Dakar-Mali rail service returns to normal operation (Lloyd's Loading List)
USA
The enduring allure of steam trains: A nostalgic journey back in time.(CNN)
How did BART know about the San Fran quake before anyone else?
(SmartRail World)
www.progressiverailroading.com.
Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com
Newag to supply trains for Polish suburban light rail line
Polish train manufacturer Newag has signed a contract with Warsaw Commuter Rail (WKD) to supply six new electric multiple units, which will operate on the Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa suburban light rail line to increase capacity.
Polish train manufacturer Newag has signed a contract with Warsaw Commuter Rail (WKD) to supply six new electric multiple units, which will operate on the Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa suburban light rail line to increase capacity.
Indian Government approves permit of 100% FDI in railways
The Indian Government has notified the permit of 100% foreign direct invest (FDI) in railways, in a bid to boost the sector's infrastructure in the country.
The Indian Government has notified the permit of 100% foreign direct invest (FDI) in railways, in a bid to boost the sector's infrastructure in the country.
New York MTA announces safety recommendations for Metro-North Railroad
New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) blue ribbon panel of transportation experts has announced the final recommendations for rail safety on three railroad operations in the state.
New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) blue ribbon panel of transportation experts has announced the final recommendations for rail safety on three railroad operations in the state.
Network Rail completes infrastructure upgrade on Swindon and Kemble line
UK operator Network Rail has completed the £45m infrastructure upgrade project on the railway line between Swindon and Kemble.
UK operator Network Rail has completed the £45m infrastructure upgrade project on the railway line between Swindon and Kemble.
Russian Railways on YouTube
An outstanding video by Chris Winch on his way from Moscow to Beijing on Transsib. Villages, rivers, bridges and the beauty of fall – this is what inspires all of us to travel more!
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