International & UK Railway News Monday 17th November 2014

..Total Railway News

Old lines, new lines, short lines, long lines.....
Reinstating Tavistock to Bere Alson on the cards?? (old..and short)
HS2? David Higgins will need reassurance for 2016....


A new 300km coal line in Queensland , Australia ..(new..and long)
A high speed line to operate on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau...(new...and very high!)


And a poem from Peter's Railway....
See you at the Warley NEC Show, Birmingham 22nd 23rd November 2014!!


Click on the links....







Headlines
UK
HS2 chairman threatens 2016 walkout.. (FT.com).


Heseltine backs calls for HS2 high speed rail line to run all the way to Liverpool(Liverpool Echo)


Moves to re-open old railway line near Plymouth a step closer.(Plymouth Herald)
A report to the Planning Inspectorate setting out the environmental surveys that are planned to assess the re-instatement of the railway between Tavistock and Bere Alston( about 7 miles), and development of a network of multi-use trails has been submitted by Devon County Council.
 We need better transport systems right across the UK.(The Guardian)
Sir Peter Hendy writes that improving transport is not a zero-sum game of investment in the north at the expense of investment elsewhere..It is needed by cities across the country to drive economic growth.  And these economic benefits can only be realised if cities have greater financial flexibility...


Mobility scooter ban on Manchester Metrolink trams lifted after trial.(BBC News)



Manchester Metrolink. Courtesy: pteg-The Voice of Urban Transport.


New initiative to tackle level crossing misuse.(Doncaster Free Press)


Network Rail

Level Crossings

There are approximately 6,500 level crossings in Britain; a legacy of a network built 150 years ago when there were fewer and slower trains, and no cars on the road. Network Rail has a national safety awareness and improvements programme investing £130m in closing and upgrading level crossings and a national advertising campaign See Track/Think Train.

There are approximately 6,500 level crossings in Britain. Every day they protect us from one of the busiest rail networks in the world. Level crossings are a result of how the railway was developed over 100 years ago when there were far fewer trains, at slower speeds and fewer people and road traffic. If you were building the railway now, you wouldn’t put in any level crossings.

There are many different types of crossings, all with different safety measures in place from signs, to barriers and klaxons. See http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/types-of-level-crossing/.

Network Rail is investing £130m in the next couple of years to reduce risk at level crossings and improve safety. The ongoing programme of activity includes:

- Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team which aims to reduce railway crime

- Level crossing closure programme which has seen more than 500 closed over the past three years

- Investment in upgrading and improving level crossings

- Mobile camera enforcement vans

- National advertising, marketing and media campaign

- Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse

- Working with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to improve the prosecution of offenders

CCTV of level crossing misuse(Network Rail)




Replacing track at Uxbridge – why do we need a block closure? (TfL on YouTube)

To keep London’s transport moving and as safe as possible, we carry out continuous track renewals and replacements across our network. And, to minimise customer disruption, we plan most of this work during the four hours a night when the Tube is not running. Find out why the Uxbridge closure was over a longer period and the positive outcome of closing part of the track at Uxbridge during the summer holidays.

To find out more about Tube improvements visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube-improvements and follow us on social media.
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International

Australia

Queensland govt to help fund major coal railway.(Sky News)

Approval to build the 300km rail line linking the Carmichael Galilee Basin mine to the Abbot Point terminal was given to Indian mining giant Adani  in August.

China
High-speed rail to operate on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.(xinhua)


Ruscon set to double Vostochniy-Moscow service.(Lloyd's Loading List)


India

Time for Railway Makeover.(The New Indian Express)


USA
www.progressiverailroading.com. 

Metra's 2015 budget includes 10.8 percent fare hike

Class I report card confirms ag shippers' frustration with rail service, soy coalition says

Metro-North's customer satisfaction rating plummets over past year

Highline Grain begins to build shuttle loading facility in Washington

Metrolink reduced emissions at central maintenance facility

Progressive Railroading updates agenda for Secure Rail conference

Goddard to oversee San Diego transit agency's light-rail vehicle maintenance

BNSF's Rose to chair clean coal coalition

Reading & Northern execs help relay Ukrainian anthracite concerns to Sen. Toomey

Other Railway Press

SmartRail World

Bangkok Governor confirmed as opening keynote for SmartRail Asia.

With just over one week to go until the SmartRail Asia Congress and Expo, the Asian rail and transit community is preparing to visit Bangkok, Thailand for three days of expert insight, practical case studies, in-depth discussion, technology launches and showcases and networking on November 26-28th 2014. SmartRail Asia, Asia’s largest annual rail and metro technology exhibition and congress is proud to announce that it will be opened by a keynote address ‘Investment in the expansion of the rail network in Greater Bangkok’ delivered by Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the Bangkok Governor (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration). Governor since 2009, the Oxford and Georgetown University educated Sukhumbhand Paripatra has always been a major support of transport development. As governor of a city with a population of 8 million, which is continuing to grow quickly, the expansion of public transport is essential to continue development and connectivity of both Bangkok and the ASEAN region. His presentation will detail the latest developments and plans in this important sector. Read more » www.railway-technology.com Eurostar unveils new Siemens-built e320 train High-speed rail service provider Eurostar has unveiled its e320 train, which is due to start commercial service at the end of 2015. Transport think tank proposes underwater tunnel between UK and Ireland A Welsh transport think tank has recommended an underwater tunnel running from Holyhead, UK, to Dublin, Ireland. Hitachi unveils Class 800 intercity train built for UK DfT Railway system supplier Hitachi has unveiled one of the three pre-series Class 800 intercity train sets being built for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) of UK's Department for Transport (DfT). ABB to deliver engineering equipments for Ethiopia's railway project Power and automation technologies provider ABB has received a $16m contract to provide traction substations and auxiliary power supply for a new rail corridor in Ethiopia. A message from Peter's Railway: Don’t be grumpy, don’t be sad. Winter isn’t all that bad No track to build, no lines to weed There’s tons of time to read and read. The only question now is What? What to read? - And What to Not? Do you want trains and much sensation? Science, steam and education? We’ve got all this, and special offers, to help preserve your Christmas coffers. And if you doubt this poem’s wit, Fear not: The books are better writ!! With Christmas steaming down the line, here are some ideas for your young (or old) train enthusiast. Five hardback books The five hardback books tell the charming story of Peter and his Grandpa building and running their steam railway across the farm.  At the ends of chapters are special how-it-works pages with simple (but accurate) explanations of what has been happening in the story. We have two special offers which might be handy: To get you started on this series Book 1 Half Price + Free Delivery!!! Or to make a bumper present, All five books for £50 + Free Delivery... Nine paperbacks Take a look at the whole range of books here, We also have some interesting gift ideas, based on the books to add to your collection! Chris will sign and write your dedication in all books ordered from PetersRailway.com  You will also receive a free Peter's Railway iron-on-patch as a bonus.  (You can sew it on too!) Best wishes Chris. If you have not seen the hardback books before, this is a great opportunity to read the first book in the series.  Why not introduce a friend to Peter's Railway with this offer?! Half Price Book 1 & Free Delivery ! Love trains? Learn More with Peter’s Railway! Through great story telling and special technical pages, learn how railways are built, how a steam train works and lots of other fascinating facts. The Peter’s Railway hardback books clearly explain basic technical information for the inquisitive reader. If you would like more information or to order your half-price copy of Book 1, you will find it here.  (Don't forget to ask Chris to sign & dedicate it for you...)  Happy Reading! Best wishes Chris Please note: This offer is not available from within our main website.  Please click a link in this email to take advantage of the offer. For information about our other books, please visit our website A technical page from Book 1  Update on Chris's 2014 schedule It would be great to see some of you at an event! Warley National Model Railway Exhibition NEC Birmingham  22nd & 23rd November A great day out for all the family come, join in the fun.  Model Engineer Exhibition at Sandown Park London 12th, 13th 14th December If you like model engines, this show is a must!!  Chris will be there with Bongo     PS The free E-Book has been downloaded thousands of times now.  If you haven't got it yet, the link is  www.petersrailway.com/media/file/PRExtra.pdf  (You can save a copy on your computer: File or right-click, Save As, etc..)      This email is sent by Peach Digital on behalf of Peter's Railway, PO Box 9246, PO Box 9246, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3WD. For further information visit http://www.petersrailway.com, contact Chris Vine by telephone on 07760227928 or email info@petersrailway.com.