World Railway News.... 22nd August 2012

International Railway Journal

AFTER a lengthy and complex decision process, Czech Railways (CD) has finally announced it will go ahead with a reduced order for seven 230km/h Railjet trains from Siemens.

THE metre-gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Railway (MGB) has awarded Siemens a contract to renew signalling and train control equipment as part of an upgrading programme on its 154km network in southern Switzerland..

IN CONTRAST with the decline in neighbouring Poland, Ukraine witnessed slight overall growth in freight volumes during the first half of this year, according to the latest figures released by Ukrainian Railways (UZ).


www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News

Labor deal enables Pittsburgh port authority to postpone service cuts

President Obama expedites four transportation projects through 'We Can't Wait' initiative

Metra starts reconstruction of Fox River Grove Station, unveils design of Healy Station

Truss bridge move scheduled for Chicago grade separation project, CREATE partners say

Sound Transit solicits comments on Tacoma Link expansion, receives national award for procurement process

SEPTA makes key personnel changes

BNSF budgets more than $150 million for projects in Illinois, Iowa

Velez joins Kansas City Southern as VP of business solutions, marketing

www.railway-technology.com Latest Updates

Macedonia gets EBRD loan to upgrade part of Pan-European Rail Corridor VIII
Macedonia's Public Enterprise for Railway Infrastructure has received a €46.4m 15-year loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to upgrade section 1 of the FYR Macedonia Railway Corridor VIII Eastern Section.       
                   
Trenitalia unveils Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train design
Italian rail operator Trenitalia has unveiled a full-scale mock-up of the of the Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train in Rimini, Italy.       
                   
MassDOT to launch South Station expansion project
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), along with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the City of Boston, is planning to launch a $43m South Station expansion project to improve local and regional rail services.       
                   
Norfolk to install rail signalling system on FMG Port Hedland rail projectNorfolk Group has secured a $56m contract from GE Transportation to provide a new radio-based rail signalling system at Fortescue Metals Group's (FMG) Port Hedland rail project in Australia.


Shedmaster Railway News

Includes the following news items.....

President Obama's vision of bullet trains ..
Deutsche Bahn subsidiary Arriva took over from Veolia as the operator of Stockholm's Nockebybanan, Tvärbanan and Lidingöbanan light rail lines on August 20.
A coal train derailed and tumbled from a bridge in Maryland early Tuesday morning, crushing cars in a nearby parking lot and killing two women who were on the tracks, officials said.



TRANSLINK APPEAL TO PEDESTRIANS & MOTORISTS TO THINK SAFE & STAY SAFE


TRANSLINK APPEAL TO PEDESTRIANS & MOTORISTS TO
THINK SAFE & STAY SAFE

As the summer holidays come to a close and normal life resumes, Translink NI Railways in partnership with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are conducting a graphic re-enactment of a collision scene to remind pedestrians and motorists of the very serious consequences of trespassing on or near tracks. The incident which is taking place at Sheep Pen level crossing in Antrim has been organised as a valuable training exercise for the emergency services.

Over the past year NI Railways has recorded an average of 10 incidents of misuse at public crossings per month and almost 160 prosecutions have been made -- 91 of which have been safety related. A rise of reports of children and young people playing on railway lines over the summer months has also raised much concern, with over 110 incidents of trespass in July and August on the rail network.

Head of Rail Operations at Translink, Ian Campbell commented, "Safety continues to be a priority for Translink and unfortunately many pedestrians and motorists are oblivious to the very real dangers that exist. The rules are simple -- don't use the tracks as a shortcut; on the platform always wait behind the yellow line; never mess around near the tracks; use railway crossings safely and motorists should never be tempted to jump the lights or beat the barriers at railway crossings. We have been running our 'Deadline' rail safety campaign all summer to reinforce these messages.

"As well as being a valuable training opportunity, the exercise in Antrim is a vivid reminder of Translink's and the emergency services role in protecting and ensuring safe journeys for all passengers, pedestrians and motorists."

Paul Coyle, Group Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said, "Our role when we attend emergency incidents at level crossings is to stabilise vehicles and rescue people trapped as quickly as possible so that they can receive medical attention.

"As a Fire & Rescue Service, we work in partnership with Translink and the PSNI to ensure the safety of our community at level crossings. The training exercise at Sheep Pen level crossing in Antrim not only helps test our emergency response to such incidents but is a stark reminder for the public of the consequences of a moment's lapse in concentration or taking unnecessary risks on our roads."
Translink would also like to remind pedestrians and motorists that for reasons of safety, CCTV is in operation at stations, railway crossings and on all trains. These monitor inappropriate behavior and, in an effort to keep everyone safe, Translink prosecute anyone caught damaging property, trespassing or endangering others. By working together dangerous incidents can be prevented.

For information on how Translink supports schools, parents and young people you can view our safety videos on http://www.youtube.com/user/TranslinkNI or contact our press office on 028 90899455 for a copy of our safety DVD.