International & UK Railway News Friday 19th September 2014

..Total Railway News




Railway news today is all about improvements to the system in the (still) UK..the Tube, the trains, the West Coast Main Line..
The same issues of improvement are being considered in Australia (ahead of AusRail 2014), India (Japan or China to get the nod for their respective rail technology?), Indonesia, Canada (oil transit again..), Russia (new Stadler double deck AeroExpress trains in use from next year) ..and the USA (will maglev come into use ..?)


To find out more, click on the links.....




Headlines
UK
How to build a transport system that works for the whole of the UK.(The Guardian)


Engineering Happiness (civilengineeringtv on YouTube)

Published on 19 Sep 2014

The civil engineers behind some of the London’s most iconic infrastructure projects have put on their dancing shoes to show the public –young people in particular - how happy they are to be engineers and the diverse and exciting careers on offer through choosing maths and science subjects at school.

The film, commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers in association with Bechtel, showcases some of London’s world class infrastructure projects and the teams behind them including Crossrail, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Thames Barrier, London Underground, Walton Bridge, Kings Cross Station and the Hammersmith Flyover.

Director – Jevan Chowdhury, Wind & Foster
Producer – Miranda Housden, Director, ICE London
Movement Direction – Jeanefer Jean-Charles
Director of Photography - Michael Osaer

Share the #engineeringhappiness 

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The future of the Tube - our commitment to London
(TfL on YouTube)
Every journey matters to us. We have set out our vision to make the Tube fit for the future.

Our five commitments to Londoners
1. A new 24 hour Tube at weekends
2. Improved reliability and more capacity
3. Stations controlled and staffed while trains are running
4. Easier journeys with new technology
5. Deliver best value for money

For more information visit our website:http://www.tfl.gov.uk/futuretube

Covent Garden station lifts - Tube improvements
(TfL on YouTube)
Like our other assets such as trains and track, we have a continual programme of maintenance and renewal for our lifts.
Keeping lifts in top condition helps ensure the safety and accessibility of our network.
Did you know that our busiest lifts at stations such as Covent Garden will carry up to 80,000 people a day through the station?
Here at Covent Garden station, for example, we are replacing all lifts. Watch our video to find out how.

To find out more about Tube improvements, visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube-improvements

Hitachi Class 800 trainsets begin testing in Japan.(Railway Gazette)

Hitachi Press Picture

Hitachi Rail Press Release.

Hitachi Rail announces showcase at InnoTrans 2014

London, 18 September, 2014 - Hitachi Rail today announced that it will be showcasing its latest rolling stock and signaling operations at InnoTrans 2014, at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre in Berlin, Germany.

The bi-annual rail trade fair, which takes place from September 23 to September 26 2014, will provide the company with an unrivalled opportunity to publicise recent business developments and future prospects.

Located on Stand 304 in Hall 4.2, Hitachi Rail will be promoting the new AT200 train, giving visitors a flavour of the latest travel experience in regional and suburban commuting.

The life-size train mock-up will focus on the train interiors, which are designed around passenger needs and include features such as power points, WiFi access, interactive technology for reservations, ticketing and catering, ample luggage space.

Hitachi Rail will also be using the event to demonstrate its European Train Control System (ETCS) and Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) systems. The on-board centred CBTC can offer efficient metro operational facilities with driverless capability, and it is this technology that has been adapted for the UK network. In addition, Hitachi has high market share of traffic management system used in Shinkansen-and metro-systems in Japan.

This past year has been particularly significant for Hitachi Rail, as a result of its tremendous accomplishments in the UK. It won the contract for an additional 30 trains as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP), bringing the total number of trains to be manufactured on both the East Coast and Great Western Main Lines to 122.

Construction of Hitachi's new train factory in Newton Aycliffe, in the north east of England is progressing well, and developments are taking place at maintenance depots across the country. The train factory will create over 700 jobs and, in line with the recent approval of a Hitachi Rail-sponsored University Technical College in the region, will support the skills development of the manufacturers of the future.

All of these achievements have been boosted by the company's work with suppliers from the UK and Europe. When the headquarters of the global rail business moved to Europe, emphasis was placed on Hitachi Rail's commitment to building a strong base here and developing supplier relationships. Hitachi has honoured this commitment and will continue to build and sustain these links as the rail business expands.

For more information about Hitachi Rail and its vision for rail passenger travel and signalling, please visit stand 304 in Hall 4.2 at InnoTrans 2014. Hitachi Rail is proud to be leading the way in the development of ground-breaking technological advances in the sector and would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you.
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Didcot Parkway railway station £8m revamp complete.(BBC News)




Rail commuters hit by 200,000 cancellations.(London Evening Standard)




Boris Johnson attacked over plans to push Bakerloo line further to south-east London.(London Evening Standard)







OAP's £100,000 bequest to Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.(BBC News)
 


Cliff railway wins engineering award.(ITV News)(Lynton & Lynmouth)

Babbacombe Cliff Railway


I’m fighting to save night trains – the ticket to my daughter’s future.(The Guardian)





International
Argentina
Belgrano reopening.(Railway Gazette)




Australia


Avalon Airport Rail Link - preferred alignment animation
DTPLI on YouTube.
The Victorian Government is planning the Avalon Airport Rail Link to support Avalon to become Victoria’s second international passenger airport.


AusRAIL 2014 - Interview with Bryan Nye


We had the opportunity to interview Bryan Nye, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association prior to AusRAIL 2014.


Canada
Patience for Pipelines Running Out? Explore These Key Players in Oil by Rail (The Motley Fool Canada)


Ottawa buses halt operations in memory of fatal train-bus crash that killed six people one year ago.(National Post)


Canadian National Railway Will Keep Its Gains On Track.(seekingalpha)


India
Indian Railways join hands with China to increase train speed (Daily News & Analysis)


China to help run bullet trains (Deccan Chronicle)



Japan may pip China in high-speed rail race.(Business Standard)


Indonesia
GE to supply 50 locomotives to Indonesia.(IRJ)


Russia
Double-deck Aeroexpress trains (Russian Railways on YouTube).


In June 2015, Aeroexpress will launch new double-deck trains, assembled by the Swiss company Stadler Rail. Check details of their development and construction in the broadcast of Ksenia Rudy.





Singapore
SINGAPORE PRESS-Four firms link up for Singapore-KL highspeed rail bid - Straits Times.(Mail Online)


South Africa
Transnet purchases used Australian locomotives.(IRJ)


USA
Japan's high-speed maglev: is the US buying?(www.railway-technology.com)


www.progressiverailroading.com.

San Francisco MTA to acquire new light-rail cars for Muni service
 

AAR: U.S. roads set new weekly intermodal volume record
 

House transportation committee issues final report on public-private funding for infrastructure projects
 

August intermodal volume varied at ports in three states
 

Watco forms unified safety team, installs Carona as South Kansas & Oklahoma's GM
 

SEPTA buses to replace rail service during bridge work
 

CHS dedicates Class I-served propane terminal in North Dakota
 

Rail supplier news for Lilee Systems, Keolis, RR Mergers, WAGO and Sam Schwartz (Sept. 19)

Other Railway Press Releases
www.railway-technology.com.


Virgin Trains to invest £50m to improve services on West Coast
UK railway operator Virgin Trains has decided to invest £50m to upgrade its onboard and station facilities in West Coast Main Line.
China and India sign MoC in railways
India and China have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in railways, in a bid to strengthen the rail infrastructure network in India.
GE to supply 50 diesel locomotives for Indonesia
GE Electric Transportation has reportedly been selected by state-owned train company Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) to supply 50 additional class CC206 diesel locomotives.
TfL starts contactless payment system across London's transport network
UK's Transport for London (TfL) has introduced contactless payments on its London Underground, tram, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services that accept Oyster.