Railways seem to be the growth industry of the moment...what with the UK's HS2...the Rail Delivery Group speaking of the increasing demand for rail travel... and the Newcastle College for the next generation of rail engineers.
China offers support...financial and technical...to Kenya for the first phase (485 km) of its "high speed" line...and China's CRCC is the only bidder for a Mexican project.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's high speed railway could go bust without restructuring...quickly...
And please take a look at RAIL magazine to see how the US rises to the challenge of transportation and mobility needs in local and metropolitan communities.....
Click on the links.....
Headlines
UK
HS2 Supply Chain Conference: Getting UK Businesses Involved
(transportgovuk on YouTube)
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin talks about making sure British companies get involved with the £10 billion worth of contracts that HS2 will generate at the HS2 Supply Chain Conference in Manchester (23 October).
The 2014 conferences in London and Manchester have brought together together over 1000 companies large and small from across the UK, to make them aware of the opportunities HS2 will bring.
To find out more visit: http://www.hs2.org.uk/events/supplych...
Transport for London criticised over £80m payout.(BBC News)
London Underground worker helped scarf woman.(BBC News)
Tunnel Vision: meet the team that are 'future-proofing' London's tubes.(London Evening Standard)
John Crace’s sketch: Transport complaints run to strict timetable.(The Guardian)
www.parliament.uk.
Committee to hold evidence session on high speed rail in Manchester
23 October 2014
The Transport Committee will be holding a public evidence session on the latest developments in the High Speed Rail 2 project at The University of Manchester on Monday 17 November.
- Parliament TV: watch the session on HS2
- Inquiry: HS2: update
- The Transport Committee
- Parliament Week
Witnesses
Monday 17 November, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterAt 3.00 pm
- Sir David Higgins, Chair, HS2 Ltd.
The session is being held in Manchester as part of Parliament Week (14 – 20 November). Seats in the public gallery are strictly limited. To secure a place, please contact outreach@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 1650
Network Rail
Adlington bridge to reopen early as electrification upgrade work progresses
Two bridges in the Chorley area will reopen this week after being rebuilt by Network Rail as part of a £1bn+ investment in the railway in the north of England.
Railway Road in Adlington will reopen two weeks early and Harpers Lane in Chorley will open on time after being closed for up to five months.
The bridges were rebuilt to provide the additional height required to allow overhead electricity lines to run underneath to power trains from December 2016.
The upgrade of the line and electric trains will improve connections between Manchester and Preston via Bolton, delivering a more reliable, efficient and greener railway.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Our programme of work to electrify the railway in the north west and upgrade the infrastructure as part of the Northern Hub will provide many benefits to passengers, including faster journeys where possible and more seats and capacity.
“Everything is done to complete projects on time and we understand the impact our work has. On this occasion we have been able to reopen the bridge in Adlington early which will provide an early boost to the surrounding area and is a notable achievement for the team delivering the upgrades.”
For information about the improvements being delivered in the north west visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx?cd=1
The bridges were rebuilt to provide the additional height required to allow overhead electricity lines to run underneath to power trains from December 2016.
The upgrade of the line and electric trains will improve connections between Manchester and Preston via Bolton, delivering a more reliable, efficient and greener railway.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Our programme of work to electrify the railway in the north west and upgrade the infrastructure as part of the Northern Hub will provide many benefits to passengers, including faster journeys where possible and more seats and capacity.
“Everything is done to complete projects on time and we understand the impact our work has. On this occasion we have been able to reopen the bridge in Adlington early which will provide an early boost to the surrounding area and is a notable achievement for the team delivering the upgrades.”
For information about the improvements being delivered in the north west visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx?cd=1
Network Rail Picture
Manchester Victoria station's Metrolink stop to be completed in early 2015
The planned upgrade of the Metrolink stop at Manchester Victoria, which forms a key element of Network Rail’s redevelopment of the iconic city centre station, is now set to be completed in early 2015.
The project – which is being delivered in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) – will see the Metrolink stop completely redesigned and expanded to provide additional platforms and tracks, accommodating the new Second City Crossing and wider network expansion.
To allow the work to progress, the stop has been closed to passengers since February 2014 and Metrolink services have been running through the station on a single line of track.
Due to the rescheduled completion date in the delivery of these improvements, single line running will now remain in place until February next year.
The additional time now required to complete the project is due to the complex nature of the construction and engineering works being carried out and to avoid any additional impact during the busy Christmas period.
Debbie Francis, from Network Rail, said: “The completion of the Metrolink stop, which is part of the wider Manchester Victoria redevelopment, has regrettably been delayed and, after discussions with TfGM and Manchester City Council, is now due to reopen in February 2015.
“An extended closure of the line through the area is needed to complete the complex upgrade and this would disrupt passengers even further and impact the city in the build up to Christmas – one of the busiest times of the year for businesses and the economy.
“With this in mind, the closure of the track has been postponed and will now take place after the festive period. Further information will be available to passengers in December regarding the timing and impact of the closure.
"We apologise for the delay and inconvenience this will cause and continue to work with TfGM and Manchester City Council to reopen the line as quickly as possible.”
TfGM will continue to run double trams on every Bury to Altrincham service and a shuttle service between Bury and Abraham Moss will also stay in place to cater for around a third of journeys made on the Bury line.
Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink director, said: “We are disappointed with the delay on this project. We fully appreciate how much of a blow it will be for passengers who have been so accommodating of the temporary service changes these works have required and are sorry that the changes will now have to be in place until the New Year.
“To that end we will be working closely with Network Rail to ensure these vital improvements are delivered as quickly as possible and that our customers experience the minimum levels of disruption.”
The Metrolink network as a whole is benefiting from a £1.5 billion investment in new lines, new trams and stop improvements, and Manchester Victoria is a key part of the network-wide upgrade.
The Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop works and associated enhancements are being funded by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund and European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
To allow the work to progress, the stop has been closed to passengers since February 2014 and Metrolink services have been running through the station on a single line of track.
Due to the rescheduled completion date in the delivery of these improvements, single line running will now remain in place until February next year.
The additional time now required to complete the project is due to the complex nature of the construction and engineering works being carried out and to avoid any additional impact during the busy Christmas period.
Debbie Francis, from Network Rail, said: “The completion of the Metrolink stop, which is part of the wider Manchester Victoria redevelopment, has regrettably been delayed and, after discussions with TfGM and Manchester City Council, is now due to reopen in February 2015.
“An extended closure of the line through the area is needed to complete the complex upgrade and this would disrupt passengers even further and impact the city in the build up to Christmas – one of the busiest times of the year for businesses and the economy.
“With this in mind, the closure of the track has been postponed and will now take place after the festive period. Further information will be available to passengers in December regarding the timing and impact of the closure.
"We apologise for the delay and inconvenience this will cause and continue to work with TfGM and Manchester City Council to reopen the line as quickly as possible.”
TfGM will continue to run double trams on every Bury to Altrincham service and a shuttle service between Bury and Abraham Moss will also stay in place to cater for around a third of journeys made on the Bury line.
Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink director, said: “We are disappointed with the delay on this project. We fully appreciate how much of a blow it will be for passengers who have been so accommodating of the temporary service changes these works have required and are sorry that the changes will now have to be in place until the New Year.
“To that end we will be working closely with Network Rail to ensure these vital improvements are delivered as quickly as possible and that our customers experience the minimum levels of disruption.”
The Metrolink network as a whole is benefiting from a £1.5 billion investment in new lines, new trams and stop improvements, and Manchester Victoria is a key part of the network-wide upgrade.
The Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop works and associated enhancements are being funded by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund and European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
Manchester Victoria.(Network Rail Picture)
=========================
Full steam ahead at Newcastle College's Rail Academy for next generation of engineers(Journal Live)
Rail Accident Investigation Branch(RAIB)
Near-miss involving track workers near Hest Bank, Lancashire, 22 September 2014
RAIB is investigating a near-miss incident involving a group of nine track workers who were working on the West Coast Main Line, south of Hest Bank between Carnforth and Lancaster. The incident occurred at about 14:23 hrs on Monday 22 September 2014.
The group, comprising contract staff and a controller of site safety employed by Network Rail, were packing ballast under sleepers on the up main line on a small bridge. A lookout operated warning system (LOWS) was being used to give warning of approaching trains because the gang’s view was restricted by curvature of the line. This system is designed to allow lookouts to signal the approach of a train by operating two toggle switches on a LOWS lookout unit. This then transmits a radio signal to a LOWS static unit which then gives both visual and audible warnings.
On the afternoon of the near-miss, the LOWS equipment was being operated by two Network Rail lookouts, one on each side of the site of work and each equipped with a LOWS lookout unit. The lookout watching for trains on the up line was located 780 metres (approximately 0.5 mile) from the site of work, in a position which gave him a good view of trains approaching from the north. The static unit was located near the track workers. The LOWS is reported to have been both tested and operating normally prior to the incident.
At about 14:23 hrs, a train, the 12:12 hrs Edinburgh to Manchester Airport service, approached the site from the north (on the up line). The group were provided with no advance warning that the train was approaching and were forced to take immediate evasive action when the train first became visible, approximately four seconds before it reached the site of work. Some staff were unable to reach a safe position and pressed themselves against the bridge parapet. The train was travelling at an estimated 80 mph (129 km/h) as it passed the group at a location where the maximum permitted speed is 125 mph (201 km/h).
The group, comprising contract staff and a controller of site safety employed by Network Rail, were packing ballast under sleepers on the up main line on a small bridge. A lookout operated warning system (LOWS) was being used to give warning of approaching trains because the gang’s view was restricted by curvature of the line. This system is designed to allow lookouts to signal the approach of a train by operating two toggle switches on a LOWS lookout unit. This then transmits a radio signal to a LOWS static unit which then gives both visual and audible warnings.
On the afternoon of the near-miss, the LOWS equipment was being operated by two Network Rail lookouts, one on each side of the site of work and each equipped with a LOWS lookout unit. The lookout watching for trains on the up line was located 780 metres (approximately 0.5 mile) from the site of work, in a position which gave him a good view of trains approaching from the north. The static unit was located near the track workers. The LOWS is reported to have been both tested and operating normally prior to the incident.
At about 14:23 hrs, a train, the 12:12 hrs Edinburgh to Manchester Airport service, approached the site from the north (on the up line). The group were provided with no advance warning that the train was approaching and were forced to take immediate evasive action when the train first became visible, approximately four seconds before it reached the site of work. Some staff were unable to reach a safe position and pressed themselves against the bridge parapet. The train was travelling at an estimated 80 mph (129 km/h) as it passed the group at a location where the maximum permitted speed is 125 mph (201 km/h).
RAIB’s investigation will examine the reasons why no warning was provided to the track workers. It will consider the sequence of events and factors that may have led to the incident, and identify any safety lessons.
RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigations by the railway industry or safety authority. RAIB will publish its findings at the conclusion of the investigation. This report will be available on the RAIB website.
Rail Delivery Group
Demand for rail travel outpaces growth in economy and employment
24/10/2014
Growth in rail travel has outpaced the strengthening economy and rising employment levels over the last six months, according to new figures.
Latest data from the rail industry show that in the six months to September, 713m passenger journeys were made, a 3.67% increase on the same period last year – or over 140,000 more journeys a day. Figures from the ONS show that the economy is currently growing at 3.2% annually as measured by GDP, while employment is increasing by 2%.
The growth in rail travel between April and September follows the 1.6billion rail journeys that were made in 2013/14, confirming the transformation of the railway which after decades of decline in the second half of the 20th century is now experiencing levels of demand last seen following demobilisation after WW1.
The figures also show that:
· Journeys being taken in the commuter-heavy London and South East area rose by 3.72%, aided by the growth in employment;
· Increased business travel, an indicator of the strengthening economy, has contributed to a 3.03% rise in long distance journeys;
· Growth of 3.74% in regional journeys suggests that the recovery is spreading beyond the South East.
Discounting is also encouraging train travel. Journeys made on Advance tickets showed the strongest growth of all ticket types, with a year on year rise of 9.34% – over the six month period, 28 million journeys were made. Research by KPMG found that discounted fares now account for almost half of passenger revenue, up from 36% 10 years ago.
The rail industry is responding to the growth in passengers by undertaking one of the largest investment programmes in the history of the railway. Between now and 2019, Network Rail is spending an average £27m a day on improving all parts of rail’s infrastructure to improve services and create more capacity to carry extra passengers. By 2018, 2,000 new carriages will be in service on the network with almost a third more peak time seats into major cities, and 20% more in and out of London planned by the end of the decade.
Other European countries have invested heavily in their railways but none is experiencing the kind of growth seen here. Passenger numbers grew 62% in the UK between 1997-98 and 2010-11, compared to 33% in France, 16% in Germany and 6% in the Netherlands.
Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators and Network Rail, said:
"Phenomenal growth in rail journeys is helping operators to pay £2billion a year back to government, which in turn is enabling investment by Network Rail in further improving Europe’s safest and fastest growing railway.
"By aiming to run more and better services safely, make the railway simpler to use and get more for every pound invested, the industry will not rest in our goal to make Europe's best railway even better."
ENDS
Growth in rail travel has outpaced the strengthening economy and rising employment levels over the last six months, according to new figures.
Latest data from the rail industry show that in the six months to September, 713m passenger journeys were made, a 3.67% increase on the same period last year – or over 140,000 more journeys a day. Figures from the ONS show that the economy is currently growing at 3.2% annually as measured by GDP, while employment is increasing by 2%.
The growth in rail travel between April and September follows the 1.6billion rail journeys that were made in 2013/14, confirming the transformation of the railway which after decades of decline in the second half of the 20th century is now experiencing levels of demand last seen following demobilisation after WW1.
The figures also show that:
· Journeys being taken in the commuter-heavy London and South East area rose by 3.72%, aided by the growth in employment;
· Increased business travel, an indicator of the strengthening economy, has contributed to a 3.03% rise in long distance journeys;
· Growth of 3.74% in regional journeys suggests that the recovery is spreading beyond the South East.
Discounting is also encouraging train travel. Journeys made on Advance tickets showed the strongest growth of all ticket types, with a year on year rise of 9.34% – over the six month period, 28 million journeys were made. Research by KPMG found that discounted fares now account for almost half of passenger revenue, up from 36% 10 years ago.
The rail industry is responding to the growth in passengers by undertaking one of the largest investment programmes in the history of the railway. Between now and 2019, Network Rail is spending an average £27m a day on improving all parts of rail’s infrastructure to improve services and create more capacity to carry extra passengers. By 2018, 2,000 new carriages will be in service on the network with almost a third more peak time seats into major cities, and 20% more in and out of London planned by the end of the decade.
Other European countries have invested heavily in their railways but none is experiencing the kind of growth seen here. Passenger numbers grew 62% in the UK between 1997-98 and 2010-11, compared to 33% in France, 16% in Germany and 6% in the Netherlands.
Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators and Network Rail, said:
"Phenomenal growth in rail journeys is helping operators to pay £2billion a year back to government, which in turn is enabling investment by Network Rail in further improving Europe’s safest and fastest growing railway.
"By aiming to run more and better services safely, make the railway simpler to use and get more for every pound invested, the industry will not rest in our goal to make Europe's best railway even better."
ENDS
International
Bangladesh
Japan
Gauge Change Trains (GCTs) are being developed and tested by Japan's Railway Construction Transport & Technology Agency....
Read about this programme HERE
Kenya
Kenya says construction of high-speed railway on course.(Global Post)
90 percent of the 3.6 billion U.S. dollars needed for the first phase of the project, which will cover 485 kilometers from the port of Mombasa to Nairobi, is being funded by the Exim Bank of China, with the Kenyan government providing the remainder..
Taiwan
High speed rail could go bankrupt if restructuring fails: minister. (The China Post)
Turkey
Other Railway Press
Chinese Group sole bidder for $3 billion Mexico H-S Rail project.
A moving experience.(South China Morning Post)
China continues to lead the way in high-speed rail as state backed China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) are the only group bidding to win tender for Mexico’s major high speed-rail project worth more than $3 billion writes SmartRail World's Abigail Francis. The proposed project plans to connect the industrial cities of Mexico City & Queretaro and carry an estimated 23,000 commuters a day, at high speeds of 300kph. The developments follow President Enrique Pena Nieto’s plans to reintroduce inter-city passenger services between major industrial cities following their privatization and subsequent dissolution over a decade ago.
CRCC have offered to build trains and 210 kilometres of railway as part of their $4.3 billion bid. The deal is set to place China in an extremely strong position to establish and win further contracts to construct more of Mexico’s high-speed passenger rail. Having built over 12,000 kilometers of track at home in less than a decade, China is pushing to export more of its high-speed technology abroad. CNR and CSR Corp are China's largest train builders, while CRCC and China Railway Group build track.
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A moving experience.(South China Morning Post)
A luxurious train journey from Pretoria to Cape Town offers a champagne-filled, rose-tinted glimpse of South Africa, writes Anna Healy Fenton
Rail Forum Europe addresses future challenges and funding for the European rail sector - European Railway Review
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MBTA completes first phase of Green Line tracking
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) in the US has completed the first phase of Green Line tracking that offers real-time information and predictions to the passengers.
Tramrus LLC to deliver low-floor tram for St Petersburg transport operator
Tramrus LLC, a joint venture between Transmashholding (TMH) and Alstom, has been placed with an order from the St Petersburg transport operator in Russia to deliver a low-floor tram.
Ecebs to provide smart ticketing services for UK's Rail Settlement Plan
Technology firm Ecebs has received a contract from UK's Rail Settlement Plan to deliver the technology and back office transaction services needed to provide 'smart' ticketing infrastructure and products to the rail network across London.
Alstom to supply Citadis trams for Strasbourg Transport Company
French train manufacturer Alstom has signed a framework agreement with Strasbourg's Communauté des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) for the delivery of 50 Citadis trams.
Thrilling Wonder Stories: Revisited
 | When we first launched RAIL Magazine, we did so with the premise that this publication was dedicated not so much to trains themselves, but more to what those trains were creating in the communities they serve. This edition of RAIL - Thrilling Wonder Stories: Revisited - afforded us the chance to go back and take a new look at specific passenger rail projects we've highlighted over the years. DownloadDownload Rail in full or choose from the articles featured below.
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| To ease our readers in the transition to RAIL magazine's new digital format, we have developed a troubleshooting tips for downloading the magazine, as well as a guide to using the new publication once it is downloaded. ====================================================================   | |
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