PERU's private investment agency Proinversión issued tender documents on January 16 for the PPP concession to finance, build, and operate the second metro line in the capital Lima.
THE Czech Republic's newest open-access passenger operator, Leo Express, will offer a full service on the Prague – Ostrava – Bohumin route for the first time from January18, when it will ramp up the number of round trips per weekday from five to eight to provide a service every two hours.
GE has announced it is to expand its strategic partnership with Tülomsaş, which will see the Turkish manufacturer become the main supplier of PowerHaul diesel locomotives for Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa.
AFTER almost four years of delays, the president and CEO of Attiko Metro Mr Christos Tsitouras and Mr Dimitrios Dinopoulos, representative of concessionaire Themeli finally signed the contract for the extension of the Athens light rail network to Piraeus port on January 14.
ITALY's prime minister Mr Mario Monti officially inaugurated Turin Porta Susa station on January 14 marking completion of a project to rebuild and expand the station to provide the city with a high-speed rail hub.
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www.railway-technology.com Updates
Alstom delivers first Citadis tram to STIF for Paris T7 line Alstom has delivered the first of 19 Citadis low-floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) to STIF for operation on the 11.2km T7 tramway line in Paris, France.
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.
Construction starts on Phoenix light rail extension in the US
Construction has started at 19th Avenue/Dunlap on the 3.2-mile Northwest Extension of the Valley Metro light rail line in Phoenix, Arizona, US.
Construction starts on Yunlin high-speed rail station in Taiwan
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Other News....
Shedmaster Railway News
From railwaygazette.com - TURKEY: Plans to build 50 PowerHaul diesel locomotives in Eskişehir over the next two years were announced by General Electric and Tülomsaş on January 14.
World Heritage & Railway News
News from the West Somerset Railway and North Yorkshire Moors Railway.....
Network Rail
Network Rail breaks track record
Another track record was broken over Christmas when Network Rail’s track renewal system enjoyed a rare period of unbroken work on the West Coast main line.
The track renewal train, known as Track Renewal System 4 (TRS4), is regularly used on overnight possessions, as its speed allows the railway to be kept open for longer.
But on Christmas Day and Boxing Day it was unleashed in a 22-hour burst at Hillmorton, near Rugby, relaying 4,192 yards of track and sleepers. This effort, by LNW route’s Bletchley high output team, is a UK record.
Steve Featherstone, Network Rail’s programme director for track, said: “TRS4 is one of the most advanced pieces of track renewal equipment in the world and this just shows what it can do.
“When we use it overnight we are able to get 400-500 yards of track replaced, which helps us keep passengers on trains. But when we get the chance to run it for a longer period we can do great things.”
The remainder of the 54-hour possession was used to stress and prepare the line for handback at full line speed.
Rail Minister sees rail history meet rail future in York
Rail Minister, Rt Hon Simon Burns MP, today saw the old and the new working in harmony at rail sites in York.
HoC Transport Committee Tuesday 15 January 2013
Committee Room 8
Meeting started on Tuesday 15 January at 2pm. Ended at 2.55pm
Rail Franchising
Witnesses
i. Richard Brown CBE, Chairman, Eurostar International But on Christmas Day and Boxing Day it was unleashed in a 22-hour burst at Hillmorton, near Rugby, relaying 4,192 yards of track and sleepers. This effort, by LNW route’s Bletchley high output team, is a UK record.
Steve Featherstone, Network Rail’s programme director for track, said: “TRS4 is one of the most advanced pieces of track renewal equipment in the world and this just shows what it can do.
“When we use it overnight we are able to get 400-500 yards of track replaced, which helps us keep passengers on trains. But when we get the chance to run it for a longer period we can do great things.”
The remainder of the 54-hour possession was used to stress and prepare the line for handback at full line speed.
Rail Minister sees rail history meet rail future in York
Rail Minister, Rt Hon Simon Burns MP, today saw the old and the new working in harmony at rail sites in York.
Network Rail has begun construction on a new Rail Operating Centre (ROC) and Workforce Development Centre (WDC) on the site of the old engineers triangle next to York station. These facilities will retain skilled rail jobs in York and allow Network Rail to deliver a modern, efficient railway for many years to come. They are a central part of the Strategic Business plan, launched last week.
Having seen the new buildings in progress the Minister officially opened the turntable which has replaced the engineer’s triangle, ably assisted by star loco ‘Olton Hall’ – also known to Harry Potter fans as ‘Hogwarts Castle’.
Rail Minister Simon Burns said: “The city of York has always had a proud railway heritage and I am pleased to see this latest success story taking shape.
“These facilities will not only help drive efficiencies and improve performance for passengers and freight on this vital route for many years to come – they will also provide valuable jobs and guarantee a skilled workforce is in place to meet the challenges of running a 21st century railway system.
“This Government is committed to modernising the railways and this regeneration scheme provides another example of us making good on our promises through our partnership with Network Rail.”
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “We were happy to welcome the Minister to York and to see the work beginning on what will be one of our most important sites. These operating and training facilities will allow us to deliver a modern, efficient railway while at the same time maintaining York’s position as an important rail city. The centres will retain jobs in the city and, over time, see all of our rail operations for the London North Eastern route consolidated in one place.
The turntable began life in service at Cleethorpes before being relocated to Ferme Park in the 1970s. It has been brought to York to provide turning facilities for charter services, rail plant and the National Rail Museum.
Christian Wolmar - Steam on The Tube
On the train itself, every compartment, designed for eight people, was full and despite safety instructions to the contrary, the temptation to open the windows was irresistible. It was the smell of steam and smoke that was perhaps most evocative for those who were old enough to remember the sight of steam engines on the tracks. There was, too, the swirl of smoke in the tunnels that must have been the daily experience for Victorian commuters on the line which was operated by steam power for more than 40 years after its opening in 1863.
Passengers had paid up to £180 for a first class ticket on the train, though, in fact, the third class carriages, once fitted with hard wooden seats for the workers, were now just as comfortable as the coaches designed to carry the better off, having been fitted with upholstery during the refurbishment.
Next weekend, there will be a series of further trips but after that there may be some time before steam returns to the Underground, though it definitely will, according to Howard Collins, London Underground’s Chief Operating Officer. He said: “This has been a fantastic success and the work we put into it means we will now be able to run future events like this. Transport for London is considering running them every year. The engine has a certificate for 10 years, so it should be back”. He confirmed the engine would be on the Epping-Ongar former Underground section in the summer, and he hoped, too, that other steam engines would now make special visits to the Underground system in the future.
Christian Wolmar’s history of the Underground, The Subterranean Railways, has been updated and revised for the 150 anniversary and is published by Atlantic, £9 99.
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Having seen the new buildings in progress the Minister officially opened the turntable which has replaced the engineer’s triangle, ably assisted by star loco ‘Olton Hall’ – also known to Harry Potter fans as ‘Hogwarts Castle’.
Rail Minister Simon Burns said: “The city of York has always had a proud railway heritage and I am pleased to see this latest success story taking shape.
“These facilities will not only help drive efficiencies and improve performance for passengers and freight on this vital route for many years to come – they will also provide valuable jobs and guarantee a skilled workforce is in place to meet the challenges of running a 21st century railway system.
“This Government is committed to modernising the railways and this regeneration scheme provides another example of us making good on our promises through our partnership with Network Rail.”
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “We were happy to welcome the Minister to York and to see the work beginning on what will be one of our most important sites. These operating and training facilities will allow us to deliver a modern, efficient railway while at the same time maintaining York’s position as an important rail city. The centres will retain jobs in the city and, over time, see all of our rail operations for the London North Eastern route consolidated in one place.
“The operating centre is the largest of just 14 proposed centres across Britain and will bring the expertise and technology we need to operate the route into a single location. Meanwhile the investment in modern training facilities will make sure our employees remain among the best in the world.
“As well as bringing future employment benefits which are vital for economic growth and prosperity in York we hope that the location of these new facilities on the edge of the York Central development site could act as a catalyst for further investment in the area."The turntable began life in service at Cleethorpes before being relocated to Ferme Park in the 1970s. It has been brought to York to provide turning facilities for charter services, rail plant and the National Rail Museum.
Christian Wolmar - Steam on The Tube
The crowds lining the platforms of every station on the route would not have been outnumbered had the Duchess of Cambridge been going for a ride. Metropolitan No 1, a steam engine that first saw service in 1898, was hauling a set of beautifully refurbished carriages and the much publicised event had brought large numbers to City stations that are normally empty on a Sunday evening.
People clambered over each other to get snaps of the train as it thundered past, at all of 25mph, through the stations on its journey from Moorgate to Edgware Road and back. The steam locomotive was, it is true, being helped by an electric one, Sarah Siddons, built in 1923, which also proved an attraction to the crowds of rail enthusiasts.On the train itself, every compartment, designed for eight people, was full and despite safety instructions to the contrary, the temptation to open the windows was irresistible. It was the smell of steam and smoke that was perhaps most evocative for those who were old enough to remember the sight of steam engines on the tracks. There was, too, the swirl of smoke in the tunnels that must have been the daily experience for Victorian commuters on the line which was operated by steam power for more than 40 years after its opening in 1863.
Passengers had paid up to £180 for a first class ticket on the train, though, in fact, the third class carriages, once fitted with hard wooden seats for the workers, were now just as comfortable as the coaches designed to carry the better off, having been fitted with upholstery during the refurbishment.
Next weekend, there will be a series of further trips but after that there may be some time before steam returns to the Underground, though it definitely will, according to Howard Collins, London Underground’s Chief Operating Officer. He said: “This has been a fantastic success and the work we put into it means we will now be able to run future events like this. Transport for London is considering running them every year. The engine has a certificate for 10 years, so it should be back”. He confirmed the engine would be on the Epping-Ongar former Underground section in the summer, and he hoped, too, that other steam engines would now make special visits to the Underground system in the future.
Christian Wolmar’s history of the Underground, The Subterranean Railways, has been updated and revised for the 150 anniversary and is published by Atlantic, £9 99.
Great Railway Revolution
The Epic Story of the American Railroad...
- Find out more
- Order online
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