Consultations.... to protect land on the HS2 route to Crewe...to involve Bristol residents with proposals to double track between some stations..
Eurostar is 20 years young..... and Eurotunnel announces New Cross-Channel intermodal traffic between London - Dourges (France)..of 5 trains per week...
Tomorrow's engineers are being encouraged at the second Tomorrow’s Engineers Week by the government confirming its commitment to invest in training engineers of the future..
And reports from RAIL magazine, IET, SmartRail World and UIC...
Click on the links.....
Headlines
UK
Group Eurotunnel Press Release
4 November 2014
Groupe Eurotunnel: New Cross-Channel intermodal traffic London - Dourges (France) for Europorte
Groupe Eurotunnel SA announces that the Glasgow based UK multimodal logistics provider, John G Russell, has contracted Eurotunnel rail freight subsidiary, Europorte, to run a Cross-Channel Intermodal rail service for its customers 2XL and Novatrans. The flow, which will start this month, will comprise 5 trains per week between Dourges (near Lille) and Barking, transporting products for Procter & Gamble. The trains will travel through the Channel Tunnel and then up High Speed 1.
The knowledge and professionalism of the Europorte and Russell teams have brought together all the interested parties to achieve a major step forward utilising a route that achieves European gauge capability, with a delivery right to the outskirts of London. This is further proof that the Atlantic Rail freight Corridor (ARC), which will link the Pyrenees to Dourges, should be extended through the Channel Tunnel to Great Britain to improve its profitability.
This contract is a demonstration of the competitive option offered by cross-Channel rail freight compared to maritime routes. It shows the efficiencies that can be gained by reducing unnecessary ground handling whilst also limiting carbon emissions for transporters who are increasingly seeking an environmentally friendly alternative.
GOV.UK
Safeguarding consultation on HS2 route to Crewe launched.
Consultation to enable protection of land for potential development of HS2 Phase Two.
Residents on the Fradley to Crewe section of the HS2 Phase Two route are being consulted on plans to protect land from conflicting development the Department for Transport announced today (4 November 2014).
The 9 week safeguarding consultation will pave the way for the protection of this corridor of land and ensure new development in the area does not affect the ability to build and operate HS2 in the future.
A final decision has yet to be made on the HS2 Phase Two route, however the Secretary of State considers it is appropriate to consult now on issuing safeguarding directions for this part of the route.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
HS2 is a vital part of our long-term economic plan. It will improve connectivity, free up space on our existing network, boost local skills and generate tens of thousands of jobs.
The evidence so far indicates that routing HS2 to Manchester via Crewe would be the right strategic option. This is still to be confirmed, but undertaking this consultation will allow us to deliver our plans more quickly once a decision is made.
I want communities engaged in our plans from the outset. This consultation will ensure we are fully taking their views into account.
Should a decision be taken to safeguard land following this consultation, safeguarding directions are expected to be published in spring 2015. People who own or occupy land affected will then have the right to ask the government to buy their property.
In March 2014, Sir David Higgins’ HS2 Plus(PDF, 648KB) report identified that the benefits of high speed rail could reach the north sooner if Phase Two of the railway were accelerated and the line was extended to a new regional transport hub at Crewe by 2027, 6 years earlier than planned.
Further analysis has found that a route via Crewe has lower costs and higher benefits than other options, including good connectivity to North Wales, the Midlands, the north and Scotland.
HS2 Ltd is continuing its analysis of options and how the benefits of HS2 can be spread as widely as possible. This more in depth analysis will inform the decision on the whole of the Phase Two route.
The government remains committed to a Y route for HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester and Leeds. A decision on the final Phase Two route will be made in 2015.
In March 2014, Sir David Higgins’ HS2 Plus(PDF, 648KB) report identified that the benefits of high speed rail could reach the north sooner if Phase Two of the railway were accelerated and the line was extended to a new regional transport hub at Crewe by 2027, 6 years earlier than planned.
Further analysis has found that a route via Crewe has lower costs and higher benefits than other options, including good connectivity to North Wales, the Midlands, the north and Scotland.
HS2 Ltd is continuing its analysis of options and how the benefits of HS2 can be spread as widely as possible. This more in depth analysis will inform the decision on the whole of the Phase Two route.
The government remains committed to a Y route for HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester and Leeds. A decision on the final Phase Two route will be made in 2015.
Government joins forces with industry to develop engineers
Vince Cable marked the second Tomorrow’s Engineers Week by confirming government commitment to invest in training engineers of the future.
Vince Cable today (3 November 2014) marked the start of the second Tomorrow’s Engineers Week by confirming the government’s commitment to invest in training the engineers of the future.
Speaking at the start of a week of activity that seeks to challenge the perceptions of engineering among young people, their parents and teachers, the Business Secretary announced that government and employers are working together to develop the engineering workforce Britain needs to compete on the world stage.
Acting on the recommendations of ‘Perkins Review of Engineering Skills’ published in November 2013, the government has established partnerships with employers from across industry with multi-million pound collaborative investments in initiatives such as national colleges for manufacturing, energy and high-speed rail and £30 million of match funding for businesses to design and deliver innovative skills training.
The first £20 million of the fund is currently open for employers looking to develop projects aimed at improving engineering careers and increasing the number of women in the sector. The final £10 million will soon be made available to develop engineering skills in smaller companies.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said at the Shell Centre London:
Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive at South West Water, said:
Professor John Perkins said:
Speaking at the start of a week of activity that seeks to challenge the perceptions of engineering among young people, their parents and teachers, the Business Secretary announced that government and employers are working together to develop the engineering workforce Britain needs to compete on the world stage.
Acting on the recommendations of ‘Perkins Review of Engineering Skills’ published in November 2013, the government has established partnerships with employers from across industry with multi-million pound collaborative investments in initiatives such as national colleges for manufacturing, energy and high-speed rail and £30 million of match funding for businesses to design and deliver innovative skills training.
The first £20 million of the fund is currently open for employers looking to develop projects aimed at improving engineering careers and increasing the number of women in the sector. The final £10 million will soon be made available to develop engineering skills in smaller companies.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said at the Shell Centre London:
A strong British engineering sector lies at the heart of sustainable economic recovery. That’s why we have joined forces with industry to secure the pipeline of talented and skilled engineers UK industry needs. Tomorrow’s Engineers Week is about ensuring that each and every young person across the country is aware of the exciting future they could have as an engineer.South West Water was today confirmed as the first company to be granted match funding as part of the £30 million initiative. The government and South West Water are to co-invest more than £250,000 in developing the skills needed to replenish an ageing workforce. With up to 40% of the company’s current operational workforce due to retire within the next decade, South West Water is investing in the skills it needs to continue to deliver a quality service to its customers and manage the loss of experienced staff.
The government has worked hard to address the important questions raised in the Perkins review. I am greatly encouraged by the progress we have made so far and I look forward to these partnerships continuing long into the future. Only by working together over the long term can we have a reasonable hope of increasing the supply of engineers in the UK, a critical requirement for the government’s Industrial Strategy.
Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive at South West Water, said:
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week seeks to inspire young people to take their first steps towards a career in the sector by celebrating the everyday engineering heroes that design, create and innovate to improve our lives. The week was launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in 2013 in partnership with the engineering industry following the ‘Perkins Review of Engineering Skills’, which called for government and engineering firms to work together to secure the UK’s engineering future. The week sees the publication of a one-year-on progress report by Professor Perkins.Just as we plan our infrastructure requirements many years ahead, it’s important to ensure that we have a steady supply of trained talent for tomorrow. We’re delighted to have secured this extra funding. It will help us to develop a new generation of engineers and technical staff, opening up some exciting new career opportunities.
Professor John Perkins said:
In addition to securing the supply of engineers, the government is working with the engineering industry to increase the diversity of the sector. It is vital that women have the same opportunities to progress in their career as their male counterparts, and government is funding the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering to run a joint STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Diversity Programme to understand and address issues of diversity, including gender, in the STEM workforce.The annual Tomorrow’s Engineers Week is a great example of the engineering profession, employers and government working together to encourage more young people to consider entering the exciting world of engineering. Given the vital role that engineers play in the modern world, a shared goal to increase supply in the UK is crucially important. It is by working together that we have the best chance of achieving this aim.
Network Rail Press Release
Property deal to boost growth of rail freight in Britain
A deal to transfer ownership of many of Britain’s key rail freight sites to Network Rail has been agreed with three of the country’s biggest freight operating companies.
With freight market growth predicted to more than double over the next 30 years, the self financing transaction of more than 100 leasehold sites from DB Schenker, Freightliner and GB Railfreight represents the first substantive change in the strategic management and development of Britain's rail freight estate in the two decades since privatisation.
It will make Britain's freight sites more readily available to the growing number of rail freight operators and end users, increasing competition and supporting growth in a sector which directly contributes almost £900m to Britain's economy each year and supports an economic output of £6bn.
Paul McMahon, Network Rail freight director, said “This represents one of the biggest changes to the rail freight sector in this country in decades and is a bold strategic move by the industry. It will help drive continued rail freight growth, give customers greater transparency and equality in property arrangements, allow Network Rail to make more efficient use of the network and release capital for freight operating companies to invest in their operations.
“Consolidating the ownership and management of our key freight sites puts us in the best possible position to promote a more efficient and effective use of the rail network by freight traffic in coming years. It will also enable redundant land to be redeveloped and provide a valuable additional source of revenue for Network Rail as it delivers a bigger, better value railway for Britain.”
The acquisition covers 105 sites in total – 87 from DB Schenker, 15 from Freightliner and three from GB Railfreight.
Further details on the process and sites involved can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/Mountfield.
Network Rail Photographs.
Rail freight key facts – cleaner, cheaper, safer:
Cleaner
Cheaper
Safer
It will make Britain's freight sites more readily available to the growing number of rail freight operators and end users, increasing competition and supporting growth in a sector which directly contributes almost £900m to Britain's economy each year and supports an economic output of £6bn.
Paul McMahon, Network Rail freight director, said “This represents one of the biggest changes to the rail freight sector in this country in decades and is a bold strategic move by the industry. It will help drive continued rail freight growth, give customers greater transparency and equality in property arrangements, allow Network Rail to make more efficient use of the network and release capital for freight operating companies to invest in their operations.
“Consolidating the ownership and management of our key freight sites puts us in the best possible position to promote a more efficient and effective use of the rail network by freight traffic in coming years. It will also enable redundant land to be redeveloped and provide a valuable additional source of revenue for Network Rail as it delivers a bigger, better value railway for Britain.”
Notes:
Network Rail exchanged unconditional purchase contracts with each of the three vendor operators on 31 March 2014, with the transactions completed on 31 October 2014.The acquisition covers 105 sites in total – 87 from DB Schenker, 15 from Freightliner and three from GB Railfreight.
Further details on the process and sites involved can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/Mountfield.
Network Rail Photographs.
Rail freight key facts – cleaner, cheaper, safer:
Cleaner
- Per tonne of cargo, rail freight produces 76% less carbon dioxide than road freight
- This saves 1.8m tonnes of carbon in Britain every year – equivalent to that saved by more than 230,000 solar panels
- Rail freight produces less than a 1/10 of the nitrogen oxide and fine particulates produced by road haulage per tonne carried
Cheaper
- On average one freight train replaces 60 lorry journeys. Removing 10% of road freight would save British industry nearly £1bn per year
- A gallon of fuel moves a tonne of goods 246 miles by rail but only 88 miles by road, on average
- Road congestion costs the British economy up to £8bn every year
Safer
- Lorries contribute to a disproportionate number of accidents per mile travelled; Department of Transport figures suggest that between 1999 and 2008 there were 117,000 accidents involving HGVs
Network Rail Graphics.
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Residents invited to drop-in event about doubling of the railway lines between Bristol stations
Members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about the doubling of the railway lines between Bristol’s two main stations, and about the benefits that electrification will bring to the city.
#NEW# www somer-rail co uk
Wensleydale Railway Shed Appeal.
At present, to carry out any maintenance on locomotives and rolling stock our team have to work out in the open elements; lovely on a nice warm day in summer but as you can perhaps imagine – horrible on a wet winter day!
To date, we currently have been able to install a pit and associated track work to the pit; the time has now come for a really big push to enable us to put a building over the pit and a second road so that the maintenance team can work in the dry and we have some under cover storage space. This will allow the railway to carry out maintenance all year round instead of just when the weather is nice!
Our aim is to raise £30,000 to enable us to put up a two road shed, you can donate to the appeal in the following ways:
International
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Executive Training - UIC - International Union of Railways.
Europe
Transport sector faces €8.6 billion annual loss.(euractiv)
Extract:
The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market in Transport and Tourism report warns that the transport industry risks becoming uncompetitive and will miss out on important gains if the EU holds back from liberalising the market.
See also: European Parliament Think Tank....
Residents invited to drop-in event about doubling of the railway lines between Bristol stations
Members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about the doubling of the railway lines between Bristol’s two main stations, and about the benefits that electrification will bring to the city.
The event will take place between 3pm and 6.30pm on Monday 10 November at Easton Community Centre in Kilburn Street, Bristol. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the work being undertaken and to answer any questions.
Demand for rail travel into Bristol is continuing to increase and is set to rise by half in less than a decade. To help meet this demand, the number of lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations will be increased from two to four through Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill, resulting in an increase in train services and reduced journey times. The extra lines will also enable an increase in freight services, contributing to economic growth in the region by helping businesses to move more goods, more efficiently by rail.
Known as the ‘Filton Four Tracks’ project, the work forms part of Network Rail’s Great Western Route Modernisation Programme to modernise and transform the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington through to Swansea. Under a separate programme of work, this route will also benefit from electrification and a new fleet of faster, quieter and greener electric trains by December 2017.
Andrew Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “This is an exciting time for the growing city of Bristol. The doubling of the tracks between Temple Meads and Parkway stations, together with our work to electrify the Great Western Main Line, will mean that passengers, residents, and businesses in Bristol will benefit from an increase in services, reduced journey times and quieter, greener trains. All of this will help us to meet an increasing demand for rail travel and to continue to drive economic growth in the region.
“We know that the extensive work we will be undertaking could temporarily inconvenience those who live and work in the area which is why we are holding this drop-in event. All are welcome and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about the work, or has a question they’d like answered, to come along.”
Work to double the railway lines between the two stations will begin in December 2014.
Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.
For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/
UK HeritageDemand for rail travel into Bristol is continuing to increase and is set to rise by half in less than a decade. To help meet this demand, the number of lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations will be increased from two to four through Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill, resulting in an increase in train services and reduced journey times. The extra lines will also enable an increase in freight services, contributing to economic growth in the region by helping businesses to move more goods, more efficiently by rail.
Known as the ‘Filton Four Tracks’ project, the work forms part of Network Rail’s Great Western Route Modernisation Programme to modernise and transform the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington through to Swansea. Under a separate programme of work, this route will also benefit from electrification and a new fleet of faster, quieter and greener electric trains by December 2017.
Andrew Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “This is an exciting time for the growing city of Bristol. The doubling of the tracks between Temple Meads and Parkway stations, together with our work to electrify the Great Western Main Line, will mean that passengers, residents, and businesses in Bristol will benefit from an increase in services, reduced journey times and quieter, greener trains. All of this will help us to meet an increasing demand for rail travel and to continue to drive economic growth in the region.
“We know that the extensive work we will be undertaking could temporarily inconvenience those who live and work in the area which is why we are holding this drop-in event. All are welcome and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about the work, or has a question they’d like answered, to come along.”
Work to double the railway lines between the two stations will begin in December 2014.
Notes:
About the Great Western Electrification Programme:Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.
For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/
#NEW# www somer-rail co uk
Wensleydale Railway Shed Appeal.
S.O.S – Support our Shed
Help us to Build a Maintenance ShedAt present, to carry out any maintenance on locomotives and rolling stock our team have to work out in the open elements; lovely on a nice warm day in summer but as you can perhaps imagine – horrible on a wet winter day!
To date, we currently have been able to install a pit and associated track work to the pit; the time has now come for a really big push to enable us to put a building over the pit and a second road so that the maintenance team can work in the dry and we have some under cover storage space. This will allow the railway to carry out maintenance all year round instead of just when the weather is nice!
Our aim is to raise £30,000 to enable us to put up a two road shed, you can donate to the appeal in the following ways:
- Click here to donate via the Charity Choice website;
International
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Executive Training - UIC - International Union of Railways.
Europe
Transport sector faces €8.6 billion annual loss.(euractiv)
Extract:
The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market in Transport and Tourism report warns that the transport industry risks becoming uncompetitive and will miss out on important gains if the EU holds back from liberalising the market.
Industry's resistance, and a slow implementation of the EU rules by member states in national legislation, have left loopholes. It also created barriers for the smooth functioning of a single European transport market.
The European rail sector, for instance, saw the establishment of a European Railway Agency among other EU rules. But even if the institution helped establish common rules on safety, and eased the exchange and use of information across the EU, two big obstacles remain.
First, European trains find it difficult to move freely across borders due to current rail infrastructures. For example, a train crossing from Austria to Italy has to stop at the border and adapt to new signaling rules by adding tail lights or reflective boards. This costs time and money.
Different gauges, or the electricity systems trains are connected to, represent more barriers that need to be dealt at the European level, the study claims.
Second, many companies cannot enter the market because of administrative limitations. Member states protect the national railways companies, which hold "a monopoly position in many domestic markets". The lack of competition results in inefficiencies and low quality services for consumers.
The European Rail Industry (UNIFE) has voiced the same concerns as the policy experts in the study. "The Market opening and liberalisation must be pushed further in order to allow rail transport to develop its potential and compete with other transport modes," UNIFE stated in a press release.
See also: European Parliament Think Tank....
Mexico
Chinese-led consortium wins Mexico high-speed rail project(People Daily)
Railway Gazette International on YouTube
Mexico City - Querétaro high speed rail contract
On November 3 Mexico's federal Secretariat of Communications & Transport announced that a consortium including China Railway Construction Corp and CSR had been selected for the turnkey contract to build, operate and maintain a high speed line between Mexico City and Querétaro
Railway Gazette International on YouTube
Mexico City - Querétaro high speed rail contract
On November 3 Mexico's federal Secretariat of Communications & Transport announced that a consortium including China Railway Construction Corp and CSR had been selected for the turnkey contract to build, operate and maintain a high speed line between Mexico City and Querétaro
Cubic NextWave transit platform integrated with oti's Wave NFC device
Cubic Transportation Systems and On Track Innovations (oti) have partnered for the integration of oti's Wave near-field communication (NFC) device into the former's NextWave mobile mass transit platform.
Cubic Transportation Systems and On Track Innovations (oti) have partnered for the integration of oti's Wave near-field communication (NFC) device into the former's NextWave mobile mass transit platform.
Michigan's M-1 Rail has select Inekon Group as the preferred vendor for the design and construction of individual streetcars to service along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, US.
Metrolink's Manchester Airport railway line opens
Transport for Manchester has started service on Metrolink's new line to Manchester Airport, 12 months before the planned schedule.
Adani selects Parsons Brinckerhoff as PMC for North Galilee Basin Rail project
Engineering and design firm Parsons Brinckerhoff has been selected by India-based Adani Mining as the project management consultant (PMC) for its Carmichael coal, port and rail project in the Galilee Basin in western Queensland, Australia.
CTAA(Community Transportation Association of America)
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. 
Rail projects worth $300bn being planned in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia has rail projects worth more than $100bn including the ongoing Riyadh-Dammam high-speed rail and the Eastern Province Municipality-Dammam Metro.Qatar manages $40bn worth of rail and metro projects while the UAE has a series of projects worth $30bn. In addition, other countries in the region such as Egypt, Iran, Kuwait and Oman, are likely to see large investments in various rail projects. However, one of the major challenges of carrying out rail projects in the region is to deal with the ever-changing landscape across the alignment of railways passing through deserts. Experts from the following profiles are needed to support rail infrastructure projects in Qatar, Saudi, the UAE and more:
View floorplan and exhibition space available As rail projects transform the transportation infrastructure of the region, the 9th annual Middle East Rail is ideally positioned for buyers, sellers and rail experts to learn and do business, with…
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In September the Railway Network held a fascinating and insightful presentation by Ross Dentten, Asset Information & Configuration Manager for Crossrail in London. Ross’ presentation on ‘Enabling BIM and the Crossrail Smart Railway’ gave an overview of the Crossrail programme, current progress and also covered asset management. 
The rail industry is growing rapidly with considerable investments being made to deliver the high speed rail engineers of 
Crossrail will be a major new high frequency metro rail service that will connect East and West London from the City and Canary Wharf, via the West End, to Heathrow Airport
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