London King's Cross.(C) P.S. Lewis
The UK parliament Transport Select Committee meets with Network Rail executives Mark Carne and Robin Gisby..and Richard Price of the office of Rail Regulation next Wednesday. Originally scheduled for today, the session was put back a week to allow for the publication this Friday of Network Rail's own enquiry report from Dr Francis Paonessa(Infrastructure Projects Director,Network Rail).
Network Rail produce a video on YouTube outlining the challenges of winter weather on services..
Doncaster confirm the Lakeside location for the High Speed College...
California is no longer dreaming.... an official ground breaking ceremony has taken place earlier this week...
For more details....and more news... click on the links...
Headlines
UK
Parliament.uk
MPs to hear from Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation
This will be a one-off evidence session which will consider the over-running engineering works at King’s Cross and Paddington on the weekend of 27/28 December. The Committee will first take evidence from Network Rail, and then from the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation.
Witnesses
Wednesday 14 January 2015, Room TBC2.05pm
- Mark Carne, Chief Executive, Network Rail
- Robin Gisby, Managing Director, Network Operations, Network Rail
- Richard Price, Chief Executive, Office of Rail Regulation
- Joanna Whittington, Director, Railway Markets and Economics, Office of Rail Regulation
Likely topics for discussion include:
- The causes for the over-running engineering works at King’s Cross and Paddington;
- the contingency planning for these overruns, and the use of Finsbury Park station in place of King’s Cross;
- the level of information and support offered to passengers; and
- the Office of Rail Regulation’s review into the overrunning engineering works.
Doncaster Council News
Doncaster to become rail sector hub
Lakeside has been confirmed as the location for the national High Speed Rail College in Doncaster.
Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet today (7 January) agreed that the 5.1 acre ‘ready to go’ site at Carolina Way would be the Council’s contribution to the High Speed Rail College which will place Doncaster at the heart of the booming rail sector.
Over 200 rail and engineering businesses are based in Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region with many world leading firms like Volker Rail, Network Rail, DB Schenker, SPL Powerlines, Unipart Rail, Wabtec, Rhomberg Sersa and the new £70million Hitachi rail maintenance facility already based in and around Lakeside.
With the rail industry expected to grow further through electrification and huge levels of investment in modernisation, the College will be the catalyst for attracting additional household names in the sector to Doncaster and the wider region.
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: “We fought hard to bring the National High Speed Rail College to Doncaster and it will be one of the most important investments in the borough for many years, providing fantastic opportunities for local people to secure highly skilled, well-paid engineering and manufacturing jobs.”
A recent study by the National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering (NSARE) showed the rail industry needs about 1,000 apprentice engineers a year and no more than 600 a year are being created. This gap will be exacerbated by HS2.
The High Speed Rail College will address the skills shortage by providing people with the training, skills and qualifications needed by rail businesses to thrive and win contracts worldwide.
Mayor Jones added: “We plan to develop a rail and engineering campus at Lakeside which encourages further specialist training provision and links in with our schools and colleges so there are clear pathways for our young people into long lasting and rewarding careers. This really is a game changer for Doncaster.”
Commenting on the town’s rail heritage, Mayor Jones continued: “Doncaster has a rich history of rail innovation with internationally acclaimed locomotives like Flying Scotsman and Mallard designed, built and maintained in the town. We have always been at the forefront of rail and the College will further enhance our reputation as a rail town.”
“The College will be the fulcrum for substantial growth in the rail and associated sectors, delivering far-reaching economic benefits for Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region, Yorkshire, the North-East and beyond,” concluded Mayor Jones
In September 2014, the Government announced the High Speed Rail College would be based in Doncaster and Birmingham. This followed a successful bid by the Centre for Rail Engineering and Technical Excellence (CREATE) partnership, coordinated by Doncaster Council.
There was widespread support for the bid from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and towns, cities, city regions, Chambers of Commerce, universities and colleges, local authorities, businesses and residents right across the north.
As well as helping to shape the College and its curriculum, the Council will project manage its construction. The curriculum will be finalised by March 2015, with building works expected to start in 2015. The College will welcome its first intake of students at the start of the 2017/18 academic year.
For further information about the rail and engineering sector, CREATE and Doncaster as a business location go to: www.businessdoncaster.com
Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet today (7 January) agreed that the 5.1 acre ‘ready to go’ site at Carolina Way would be the Council’s contribution to the High Speed Rail College which will place Doncaster at the heart of the booming rail sector.
Over 200 rail and engineering businesses are based in Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region with many world leading firms like Volker Rail, Network Rail, DB Schenker, SPL Powerlines, Unipart Rail, Wabtec, Rhomberg Sersa and the new £70million Hitachi rail maintenance facility already based in and around Lakeside.
With the rail industry expected to grow further through electrification and huge levels of investment in modernisation, the College will be the catalyst for attracting additional household names in the sector to Doncaster and the wider region.
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: “We fought hard to bring the National High Speed Rail College to Doncaster and it will be one of the most important investments in the borough for many years, providing fantastic opportunities for local people to secure highly skilled, well-paid engineering and manufacturing jobs.”
A recent study by the National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering (NSARE) showed the rail industry needs about 1,000 apprentice engineers a year and no more than 600 a year are being created. This gap will be exacerbated by HS2.
The High Speed Rail College will address the skills shortage by providing people with the training, skills and qualifications needed by rail businesses to thrive and win contracts worldwide.
Mayor Jones added: “We plan to develop a rail and engineering campus at Lakeside which encourages further specialist training provision and links in with our schools and colleges so there are clear pathways for our young people into long lasting and rewarding careers. This really is a game changer for Doncaster.”
Commenting on the town’s rail heritage, Mayor Jones continued: “Doncaster has a rich history of rail innovation with internationally acclaimed locomotives like Flying Scotsman and Mallard designed, built and maintained in the town. We have always been at the forefront of rail and the College will further enhance our reputation as a rail town.”
“The College will be the fulcrum for substantial growth in the rail and associated sectors, delivering far-reaching economic benefits for Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region, Yorkshire, the North-East and beyond,” concluded Mayor Jones
In September 2014, the Government announced the High Speed Rail College would be based in Doncaster and Birmingham. This followed a successful bid by the Centre for Rail Engineering and Technical Excellence (CREATE) partnership, coordinated by Doncaster Council.
There was widespread support for the bid from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and towns, cities, city regions, Chambers of Commerce, universities and colleges, local authorities, businesses and residents right across the north.
As well as helping to shape the College and its curriculum, the Council will project manage its construction. The curriculum will be finalised by March 2015, with building works expected to start in 2015. The College will welcome its first intake of students at the start of the 2017/18 academic year.
For further information about the rail and engineering sector, CREATE and Doncaster as a business location go to: www.businessdoncaster.com
Pictures Courtesy Doncaster Council
Apology from Transport Secretary for Christmas rail chaos.(Swindon Advertiser)
Verdict in Jesse Quincey inquest: Redhill teenager electrocuted at Horley rail station.(Surrey Mirror)
London Bridge overcrowding continues for second night.(BBC News)
MP to meet transport secretary over London Bridge trains(Get Surrey)
Southern apologises after popular Brighton to London commuter train cancelled - again.(The Argus)
Union asks public for support in rail dispute.(News & Star)
Green Party pledges average 10% cut in rail and bus fares.(BBC News)
Rail link essential for airport.(herald scotland)
Six weeks of disruption on Edinburgh-Glasgow rail line.(herald Scotland)
Summer disruption for train commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow.(BBC News)
Edinburgh Waverley
Eurostar expands network, cuts travel time(Gulf News.com)
Network Rail on YouTube
Snow and ice can cause serious problems for the railway. Particularly at risk are areas where trains move more slowly, such as the approach to stations and points. Find out more, including how we're reducing delays caused by snow and ice at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetabl...
International
Snow and ice can cause serious problems for the railway. Particularly at risk are areas where trains move more slowly, such as the approach to stations and points. Find out more, including how we're reducing delays caused by snow and ice at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetabl...
International
Africa
MoU SIGNED BETWEEN TRANSNET & CSR
THEFT EFFECT ON ROAD TO RAIL ENDEAVOURS
ATLANTIC RAIL TO OPERATE CERES TRAINS
PRASA PROBE COMPLETED
ADDIS LIGHT RAIL TO OPEN SOON
RVR FREIGHT FIGURES GROWING
China
Hong Kong West Island Metro Line Starts Operation
(Alstom Press Release)
Alstom has successfully delivered the signalling system equipping Hong Kong’s MTR1 West Island metro line which started passenger service on 28 December, 2014. Alstom’s cutting-edge signalling solutions boost the development of the Western District of Hong Kong bringing safe and reliable railway experience to passengers.Hong Kong’s West Island line is an extension of the Island line with three new stations which are expected to serve about 230,000 people living and working in the Western District.Following the contract signed in 2010, Alstom was responsible for the design, manufacture, testing and commissioning of the signalling system, as well as training and performance demonstration. The provided signalling trackside services and equipment include interlocking, Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision systems to interface with the existing Island line for which Alstom also supplied trains and signalling system in the 80’s.Alstom’s service-proven interlocking solution is designed to provide higher network availability and optimised lifecycle cost. The solution used for the West Island line enables more data to be processed, covers much larger geographical areas and works at far higher speed. Together with Alstom Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision system, the solution is capable of fulfilling the very high reliability and availability requirements of MTR.“We are honoured to contribute to the dynamic development of Hong Kong by providing state-of-art signalling technologies and solutions with excellent interfacing capabilities. The successful operation of the West Island line is an important milestone for Alstom’s long-term development in the local market, bringing great confidence in us for the execution of future projects in Hong Kong and Asia”, said Dominique Pouliquen, Senior Vice President of Alstom Transport Asia Pacific.Alstom has been present in Hong Kong for nearly 40 years and is a long-term dedicated partner of the city’s rail transport development. Since its first metro contract awarded in Hong Kong in 1975,Alstom has supplied the city with over 1,100 mass transit rail cars, provided infrastructure systems to 2 metro lines and signalling systems to 7 metro lines, such as the West Island line, Kwun Tung Line and South Island Line (East). Alstom was also contracted to refurbish about 350 metro cars for Hong Kong’s Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).
(Alstom Press Release)
Alstom has successfully delivered the signalling system equipping Hong Kong’s MTR1 West Island metro line which started passenger service on 28 December, 2014. Alstom’s cutting-edge signalling solutions boost the development of the Western District of Hong Kong bringing safe and reliable railway experience to passengers.Hong Kong’s West Island line is an extension of the Island line with three new stations which are expected to serve about 230,000 people living and working in the Western District.Following the contract signed in 2010, Alstom was responsible for the design, manufacture, testing and commissioning of the signalling system, as well as training and performance demonstration. The provided signalling trackside services and equipment include interlocking, Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision systems to interface with the existing Island line for which Alstom also supplied trains and signalling system in the 80’s.Alstom’s service-proven interlocking solution is designed to provide higher network availability and optimised lifecycle cost. The solution used for the West Island line enables more data to be processed, covers much larger geographical areas and works at far higher speed. Together with Alstom Automated Train Control and Integrated Automatic Train Supervision system, the solution is capable of fulfilling the very high reliability and availability requirements of MTR.“We are honoured to contribute to the dynamic development of Hong Kong by providing state-of-art signalling technologies and solutions with excellent interfacing capabilities. The successful operation of the West Island line is an important milestone for Alstom’s long-term development in the local market, bringing great confidence in us for the execution of future projects in Hong Kong and Asia”, said Dominique Pouliquen, Senior Vice President of Alstom Transport Asia Pacific.Alstom has been present in Hong Kong for nearly 40 years and is a long-term dedicated partner of the city’s rail transport development. Since its first metro contract awarded in Hong Kong in 1975,Alstom has supplied the city with over 1,100 mass transit rail cars, provided infrastructure systems to 2 metro lines and signalling systems to 7 metro lines, such as the West Island line, Kwun Tung Line and South Island Line (East). Alstom was also contracted to refurbish about 350 metro cars for Hong Kong’s Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).
Israel
Turkey
USA
California High Speed Rail Authority
High-Speed Rail Authority Hosts Official Groundbreaking Ceremony
January 6, 2015
FRESNO— Marking significant progress toward modernizing California’s transportation infrastructure, the California High-Speed Rail Authority today joined hundreds of supporters and government, student, community, transportation, business and labor leaders to break ground on the nation’s first high-speed rail system.
"What is important is the connection that we are rooted in our forebears and we are committed and linked to our descendants," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. at a ceremony held at the site of the future high-speed rail station in downtown Fresno. "And the high-speed rail links us from the past to the future, from the south to Fresno and north; this is truly a California project bringing us together today."
In addition to the support of federal, state and local dignitaries, there was strong backing from Central Valley and California-based construction crews, small businesses, and local students who were eager to highlight how high-speed rail is positively affecting California today and will continue to into the future.
"We now enter a period of sustained construction on the nation’s first high-speed rail system—for the next five years in the Central Valley and for a decade after that across California," said High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors Chairman Dan Richard. "This is an investment that will forever improve the way Californians commute, travel, and live. And today is also a celebration of the renewed spirit that built California."
The ceremony included remarks from owners of a family-owned steel manufacturer already benefitting from high-speed rail construction. Student leaders from Fresno State and University of California, Merced also explained how high-speed rail is creating new local opportunities. Although today represented the official groundbreaking ceremony, the event also showcased ground that has already been broken in the Central Valley. The Authority provided tours of nearby construction activity, including various demolition sites. Other achievements to date include finalization of project designs, ongoing right-of-way purchases, and workforce training and mobilization. Local and statewide small businesses are completing a majority of this work. As of September 2014, 40 small businesses have active contracts valued at $296 million on Construction Package 1, a 29-mile stretch from Avenue 17 in Madera County to East American Avenue in Fresno County. This phase of construction includes
12 grade separations, two viaducts, a tunnel, and a bridge over the San Joaquin River. California-based Tutor Perini Zachry/Parsons (TPZP), A Joint Venture, is designing and building this first phase of the project.
# #
www.progressiverailroading.com
FRESNO— Marking significant progress toward modernizing California’s transportation infrastructure, the California High-Speed Rail Authority today joined hundreds of supporters and government, student, community, transportation, business and labor leaders to break ground on the nation’s first high-speed rail system.
"What is important is the connection that we are rooted in our forebears and we are committed and linked to our descendants," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. at a ceremony held at the site of the future high-speed rail station in downtown Fresno. "And the high-speed rail links us from the past to the future, from the south to Fresno and north; this is truly a California project bringing us together today."
In addition to the support of federal, state and local dignitaries, there was strong backing from Central Valley and California-based construction crews, small businesses, and local students who were eager to highlight how high-speed rail is positively affecting California today and will continue to into the future.
"We now enter a period of sustained construction on the nation’s first high-speed rail system—for the next five years in the Central Valley and for a decade after that across California," said High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors Chairman Dan Richard. "This is an investment that will forever improve the way Californians commute, travel, and live. And today is also a celebration of the renewed spirit that built California."
The ceremony included remarks from owners of a family-owned steel manufacturer already benefitting from high-speed rail construction. Student leaders from Fresno State and University of California, Merced also explained how high-speed rail is creating new local opportunities. Although today represented the official groundbreaking ceremony, the event also showcased ground that has already been broken in the Central Valley. The Authority provided tours of nearby construction activity, including various demolition sites. Other achievements to date include finalization of project designs, ongoing right-of-way purchases, and workforce training and mobilization. Local and statewide small businesses are completing a majority of this work. As of September 2014, 40 small businesses have active contracts valued at $296 million on Construction Package 1, a 29-mile stretch from Avenue 17 in Madera County to East American Avenue in Fresno County. This phase of construction includes
12 grade separations, two viaducts, a tunnel, and a bridge over the San Joaquin River. California-based Tutor Perini Zachry/Parsons (TPZP), A Joint Venture, is designing and building this first phase of the project.
# #
www.progressiverailroading.com
Mexico to rebid high-speed rail contract
BNSF's Farmer takes gavel as IANA's first female chair
MassDOT, MBTA choose developer for turnpike, Hynes station project
Texas short line's T&E workers join SMART Transportation Division
Rail supplier news from Greenbrier, Teleste, Mitron, Kelso, Alstom, Visual Marketing and Holland (Jan. 7)
Other Railway Press
9 innovations that are shaping the future of your railway station. (SmartRail World)
NSW Transport to launch South West Rail Link on 8 February
Australia's Transport for New South Wales (NSW) is set to commission the South West Rail Link on 8 February, following more than three years of major construction and months of testing.
California breaks ground on high-speed rail project
California High-Speed Rail Authority in the US has broken ground on the nation's first high-speed rail system, as part of efforts to modernise the state's transportation infrastructure.
STIF and SNCF order Regio 2N double-deck trains from Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to supply Regio 2N train sets to the Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France (STIF) and SNCF.
MTR opens Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has commissioned the 14.8km Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14 to serve commuters in the Chinese capital.
Australia's Transport for New South Wales (NSW) is set to commission the South West Rail Link on 8 February, following more than three years of major construction and months of testing.
California breaks ground on high-speed rail project
California High-Speed Rail Authority in the US has broken ground on the nation's first high-speed rail system, as part of efforts to modernise the state's transportation infrastructure.
STIF and SNCF order Regio 2N double-deck trains from Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to supply Regio 2N train sets to the Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France (STIF) and SNCF.
MTR opens Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has commissioned the 14.8km Phase II East Section of Beijing Metro Line 14 to serve commuters in the Chinese capital.
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