The Crossrail project keeps on progressing to schedule... the green light has been given for improvements at Ealing Broadway station..... and early 2015 should see the end of Crossrail's tunnelling work...
In the USA, the NY Times wrote an anti high speed rail piece...Time magazine responded..and the NY Times did a U-turn!
For the full stories, click on the links.....
Latest.......
Press Release
Network Rail steam ‘ban’ hits Harry Potter fans and seaside tourism
A disproportionate response, to a minor line-side fire in North Yorkshire, has resulted in a complete ban on steam operations across the LNE & East Midlands Route of Network Rail, on the direct instruction of the Route’s Managing Director, Phil Verster. The fire, at the beginning of July, was caused by ‘Hogwarts Castle’, which starred in all the Harry Potter films, and the resulting ban deprived many fans and well-wishers of its final run, before being put on show at Leavesden Studios..
The ban has also meant that West Coast Railways’ (WCR) popular and long-standing three-days-a-week flagship steam tourist service, ‘The Scarborough Spa Express’, which usually takes hundreds of tourists and enthusiasts from West Yorkshire to the seaside town of Scarborough, has been forced to run with a diesel locomotive only. It has also meant that two other weekly trains, ‘The Scarborough Flyer’, from Crewe to Scarborough and ‘The Waverley’, from York to Carlisle, both promoted by the Railway Touring Company, have also had to be diesel-hauled.
Said WCR’s Chairman & Managing Director, David Smith: “We have operated steam trains to Scarborough, in one form or other, for nearly twenty years and it is only now that has suddenly become a problem. Whilst we acknowledge that fire-risk is particular to steam operations, we consider that we have made satisfactory arrangements so that the risk is as low as reasonably possible. We have given Mr Verster the assurances that we are obliged by law to do but, despite the recent heavy rainfall, he is insisting on more and more detailed paperwork. As far as I’m concerned, fires will not be stopped by paperwork but only by correct actions.”
Mr Smith continued: “I feel we are an easy target, hence the ban, and that is supported by the fact Network Rail’s other routes have been quite content to allow us to run a full programme of steam operations, during this time, without any problems. Unsurprisingly, passenger numbers, this season, have dropped through the floor, which not only a great disappointment to us but has also hit visitor numbers to the destinations of York and Scarborough. It is also ironic that Network Rail last year spent £1.6m on the installation of a new turntable at York and now that and the one previously installed at Scarborough and funded by the local council will this season go unused.”
------------------------------------
Headlines
UK
Packed rush hour Metrolink tram travelling to Bury takes wrong turn and heads off to Rochdale(Manchester Evening News)
RAILWAY ENGINEERING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION « Young Rail Professionals
Young Rail Professionals from across the world to meet in Berlin - Railway Gazette
Network Rail.
Schoolgirls raise the roof with IT competition work experience prize
Six secondary school students have been getting a roof-raising experience by visiting the £44m redevelopment at Manchester Victoria station. The tour was part of their prize of two weeks paid work experience, after winning Network Rail's Could IT Be You? competition to encourage more young women into technology careers.
The competition was launched in October 2013 after Susan Cooklin, Network Rail's chief information officer, raised concerns about the rapid slide in the number of women entering the UK's IT sector. The latest figures from e-skills UK shows the proportion of women working in technology roles in the UK has more than halved since the 1980s despite technology becoming an increasingly integral part of our everyday lives.
During the two weeks, the girls shadowed Network Rail's IT managers, attended meetings and saw how technology helps run Britain's railway, which carries more than 4m people and hundreds of tonnes of freight a day. They also visited signalling centres, stations and the National Records Centre, which holds over five million historical records including original architectural drawings by Brunel, which are still used today by 21st century engineers.
Network Rail Photo.
Hannah Blair, aged 18, from West Wickham in south London and runner up in the competition, spoke about her time with Network Rail: “The highlight of my week was the visit to Wembley signalling centre. To see the live operation of trains being run from Euston to Watford Junction was amazing. It was interesting to see the different types of technologies working together and it really helped to open my eyes to what a complex operation Network Rail undertakes daily.”
Dani Ball, aged 17, from Nottingham, also a runner up, said: “The thing that surprised me the most was the variety of roles available. One of my favourite experiences was seeing how the biggest crane currently being used in the country is helping transform Manchester Victoria station.”
Zoe Moore, aged 17 from Towcester in Northants, was the overall winner of the 2013 competition and will have her first year’s university fees paid for by Network Rail. She said: "One of the most unusual things we got to see was all the historical railway records at the National Records Centre in York, the oldest of which was from 1509. One particularly special document contains Florence Nightingale's signature from a land deed. Where else do you get to see that?”
Network Rail CIO, Susan Cooklin, said: "Popular culture has helped create a perception amongst young women that a career in IT is all about writing code in basement offices – the reality couldn't be further from the truth. All these girls have shown a creative mind for solving problems and good communication, and these are the skills that business leaders are after. Everyone in my team is thrilled to be able to showcase how much technology there is on the railway and hopefully inspire them to become technology gurus of the future."
Network Rail Photo.
Could IT Be You? 2014 will be launched in September, with the same top prize of the first year of university fees paid for by Network Rail. The winner and runners up will also receive paid work experience as a prize. A new website will accompany the launch but those interested can keep up to date on what's happening by following the team @couldITbu14
A survey for Network Rail of 16-24 year old women in Britain revealed:
- 64% of women have not considered a career in IT.
- 28% had but were not currently working in the industry.
- Negative stereotypes put 10% off pursuing a career with 43% saying it was a lack of technical skill. A further 41% said it was inadequate career advice or little insight into the industry.
- 58% believe that a high level of technical expertise in computer programming or code is the most important skill for a successful career in IT. 23% thought a degree or college qualification in a technology subject was most important.
- Only 4% thought good project management skills were the most important with only 7% citing good communication skills as the most valuable.
From 2008-12, the percentage of women in IT roles at Network Rail has grown from 26% to 28%, but only 20% of those applying for the company’s information management graduate scheme were female.
During the two weeks, the girls shadowed Network Rail's IT managers, attended meetings and saw how technology helps run Britain's railway, which carries more than 4m people and hundreds of tonnes of freight a day. They also visited signalling centres, stations and the National Records Centre, which holds over five million historical records including original architectural drawings by Brunel, which are still used today by 21st century engineers.
Network Rail Photo.
Hannah Blair, aged 18, from West Wickham in south London and runner up in the competition, spoke about her time with Network Rail: “The highlight of my week was the visit to Wembley signalling centre. To see the live operation of trains being run from Euston to Watford Junction was amazing. It was interesting to see the different types of technologies working together and it really helped to open my eyes to what a complex operation Network Rail undertakes daily.”
Dani Ball, aged 17, from Nottingham, also a runner up, said: “The thing that surprised me the most was the variety of roles available. One of my favourite experiences was seeing how the biggest crane currently being used in the country is helping transform Manchester Victoria station.”
Zoe Moore, aged 17 from Towcester in Northants, was the overall winner of the 2013 competition and will have her first year’s university fees paid for by Network Rail. She said: "One of the most unusual things we got to see was all the historical railway records at the National Records Centre in York, the oldest of which was from 1509. One particularly special document contains Florence Nightingale's signature from a land deed. Where else do you get to see that?”
Network Rail CIO, Susan Cooklin, said: "Popular culture has helped create a perception amongst young women that a career in IT is all about writing code in basement offices – the reality couldn't be further from the truth. All these girls have shown a creative mind for solving problems and good communication, and these are the skills that business leaders are after. Everyone in my team is thrilled to be able to showcase how much technology there is on the railway and hopefully inspire them to become technology gurus of the future."
Network Rail Photo.
Could IT Be You? 2014 will be launched in September, with the same top prize of the first year of university fees paid for by Network Rail. The winner and runners up will also receive paid work experience as a prize. A new website will accompany the launch but those interested can keep up to date on what's happening by following the team @couldITbu14
A survey for Network Rail of 16-24 year old women in Britain revealed:
- 64% of women have not considered a career in IT.
- 28% had but were not currently working in the industry.
- Negative stereotypes put 10% off pursuing a career with 43% saying it was a lack of technical skill. A further 41% said it was inadequate career advice or little insight into the industry.
- 58% believe that a high level of technical expertise in computer programming or code is the most important skill for a successful career in IT. 23% thought a degree or college qualification in a technology subject was most important.
- Only 4% thought good project management skills were the most important with only 7% citing good communication skills as the most valuable.
From 2008-12, the percentage of women in IT roles at Network Rail has grown from 26% to 28%, but only 20% of those applying for the company’s information management graduate scheme were female.
Rail upgrade reaches Bassetlaw and Doncaster
Rail passengers are reminded of a fortnight of changes to train travel on the line between Doncaster and Gainsborough as the next stage of improvement work to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line start this Saturday (16 August).
The work is the next phase of investment to transform the GNGE line between Peterborough and Doncaster via Gainsborough.
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, explained: “The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.
“During just 16 days our engineers will replace and repair bridges and lower tracks, so modern, taller containers can travel along the line. Work on the highways over three level crossings will mean they can be upgraded with modern technology later this year.
“This is an essential element of our continuing investment in Britain’s railway. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to passengers during this time, and thank the local community for their support while we transform the GNGE line.”
No trains will run between Doncaster and Gainsborough - in either direction - between 9pm on Saturday, 16 August and 8:30am on Monday, 1 September to allow the improvements to be completed. Passengers are advised to check before they travel, and details of bus replacement services are on www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling 08457 48 49 50
08457 48 49 50.
Network Rail held exhibitions in Misterton on 17 May and Finningley on 14 June to help explain the work, and its impact, to residents and businesses. Parish councils have also been made aware of the upcoming work.
The bridges, which carry the railway across roads and waterways, and are being replaced are across Gainsborough Road, the Chesterfield Canal and Soss Lane.
The full list of level crossings receiving highways modernisation works, and the dates they are closed, are:
Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each bridge or level crossing. Further temporary level crossing closures will also be necessary later in the year to install the new technology.
These works are ‘phase two’ of the GNGE project – a £280 million Government-funded programme to transform the line into a modern railway and due for completion later in 2014.
Further information is available by calling Network Rail’s Community Relations team on 08457 11 41 4108457 11 41 41 or by emailing CRNE@networkrail.co.uk
Railway safety reminder as trains to begin running again between Harlech and Pwllheli
Pont Briwet Bridge (Network Rail Photo)
Network Rail is reminding people of the risks of trespassing on the railway, as the Cambrian line between Harlech and Pwllheli reopens to engineering trains from Monday 18 August, followed shortly by passenger services.
Young people trespassing on the railway (Network Rail Photo.)
Local resident given driving ban after misusing Kintbury level crossing
A local resident has been found guilty of dangerous driving and banned from driving for 12 months after deliberately driving over Kintbury level crossing after the barriers had been lowered.
Blackminster, Worcestershire
Crossrail
Green light for Crossrail improvements at Ealing Broadway station
Crossrail Picture.
Ealing Council approves plans for improvements to station
Canopy to cover entire forecourt; new ticket hall and entrance doubled in size
Construction work to get underway in 2015 and to last around 18 months
Proposals for an overhaul of Ealing Broadway station as part of Crossrail upgrades have been approved by Ealing Council’s Planning Committee.
The new station, designed by Bennetts Associates, will have a long, curved canopy running the length of the forecourt that will reflect the prominence and importance of the station building. The dated façade will be replaced with a new glass structure and a new entrance twice the size of the existing one, giving the building a much larger, brighter feel.
Inside the station, improvements comprise:
Construction work is expected to begin in summer 2015 and is expected to last around 18 months. Network Rail, which is delivering the station improvements, will set up worksites in summer 2015 and will use part of the station forecourt and a corner of Haven Green.
Linked to this, the council will also carry out work to transform the area around the station, improving safety and transport links and upgrading the look and the feel of the area. Crossrail and Network Rail will be working with Ealing Council to ensure that the impact of the works for local people is kept to an absolute minimum.
A joint information event between Ealing Council and Crossrail is planned in September to inform local people about the plans for the station and to seek comments on proposals for the development of the area around the station. It will also allow people to find out more about the Crossrail service and the work that is planned for the area.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “The arrival of Crossrail will bring wide-ranging benefits to our borough, including major improvements to Ealing Broadway station. The council worked closely with Crossrail to achieve a very high quality design for the station including plans for a whole new station forecourt with a stunning canopy that I believe will create a fitting gateway to Ealing town centre and set the design standards for other developments around the station.”
Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in Ealing – better stations, new trains and faster journeys. Now that our plans for Ealing Broadway are moving forward, we will continue to liaise with local people as the detail of the designs for the station is developed. We will also be working hard to make sure that the station improvements are made with the absolute minimum of disruption to local people and businesses.”
Matthew Steele, Programme Director for Crossrail at Network Rail said: “Crossrail is one of the most important projects that Network Rail is working on and promises to deliver huge improvements to rail transport in Ealing, west London and out to Reading. The project team are committed to delivering these important works efficiently and in partnership with the local authority.”
Residents will be able to catch up to ten Crossrail services an hour through the centre of the capital, making it quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London and the South East.
By improving transport links, Crossrail is already unlocking development opportunities in west London, encouraging investment and supporting local jobs and businesses. Almost half of planning applications (44%) within a kilometre of the five stations in the London Borough of Ealing cited the new railway as a justification for the development proceeding.
Crossrail Farringdon Tunnelling Progress
Thank you very much for your patience whilst we continue with tunnelling work as part of the new Crossrail Farringdon station. Four out of the eight Tunnel Boring Machines on the entire Crossrail project end their journeys at Farringdon. Phyllis and Ada have already completed their tunnelling. Victoria and Elizabeth, will be tunnelling from Whitechapel, arriving in early 2015. This will not only mark the end of their journeys, but also the end of Crossrail’s tunnelling.
Crossrail Tunnels: Look Ahead The Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) tunnelling works at Farringdon are progressing well. Over the next few months we will continue with the enlargement of the running tunnels into both platform tunnels as well as creating cross passages - the interconnecting tunnels enabling pedestrian access to and from the platforms. Tunnelling activity is currently taking place from under Cowcross Street, and will progress under the south end of St John Street. It will continue towards Charterhouse Street and then to Crossrail Farringdon’s eastern ticket hall. Secondary lining of the tunnels will commence at the western ticket hall and progress towards the eastern ticket hall from early 2015. Secondary lining provides further reinforcement and strength to the existing tunnels. Continual monitoring of the properties above the tunnels is being carried out using prisms and other monitoring equipment fitted to buildings. Grout shafts have been constructed to give further protection to buildings by pumping liquid grout through the ground to stabilise any ground movement if detected. We do not expect there to be any damage caused by the tunnelling, but for further information please visit our website http://www.crossrail.co.uk/construction/managing-the-effects-of-construction/ground-settlement-managing-the-effects-of-tunnelling Continued overleaf…
Duration of work
•Tunnelling is taking place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
What to expect
•Unlikely to notice the passing of the Tunnel Boring Machine
•Victoria & Elizabeth will arrive at the Farringdon eastern ticket hall in early 2015
What we will do
•Carry out real time monitoring and install extra monitoring equipment in properties where necessary
•To mitigate the impacts of ground borne noise throughout the SCL tunnelling works, we will ensure ‘Best Practicable Means’ is employed at all times
•Plant and equipment will be continually reviewed
•Investigate any concerns of property owners if they are being affected by the tunnelling
About Crossrail Crossrail is Europe’s largest construction project, delivering a new railway for London and the South East. When the service opens Crossrail trains will travel from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via new twin tunnels under central London. It will link Heathrow Airport, the West End, the City of London and Canary Wharf. …continued from overleaf Farringdon Community Liaison Panel
Crossrail runs a community liaison panel for each central London station to keep local community representatives informed of progress and plans. If you would like further information please contact crossrailliaisonpanels@crossrail.co.uk
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Accidents involving a wheelchair rolling onto the track at Southend Central, 28 August 2013; and a pushchair rolling onto the track at Whyteleafe, 18 September 2013
Africa
Talks for integrated pan-African high-speed rail network under way.(Mining Weekly)
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, explained: “The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.
“During just 16 days our engineers will replace and repair bridges and lower tracks, so modern, taller containers can travel along the line. Work on the highways over three level crossings will mean they can be upgraded with modern technology later this year.
“This is an essential element of our continuing investment in Britain’s railway. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to passengers during this time, and thank the local community for their support while we transform the GNGE line.”
No trains will run between Doncaster and Gainsborough - in either direction - between 9pm on Saturday, 16 August and 8:30am on Monday, 1 September to allow the improvements to be completed. Passengers are advised to check before they travel, and details of bus replacement services are on www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling 08457 48 49 50
Network Rail held exhibitions in Misterton on 17 May and Finningley on 14 June to help explain the work, and its impact, to residents and businesses. Parish councils have also been made aware of the upcoming work.
The bridges, which carry the railway across roads and waterways, and are being replaced are across Gainsborough Road, the Chesterfield Canal and Soss Lane.
The full list of level crossings receiving highways modernisation works, and the dates they are closed, are:
- Auckley – closed completely from 8am on Saturday, 16 August until 8am on Monday, 29 September;
- Beech Hill – closed completely from 8am on Saturday, 16 August until 8am on Monday, 29 September; and
- North Carr – closed completely from 6am on Thursday, 28 August until 8am on Monday, 6 October
Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each bridge or level crossing. Further temporary level crossing closures will also be necessary later in the year to install the new technology.
These works are ‘phase two’ of the GNGE project – a £280 million Government-funded programme to transform the line into a modern railway and due for completion later in 2014.
Further information is available by calling Network Rail’s Community Relations team on 08457 11 41 41
Railway safety reminder as trains to begin running again between Harlech and Pwllheli
Pont Briwet Bridge (Network Rail Photo)
Network Rail is reminding people of the risks of trespassing on the railway, as the Cambrian line between Harlech and Pwllheli reopens to engineering trains from Monday 18 August, followed shortly by passenger services.
The reopening of the line follows the successful rebuilding of Pont Briwet over the Afon Dwyryd near Llandecwyn. Major repairs to the Cambrian line were also needed following severe storm damage in December 2013.
Nick Chrzanowski, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “Local people have been extremely patient while this vital work has been carried out at Pont Briwet, however we know that some people have been taking shortcuts across the railway while it has been closed.
“Trespass on the railway or misuse of level crossings is extremely dangerous as well as being a serious criminal offence. We want everyone to stay safe and stay off the tracks and would ask for local people’s help in passing on this message, especially to young people.”
Nick Chrzanowski, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “Local people have been extremely patient while this vital work has been carried out at Pont Briwet, however we know that some people have been taking shortcuts across the railway while it has been closed.
“Trespass on the railway or misuse of level crossings is extremely dangerous as well as being a serious criminal offence. We want everyone to stay safe and stay off the tracks and would ask for local people’s help in passing on this message, especially to young people.”
Young people trespassing on the railway (Network Rail Photo.)
Local resident given driving ban after misusing Kintbury level crossing
A local resident has been found guilty of dangerous driving and banned from driving for 12 months after deliberately driving over Kintbury level crossing after the barriers had been lowered.
Roxy Primrose Cox, from Kintbury, ignored the warning lights and drove her car around the already lowered entrance barriers when using the crossing on 17 December 2013. Her actions meant the signaller at Kintbury signal box had to delay the exit barrier sequence to make sure that she was able to safely clear the crossing.
She was found guilty of dangerous driving at Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday, 7 August and was banned from driving for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay a fine of £375 and court costs of £750.
Tony Conn, Network Rail’s level crossings manager, said: “Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. We have received reports of a number of people not obeying the warning lights and risking their lives and other people’s to save a few minutes on their journey.
“I hope that the prosecution of this driver acts as a deterrent to others and shows that this kind of dangerous behaviour is a risk in more ways than one.”
Network Rail is committed to improving safety on and around the railway and is currently offering local residents the opportunity to find out more about how the railway works by coming on a tour of Kintbury signal box.
The tours give people a chance to see how the signalling and points systems work to keep trains running safely and reliably. They also provide information and advice on how to use Kintbury level crossing correctly.
Anyone interested in participating in a tour is asked to contact Bill Veloz on 07476 41885307476 418853 or via email kintburycrossing@hotmail.com.
Blackminster, Worcestershire
Crossrail
Green light for Crossrail improvements at Ealing Broadway station
Crossrail Picture.
The new station, designed by Bennetts Associates, will have a long, curved canopy running the length of the forecourt that will reflect the prominence and importance of the station building. The dated façade will be replaced with a new glass structure and a new entrance twice the size of the existing one, giving the building a much larger, brighter feel.
Inside the station, improvements comprise:
- A ticket hall more than twice the size of the existing one with capacity for 17 standard ticket gates and one wide gate
- Four new lifts to provide step free access from street level to all platforms
- Improved staircases for platforms 1 and 2/3
- Platform extensions to accommodate the new high capacity Crossrail trains
- New toilet facilities
- New customer information screens, station signage, help points and CCTV
Construction work is expected to begin in summer 2015 and is expected to last around 18 months. Network Rail, which is delivering the station improvements, will set up worksites in summer 2015 and will use part of the station forecourt and a corner of Haven Green.
Linked to this, the council will also carry out work to transform the area around the station, improving safety and transport links and upgrading the look and the feel of the area. Crossrail and Network Rail will be working with Ealing Council to ensure that the impact of the works for local people is kept to an absolute minimum.
A joint information event between Ealing Council and Crossrail is planned in September to inform local people about the plans for the station and to seek comments on proposals for the development of the area around the station. It will also allow people to find out more about the Crossrail service and the work that is planned for the area.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “The arrival of Crossrail will bring wide-ranging benefits to our borough, including major improvements to Ealing Broadway station. The council worked closely with Crossrail to achieve a very high quality design for the station including plans for a whole new station forecourt with a stunning canopy that I believe will create a fitting gateway to Ealing town centre and set the design standards for other developments around the station.”
Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in Ealing – better stations, new trains and faster journeys. Now that our plans for Ealing Broadway are moving forward, we will continue to liaise with local people as the detail of the designs for the station is developed. We will also be working hard to make sure that the station improvements are made with the absolute minimum of disruption to local people and businesses.”
Matthew Steele, Programme Director for Crossrail at Network Rail said: “Crossrail is one of the most important projects that Network Rail is working on and promises to deliver huge improvements to rail transport in Ealing, west London and out to Reading. The project team are committed to delivering these important works efficiently and in partnership with the local authority.”
Residents will be able to catch up to ten Crossrail services an hour through the centre of the capital, making it quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London and the South East.
By improving transport links, Crossrail is already unlocking development opportunities in west London, encouraging investment and supporting local jobs and businesses. Almost half of planning applications (44%) within a kilometre of the five stations in the London Borough of Ealing cited the new railway as a justification for the development proceeding.
Crossrail Farringdon Tunnelling Progress
Thank you very much for your patience whilst we continue with tunnelling work as part of the new Crossrail Farringdon station. Four out of the eight Tunnel Boring Machines on the entire Crossrail project end their journeys at Farringdon. Phyllis and Ada have already completed their tunnelling. Victoria and Elizabeth, will be tunnelling from Whitechapel, arriving in early 2015. This will not only mark the end of their journeys, but also the end of Crossrail’s tunnelling.
Crossrail Tunnels: Look Ahead The Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) tunnelling works at Farringdon are progressing well. Over the next few months we will continue with the enlargement of the running tunnels into both platform tunnels as well as creating cross passages - the interconnecting tunnels enabling pedestrian access to and from the platforms. Tunnelling activity is currently taking place from under Cowcross Street, and will progress under the south end of St John Street. It will continue towards Charterhouse Street and then to Crossrail Farringdon’s eastern ticket hall. Secondary lining of the tunnels will commence at the western ticket hall and progress towards the eastern ticket hall from early 2015. Secondary lining provides further reinforcement and strength to the existing tunnels. Continual monitoring of the properties above the tunnels is being carried out using prisms and other monitoring equipment fitted to buildings. Grout shafts have been constructed to give further protection to buildings by pumping liquid grout through the ground to stabilise any ground movement if detected. We do not expect there to be any damage caused by the tunnelling, but for further information please visit our website http://www.crossrail.co.uk/construction/managing-the-effects-of-construction/ground-settlement-managing-the-effects-of-tunnelling Continued overleaf…
Duration of work
•Tunnelling is taking place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
What to expect
•Unlikely to notice the passing of the Tunnel Boring Machine
•Victoria & Elizabeth will arrive at the Farringdon eastern ticket hall in early 2015
What we will do
•Carry out real time monitoring and install extra monitoring equipment in properties where necessary
•To mitigate the impacts of ground borne noise throughout the SCL tunnelling works, we will ensure ‘Best Practicable Means’ is employed at all times
•Plant and equipment will be continually reviewed
•Investigate any concerns of property owners if they are being affected by the tunnelling
About Crossrail Crossrail is Europe’s largest construction project, delivering a new railway for London and the South East. When the service opens Crossrail trains will travel from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via new twin tunnels under central London. It will link Heathrow Airport, the West End, the City of London and Canary Wharf. …continued from overleaf Farringdon Community Liaison Panel
Crossrail runs a community liaison panel for each central London station to keep local community representatives informed of progress and plans. If you would like further information please contact crossrailliaisonpanels@crossrail.co.uk
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Accidents involving a wheelchair rolling onto the track at Southend Central, 28 August 2013; and a pushchair rolling onto the track at Whyteleafe, 18 September 2013
Report name:
140814_R172014_Southend_&_Whyteleafe
140814_R172014_Southend_&_Whyteleafe
Incident date:
28 August 2013
28 August 2013
Category:
Heavy Rail
Heavy Rail
Summary: Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report into accidents involving a wheelchair rolling onto the track at Southend Central, 28 August 2013; and a pushchair rolling onto the track at Whyteleafe, 18 September 2013. RAIB has made four recommendations and also identified one learning point.
Download report:
140814_R172014_Southend_Whyteleafe.pdf (10,362.66 kb)
140814_R172014_Southend_Whyteleafe.pdf (10,362.66 kb) Africa
Talks for integrated pan-African high-speed rail network under way.(Mining Weekly)
Australia
Solar powered level crossing for remote locations - Railway Gazette
India
KR’s double decker train to run between August 22 and September 9.(Times of India)
Solar powered level crossing for remote locations - Railway Gazette
India
KR’s double decker train to run between August 22 and September 9.(Times of India)
Photos courtesy Konkan Railway
India opens rail market to foreign investment.(IRJ)
USA
www.progressiverailroading.com.
US HSR
CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL - VISIONARY MEGA PROJECT
California's $68 billion, statewide high speed rail system is just the beginning of America's $600 billion national high speed network. California's new transportation construction boom is well underway!
The $4.5 Billion mega project - Transbay Transit Center, known as the "Grand Central Station of the West" is currently under construction in the heart of downtown San Francisco. This has sparked a huge construction boom in the entire neighborhood surrounding the station, including the highest price ever paid for a small piece of property next to the new station.
The first billion dollar construction contract to build the first leg of the new high speed rail line has recently been signed. Construction is underway on the main trunk line between San Francisco and Los Angeles. A second multi-billion dollar contract is out to bid now for additional construction segments. Many more contracts are currently in the works to continue building the statewide rail system segment-by-segment.
The state of California recently passed into law a major cap-and-trade program that sets up the first permanent funding source for the state's new high speed rail project. This pioneering legislation starts a new trend in reliable, consistent funding for visionary transportation projects, and will unlock billions of dollars in funding to move the new rail project along at a faster pace, with several hundred miles of HSR track and infrastructure under construction in the next few years.
|
In a surprise to many, the New York Times has published a seriously slanted anti-rail opinion piece attacking the President's high speed rail program, saying it is basically 'going nowhere'.
The Times piece opened with this:
"High-speed rail was supposed to be President Obama's signature transportation project, but despite the administration spending nearly $11 billion since 2009 to develop faster passenger trains, the projects have gone mostly nowhere and the United States still lags far behind Europe and China."
Considering China is spending $500 billion on their high speed rail network while America has not even spent $5 billion so far, it's hardly President's Obama's fault America is way behind. The New York Times article made it appear as if $11 billion of federal money is spent, gone, nothing to show for it, and the program was a big waste of money, end of the story.
Conveniently left out of the article is the fact that nearly a third of the federal money is funding the nation's state-of-the-art high speed rail mega project that's just now starting construction in California. The article leaves out the fact that it takes years of planning, design and engineering to prepare a complex infrastructure project for construction. Also left out of the article is the fact that California's high speed rail project is being built to the most advanced standards in the world for high speed rail state-of-the-art technology with 220 mph travel speeds.
The article also attacked President Obama for not delivering high speed rail all across America - as if anyone could do that in 5 years! No mention of the fact that progress and additional funding has been blocked at every turn by Congress. The article leaves out the fact that all big infrastructure projects take years to plan and design, and don't happen over night, even when there is funding in place.
For an in-depth critique of the NY Times article, see TIME Magazine's comments...
Don't believe the New York Times or the train haters who cite it: High-speed rail is not an $11-billion failure. Read on HERE
NYT Editorial Bd. Responds Supporting HSR!
In an even bigger surprise to everyone, the New York Times Editorial Board has published a response disagreeing with its own article, and coming out strongly supporting high speed rail in America!
In "Making the Case for High Speed Rail", the New York Times Editorial Board writes "Most American passenger trains, including Amtrak's popular Acela service, run at speeds that are far slower than the superfast European and Japanese trains that can zip along at 200 miles per hour or more. The main reason is that, despite modest investments, American lawmakers have not given high-speed rail the priority it deserves.
Since then, the federal government has spent about $11 billion on high-speed rail, with only a few visible improvements in American passenger rail service, as a recent Times article pointed out. That should not come as a surprise. Bringing high-speed rail service to the United States was always going to take time and money.
High-speed rail can help ease some of that pressure but only if Congress starts investing in it now. The Obama administration has proposed dedicating $19 billion for rail programs for the next four years as part of its Grow America transportation proposal, but Congress has shown little interest in such smart investments. In fact, since Republicans took control of the House in 2011, Congress has appropriated no money for high-speed rail." More
In an even bigger surprise to everyone, the New York Times Editorial Board has published a response disagreeing with its own article, and coming out strongly supporting high speed rail in America!
In "Making the Case for High Speed Rail", the New York Times Editorial Board writes "Most American passenger trains, including Amtrak's popular Acela service, run at speeds that are far slower than the superfast European and Japanese trains that can zip along at 200 miles per hour or more. The main reason is that, despite modest investments, American lawmakers have not given high-speed rail the priority it deserves.
High-speed rail can play an important role in the nation's transportation system by reducing congestion at airports and on highways. It can also provide a big economic boost while helping to reduce pollution that is causing climate change. That is why President Obama gave it an important place in the 2009 stimulus bill, which helped kick-start projects to upgrade rail lines and build new ones around the country.
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