International & UK Railway News Sunday 14th September 2014

..Total Railway News




A review of Crossrail's progress... Network Rail  opens ROC in York.. HS2- opportunity of a lifetime...the Sleaford avoiding line... next week's rail tours programme...China's increasing influence in railway matters.... the peculiarly Indian practice of crossing the lines en masse...


Click on the links...






Headlines
UK


Success at Blaenavon annual steam gala.(South Wales Argus)

Campaign aims to restore rail link.(Whitby Gazette)


Crossrail.


Crossrail Progress Videos
Crossrail is the biggest engineering project in Europe. When it opens in 2018, Crossrail will connect 40 stations, from Reading and Heathrow in the west with Canary Wharf, Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

Crossrail Documentary: The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway

The BBC produced a three-part documentary series which took the public behind the scenes of Europe’s largest infrastructure project as it constructs a new rail line through the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.

BBC 2’s Fifteen Billion Pound Railway first aired on 16 July 2014 and followed the construction of the new train tunnels and stations under London.
Crossrail provided exclusive access over two years to the BBC’s producers Windfall Films who spent time with our tunnellers and engineers as construction of the new railway progressed. They witnessed the engineering challenges and key milestones including the spectacular tunnel machine breakthroughs.
For more information visit the BBC website.








HS2 - Engine For Growth


HS2 urge firms to sign up for £10bn supply chain conference.




HS2 CEO calls HS2 ‘the greatest opportunity for a generation’

12 September 2014

HS2 is about to meet with hundreds of firms and industry groups to get them geared up to bid for more than £10bn worth of contracts to build Britain’s new north-south high speed rail network, boosting jobs, skills and prosperity across the country.
Almost 500 firms, together employing over 300,000 people across the UK, have so far signed up to attend HS2 Ltd’s two Supply Chain Conferences being held in London and Manchester in October as HS2 moves towards construction, planned to start in 2017. 
High Speed Two will be Europe’s biggest construction project, linking eight of Britain’s 10 biggest cities. Once complete, it is estimated HS2 will support in excess of 100,000 jobs nationwide.

HS2 Chief Executive, Simon Kirby said:

“Building HS2 is a massive, long-term project; one that offers huge opportunity for large and small companies right across the country.
“To construct it; and then bring it to life will require a vast range of skills and expertise, some of which we have and some we’ll need to develop. Put simply, HS2 is a huge transport, investment and economic opportunity.
“And to deliver a project of HS2’s scale and complexity we are committed to working with companies who share our collaborative values.
“We are also determined to build on Crossrail’s success where 97% of contracts were placed with UK-based firms. 
“So, I am extremely pleased that so many firms have already shown an interest in helping to deliver HS2. I would encourage all firms large or small to get involved.”
The HS2 Supply Chain Conferences will be held in London (17 October 2014) and Manchester (23 October 2014). Interested parties can obtain more information via SCC@hs2.org.uk

Network Rail




Network Rail opens biggest railway control centre in the country


Millions of passengers are set to benefit from the opening of the biggest railway control centre in the country as Hugh Bayley MP and Phil Verster, Network Rail route managing director, today marked the building’s completion.

The new Rail Operating Centre (ROC) in York is central to plans that will improve train performance and continue to meet growing demand for rail travel. It will benefit millions of passengers who use train services between London King’s Cross and the Scottish border by consolidating all signalling and control operations into a single location.

Hugh Bayley MP today visited the newly fitted-out building and saw the new facilities at first hand. Commenting on his visit, he said: “It is a pleasure to open Network Rail’s new rail operating centre here in York. It is the largest in the country and a huge vote of confidence in York as a strategic railway centre.

“The new centre will ensure that York’s links with the railways are maintained and strengthened. Hundreds of jobs have been created and the state of the art training facilities next door will ensure that future generations have the skills they need to work in the rail industry. The new centre is a great asset to York and to the local economy. I am glad that Network Rail has built the new centre in York and I congratulate everyone who has made this possible. I hope Network Rail will continue to invest in York.”

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “The rail operating centre is the largest of just 12 proposed centres across Britain and will bring the expertise and technology we require to improve our control over train services and to make signalling more efficient. The new centre will ultimately control signalling and rail operations on the east coast all the way from King's Cross to the Scottish borders. York is the ideal place for the centre with rail links right across the country. This investment in new technology will contribute significantly to improvements in train service punctuality, increased capacity and will also provice an improved service to passengers.

“This new facility represents a vote of confidence in York as a railway city bringing employment benefits which are vital for economic growth and prosperity in York. We hope that the location of the new facility on the edge of the York Central development site could act as a catalyst for further investment in the area."

In January the ROC will replace the current route control building at the back of York station and will help to free up more strategic land closer to Leeman Road and the National Railway Museum. This will help to support the aspiration to develop the York Central site.

Further locations will migrate into the ROC over the coming years as part of Network Rail’s continuing investment in modern signalling technology. Once fully occupied, around 400 rail people will work there. This will be a combination of Northern Rail, East Coast and Network Rail employees with a maximum of 87 on shift at any time.

Alan Chaplin, service delivery director, Northern Rail said: “This fantastic facility is yet another example of investment into the railway and economy of the north England. The new centre will allow teams from Network Rail and rail operators to work more closely together, making quicker, more collaborative decisions about the operational railway. That will ensure that all our customers will benefit from improved service reliability and performance.”
East Coast operations director Danny Williams added: "The opening of this impressive new facility is vitally important, as we continue our joint efforts with Network Rail to achieve sustainable performance improvements for our customers. Since April we have seen encouraging progress, and we look forward to building on this through a close working relationship with rail industry colleagues based in this imposing new building, the largest of its kind in the country."

Notes:Timeline:

April 2012 – Archaeological dig to reveal and record the site of three former roundhouses. This has been preserved and the new buildings developed on top
September 2012 – building work began on site
January 2013 – New turntable to replace the old engineers triangle on which the buildings stand is commissioned.
March 2014 – Building completion for Rail Operating Centre and Workforce Development Centre (WDC). The WDC is capable of training up to 250 delegates daily. Providing both professional and practical training the centre has an internal 80m track and 150m external track as well as welding and signalling training facilities.
September 2014 – Building fit out complete at the Rail Operating Centre
Autumn – December 2014 – Training for staff
January 2015 – First teams move into the ROC building



Phil Verster and Hugh Bayley MP open York Rail Operating Centre.
(Network Rail Photo.)




Rail minister visits £280m rail project in Lincolnshire


Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, visited Lincolnshire on Thursday 11 September to view progress on the £280m project to upgrade and modernise a key rail artery that will enable more and better services to run.

The Government-funded ‘GNGE project’ will finish later this year and will help to meet growing demand for rail services in the region. It will also become an important diversionary route for the East Coast Main Line, allowing improved services to run during improvement work and times of disruption
Baroness Kramer officially opened a new underpass in Heighington which provides a safe walking route underneath the railway for the many school children who use the route every day.


The minister also visited the reinstated rail bypass at Sleaford that enables freight services to bypass Sleaford, improving rail capacity and reducing congestion in the town centre.
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “It is a huge pleasure to be here in Lincolnshire to see how this vital project is already benefiting local people and passengers.
“Our ambition is to have a railway fit for the 21st century which is why we are investing more than £38bn over the next five years to maintain and enhance our network. That means more trains, seats and quicker and more reliable journeys for passengers.”


Justin Page, area director for Network Rail, added: “This is a complex project involving many miles of railway line between Peterborough and Gainsborough which is used by both passenger and freight trains. This vital project will enable more trains to run, helping to meet growing demand for rail services. It will also act as an important diversionary route for the East Coast Main Line at times of disruption or engineering work.”


Stephen Phillips MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham said: ““I welcome the completion of the Heighington underpass, as it will ensure that local residents, particularly children, are safer when crossing from one side of the line to the other. I am also glad to see that the Sleaford rail bypass has now been returned to full use, so freight trains can bypass the town significantly reducing traffic congestion. These projects show how important Government investment is to communities like ours, and I am delighted to see the fruits of this funding in our area.”

Notes:

To date the project has already delivered:

• 19 out of 20 new overbridges;
• 14 out of 16 new underbridges;
• 24 out of 32 modernised level crossings;
• 113 out 121 new signal structures;
• 1 modernised tunnel;
• 410 new axle counters;
• 70,000 yards of re-railing;
• 80,000 yards of plain line renewal; and
• 67,000 yards of new cabling

Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer visits GNGE project
(Network Rail Photo.)




Mainline Steam ScheduleRailway Herald - Railtours

Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.

Monday 15th September 2014

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Tuesday 16th September 2014

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

• WCRC Class 47/57 Clapham Junction (pu) - Wimbledon (pu) - Surbiton (pu) - Woking (pu) - Salisbury (pu) - Westbury (pu) - Exeter St. Davids (sd) -
• 5029 Westbury - Taunton - Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot - Torquay - Paignton - Kingswear
• 5029 Kingswear - Paignton - Torquay - Newton Abbot - Exeter St. Davids - Taunton - Westbury (sd)
• WCRC Class 47/57 Westbury - Salisbury (sd) - Woking (sd) - Surbiton (sd) - Wimbledon (sd) - Clapham Junction

Additional Tour Information

11/9: 5029 replaces 4464 (60019)

Added 12:28 on Thursday 11th September 2014

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Wednesday 17th September 2014

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Thursday 18th September 2014

The Natterjack (UK Railtours)

• DBS Class 90/92 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Rugby (pu) - Nuneaton - Stafford (pu) - Crewe Independent Lines - Warrington Bank Quay
• DBS Class 60 Warrington Bank Quay - Chat Moss - Manchester Victoria - Rochdale - Todmorden Curve - Copy Pit - Accrington - Blackburn - Wigan North Western - Wigan South Junction
• DBS Class 67 Wigan South Junction - Wigan Wallgate - Burscough Bridge - Southport
• DBS Class 60 Southport - Burscough Bridge - Wigan Wallgate - Bamfurlong Goods Lines - Warrington Bank Quay
• DBS Class 90 Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe - Stafford (sd) - Nuneaton - Rugby (sd) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Friday 19th September 2014

West Highlander Steam Express: Day 1 (Railway Touring Company)

• WCRC Class 47 Crewe (pu) - Wilmslow (pu) - Stockport (pu) - Manchester Victoria (pu) - Bolton (pu) - Preston (pu) -
• 61994 Preston - Shap - Carlisle - Beattock - Carstairs - Glasgow Central

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Saturday 20th September 2014

The Cotswold-South Devon Express (Cotswold Line Promotion Group)

• FGW HST Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Pershore (pu) - Evesham (pu) - Honeybourne (pu) - Moreton-in-Marsh (pu) - Kingham (pu) - Shipton (pu) - Charlbury (pu) - Hanborough (pu) - Oxford (pu) - Swindon (pu) - Chippenham - Melksham - Westbury - Taunton - Exeter St. Davids (sd) - Teignmouth (sd) - Newton Abbot (sd) - Totnes - Plymouth (break/rev) & return

Settle, Carlisle & Cumbrian Coast (NENTA Traintours)

• WCRC Class 47 (Pair) Norwich (pu) - Diss (pu) - Ipswich (pu) - Stowmarket (pu) - Bury St Edmunds (pu) - Cambridge (pu) - Ely (pu) - March (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - Doncaster - Skipton - Settle - Appleby - Carlisle (break) - Workington - Grange-over-Sands - Carnforth - Lancaster - Preston - Copy Pit - Hebden Bridge - Wakefield Kirkgate - Doncaster - Peterborough (sd) - March (sd) - Ely (sd) - Cambridge (sd) - Bury St Edmunds (sd) - Stowmarket (sd) - Ipswich (sd) - Diss (sd) - Norwich (sd)

The Cornish Explorer (Pathfinder Tours)

• DBS Class 67 Eastleigh (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Tilehurst (pu) - Didcot Parkway (pu) - Swindon (pu) - Chippenham (pu) - Trowbridge (pu) - Westbury (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St. Davids - Plymouth (sd) - Liskeard (sd) - Bodmin Parkway (sd) - Par (sd) - St. Austell - Burngullow
• DBS Class 67 and DBS Class 66 tnt Burngullow - Parkandillack
• DBS Class 66 and DBS Class 67 tnt Parandillack - Burngullow -
• DBS Class 67 Burngullow - St. Austell - Par (pu) - Bodmin Parkway (pu) - Liskeard (pu) - Plymouth (pu) - Exeter St. Davids - Taunton (sd) - Westbury (sd) - Trowbridge (sd) - Chippenham (sd) - Swindon - Didcot Parkway (sd) - Tilehurst (sd) - Basingstoke (sd) - Eastleigh
• To be confirmed

Additional Tour Information

10/9: now DBS Class 67 throughout with DBS Class 66 tnt on Parkandillack branch as D1015 Western Champion is unavailable due to engine problems.

Added 09:23 on Wednesday 10th September 2014

The Cheshireman (re-dated From 26 May) (Railway Touring Company)

• 70013 London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (pu) - Nuneaton (pu) - Chester (break/rev) & return

West Highlander Steam Express: Day 2 (Railway Touring Company)

• 61994 Glasgow Queen Street (pu) - Dumbarton Central - Helensburgh Upper - Crianlarich - Rannoch - Fort William
• 62005 Fort William - Glenfinnan -Mallaig (break/rev) & return

The Yorkshire Coast Statesman (Statesman Rail)

• WCRC 47/57 Hereford (pu) - Ledbury (pu) - Great Malvern (pu) - Worcester Foregate Street (pu) - Droitwich Spa (pu) - Kidderminster (pu) - Stourbridge Junction (pu) - Rowley Regis (pu) - Birmingham New street (pu) - Tamworth High Level (pu) - Burton upon Trent (pu) - Scarborough (break/rev) & return

The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)

• Diesel/Electric London Euston (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (pu) - Lichfield Trent Valley (pu) - Crewe (pu) -
• 46233 Crewe - Chester - Bangor (sd) - Holyhead (break/rev) & return
• Diesel/Electric Crewe - Lichfield Trent Valley (sd) - Northampton (sd) - Milton Keynes Central (sd) - Watford Junction (sd) - London Euston

A Ticket To Ryde (UK Railtours)

• SWT 159 London Waterloo (pu) - Woking (pu) - Portsmouth Harbour (for Ryde) (break/rev) & return

A Ticket To Ryde (UK Railtours)

• SWT Class 159 x 2 London Waterloo (pu) - Woking (pu) - Portsmouth Harbour (for Ryde) (break/rev) & return

The Welsh Marches (Vintage Trains)

• 5043 Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Birmingham Moor Street (pu) - Birmingham Snow Hill (pu) - Stourbridge Junction - Worcester Shrub Hill - Gloucester - Chepstow - Newport - Abergavenny - Hereford
• 5043 Hereford (pu) - Ludlow - Craven Arms - Abbey Foregate Curve - Telford Central - Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street (sd) - Tyseley Warwick Road

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

Sunday 21st September 2014

The Royal Duchy (Railway Touring Company)

• 5029 or 34067 or 70013 Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Yatton (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St Davids (pu) - Plymouth (sd) - Par (sd) and return

West Highlander Steam Express: Day 3 (Railway Touring Company)

• 61994 Fort William (pu) - Rannoch - Crainlarich
• 44871 and 45407 Crianlarich - Taynuilt - Oban (break/rev) - Oban - Taynuilt - Crianlarich
• 61994 Crianlarich - Helenburgh Upper - Dumbarton Central - Glasgow Queen Street

Torbay Express (Torbay Express Ltd)

• To be confirmed Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Weston-super-Mare (pu) - Taunton (pu) - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Paignton - Kingswear and return

The Jacobite (West Coast Railway Company)

• To be confirmed Fort William - Glenfinnan - Mallaig (break) - Glenfinnan - Fort William

International
India


Here they risk their lives every day.(Times of India)

With the authorities apparently turning a blind eye to the issue, people in Agra continue to risk their lives by crossing the tracks instead of using the over bridges ....
This phenomenon is particularly evident in an episode of Chris Tarrant's Extreme Railways...  available Here


China on track to develop Indian railways as Xi heads to South Asia.(Reuters)






Thailand
Thai-Sino rapid train plan to go ahead.(Bangkok Post)