Canadian Pacific and CSX.. More movement, but nothing to report...but an uninterrupted route across the US would bring tremendous benefits, not least to the congestion that is Chicago...
The UK Government have put the UK's 40% holding in Eurostar up for sale..to the disappointment of RMT, and the disinterest of SNCF....
HS2 money issues.... £30 million compensation for people affected is not enough...and business interests would undoubtedly flow from contracts awarded....£10 billion, it is said. Meanwhile the Lords Select Committee has met to see whether the government has made the economic case for HS2 and what the wider economic impact of HS2 will be, and whether the HS2 report on regional economic impacts is effective in assessing the economic benefits across the UK. We await the results of this discussion....
Its that time of the year..."leaves on the line"...so, a video explaining this annual phenomenon........
Click on the links....
Headlines
UK
Summer Tube delays fall by 20%, according to TfL.(BBC News)
Window shatters as Tube train travels on London's Piccadilly Line. (The Independent)
UK high-speed railway line contest for £10bn in contracts begins.(FT.com)
New £30 million HS2 benefit scheme 'not enough' say opponents.(Bucks Free Press)
Eurostar sale shunned by France's SNCF as UBS role is attacked.(London Evening Standard)
U.K. Starts Eurostar Stake-Sale as Osborne Seeks to Cut Debt.(BusinessWeek)
Waverley station pays tribute to Sir Walter Scott (heraldscotland)
Waverley Station Views.
Network Rail
Network Rail and Merseyrail ready to tackle leaves on the line
Work is underway across Merseyside to tackle the impact that autumn has on the rail network.
Autumn - and in particular the impact of leaf fall on the network - is a challenging time for the rail industry as it works to tackle the challenges raised and keep as many trains as possible running safely and on time.
Compressed leaves on the rails form a non-stick type substance which makes starting and stopping trains more difficult. Needing more time and distance to stop or start a train can result in disruption to the timetable and delays to passengers.
Each year millions of pounds is spent across Britain to prepare for and deal with the issue and this year Network Rail and Merseyrail are working even closer to tackle the problem.
Preparation for autumn started earlier this year and a range of methods to monitor, prevent and remove leaves from the railway are now being used around the network in the Merseyside area. They include new technology to assess the condition of the track as well as sophisticated weather and leaf-fall monitoring, daily treatment of the rails by special trains and leaf-clearance.
The technology being used on the Merseyrail network for the first time is called a tribometer, a handheld device which accurately measures how slippery the rails are. Data from the tribometer is used to assess the effectiveness of treatments already applied and help inform whether further action is required.
This is complemented by special treatment trains, operated by Network Rail, which jet-wash and treat the rails to remove any build-up of compressed leaves.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Leaves on the line pose a significant challenge to the rail industry, not just in Britain but around the world. In partnership with Merseyrail we have been able to channel our efforts and use a combination of old and new ways of working to minimise the impact as much as possible.
“Throughout autumn we will continue to monitor and prepare for leaf fall and are well placed to react to deal with the issue. Passengers can be assured we have invested a lot of time, money and knowledge to do all we can to keep them moving.”
Maarten Spaargaren, managing director of Merseyrail, said: ‘Autumn is a difficult season on the railway, and can often mean a less reliable service for customers. We’re determined to deal with this and keep disruption to an absolute minimum.’
Network Rail has undertaken a programme of vegetation management to reduce the volume of leaves alongside the railway and Merseyrail drivers are being given extra advice and instruction about how best to control trains on slippery rails.
To make stopping easier for drivers at stations which are known to suffer from the impact of leaves on the line, trains will stop at different positions at five stations on the network from today (6 October). The stations are Aigburth, Capenhurst, Formby, Freshfield and Spital and the temporary arrangements will be in place for three months. Signs will on the platform to indicate where passengers can board.
Compressed leaves on the rails form a non-stick type substance which makes starting and stopping trains more difficult. Needing more time and distance to stop or start a train can result in disruption to the timetable and delays to passengers.
Each year millions of pounds is spent across Britain to prepare for and deal with the issue and this year Network Rail and Merseyrail are working even closer to tackle the problem.
Preparation for autumn started earlier this year and a range of methods to monitor, prevent and remove leaves from the railway are now being used around the network in the Merseyside area. They include new technology to assess the condition of the track as well as sophisticated weather and leaf-fall monitoring, daily treatment of the rails by special trains and leaf-clearance.
The technology being used on the Merseyrail network for the first time is called a tribometer, a handheld device which accurately measures how slippery the rails are. Data from the tribometer is used to assess the effectiveness of treatments already applied and help inform whether further action is required.
This is complemented by special treatment trains, operated by Network Rail, which jet-wash and treat the rails to remove any build-up of compressed leaves.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Leaves on the line pose a significant challenge to the rail industry, not just in Britain but around the world. In partnership with Merseyrail we have been able to channel our efforts and use a combination of old and new ways of working to minimise the impact as much as possible.
“Throughout autumn we will continue to monitor and prepare for leaf fall and are well placed to react to deal with the issue. Passengers can be assured we have invested a lot of time, money and knowledge to do all we can to keep them moving.”
Maarten Spaargaren, managing director of Merseyrail, said: ‘Autumn is a difficult season on the railway, and can often mean a less reliable service for customers. We’re determined to deal with this and keep disruption to an absolute minimum.’
Network Rail has undertaken a programme of vegetation management to reduce the volume of leaves alongside the railway and Merseyrail drivers are being given extra advice and instruction about how best to control trains on slippery rails.
To make stopping easier for drivers at stations which are known to suffer from the impact of leaves on the line, trains will stop at different positions at five stations on the network from today (6 October). The stations are Aigburth, Capenhurst, Formby, Freshfield and Spital and the temporary arrangements will be in place for three months. Signs will on the platform to indicate where passengers can board.
Network Rail Picture
Delays explained - Leaves on the Line (Network Rail on YouTube)
Similar to a busy motorway, even the smallest delay can have a huge knock-on effect.
Find out more, including what we're doing to reduce knock-on delays at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetabl...
UK House of Commons - Lords Select Committee
Lords hear from transport academics on HS2
14 October 2014
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee inquiry into the economic case for HS2 will start its oral evidence sessions this week with two panels of academics specialising in transport economics.
- Parliament TV: Economic Case for HS2
- Inquiry: The Economic Case for HS2
- Select Committee on Economic Affairs
Witnesses
On Tuesday 14 October, 3.35pm, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster
- Professor Peter Mackie: Emeritus Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
- Dr Matthew Niblett, Senior Visiting Research Associate, Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford
- Professor Roger Vickerman: Professor of European Economics, University of Kent.
At 4.30pm:
- Professor Tony Venables: BP Professor of Economics, University of Oxford.
- Professor Dan Graham: Professor of Statistical Modelling and Research Director of the Railway and Transport Strategy Centre, Imperial College.
The sessions will cover a range of issues including whether the government has made the economic case for HS2 and what the wider economic impact of HS2 will be, and whether the HS2 report on regional economic impacts is effective in assessing the economic benefits across the UK.
The sessions will also cover whether the benefits of time savings from HS2 will be lost travelling to and from stations located outside city centres, whether demand has been forecast correctly in the business case, and if customers should and will be willing to pay higher ticket prices to use HS2.
Further information
International
CER - The Voice of European Railways
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The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) has published a set of ‘Policy Priorities’ for the 2014-2019 mandate – recommendations for EU policy-makers CER believes would be conducive to effective EU railway and transport policies in the years to come.
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Transport, energy, and climate policies play a crucial role in strengthening Europe’s economic security, its economic competitiveness, and its ability to pursue a robust external policy. Rail, as a low-oil, low-carbon transport mode, should constitute the backbone of a new-generation transport system and facilitating its growth will deliver positive growth and employment impacts.
In order to reach this potential, CER suggests a three-pronged approach:
One, stabilise the legislative framework for the railway market. Two, pursue a pro-growth agenda for the railway sector. Three, develop a new inter-modal strategy for transport.
CER calls for a shift in emphasis on the part of EU policy-makers. The priority in the regulatory field should now be the efficient implementation of the Recast Directive and of the Fourth Railway Package once it enters into force – while avoiding further modifications in the area of market legislation.
EU institutions have at their disposal tools that are softer and more light-touch than outright law-making. CER calls for such policy tools to be developed in more depth in the context of an enhanced dialogue between the rail sector and EU institutions.
In the broader policy context, CER also calls for a fresh look at the conditions governing both competition and cooperation between transport modes. A level playing field needs to be created in a number of areas – while also developing new facilitation measures to enhance win-win cooperation between transport modes.
CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “CER looks forward to fruitful exchanges of views with the European Commission and the European Parliament in order to bring about the right framework conditions for rail to grow and fulfil its potential.”
The CER ‘Policy Priorities’ for the 2014-2019 mandate will be discussed at an event organised by CER on 15 October in Brussels. To register, please click here.
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Africa
Step Aboard The Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail on YouTube)
Travel Southern Africa on the most luxurious train in the world. Rovos Rail offers eight journeys ranging from two nights to two weeks. Trains depart regularly from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria for destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, Victoria Falls, Sun City, the Garden Route, Namibia and Dar es Salaam.
Canada
WSJ: Railway merger talks still possible.(Seeking Alpha)
CSX/Canadian Pacific: railway to heaven.(FT.com/Lex)
Seeking Alpha
Speculation on railroad mergers ratchets higher
Clark Schultz, SA News Editor
- Canadian Pacific (CP +0.5%) might consider another takeover candidate in the sector if CSX (CSX +2.9%) remain an elusive target, sources tell Bloomberg.
- The M&A fallout in the sector could see CSX combine with Union Pacific (UNP +1.2%) and Norfolk Southern (NSC +1.6%) look to link up with Canadian Railway (CNI -0.8%), says Avondale Partners.
- Another small-sized target could be Kansas City Southern (KSU +2.4%), notes Wolfe Research. KSU might be of interest to a rail carrier looking to network into Texas and Mexico.
- Previous on railroad M&A: CP-CSX, merger rally.
Costs Suddenly Matter In The Oil Patch.(Seeking Alpha)
CP Coast-to-Coast Railroad Vision Puts CXS in Play.(Bloomberg)
India
Ireland
THE AUTUMN SALE
Planning your October Bank Holiday getaway? Take the stress out of your trip and take the train.
Our Autumn Sale has relaxed fares like
Dublin to / from Nenagh, Rosslare or Waterford from €9.99
Ennis or Limerick from €14.99
Galway, Mayo or Sligo from €14.99
Cork from €14.99
Kerry from €21.99
Best fares available if booked well in advance so book now for your Bank Holiday escape.
Terms & conditions apply see www.irishrail.ie/autumnsale for more details.
If you havent seen it already, check out our Autumn Sale TV Ad
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 Students get tweeting your origin & destination with #RailFTW to be one of the lucky hundreds winning student return tickets with us every weekend. There are just 2 more weekends of our free ticket giveaway, competition must end Wednesday 22nd October. You can also enter via Facebook |
India
Systra, RITES to study Delhi-Amritsar high speed route.(The Economic Times)
Chennai-Mysore High Speed Rail May Not Reach Full Speed: Report .(The New Indian Express)
Japan
First Series H5 Shinkansen trainset arrives in Hokkaido(railway gazette)
Russia
Russia, China sign deal on Kazan-Moscow high-speed rail.(wantchinatimes)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Colombo-Jaffna railway reopens.(BBC News)
USA
Review of Oil and Gas Transportation.(Transportation Research Board.
www.progressiverailroading.com.
Other RailwayPress
- Canadian Pacific Railway offers merger deal with CSX
- North American railroad operator Canadian Pacific Railway has reportedly approached international transportation company CSX Corporation with a merger plan last week.
- Chicago's Metropolitan Rail Corporation (METRA) in the US has announced a $2.4bn rail modernisation plan, in a bid to provide a safe and reliable service for commuters using the network.
- The UK Government will sell its 40% stake in the cross-Channel train operator Eurostar, in a bid to raise funds under the National Infrastructure Plan announced last year.
- The UK's rail infrastructure operator Network Rail has started works on the £353m track-laying project for the new 30-mile Borders Railway.
Read Issue #4 of Eurotransport magazine
In this issue: A Foreword from Thomas Kritzer, Chairman of the UITP Security Commission; Safety & Security Supplement; Developments in France and Milan’s first full-automated driverless metro lines; Bus Rapid Transit Supplement; Light-Rail developments; Plus lots more…Find out more
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