International & UK Railway News Friday 18th January 2013

USHSR

AMTRAK ANNOUNCES NEW HIGH SPEED FLEET PURCHASE! Amtrak announced at a press conference at DC's iconic Union Station the purchase of a new fleet of high speed trains in a joint purchase with the California High Speed Rail Authority to both expand the capacity along the busy Northeast Corridor (NEC), and supply trains for the California HSR project. A Request for Information has been issued for new, modern high-speed trainsets currently being manufactured and proven for operations of 220 mph. The goal is to create efficiencies by ordering trains of similar specifications and develop a U.S. standard for HSR train equipment that can be manufactured and supplied domestically and produced for the rest of the world as well. A request for Proposal could be issued by September 2013 with an order placed during 2014. "High speed rail is right for America and Amtrak working with California to advance both our programs makes a lot of sense," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. "For Amtrak, new high speed train sets on the NEC means more seats, more frequent high speed service and an ability to take advantage of higher speeds as the infrastructure is improved," added Mr. Boardman at the press conference. Amtrak's Joe Boardman and USHSR's Andy Kunz "This is exciting news! Congratulations to Amtrak officials, Federal Railroad Administration, and to the California High Speed Rail Authority for this visionary national planning to advance HSR in America!" said Andy Kunz, USHSR President. "This is about investing in 21st Century state-of-the-art high speed rail," said California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Jeff Morales. "We are pleased to join with Amtrak and look forward to continued collaboration in the future. This is a natural fit since Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and California will be the bookends for American high speed rail," added Morales. FRA's Joe Szabo and USHSR's Andy Kunz "We applaud both Amtrak and the California High Speed Rail Authority for answering our call to explore joint procurement of the next generation of high speed rail equipment," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. "Combining orders will make it easier and more attractive for high speed rail manufacturers to build factories here in the USA, bringing new high quality jobs and creating ripple effects throughout our domestic supply chain. The end result means the riding public will have lighter, faster, more energy efficient passenger rail equipment," added Administrator Szabo. Both Amtrak and the California High Speed Rail Authority are seeking to purchase HSR trainsets capable of operating at speeds up to 220 mph, has Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) power distribution among all cars, operates bi-directionally with a cab on each end, and a passenger seating capacity of 400-600 passengers. The trains will likely cost between $35 million to $55 million each, and Amtrak envisions buying 12 new trainsets for the NEC, while California is expecting to buy 27 trainsets. "Amtrak projects and procurements will be the hot topics at our upcoming HSR Summit next month in DC," said Joe Shelhorse, USHSR Vice President. "All these projects are of great interest to our members and attendees who include the leading companies in the high speed rail industry across America and around the world ," added Shelhorse. Amtrak ridership has been increasing year on year for nearly a decade, proving that rail is in great demand by the American traveling public. Amtrak carries more passengers in the Northeast Corridor than all the airlines combined. More information on procurement

International Railway Journal

SPAIN's infrastructure manager Adif has outlined plans to sell 333 non-operational station buildings and more than 1500 staff houses in an effort to reduce maintenance expenses and reduce a small part of its €15bn debt, which this year will incur interest payments of €350m.

SINGAPORE's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has unveiled ambitious plans to double the length of the city's rail network by 2030 with the construction of two completely new lines and three additional extensions.

ALL Fyra V250 high-speed services between Amsterdam and Brussels were cancelled on January 17 and again on January 18 as a precaution following damage to the underside of three trains.

RUSSIA's Gorkovskay Railway announced on January 11 that it will invest an additional Roubles 1.4bn ($US 46.1m) in 2013 to complete improvements to railway infrastructure in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan ahead of the World Student Games that is being held in the region in July.


www.progressiverailroading.com US News

Florida port breaks ground for container transfer facility
RTA approves $3.7 billion budget for CTA, Metra and Pace
CN to build intermodal ramp at Chicago-area yard
AAR: More mixed traffic results for U.S., Canadian roads
Crossing upgrades advance in North Carolina, Washington
Operation Lifesaver elects Stayton chair, adds Hanson and Brewin to board
National Safety Council honors WMATA's Sarles for safety leadership
Rail supplier updates from GE and Alstom (Jan. 18)


www.railway-technology.com Updates

Thailand's Kasetsart University signs deal with Bombardier for rail engineering education Kasetsart University in Thailand has signed an agreement with Canadian rail manufacturer Bombardier to impart rail engineering education to its students and instructors over the next five years. 
      
Rheinmetall upgrades traffic and driving simulator of BVG trams in Germany
Rheinmetall has upgraded the traffic and driving simulator for trams operated by Berlin public transport authority Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) in Germany. 
      
Alstom to use Williams' flywheel energy storage technology on Citadis trams
Alstom and Williams Hybrid Power have signed an agreement to apply Williams' energy storage technology to Alstom's Citadis trams by 2014. 
      
Parkeon to supply complete ticketing system for Edinburgh tram line
Scotland-based ticketing technology firm Parkeon Transit has won a contract from the City of Edinburgh Council to supply a complete ticketing system for the city's tram project.


Video feature: crowd control during London's Olympic summer(www.railway-technology.com)

For the 2012 Olympic Games, London's transport network transformed itself from a rickety liability into a transit powerhouse. But how did it pull off this medal-worthy feat? Chris Lo looks into Transport for London's extensive preparations and innovative crowd control strategies before and during London's Olympic summer


More News....

Shedmaster Railway News

From railwaygazette.com - ENERGY: Alstom Transport and Williams Hybrid Power signed an agreement on January 17 to test Williams’ energy storage technology on a Citadis tram.


World Heritage & Railway News

Get on board vehicles from the National Collection Have a close-up look at the engine footplates and speak to a member of staff....nrm.org.uk

 

 

Railway Engineering News

 

From railwaygazette.com - AUSTRALIA: A consolidation of safety regulation and accident investigation for the rail industry comes into force on January 20, when National Rail Safety Regulator Rob Andrews officially takes up  his post and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau becomes the National Rail Safety Investigator.