Winter will soon be upon us, so no doubt resilience of networks will be tested..
In the UK, such discussions would naturally centre on Dawlish...which is still the subject of ongoing work.
Safety is another issue, particularly involving level crossings. Network Rail is holding public meetings to discuss some level crossing closures on the East Coast Mainline.
Innovation is at the heart of Alstom's strategy (video), and Siemens leads the way with technology for driverless trains (Paris metro extension...).and Bombardier is recognized as a World Leader for Action on Climate Change.
All these developments come with a price tag.... in China a former designer of the high speed network , guilty of corruption , has a suspended death sentence imposed..
And Tata Steel, a major supplier of rail products, undergoes some serious financial reorganization...
For more details, click on the links....
Headlines
UK
HS2 Supply Chain Conference: Opportunities for UK businesses
(transportgovuk on YouTube)
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer talks about the fantastic opportunities HS2 will generate for British businesses at the HS2 Supply Chain Conference in London.
HS2 Ltd is hosting two Supply Chain Conferences this month, one in London (Friday 17 October) followed by one in Manchester on Thursday 23 October 2014.
The conferences will bring together over 900 companies large and small from across the UK, to make them aware of the opportunities HS2 will bring and to help them position themselves to bid for more than £10bn worth of contracts.
To find out more visit: http://www.hs2.org.uk/events/supplych...
GOV.UK
Baroness Kramer.. Department for Transport
Speech about the potential, momentum, engagement and challenges of HS2.
Good morning everyone.
And welcome.
It’s wonderful to see so many of you today (17 October 2014). Over 700 people representing more than 500 businesses. From small technology specialists to global infrastructure developers. All linked by a common purpose. To be part of the biggest rail project in this country since the Victorian era. And the most exciting engineering scheme in Britain for generations.
Momentum
One of the words you’re hearing most often today is “momentum”. Because the HS2 programme is entering a completely new phase. And it’s moving forward, quickly. The fundamental case for the new line has been made. Providing the capacity and connectivity we need. To meet rapidly rising demand. Relieve overcrowding. And support economic growth.We’ve explained the benefits for passengers and businesses. The potential for regeneration around HS2 stations. And the positive impact the new railway will have on rebalancing our economic geography.
So the debate’s progressed from whether we should build it to how we should build it. And how we can make the most of our investment. And not a moment too soon.
Because in infrastructure terms, HS2 is just around the corner. Subject to royal assent, construction starts in just 3 years’ time. The Bill’s been making good progress through Parliament. It is now moving through the committee stage. Of course, as it does so, we are continuing to listen to people’s concerns. And where we can, making improvements.
But most importantly, the Bill has received overwhelming cross-party support. Confidence of market. And that’s vital. Because it sends a message to you, and to everyone out there. That HS2 will be delivered. That enabling work will begin in 2016. And that the building of Phase One between London and Birmingham will begin in 2017.
But there’s another reason why you can plan ahead for HS2 with confidence. And that’s the record of this government over the past 4 and a half years. We said we’d pay back Britain’s debts, and we are.
In fact the public deficit today is almost half the level we inherited in 2010. We said we’d sort out our economic problems, and get Britain growing again, and we have. This country now has the fastest growing economy of any major developed nation.
And we said that investment in infrastructure would be at the heart of our growth strategy and it is.
When you look at where we were 4 and a half years ago, we’ve made massive progress. Not so long ago, a British government would have raided the transport budget in times of austerity. Found an excuse to delay Crossrail yet again. Cancel electrification. And derail HS2.
But we did the opposite. Critics thought that a Coalition couldn’t get anything done. Well we changed the way we thought about infrastructure. We made transport a central part of our strategy for growth and jobs. We developed a National Infrastructure Plan that had been lacking for so long.
Providing a steady and predictable chain of schemes over time. All backed by record investment. But of all those infrastructure projects, HS2 is the biggest. By far. No other scheme will offer the same transformational benefits. No other scheme promises to change the fabric of the nation.
Providing the space we desperately need to grow as an economy, and to prosper as a country.
Engagement and challenges
Quite simply, this is one of the most amazing opportunities of our generation. The question is, how to grasp that opportunity and exploit it to the full. That’s what today’s conference is all about.Simon and David have given you a detailed update on HS2 progress. But this is also a chance for you to get together. A chance for you to meet your fellow suppliers. To share ideas. And maybe see if there’s potential to work together.
This is your event as much as it’s ours. Because now that we’re moving on to a new stage with the project, HS2 is as much yours as ours. All of us have a stake in this. And all of us have to find solutions to the challenges we face. This is not “business as usual” for anyone here today. We’re all learning as we progress. That’s what makes it so exciting.
We in government are learning how to ease a project of this size through planning and procurement. And to re-inspire pride in British engineering. The rail industry too is having to overcome its traditional risk-averse approach. Which in the past may have stopped it embracing new technologies and new ways of working.
And each of you faces your own particular challenge. Finding the best answers to the questions that HS2 poses. Increasingly, the spotlight is turning on you.
Because it’s now that we start to harness the innovation and creativity of the supply chain. That’s why we consulted and engaged with you early. From the first supply chain conference this time last year. This was something the HS2 Growth Taskforce encouraged us to do. Its excellent report was called “Get Ready” for a reason. To set new standards for industry engagement. And to make opportunities accessible for businesses of all sizes.
We’ve listened and responded to what you told us. Your positive feedback has been instrumental in the development of our procurement strategy.
For example in the key areas of skills and apprenticeships. We’ve now committed to providing at least 2,000 opportunities for apprentices through HS2. More than double the number created by the London Olympics and Crossrail together. And skills is now one of our strategic priorities for procurement. That was re-affirmed recently when we announced that the new National College for High Speed Rail will be based in Birmingham, with a further site in Doncaster.
Giving specialist vocational training to the next generation of engineers working on HS2 and beyond. So the positive and open dialogue we’ve developed over the past year has been crucial. And let me assure you that it will continue as we move ahead. That’s something that Beth West will speak about in a short while.
Conclusion
But let me finish with one last observation.We’ve proved in this country that we do have what it takes to deliver world class rail infrastructure. Together we’ve built High Speed 1. Together, we’ve built St Pancras and King’s Cross. And together, we’re building Crossrail and Thameslink - on time and on budget. Of course HS2 is on a different scale to any of these schemes. We haven’t done anything this ambitious for 50 years.
But when I see the diversity and expertise of our supply chain in this country. And when I see how much enthusiasm there is for this project across the industry. I know that the future of HS2 is in excellent hands. So please take full advantage of today.
And thank you for listening.
Engineers win prestigious award for repairing Dawlish line. (Plymouth Herald)
City Diary: Taxi! Leeds transport boss shuns the train after top-tier HS2 dinner.(The Telegraph)
Ilkeston railway station: Flooding concerns cause second delay.(BBC News)
Swanage to Wareham rail reconnection works begin.(BBC News)
Little hope for Bradford commuters facing fare hikes.(Telegraph & Argus)
Rail delays mean no end for Pacers.(The Yorkshire Post)
Railways 'dead zones' for mobiles, report reveals.(BBC)
Tomatoes found 'growing in human waste dumped on railway tracks from passing trains' (The Independent)
Transport Police survey: Have say on train crime.(Peterborough Telegraph)
Tata Steel agrees $5.4bn refinance.(insider media)
Manchester Airport tram line to open next month.(Railnews)
Manchester Metrolink.
Courtesy pteg- The Voice of Urban Transport
Network Rail
Public meetings to discuss level crossing closures
People in Newark and Claypole are invited to share their views as part of a second round public consultation into Network Rail’s plans to close level crossings at the south end of the East Coast Main Line.
The second round of consultation begins today (Thursday 16) in Newark and on Saturday 18 October at Claypole Village Hall. It will give residents the opportunity to understand what actions have been taken as a result of their feedback in the first round of consultations.
28 public events were held across six affected local authorities during the first round of consultation. A number of options to be considered for each location were presented, including where appropriate, alternative means of crossing the railway.
More than 3,400 responses were received which have been fed into the preferred solutions on display in the second round of consultations. Once again, Network Rail is asking for feedback on the preferred options. This will then be fed into the submission for a Transport Works Act Order which will go to the Secretary of State for Transport during 2015.
Andy Pollard, Project Manager for Network Rail said: “Closures of level crossings can help to make the railway safer, more efficient and more reliable, and improve local connectivity, which has tangible economic benefits.
“Following the first round of consultation we held with residents, local councils, businesses and many other stakeholders, we have taken into account a wide range of views and opinions on the options we presented at round one.
“Earlier consultations have helped shaped our preferred options and we are now in a position to present our findings for each proposed level crossing closure to members of the public and interested parties.
“Although we would prefer that that everyone supports our proposals, anyone who wishes to raise formal objections will be able to do so once we submit our Transport and Works Act Order application. This will be considered by an independent inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, who will then decide whether a public inquiry is held.”
Delays at levels crossings lead to increased journey times for highway users, which have a tangible economic cost. By removing crossings Network Rail can also seek to improve connectivity within local communities.
The benefits
Closures of level crossings can help to:
28 public events were held across six affected local authorities during the first round of consultation. A number of options to be considered for each location were presented, including where appropriate, alternative means of crossing the railway.
More than 3,400 responses were received which have been fed into the preferred solutions on display in the second round of consultations. Once again, Network Rail is asking for feedback on the preferred options. This will then be fed into the submission for a Transport Works Act Order which will go to the Secretary of State for Transport during 2015.
Andy Pollard, Project Manager for Network Rail said: “Closures of level crossings can help to make the railway safer, more efficient and more reliable, and improve local connectivity, which has tangible economic benefits.
“Following the first round of consultation we held with residents, local councils, businesses and many other stakeholders, we have taken into account a wide range of views and opinions on the options we presented at round one.
“Earlier consultations have helped shaped our preferred options and we are now in a position to present our findings for each proposed level crossing closure to members of the public and interested parties.
“Although we would prefer that that everyone supports our proposals, anyone who wishes to raise formal objections will be able to do so once we submit our Transport and Works Act Order application. This will be considered by an independent inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, who will then decide whether a public inquiry is held.”
Notes:
Network Rail are studying the feasibility of closing level crossings on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between London and Doncaster as part of a commitment to deliver a safer, more efficient and reliable railway.Delays at levels crossings lead to increased journey times for highway users, which have a tangible economic cost. By removing crossings Network Rail can also seek to improve connectivity within local communities.
The benefits
Closures of level crossings can help to:
- Make the railway safer, more efficient and more reliable
- Reduce delays to trains, pedestrians and road users
- Reduce potential hazards to both rail and road users where crossings are not used correctly
- Reduce the on-going costs of running the railway
- Improve local connectivity, which has tangible economic benefits
Blackminster, Worcestershire level crossing.
International
Geopolitics cast shadow over New Silk Road.(FT.com)
Australia
Melbourne should follow Sydney and remove its overhead tram wires, rail expert says.(The Age)
China
China high-speed rail designer gets suspended death sentence in bribe case.(Reuters)
India
Mexico
Spain
Spain’s high speed trains stay on track.(The Olive Press)
USA
www.progressiverailroading.com.
Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com
California receives clearance from court to proceed with $68bn bullet train project
The US state of California is set to go ahead with the construction of its $68bn bullet train project after the state Supreme Court declined the appeal of a case filed by opponents of the project.
Chinese consortium submits sole bid for Mexican rail project
Mexico's Transport and Communications Ministry has announced that a Chinese consortium has submitted the only bid for a high-speed passenger train project between Mexico City and Queretaro.
Alstom completes delivery of SuperVia trains
French train manufacturer Alstom has delivered the last train as part of an order for ten trains from SuperVia, a Brazilian rail operator led by Odebrecht TransPort.
Veolia to withdraw InterConnex trains in Germany from December
German public transporter Veolia Verkehr will withdraw its InterConnex trains, between Leipzig, Berlin and Rostock / Warnemünde from December. High Time for High-Speed
India's rail industry has suffered from years of low investment and subsidised fares. Dr Gareth Evans asks if the NarendraModi government could finally see the implementation of the high-speed service that was first mooted decades ago.
China's fast track to high-speed rail exports
In little over a decade China has progressed from a high-speed rail novice to the host of the world's largest high-speed network. Now the country is focussing on foreign markets, where lower costs and efficient construction are making its companies a match for the high-speed specialists of Europe and Japan.
Wishful thinking: How viable is Boris Johnson's orbital railway around London?
One of the cornerstones of London Mayor Boris Johnson's London Infrastructure 2050 plan is a new orbital railway, designed to keep the city's soaring population moving in the decades to come. The full cost has been valued at nearly £1.3 trillion, but what exactly does it entail, and can it be justified so soon after Crossrail comes online? Ross Davies profiles the ambitious scheme. Ross Davies reports.
Siemens
Siemens to design and build new static frequency converter for Amtrak
Munich, 2014-Oct-14
Amtrak has contracted with Siemens to build a new Sitras SFC plus static frequency converter for upgrading its facility in northern New Jersey. The order includes the delivery, installation and commissioning of two 30-megawatt converter units as well as the integration of the multilevel traction converter into the existing Amtrak 25-Hertz traction power supply network to enable parallel operation with the existing converters.
The Metuchen static frequency converter is due to be completed in 2017. This converter upgrading project is part of the New Jersey High Speed Rail Improvement Program (HSRIP) being carried out by Amtrak between Trenton and New Brunswick, NJ. The new Amtrak ACS-64 electric locomotives built by Siemens have been operating on the Northeast Corridor since February 2014.
"Siemens is currently the only supplier of multilevel direct converters. They can be universally used in both central and decentralized traction power supply networks and are already successfully operating internationally," said Elmar Zeiler, Head of the Siemens Rail Electrification Business.The Sitras SFC plus static frequency converter is a multilevel direct converter that supplies single-phase traction power networks from three-phase networks. It essentially consists of only one converter that directly couples the two networks. The three-phase AC voltage is directly converted into a single-phase AC voltage with different frequency. Due to its multilevel technology, no traction transformer is needed to feed the overhead contact line.
Siemens' static frequency converters have been successfully in use worldwide since 1994, including the 180-megawatt station operating for Amtrak in the Philadelphia area. Examples of the latest generation of the modular multilevel direct converter Sitras SFC plus are in service in Häggvik and Eskilstuna in Sweden, as well as in Nuremberg, Rostock, Adamsdorf, Frankfurt/Oder and Cottbus in Germany.
Siemens extends first driverless metro line in Paris
Munich, 2014-Oct-13
Siemens has received an order from the Paris transit authority RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) to supply the train control equipment and operational control system for the extension of the driverless metro line 14 in Paris. Siemens equipped the original stretch of Line 14 for automatic operation back in 1998 and thus established the first fully automated metro line with driverless trains in Paris. This new section will extend the existing nine-kilometer southbound line by four stations and six kilometers. The order volume is worth around 45 million euros. The line extension is scheduled to be commissioned in 2019.
Siemens has equipped about 250 kilometers of metro lines with signaling technology for driverless operation, making it the world market leader in this field. For the extension of line 14 Siemens will supply the Trainguard CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) type automatic train protection system, which enables driverless operation.
Driverless operation can increase the capacity of a metro line by up to 50 percent because the trains can run at shorter headways. In Paris, automatic operation will achieve a service interval of 85 seconds. If passenger volume suddenly rises – during major events, for example – additional trains can be deployed. These are automatically sent into operation straight from the depot or the sidings, enabling trains to be inserted at short notice into available gaps in the service schedule.At the same time, the automatic, energy-optimized control reduces the energy consumption of Line 14 by as much as 15 percent. An intelligent, energy-optimized running profile ensures that full use is always made of the journey time. Trains do not arrive "over-punctually"; instead, they adjust their speed automatically to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Beside the existing Line 14, Siemens had equipped Line 1 with the fully automatic Trainguard MT train protection system for driverless operation in 2011. Metro Line 1 is the oldest and most heavily frequented underground line in Paris. Linking the east and west of the city along 17 kilometers of track, it carries as many as 725,000 passengers every day. This was the first time that such an important metro line had been automated without disrupting revenue passenger service.
Alstom on YouTube
Innovation at Alstom
What does innovating mean for Alstom ? Watch this video and discover the Group’s strategy in power generation and distribution, and transport sectors. Alstom sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies.
Bombardier
October 17th, 2014
Bombardier Recognized as World Leader for Action on Climate Change
Bombardier Inc. announced today that it has achieved a position on The A List: The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014 for its actions to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the business risks of climate change.The index presents 187 listed companies identified as demonstrating a superior approach to climate change mitigation. It has been produced by CDP at the request of 767 investors who represent more than a third of the world’s invested capital. Information provided by nearly 2,000 listed companies has been independently assessed and ranked accordingly. Bombardier is among the top 10% that has been awarded an A grade for its climate performance.
“This recognition demonstrates clearly that Bombardier’s commitment to mitigate its environmental impact while growing its business translates into measurable results, said Mtre Daniel Desjardins, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Bombardier Inc. “This same approach plays a pivotal role in the development of our game-changing products.”
CDP performance scores provide a tool for institutional investors and stakeholders to evaluate and track corporate efforts to mitigate climate change. Scores are communicated to investors and other decision makers through various channels, including Bloomberg terminals, to help them assess corporate preparedness for changing market demands and emissions regulation.
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