Rail News

Credit rating franchise requirement considered

22.05.13: FirstGroup could face possible exclusion from bidding for future franchises, if it loses its 'investment grade' credit rating. The Government is considering changes to the franchising rules that could make the rating a requirement for any b...

Under the microscope

22.05.13: Network Rail has published more transparency data today, accelerating its aim to become more accountable for spending. It is a good example for the rest of the industry, and could set a precedent for the supply chain to become more open abo...

Northern Rail sees car park expansions

22.05.13: A £1bn improvement scheme has been completed at two of Northern Rail’s stations in Calderdale. Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge car parks have been expanded, by 18 and 37 spaces respectively. The project was funded through the Stati...

Time to train

21.05.13: Carillion’s training centre is now certified to provide the practical and theoretical skills needed to undertake the planned £2bn electrification expansion programme. The industry has a long gap to bridge before it can rely on a...

Case for Crossrail 2 to be examined by London Assembly committee

21.05.13: The London Assembly Transport Committee is investigating the case for building Crossrail 2 today, and will question some of the key figures behind the project. Its backers say it will be vital to support overcrowding and rising demand in Lo...

Steer to focus on economy as CILT president

21.05.13: Britain has the “best railway in Europe” Jim Steer has said as incoming president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Steer, best known for his roles at consultancy Steer Davies Gleave and high-speed ra...

OLEC selects Carillion to provide electrification training

21.05.13: Carillion has opened a new electrification training centre to develop skills and capability for Network Rail’s £2bn electrification expansion programme. The OHL training span is based at Carillion’s projects and training y...

A closer look

20.05.13: ScotRail is teaming up with Glasgow Caledonian University to provide an in-depth analysis of their maintenance systems and recommendations on how they could be improved. It is an interesting idea; bringing academia and industry together to...

Legal challenge to new London-Oxford line fails

20.05.13: The new rail link between London and Oxford line will go ahead, after a legal case brought by an Oxford resident failed in the High Court. The DfT approved the £130m Evergreen 3 proposal last year, with construction due to start this...

Spoil removal begins at Hatfield collapse site

20.05.13: Engineers have started to remove spoil from the rail line damaged by a landslip at Hatfield colliery. The incident has led to a series of engineering projects planned between May and November being replanned by Network Rail. The line is now...

ScotRail to fund maintenance systems research project

20.05.13: Researchers will study ScotRail’s maintenance systems to boost efficiency and reliability through a two year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). The £126,000 project, jointly funded by ScotRail and the UK Government, will see...

£36m Vauxhall Tube upgrade work goes to Bechtel

17.05.13: TfL has awarded the construction contract for Vauxhall Tube station to Bechtel Ltd. The £36m modernisation plan will increase the capacity of the station and make it step-free. The work supports the wider transformation of the Batters...

c2c contract extended until September 2014

17.05.13: The DfT has extended the Essex Thameside franchise, run by operator c2c, for an additional 16 months. The contract will now run until September 2014, with the potential for a further extension of up to eight months. It is the first contract...

Lewes-Uckfield

17.05.13: Lewes-Uckfield reopening has been studied to death; why waste more resources on another study that will have the same result as before? [Network Rail] should be concentrating on finding ways to increase capacity into central London. We need...

More HS2 tunnels as DfT publishes design refinements

17.05.13: The draft Environmental Statement (ES) and design refinements consultations for HS2 have been published by the DfT. The documents will be open to public consultation until July 11. It helps to prepare the formal ES, which is essential for t...