World Railway News..... 7th June 2012

International Railway Journal

Stadler and MRS Logistics unveil rack locomotive

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

STADLER and MRS Logistics, Brazil, have unveiled what they say is the largest rack and pinion locomotive ever to be built. MRS ordered seven of the electric locomotives from Stadler in 2010 in a $US 55.9m contract with the first two set to be delivered to Brazil via Basle and Antwerp over the next few weeks. The 5MW, four-axle locomotives are 19m long and have a 760kN starting tractive effort. They have two bogies which in turn each have two pinion transmission systems that will engage with the trip-lamella Abt rack on 10km-long ramp on the 1600mm-gauge freight line from São Paulo to the Port of Santos. Two of the locomotives operating in multiple will be able to haul a 850-tonne freight train on the 10.4% incline, making them 50% more powerful than those already in use. Around 25% of the traction required as the train goes uphill is supplied by two separate adhesion transmission systems. Energy savings are also expected on the 3kV DC electrified line through regenerative braking. www.railway-technology.com Latest News Headlines.. SANDAG starts phase 1 construction on double track rail project in the US The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) in the US has started the first phase of a double-track rail project between Sorrento and Miramar in California.                            US FRA approves DCTA's request to use Stadler GTW rail vehicles The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approved the Denton County Transportation Authority's (DCTA) request to operate Swiss-made Stadler GTW vehicles on the on the same tracks as freight trains.                            Queensland Government approves two new rail corridors The Queensland government of Australia has approved the development of two new rail corridors to serve the state's coal mines in the Galilee and Bowen basins.                            Bombardier to deliver new subway cars to New York Bombardier Transportation has won a $599m contract from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the US to supply 300 subway cars for the city's underground rail network.        www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News.... Los Angeles transit authority prepares station openings along new Metro Expo Line Coming tomorrow: Progressive Railroading webcast on European Union rail marketplace Long Beach port's board approves FY2013 budget, elects officers St. Louis transit agency wins top honor at APTA Rail Rodeo Track project remains on track, Pennsylvania joint rail authority says United Transportation Union: Missouri & North Arkansas workers ratify pact, San Luis & Rio Grande workers sign up Ohio utilities commission OKs three grade crossing upgrades; Washington transportation commission funds one crossing upgrade Massachusetts plans new commuter-rail station at New Balance site in Brighton Office of Rail Regulation (UK) Rail regulator reveals passengers' ticket confusion and calls for improvements 7 June 2012 ORR/10/12 The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is calling on train operators to provide better ticket information as revealing research, published today, highlights that many passengers find selecting and buying rail tickets confusing and frustrating. Over 1,600 rail passengers across Great Britain were questioned on trains, online and as part of focus groups about their experiences of choosing and buying rail tickets. Research highlights a varied understanding of ticket restrictions and validities - including of terminology such as ‘peak’, ‘off-peak’ and ‘Advanced’ ticket types - and the difficulties finding and buying the most cost-effective tickets: Nearly three-quarters of all those interviewed were not confident what ‘off-peak’ times were. 5% of on-train interviewees travelling on an ‘Anytime’ ticket realised that they could have travelled on an ‘off-peak’ ticket. Over 50% of online respondents agreed that ‘it is a bit of a lottery as to whether you find the best price for a rail journey or not’. 45% said that the fare system is too complicated for them to understand. 41% of online respondents said they had previously purchased tickets and later found they could have made the journey on cheaper tickets. 70% of on-train interviewees were unaware that they could only travel on the specified train on an ‘Advance’ ticket. Among those travelling on an ‘Advance’ ticket, 37% interviewed did not realise that if they missed their train, and travelled on a later train, they would normally have to buy a new ticket. The rail regulator is committed to putting passengers at the centre of the rail industry, building on the Government’s Command Paper, published in March, which sets out its vision for customers being at the heart of rail reform. ORR has been working with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) to address the ticket complexity research findings, pushing for the provision of better ticket information for passengers. More accessible information must be made available so that passengers can access the most cost-effective fares, understand ticket restrictions and are aware of alternative routes. Work has started to improve the information presented to passengers on websites, at ticket vending machines, and on tickets, making it clearer and more comprehensive. This includes redesigning train tickets to improve clarity of information (e.g. detailing restrictions on routes) and providing better information about ticket choices at ticket vending machines. ORR Chair, Anna Walker, said: “ORR’s revealing research shows that passengers are often confused and frustrated by the lack of information about rail tickets, particularly where and when to get the best value fares and what the best ticket options are. Our research speaks for itself. Nearly 50% of passengers surveyed online said that the fares system is too complicated to understand, and 41% who had previously purchased a ticket found they could have made the journey on a cheaper ticket. If passengers do not have the information they need, they can end up paying more than is necessary or find themselves being penalised for having the wrong ticket. Lack of clarity or certainty that they are getting the right ticket can also undermine passengers’ confidence and trust in the railways. “We have been working hard with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) on initiatives which respond to customer demand and I am pleased with the progress being made, and the work that ATOC has undertaken, to make improvements for passengers. Providing clearer information for passengers buying tickets online and at ticket vending machines is a positive step forward, as is improving information on tickets. “I urge train companies to continue with these improvements to win the confidence of passengers. There is much more work to be done including how ticket collection can be made easier, and making sure passengers are able to print off their tickets at home, or use their mobile phones, just like they can when they fly. If other travel industries can do it and make it work, so should the rail industry.” The rail regulator will continue to work closely with ATOC, individual train companies, and passenger bodies to understand the extent to which new and proposed initiatives will address the problems identified. ORR will monitor their delivery and consider what action might be necessary to ensure that passengers see real change.