Visit http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com for more rss feeds. http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/CoreCode/rss/rssdisplay.aspx en-gb Copyright http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com, 2013 Sat, 25 May 2013 00:20:58 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 15 London Midland has boosted its customer base through social media, introducing ‘Twicket Offices’ at universities and colleges to promote faster trains on the Crewe to London route. Students were encouraged to follow and tweet the operator’s promotional account, to win a return train ticket to London. The move saw London... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/social-media-promotes-faster-london-midland-service 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/social-media-promotes-faster-london-midland-service Fri, 24 May 2013 10:14:00 GMT Staff could be facing financial loss as it emerges that FirstGroup could be prevented from bidding for new rail franchises. Changes to franchising rules could require operators to hold an investment grade credit rating in order to bid. The Government is currently considering the changes to provide greater financial protection on rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/staff-shares-must-be-protected--rmt 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/staff-shares-must-be-protected--rmt Fri, 24 May 2013 10:13:00 GMT More investment in strategic transport infrastructure and services is needed to meet growing demand, ministers agreed in a joint Declaration on Funding Transport during their 2013 Summit in Leipzig, Germany. The Global Summit of Transport Ministers highlighted the need to align funding with transport’s fundamental role in economy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-infrastructure-is-the-backbone-of-economy--ministers 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-infrastructure-is-the-backbone-of-economy--ministers Fri, 24 May 2013 10:12:00 GMT A new £100,000 fund has been launched to help Scottish communities support children or young people, or improve the environment. The ScotRail Foundation will distribute grants of between £250 and £5,000 to groups seeking to improve their communities. Plans involving a local station will be prioritised. ScotRail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotrail-foundation-to-fund-100000-community-projects 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotrail-foundation-to-fund-100000-community-projects Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT Reading’s transport leader, Cllr Tony Page has urged transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin to extend Crossrail to Reading. Page calls for the £16bn London rail link to run into Reading, which has the additional capacity as a major employment destination. Under current plans, Crossrail terminates at Maidenhead. Cllr Page... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-should-be-extended-to-reading 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-should-be-extended-to-reading Thu, 23 May 2013 13:04:00 GMT Nexus, which operates the Tyne & Wear Metro, is to close major lines for 27 consecutive days as part of the £385m modernisation programme.13:0 The line between Haymarket, the airport and Four Lane Ends will be closed from August 4-27. Replacement buses, an airport shuttle and extra Metro services around the coast will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metro-closure-to-allow-modernisation-works 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metro-closure-to-allow-modernisation-works Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT Greengauge 21 has welcomed comments from transport minister Simon Burns, confirming how further extensions could be added to HS2 to help rebalance the national economy. Extending the project to a high-speed network across the UK could be “a transformational prospect for decentralisation”, Greengauge 21 stated. Burns said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-speed-spurs-could-boost-decentralisation--greengauge-21 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-speed-spurs-could-boost-decentralisation--greengauge-21 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:57:00 GMT 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 bidder, the Financial Times has reported. A change in requirements could deter over-bidding and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/credit-rating-franchise-requirement-considered 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/credit-rating-franchise-requirement-considered Wed, 22 May 2013 17:05:00 GMT A £1m 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 Stations Car Park Fund, run by the DfT and in partnership with Metro, the west Yorkshire PTE. Richard... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/northern-rail-sees-car-park-expansions 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/northern-rail-sees-car-park-expansions Wed, 22 May 2013 16:50:00 GMT 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 London. But the committee will examine whether it is the best value option for the taxpayer and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/case-for-crossrail-2-to-be-examined-by-london-assembly-committee 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/case-for-crossrail-2-to-be-examined-by-london-assembly-committee Tue, 21 May 2013 13:07:00 GMT 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 rail research group Greengauge 21, set out the agenda for his presidency and said his core theme will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/steer-to-focus-on-economy-as-cilt-president 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/steer-to-focus-on-economy-as-cilt-president Tue, 21 May 2013 13:06:00 GMT 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 yard in Crewe to provide both practical and theory learning. The centre was selected by the Overhead... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olec-selects-carillion-to-provide-electrification-training 373,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olec-selects-carillion-to-provide-electrification-training Tue, 21 May 2013 13:05:00 GMT 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 summer and the route to be open by 2016. When complete, it will become the first new rail link... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/legal-challenge-to-new-london-oxford-line-fails 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/legal-challenge-to-new-london-oxford-line-fails Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT 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 expected to be open in July, although it could still be as late as September. Around 140... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/spoil-removal-begins-at-hatfield-collapse-site 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/spoil-removal-begins-at-hatfield-collapse-site Mon, 20 May 2013 12:57:00 GMT 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 a PhD student from Glasgow Caledonian University work in the train operator’s engineering team... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotrail-to-fund-maintenance-systems-research-project 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotrail-to-fund-maintenance-systems-research-project Mon, 20 May 2013 12:53:00 GMT 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 Battersea Nine Elms area. Construction will start in early 2014 and be complete by late 2015. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/36m-vauxhall-tube-upgrade-work-goes-to-bechtel 387,380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/36m-vauxhall-tube-upgrade-work-goes-to-bechtel Fri, 17 May 2013 10:45:00 GMT 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 agreed following the revised franchising programme, published in March. c2c will introduce... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/c2c-contract-extended-until-september-2014 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/c2c-contract-extended-until-september-2014 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:45:00 GMT 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 the Hybrid Bill for HS2, due to be published later this year. The most significant design... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/more-hs2-tunnels-as-dft-publishes-design-refinements 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/more-hs2-tunnels-as-dft-publishes-design-refinements Fri, 17 May 2013 10:45:00 GMT The Government has rejected the NAO report published yesterday which criticised the business case for HS2, as it publishes a draft Environmental Statement confirming major new stretches of tunnelling for the high-speed line. The NAO identified a £3.3bn funding gap for the project, and called for the DfT to update its data underlying... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nao-criticisms-of-hs2-are-out-of-date-dft 378,381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nao-criticisms-of-hs2-are-out-of-date-dft Fri, 17 May 2013 10:45:00 GMT Clare Hollingsworth has been appointed chairman of Eurostar International, succeeding Richard Brown from 1 July. Brown is now chairman of the Department for Transport’s Franchise Advisory Panel after over a decade with Eurostar. Hollingsworth joined the board of Eurostar as an independent non-executive director in 2010. She is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eurostar-appoints-clare-hollingsworth-as-new-chairman 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eurostar-appoints-clare-hollingsworth-as-new-chairman Thu, 16 May 2013 12:35:00 GMT The NAO has identified an estimated £3.3bn funding gap in the costs for HS2 over four years from 2017/18 – 2020/21. The Government has yet to decide how to fill this gap, a new review warns. The DfT said the report was overly simplistic. The NAO review into the DfT’s planning for the project found that the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/33bn-funding-gap-for-hs2--nao 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/33bn-funding-gap-for-hs2--nao Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT Waltham Forest, Derbyshire, Devon and Newport have won funding from the DfT’s New Station Fund, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced. A new £6.5m station will be built in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest with £1m support from the fund. The station will consist of two platforms, a new footbridge and lifts... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/four-new-stations-to-benefit-from-dft-fund 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/four-new-stations-to-benefit-from-dft-fund Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT The Enabling Innovation Team (EIT) is running a £1m competition searching for innovative ideas to transform rail customers’ experience. Solutions are invited from the existing rail supply chain as well as from non-rail sectors and will focus on transferring best practice technology, processes and business models to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/1m-competition-for-customer-experience-boost 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/1m-competition-for-customer-experience-boost Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT Construction has begun for the new Wakefield Westgate station building. The £8.8m project is the first new-build station on the East Coast Main Line in decades. The project includes more and better retail facilities, a new footbridge and lifts linking platforms, a new travel centre, new First Class Lounge and Standard waiting area... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/88m-for-new-wakefield-westgate-station 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/88m-for-new-wakefield-westgate-station Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT It’s not just the main network that is seeing huge increases in passenger demand – Britain’s rural railway is also increasing in popularity. The number of journeys taken on community rail lines rose by 4.1 million over the last five years, with some lines seeing numbers more than double. The Association of Community... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/acorp-welcomes-popularity-of-community-rail 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/acorp-welcomes-popularity-of-community-rail Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT A proposed biomass access charge for rail freight must be dropped, GB Railfreight (GBRf) has urged. The Commons Select Committee for Energy and Climate Change has proposed a charge to be introduced from April 2014, which could add between £1 and £1.50 per tonne to the price of biomass. In its submission of evidence, GBRf... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gbrf-calls-for-biomass-access-charge-to-be-scrapped 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gbrf-calls-for-biomass-access-charge-to-be-scrapped Tue, 14 May 2013 12:29:00 GMT Hitachi Rail Europe has signed the contract for the construction of its new UK train factory. Merchant Place Developments will build the rolling stock manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe, Durham. The £82m investment will be initially used to build Super Express Trains for IEP and use on the Great Western Main Line and the East... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/newton-aycliffe-factory-contract-signed 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/newton-aycliffe-factory-contract-signed Tue, 14 May 2013 12:28:00 GMT The Metrolink extension of the South Manchester Line to Didsbury will open to passengers next Thursday (23 May), months ahead of schedule. The 4.4km extension serves five new stops: Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury. Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/manchester-metrolink-extension-to-didsbury-opens 385,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/manchester-metrolink-extension-to-didsbury-opens Tue, 14 May 2013 12:27:00 GMT Greater Anglia has launched a cycle hire scheme at Norwich rail station, allowing passengers to book bikes at the same time as purchasing train tickets. 30 bicycles are available for pre-booking at the station, and form part of a strategy to promote transport integration and sustainable modes of transport. Chloe Smith MP, who... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cycle-hire-scheme-for-norwich 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cycle-hire-scheme-for-norwich Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT A revised route for the second phase of HS2 has been developed by the DfT to allow plans for a strategic rail freight interchange depot to go ahead. A planned tunnel could be extended under the East Midlands Airport to avoid the majority of the proposed site. This will be included in the public consultation on phase two, due to take place... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-midlands-hs2-tunnel-could-be-extended 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-midlands-hs2-tunnel-could-be-extended Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT The reopening of Lewes to Uckfield would have no business case unless it was extended as a second Brighton main line to London, the BML2 Project Group has stated. The group is calling for a longer route to be considered, including the restoration of Lewes – Uckfield, new line between Uckfield and Brighton, the re-instatement of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lewes--uckfield-should-link-brighton-to-london 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lewes--uckfield-should-link-brighton-to-london Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT Network Rail has been asked to reexamine opening the Lewes – Uckfield railway line, which closed in 1969. The Government’s Rail Investment Strategy requires additional capacity on the route by 2019, which is likely to be achieved by introducing more carriages. Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is launching a new study... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/potential-reopening-for-lewes--uckfield 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/potential-reopening-for-lewes--uckfield Fri, 10 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT HS2 is a “boy’s toy” that will “saddle future governments with huge debt”, former Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan has said. After she was sacked from the Cabinet in the September 2012 reshuffle, the Chesham & Amersham MP vowed “total opposition” to the high-speed rail line. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ex-cabinet-minister-slams-hs2-as-a-boys-toy 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ex-cabinet-minister-slams-hs2-as-a-boys-toy Fri, 10 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT Information displays at Manchester Metrolink’s city centre stops are finally working, following the delayed roll-out of the network’s new tram management system. Passengers will be able to see the time of the next tram, its destination, and any other special announcements or warnings about disruption to services. Cllr... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolink-introduces-real-time-information-displays 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolink-introduces-real-time-information-displays Fri, 10 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT Taxi drivers have hit out at Birmingham New Street’s redevelopment for having insufficient parking, leading to charges and congestion. The £600m redevelopment has just passed the halfway mark, with a temporary taxi rank set up on Navigation Street. However the rank only has space for 11 cabs, with up to 200 other taxis paying... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-street-taxi-parking-criticised-by-cab-drivers 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-street-taxi-parking-criticised-by-cab-drivers Fri, 10 May 2013 11:10:00 GMT Passengers on East Midlands Trains (EMT) will be able to buy discounted tickets and get compensation for major resignalling work at Nottingham. A 15% discount will be available across the affected routes for the duration of the work and the number of cheaper tickets available will be increased. Customers already holding an annual... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-midlands-trains-discounts-fares-during-nottingham-works 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-midlands-trains-discounts-fares-during-nottingham-works Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT Work has begun on a new footbridge in Fishbourne to improve safety at level crossings. The level crossing is one of the most dangerous on the network, and has seen three fatalities, 22 near misses with trains, nine reports of misuse and 18 acts of vandalism over the past few years. The bridge will provide step-free access across the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-footbridge-to-boost-safety-at-danger-crossing 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-footbridge-to-boost-safety-at-danger-crossing Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT Visitors to Railtex 2013 increased by 19% on 2011, with 8,202 rail professionals and attendees attending, plus almost 2,500 exhibitors. Sixty-four companies exhibited at Railtex for the first time this year. Attendees came from 49 countries, and the show was the biggest since 2007. Railtex 2013 was formally opened by transport... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railtex-visitor-numbers-up-19-on-2011-show 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railtex-visitor-numbers-up-19-on-2011-show Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT The Rail Settlement Plan Ltd (RSP) has awarded a £7m contract to design, build and support a new Product Management System (PMS). IT company IPL will take on the five-year contract to provide better fares and timetable information for ticket machines and information services. The move is part of RSP’s modernisation programme... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rsp-awards-pms-contract-to-boost-rail-data 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rsp-awards-pms-contract-to-boost-rail-data Wed, 08 May 2013 13:17:00 GMT TfL has awarded Bombardier an order for 57 additional Class 378 rail cars, worth approximately £88m. The cars will allow existing four-car electric trains to be turned into five-car versions, to meet increasing demand on London Overground. Delivery will begin in late 2014 on the East London Line, and be complete in 2015. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bombardier-to-supply-57-more-london-overground-carriages 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bombardier-to-supply-57-more-london-overground-carriages Wed, 08 May 2013 13:16:00 GMT HS2 will go ahead, the Queen’s speech has confirmed. The £33bn project has undergone serious opposition from campaign groups and people living near the planned route, but an HS2 Hybrid Bill and High Speed Preparation Bill have now been announced. The Hybrid Bill will give the Government Parliamentary permission to build the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/green-light-for-hs2-legislation-in-queens-speech 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/green-light-for-hs2-legislation-in-queens-speech Wed, 08 May 2013 13:10:00 GMT Chris Williams-Lilley, founder and managing director of Rail Champions, refl ects on issues arising in tenders and in the supply chain ahead of Railtex 2013, as constructors and suppliers are judged not only on price but increasingly their CSR credentials and whole life running costs. As I sit writing this month’s editorial... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/collaboration--open-innovation 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/collaboration--open-innovation Tue, 07 May 2013 13:45:00 GMT Train operating company c2c has now installed ticket barriers at all of its stations, to increase security and reduce fare evasion. A £530,000 project at Southend East installed the final barriers, which were brought into full operational use from yesterday. The project took three months and was funded by the DfT. Rochford and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/southend-east-gates-complete-security-drive-for-c2c 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/southend-east-gates-complete-security-drive-for-c2c Tue, 07 May 2013 12:41:00 GMT ScotRail has launched a major trial of recycling bins at 19 stations across Scotland. Colour-coded bins have been installed with a £37,000 grant from Zero Waste Scotland and volunteers from local community groups will be present at the stations to help customers make best use of the new facilities. Steve Montgomery... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/recycling-trial-for-scotrail-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/recycling-trial-for-scotrail-stations Tue, 07 May 2013 12:40:00 GMT National train performance was at 93% for period 1, Network Rail has announced. The latest PPM covers the period from April 1 to 27 and compares to 93.3% for the same period last year. It is an improvement on period 13, when PPM stood at 91.4%. The moving annual average (MAA) is now at 90.9%. London Overground and Merseyrail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/national-train-performance-ticks-up-to-93 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/national-train-performance-ticks-up-to-93 Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT The biggest Railtex for more than a decade ended yesterday with a big emphasis on ways for the rail supply chain to get involved in major infrastructure projects. Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme and HS2 commercial director Beth West both outlined the huge amount of business in the pipeline. Wolstenholme explained that... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railtex-closes-with-focus-on-railway-business-opportunities 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railtex-closes-with-focus-on-railway-business-opportunities Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s global consultancy arm has been invited to join Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) Partner Forum, to share their experience of rail infrastructure. Membership will allow Network Rail to share best practice internationally and collaborate on a number of areas, including high speed rail, railway operations and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-consulting-to-advise-amtrak 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-consulting-to-advise-amtrak Fri, 03 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT Cambridge station is to benefit from a £4.25m improvement scheme to reduce congestion following a rise in passenger demand. Funding has been released by developer Brookgate as part of a land purchase from Network Rail, and a section 106 agreement between Network Rail and the city council. Greater Anglia is to deliver the work... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/425m-improvements-for-cambridge 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/425m-improvements-for-cambridge Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT Railtex 2013 has been an incredible event, with a notable increase in visitor and exhibitor numbers, a high calibre of presentations and seminars, and the inaugural Railtex Awards on Wednesday night, which gave exhibitors the chance to come together to celebrate their successes and achievements. RTM was proud to be the headline sponsor... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-innovation-the-highlight-at-first-railtex-awards 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-innovation-the-highlight-at-first-railtex-awards Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT The first Railtex awards took place last night, as the industry came together to celebrate their successes and achievements. The awards were presented by Phil Tufnell and Garry Richardson and entertainment was provided by the fantastic singers Clayton Stevens and Elsade. The judges were Colin Flack, chief executive, Rail Alliance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railtex-awards-are-a-dazzling-success 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railtex-awards-are-a-dazzling-success Thu, 02 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT Visitors poured through the doors for the second day of Railtex at Earls Court today. Network Rail chairman Richard Parry-Jones started the day off with a talk on innovation and transformation, urging railway businesses to stop coming up with “excuses” about why things can’t be done – but instead just do it. His... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/huge-buzz-at-day-two-of-railtex-2013 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/huge-buzz-at-day-two-of-railtex-2013 Wed, 01 May 2013 16:15:00 GMT Annette Gevaert is director of rail and transport at Achilles, the leading provider of supplier information management services. She has oversight of Link-up, the UK rail industry supplier registration and qualification service, which comprises 77% of SMEs and here offers suggestions on how the rail industry can further develop innovative... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/enhancing-innovation-in-the-rail-sector 387,389 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/enhancing-innovation-in-the-rail-sector Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s FTN/GSM-R project has hit the latest in a series of major milestones, and over the next 18 months most of the rest of the country will become operational. Adam Hewitt reports. On December 31, 2012, the old analogue NRN system (National Radio Network) was switched off in the south of England, as operators switched... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-switch-to-gsm-r 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-switch-to-gsm-r Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT More than 2,000 engineers and contractors worked round the clock over Easter on the Reading station upgrade project, and passengers can now use the station’s four new platforms, two new entrances and the spectacular new footbridge. Network Rail’s senior programme manager for the works, Graham Denny, said the work went... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rebuilding-reading 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rebuilding-reading Wed, 01 May 2013 11:45:00 GMT Engineering works at Selby swing-bridge will be deferred as repair work continues at Hatfield, following a colliery landslip in February. Although the aim is to restart services in July, the railway could remain closed until September, Network Rail warned. The Selby works, originally scheduled for the August bank holiday, would see steel... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hatfield-damage-could-keep-line-closed-until-september 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hatfield-damage-could-keep-line-closed-until-september Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT Borders Railway is working to protect the environment and local wildlife along the route, Network Rail has announced. The project team is committed to minimising disruption of animal’s habitat during construction. Work so far has included providing alternative nest boxes for barn owls, protecting badger setts and ensuring... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/local-wildlife-protection-during-borders-railway-construction 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/local-wildlife-protection-during-borders-railway-construction Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT Rail minister Simon Burns MP has marked Railtex 2013 officially open. Ahead of his keynote speech at 11.50, the minister called it an “important exhibition” and noted that in a digital age, face-to-face meetings were vital. He said there were bound to be ideas sparked and business relationships founded at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railtex-kicks-off-with-simon-burns-mp 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railtex-kicks-off-with-simon-burns-mp Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT Rail’s market share of 10 of the most popular domestic air routes in Britain has risen to 46% in the last year, up from 29% in 2006, according to new data from ATOC. The use of Railcard has risen by 93%, with senior Railcards up 145%, disabled person’s Railcards increasing by 140% and use of young people’s Railcards 88%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railcards-and-advance-fares-boost-market-share 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railcards-and-advance-fares-boost-market-share Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT The first half of the new Birmingham New Street station has opened to passengers, as work switches over onto the revamp of the old concourse. Volunteers from Network Rail and TOCs are on hand for the first week to help passengers find their way around. Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route managing director, said: “Birmingham New... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-street-opens-to-the-public 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-street-opens-to-the-public Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:54:00 GMT Newport railway station’s ‘thought-provoking’ new roof is still leaking, three years after installation. The station reopened in October 2010 with a futuristic roof comprised of 31 air-filled cushions, giving it a bubble-wrap effect. The same material is used in the Eden Project in Cornwall. But Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/newport-station-roof-leaks-continue 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/newport-station-roof-leaks-continue Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:45:00 GMT This special edition of the RTM newsletter marks the launch of our charity, UKRITT – the UK Rail Industry Training Trust – a first for a rail media title. We are also pleased to announce the establishment of the UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA). UKRITT will reach out to young people to influence and educate them in the wide and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/launch-of-the-uk-rail-industry-training-trust 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/launch-of-the-uk-rail-industry-training-trust Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:20:00 GMT A railway line was left open whilst staff near Dunblane continued to work, an RAIB report highlights. On 28 October 2012 the line between Stirling and Blackford was authorised to re-open following a possession, despite work on one of four work sites still going on. Seven people continued working for an hour after the line was... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/workers-stayed-on-tracks-after-possession-ended 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/workers-stayed-on-tracks-after-possession-ended Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:13:00 GMT There are just two days to go until the half-time switchover for Birmingham New Street. From Sunday April 28, the new concourse and three new entrances will be open to passengers and the old station will close for redevelopment. The project, led by Network Rail and Mace, will completely transform the station. The approach of working in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/birmingham-new-street-ready-for-switchover 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/birmingham-new-street-ready-for-switchover Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:12:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has named the remaining members of the Franchise Advisory Panel. Richard Brown, chairman of Eurostar and author of an in-depth report into franchising for the DfT, was appointed chair of the panel last month. The other four members are: Nicola Shaw, CEO of High Speed 1 Limited; Stephen... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/franchise-advisory-panel-members-unveiled 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/franchise-advisory-panel-members-unveiled Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:11:00 GMT MPs have criticised the number of franchise contract extensions to be granted by the Government, and called for the DfT to reveal the cost of renegotiating so many at once. Following recommendations from the Brown review into franchising, the Government is spacing out competitions for the new franchises, requiring up to 12 major... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/franchise-extensions-not-value-for-money--mps 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/franchise-extensions-not-value-for-money--mps Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has extended the consultation for the HS2 (EHS). It covers properties affected by Phase Two of the project, between the West Midlands and Manchester and Leeds. The new closing date for the consultation is May 20. The DfT has also published supplementary information regarding the consultation... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-exceptional-hardship-scheme--consultation-extended 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-exceptional-hardship-scheme--consultation-extended Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT A new Network Rail study explores the wider role travel will play in the economy 10 to 30 years in the future. It covers rail services in London and the South East and recommends how investment should be focused for the period covering 2019-2014. Passenger numbers are expected to increase most on routes that will benefit from capcity... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/long-term-planning-for-london-and-south-east 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/long-term-planning-for-london-and-south-east Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT HS2 Ltd has modified plans for the route through London, to cut 15 months off the construction time. Following lobbying by local residents, the company has proposed to include extra 9km twin-bored tunnels under Ealing and Northolt. The continuous tunnels would run from Old Oak Common to West Ruislip and form the longest tunnel on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/extra-9km-tunnels-proposed-for-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/extra-9km-tunnels-proposed-for-hs2 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Clapham Junction has become the first UK train station to feature a guided path for blind or partially sighted passengers. Tactile paving helps passengers to self-orientate and find their platform, and use the footbridge which links the new entrance to platform stairs. Braille signs have been added and the station is now completely... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tactile-path-for-visually-impaired-passengers-at-clapham-junction 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tactile-path-for-visually-impaired-passengers-at-clapham-junction Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Work is to take place on the West Coast Main Line to increase the speed of trains, by replacing and enhancing major rail junctions. The £18m scheme aims to boost reliability and punctuality. Network Rail will relay three miles of track and replace junctions at Golborne, Bamfurlong, Wigan Springs Branch and Balshaw Lane. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wcml-speed-upgrade-set-to-start 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wcml-speed-upgrade-set-to-start Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Earlsfield station has reopened following a £5.5m investment. Rail minister Norman Baker officially opened the station last Thursday. The work included the construction of new lifts and staircases, reconfiguration and expansion of the ticket hall and improved accessibility. The revamp began in 2011 and was funded by the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/norman-baker-opens-earlsfield-station 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/norman-baker-opens-earlsfield-station Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:32:00 GMT A runaway maintenance vehicle led to a member of staff being injured on Sunday morning in Glasgow. Rail union RMT has raised concerns about the number of agencies and contractors working on the railways, instead of directly-employed Network Rail staff. A mobile elevation unit on a site run by Amco Rail broke free, and ran down the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-worker-injured-by-runaway-mobile-elevation-unit 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-worker-injured-by-runaway-mobile-elevation-unit Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:31:00 GMT The European Commission’s 4th Railway Package focuses too much on liberalising the railways at the expense of measures to improve cross-border freight and passenger services, the Transport Committee has warned. MPs broadly welcomed the package, but called for active negotiation to ensure joint working between Network Rail and the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railway-package-fails-to-address-rails-real-problems-mps 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railway-package-fails-to-address-rails-real-problems-mps Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:30:00 GMT Two companies have been fined £60,000 and must pay costs of £29,728 after an incident in which one rail worker had his face crushed and suffered brain damage, and another injured his left eye and face. They were using a hydraulic car jack to support an internal part of a ballast regulator – which they should not have... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/companies-fined-after-ballast-regulator-crushes-workers-face 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/companies-fined-after-ballast-regulator-crushes-workers-face Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The peers who proposed an alternative London terminus for HS2 – the ‘Euston Cross’ plan – have welcomed the decision to abandon plans to demolish and rebuild Euston. Lord Bradshaw and Lord Berkeley, chairman of the Rail Freight Group and a member of RTM’s editorial board, said their alternative would provide... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/peers-to-meet-hs2-officials-to-discuss-alternative-euston-cross-plan 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/peers-to-meet-hs2-officials-to-discuss-alternative-euston-cross-plan Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Jointed track is soon to be a ‘thing of the past’ in Northern, with the last section due to be replaced by continuous welded rail (CWR) next month. Translink called it “the end of an era for that classic ‘clickety-clack’ train sound”, with the final section of jointed track, between Larne and Whitehead... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/translink-replaces-last-section-of-jointed-track-with-cwr 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/translink-replaces-last-section-of-jointed-track-with-cwr Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Main construction work has now started on the new £294m Borders Railway line in Scotland. Network Rail and principal contractor BAM Nuttall say the first works involve the excavation of the track alignment for the new line through the Monktonhall area and the excavation of the site of the new Shawfair station. The earthworks... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/borders-railway-construction-work-starts 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/borders-railway-construction-work-starts Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT HS2 Ltd says the redevelopment of Euston station to make it ready for high-speed rail no longer requires it to be knocked down and rebuilt. The new proposal involves retaining platforms 1-15 (of Euston’s 18 platforms) at their current level with some modifications (removing platforms 9 and 10 so adjacent platforms can be lengthened... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-euston-re-build-plans-dropped 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-euston-re-build-plans-dropped Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Alstom, TSO and Costain (ATC) joint venture has appointed Mott MacDonald as its engineering consultant for the Crossrail tunnels fit-out. The last major construction contract to be awarded by Crossrail will see the commissioning of track and rail systems and turn 21km of twin-bore tunnel currently being constructed under the streets... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mott-macdonald-appointed-to-crossrail-tunnels-fit-out 387,379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mott-macdonald-appointed-to-crossrail-tunnels-fit-out Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Delivery Group has said it is “essential” that it gets support from the rest of the industry and the regulators if it is to achieve its aim of making the industry more efficient and meeting the unit costs savings challenge. Responding to the Office of Rail Regulation’s ‘GB rail financial information... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-delivery-group-asks-for-industry-support 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-delivery-group-asks-for-industry-support Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The role of engineering in designing the railway of the future was the topic at yesterday’s ‘Future Train’ event, hosted by ATOC. Speakers discussed the role of organisations like RRUKA, the EIT and ATOC itself in promoting and funding innovation, the ‘evolution’ vs ‘revolution’ argument, the need... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-railway-system-fit-for-the-future 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-railway-system-fit-for-the-future Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The proportion of cost of the railway paid for by passengers is rising, new data from the ORR shows. The GB Rail Financial Information 2011-12 report puts the total cost of the railways at £11.61bn, up 2.9% on the previous year. However, if inflation is taken into account, this represents a decrease in costs of 2.1%. Income... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passengers-paying-more-for-railway--orr 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passengers-paying-more-for-railway--orr Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT IMechE is launching its 2013 Railway Challenge competition, taking place near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. Five teams will compete to design and manufacture the most efficient small-scale locomotive. The locos will be judged on their ability to store energy during braking and used to drive up a gradient, as well as two practical... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railway-challenge-2013-competition-launched 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railway-challenge-2013-competition-launched Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Over 120 local jobs have been created at a factory supplying Crossrail with concrete segments to line the eastern tunnels. Chatham Dockyard factory is manufacturing 110,000 segments, which will be delivered by barge to the entrance of the tunnels at Limmo Peninsula. Crossrail is working with the Port of London Authority to use the River... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-factory-produces-over-100-jobs 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-factory-produces-over-100-jobs Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT TfL has announced the shortlist of bidders for the new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) franchise, set to start on 14th September. The franchise should continue to improve service reliability, maintain trains, stations and track, as well as grow capacity and boost customer satisfaction. The successful bidder should work to reduce the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dlr-bidders-shortlisted 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dlr-bidders-shortlisted Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has launched Huddersfield University’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR), highlighting the “great opportunities” for its work. The unit includes 16 researchers working in partnership with Network Rail, London Underground, the Rail Research UK Association (RRUKA) and the Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/huddersfield-rail-research-institute-launched 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/huddersfield-rail-research-institute-launched Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT South West Trains is launching a £40m upgrade for its Class 455 train fleet to increase reliability for services running from London Waterloo to Reading, the Hounslow loop and Shepperton branch. The trains will be fitted with new AC traction equipment, allowing for regenerative breaking which will return over 20% of traction... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/40m-traction-upgrade-for-swts-class-455s 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/40m-traction-upgrade-for-swts-class-455s Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The amount of delays to train services caused by cable theft has halved, with the number of incidents affecting rail services down by 67%. The total cost to the rail industry is down to £12,765,935, down from its peak of £18,337,504 in 2011/12. Network Rail has published data showing the length of delays to services came... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/big-fall-in-cable-theft-over-past-year--network-rail 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/big-fall-in-cable-theft-over-past-year--network-rail Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Five bidders have been invited to tender for Crossrail’s Paddington New Yard contract. The work covers contractor design, site clearance, new elevated bus deck and road construction, including drainage. Site clearance comprises breaking out concrete and clearing the area below the existing Tarmac batching plant and also providing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/paddington-new-yard-contract-open-to-tender 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/paddington-new-yard-contract-open-to-tender Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Midland Metro re-opens today following two-week closure while the tram system was extended and improved. The £128m project involved over 50 engineers narrowing all platforms along the route from Snow Hill to Wolverhampton by 100mm to accommodate the new fleet of larger trams. The £40m new tram fleet is set to start... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/platform-work-complete-at-midland-metro 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/platform-work-complete-at-midland-metro Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Railtex Awards team are very pleased to announce that the Headline Sponsor for the Railtex Awards has now been confirmed – welcome Rail Technology Magazine!  “It’s hard to believe that it is only two years since the whole UK rail industry last met at Railtex, but what an incredible two years it has been, with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/britains-rail-industry-media-leader-to-headline-the-railtex-awards 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/britains-rail-industry-media-leader-to-headline-the-railtex-awards Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:45:00 GMT Sector skills council People 1st has launched a new website, ‘Careers that Move’, for people looking to work in passenger transport and travel. The website includes an interactive Career Map showing the wide range of roles and career paths available in the industry and a Good Employer listing for businesses committed to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/career-advice-website-for-passenger-transport-industry 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/career-advice-website-for-passenger-transport-industry Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The UK’s definitive rail event returns to Earls Court, London for its 11th year from 30 April to 2 May 2013. Railtex showcases technological innovation from across the industry, and allows professionals the chance to network and build business. The April/May 2013 edition of Rail Technology Magazine contains a 74-page special... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/countdown-to-railtex-2013 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/countdown-to-railtex-2013 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail and signalman Adrian Maund have been fined for a level crossing death in 2010. Maund raised the barriers at Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire, shortly before a train crashed into a car, killing Jane Harding (pictured below). Maund, pictured above, has been fined £1,750 and sentenced to 275 hours unpaid work. Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sentencing-for-signalman-who-raised-barriers-in-level-crossing-crash-death 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sentencing-for-signalman-who-raised-barriers-in-level-crossing-crash-death Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Balfour Beatty Rail has launched an online supply chain management system for suppliers to allow centralised assessment of people working in its supply chain. The Total Supplier Management Solution (TSMS) is being implemented in partnership with Achilles, and suppliers will be asked to complete an online registration with data to be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/supply-management-system-launched-by-balfour-beatty 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/supply-management-system-launched-by-balfour-beatty Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia has completed the upgrade of its Class 321/4 train fleet at Clacton depot. 17 electric trains were refurbished as part of Greater Anglia’s franchise commitment, with work complete at the end of March. The upgrade included new floor coverings and seat covers, body side panels and seat trims replaced and damaged seat... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/class-321-upgrade-complete-at-clacton 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/class-321-upgrade-complete-at-clacton Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Chiltern Railways is introducing plain paper ticketing, to allow business customers to book and reserve seats with a ticket they can print off at home. Developed in partnership with Evolvi Rail Systems, the system allows passengers to book business zone premium economy service using Evolvi’s online platform and then print a Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/print-your-tickets-at-home-for-chiltern-railways 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/print-your-tickets-at-home-for-chiltern-railways Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Passenger numbers on ScotRail have grown for the ninth consecutive year, new figures show. 83.3 million passengers were carried by rail in the year ending 31 March 2013 – up 2.6% on last year’s figures. Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “The rise in passenger numbers is pleasing and shows we are... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotrail-passenger-numbers-continue-to-grow 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotrail-passenger-numbers-continue-to-grow Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Funding for the electrification of the Gospel Oak – Barking line may be reconsidered in the next spending round in June, the London Assembly’s Transport Committee has heard. Chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, has written to the committee explaining that it was not possible to include funding for the line in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gospel-oak-electrification-must-be-confirmed--london-assembly 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gospel-oak-electrification-must-be-confirmed--london-assembly Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT West Wales is set to benefit from extra services and carriages, Arriva Trains Wales has announced. The changes to the timetable have been made possible through the completion of works to replace Loughor Viaduct and redouble the Gowerton line between Swansea and Llanelli. The additional services will start from May 19 and include 14... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/timetable-changes-bring-extra-services-for-west-wales 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/timetable-changes-bring-extra-services-for-west-wales Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Two men have died after a car was hit by a train at a railway crossing in Lincolnshire. The passenger train hit the vehicle at Great Coates crossing near Grimsby at 7.39pm yesterday (Tuesday). One man died at the scene and the other en route to hospital. The train was travelling at 60mph through a working half barrier crossing. There... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/two-dead-in-level-crossing-crash 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/two-dead-in-level-crossing-crash Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Rail boss Sir Richard Branson has proposed that future franchises should include provisions to kick out under-performing train operators. He told the Guardian: “We have to be sure that the rules of engagement are different from last time. Kicking out private companies if they're not performing would be an excellent added... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/kick-out-underperforming-tocs--branson 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/kick-out-underperforming-tocs--branson Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT HS2 could boost job opportunities both in the UK and abroad, new research suggests. A survey of professionals in the construction, built environment and engineering sectors found that 76% believe HS2 will deliver long-term growth in job opportunities and be the biggest driver of jobs over the next five years. Civil engineers stand to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-has-the-potential-to-be-biggest-driver-of-jobs 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-has-the-potential-to-be-biggest-driver-of-jobs Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Work has now begun on the £44m transformation of Manchester Victoria station, Network Rail has announced. The project will see the construction of a new, brighter station roof which can allow for future expansion of the station, ticket office, information booth, waiting room and toilets. Some key period features of the station will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/manchester-victoria-transformation-begins 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/manchester-victoria-transformation-begins Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Plans have been revealed for a new £26m rail station in Rochester, replacing the existing building with one with better facilities and to provide increased capacity on the network. The station is planned for land at Corporation Street and Network Rail is set to submit a formal planning application to Medway Council this spring. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/26m-rochester-station-plans-published 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/26m-rochester-station-plans-published Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Students will be invited to Reading rail depot as part of the partnership between Network Rail and UTC Reading, a new University Technology College specialising in computer science and engineering. Network Rail is working with the college to develop curriculum challenges around level crossing design, materials and maintenance. An open... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/college-partnership-to-showcase-reading-depot 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/college-partnership-to-showcase-reading-depot Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Companies and individuals working to reduce the risk of fatigue are invited to apply for IOSH Railway Group’s Fatigue Management Award 2013. The awards aim to raise the profile of occupational health issues in the rail industry and to celebrate great practice of development and implementation of policy; design of shift rosters; risk... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fatigue-management-award-nominations-open 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fatigue-management-award-nominations-open Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT New bridges were lifted into place over Easter by Network Rail to prepare the railway for new Crossrail services. Middlegreen Road Bridge was installed, and Trenches Bridge in Slough and Old Stockley Road Bridge in Hillingdon were lifted into place. The old bridges had been demolished at Christmas. The old Horton Bridge in Slough was... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bridges-installed-ahead-of-crossrail 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bridges-installed-ahead-of-crossrail Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT London Waterloo remains the busiest station in the UK, new figures from the ORR show. Over April 2011 – March 2012 the station saw an estimated 94,045,510 entries and exits made by passengers; an increase of 2.5% compared with the previous years’ figures. London Victoria station was the second busiest, with 76,231,290... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/busiest-station-still-london-waterloo 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/busiest-station-still-london-waterloo Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has published an access guide for using Metrolink trams, particularly address needs of disabled passengers to plan their journeys. The guide was developed with advice from the Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG) on accessibility issues. It includes information on blue parking at stops... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/disability-guide-published-for-manchester-metrolink 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/disability-guide-published-for-manchester-metrolink Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The £48m South Wales rail upgrade is almost complete, Network Rail has announced. The work has seen Loughor Viaduct replaced and a 5.25 mile stretch of line through Gowerton is being redoubled. A 16-day closure between Swansea and Llanelli has seen a new bridge completed, a new platform and footbridge, and an upgrade of Duffryn... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/loughor-viaduct-replacement-complete 375,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/loughor-viaduct-replacement-complete Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT National train performance for period 13 is at 91.4%, the latest figures show. The data covers the period from March 3 – March 31 and compares to 93.4% for the same period last year. The Moving Annual Average (MAA) is now at 90.9%. PPM for period 12 was at 91%, and MAA was at 91.1%. The best performing TOC is still c2c, with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-nudges-up-to-914-for-period-13 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-nudges-up-to-914-for-period-13 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Tarka Line has seen £3.75m investment, relaying 3.8 miles of track, Network Rail has announced. The work will improve reliability and performance, providing a smoother ride for passengers. Drainage works have taken place at Colleton Mills, King Nympton and Portsmouth Arms, and track renewal has provided continuous welded rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/375m-improvements-for-tarka-line 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/375m-improvements-for-tarka-line Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Ticket compensation for passengers on London Midland will be extended until April 30, the operator has announced. The move is part of a £7m compensation package, announced at the end of December. Commuters are offered five days free travel, after suffering extreme delays and frequent cancellations of services at the end of 2012... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-midland-extends-ticket-compensation-offer 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-midland-extends-ticket-compensation-offer Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Wide aisle gates have been installed at 180 Tube stations, improving access for passengers with luggage, pushchairs or wheelchairs. London Underground has installed 348 gates in total, meaning passengers will not have to wait for staff to unlock a gate for them. This will also leave staff free to assist passengers in other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-underground-installs-wide-aisle-gates 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-underground-installs-wide-aisle-gates Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is now inviting applications for Associate Membership to the group. The RDG works to lead the industry on developing and issuing policies, strategies and promotion of their adoption across rail. Interested parties can apply for membership here. Graham Smith, director-general of the Rail Delivery Group... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rdg-associate-membership-open 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rdg-associate-membership-open Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Fares for 275,000 rail journeys are to be cut, Transport Scotland has announced. A new pricing structure developed with ScotRail aims to eliminate over 1,500 fare ‘anomalies’, reduce split-ticketing and make it almost always cheaper to buy one ticket rather than two separate ones for the same journey. The Scottish... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-scotland-cuts-fares-across-275000-journeys 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-scotland-cuts-fares-across-275000-journeys Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has awarded its final major construction contract to a joint venture comprising Costain Ltd, TSO and Alstom Transport. The tunnel fit-out works covers the installation of track, overhead power equipment, ventilation fans and drainage systems, as well as fire mains and lighting throughout the entire tunnelled section. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tunnel-fit-out-contract-awarded-for-crossrail 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tunnel-fit-out-contract-awarded-for-crossrail Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The new signalling system for London Underground’s sub-surface lines is being tested at the Old Dalby test track in Leicestershire. RTM talks to Bombardier’s project manager Peter Acton. Testing has now begun on the new signalling system to be installed on London Underground’s sub-surface lines, in a joint project... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/availability-maintainability-and-reliability-ssr-re-signalling 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/availability-maintainability-and-reliability-ssr-re-signalling Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:15:00 GMT Darren Gamage, technology services director at Mitie Total Security Management, spoke to RTM about the contract with Network Rail for the new Sentinel scheme to promote identification and management of track workers and ensure their safety. Improvements in safety on the railway over the last few years have gone far, but trackside workers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sentinel-2 389,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sentinel-2 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:15:00 GMT Mark Langman, Network Rail route managing director for Wales, spoke to RTM about the recent Loughor Viaduct replacement and track redoubling in south west Wales. Good timetabling can only take services up to a certain rate; eventually track works are necessary to free up bottlenecks and increase capacity on the railway. RTM spoke to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/easing-the-bottleneck 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/easing-the-bottleneck Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT Professor William Powrie FREng, principal investigator of TRACK21 at the University of Southampton, describes the latest track research and its implications for the industry. TRACK21 is a collaborative research programme grant funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) that aims to improve how existing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/track21-railway-track-for-the-21st-century 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/track21-railway-track-for-the-21st-century Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:45:00 GMT At Hooley near Croydon, a team of engineers is using its expertise to stabilise a railway cutting hit by land slips. Paul Thompson, writing on behalf of BAM Ritchies and BAM Nuttall, explains more. Victorian railway engineers knew a thing or two about construction. There is a small slither of Surrey countryside that encompasses all... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stabilising-the-hooley-cutting 375,389 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stabilising-the-hooley-cutting Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:30:00 GMT RTM attended iRail 2013, and was struck by the enthusiasm of young students in tackling rail challenges. Kate Ashley reports from the event and gets a view on the issue from keynote speaker Peter Dearman, head of energy at Network Rail. The fourth iRail event saw students attend the Derby Roundhouse for a day of challenge, information and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firing-up-the-next-generation 394,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firing-up-the-next-generation Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Formula 1 engineers are used to developing high-end bespoke components and systems to improve the performance of their team’s drivers. But increasingly, technology developed for the sport is having an impact in the very different fi eld of public transport, most recently with a partnership between Alstom and Williams to develop a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/from-one-track-to-another 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/from-one-track-to-another Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Office of Rail Regulation’s (ORR’s) new director of railway performance, Alan Price, formerly the rail division infrastructure director at FirstGroup, speaks to RTM about how Network Rail and the operators handle severe weather, and preparations for Control Period 5. “I'm not a lifetime regulator,” Alan Price... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/improving-railway-performance-for-the-passenger 392,384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/improving-railway-performance-for-the-passenger Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Dr Jon Lamonte, the former head of Tube Lines, has recently taken over as chief executive of Transport for Greater Manchester, responsible for the city’s growing Metrolink light rail network and also dealing with train and bus operators alongside its highways role. RTM went to meet him. Transport’s not an end in itself”... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/manchesters-new-man-in-charge 392,385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/manchesters-new-man-in-charge Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT London is undergoing a rail revolution. The first part is London Overground, which is operated by the LOROL joint venture between MTR Corporation and Deutsche Bahn. MTR’s CEO – European Business, Jeremy Long, explains what lessons can be learnt for Thameslink and Crossrail. London’s packed rail and Tube network is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metro-style-services-on-heavy-rail-lines 389,380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metro-style-services-on-heavy-rail-lines Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Adam Hewitt reports on a major new competition being run by the Enabling Innovation Team to address the rail industry’s ‘innovation gap’, and hears from Richard Jones of engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash. The rail industry is often known for being conservative and risk-averse, and embracing only incremental... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/radical-train 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/radical-train Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT David Waboso, capital programmes director at London Underground, talks to RTM about inspiration from abroad on sub-surface signalling, and progress on cooling the Tube. London Underground (LU) runs one of the world’s most complex metro systems, carrying millions of people every day. A new signalling system, to be installed with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/standardising-the-sub-surface-lines 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/standardising-the-sub-surface-lines Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The public sector should be allowed to bid to run the East Coast contract, an MP on the Transport Select Committee has proposed. Manchester Withington Lib Dem MP John Leech has called for state-owned Directly Operated Railways (DOR), which currently runs the route, to be able to bid for the new franchise. Transport secretary Patrick... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dor-should-bid-for-east-coast-franchise--mp 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dor-should-bid-for-east-coast-franchise--mp Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The rail industry needs to increase competition and allow more open access operators to run services, the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think tank has proposed. Tony Lodge, a regulator contributor to RTM, has written a report for the free market think tank urging the Government to increase the amount of competition to avoid rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/open-access-is-clear-success-lodge 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/open-access-is-clear-success-lodge Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners are holding protests today at 35 stations against planned cuts to services and staff. On the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Beeching report, unions are protesting against the 20,000 jobs they say are at risk, the closure of 675 ticket offices and a 50% increase in the number of unstaffed stations. TUC general... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/unions-say-tocs-are-intent-on-resurrecting-beeching 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/unions-say-tocs-are-intent-on-resurrecting-beeching Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The industry has responded to the Government’s publication of its franchising programme, with unions and the Labour party criticising the decision to put the currently state-run East Coast services back out to tender by private companies.  Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, said... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-coast-decision-defies-all-logic-say-unions 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-coast-decision-defies-all-logic-say-unions Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT One of Crossrail’s tunnel boring machines, Phyllis, is almost halfway through its 4.3 mile journey to Farringdon. The TBM has arrived at the new Bond Street station on Davies Street and will begin tunneling beneath the station to reach an underground chamber to undergo maintenance for the first time.  Crossrail has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/phyllis-nears-halfway-point-at-bond-street-station 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/phyllis-nears-halfway-point-at-bond-street-station Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has published its franchising programme, which is now restarted following the cancellation and delay of many franchises last year.  Virgin Train’s contract to run services on the West Coast Main Line has been extended again, by almost two and a half years, to April 2017.  The new East Coast franchise... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-trains-contract-to-be-extended-to-2017 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-trains-contract-to-be-extended-to-2017 Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Nexus has begun testing new station validators to allow smartcard technology to be used later this year. Validators, automatic gates and smart ticket vending machines are being installed for passengers to use the Pop card. The move is part of the ‘Metro: all change’ programme to update stations, refurbish trains and lay new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/pop-smartcard-validation-testing-begins 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/pop-smartcard-validation-testing-begins Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail and GT Railway Maintenance Ltd have been fined for safety breaches that led to a man’s death in 2003. The ORR has fined the companies a total of £318,125 and ordered them to pay costs of £180,000. Liam Robinson was carrying out maintenance on a railway engineering machine owned by Network Rail when an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-fines-network-rail-318125-over-mans-death 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-fines-network-rail-318125-over-mans-death Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A 3.85% pay deal has been agreed between the RMT union and London Overground Rail Operations Ltd (LOROL) for 2013. The four-year award will see members receive inflation (RPI) plus 0.5% for years 2, 3 and 4. The RMT said the “constructive” talks recognised record levels of customer satisfaction on London... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-wins-385-lorol-pay-deal 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-wins-385-lorol-pay-deal Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Councils whose legal bid to quash HS2 failed last week are to appeal against parts of the judge’s ruling. Mr Justice Ouseley rejected nine of the ten grounds for judicial review brought by the coalition of campaigners and local authorities. But Cllr Martin Tett, chairman of the 51m alliance and leader of Buckinghamshire County... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/anti-hs2-councils-will-appeal-judicial-review-decision 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/anti-hs2-councils-will-appeal-judicial-review-decision Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT One person has been killed after their car was hit by a train at a level crossing and completely destroyed. The car had been driven onto a level crossing while the barriers were lowered yesterday morning at the Stanmoor Road crossing near Athelney in Somerset. There were 37 passengers and eight crew on board the train, none of whom were... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fatal-smash-at-level-crossing-prompts-safety-calls 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fatal-smash-at-level-crossing-prompts-safety-calls Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail staff must be better trained to deal with security incidents, the Commons Transport Committee has urged. A new report warns that the conflation of a wide range of security issues – from terrorism to relatively minor crime against staff or passengers – is “not helpful” and needs more focus. The Government... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/greater-focus-on-rail-security-is-needed--mps 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/greater-focus-on-rail-security-is-needed--mps Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The line between Derry-Londonderry and Coleraine is officially open today. Translink has reopened the line ahead of schedule following almost eight months of closure for track safety and engineering works. It marks the completion of the first phase of the £330m Renewals Project. Translink Group chief executive, Catherine Mason... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/translink-ni-reopens-derry-coleraine-line 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/translink-ni-reopens-derry-coleraine-line Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT £1m funding is available to boost innovation in customer experience in the rail industry, the Enabling Innovation Team (EIT) has announced. The competition opens to applicants in May and is developed by InnoCentive and IXC UK Limited. The aim of the competition is to identify opportunities for innovation in service culture, business... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eit-innovation-competition-launches-for-rail 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eit-innovation-competition-launches-for-rail Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains has launched a new mobile website, where customers can buy tickets, check train times and plan journeys on the move. The website aims to improve passengers’ access to information and also includes departure and arrival times. The operator’s main website has also been updated with a Live Information... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-mobile-website-for-east-midlands-trains 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-mobile-website-for-east-midlands-trains Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The fourth Young Railway Professionals (YRP) annual Black Tie Dinner was the biggest ever, and included the first award for a Young Railway Professional of the Year. The RTM team attended the dinner and dance in London on March 14, and heard from YRP chairman Martyn Chymera on the expanding organisation’s plans for the year, and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/yrp-dinner-and-award-huge-success 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/yrp-dinner-and-award-huge-success Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government and ORR have responded to Rail 2020, largely agreeing with the recommendations laid out by the Transport Select Committee. In the future the ORR, not the transport secretary, will be responsible for approving train operators’ passenger complaints handling procedures (CHPs) and disabled people’s protection... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/atoc-welcomes-limited-extra-regulatory-role-for-orr 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/atoc-welcomes-limited-extra-regulatory-role-for-orr Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The rise in rail journeys in Coventry and Birmingham underlines the need for an increase in capacity through HS2, Centro has argued. Figures released by ATOC show that Coventry has seen the highest growth in rail journeys, with the number increasing by 30% over the last five years. The number of rail journeys in Birmingham rose by... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-needed-to-cope-with-rail-demand-in-west-midlands 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-needed-to-cope-with-rail-demand-in-west-midlands Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Works at Cowley Bridge will not stop floods, Network Rail has warned as it investigates how to improve resilience on the line near Exeter. Cowley Bridge was submerged last winter, causing significant delays and cancellations. Network Rail is planning to conduct works to allow flooding to be cleared and services resume as quickly as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/works-at-cowley-bridge-will-not-prevent-flooding 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/works-at-cowley-bridge-will-not-prevent-flooding Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Siemens has been awarded the Crossrail contract for communications and control systems for the central section of the railway. The £43m contract includes the design, testing, installation and commissioning of key communications and control systems such as CCTV and public address systems at stations, customer information displays... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-communications-contract-goes-to-siemens 387,379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-communications-contract-goes-to-siemens Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT An emergency police vehicle being used across south and west London is helping to reduce disruption to passengers. Emergency Intervention Units (EIU) help get railway engineers to incidents on the railway faster, by using blue lights and sirens. The EIUs are commissioned and funded by Network Rail and the South West Trains (SWT) Alliance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/police-and-engineer-partnership-to-cut-delays 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/police-and-engineer-partnership-to-cut-delays Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A partnership between Network Rail and Gwynnd council is to replace Pont Briwet bridge near Porthmadog in North Wales. The contract has been awarded to HOCHTIEF (UK) Construction, and work is due to begin in February 2015. Funding for the project comes from Network Rail, over £9m from the European Regional Development Fund and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/pont-briwet-bridge-replacement-contract-awarded 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/pont-briwet-bridge-replacement-contract-awarded Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Despite the recession, 14 cities have recorded double-digit growth in the number of rail journeys over the last five years, ATOC figures show. The ten cities that have seen the highest growth between 2008 and 2012 are outside the south east, with Coventry seeing the biggest jump in both business and leisure journeys; up 48% and 30%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-boosts-city-growth--atoc 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-boosts-city-growth--atoc Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The high court has ruled that the Government’s consultation process for compensating those affected by HS2 was “unlawful” – but in nine other areas the judge ruled against anti-HS2 campaigners, meaning there should be no delay in the project’s timeline. Five judicial reviews were combined into one, brought... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-compensation-process-judged-unlawful 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-compensation-process-judged-unlawful Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The South West Trains – Network Rail alliance is seeking applications for five new apprentices, to start in September 2013. The apprentices will receive training in customer services, train and infrastructure maintenance, engineering and operations. The programme specialises in rolling stock maintenance, and apprentices experience a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-apprentices-for-swt-and-network-rail 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-apprentices-for-swt-and-network-rail Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT There were more than 385 million passenger journeys in Q3 of 2012-13, the ORR has said. This is 14 million more than the same period last year and is the highest number of franchised passenger journeys in a third quarter since records began. There were 262 million journeys on London and South East services in Q3 2012-13, a 5.1%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-reports-record-quarter-for-rail 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-reports-record-quarter-for-rail Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Work is continuing on the Stainforth line, which was critically damaged by the landslip of a nearby spoil heap in mid-February. Hatfield Colliery is moving around 1 million cubic metres of spoil before rail repairs can begin. Network Rail is currently clearing damaged vegetation, completing detailed land investigations and finalising the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stainforth-track-repairs-to-begin 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stainforth-track-repairs-to-begin Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Prime Minister David Cameron has said that cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood “feels let down by the Department for Transport” over the West Coast franchising debacle – and that he has been asking transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin what is going on with the delayed Thameslink rolling stock contract. Cameron told the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cabinet-secretary-very-upset-over-role-in-west-coast-mess--pm 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cabinet-secretary-very-upset-over-role-in-west-coast-mess--pm Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Operators have until the end of April to submit expressions of interest to operate Crossrail services from May 2015. They are to be let as a concession, similar to that used for London Overground. TfL will stipulate the level of services to be provided including hours of operation and staffing levels, and the successful bidder will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-seeks-operator-for-crossrail-concession 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfl-seeks-operator-for-crossrail-concession Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail minister Norman Baker has accused operators of letting on-board announcements get out of control, saying they are becoming “more and more verbose” and that they “add nothing to the journey at all”. He said: “We don’t need to be told we are in a quiet carriage, that is why we went there in the first... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/train-announcements-ruining-journeys--baker 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/train-announcements-ruining-journeys--baker Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners seeking to stop HS2 in its tracks will find out on Friday whether they have been successful. The results of the five judicial reviews, evidence on which was taken in December, is expected to be announced in the High Court in London on Friday morning. During those evidence sessions, Rupert Warren QC said there were... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-judicial-review-decisions-due-friday 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-judicial-review-decisions-due-friday Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Invensys Rail has been awarded a contract by ABB in support of Network Rail’s £115m Power Supply Upgrade on the West Coast Main Line. The contract covers Phase 3B of the overall project and includes the design, supply and factory testing of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) remote terminal units for 11 of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/invensys-rail-joins-wcml-power-supply-upgrade 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/invensys-rail-joins-wcml-power-supply-upgrade Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A proposal to bring in ‘super-peak’ fares to raise revenue and better manage demand – which appeared in the McNulty report – has been scrapped, DfT sources have briefed reporters. Passenger groups, unions and the Transport Select Committee have all warned against putting more pressure on commuters, many of whom... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/super-peak-fares-hike-plans-scrapped 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/super-peak-fares-hike-plans-scrapped Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Bids for cash from the £20m new stations fund include a parkway station near Worcester, a station at Kenilworth in Warwickshire, a scheme in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and stations in Low Moor, Bradford, the village of Haxby, near York, and Warrington West. The Government has welcomed the level of interest shown in the new stations fund... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-and-nr-assess-14-bids-to-build-new-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-and-nr-assess-14-bids-to-build-new-stations Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT National Train Performance was at 91% for period 12, new figures show. This is up from 87.3% on period 11 – which saw a lot of severe weather – but is down slightly on the same period last year, when the figure was 91.6%. The data covers 3 February – 2 March, and the MAA (moving annual average) is now at 91.1%. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/c2c-holds-onto-top-spot-at-train-performance-jumps-to-91- 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/c2c-holds-onto-top-spot-at-train-performance-jumps-to-91- Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Designs for Newcastle Central station’s redevelopment have been published, detailing how the £8.6m project will transform the station to become a gateway to the city. In partnership with Network Rail, East Coast plans to pedestrianise and glaze the station’s front portico, double the amount of retail space, deliver an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/newcastle-central-station-to-get-86m-refurbishment 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/newcastle-central-station-to-get-86m-refurbishment Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport minister Stephen Hammond is visiting Crossrail’s Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in east London today to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week. He will meet apprentices and see the Sprayed Concrete Lining equipment they are being trained on. Crossrail aims to provide at least 400... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/over-150-apprenticeships-at-tunnelling-academy 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/over-150-apprenticeships-at-tunnelling-academy Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT ATOC is bringing together leading figures from across the industry to examine the role of engineering innovation on ‘The Future Train’. The event on April 17, hosted by Young Engineers president and former Tomorrow’s World presenter Kate Bellingham, will feature talks, panel discussions and presentations all looking to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/top-engineers-and-rail-innovators-look-to-the-future-at-atoc-event 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/top-engineers-and-rail-innovators-look-to-the-future-at-atoc-event Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT Rail union RMT has launched a new model domestic violence policy framework for the UK transport industry today – International Women’s Day. At the annual women’s conference in Nottingham, the RMT will outline principles for employers to recognise domestic violence as a workplace issue and publish procedures for swift... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/domestic-violence-policy-launched-for-rail-industry 373,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/domestic-violence-policy-launched-for-rail-industry Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The four TOCs who spent millions preparing their bids for the now-scrapped Great Western rail franchise competition are beginning legal proceedings against the Government for compensation. FirstGroup, Stagecoach, Arriva and National Express each spent around £10m to submit their bids for the franchise, which was called off following... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/great-western-bidders-take-legal-action-against-dft 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/great-western-bidders-take-legal-action-against-dft Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT An alternative proposal for how HS2 connects to Euston and HS1 could create better links within London with less local impact, Lords Bill Bradshaw and Tony Berkeley have argued. The pair have submitted an alternative option, which they have urged transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin to investigate as “a matter of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lords-submit-alternative-route-for-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lords-submit-alternative-route-for-hs2 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT NSARE got enthusiastic support for its new SkillsID database for railway workers at a busy launch event in London yesterday. Senior figures representing Network Rail, Transport for London, Crossrail, rail contractors, rolling stock manufacturers and the professional engineering institutions all endorsed the new online system at the launch... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-industry-comes-together-to-support-skillsid 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-industry-comes-together-to-support-skillsid Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Bromley South station has benefited from £4m investment, rail minister Norman Baker has announced. The improvements have been funded by the Government’s Access for All and NSIP programmes. Bromley South has seen improved lifts, new waiting shelters, canopies, toilets and improvements to the concourse. The Access for All... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/4m-refurbishment-for-bromley-south 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/4m-refurbishment-for-bromley-south Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Nexus is creating 30 new apprenticeship posts over the next three years, in a major expansion of its engineering training programme. The apprenticeships will be delivered in partnership in Gateshead College. Recruitment is now underway to secure applications for this September, to ensure skills are retained as the current rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/30-new-apprenticeships-launched-for-nexus 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/30-new-apprenticeships-launched-for-nexus Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Balfour Beatty is to sell its mainland European rail business, following a fall in profits. The company reported a 70% fall in pre-tax profits to £75m. The UK construction industry remains tough and construction revenue is expected to fall by 20% this year. Group-wide, underlying profits at Balfour Beatty remain resilient, down... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-sells-european-rail-arm 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-sells-european-rail-arm Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Passengers will be able to report low-level crime to the British Transport Police with the launch of a new non-emergency text number. The number, 61016, is designed to capture non-emergency incidents in real-time and to give officers a better understanding of the scale of anti-social behaviour going unreported. The number will be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/btp-launches-non-emergency-text-number 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/btp-launches-non-emergency-text-number Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Balfour Beatty Rail has been awarded a £130m construction contract for Crossrail. The work covers a two mile section between Plumstead and Abbey Wood in southeast London and includes installing two new Crossrail lines, providing access to new tunnels. The lines will run alongside existing North Kent lines. The contract also... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-awards-130m-crossrail-contract 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-awards-130m-crossrail-contract Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Plans must be developed to connect Wales to the national high speed rail network, the Welsh Affairs Committee has urged. In a new report, the committee warns that Wales could lose jobs and economic growth if the region is not fully connected to HS2. The UK and Welsh Governments should work together to develop plans that would connect... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wales-must-connect-to-hs2-or-lose-out-affairs-committee 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wales-must-connect-to-hs2-or-lose-out-affairs-committee Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Nearly six in ten businesses in Crossrail’s supply chain are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) it has announced this morning, as it highlights that it has already awarded contracts worth more than £5.5bn, creating jobs and business all across the UK. Crossrail says that 43% of businesses winning work are based outside... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-contracts-worth-55bn-boost-jobs-and-economy 387,379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-contracts-worth-55bn-boost-jobs-and-economy Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Directly Operated Railways has been told to draw up a five-year plan for its East Coast operations, suggesting that services on the East Coast Main Line could stay state-owned until after the next general election. The Financial Times reported yesterday that the plan is expected to be confirmed by the Government next month. Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-coast-main-line-services-to-stay-state-run-for-years--ft 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-coast-main-line-services-to-stay-state-run-for-years--ft Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Operators have encouraged more and more passengers to take up first class seats, according to new figures which show demand at a 10-year high. Figures published today by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) show that there were 11 million first class rail journeys in 2012 – up from 6.7 million in 2003. Despite... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/first-class-ticket-sales-booming--atoc 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/first-class-ticket-sales-booming--atoc Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail is moving into its peak tunnelling period, with five tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in operation. New photographs show the tunnelling work underway, with over 7,000 people currently working on Europe’s largest construction project. More than 5km (three miles) of tunnels have been created so far, with TBMs working beneath... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/astounding-photos-from-under-london-as-crossrail-hits-peak-phase 375,379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/astounding-photos-from-under-london-as-crossrail-hits-peak-phase Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Porterbrook has just become the third ROSCO to achieve RISAS (Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme) certification. RTM talks to RSSB’s RISAS scheme manager Brian Evans about the value of RISAS and next steps in assurance. RISAS, the Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme, has been operating since 2006, as a result of work by... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/improving-supplier-assurance 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/improving-supplier-assurance Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT 1,800 homes between Birmingham and Manchester have received written warning that the second phase of HS2 will run underneath their homes. A further 122 people on the overground section have been warned that their homes are at risk of being knocked down, according to the Manchester Evening News. The DfT has sent letters to residents... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/manchester-homeowners-warned-about-hs2-tunnel 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/manchester-homeowners-warned-about-hs2-tunnel Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Three companies have been fined a total of £300,000 for safety breaches that led to a runaway engineering train in 2010. The ORR has brought a prosecution against London Underground, Tube Lines and Schweerbau for their failure to effectively co-ordinate, plan and work together in transporting the damaged train. On Friday 13 August... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/out-of-control-train-ploughed-through-seven-tube-stations 380,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/out-of-control-train-ploughed-through-seven-tube-stations Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The damage to the railway from the landslide at Hatfield colliery in South Yorkshire is “a lot worse” than Network Rail first thought, and could now take until June to repair. Network Rail engineers are beginning to remove the spoil after the landslide in mid-February buckled and skewed the track out of place in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railway-could-be-closed-until-june-after-spoilheap-disaster 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railway-could-be-closed-until-june-after-spoilheap-disaster Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Adam Hewitt reports from the building site in York that will soon host the busiest of Network Rail’s 14 planned Rail Operating Centres and its new Workforce Development Centre, and hears from railway minister Simon Burns MP and route managing director Phil Verster. The new railway buildings for York got ministerial blessing when... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/simon-burns-at-the-york-railway-development-site 375,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/simon-burns-at-the-york-railway-development-site Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup’s UK graduate scheme has attracted 1,000 applications this year, for just 15 places. Graduates will begin working across FirstGroup’s bus and rail operations from September, where they will undertake a comprehensive workplace training schedule over two years at various locations across the UK. John Evans... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/1000-applications-for-firstgroup-graduate-scheme 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/1000-applications-for-firstgroup-graduate-scheme Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Sam Richards, head of urban integration at Crossrail, describes the huge public realm scheme being planned alongside Europe’s biggest rail project. City-wide improvements to the railway network can no longer simply consider what goes on in stations and on trains – the quality of the areas surrounding this work have a signifi... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/an-urban-legacy 379,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/an-urban-legacy Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Earthworks have started ahead of the Swindon-Kemble redoubling project, with enabling works due to start in March. RTM caught up with Network Rail programme manager Ross Mahoney and scheme sponsor Michelle Scogings. Network Rail’s £45m capacity upgrade of the Swindon to Gloucester route, involving the redoubling of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/capability--capacity 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/capability--capacity Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The European rail sector has published its high-level, long-term vision for the future with ‘Challenge 2050’. It calls for the European rail industry to achieve a multi-fold increase in its share of passenger and freight markets, be more responsive to passenger needs, to deliver co-modal mobility, be world-leading, and provide... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/challenge-2050-published-for-rail-industry 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/challenge-2050-published-for-rail-industry Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Tim O’Toole, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, explains how the complexity of the rail industry can be its strength. Speaking at the DDRF’s annual conference 2013, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Tim O’Toole, chief executive of FirstGroup, described the group’s “quarrels” with the McNulty... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/complexity-and-capability 391,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/complexity-and-capability Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT In February 2013, business group London First and Lord Adonis published new proposals and route suggestions for the Chelsea- Hackney line, Crossrail 2, ahead of a DfT decision on the existing safeguarded route later this year. RTM talks to London First’s David Leam, executive director for policy, who has been leading on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-2 379,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-2 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT One of NSARE’s major projects over the past year has been producing a skills forecasting model for the entire industry. RTM discusses its findings with NSARE chief executive Gil Howarth. In March 2012, the ORR commissioned the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) to produce a skills forecast for the industry... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/forecasting-the-need-for-jobs-and-skills-across-the-rail-industry 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/forecasting-the-need-for-jobs-and-skills-across-the-rail-industry Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Technology Strategy Board lead technologist for the rail sector, Richard Kemp-Harper, about its decision to launch a second innovation competition. From 2011-12, the Technology Strategy Board and RSSB ran the ‘Accelerating Innovation in Rail’ competition, which was so over-subscribed that the organisers decided to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/funding-innovation 387,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/funding-innovation Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Richard Brown, chairman of Eurostar and author of the Brown review of franchising, spoke at the DDRF’s annual conference 2013 on the newly published Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy and its implications for the industry. As well as his recent work on franchising, Richard Brown is currently chairing a group which has just published... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/future-forecasts 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/future-forecasts Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Jeremy Long is Europe CEO for MTR, which co-owns the London Overground concession operated for TfL. He was formerly the managing director of FirstGroup Rail Division and founder and chief executive of GB Railways Group plc. Here, he discusses project management lessons from Hong Kong for the UK network. The publication of Network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lessons-from-hong-kong 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lessons-from-hong-kong Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT London Midland is running faster passenger services after a year-long rolling stock enhancement project. Project 110 has allowed the fleet of 30 Class 350/1 trains to operate at 110mph, cutting up to 35 minutes on off-peak Crewe to Euston journeys. Milton Keynes now has hourly non-stop services to Euston, cutting journey times from 45... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/project-110-speeds-up-london-midland-journeys 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/project-110-speeds-up-london-midland-journeys Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT ITSO chief executive officer Lindsay Robertson discusses rail industry progress on implementing new smarter ticketing methods. There’s been lots of talk about rail franchising lately, but one of the less well-publicised aspects is that of smart ticketing on rail. For although rail franchising is under review, the smart... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/smart-ticketing 389,378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/smart-ticketing Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Later this year, London will lead the world in contactless payment when it goes live with ‘wave-and-pay’ technology across the Tube, DLR and Overground. RTM spoke to Shashi Verma, TfL’s director of customer experience, who heads the contactless project. Since December, passengers on London’s buses have been able to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wave-and-pay 378,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wave-and-pay Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Students and rail industry professionals are gearing up for iRail in Derby next month. Among those attending are Derby College Rail Engineering students, who will be taking part in skills competitions and careers workshops at the event on Tuesday March 12 at Derby Roundhouse. The event brings together top industry figureheads and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/irail-opened-my-eyes-to-the-rail-industry 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/irail-opened-my-eyes-to-the-rail-industry Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has been fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000 for safety failings that allowed a track worker to be hit by a train and seriously injured. The ORR prosecuted Network Rail for breaches of health and safety law after the incident in March 2010. Track maintenance worker Terence Wray was repairing a fault... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-fined-100000-after-track-worker-hit-by-train 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-fined-100000-after-track-worker-hit-by-train Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Northern line signalling upgrade has now gone live on its first section, London Underground has announced. The work between West Finchley and High Barnet is part of a larger upgrade that will improve capacity and journey times. The earlier fixed block signalling has been replaced by the Thales SelTrac S40 Communications Based... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/northern-line-signalling-upgrade-passes-major-milestone 380,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/northern-line-signalling-upgrade-passes-major-milestone Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail and three of its top contractors are forming a unique ‘pure construction alliance’ to deliver the £250m Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP) on the West Coast Main Line. Network Rail, Atkins, Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail are collaborating on the project to remodel and resignal the railway around... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/pure-construction-alliance-to-deliver-stafford-project 387,375,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/pure-construction-alliance-to-deliver-stafford-project Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Another high-profile committee of MPs has attacked the way the West Coast Main Line franchise was awarded and blamed a “complete lack of common sense” among senior officials at the Department for Transport. Civil servants were blinkered and rushed, according to a new Public Accounts Committee report, which says expensive... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-fiasco-will-cost-far-more-than-50m-hodge 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-fiasco-will-cost-far-more-than-50m-hodge Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Long-distance rail traffic in Europe could grow to over 1.36bn passengers by 2020, a new study shows. Produced by Amadeus Rail, the report looks at growing demand for rail and predicts an increase of 21%, or 238 million from 2011 figures. The study includes predictive models based on correlations between long distance rail share of total... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passenger-numbers-to-rise-21-by-2020-amadeus-rail 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passenger-numbers-to-rise-21-by-2020-amadeus-rail Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Disruption at Radlett and St Neots has been attributed to failure of specific components, Network Rail has found. Last Tuesday, power cable failed at St Neots, leaving thousands of passengers stranded overnight at King’s Cross. Further work is being done to minimise the chance of repeated failures. A spokesperson for Network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/st-neots-failures-identified 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/st-neots-failures-identified Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT BAM Nuttall is searching for local contractors to work on its £220m Borders Railway contract, awarded last year. A ‘meet the buyer’ event will be hosted this Wednesday (27 February) at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange, for suppliers to learn more about the wider project and how they could be involved in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/suppliers-sought-for-borders-railway-contract 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/suppliers-sought-for-borders-railway-contract Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish Government is due to report on the business case for building a high speed link between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The project aims to reduce the journey time between the two cities to under 30 minutes by 2024. The report will outline the costs and benefits of the proposal, transport minister Keith Brown said. Speaking at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-speed-plans-for-scotland-due 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-speed-plans-for-scotland-due Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Tube drivers are campaigning outside Queen’s Park station today over staff and passenger safety on the Bakerloo line. RMT members are protesting against LUL’s decision to stop station staff from checking carriages for passengers before moving into sidings. Drivers in RMT and Aslef have been physically checking the trains to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-campaigns-against-overcarrying-on-underground 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-campaigns-against-overcarrying-on-underground Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has appointed Will Whitehorn as chairman of the new Transport Systems Catapult. The Catapult is a technology and innovation centre set up by the TSB to focus on efficient and sustainable ways to move people and goods across national transport systems, including rail, road, sea and air. Whitehorn... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/whitehorn-appointed-transport-systems-catapult-chair 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/whitehorn-appointed-transport-systems-catapult-chair Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Worcester Foregate Street rail bridge is being officially reopened today by Network Rail and contractors J Murphy & Sons Ltd. The Grade II listed structure was on Worcester City Council’s heritage ‘at risk’ register due to its overall poor condition. The work has included extensive repairs to the heavy steels... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/worcester-rail-bridge-repairs-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/worcester-rail-bridge-repairs-complete Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Passengers on the East Coast main line are facing further disruption, over overhead line failures earlier in the week. On Tuesday night power cable failed in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Around 200 passengers were left stranded at King’s Cross after the last train to Leeds was cancelled. All four lines between Biggleswade and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-coast-overhead-line-failure--disruption-continues 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-coast-overhead-line-failure--disruption-continues Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The first contracts for phase 2 of HS2 have been awarded, covering engineering and environmental services for the line north of Birmingham. Under the professional services framework, the companies will provide engineering designs and prepare sound demonstrations for consultation on the second phase, which is due to start later this... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-ltd-awards-first-contracts-for-phase-2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-ltd-awards-first-contracts-for-phase-2 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The delayed Manchester Metrolink extension to Rochdale is due to open next Thursday, February 28. Trams will stop at Rochdale railway station on the existing Oldham line at Shaw & Crompton, as well as Newhey and Milnrow and new destinations Kingsway and Newbold. Services will run every 12 minutes. The 7.4km extension brings the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolink-extension-to-rochdale-opening-next-week 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolink-extension-to-rochdale-opening-next-week Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail must do more to improve the resilience of Britain’s railways in bad weather, the ORR has stated. The latest Monitor – the quarterly analysis of Network Rail performance – found that while performance is strong in Scotland, with effective planning and coordination between Network Rail and the TOCs... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railway-resilience-deteriorating-in-bad-weather-orr 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railway-resilience-deteriorating-in-bad-weather-orr Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Graham Smith has been appointed the director-general of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). The announcement came as the group was formalised as a company limited by guarantee on February 18. FirstGroup’s Tim O’Toole has been appointed as the chairman of the RDG and Network Rail boss Sir David Higgins is deputy chairman. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rdg-appoints-graham-smith-as-director-general 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rdg-appoints-graham-smith-as-director-general Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has published the technical specification and contracts for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) with Hitachi’s Agility Trains consortium. The £4.5bn deal was finalised last July and the new trains will replace the ageing InterCity 125 fleet. 596 carriages will be built at Newton Aycliffe and are due to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/technical-specifications-for-iep-published 387,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/technical-specifications-for-iep-published Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Edinburgh council leaders are considering running free services in the weeks following the launch of the city’s problem-plagued tram system. The move could help introduce passengers to the route and boost business in the city. Michael Apter, chairman of the West End Association, which proposed the measure, said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edinburgh-trams-could-waive-fares-for-first-weeks 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edinburgh-trams-could-waive-fares-for-first-weeks Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The DfT is to make comprehensive fare data available to the public for the first time, transport minister Norman Baker has announced. It means that passengers will be able to access free up-to-date information on the best ticket deals. Previously, this information was only available under a paid-for licence. The move is part of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fare-data-to-be-available-to-all 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fare-data-to-be-available-to-all Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Information about changes to Reading station are on public exhibition today and tomorrow. The station improvements are to be completed in early April and are part of a wider £895m investment in the area. The work will include new bus stops, taxi ranks, spaces for around 350 bicycles, a new public square and new paving as well as a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reading-upgrade-team-launch-public-exhibition 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/reading-upgrade-team-launch-public-exhibition Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Warrington Bank Quay is to see a £600,000 refurbishment as part of the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP), Virgin Trains has announced. The work will include staircases up to every platform, a cleaner and brighter concourse, new lighting and CCTV, new disabled toilet and refurbished toilets for platforms 3/4. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/300000-improvements-for-warrington-bank-quay 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/300000-improvements-for-warrington-bank-quay Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Howard Smith, chief operating officer at TfL London Rail and a member of RTM’s editorial board, is to join Crossrail next month as its new operations director. Smith – widely credited as a driving force behind the success of the London Overground concession – will lead Crossrail’s operational and customer service... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/howard-smith-joining-crossrail-from-tfl-london-rail 387,379,380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/howard-smith-joining-crossrail-from-tfl-london-rail Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT All London Overground stations will offer wi-fi by the end of June, TfL has announced. 50 stations are covered as of February 15. The service allows passengers to use their mobile devices to browse the internet after registering. The first 60 minutes are free each day at each station and the contract with The Cloud allows access in ticket... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-overground-stations-to-offer-wi-fi-by-the-summer 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-overground-stations-to-offer-wi-fi-by-the-summer Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT First Capital Connect has been voted the worst train operating company by its passengers, a new survey conducted by Which? shows. The survey of 7,500 rail commuters found that FCC scored just 40% satisfaction, alongside other operators such as Greater Anglia with 41%, Southeastern with 43% and First Great Western, also at 43%. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/which-survey-votes-fcc-worst-operator 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/which-survey-votes-fcc-worst-operator Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun at Llandudno station to improve passenger facilities, Network Rail has announced. Construction has started on the new car park, as part of a £5.1m station upgrade. The project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and is part of Network Rail’s National Station... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/51m-llandudno-station-upgrade-begins 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/51m-llandudno-station-upgrade-begins Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Testing for the new signalling system to be installed on London Underground’s Sub Surface Lines has commenced. LU and Bombardier are installing the new Cityflo 650 system to run more trains and increase capacity. The contract is worth around £354m. The upgrade will deliver a new signalling system for 310km of track and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lu-begins-testing-atc-signalling 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lu-begins-testing-atc-signalling Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Midland Metro is to temporarily close this Easter while work continues on a £128m project to extend and improve the tram system. The line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton will close on Friday March 29 and reopen on Monday April 15. The work will include modifying existing platforms for a £40m new fleet of trams. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/platform-work-to-start-on-midland-metro 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/platform-work-to-start-on-midland-metro Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Construction has now begun on the tunnel portal at Victoria Dock, to provide a gateway into a key one-mile tunnelled section of the new Crossrail route. The work is being delivered by VINCI Construction UK Ltd and is part of the £14.8bn Crossrail project across London, due to open in 2018. The Victoria Dock portal will allow trains... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/victoria-dock-portal-construction-work-starts 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/victoria-dock-portal-construction-work-starts Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT A group of rail industry experts has published a forecast for the potential requirement for rolling stock over the next 30 years. The Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy sets out a range of scenarios for the future size and type of fleet that will be required across the network.  There could be demand for between 13,000 and 19,000... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/future-demand-could-require-90-increase-in-electric-fleet 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/future-demand-could-require-90-increase-in-electric-fleet Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Train services have been suspended in parts of south Yorkshire due to a landslip. A spoil heap at Hatfield Colliery, Stainforth, has moved a section of track and is pushing up the track. Bus replacements will be running between Doncaster and Scunthorpe until the heap has been stabilised and the track can be repaired. A team of engineers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/landslip-suspends-train-services-in-yorkshire 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/landslip-suspends-train-services-in-yorkshire Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT National train performance is at 87.3% for period 11, new figures show. This is down from 88.2% for period 10. Network Rail data from 6 January – 2 February found that the moving annual average (MAA) is now at 91.1%. The best performing franchise was c2c, with PPM of 95.9% and a MAA of 97.4%. East Coast scored the lowest PPM at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-at-873 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-at-873 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The new Conon Bridge station has been officially opened by transport minister Keith Brown. The £600,000 project has been completed on time and to budget and sees rail services return to the station for the first time since 1960.  Network Rail has built a new 15 metre platform, waiting shelter, passenger information systems and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/conan-bridge-station-open-after-50-years 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/conan-bridge-station-open-after-50-years Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The line between Coleraine and Londonderry is to re-open a month early after a £30m upgrade. Passengers travelling between Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s two biggest cities, have been using substitute buses for the final leg of their journey for the past nine months. Transport minister Danny Kennedy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crucial-track-section-to-re-open-early 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crucial-track-section-to-re-open-early Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Northern Rail’s improvement programme is seeing 58 vehicles refreshed with improved interiors on Class 142 trains. The Pacer fleet consists of 150 vehicles in total. The work will see new upholstery, improved lighting, replaced flooring, repainted interiors, vestibule ends and seat repairs. The programme began at the end of last... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/interior-refresh-for-northern-rail-trains 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/interior-refresh-for-northern-rail-trains Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT LOROL has been granted a two-year extension to operate the London Overground network, Transport for London has announced. The extension means LOROL will continue to be responsible for the operation of London Overground services, maintenance and operation for the stations, and maintenance of the 172 trains that run on the Gospel Oak to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lorol-to-london-overground-until-2016 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lorol-to-london-overground-until-2016 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has announced a £23m boost to upgrade and renew the Tyne and Wear Metro. This brings the total funding for Nexus’s ‘All change’ modernisation programme to £93m over the next three years. The programme will create a about 60 new jobs and include renewal of tracks and track-beds from Tynemouth to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nexus-receives-23m-more-for-metro-upgrade 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nexus-receives-23m-more-for-metro-upgrade Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT A Dorset rail service is to be restored after 41 years, with a £1.47m Government grant for the Swanage Railway. A regular service between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Wareham is to be restored by spring 2015 and the project could create up to 50 jobs. Work will include upgrading track and bridges and two 1960’s heritage... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/swanage-railway-to-be-restored 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/swanage-railway-to-be-restored Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Southeastern has commemorated the role public transport played in the success of last summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games by naming on of its high-speed Javelin Class 395s after 22-time Paralympic medallist Dame Sarah Storey. It continues a tradition for the trains, 13 of which are already named after top UK athletes like Dame... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/javelin-train-named-after-paralympic-star 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/javelin-train-named-after-paralympic-star Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT A debate on transport links across the England-Wales border was held in Westminster earlier this week, as MPs push for greater connectivity, faster services and electrification of the network. Led by Mark Williams, the Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion, the debate focused on setbacks to the plans for an hourly train service between... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mps-push-for-welsh-rail-connectivity 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mps-push-for-welsh-rail-connectivity Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT National Express has won two contracts to run regional rail services in Germany, in a first for a UK transport company. The services will cover the North Rhine-Westphalia area and will run for 15 years from December 2015. The contract is expected to generate about €1.6bn in revenues. National Express beat incumbent Deutsche Bahn... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-operator-to-run-two-german-regional-rail-services 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-operator-to-run-two-german-regional-rail-services Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Trains has put forward detailed plans to the DfT for a direct rail link between Shropshire and London. Campaigners from Shrewsbury and elsewhere in the county have been pushing for a reinstatement of a direct link ever since the Wrexham & Shropshire open access service folded in early 2011. It has been years since Shrewsbury... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-submits-plans-for-direct-shrewsbury-london-services 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-submits-plans-for-direct-shrewsbury-london-services Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT A second Crossrail project, spanning London from south west to north east, could ensure the city’s public transport system copes with huge increases in demand. Initial plans for Crossrail 2, also known as the Chelsea-Hackney line, have been published by the London First business group with input from Network Rail and TfL, proposing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-2-route-proposal-published 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-2-route-proposal-published Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT iRail is returning for its fourth year on March 12 at the Derby Roundhouse. The event, supported by RTM, sees industry professionals come together with school pupils to boost engagement and encourage young people to choose a career in rail. iRail is organised by the Transport iNet in partnership with the Young Railway Professionals... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fourth-irail-event-to-be-held-in-derby 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fourth-irail-event-to-be-held-in-derby Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport for Greater Manchester’s new chief executive has spoken about his excitement for the future and his determination to improve the region’s connectivity, economy and transport links. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority appointed former Tube Lines CEO Dr Jon Lamonte in September 2012 to succeed David Leather. Dr... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-tfgm-boss-takes-charge 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-tfgm-boss-takes-charge Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The campaign for Crossrail 2, also known as the Chelsea-Hackney line, is due to get a boost today from business group London First and former transport secretary Lord Adonis, who has produced a new report and suggested route. It is due to be launched later today, and London First said it had been working with Network Rail and TfL on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-2-campaign-gathers-pace 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-2-campaign-gathers-pace Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The incoming chief executive of Stagecoach, Martin Griffiths, told MPs on the transport select committee that the franchising debacle had damaged investor confidence in the rail sector, adding: “It doesn’t get much worse, does it?” Griffiths, currently finance director of Stagecoach but speaking to the committee... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/franchising-mess-dented-confidence 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/franchising-mess-dented-confidence Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Further devolution for local transport services could lead to weakened accountability, the Public Accounts Committee has stated in a new report. The Committee considered how moving funding for local transport to local authorities could risk poor decisions. The LGA has responded, calling the suggestion of a move back towards centralism a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-funding-devolution-a-risk--mps 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-funding-devolution-a-risk--mps Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The collapse of the West Coast Main Line franchise was caused by “irresponsible decisions, according to the Transport Select Committee. Its new report calls for an explanation from the Government about why ministers and senior officials were misled about how subordinated loan facilities were calculated and a comprehensive breakdown... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hasty-reform-led-to-franchising-fiasco--transport-select-committee 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hasty-reform-led-to-franchising-fiasco--transport-select-committee Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail minister Norman Baker has announced £62m investment to improve cycling facilities, including significant work to integrate cycling with rail and make it easier to ride to stations. New cycle hubs will be built at Leicester, Nottingham, Redhill and Upminster stations with bike hire, storage, lockers and changing facilities. A... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/62m-cycling-boost-for-stations-and-cities 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/62m-cycling-boost-for-stations-and-cities Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has outlined how franchises ‘paused’ during the controversy over the West Coast contract will be handled, following the findings of the Brown review. The DfT is starting negotiations with current operators First Great Western, First Capital Connect and c2c to extend their franchises while longer-term options are... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-sets-out-franchise-extensions-for-firstgroup-and-c2c 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-sets-out-franchise-extensions-for-firstgroup-and-c2c Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The European Commission has issued the 4th Railway Package, including changes to the legal framework for rail businesses across Europe and opening EU domestic passenger markets. The package also proposes strengthening the essential functions of infrastructure managers to control path allocation, traffic management, maintenance and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passenger-railway-markets-should-be-opened-up--european-commission 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passenger-railway-markets-should-be-opened-up--european-commission Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup has been awarded an extension of its contract to run Great Western services, with the Government scrapping the bidding process for the franchise. The competition for the line began last year, but was suspended in the autumn, following the West Coast Main Line fiasco. Once “serious errors” emerged, all other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/great-western-line-contract-extension-for-firstgroup 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/great-western-line-contract-extension-for-firstgroup Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Railcare has won the £20m contract with Angel Trains to overhaul Class 165 and 166 Turbo trains. The trains, in service on First Great Western and Chiltern Railways, will undergo an exterior re-paint and door overhaul. The units will also be made compliant with Passengers of Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/angel-trains-awards-railcare-20m-overhaul 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/angel-trains-awards-railcare-20m-overhaul Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Overall passenger satisfaction across Great Britain’s railway is now at 85%, Passenger Focus has found. The report shows that no train company scored less than 80% satisfaction overall. Overall satisfaction by TOC varied between 80% and 96%, and by individual routes within TOCs between 76% and 97%. 83% of passengers were satisfied... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/overall-passenger-satisfaction-at-85 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/overall-passenger-satisfaction-at-85 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A failure to invest in training and apprenticeships is leading to a shortage of skilled staff, rail union RMT has warned today. This skills gap could threaten the timetables for future rail projects, such as Crossrail and HS2. NSARE forecasts that the rail industry needs between 1,600 and 2,000 new people in the next five years, over... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/skills-gap-threatens-future-rail-projects--rmt 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/skills-gap-threatens-future-rail-projects--rmt Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Not everyone has welcomed the Government’s announcement of the proposed route of the second phase of HS2. Travelling up through the East Midlands and Sheffield to Leeds, and through Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe to Manchester, there are winners and losers in this route plan. The project is “fundamentally flawed”, Stop... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/concerns-and-disappointment-raised-over-hs2-route 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/concerns-and-disappointment-raised-over-hs2-route Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The publication of the draft route for the second phase of HS2 has been met with largely positive reaction from the rail industry. The project has the potential to boost freight growth, free-up capacity and regenerate some of the country’s most deprived areas, its proponents say. The route will take HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-a-potential-game-changer-for-economy 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-a-potential-game-changer-for-economy Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Peter Cushing has been appointed as the new Metrolink Director, TfGM has announced. Cushing will succeed Philip Purdy, who is returning to Australia for family reasons, from February 4. Cushing’s was operations director at Central Trains from March 2003 and January 2005, working as part of the team involved in remapping the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfgm-appoints-new-metrolink-director 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfgm-appoints-new-metrolink-director Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The second phase of HS2, the detailed route for which has been unveiled this morning, will shorten the journey time from London to Manchester to 1 hour 8 minutes, and to Leeds in 1 hour 22 minutes. Chief executive of Network Rail, Sir David Higgins has heralded it as “that rarest of things – a genuine game-changer for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-to-halve-journey-times-to-manchester-and-leeds- 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-to-halve-journey-times-to-manchester-and-leeds- Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Network Rail apprenticeship scheme has been launched in the south and south west England, with 35 places available with the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance. The scheme will see the apprentices spend a year at HMS Sultan learning technical skills as well as improving their leadership and teamwork. There are also... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/35-apprenticeships-launch-in-south-west 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/35-apprenticeships-launch-in-south-west Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Train services around the West Midlands are running on time, following signalling problems over the past two days. Yesterday London Midland reported some local services had been suspended and others were facing delays. Replacement buses were running Longbridge and Redditch and Four Oaks and Lichfield Trent Valley. Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/birmingham-signalling-issues-fixed 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/birmingham-signalling-issues-fixed Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The detailed route for the second phase of HS2 could be announced as early as Monday, it is understood. Phase 1 covers London to the West Midlands, while Phase 2 forms the 'Y-shaped' network north, with one spur to Manchester and the other through the East Midlands and South Yorkshire up to Leeds. Speculation around the route has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-route-to-leeds-and-manchester-expected-monday 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-route-to-leeds-and-manchester-expected-monday Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The all-party parliamentary light rail group is pushing for a tram-train link from Leeds to Leeds-Bradford International Airport (LBIA), via Horsforth. At a meeting on Tuesday, the group outlined progress on the project to cross-party MPs, representatives from the DfT, local government, and the light rail industry. Three local MPs... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tram-train-link-to-airport-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tram-train-link-to-airport-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT An empty charter train derailed and caught fire yesterday, causing delays and cancellations to services across the North West. The West Coast Railways train came off the tracks on Windsor bridge in Manchester City Centre, and no-one was hurt. Four people were on board, including the driver and an engineer. The rear diesel locomotive... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/derailed-train-catches-fire-in-salford 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/derailed-train-catches-fire-in-salford Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A £20m new stations fund has opened to bids today, Network Rail has announced. The money will provide additional funding for ‘shovel ready’ projects, and local authorities, passenger transport executives and TOCs are all being encouraged to bid. The proposed new stations must be at a sufficiently developed stage and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-encourages-new-stations-with-20m-fund 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-encourages-new-stations-with-20m-fund Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains had improved mobile phone signal for passengers travelling to London. Signal boosters have been installed on all 27 Meridian trains in partnership with Vodafone UK. Passengers from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Market Harborough, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough will be able to make use of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/signal-boost-for-east-midlands-trains-passengers 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/signal-boost-for-east-midlands-trains-passengers Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT ‘Blast-resistant’ carriages have been developed by researchers at Newcastle University, with the aim of reducing the threat and devastation of potential terrorist attacks. The Secure Metro project team used EU funding to design new train and metro vehicles at the University’s NewRail research centre, led by Conor... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/anti-terrorist-carriages-under-development 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/anti-terrorist-carriages-under-development Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Indicative funding levels have been published for Local Transport Bodies and confirmed the geographical areas these bodies will cover, the DfT has announced. The levels are part of a devolving decision making process for major local transport schemes, giving them more control over spending. The funding has been allocated according to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-publishes-indicative-funding-levels-for-local-transport 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-publishes-indicative-funding-levels-for-local-transport Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Peter Austin has been appointed managing director of London Overground Rail Operations Limited (LOROL), its joint shareholders Arriva and MTR have announced. Austin is currently finance director and begins his new role with immediate effect. He has worked for LOROL for over six years and was part of the bid team that won the contract to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lorol-appoints-peter-austin-as-md 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lorol-appoints-peter-austin-as-md Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Construction work on Canary Wharf’s Crossrail station is progressing well, with the first escalators lifted into the station and work underway on the new elevated pedestrian walkway to connect the station with the existing Canary Wharf estate. Work has already been completed to prepare four 7.6m diameter ‘tunnel eyes’... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/canary-wharf-station-works-continue 375,379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/canary-wharf-station-works-continue Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The European Train Control System (ETCS) is to be tested at the Hertford National Integration Facility (HNIF) this summer, Network Rail has announced. ETCS kit from four suppliers will be tested on a section of the Hertford loop prior to rollout on the mainline network. Unit 313121 is being converted into a laboratory train to test the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/etcs-testing-to-begin-this-summer 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/etcs-testing-to-begin-this-summer Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Wimbledon Loop rail service will be safeguarded after the Thameslink programme is complete, the DfT has announced. Under previous plans, passengers travelling to central London would have to change at Blackfriars station once the Thameslink programme was complete in 2018. But following pressure from local rail users, the service will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wimbledon-loop-services-to-continue-after-2018 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wimbledon-loop-services-to-continue-after-2018 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government is developing plans to run fibre optic cables alongside the HS2 track, improving access to super-fast broadband for rural communities, the rail minister has suggested. Other utilities such as water and electricity could also be improved by the scheme. Critics of HS2 have argued that the economic benefits HS2 could... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-could-improve-broadband-access 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-could-improve-broadband-access Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Birmingham City Council, John Lewis and Network Rail have signed a ‘Jobs and Skills charter’ to help people to access more than 1,000 new jobs created by the Grand Central Birmingham shopping centre and New Street station. John Lewis will provide three-quarters of the new jobs available. The Charter commits the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/jobs-charter-signed-for-birmingham 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/jobs-charter-signed-for-birmingham Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Heavy snow is continuing to cause disruption and delays to train services today. Greater Anglia, South West Trains, Southern, Virgin, Southeastern, London Overground, East Coast, First Capital Connect and London Midland have all warned passengers to check up-to-date information in case of delays and cancellations. Revised services... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/travel-disruption-continues 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/travel-disruption-continues Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A public consultation is now open on the plans for a £14.4m railway interchange at Bromsgrove. The work is to be jointly funded by Worcestershire County Council and Centro.  The public’s views will be incorporated as far as possible into the design of the proposed new station, which is to be built around 400m south from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/144m-bromsgrove-interchange-planned 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/144m-bromsgrove-interchange-planned Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The RMT union is “stepping up the case for renationalisation”, 20 years after legislation was introduced that led to the privatisation of the railway. The average ticket price has increased by 22% in real terms since 1995, with the highest commuter fares in Europe, the RMT argues  ATOC, however, disputes the way... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/20-years-of-privatisation-slammed-by-rmt 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/20-years-of-privatisation-slammed-by-rmt Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Train operators across much of the country are advising passengers to check before travelling, as heavy snow falls across the UK, particularly in Wales.  The TOCs have been working with Network Rail to prepare stations, trains and infrastructure to minimise disruption, and are using social media to keep passengers up to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/heavy-snow-disrupting-rail-services- 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/heavy-snow-disrupting-rail-services- Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail minister Simon Burns has told RTM that while the devolution of franchising decisions and powers to regional authorities is “in principle a sensible idea” and a key recommendation of the Brown review, the DfT still has a lot more work to do before it will commit to it. Although there was a somewhat underwhelmed reaction to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-not-ready-to-commit-to-franchise-devolution 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-not-ready-to-commit-to-franchise-devolution Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT London Victoria station was evacuated this morning due to a fire on a Gatwick Express train. The incident has caused severe delays for commuters travelling into London. Other train companies have been accepting Southern tickets in and out of London and passengers have been directed to alternative stations. The Tube is running normally and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fire-leads-to-evacuation-at-london-victoria 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fire-leads-to-evacuation-at-london-victoria Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The busiest of Network Rail’s 14 planned Rail Operating Centres, at York, and the city’s new Workforce Development Centre got ministerial blessing yesterday as Simon Burns MP paid a visit. The rail minister also cut the ribbon to officially open the new turntable that has replaced the old engineer’s triangle, which... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/minister-visits-york-railway-development-site 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/minister-visits-york-railway-development-site Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT London Midland head admitted that operator ‘let down’ passengers over the last four months. Almost 1,000 trains were cancelled or delayed between October and the end of December, due to driver shortages. Managing director Patrick Verwer said that the problems were now under control, with London Midland training more staff and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/driver-shortage-let-passengers-down-london-midland 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/driver-shortage-let-passengers-down-london-midland Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Parkeon Transit has been awarded a contract to provide ticketing for the Edinburgh Tram project, as part of the overall £742m budget. The contract includes the supply and maintenance of Galexio-Plus ticket machines, Axio platform validators and hand-held payment terminals. The ticket machines will be enabled to read both ITSO cards... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edinburgh-tram-project-contracts-parkeon-transit 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edinburgh-tram-project-contracts-parkeon-transit Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Plans to redevelop Haywards Heath station have been approved by Mid Sussex District Council. Solum Regeneration will deliver the £17m project to renovate the station building on the line from London to Brighton. The transport interchange will be improved, and the exterior of the station will be refurbished with new signage, canopies... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/haywards-heath-station-plans-approved 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/haywards-heath-station-plans-approved Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is calling for young people to start a career in rail through its advanced apprenticeship scheme.  There are around 240 places available and the scheme offers the chance to achieve further qualifications whilst working, such as a part-time Higher National Certificate in engineering.  Apprentices spend one year... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/apprenticeships-scheme-open-at-network-rail 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/apprenticeships-scheme-open-at-network-rail Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A new secure cycle storage facility has officially opened at York station. In conjunction with cycle retailer Cycle Heaven and the City of York Council, East Coast has launched the facility to encourage more people to cycle to the station.  Bikes can be left inside a gated enclosure, accessible via a key fob. Cyclists can check in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-bike-storage-for-york-station 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-bike-storage-for-york-station Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Staff working on London Underground’s Trainpeople agency contract are being balloted for strike action, the RMT union has announced.  The staff are demonstrating at St James Park station today against the cancellation of their contract with LU.  LU inherited a contract with Trainpeople agency from Silverlink in 2007... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/trainpeople-staff-could-strike--rmt 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/trainpeople-staff-could-strike--rmt Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Construction work on the new £35m Crossrail station at Custom House in east London is due to start next week. The project is being undertaken by Laing O’Rourke, which will mostly manufacture parts in Sheffield. The parts will then be assembled on location to minimise disruption for residents. The new station means the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/35m-crossrail-station-underway-next-week 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/35m-crossrail-station-underway-next-week Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A new package of charges for freight operators has been proposed by the ORR, to be introduced from 2016. It follows a consultation into how the costs can best be balanced through the industry, but freight providers and campaigners say the potential 23% cost increase on today’s level is “disappointing” and for some... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-recommends-higher-freight-charges 386,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-recommends-higher-freight-charges Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Speeds will soon return to 100mph on parts of the West Coast Main Line, as Network Rail has completed rail replacement at Shugborough Tunnel. The tunnel has become increasingly difficult to maintain, as was designed before container freight and high speed trains were in use. The team dug out track and ballast, renewed the drainage... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/shugborough-tunnel-rail-replacement-complete 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/shugborough-tunnel-rail-replacement-complete Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The publication of the Brown review yesterday has been met with disappointment in some quarters, with any prospect of radical overhauls to the franchising system quashed. The headline from the report is that the franchising system is “not broken”, but it does need simplifying. The review was launched in October, following the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/no-credible-case-for-major-franchising-reform-brown-review 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/no-credible-case-for-major-franchising-reform-brown-review Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded EDF Energy a ten-year contract for the supply of electricity to power the rail network. EDF Energy will supply around 3.2TWh of electricity a year, and has pledged to ensure 100% of it is ‘matched’ by low-carbon energy generated at its eight nuclear power stations. Electric trains now account for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edf-energy-to-supply-electricity-to-network-rail 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edf-energy-to-supply-electricity-to-network-rail Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The draft Code of Construction Practice for the first phase of HS2 has been published, detailing how the project will reduce its impact on neighbouring communities and the natural environment. The first part of the draft code covers the standards that must be adhered to on all sites along the route, with the second including plans... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-standards-to-protect-local-communities 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-standards-to-protect-local-communities Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Railway punctuality was at 88.2% during Period 10, according to monthly performance data released today by Network Rail. The data covers the period from 9 December 2012 to 5 January 2013. It is up from 85.3% for period 9, but is lower than the 88.8% recorded in the same period last year. The moving annual average is now at 91.4%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/period-10-ppm-figures-released 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/period-10-ppm-figures-released Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun on the Swindon to Kemble line, as part of the £45m project to upgrade infrastructure and improve earthworks. The upgrade is part of a larger project between Swindon and Gloucester, via Kemble and Stroud, and will include additional signals between Kemble and Standish Junction, the upgrading of level crossings at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/swindon-to-kemble-re-doubling-works-begin 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/swindon-to-kemble-re-doubling-works-begin Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Brown review is “underwhelming”, industry reaction suggests, whilst unions state it is “increasingly hard to justify the point of franchising”. In response to the publication of the review on the DfT’s franchising programme, conducted by Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown, campaign group Railfuture... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/underwhelming-recommendations-from-brown-review 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/underwhelming-recommendations-from-brown-review Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The franchising system is “not broken”, the second major review of the DfT’s rail franchising programme suggests, but does need simplifying. Richard Brown’s review has found that there is “no credible case” for major structural change, and calls for the process to be restarted as soon as possible. Brown... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/brown-calls-for-franchising-programme-to-be-restarted 378,383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/brown-calls-for-franchising-programme-to-be-restarted Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT It has now been a year since the Government decided to proceed with HS2. Since then, HS2 Ltd has brought in industry expertise from development partner CH2M Hill to progress phase 1 of the project from London to Birmingham. Further support from major infrastructure companies on the design and environmental aspects of the scheme has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-one-year-one-from-government-decision 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-one-year-one-from-government-decision Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Centro has welcomed the planned £550m upgrade to the West Midlands rail network, detailed in Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan. The investment could help to cope with ‘soaring’ passenger numbers and ensure regional links can be developed to best connect and feed into HS2. Connecting the two planned stations... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/550m-west-midlands-rail-upgrade-welcomed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/550m-west-midlands-rail-upgrade-welcomed Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail’s fifth tunnel boring machine, ‘Sophia’, has begun work to construct a tunnel under the Thames. Sophia will journey from Plumstead to North Woolwich, and is specially equipped to deal with chalk and flint ground conditions in south east London. The TBM will drill a tunnel and install pre-cast concrete... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sophia-starts-tunnelling-for-crossrail 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sophia-starts-tunnelling-for-crossrail Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Today marks the 150th anniversary of the Tube, since the first journey took place on January 9, 1863. London Underground was the world’s very first underground railway. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The arrival of the Tube was truly revolutionary and today it is still admired around the world. It annihilates... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-marks-150th-anniversary 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-marks-150th-anniversary Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Plans for services running directly to London from Rochdale, Eccles, Manchester Victoria and Audenshaw are being considered. Alliance Rail Holding has asked the ORR to allow it to run services along the West Coast Main Line. From 2016 passengers would no longer have to change at Manchester Piccadilly, if the plans go ahead. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/direct-london-trains-for-north-west-proposed 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/direct-london-trains-for-north-west-proposed Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has submitted its strategic business plan to the ORR, detailing its plans to spend £37.5bn running and expanding the railway over the next control period covering the five years to 2019. The plan follows the publication of the HLOS (High Level Output Specification) by the Government in July 2012, and is submitted... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rails-375bn-spending-plans-for-cp5 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rails-375bn-spending-plans-for-cp5 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A £45m upgrade to Vauxhall Tube station has been announced by TfL, as part of a major investment designed to support growth and regeneration in the Battersea Nine Elms area. The greater investment aims to increase jobs, business and homes by extending the Northern line, transforming the gyratory, and implementing major improvements... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/vauxhall-tube-station-to-see-45m-upgrade 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/vauxhall-tube-station-to-see-45m-upgrade Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Dick Keegan, former director of projects at British Rail, believes that Stratford station would make a better HS2 terminus than Euston, providing better links for London airports and Europe. It could also prevent the controversial demolition of over 200 homes around Euston. Phase 1 of HS2 is planned to be running by 2026, with the second... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-terminus-should-be-at-stratford 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-terminus-should-be-at-stratford Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has published new aerial images showing progress in construction, alongside a raft of new milestones to be achieved in 2013. These include the launch of the 5th and 6th tunnel boring machines – ‘Sophia’ and ‘Mary’ – which will commence tunnelling from Plumstead, as well as construction of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/striking-new-aerial-images-show-crossrail-progress 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/striking-new-aerial-images-show-crossrail-progress Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The railway is facing “chronic overcrowding”, union RMT has warned, as the Thameslink contract over-runs threaten to delay the national rail fleet replacement programme. The shortage of rolling stock comes during significant increases in passenger numbers, and parliamentary answers before Christmas confirmed that there is a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thameslink-delays-hitting-wider-fleet-replacement-warns-rmt 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thameslink-delays-hitting-wider-fleet-replacement-warns-rmt Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Industry professionals and campaign bodies have broadly welcomed the Transport Select Committee’s Rail 2020 report’s recommendations on fares. Following an average rise in ticket prices of 3.9%, and 4.2% for regulated fares, the report calls for a more modern and flexible approach to fares, with further rises ruled out for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/government-must-rule-out-super-peak--cbt 378,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/government-must-rule-out-super-peak--cbt Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The DfT should create a more modern and flexible ticketing system and rule out further fare rises for commuters who must use peak-time trains, MPs have recommended. The Transport Select Committee has published its Rail 2020 report, examining Government proposals to reform the railways. While the committee supports Sir Roy McNulty’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mps-call-for-different-approach-to-fares 378,383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mps-call-for-different-approach-to-fares Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has taken contractor Thales to the High Court over their claim for an extra £42m on a signalling project for Metrolink. The Manchester Evening News (MEN) reports that the case involves the dispute over costly delays to the tram network extension, with both parties blaming the other for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfgm-and-thales-in-court-over-42m-metrolink-dispute 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfgm-and-thales-in-court-over-42m-metrolink-dispute Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Industrial action short of a strike has been announced on the Bakerloo and Central Lines from Thursday January 10 ‘until further notice’. The RMT union has announced the action in response to LU’s removal of detrainment staff, leaving Bakerloo and Central Line drivers to take trains into depots and sidings without staff... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-detrainment-action-to-be-taken-by-rmt 373,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-detrainment-action-to-be-taken-by-rmt Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail minister Norman Baker has been widely criticised in the press today for suggesting in a radio interview yesterday that rail fare increases are not as high as the media has suggested. Overall, ticket prices increased by an average of 3.9% on Wednesday. Regulated fares rose by an average of 4.2%. It is the tenth year of above-inflation... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/baker-under-fire-over-fares-claims 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/baker-under-fire-over-fares-claims Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Plans have been proposed for a £200m Cardiff Crossrail, running east-west from St Mellons to the M4 at Creigiau and north-south from the M4 to the bay. The Metro Consortium has produced a report on the plans, which would make use of the planned electrification of south Wales, due between 2014 and 2019, and bring economic... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cardiff-crossrail-plans-proposed 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cardiff-crossrail-plans-proposed Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Three rail bridges in Slough and Hillingdon were demolished over Christmas, to provide clearance for overhead electric equipment as part of Crossrail. The new electric Crossrail trains require certain bridges to be removed and rebuilt to secure clearance. Network Rail removed Middlegreen Road and Trenches bridges in Slough, and Old... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-bridge-demolitions-works-successful 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-bridge-demolitions-works-successful Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Last month saw the third anniversary of Southeastern’s services on HS1, with 25 million domestic passenger journeys between London and Kent since 2009. In the high speed service’s first year there were 7.2 million passenger journeys, which rose to 8.2 million in the second year and 9 million in 2012. The route has a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/25-million-journeys-on-southeastern-hs1-services 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/25-million-journeys-on-southeastern-hs1-services Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT A rail freight terminal at Radlett in Hertfordshire has been granted planning permission by communities’ secretary Eric Pickles. The move could enable a much higher proportion of freight use on the network. The £400m intermodal interchange has been welcomed by transport groups and campaigners. The project includes an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/go-ahead-secured-for-radlett-freight-terminal 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/go-ahead-secured-for-radlett-freight-terminal Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail fares for commuters have increased by an average of 4.2%, with overall ticket prices rising by 3.9%. The rise was announced in August, and the regulated fares increase was originally set at RPI + 3% but was reduced in October to RPI + 1%. TOCs can now vary fares by up to 5% above the average increase, as long as these rises are... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/regulated-fares-rise-by-42 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/regulated-fares-rise-by-42 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Annette Gevaert, director, rail and transport at Achilles, explains more about Link-up Engage. In spring 2013 Achilles Link-up, the UK rail industry’s supplier registration and qualifi cation scheme, will make an important transition to a new generation. ‘Link-up Engage’ will offer far greater functionality, processes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-call-to-fully-engage 387,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-call-to-fully-engage Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s East Midlands route managing director Martin Frobisher explains the work behind a new rail maintenance depot planned at Derby. A new maintenance centre is being planned in Derby at Pride Park to support the electrification of the Midland Main Line. The project brings together six smaller depots around the area, to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-depot-for-derby 392,384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-depot-for-derby Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail held the latest in its series of conferences with key players in the supply chain on December 7 at its Westwood centre in Coventry. The Tier 2 Supplier Conference explored a number of burning issues, including the Fair Payment Charter, Network Rail’s new focus on sustainability when procuring, and supply chain optimisation.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/engaging-the-tier-2s 387,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/engaging-the-tier-2s Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to Richard Carrington, Eversholt Rail Group’s head of projects and procurement, and Vossloh Kiepe UK’s principal consultant Karl Barras about the potential for a traction system upgrade on Eversholt’s fl eet of Class 321 and 322 electric multiple units. Eversholt Rail Group has taken the fi rst steps towards... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eversholt-scopes-out-re-traction-upgrades 389,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eversholt-scopes-out-re-traction-upgrades Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The case for a high-speed rail line connecting Scotland to London and the Continent is irrefutable on both economic and environmental grounds, argues Roderick McDougall of Railfuture (Scotland). Scotland, lying on the periphery of both the UK and Europe, relies on good communications and transport links for its economic health. Between... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-speed-rail-from-a-scottish-persepective 389,381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-speed-rail-from-a-scottish-persepective Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to head of TfL Online, Phil Young, about the organisation’s open data policy and how it is helping passengers. ORR chair Anna Walker was among the speakers at the Rail Transparency Conference in London in December, where she praised examples of organisations opening up their data to the public and to IT developers to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/how-open-data-benefits-passengers-and-the-economy 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/how-open-data-benefits-passengers-and-the-economy Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Versha Carter, director of the European and International LiDAR Mapping Forums (ELMF and ILMF), talks about how LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) presents an exciting and rapidly evolving technology to the rail industry and how the upcoming conference, ILMF, is the perfect place to learn about the benefits. The LiDAR Mapping Forum is a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/international-lidar-mapping-forum-cutting-edge-technology-and-how-lidar-can-benefit-rail 375,389 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/international-lidar-mapping-forum-cutting-edge-technology-and-how-lidar-can-benefit-rail Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Karl Gilmore of AmeyColas explains more about a seemingly intractable points maintenance problem and how it was eventually solved – requiring some new thinking. A troublesome set of points in west London whose height needed reducing – but for which access using traditional methods was virtually impossible – were finally... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ladbroke-grove-points-repair 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ladbroke-grove-points-repair Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is training everyone who works for it to understand and comply with its 11 new ‘Lifesaving Rules’, intended as a simple and memorable framework to underpin the organisation’s new safety vision, which sees more trust placed in employees, reports Kate Ashley. Network Rail’s new Lifesaving Rules focus on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lifesaving-rules-launched 394,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lifesaving-rules-launched Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Adam Newton, Bombardier’s general manager at Central Rivers Depot, speaks to RTM about effective, sustainable maintenance that stems from great working relationships. Sometimes good service is not down to the introduction of radical new technology, but continuous improvement to working practices and good use of data. RTM spoke to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/next-steps-at-central-rivers 392,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/next-steps-at-central-rivers Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Network Rail’s Tim Flower about a track fault-finding technique heralded as ‘the future of continuously welded track inspection’. Plain line pattern recognition (PLPR) brings track inspection into the 21st century, Network Rail says – as senior industry figures saw for themselves when the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/plain-line-pattern-recognition 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/plain-line-pattern-recognition Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The RSSB’s Colin Dennis, director of policy research and risk, and Anne Mills, head of human factors, discuss the role of human factors in rail safety, and the success of the IRSC 2012 conference, which Dennis co-chaired. With the rise of non-technical skills training, increasing understanding of the risks of fatigue and on-track... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/putting-human-factors-at-the-heart-of-rail-safety 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/putting-human-factors-at-the-heart-of-rail-safety Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The major transport authorities across the north of England are working on a new strategy document aimed at setting out the priorities for rail in the north over the next 20 years, up to Control Period 8. The document is being produced by transport consultancy Steer Davies Gleave, and Euan Mackay from the consultant team spoke to RTM about the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-in-the-north 383,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-in-the-north Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Claire Ruth reports on progress being made on the Todmorden Curve project to allow direct Manchester to Burnley services. Work to reinstate 500 metres of track to connect Burnley and Manchester via the Todmorden Curve for the first time in decades is pressing ahead. The project had funding approved in October 2011, with the £8... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reinstatement-of-the-todmorden-curve 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/reinstatement-of-the-todmorden-curve Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rail Champions founder and managing director Chris Williams-Lilley reports back from the recent Future of Rail Conference, and RTM also hears from conference producer Matthew Edwards. I'm having to change the habit of a lifetime – thanks to Marketforce and the world-class speakers we heard at the Future of Rail Conference held on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-future-of-rail-is-in-your-hands 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-future-of-rail-is-in-your-hands Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT In the October/November edition of RTM, we spoke to Network Rail’s head of track delivery Steve Featherstone about the benefits its High Output Plant is bringing. Soon after that article went to press, RTM’s Adam Hewitt joined the team operating TRS2 on a November night, heading north from Derby up to Chesterfield, and got an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-track-factory-on-rails 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-track-factory-on-rails Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT UITP (International Association of Public Transport) secretary general Alain Flausch spoke to RTM about the aspiration for a single, inter-operable ticketing and information system across European public transport. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is campaigning for cities to ‘Grow with Public... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/towards-a-pan-european-information-system 378,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/towards-a-pan-european-information-system Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Automated train control and signalling technologies are an area of increasing interest and investment in the rail sector worldwide. With systems such as European Rail Traffi c Management System (ERTMS) and communicationsbased train control (CBTC) scheduled for deployment, Matt Phillips, head of Interfl eet Technology’s Advanced Railway... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/trends-advanced-rail-control-systems 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/trends-advanced-rail-control-systems Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Stewart Mills, director of operations at Tube Lines, discusses the extensive work programme comprimising the Jubilee line fleet upgrade. Our remit is to maintain, renew and upgrade the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines on behalf of London Underground (LU). On a more strategic level, the company is working together with LU to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/upgrading-the-jubilee-line 389,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/upgrading-the-jubilee-line Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Derrick Bailes, technical consultant at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), speaks to RTM about LiftEx 2012 and the latest developments in the industry. LiftEx2012, put on by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), saw suppliers present the best new equipment to the lifting industry. LiftEx2012 was held in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lifting-up 392,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lifting-up Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers on London Midland will be offered free and discounted travel after months of cancellations and delays on the franchise. Rail minister Norman Baker has announced that London Midland will have to provide a £7m compensation package, as well as spending more on infrastructure improvements to avoid future... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/7m-compensation-for-london-midland-passengers 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/7m-compensation-for-london-midland-passengers Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Southern’s £60m order for an extra 40 Electrostar carriages from Bombardier at Derby has been confirmed, and the DfT is supporting a new procurement competition for 116 new electric (dual voltage) vehicles, with an option for a further 140. The procurement of 40 new carriages extends the £188m deal signed at the end of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/southerns-60m-electrostar-order-confirmed 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/southerns-60m-electrostar-order-confirmed Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT ISS Facility Services Transport has won a Tube Lines health, safety and environment award. The award was in the Contractor Team Performance category, beating over 42 other supplier partners. ISS has raised over 250 issues as part of Tube Lines Be Safe initiative, resulting in a number of asset areas working with Tube Lines Ambience team... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-lines-safety-award-goes-to-iss 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-lines-safety-award-goes-to-iss Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The conclusions from the second EU Rail Policy Conference have now been published. The event, held in Brussels on November 28, featured a comprehensive and in-depth discussion of the European Commission’s proposals for the 4th railway package and its implications. Delegates explored three main issues: To what extent is further... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/vertical-separation-discussed-at-rail-conference 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/vertical-separation-discussed-at-rail-conference Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi Europe Ltd has bought The Railway Engineering Company Ltd (TRE) in a £25.5m deal expected to be completed by the end of the month. TRE supplies traffic operators’ training and assessment simulators, as well as automatic routing systems. Earlier this year, Hitachi became one of three companies awarded a contract to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hitachi-announces-tre-acquisition 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hitachi-announces-tre-acquisition Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance fell to 85.3% in period 9, Network Rail has announced. The data covers the period from November 11 – December 8 and compares to 88.4% for the same period last year. PPM is significantly lower than in period 8, which saw punctuality at 88.9%. The Moving Annual Average (MAA) is now at 91.5%. The top... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-falls-to-853 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-falls-to-853 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The strikes planned by ScotRail staff this Christmas have been cancelled, following resolution of a recent dispute with rail union the RMT. ScotRail tweeted that the strike was cancelled: “ScotRail trains will run as normal this Christmas” and said it was “delighted that common sense has prevailed”. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-strike-on-scotrail-cancelled 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-strike-on-scotrail-cancelled Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train operators have been urged to do more to tackle congestion, as the top 10 most over-crowded services is published. The list was compiled from data collected in Autumn 2011. The highest load factor reported was 180%, and many of the most congested services were, unsurprisingly, at peak times from commuter towns into... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/busiest-trains-at-180-load 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/busiest-trains-at-180-load Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Local authorities and business groups in East Anglia, supported by the main train operator in the region, Greater Anglia, have released a major study making the case for investment on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML). The study, carried out by Atkins and commissioned by Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex County Councils and supported by Greater... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/geml-upgrade-could-generate-25bn-benefits 382,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/geml-upgrade-could-generate-25bn-benefits Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ministers and senior civil servants were not to blame for the West Coast franchising fiasco, Sam Laidlaw told the Select Committee yesterday. Laidlaw, chief executive of Centria and a DfT non-executive board member, asked by the transport secretary to investigate what went wrong, said senior civil servants were kept apart, which meant... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ministers-not-to-blame-for-west-coast-errors-laidlaw 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ministers-not-to-blame-for-west-coast-errors-laidlaw Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has secured £30m funding from TfL for the public realm scheme to support regeneration at locations along the route. The plans will see station design integrated with new and improved public spaces, to be jointly delivered by local authorities and developers. The cost of the public realm scheme is around £90m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/30m-tfl-funding-for-crossrail-public-realm-scheme 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/30m-tfl-funding-for-crossrail-public-realm-scheme Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Centro has formed a partnership with the Midland Metro’s system operator National Express to underpin the £130m improvements planned. The agreement, ‘Metro Forward’, will see the organisations working together to enhance the tram system. The commitments set out in the agreement include increased frequency with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/centro-and-national-express-partnership-to-drive-metro-improvements 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/centro-and-national-express-partnership-to-drive-metro-improvements Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Thousands of passengers were stranded last night as overhead wire damage led to trains being cancelled on the East Coast Main Line. Trains between London and Edinburgh on the ECML were cancelled from yesterday afternoon, and passengers were advised to use replacement services or travel the next day if possible. A message from rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ecml-overhead-wire-disruption 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ecml-overhead-wire-disruption Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Any remaining chances of Bombardier winning the £1.4bn Thameslink rolling stock contract back from Siemens have taken a knock, as the German company and the DfT prepare to reach commercial close, probably this week. In October, the Department for Transport announced that it was “assessing options” as to what to do in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/commercial-close-on-thameslink-deal-expected-this-week 387,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/commercial-close-on-thameslink-deal-expected-this-week Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The UK Government may not sign off on the second part of the InterCity Express Programme contract with Hitachi, it has emerged. Earlier this year, Hitachi secured an initial order for 596 carriages worth £34.5bn, with the option for a further 270 vehicles. The financing of the order was spilt into two parts, with just under half... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hitachi-iep-extension-contract-may-be-in-jeopardy 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hitachi-iep-extension-contract-may-be-in-jeopardy Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sam Laidlaw, author of the recent report into the West Coast franchising chaos, is to appear before the Transport Select Committee tomorrow, as it attempts to ascertain the precise nature of the mistakes made by DfT officials. One of the key issues for MPs will be how the subordinated loan facility was determined for the bidders, and how... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-committee-set-to-grill-laidlaw 378,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-committee-set-to-grill-laidlaw Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train staff are to strike on CrossCountry Trains next Friday, the RMT rail union has announced. Train managers, senior conductors and on-board catering staff voted ‘yes’ for strike action and for action short of a strike on Friday 21 December over a number of disputes, but the operator has so far not urged passengers to alter... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crosscountry-trains-staff-strike-announced 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crosscountry-trains-staff-strike-announced Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger information still needs improvement, the ORR’s latest report shows. The assessment took place nine months after the TOCs and Network Rail signed up to ORR’s obligations for appropriate, accurate and timely information. The ORR found there are now robust plans and processes in place to improve passenger... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-calls-for-passenger-information-boost 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-calls-for-passenger-information-boost Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new edition of the Rail Technical Strategy has been launched, outlining the industry’s 30-year vision for the railway. The RTS 2012 has been developed through the Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG), which includes representatives from Network Rail, TOCs, FOCs, rolling stock leasing companies, suppliers, Transport... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-technical-strategy-2012-published 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-technical-strategy-2012-published Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT £8m funding has been announced to boost passenger information at stations. ATOC is rolling-out a national link between customer information screens to the latest ‘live’ real time train data. The first screens will be switched on in summer 2014 and the whole project will be complete by 2015. It will be rolled out in 2,000... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stations-to-benefit-from-8m-information-upgrade 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stations-to-benefit-from-8m-information-upgrade Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bam Nuttall has been awarded a £220m contract for the design and construction of the Borders Railway. Network Rail is delivering the project on behalf of the Scottish Government, and it is due to open in 2015. The project will re-establish a passenger rail link for the first time in over 40 years from Edinburgh through Midlothian to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/borders-railway-contract-awarded-to-bam-nuttall 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/borders-railway-contract-awarded-to-bam-nuttall Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Strategic upgrades are needed to Scotland’s rail freight network, the Rail Freight Group (RFG) has argued in its submission to the Scottish Government. The submission to the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) calls for upgrades to secure cost effective rail freight operations connecting Central Scotland... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rfg-calls-for-upgrades-to-scottish-freight 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rfg-calls-for-upgrades-to-scottish-freight Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Piling work at Salford Crescent is set to begin this Christmas, as part of a station refurbishment which will increase the amount of space for passengers. Principal contractor Buckingham will drive steel piles into the ground to provide support for the new ticket office, footbridge and staircase that will be in use by early 2014. the new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/salford-crescent-piling-work-due-to-start 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/salford-crescent-piling-work-due-to-start Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun to install 8,000 reflective stainless steel panels around Birmingham New Street station. Eventually these panels will cover the entire building, due for completion in 2015. The first panels will be laid on the north side of the building and the new northwest corner above Stephenson Street, before progressing in a broadly... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/birmingham-new-street-cladding-begins 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/birmingham-new-street-cladding-begins Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chiltern Railways has become the first train operating company in the UK to launch contactless payment for train tickets. The technology is being trialled between Great Missenden and London Marylebone and has been developed by Parkeon Transit and Barclaycard. Passengers will be able to ‘wave and pay’ for the most popular... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/contactless-ticket-payment-trialled-at-chiltern-railways 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/contactless-ticket-payment-trialled-at-chiltern-railways Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first of the new S7 stock on the Hammersmith & City line is now running all the way to Barking. Nigel Holness, director of Operational Change and Upgrades at London Underground, said: “This is great news for our customers in the east end of London. The trains are longer, walk-through and in the summer customers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/first-of-the-s7-stock-begins-operations-to-barking 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/first-of-the-s7-stock-begins-operations-to-barking Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bombardier has been awarded a £100m fleet maintenance contract with Virgin Trains. The contract is to continue maintaining its Super Voyager fleet, which operates on the West Coast Main Line, and will extend the existing agreement to March 2016. The £106m contract will see trains maintained at Central Rivers depot in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/100m-fleet-maintenance-contract-extension-for-bombardier 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/100m-fleet-maintenance-contract-extension-for-bombardier Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new campaign to tackle violence against transport staff has been launched by Transport for London (TfL). The network-wide publicity drive will see posters displayed on London Underground, London Overground, bus and tram fleets and in newspapers. The campaign seeks to dissuade violence as well as encouraging staff to report instances of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-launches-anti-violence-campaign 380,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfl-launches-anti-violence-campaign Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Average train fares are increasing almost three times faster than wages, new research from the TUC indicates. Rail ticket prices have risen by over 26% since 2008, the TUC stated as part of its Action for Rail campaign. Today campaigners will be lobbying at 50 train stations around the country, warning against fare rises, ticket office... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/train-fares-up-26-since-2008--tuc 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/train-fares-up-26-since-2008--tuc Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers travelling on East Midlands Trains are set to benefit from additional services. The improvements have been announced alongside the launch of the train operator’s new timetable today. 3,600 seats have been added to the Nottingham to Liverpool services. Sunday afternoon journey times to London will further be improved by up... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-midlands-trains-offer-more-services 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-midlands-trains-offer-more-services Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Official figures show that almost half the seats on Virgin’s peak-time evening trains on the West Coast Main Line were empty last year. This undermines the Government’s arguments for HS2, opponents have suggested, if WCML capacity is less of an issue than some suggest. The data was released as councils continue with their... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-opponents-jump-on-virgin-peak-passenger-figures 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-opponents-jump-on-virgin-peak-passenger-figures Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new hourly service between Ipswich and Lowestoft is being introduced by Greater Anglia, following work to install a passing loop at Beccles. The £4m scheme was jointly funded by Network Rail and Suffolk County Council and has brought a previously disused platform at Beccles station back into use. As part of a wider £21m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-services-announced-for-the-east-suffolk-line 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-services-announced-for-the-east-suffolk-line Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Northern Line extension to Battersea was confirmed by Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement yesterday. The Treasury will provide a guarantee that allows the Greater London Authority (GLA) to borrow up to £1bn from the Public Works Loan Board to finance the construction between Kennington and Nine Elms. The deal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/extension-announced-for-northern-line 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/extension-announced-for-northern-line Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The West Coast franchising process lacked management oversight and had confused governance, a new report by the National Audit Office has suggested. The full cost of the mistakes to the taxpayer is as yet unknown, but the NAO stated that this will be at least £1.9m in staff and advisor costs, £2.7m in legal costs and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nao-calls-for-lessons-to-be-learnt-over-west-coast 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nao-calls-for-lessons-to-be-learnt-over-west-coast Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train companies have published all 2013 ticket prices, with the average increase from January confirmed at 4.2%. The rise applies to season tickets and peak fares, with other unregulated fares to rise at the operator’s discretion. Some fares could rise by as much as 10%. ATOC asserted that the figure for all fare rises, not... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/regulated-fares-to-rise-42 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/regulated-fares-to-rise-42 Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail union RMT said that the West Coast franchise failures have strengthened the case for renationalisation, since the cost to the taxpayer could reach £100m. This price includes the £40m cost to the failed bidders, nearly £9m investigating the errors involved and the remainder of money lost in projected earnings from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-could-cost-100m--rmt 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-could-cost-100m--rmt Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The DfT has finally published the Laidlaw report, which concludes that the West Coast franchise process failed because of an accumulation of significant errors. The report, commissioned by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, highlights errors related to inadequate planning and preparation, a complex organisational culture and a weak... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uncomfortable-reading-as-laidlaw-report-published 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uncomfortable-reading-as-laidlaw-report-published Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is improving its performance on punctuality, but is still short of its targets, a new analysis from the ORR shows. The quarterly report covers the period between July 22 and October 13, and highlights how Network Rail is collaborating well the train operating companies in developing and implementing plans to boost performance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-report-shows-network-rail-adrift-of-targets 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-report-shows-network-rail-adrift-of-targets Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 will cost Camden council £1bn, the London borough has told the High Court in an appeal to overturn the project. The legal challenge has been brought by 15 local authorities along the route. Camden council is fighting the potential closure of Camden Town station, as well as the demolition of hundreds of homes to make way for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/camden-warns-of-1bn-damage-from-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/camden-warns-of-1bn-damage-from-hs2 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first snow this winter has caused significant disruption to transport across London today, with long delays and cancellations on journeys in and out of the capital. Services from Kent, Sussex and Surrey were severely affected and there were suspensions on the Piccadilly Central and Metropolitan lines of the Underground due to icy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/snow-disruption-across-london-and-the-south 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/snow-disruption-across-london-and-the-south Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT A metro-style rail system task force is being set up in south east Wales to push forward plans to connect the region. The system would enable passengers to travel across the region in 45 minutes from either Cardiff or Newport. Transport minister Carl Sargeant has launched the group, which will make recommendations in early 2013 on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/welsh-taskforce-set-up-for-integrated-rail-system 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/welsh-taskforce-set-up-for-integrated-rail-system Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new direct spring service to Lyon and Provence is being trialled by Eurostar for the spring. From 11 December, a weekly service will run from London to Lyon and Provence between May and June 2013. This is in addition to the existing services to Avignon in the summer. The non-stop journey will run from London St Pancras... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eurostar-trials-new-french-services 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eurostar-trials-new-french-services Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The questioning by the transport select committee of Sam Laidlaw, author of a report into the franchising mistakes behind the West Coast contract cancellation, has been delayed. The committee was due to take evidence from Laidlaw and his colleague Ed Smith today on the report, which was completed last week. However, the Department... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/laidlaw-evidence-session-postponed 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/laidlaw-evidence-session-postponed Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT New camera technology has been introduced at Thames Valley level crossings to change motorists’ behaviour and avoid disruption. Network Rail has funded purpose-built police vans with nine cameras using number plate recognition technology to catch drivers who try to jump lights or drive around barriers at level... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-camera-vans-for-thames-valley 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-camera-vans-for-thames-valley Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cash payments for metal have been banned from today under new laws to tackle cable theft. The crime has hit the railway industry particularly hard, leading to significant delays and costs. The changes were announced by Home Secretary Theresa May and penalties for those breaking the law have also been increased in amendments to the Legal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/legal-change-to-stop-cash-payments-for-metal 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/legal-change-to-stop-cash-payments-for-metal Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Northern Rail is launching a campaign to help passengers stay safe on trains and at stations this winter. Posters are being distributed to alert passengers to the dangers of slips, trips and falls. Between 1 November 2011 and 31 October 2012, there were 354 reported accidents at Northern Rail stations, 67% of which were slips, trips or... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/safety-at-stations-urged-by-northern-rail 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/safety-at-stations-urged-by-northern-rail Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Recommendations from the McNulty review are causing significant safety risks, rail union RMT has argued, following damage to a section of rail on the East Coast Main Line. A crack was discovered on the rail at Colton Junction, south of York, which developed into a five-inch gap. The union has published a picture of the crack taken at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/track-damage-caused-by-efficiency-drive--rmt 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/track-damage-caused-by-efficiency-drive--rmt Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Positive responses to a Government consultation on rail devolution offer support for Centro’s bid to take control of rail services in the West Midlands. Responses indicated that the public believe local communities could achieve better rail services and better value for money if they had more say on how their railways were... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/centro-pushes-for-local-rail-control 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/centro-pushes-for-local-rail-control Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT One of the senior civil servants suspended over the West Coast contract fiasco has appealed to the High Court to overturn that decision. Kate Mingay is the director of commercial and technical services at the DfT and chaired a committee that played a key role in choosing the FirstGroup bid for the West Coast franchise. Virgin Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/civil-servant-feels-scapegoated-over-west-coast-suspension 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/civil-servant-feels-scapegoated-over-west-coast-suspension Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Tonkin has been appointed the chairman for the Railway Industry Association (RIA). He will lead the organisation’s council, formed of senior representatives of member companies, and direct the activities of the association. Tonkin takes over from Bombardier’s former chairman Colin Walton, who has completed his... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/david-tonkin-named-ria-chairman 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/david-tonkin-named-ria-chairman Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has submitted updated plans for a new maintenance centre in Derby to accommodate the Midland Main Line (MML) electrification support team. The centre will bring together up to 400 maintenance staff from existing offices and sub-depots across the East Midlands and 50 new electrification maintenance specialists. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-maintenance-centre-plans-updated 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-maintenance-centre-plans-updated Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Invensys has sold its rail business to its competitor Siemens for £1.74bn. The shock sale came after a failed takeover earlier this year by Emerson Electric. Siemens and Invensys have been working together recently to provide signalling for Crossrail. Shares for the division closed up at 27% at 280p on Wednesday... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/siemens-buys-invensys-rail-division-for-174bn 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/siemens-buys-invensys-rail-division-for-174bn Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Publication of the report into the West Coast fiasco has been delayed, the Department for Transport has announced. Sam Laidlaw handed in his report on the deal on Wednesday, but transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has decided not to publish his findings immediately. He had previously indicated he would make the report public shortly... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-report-delayed 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-report-delayed Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Elizabeth’ has begun tunnelling to create the eastern section of rail line between Docklands and central London. At 8.3km this will form the longest section of the tunnels. The other TBM, Victoria, will also begin work on the eastern tunnels later this year. Pre-cast concrete... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/work-begins-on-eastern-tunnels 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/work-begins-on-eastern-tunnels Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Free wi-fi is to be introduced at 100 Greater Anglia stations, the train operator has announced. Working in partnership with The Cloud, the service will be rolled out over the next few months. Participating stations include Cambridge, Norwich and Stansted Airport. The move is to enhance customer service and deliver on franchise... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/greater-anglia-rolls-out-free-wi-fi 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/greater-anglia-rolls-out-free-wi-fi Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaign groups in the West Midlands are calling for measures to extend the benefits of HS2 across the whole region. Go-HS2, formed of Centro and Birmingham City Council amongst others, is pressing for the design of the station in Birmingham to allow seamless transfer from local and regional services straight onto HS2. The Metro... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-must-benefit-all-west-midlands--go-hs2 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-must-benefit-all-west-midlands--go-hs2 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Some rail fares are to rise to 6.5% for season ticket holders in England, Scotland and Wales in January. Last month Prime Minister David Cameron intervened to limit average rises to 1% above inflation for the next two years but the average rise in 2013 will still be 4.2%. TOCs will be able to raise some season tickets above 4.2% as long... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/season-tickets-to-rise-65-in-2013 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/season-tickets-to-rise-65-in-2013 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Widespread flooding has caused significant disruption to the rail network over the past few days, with severe problems in Wales, as well as travel chaos for the north east and western England. Yesterday First Great Western advised passengers not to travel in the Tiverton Parkway area and stated that it did not expect to be able to run... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/flooding-causes-widespread-rail-disruption 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/flooding-causes-widespread-rail-disruption Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT national education centre has had its new extension officially opened in Doncaster. The organisation is embarking on a programme to further educate representatives, which it said will “drive the RMT’s brand of industrial trade unionism deep into workplaces the length and breadth of the land”. The extension will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-wants-to-tool-up-hundreds-of-militant-reps- 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-wants-to-tool-up-hundreds-of-militant-reps- Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers are in support of greater rail devolution and having more say on how the railways are run, responses to a Government consultation suggest. The DfT consultation was launched in March and calls for transport models to be specifically designed for particular regions on the basis of local geography and structure of local... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/support-for-greater-rail-devolution-expressed 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/support-for-greater-rail-devolution-expressed Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new study on train operators’ costs and revenues has been published, to highlight and compare expenditure across franchises and over the years. Operator costs accounted for 48% of total rail industry costs in 2010-11 and revenue now broadly matches their direct costs. Net subsidy paid from the DfT and Transport Scotland to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-publishes-toc-costs-and-revenues 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-publishes-toc-costs-and-revenues Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance has fallen sharply for period 8, new figures from Network Rail show. PPM for October 14 – November 10 was 88.9%, down from 92.3% in the previous period and 89.3% in the same period last year. The moving annual average (MAA) is now at 91.7%. The train operator with the highest scores was c2c rail, with a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-at-889-for-period-8 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-at-889-for-period-8 Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Long-term rail franchises should be scrapped and replaced with ‘horses for courses’ franchises, industry experts have suggested. The Guardian has reported that the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) believes franchises should vary for train operators on commuter or long-distance routes and recommends moving away from a model based too... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tocs-backing-away-from-support-for-long-term-franchises--rdg 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tocs-backing-away-from-support-for-long-term-franchises--rdg Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The launch of London-Frankfurt high-speed services has been pushed back due to Siemens’ delay in supplying 16 ICE 3 trains to Deutsche Bahn. Berthold Huber, chief executive of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance passenger train division, told reporters: “Our customers feel let down by Siemens. You have to keep... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-frankfurt-launch-postponed-due-to-siemens-delays 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-frankfurt-launch-postponed-due-to-siemens-delays Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RAIB has said that failure to improve a set of safety barriers was one of the causes of a crash in which a car left a road and was hit by a train. It happened on the road between Stowmarket and Old Newton on the evening of 30 November 2011. The car went through a wire fence on to the track, but the driver managed to escape minutes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/safety-barriers-blamed-for-train-hitting-car 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/safety-barriers-blamed-for-train-hitting-car Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stansted Airport says that faster and more reliable rail links could help attract at least an extra 1.4 million passengers a year to use the airport. Its new ‘vision’ for rail, launched today, includes plans for a 30-minute journey time from London, extending Crossrail to Stansted, and a long-term vision for it to become the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stansted-calls-for-faster-rail-links-and-crossrail-connection 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stansted-calls-for-faster-rail-links-and-crossrail-connection Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Pro-HS2 research group Greengauge 21 says it thinks the rest of the country will benefit more than London from the high-speed link. In its evidence to the Independent Transport Commission, the organisation cites better connectivity to the ‘gateways for global commerce’, the main international airports and also the Channel... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-regions-will-feel-more-hs2-benefit-than-london 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-regions-will-feel-more-hs2-benefit-than-london Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has published its half-year financial results for 2012/13, showing an increase in revenue, but a big rise in debt. Net borrowing at March 31 was just over £28bn, up from £27.2bn. This was “as anticipated”, Network Rail stated. Revenue was £3.17bn compared to just under £3bn for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/strong-traffic-growth-for-network-rail 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/strong-traffic-growth-for-network-rail Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The DfT is to allow TOCs to make more changes to their timetables during special events. Following a successful trial during the Olympic Games, operators will be able to make adjustments to small portions of the timetable during special occasions, such as cultural or sporting events. Operators will be allowed to alter up to 30% of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/more-timetable-flexibility-for-special-events 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/more-timetable-flexibility-for-special-events Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Government funding has been secured to provide rail employers with training and mentoring for women working in their business. The money was awarded through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ Employer Investment Fund to Women 1st. In the rail industry, just 23% of management positions are held by women, while 98% of train... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/training-for-women-in-rail-industry-announced 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/training-for-women-in-rail-industry-announced Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improved health and safety could provide cost savings for the rail industry, delegates at the IOSH Rail Industry Conference 2012 heard yesterday. Concerns were highlighted over the risk of cost cutting and the effects a negative perception of health and safety could have on worker protection. But health and safety can provide savings... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/iosh-highlights-cost-savings-for-rail 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/iosh-highlights-cost-savings-for-rail Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Expanded data on transparency is now available on Network Rail’s website. Information categories include updated information on budget and costs of high-profile projects, expenditure on staff travel, hotels and IT. New categories published also include non-executive directors’ business expenses, business expenses and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-continues-transparency-push 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-continues-transparency-push Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Freightliner has run the first Shortliner service, increasing its 40ft capacity by 42%. Earlier this year, Freightliner placed an order with VTG for a fleet of twin platform wagons, to meet the demand of the evolving deep sea container market. The wagons are designed to maximise the amount of 40 ft containers that can be hauled per... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-shortliner-service-increases-capcity 386,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-shortliner-service-increases-capcity Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded Morgan Sindall a £20m contract as part of the North Doncaster Chord project, to remove a freight bottleneck from the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The work will be carried out by a new alliance of Network Rail, Morgan Sindall and URS. The £45m flyover at Shaftholme will take slow freight trains... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/morgan-sindall-wins-20m-north-doncaster-chord-project 387,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/morgan-sindall-wins-20m-north-doncaster-chord-project Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Former Network Rail apprentices have graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with Higher National Certificates in railway engineering.  Network Rail offers 40 places a year for employees to undertake the course whilst on the apprenticeship scheme. It is a two-year part-time course, with fees and accommodation paid for by Network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-apprentices-gain-engineering-degrees 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-apprentices-gain-engineering-degrees Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Public consultation opens today on plans for the Ordsall Chord – a project to improve rail travel in the north by improving the connections between Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria stations. Experts are progressing the design of the project, including two potential bridge options on display: a bow string railway arch... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ordsall-chord-consultation-opens 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ordsall-chord-consultation-opens Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT English, Welsh and Scottish Railways International (EWSI) has been fined £180,000 for breaches of health and safety law which led to the death of Liam Gill, 13, and the serious injury of two 14-year old boys at Allerton rail depot in August 2009. EWSI pleaded guilty to the charges. Liam and his friends were trespassing on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ewsi-fined-for-health-and-safety-breach-that-led-to-death 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ewsi-fined-for-health-and-safety-breach-that-led-to-death Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bam Nuttall has been awarded a £20m contract to deliver a dive-under at the Acton freight yard in West London. Network Rail awarded the contract to avoid disruption to passenger services, and work is expected to begin next May. Freight trains currently need to cross the main line passenger tracks to enter and leave the yard. A... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-dive-under-win-for-bam-nuttall 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-dive-under-win-for-bam-nuttall Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A Tube strike will take place this weekend in a dispute over pensions, the RMT has announced. Tube Line workers will go on strike from 6am on Friday 23 November to 5:59am on Saturday 24 November. Action by staff has already led to the cancellation of major works on the Northern line this past weekend. Tube Lines staff are responsible... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-strike-action-to-take-place-this-weekend 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-strike-action-to-take-place-this-weekend Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Keith Ludeman has been appointed as a non-executive director of Network Rail Consulting. Ludeman most recently worked as the chief executive of Go-Ahead Group, from 2006-2011, and has also served as a non-executive director of Network Rail. He joins chairman Simon Kirby, managing director Nigel Ash and group finance director Patrick... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-consulting-appoints-keith-ludeman 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-consulting-appoints-keith-ludeman Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A consortium led by Siemens has won the signalling and control equipment contract for Crossrail’s central section, worth an estimated €60m. The contract covers the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the train control system, which is scheduled for the end of 2008. The system will be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/siemens-wins-60m-crossrail-signalling-project 379,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/siemens-wins-60m-crossrail-signalling-project Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new website offers young people the chance to make professional connections in the rail industry. Young Railway Professionals (YRP) has launched their new website, complete with social networking functionality. The network is intended to bring young people together across the rail industry into a professional online... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/social-networking-for-railway-professionals 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/social-networking-for-railway-professionals Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Southern is to order an extra 40 Electrostar carriages from Bombardier at Derby, and is “developing proposals” with the DfT for a new procurement competition for 116 new electric (dual voltage) vehicles, with an option for a further 100. The procurement of 40 new carriages, for an expected £60m, extends the £188m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/southern-announces-major-rolling-stock-procurement 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/southern-announces-major-rolling-stock-procurement Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bristol Temple Meads station is to benefit from a £100m investment by the end of 2020, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced. Network Rail will redevelop the station into a “world-class railway hub”, after there was a 46% in passengers using the station in the last year. Two unused platforms will be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/100m-bristol-temple-meads-station-upgrade-announced 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/100m-bristol-temple-meads-station-upgrade-announced Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new freight line has been officially opened, linking the Nuneaton – Felixstowe route to the West Coast Main Line. The Nuneaton North Chord was launched by transport minister Simon Burns yesterday, after the first train ran from Harpenden to Basford Hall on October 21. The £28.3m project saw 0.9 miles of new track laid... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nuneaton-north-chord-opened 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nuneaton-north-chord-opened Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new campaign has launched to promote public transport in cities, to cut carbon and boost the economy. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has launched ‘Grow with Public Transport’ to support its objective of doubling the global market share of public transport by 2025. By 2025, urban mobility is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/public-transport-should-be-preferred-choice--uitp 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/public-transport-should-be-preferred-choice--uitp Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond has called for the north of England and Scotland to work together to boost their economies and press for an extension of HS2. Addressing the North East Economic Forum, Salmond urged business leaders and agencies to work with Transport Scotland to push for HS2 to be continued up to Scotland. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gaping-need-for-high-speed-rail-in-scotland--salmond 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gaping-need-for-high-speed-rail-in-scotland--salmond Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Peterborough station has been officially opened today by transport minister Simon Burns, following the completion of a £3.3m improvement project. Improvements include: redesigned station frontage, enhanced lighting, a bigger concourse with improved accessibility, new electronic information screens, additional seating, improved CCTV... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/33m-peterborough-station-improvements-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/33m-peterborough-station-improvements-complete Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans for the Ordsall Chord will be put out to consultation, Network Rail has announced. The project would connect Manchester stations, and increase journey times and frequencies across the North West. The plans will be out to public consultation from Tuesday November 20. The Ordsall Chord plans would see two new fast trains per... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ordsall-chord-plans-revealed 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ordsall-chord-plans-revealed Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has appointed Thales Training & Consultancy to supply leadership and management training courses and workshops. The contract will cover administration and delivery of five new training modules to over 2,000 senior roles until Q1 2013. Martin Arter, programme and technical services director of Network Rail’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thales-training-consultancy-to-deliver-network-rail-training 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thales-training-consultancy-to-deliver-network-rail-training Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Aslef has rejected a fresh offer from London Underground aimed at ending the possibility of a Boxing Day drivers’ strike. The union says the LU offer falls “well short” of their demands. LU said it would give drivers greater flexibility with their leave over the Christmas period by proposing to schedule drivers to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/boxing-day-tube-strike-looking-more-likely 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/boxing-day-tube-strike-looking-more-likely Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Representatives from HS2 Ltd and the DfT are touring the route of the new high-speed line over the coming months to tell residents more about the proposed compensation arrangements. The first event is on Thursday (November 15) at Old Oak Common, and the final one is in Northamptonshire on January 16. The Department for Transport... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/homeowners-to-quiz-dft-officials-over-hs2-compensation 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/homeowners-to-quiz-dft-officials-over-hs2-compensation Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Home secretary Theresa May, who is MP for Maidenhead, has spoken of her “disappointment” that there will be no fast services on Crossrail and said the project must complement and not replace existing fast services. Following a meeting with Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan, May told local newspaper the Maidenhead Advertiser that... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/theresa-may-warns-over-crossrail-replacing-fast-services 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/theresa-may-warns-over-crossrail-replacing-fast-services Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons, and moves on to the next stage in the parliamentary process. MP Richard Ottaway’s Private Members Bill will now go to the House of Lords for consideration. Metal theft affects multiple industries and the current cost of the crime to the UK economy is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metal-dealers-bill-passes-house-of-commons 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metal-dealers-bill-passes-house-of-commons Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish Government has announced plans to reduce the journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow to 30 minutes, through the introduction of high-speed rail. The scheme aims to deliver 140mph services by 2024, nine years before any high-speed link from England can be expected north of the border. The HS2 link between London and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotland-wont-wait-for-high-speed-rail 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotland-wont-wait-for-high-speed-rail Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT London Overground is five years old today, and is being widely hailed as a huge success. Transport for London took over management of the railway in 2007. Chief operating officer for London Rail, Howard Smith, who sits on RTM’s editorial board, calls it a “perfect example” of how well-planned and well-run train services... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfls-perfect-example-celebrates-fifth-birthday 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfls-perfect-example-celebrates-fifth-birthday Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stations at Rhyl, Port Talbot Parkway, Aberystwyth, Pontypridd and Ystrad Mynach are to be upgraded as part of the second round of improvement works in Wales. Improvements will include an upgraded station environment, as well as step free access. The total £40m Wales Station Improvement Programme has also covered £7.9m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/40m-welsh-station-upgrade-remit-widened 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/40m-welsh-station-upgrade-remit-widened Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is on track to deliver the efficiency savings required by the ORR, the latest annual performance assessment shows. The report found Network Rail achieved efficiencies of £775m over the past three years, and is on target to deliver required savings by 2014. However, the ORR still has concerns about punctuality and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/775m-efficiencies-achieved-by-network-rail 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/775m-efficiencies-achieved-by-network-rail Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT More disabled people are travelling by train than ever before, new data suggests. The number of journeys made using a Disabled Person’s Railcard has increased by 165% since 2001-02 to nearly 4,000,000. ATOC set up the first National Rail Accessibility Group, which launched this week, to facilitate discussion on policy and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/disabled-access-to-rail-increases-by-165 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/disabled-access-to-rail-increases-by-165 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup is in negotiations for an extension to its Great Western rail franchise, as it continues to hold onto the threat of legal action on West Coast after the contract was awarded then overturned. The company hopes to retain the Great Western route on enhanced terms. The timetable for the new franchise has already moved from April to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/otoole-in-talks-to-extend-great-western-franchise 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/otoole-in-talks-to-extend-great-western-franchise Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 will help the UK to meet its carbon emissions targets, a major environmental report has suggested. In particular, the second phase of HS2, to Manchester and Leeds, is expected to lower carbon emissions. The first phase, the new line between London and the West Midlands, creates carbon savings of 1.8m tonnes of CO2 over sixty years... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/substantial-carbon-cuts-from-hs2-phase-2 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/substantial-carbon-cuts-from-hs2-phase-2 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT New powers to deter metal theft are to be announced this week, including larger fines for ‘rogue’ traders and stronger police rights of entry to scrapyards. Metal theft occurs around 1,000 times each week and costs the UK an estimated £220m a year. Jeremy Browne, the crime prevention minister, will announce the new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metal-theft-powers-to-be-introduced 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metal-theft-powers-to-be-introduced Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The operator of Tyne and Wear Metro has launched a new training scheme for managers and supervisors. In partnership with training provider Amacus, the Nexus Frontline Leadership Programme will deliver training to around 60 managers. The programme will ensure staff have the key skills to meet future demands on the organisation. Training... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nexus-launches-management-training-scheme 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nexus-launches-management-training-scheme Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The train derailment at Inverkeilor last Sunday was a result of vandalism, British Transport Police have confirmed. The 08:04 CrossCountry service from Edinburgh to Aberdeen came off the tracks at Inverkeilor in Angus, with 36 passengers on board. Nobody was hurt. BTP’s Detective Inspector Kevin McCormack said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scottish-train-derailment-due-to-vandalism--btp 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scottish-train-derailment-due-to-vandalism--btp Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Fares on London transport for the new year have been capped at an increase of RPI + 1%, the Mayor has announced. This will result in average rises of 4.2% in 2013. Boris Johnson declared that £96m funding had been secured to ensure the fare rise was as low as possible. He also highlighted an expansion in investment in the network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-fares-to-be-capped-at-rpi1 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfl-fares-to-be-capped-at-rpi1 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has announced plans to replace Ufton Nervet level crossing with a road bridge, to eliminate risk. A total of eight people have been killed at the level crossing. A feasibility study was conducted into options including a road bridge, underpass or the installation of full barriers, and Network Rail has concluded that a road... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ufton-nervet-level-crossing-bridge-plans 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ufton-nervet-level-crossing-bridge-plans Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Trains’ contract to run the West Coast Main Line franchise has been extended for 23 months, the Government has announced – just days before it was due to expire. The contract was initially awarded to FirstGroup, but following a legal challenge by Virgin, a DfT inquiry found that there had been “fundamental... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/23-month-extension-for-virgin-on-west-coast 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/23-month-extension-for-virgin-on-west-coast Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The sale of Network Rail’s heavy plant business is due to be completed this week. Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd is to complete the sale of NDS-Plant to TXM-Plant, it has announced. The sale will see the transfer of all associated assets, securing 377 jobs. NDS-Plant was formed as a subsidiary of Network Rail in November 2011... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nds-plant-to-be-sold-to-txm-plant 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nds-plant-to-be-sold-to-txm-plant Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new Metrolink bridge to transport passengers to Manchester Airport was installed over the M60 this weekend. The 580-tonne bridge was specially constructed to facilitate its installation during a single motorway closure, and comprises one of the two bridges on the new tram line currently in progress. The installation of the bridge... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-metrolink-bridge-moved-into-place-over-m60 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-metrolink-bridge-moved-into-place-over-m60 Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT An agreement on the transfer of responsibility for the Borders railway deal is due to be signed today. At a ceremony in Newtongrange, Midlothian, Scotland’s transport secretary Keith Brown will officially hand over the project from Transport Scotland to Network Rail. The contract process has taken over two years to reach this... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-scotland-transfers-borders-to-network-rail 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-scotland-transfers-borders-to-network-rail Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A derailment in eastern Scotland yesterday morning is causing serious disruption to travel between Aberdeen and the central belt today. The 8.04am CrossCountry service from Edinburgh to Aberdeen came off the tracks at Inverkeilor, a village between Arbroath and Montrose, north-east of Dundee, blocking the adjacent line, according to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/main-line-derailment-causes-widespread-disruption 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/main-line-derailment-causes-widespread-disruption Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail chairman professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at Railtex 2013. It will take place on the second day of the major rail infrastructure show at London’s Earls Court. Professor Parry-Jones, who was appointed to his role in March, has extensive experience in the engineering sector... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/railtex-2013-announces-keynote-speaker 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/railtex-2013-announces-keynote-speaker Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners who want Thameslink rolling stock reserve bidder Bombardier to be handed the contract after the repeated delays by Siemens in achieving financial close need to understand that the same problems would be faced by the Canadian company, the Financial Times has reported. As was well-established during the transport select... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/if-siemens-cant-manage-thameslink-nor-can-bombardier 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/if-siemens-cant-manage-thameslink-nor-can-bombardier Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The main railway bridge in Shrewsbury is to get a £1.8m facelift, Network Rail has said.  The Shropshire Star newspaper reports that the bridge over the River Severn near the station is to be grit-blasted and undergo repair and refurbishment work, and get a new long-lasting paint job which should be good for 25... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/18m-refurbishment-for-shrewsbury-rail-bridge 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/18m-refurbishment-for-shrewsbury-rail-bridge Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Under-fire operator London Midland has been accused in the House of Lords of being “not fit to run the franchise” after cancelling hundreds of services due to a lack of drivers over the past month.  The TOC has seen a higher than normal turnover of drivers, and has also had many staff catching up on annual leave cancelled... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-midland-attacked-by-lords-over-cancellations 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-midland-attacked-by-lords-over-cancellations Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail has said its ban on night-time drinking on all its services is proving a success so far. People seem generally to be complying and there have been few arrests, with just five people reported to the procurator fiscal according to The Herald newspaper.  Passenger Focus had worried the ban could prove unenforceable, but... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotrail-hails-success-of-night-time-alcohol-ban 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotrail-hails-success-of-night-time-alcohol-ban Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT ATOC says fewer passengers than last year will be disrupted by Christmas and New Year engineering works.  The “vast majority” of train passengers should experience no disruption due to planned works, it said, noting that the number of replacement buses has almost halved compared to last Christmas.  Among the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/vast-majority-unaffected-by-christmas-engineering-works--atoc 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/vast-majority-unaffected-by-christmas-engineering-works--atoc Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new-look Leicester Station got its official opening on October 1. RTM hears about the improvements from route enhancements manager Spencer Gibbens. Leicester station is a much nicer environment for passengers after an intensive £6m refurbishment. Work started in October last year to improve the station entrance with a new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-gateway-to-leicester 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-gateway-to-leicester Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Steve Featherstone, director of track infrastructure projects at Network Rail, describes the new track relaying system which is making the most of short possession times. Tighter access windows for maintenance work on the railway and higher passenger demands prompted Network Rail to invest serious energy into engineering innovative... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-new-approach-to-renewals 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-new-approach-to-renewals Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Greater Anglia fleet manager Steve Mitchell about the upcoming £3m upgrade to its Class 156 fleet as part of its C6 overhaul. Greater Anglia, the Abellio-owned TOC which took over the franchise to run services across East Anglia in February, has announced an overhaul of its nine two-carriage Class 156... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-new-look-class-156-fleet 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-new-look-class-156-fleet Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Morris, chairman of CIRAS, considers the changing face of safety in the rail industry and the role of a whistleblowing body in relation to this. Safety is often cited as the ‘number one’ priority in the rail industry; but sometimes issues arise which staff can feel uncomfortable or unconfident in raising directly with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/blowing-the-whistle 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/blowing-the-whistle Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM reports from Dinner at the Roundhouse 2012, with keynote speeches from Anna Walker, chair of the ORR, who spoke of the need for the railways to ‘move forward positively’ after the West Coast franchising debacle, and Prof Richard Parry-Jones, chairman of Network Rail. The annual black tie dinner at the famous Derby... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse 384,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Amy Hirst reports on the recent Holyrood debate on EGIP – and whether the lost £350m constitutes cuts or savings. In July, the revised Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) was announced – with £350m funding less than the £1bn originally pledged. Scottish Labour has attacked the Scottish... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/egip-a-shadow-of-its-former-self 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/egip-a-shadow-of-its-former-self Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Can the introduction of new transport infrastructure be achieved in a sustainable way? Or is there a trade-off between ‘green’ and ‘growth’? Kate Ashley reports from the Labour conference fringe. Sustainable transport is a key priority for the rail industry, and a significant justification for investment: but... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/green-or-growth-can-we-have-both 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/green-or-growth-can-we-have-both Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Julian Harms, route asset manager and geotechnical engineer for Network Rail on earthworks, discusses recent severe weather and the industry’s response. Following a season of rain and storms, it is ever more important that Network Rail acts to adequately prepare and maintain its assets across the railway, and tries to reduce... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/identifying-earthworks-risk 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/identifying-earthworks-risk Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Niall Gray reports on the upcoming refurbishment of South West Trains’ Class 455 fleet and Stagecoach’s decision to invest £3.2m in a state-of-the-art paint shop at its Bournemouth traincare depot. In a £23m project slated to take four years, Porterbrook has signed a contract with Stagecoach South West to update... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/looking-good 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/looking-good Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A fringe event was held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Light Rail at all three party conferences. RTM reports from the event held at Manchester Town Hall during the Labour conference, which heard from Centro and UK Tram chair Geoff Inskip, Stuart Kerr of Vossloh Kiepe, Jim Harkins, who provides secretariat support to the APPG, Labour... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/making-the-case-for-light-rail 385,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/making-the-case-for-light-rail Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and DfT permanent secretary Philip Rutnam faced MPs on the transport select committee yesterday afternoon, receiving a serious grilling over the West Coast franchising failures.  “Mistakes which were made should not have been made,” McLoughlin said. “It is very regrettable and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mps-probe-mcloughlin-and-rutnam-over-franchising-failings 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mps-probe-mcloughlin-and-rutnam-over-franchising-failings Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has welcomed the Government go-ahead for the North Doncaster Chord, a key East Coast Main Line upgrade.  The £45m flyover at Shaftholme will take slow freight trains from the Humber ports up and over the ECML, rather than across and along it, feeing up capacity.  It is part of the wider set of CP4 ECML... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/north-doncaster-chord-consent-a-significant-step-for-ecml-upgrade 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/north-doncaster-chord-consent-a-significant-step-for-ecml-upgrade Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Innovations 2012 conference highlighted exciting new opportunities in research and development; Kate Ashley reports. Innovation is vital to improvement across the rail industry, yet risk can hold back investment for such research. RTM attended the fourth Rail Innovations conference, held at the University of Birmingham on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-innovation-2012 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-innovation-2012 Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT One particularly well-received part of NSARE’s Training Matters conference involved three of Network Rail’s year 3 track apprentices, who came to Derby to speak after having been impressed with NSARE at the launch at Farringdon station in July of the Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning. Adam Hewitt... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-next-generation 394,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-next-generation Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Hytch, information systems director at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), speaks to RTM about a station powered by its own wind turbine. A new wind turbine has been installed at Horwich station, to provide 50% of its electricity needs, reduce the amount of power taken from the national grid and offer cost and carbon... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-power-of-the-wind 375,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-power-of-the-wind Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s new ‘Alternative Solutions’ RUS, which is out for consultation, includes a major section on community rail. RTM discusses the current state of affairs – and ideas for the future – with Neil Buxton, general manager of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP). Community rail is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-role-of-commiunity-rail 392,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-role-of-commiunity-rail Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish Government is introducing a country-wide travel smartcard to improve access across all different modes of transport. Kate Ashley reports. In October, the Scottish Government announced plans for the Saltire Card – a smartcard that can be used across public transport networks in Scotland. Deputy First Minister Nicola... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-saltire-card 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-saltire-card Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to Hitachi Rail Europe about the concept behind its prototype traffic management system being developed for Network Rail, and its bid leader Emilio Diez tells us how it could integrate with both modern and legacy signalling systems. Network Rail is pushing ahead with its plans to implement a new traffic management system to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/traffic-management 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/traffic-management Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Julian Huppert MP, who represents Cambridge and is co-chair of the Lib Dem transport committee, says his party opposes the consensus that passengers should bear an ever-increasing burden of the costs of rail. Since the last Government introduced above inflation rail fare rises in 2003, the story has been the same every year: higher... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/who-should-pay-for-the-railways-passengers-or-taxpayers 389,378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/who-should-pay-for-the-railways-passengers-or-taxpayers Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains has launched a new engineering apprenticeship scheme, with four new recruits joining the company. The scheme is supported by Derby College and the apprentices will be based at maintenance depots in Etches Park, Derby and Eastcroft in Nottingham, whilst attending the College’s Engineering Academy to complete... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/apprenticeship-scheme-launched-by-east-midlands-trains 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/apprenticeship-scheme-launched-by-east-midlands-trains Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Doubts have been raised over the controversial Thameslink rolling stock contract, with transport minister Simon Burns indicating that alternatives to Siemens were being considered in case financial close cannot be achieved. Steve Scrimshaw, managing director of Siemens Rail, said today: “The Thameslink negotiations are ongoing and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/government-considering-alternatives-to-siemens-over-thameslink 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/government-considering-alternatives-to-siemens-over-thameslink Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work will begin this week on a £5.1m project to improve Llandudno Station in North Wales. The Welsh Government is investing £3.5m, Network Rail is providing £1.5m through the National Station Improvement Programme and the Railway Heritage Trust is funding £150,000. The legally constituted joint committee of six... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/llandudno-station-improvement-work-starts 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/llandudno-station-improvement-work-starts Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chris Williams-Lilley, founder and managing director of Rail Champions, discusses corporate social responsibility. Over the past 12 months, Rail Champions has been working with a business-led charity, Business In The Community, which helps companies and individuals transform their business and communities through Corporate Social... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/meeting-the-csr-challenge 389,384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/meeting-the-csr-challenge Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Morgan Sindall has won a £15.9m contract to construct Network Rail’s North West Operating Centre. The centre will be based in Gorton, Manchester and will provide a base for operations within the region, as well as accommodation for personnel and control equipment. The building is designed to meet BREEAM ‘Very... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/159m-contract-for-new-regional-operating-centre 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/159m-contract-for-new-regional-operating-centre Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A consultation has been launched proposing the transfer of DB Schenker Rail UK’s 250 property interests across the network to Network Rail. The move could promote capacity and enable improved time-keeping, and make the railway more attractive for freight. The transfer could facilitate competition between operators, allow the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-property-interests-could-be-transferred-to-network-rail 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-property-interests-could-be-transferred-to-network-rail Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the House of Commons the Laidlaw report into the West Coast franchising errors confirmed he had been right to scrap the competition in October. Presenting the findings of the report on Monday, McLoughlin highlighted the problems identified so far included a lack of transparency, inconsistencies... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mcloughlin-reports-west-coast-errors-to-commons 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mcloughlin-reports-west-coast-errors-to-commons Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Progress is on track for the replacement of Loughor Viaduct in south Wales, Network Rail has reported. The £48m project is necessary to upgrade rail infrastructure by doubling the track between Swansea and Gowerton. The launch of the first section of the new bridge deck is due to take place this week, with the first 80 metres... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/loughor-viaduct-work-on-track 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/loughor-viaduct-work-on-track Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Police in the West Midlands will be launching ‘Operation Goliath’ tomorrow, to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. Officers from the Safer Travel team will mount extra patrols on buses, trains and trams across the network on October 30, to stage a visible presence against low-level misbehaviour. The Safer... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/operation-goliath-to-tackle-low-level-transport-crime 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/operation-goliath-to-tackle-low-level-transport-crime Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Rail could bid for the East Coast Main Line franchise when it is put up for tender next year, Sir Richard Branson has revealed. Following the initial award of the West Coast franchise to FirstGroup, it seemed as if Virgin would no longer be operating in the UK rail industry, with Sir Richard stating that it would be unlikely to bid... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-east-coast-bid-very-likely-sir-richard 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-east-coast-bid-very-likely-sir-richard Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has announced its planned compensation package for properties affected by the proposed £17bn high speed rail link between London and Birmingham. It could result in a payout of up to £1.3bn, yet campaigners have argued it is still not enough. Described as ‘generous’ by the DfT, the scheme goes beyond... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/13bn-compensation-scheme-revealed-for-hs2 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/13bn-compensation-scheme-revealed-for-hs2 Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stagecoach Group is the highest listed public transport group for carbon disclosure, a new report shows. The Carbon Disclosure Project FTSE 350 Climate Change Report 2012 analysed how companies are measuring and disclosing the impact of their business on the environment. Focusing on the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cdp-rates-stagecoach-as-best-transport-group-for-carbon 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cdp-rates-stagecoach-as-best-transport-group-for-carbon Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is to make future roadworks plans more readily available to the public, by feeding information to an interactive website. The website operates by utilising Google Maps to display areas of future roadworks within England and Wales. While the site currently features imminent roadworks stemming from other utilities, such as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-to-improve-information-of-rail-maintenance 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-to-improve-information-of-rail-maintenance Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance for period 7 is 92.3%, down from period 6 but up from the same period last year when it stood at 91.5%. The Moving Annual Average (MAA) is now at 91.7%. The latest figures cover the period from September 16 to October 13. The best performing franchise was c2c Rail, with a PPM of 98.2% and MAA of 97.4%. c2c... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-at-923-for-period-7 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-at-923-for-period-7 Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail minister Norman Baker has held talks with London Midland, following over 60 service cancellations yesterday. The operator has blamed a lack of qualified drivers, and said the issue will be resolved in mid-December. London Midland has posted an apology on its website and is providing daily updates on the cancellations. A... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/baker-monitoring-london-midland-cancellations 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/baker-monitoring-london-midland-cancellations Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi has announced a range of new appointments to its senior management team, to meet the challenges of the Intercity Express Programme contract. Chiaki Ueda, former chairman of Hitachi Rail Europe, is retiring. His replacement, Alistair Dormer, will take the position of Executive Chairman and CEO. Hirofumi Ojima has been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-senior-team-for-hitachi-rail-europe 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-senior-team-for-hitachi-rail-europe Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A pan-European railway system must be implemented in the UK to improve operability of travel and ticketing across public transport services, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has urged. European systems, which collate travel data more effectively, are thought to provide better customer information, such as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-systems-should-be-updated-to-pan-european-standards--uitp 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-systems-should-be-updated-to-pan-european-standards--uitp Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Liverpool Central station has reopened after a £20m revamp. The station closed in April to allow the refurbishment of the Wirral and Northern Line facilities. Work involved platforms being retiled and ceilings replaced, renewed escalators and machinery rooms removed to create more platform space. The Wirral line was reopened in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/20m-liverpool-central-refurbishment-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/20m-liverpool-central-refurbishment-complete Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Nexus has begun installing new smart ticket machines at stations in Newcastle city centre, as well as electronic ticket gates and smart card validators. So far, 45 out of 60 Metro stations have been upgraded with smart ticket machines, capable of accepting credit and debit cards as well as bank notes and coins. Work is currently... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/smart-card-roll-out-reaches-newcastle-city-centre 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/smart-card-roll-out-reaches-newcastle-city-centre Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Track improvements are due to start on the Tarka line between Exeter and Barnstaple, with nine miles of track to be renewed, making the journey smoother for passengers and preparing for faster journey times. Work will take place at Lapford and between Eggesford and Portsmouth Arms, with further improvements planned between Crediton and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tarka-track-renewal-announced 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tarka-track-renewal-announced Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The delays to a planned hourly service for Aberystwyth have been described as “frustrating” by a local MP. The proposals were due to start last year, but are now due to begin from 2014-15, as the single track Cambrian Line was not ready for the service. The line became the first to use ERTMS in 2010, but the track still needs... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/aberystwyth-hourly-service-delays-criticised 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/aberystwyth-hourly-service-delays-criticised Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia has recorded its best ever train punctuality figures, with a PPM of 95.03%. The results are for the four-week period ended October 13, and are the highest since the current franchise was introduced. MAA has also improved to 91.7%, demonstrating long-term improvements. Improved performance has been achieved through the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/highest-punctuality-for-greater-anglia 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/highest-punctuality-for-greater-anglia Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new rail link between London and Oxford has finally been approved. The £130m scheme will run from Marylebone station and link to the line between Bicester and Oxford. The project will involve 10 miles of dilapidated track being upgraded, and two new stations will be built – one replacement at Bicester and one in north Oxford... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-oxford-line-approved 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-oxford-line-approved Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improved information is now available for South West Trains (SWT) passengers, through the implementation of an online tool which shows disruption on the network. The project is part of a drive to improve communication with customers. The ‘Rainbow Board’ provides a summary of how the network is running, allowing passengers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/swt-introduces-service-status-check-board 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/swt-introduces-service-status-check-board Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The West Cumbria rail line is still closed following a landslide caused by flooding on Wednesday. Services were stopped after an embankment collapsed on the Sellafield to Whitehaven line near St Bees. A train derailed on the same stretch of track six weeks ago due to floods. The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts along the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/flooding-keeps-west-cumbria-line-closed 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/flooding-keeps-west-cumbria-line-closed Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Centro has launched a new visitor and transport information system in Birmingham to help people around the city. Interconnect Birmingham is a joint project between Centro, Marketing Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Colmore Business District and Retail Birmingham. The project includes new direction signs and information points... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-transport-information-project-launched-in-birmingham 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-transport-information-project-launched-in-birmingham Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £3m project to waterproof Stafford station has started work. Network Rail and Birse Rail will resurface platforms and renew roof coverings to repair water damage that has built up. Platform surfaces have become uneven, due to water getting into joints between paving slabs, and the use of de-icing chemicals in the winter. The roof... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stafford-station-to-be-waterproofed 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stafford-station-to-be-waterproofed Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Farnborough station has benefited from a £550,000 upgrade through the South West Trains/Network Rail Alliance. The alliance has spent over half a million pounds to improve accessibility at the station, including a larger, brighter ticket office and more ticket gates to minimise congestion between platforms. The waiting room has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/550000-farnborough-upgrade-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/550000-farnborough-upgrade-complete Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Crossrail routes in and around London are expected to boost surrounding property prices by £5.5bn. Commercial property consultant GVA predicts that between 2012 and 2020, new links and stations will produce a significant increase in retail and business revenue. Real estate services firm John Lang Salle has also predicted... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-to-generate-a-55bn-property-price-boost 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-to-generate-a-55bn-property-price-boost Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Southeastern rail has improved staff safety and depot security, through the implementation of a new access management system. The roll-out ensures better management across the depot’s vehicles and tools by allocating access to the right staff. Keys are permanently attached to an iFob containing an electronic chip, which... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-key-access-system-improves-safety-for-southeastern 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-key-access-system-improves-safety-for-southeastern Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT More access humps are being installed at stations on the Cumbria coast, to improve access for all passengers. Network Rail is installing humps at both platforms at the Seascale station, the Carlisle platform at St Bees and the Barrow platform at Dalton station, with work to be finished by the end of October. The humps will help... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/humps-to-improve-access-in-cumbria 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/humps-to-improve-access-in-cumbria Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has set out the details of the two reviews investigating the errors made in the West Coast franchise process, and the wider impacts this will have on other franchise competitions. Sam Laidlaw, chief executive of Centrica, and a board member of the DfT, has been appointed to conduct a review into the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mcloughlin-sets-out-terms-of-franchising-reviews 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mcloughlin-sets-out-terms-of-franchising-reviews Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has confirmed that Virgin has been asked to extend its West Coast contract for between 9-13 months whilst a new franchise competition is run. This initial franchise will be just two years long, before the longer contract is let at the time of the general election. McLoughlin said: “This is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-to-extend-west-coast-contract--mcloughlin 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-to-extend-west-coast-contract--mcloughlin Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Borders railway could end up being a repeat experience of the Edinburgh tram debacle, a MSP has suggested, since the project is suffering from extended delays and escalating costs. Figures released under a Freedom of Information request show that competition has been delayed by a year to 2015 and the cost of the project is now almost... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/borders-could-be-a-re-run-of-edinburgh-tram-debacle--msp 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/borders-could-be-a-re-run-of-edinburgh-tram-debacle--msp Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun on a £12m project to ease congestion at Salford Crescent, Network Rail has announced. The small station is used by 1.5 million passengers a year and is a key interchange point for trains entering Manchester. A new ticket office will be built at road level on University Road West, and a new footbridge will link the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/salford-crescent-12m-station-upgrade-begins 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/salford-crescent-12m-station-upgrade-begins Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT West Coast incumbent Virgin will be asked to continue to run services for 9-13 months, after the decision to award the contract to FirstGroup was overturned. The Government is planning to enter negotiations with Virgin for a temporary contract whilst a new competition is run. The decision was cancelled on October 3, after “technical... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-gets-west-coast-franchise-extension-after-dft-fiasco 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-gets-west-coast-franchise-extension-after-dft-fiasco Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Last night saw the annual black tie dinner held at the famous Derby Roundhouse, where industry professionals came together to share their successes and forge new connections. Held by Mainspring and headline sponsors Garrandale, the event was attended by hundreds of operators, manufacturers and suppliers from around the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse-resounding-success 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse-resounding-success Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvement work is now complete at Norbury rail station, funded through Network Rail and the National Station Improvement Programme.  The revamp covered the ticket office, installation of more accessible ticket window and converting the disused waiting shelter on platform one into a fully enclosed waiting room, refurbishing platform... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/norbury-station-improvement-works-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/norbury-station-improvement-works-complete Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A joint venture Morgan Sindall and Arup has been selected as the preferred delivery partner by Sellafield Ltd for a contract worth potentially £1.1bn. The JV will provide a range of essential infrastructure asset services to the Sellafield site and will run for an initial five year period, with the option to extend for a further 10... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sellafield-ltd-appoints-morgan-sindall-and-arup 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sellafield-ltd-appoints-morgan-sindall-and-arup Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The most senior civil servant at the DfT has apologised to former transport secretary Justine Greening over the West Coast franchise disaster. It has emerged that Greening had ordered a full-scale review of the process, the results of which led her replacement Patrick McLoughlin to abandon the bidding process.  DfT... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-errors-the-responsibility-of-officials-rutnam 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-errors-the-responsibility-of-officials-rutnam Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded Balfour Beatty a £50m contract for the North West Electrification Phase 2 project. Balfour Beatty Rail will work in a joint venture with Balfour Beatty Engineering services, who will undertake the power and distribution works. Invensys Rail will supply signalling, telecoms and SCADA works. The contract... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-wins-50m-electrification-contract 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-wins-50m-electrification-contract Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The DfT ‘lost’ calculations on the decision over the West Coast bid, a new report suggests. After Virgin applied for a judicial review of the process, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) was appointed by the department in late September to go over the figures. The study showed the absence or loss of calculations showing how... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/calculations-missing-on-west-coast-decision-pwc 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/calculations-missing-on-west-coast-decision-pwc Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi Rail has launched a new European Rail Research Centre, as part of Hitachi Europe’s Transportation Energy & Environment Research laboratory. The centre will be based in Hitachi’s London offices and will focus on rolling stock design, both interior and exterior, manufacturing practices, maintenance and Traffic... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-research-centre-for-hitachi 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-research-centre-for-hitachi Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new approach to signalling could save Network Rail 33% of copper previously used to distribute power. The innovation will cut costs and reduce the company’s environmental footprint. Previously, power was sent down three-core armoured cables to signals – known as class 1 distribution. The new class 2 system uses a two-core... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-signalling-power-approach-designed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-signalling-power-approach-designed Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Wellingborough station is to benefit from further improvements, East Midlands Trains has announced. The new refurbishment will see the entire station building repainted, additional cycle and waiting shelter to be installed and work to provide a new low counter ticket window to offer improved access for all passengers. Previous... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/refurbishment-for-wellingborough-station 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/refurbishment-for-wellingborough-station Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A decision is expected by the end of the week on who will run services on the West Coast Main Line from December 9, it has been reported. Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is due to give a statement to Parliament when it returns from recess on Monday. The running of the line will either be taken over by DOR, or a management contract... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-decision-expected-imminently 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-decision-expected-imminently Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A study examining the extension of HS2 to Scotland will start later this year, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced. This could lead to journey times to London in under three hours. The review will look at capacity and journey times, and involve government agency Transport Scotland, to be completed in early... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-scotland-extension-study-announced 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-scotland-extension-study-announced Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Link-Up Steering Group has endorsed the new Link-Up platform, ‘Link-Up Engage’, which will enable qualification, selection and effective risk management of suppliers. The platform will be introduced from spring 2013 and aims to reduce duplication for qualification and assurance processes through greater information sharing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-link-up-platform-supported-by-industry 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-link-up-platform-supported-by-industry Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT c2c and Network Rail have announced improvement works to take place over the Christmas break, including the replacement of a rail bridge at Benfleet station. The station will also see new platforms constructed, to ensure services can continue to run as normal the following year. Trains will not run between Leigh-on-Sea and Pitsea from the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/replacement-of-benfleet-rail-bridge-announced 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/replacement-of-benfleet-rail-bridge-announced Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup may take legal action against the Department for Transport if Virgin Trains secures an extension of the West Coast rail franchise past December 9. The operator had bid £13.3bn to run the London to Scotland services until 2028. However, the Department for Transport decided to abandon the handover to FirstGroup. Shares have... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-considers-legal-action-over-franchise-extension 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-considers-legal-action-over-franchise-extension Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans have been announced for a new £25m national road haulage distribution centre at Ryton in the West Midlands, as Network Rail creates a hub for the National Delivery Service (NDS). The hub will centralise previously leased properties and cut carbon by reducing road fleet mileage. The building is designed to meet BREEAM rated... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-reveals-plans-for-new-road-haulage-centre 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-reveals-plans-for-new-road-haulage-centre Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that rail fares will be capped at RPI+1% for the next two years, despite ministers reiterating in June that it would remain at RPI+3% as planned. The original formula had been set out in the 2010 spending review and was intended to begin this year, although then-transport secretary Justine... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-fare-increases-to-be-capped-for-next-two-years 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-fare-increases-to-be-capped-for-next-two-years Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The DfT has rejected accusations that there is anti-Virgin bias among its officials in the wake of the West Coast franchising fiasco. It has also emerged that former transport secretary Justine Greening was informed about an ‘error’ in the franchise evaluation process soon after Virgin launched its legal challenge to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/claims-of-anti-virgin-bias-denied 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/claims-of-anti-virgin-bias-denied Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Birmingham New Street station has officially reached its halfway point to the switchover in April, when the existing concourse and entrances will close, allowing the first half of the new concourse to open. A public information campaign will start in January to prepare passengers for the changes, and an exhibition is being held next week... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/halfway-to-switchover-for-new-street 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/halfway-to-switchover-for-new-street Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger Focus has met with London Midland over the continuing service disruption caused by drive shortages, and is urging it to implement compensation arrangements beyond those legally required. The passenger watchdog said the under-fire operator – described as “not fit to run the franchise” by one member of the House... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-midland-should-compensate-its-users--passenger-focus 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-midland-should-compensate-its-users--passenger-focus Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The next phase of work at Nottingham station begins on Sunday. The improvement works will take place over the next 18 months, including a new concourse and linking the car park and tram stop. As the works are carried out, the ticket office will be relocated to a temporary facility on Station Street. Taylor Woodrow is carrying out the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/next-stage-of-nottingham-station-works-to-begin 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/next-stage-of-nottingham-station-works-to-begin Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail franchises are receiving £451m in financial support, new figures show. This represents an increase of over 50% in the past two years, from £291m in 2009-10. The revenue support system sees money paid back to operators from the Government. The latest increase was revealed in a written answer to Liberal Democrat peer Lord... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/revenue-support-for-train-operating-companies-reaches-451m 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/revenue-support-for-train-operating-companies-reaches-451m Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The ORR has confirmed that Network Rail has met the terms of the freight performance order it issued earlier this year. This involved the introduction of a freight recovery board and a detailed recovery plan with milestones across a broad range of areas for improvement. These include better data, management of assets and incidents... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-meets-freight-performance-order 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-meets-freight-performance-order Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT An invitation to tender has been issued for the design and construction of 13 stations on the western section of the Crossrail route. Network Rail has issued invitations to Morgan Sindall, Costain, Geoffrey Osborne, Vinci, Balfour Beatty and Skanska. New station buildings are required at Action Main Line, Southall, West Ealing and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/six-companies-shortlisted-to-build-13-crossrail-stations 387,379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/six-companies-shortlisted-to-build-13-crossrail-stations Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT People inside and outside of the rail industry have responded with astonishment to the shambolic developments in the West Coast franchising process, as criticism builds over the DfT’s and ministers’ handling of events. Three civil servants were suspended yesterday over the mistakes, yet commentators have suggested that former... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-errors-lead-to-suspension-of-officials 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-errors-lead-to-suspension-of-officials Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has cancelled the award of the West Coast franchise to FirstGroup after “technical flaws” emerged in the bid evaluation process, forcing the whole thing to be scrapped. It is unclear this morning who will run services on the line after December 9 – Virgin or state-owned Directly Operated Railways. New... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/we-were-right-says-branson 378,383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/we-were-right-says-branson Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cheryl Gillan, the anti-HS2 Buckinghamshire MP who was sacked from the Cabinet in last month’s reshuffle, has demanded a review of the HS2 business case in the light of the West Coast franchising fiasco. She said the “significant technical flaws” in the WCML franchise competition, which was spectacularly halted last... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/anti-hs2-campaigners-demand-their-own-review-after-west-coast-shambles 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/anti-hs2-campaigners-demand-their-own-review-after-west-coast-shambles Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Transport has been forced to abandon the West Coast franchising process after uncovering serious errors in its officials’ calculations, meaning FirstGroup will not now take over the running of the line from Virgin on December 9. All other re-franchising processes have also been put on hold pending two major... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-franchise-to-be-scrapped-and-restarted-after-catastrophic-dft-mistakes 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-franchise-to-be-scrapped-and-restarted-after-catastrophic-dft-mistakes Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new document looking at development in tram train, electrification and community rail has been published by Network Rail. The ‘alternative solutions’ draft network RUS, which is going out for consultation, sets out the industry’s collaborative thinking on how to provide value for money rail growth. The document... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/alternative-solutions-considered-by-network-rail 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/alternative-solutions-considered-by-network-rail Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £6m redevelopment is now complete at Leicester station, jointly funded by Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and the National Stations Improvement Programme. The improvements include an updated station entrance, refurbished ticket office, improved signage, a new information point, refurbished concourse and overbridge and renewal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/leicester-station-reopens-after-6m-upgrade 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/leicester-station-reopens-after-6m-upgrade Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is highlighting the focus on general management available in its graduate scheme, with 40 places available this year. It is not just engineers that the company is looking to recruit, with over 100 places available in finance, information management, property, strategic planning, contracts and procurement, project management... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sandwich-placements-introduced-at-network-rail 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sandwich-placements-introduced-at-network-rail Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT NSARE chief executive Gil Howarth has said multi-sponsorship of track workers should end, despite concerns from some of the organisation’s members that this could affect workers’ income. Speaking at NSARE’s Training Matters conference in Derby today, Howarth said: “I see no reason for it whatsoever. I would say... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/multi-sponsorship-of-track-workers-criticised-at-nsare-conference 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/multi-sponsorship-of-track-workers-criticised-at-nsare-conference Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering’s ‘Training Matters’ conference in Derby has heard that MITIE Plc will take over the provision and running of the Sentinel scheme. The company already supplies other services to Network Rail, and provides other industries with similar ID schemes. A full roll-out is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-sentinel-scheme-to-be-run-by-mitie 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-sentinel-scheme-to-be-run-by-mitie Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT NSARE chief executive Gil Howarth said there are a number of “issues of concern” with the state of railway engineering training and PTS sponsorship at the moment, including evidence of 'suspect' practices. He said there were “unhealthy relationships” between some sponsors and training providers, and that... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nsare-to-work-with-industry-to-eradicate-unsafe-and-fraudulent-practices 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nsare-to-work-with-industry-to-eradicate-unsafe-and-fraudulent-practices Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance for period 6 is 94%, new figures from Network Rail show. Period six covers the time between August 19 and September 15, and the new performance figure compares to 92.5% for the same period last year. It is the best performance for period 6 yet recorded. The Moving Annual Average (MAA) is now at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-at-94-in-best-period-6-ever-recorded 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-at-94-in-best-period-6-ever-recorded Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT NSARE has revealed the results of the external inspections of 88 rail industry training providers and assessment providers this summer. The inspections were conducted by Tribal, whose inspectors have a high level of expertise in educational assessment from many sectors, and concentrated on the way training is being delivered and the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/six-training-providers-rated-outstanding-but-two-get-0-points-nsare-conference 387,373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/six-training-providers-rated-outstanding-but-two-get-0-points-nsare-conference Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £6m revamp of Crewe station is due to start before Christmas, increasing access and pick-up and drop-off facilities. Cheshire East Council has appointed developer Mansell to do the work, which is expected to be completed within 14 months. The first phase of the work will include a surface-level car park with 240 spaces and 11... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crewe-station-to-get-6m-revamp 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crewe-station-to-get-6m-revamp Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Site works for a new sleeper factory in Doncaster are due to start next week, Network Rail has announced. The factory will be built and operated by new consortium Trackwork Moll, and will produce hundreds of thousands of concrete sleepers for Network rail’s track improvement programme. The site will be located on the former... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/doncaster-sleeper-factory-works-to-begin 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/doncaster-sleeper-factory-works-to-begin Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin’s legal challenge over FirstGroup’s victorious bid to take over the West Coast Main Line franchise “could drag on for months”, according to the RMT union, which claims it is more and more likely that the state-owned Directly Operated Railways could be forced to step in to run services after December 9. It is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-criticises-delay-over-west-coast-contract 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-criticises-delay-over-west-coast-contract Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Engineering work is to be reduced on the Great Eastern Main Line, minimising the need for replacement bus services throughout 2013. An alliance between Greater Anglia and Network Rail has resulted in fewer bus replacement services this Christmas and during weekends next year. There will be no complete closures this Christmas and New Year... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/minimal-disruption-planned-for-anglia-in-2013 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/minimal-disruption-planned-for-anglia-in-2013 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers prefer to stay longer on a train than take a replacement bus, new research shows. Passenger Focus is calling for the rail industry to use buses only as a last resort when engineering works cause detours or delays. A new survey shows that passengers also want information about whether part of their journey will be by bus... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/replacement-buses-should-be-last-resort--passenger-focus 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/replacement-buses-should-be-last-resort--passenger-focus Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Severe weather over the last few days has led to significant disruption across the rail network, with many areas and services affected by flooding. Trains between Great Malvern and Hereford are cancelled after a collapsed pipe caused a deep hole on the line in Colwall, which appeared after heavy rain. Network Rail said the line is hoped... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wet-weather-disrupts-rail-services-across-england-and-wales 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wet-weather-disrupts-rail-services-across-england-and-wales Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stagecoach South West has signed a £23m contract with Porterbrook Leasing Company for the refurbishment of Class 455 trains. The contract will see the complete revamping of 91 four-car Class 455 electrical multiple units from November 2012. The improvements include greater accessibility for wheelchair users such as wheelchair ramps... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/class-455-revamp-contract-agreed 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/class-455-revamp-contract-agreed Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A proposed alternative to HS2 would damage the majority of West Coast services, HS2 North West has argued in a new report. The alternative has been proposed by 51m, an anti-HS2 campaign group funded by councils opposed to the project. 51m suggest that improvements to the rail network can be achieved through increasing capacity on the West... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-alternative-criticised-for-lack-of-capacity 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-alternative-criticised-for-lack-of-capacity Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Several tram stops throughout Greater Manchester have received the Safer Tram Stop Award from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Salford Quays, Media City and Harbor City tram stops are amongst many that have received the award from the Safer Tram Stops Scheme. Over 80% of customers asked said that they were not... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolink-wins-safer-tram-stop-awards 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolink-wins-safer-tram-stop-awards Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners are urging the Scottish Government to reverse a cut in funding for the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). The original £1bn electrification and infrastructure project would have resulted in six trains an hour on the main line, as well as providing easy access to the airport via tram. In July, the scheme... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/call-for-egip-cuts-to-be-reversed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/call-for-egip-cuts-to-be-reversed Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Significant carbon benefits can be achieved by allowing the capacity released by HS2 on the existing network to be used by rail freight, a new report suggests. Greengauge 21 was commissioned by the Campaign for Rural England, the RSPB and the Campaign for Better Transport, to examine the impact of HS2 on carbon emissions. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-can-use-hs2-capacity-to-reduce-carbon-emissions 381,386,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-can-use-hs2-capacity-to-reduce-carbon-emissions Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Samaritans and Network Rail are launching a new awareness campaign to reduce suicide on the railways. New posters will be placed in stations across the country to build on the original campaign launched in 2010. The posters are designed to broaden the campaign’s reach and are targeted specifically at men aged 30-55 from poorer... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-suicide-campaign-aimed-at-working-class-men 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-suicide-campaign-aimed-at-working-class-men Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia has launched a new customer information initiative to keep passengers up to date with development on the franchise so far and future improvements. A newsletter will be sent out quarterly to Bishops Stortford, Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London Liverpool Street, Norwich, Shenfield, Stansted Airport, Stratford... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/newsletter-keeps-customers-up-to-date-at-greater-anglia 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/newsletter-keeps-customers-up-to-date-at-greater-anglia Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded the contract for over £7m signalling enabling works for Crossrail’s western section. Osborne has been appointed to cover the west outer signalling renewal, with civil’s works covering a 17 mile section from West Drayton to Maidenhead. The works include the design and construction of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-awards-7m-signalling-contract 387,379,396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-awards-7m-signalling-contract Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Northern Ireland rail passengers will be able to access free wi-fi, following a £900,000 investment from Translink. The service will be available on all local train services and from the end of October on cross-border Enterprise services. Passengers will require a wi-fi enabled device to access the internet on board. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/free-wi-fi-introduced-by-translink 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/free-wi-fi-introduced-by-translink Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT MTU has been selected as the preferred supplier to design, develop and service 250 Powerpacks for the Hitachi’s IEP Super Express trains. The contract is worth over €200m, and MTU will supply Powerpacks with 700kW engines of the type 12V 1600 R8OL, as well as servicing for 27.5 years. Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd is contracted... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hitachi-selects-mtu-to-supply-iep-engines 387,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hitachi-selects-mtu-to-supply-iep-engines Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A public sector team is on standby to takeover the operation of the West Coast route from December 9, the Daily Telegraph has reported. The West Coast Main Line Mobilisation team has been drawn from the already nationalised East Coast route and is ready to takeover staffing, finance and operations. Virgin’s control of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mobilisation-team-in-place-for-west-coast-takeover 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mobilisation-team-in-place-for-west-coast-takeover Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Europe should develop a single integrated rail network with open competition and common standards, the EU Transport Commissioner has suggested. Siim Kallas told delegates at InnoTrans yesterday that this could relieve congested roads across the EU. He stated that he will be pushing ahead for reforms requiring national rail networks to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/single-open-network-for-european-rail-proposed 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/single-open-network-for-european-rail-proposed Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun to double the size of the southern ticket hall at Victoria Underground station, London Underground has announced. As part of the £700m station redevelopment, new escalators, lifts and ticket halls will be installed. The station will remain open while work goes ahead. The upgrade includes a new underground north... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/victoria-station-ticket-hall-work-begins 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/victoria-station-ticket-hall-work-begins Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Construction begins today on the Wallasea Island project – a wetland habitat for thousands of migratory birds. Spoil from Crossrail’s central London tunnels will be used to create the largest coastal nature reserve in Europe. Farmland, bought by the RSPB, will be transformed into a 670-hectare wetland habitat for birds, otters... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-delivers-earth-for-nature-reserve 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail-delivers-earth-for-nature-reserve Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia has installed a new Information Desk at Cambridge station, to improve customer service. Cambridge MP Julian Huppert will join staff at the desk on Monday September 17 to understand the benefits it is bringing to customers. The desk will provide information on train running times and help to answer passengers’... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/information-desk-installed-at-cambridge-station 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/information-desk-installed-at-cambridge-station Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT An additional early morning service is to be introduced from Uckfield to London Bridge, the DfT has announced. Early morning commuters will now be able to catch the 5.18am train from Uckfield to arrive at London Bridge for 6.:23am. Previously, the earliest service ran from 6.00am and arrived at London Bridge for 07.43am. Due to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-faster-services-for-uckfield-commuters 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-faster-services-for-uckfield-commuters Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Wiltshire stations are set to get a whole host of improvements, after the council secured £4.25m funding from the DfT. The upgrades will include walking and cycling maps and signs and real-time travel information for passengers. Melksham station will benefit from a car park expansion, access from the north for pedestrians... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/425m-upgrades-for-wiltshire-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/425m-upgrades-for-wiltshire-stations Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Energy consumption has been reduced by 9% at Centro’s Birmingham offices – 3% above target, according to the latest Annual Environmental Performance Report 2011/12. Recycling rates are up by 2.5% and business mileage is down by 28%, as Centro seeks to retain its Carbon Trust Standard. The standard, awarded last year... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/centro-cuts-energy-consumption-by-9 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/centro-cuts-energy-consumption-by-9 Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Over 360 million passenger journeys have taken place on the railways this quarter – 14 million more than for the same period last year, according to new data from the ORR. The ORR has published the latest rail usage statistics, covering April 1-June 30 2012. The total number of kilometres travelled by rail passengers during this... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-reports-increase-in-railway-journeys 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-reports-increase-in-railway-journeys Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail union RMT is preparing for an industrial action ballot over the award of the West Coast franchise, as the Government waits to hear if Virgin Trains will be awarded a judicial review of the contract. The DfT is preparing to take over the franchise via Directly Operated Railways if the dispute is not settled before December 9, but new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-to-ballot-over-west-coast-franchise-fiasco 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-to-ballot-over-west-coast-franchise-fiasco Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sunderland City Council has backed proposals for a major redevelopment of the city’s station. At a recent cabinet meeting, the council agreed to provide £200,000 funding towards the project. Works would cover a complete rebuild of the main concourse, with Network Rail and Nexus sharing the remaining costs of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/200000-pledged-towards-sunderland-station-redevelopment 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/200000-pledged-towards-sunderland-station-redevelopment Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The DfT is keen to press ahead with its decision to award the West Coast franchise to FirstGroup, new transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin told MPs. Speaking to the Transport Select Committee, McLoughlin also confirmed that state-owned Directly Operated Railways (DOR), which runs services on the ECML, will run the line from December 9... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mcloughlin-voices-support-for-firstgroup-win 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mcloughlin-voices-support-for-firstgroup-win Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT New services have been added to the winter timetable in Scotland, with faster and more frequent trains running across the country, Transport Scotland and ScotRail have announced. Services are due to begin on December 9, and include earlier Sunday trains linking Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ayr, as well as improved journey times and increased... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scottish-winter-timetable-for-rail-announced 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scottish-winter-timetable-for-rail-announced Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT UPDATED, Friday September 14, 10am.  Passenger watchdog London TravelWatch is demanding an explanation for the lack of disability access to Alexandra Palace in the station’s current upgrade programme. The organisation is seeking an explanation from both the Minister of State for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/concerns-over-lack-of-step-free-access-at-alexandra-palace 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/concerns-over-lack-of-step-free-access-at-alexandra-palace Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Buckinghamshire MP Cheryl Gillan, who was sacked as a Cabinet minister in last week’s reshuffle, is planning to take ‘every opportunity’ to attack HS2 now that she has the freedom to do so. She told her local paper, the Buckinghamshire Advertiser: "I wasn't able to speak out against HS2 effectively when I was in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gillan-vows-total-opposition-to-hs2 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gillan-vows-total-opposition-to-hs2 Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT More than 4.9 million passenger journeys were made on Southeastern services over the two-week period of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Around 100,000 passengers boarded Southeastern services every day, with an estimated one million journeys taking place on the Javelin service. Saturday 8 September was the busiest day for Javelin, with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/southeastern-thanks-passengers-for-making-paralympics-transport-a-success 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/southeastern-thanks-passengers-for-making-paralympics-transport-a-success Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT An Ipswich MP is calling for increased investment in the rail network in the east, since he says passengers in the region are subsidising lines in other parts of England. Ben Gummer MP has obtained figures which show that passengers using railways in the east are paying towards Greater Anglia’s franchise payments through their fares... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passengers-in-the-east-subsidising-other-railway-lines 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passengers-in-the-east-subsidising-other-railway-lines Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tube upgrade work is set to resume this weekend, following the close of the Paralympic Games. Measures are being put in place to minimise disruption to passengers, whilst allowing work to continue to replace old track, signals and trains. The effect of closures has been reduced by 10% compared to last year and at least 80% of stations... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/upgrade-disruption-minimised-on-the-underground 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/upgrade-disruption-minimised-on-the-underground Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sir Richard Branson, giving evidence to the Commons transport select committee yesterday, argued that his campaign to overturn the Government’s decision on the West Coast franchise is not all about profit and that rival FirstGroup’s winning bid is “preposterous”. The founder of Virgin Rail, the incumbent West Coast... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-tells-mps-its-wcml-fight-not-about-profit 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-tells-mps-its-wcml-fight-not-about-profit Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A change to the Great Western franchise shows the terms of the West Coast bid were flawed, incumbent Virgin Rail has said – but the DfT says that each bid process is ‘unique’. The bidders have been told they must put up extra bank-guaranteed risk capital that they will lose if they abandon the contract. If the same rules... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/franchise-rule-change-raises-questions-over-west-coast-bid 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/franchise-rule-change-raises-questions-over-west-coast-bid Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport provision during the Olympic Games has been rated as “extremely good” by spectators, the London Olympic Delivery Organising Committee (LODOC) has reported. Eight out of 10 passengers rated the experience of getting home after an event at the Olympics or Paralympics as “extremely good”, and 74% gave the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/spectators-rate-olympic-transport-as-extremely-good 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/spectators-rate-olympic-transport-as-extremely-good Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Manual boarding ramps introduced on the Tube for the Paralympics are to be retained at key stations, TfL has announced. The move will improve accessibility for disabled passengers at 16 stations. The ramps will be retained for the next few months whilst a review of their use is undertaken, considering the benefits to customers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-to-retain-boarding-ramps-at-tube-stations 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfl-to-retain-boarding-ramps-at-tube-stations Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chiltern Railways says it has been an “incredible first year” for its Mainline service between Birmingham and London. The operator was celebrating the service’s ‘first birthday’ this week with cake and croissants for passengers at Brimingham Moor Street. It said passenger numbers on its Birmingham to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/chiltern-mainline-passenger-growth-during-first-year-of-operation 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/chiltern-mainline-passenger-growth-during-first-year-of-operation Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has said a “more efficient deployment of rolling stock” is what allowed the reduction in carriage numbers under the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). In a Parliamentary question, Labour’s shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle asked “for what reason the projected carriage numbers for the Intercity... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/government-answers-questions-over-iep-carriage-numbers 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/government-answers-questions-over-iep-carriage-numbers Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A Government whip who resigned this week says he did it because he wants the freedom to speak out against HS2. Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, who has been a whip for the Conservatives since 2005, told local reporters: “As a Government minister, I’ve been constrained and unable to raise certain issues publicly. It’s been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mp-resigns-from-government-to-fight-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mp-resigns-from-government-to-fight-hs2 Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Go-Ahead says passenger growth on its Southern franchise has been weak compared to its forecasts when it made its bid in 2009, and that it could need to claim revenue support from September 2013. Revenues at the end of the period were 2% weaker than forecast in 2009, while passenger growth, at 1.2%, was half the previous year’s rate... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/southern-could-need-taxpayer-support 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/southern-could-need-taxpayer-support Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Thameslink fleet contract could suffer yet more delays, according to the RMT. The RMT union says that the fact winning bidder Siemens is to pay the Greek government £262m in a settlement of bribery allegations around the Athens Olympics in 2004 is more evidence that the company should never have won the rolling stock contract... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/further-delays-for-thameslink-possible--rmt 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/further-delays-for-thameslink-possible--rmt Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT New transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has pledged to examine the structure rail operators use to set fares. He said that there were “anomalies” which must be addressed, but added that there was no easy answer to rising fares, which were necessary to pay for upgrades on the railway. McLoughlin spoke during an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mcloughlin-to-examine-rail-fares-structure 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mcloughlin-to-examine-rail-fares-structure Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is still failing to improve punctuality on long distance rail services, the ORR has reported, warning that the company could face substantial fines as a result. The regulator accepted plans to improve from Network Rail three months ago, following a warning that performance was below the standards required. Performance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-still-failing-on-punctuality-orr 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-still-failing-on-punctuality-orr Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaign groups and unions in the rail industry have responded to the appointment of Patrick McLoughlin as the new transport secretary. McLoughlin, the former chief whip, replaces Justine Greening, who in turn has moved after just 11 months to become secretary of state for international development. Two of the three transport ministers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/industry-responds-to-new-transport-secretary 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/industry-responds-to-new-transport-secretary Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT An Opposition Day debate on rail fares is being held this afternoon in the House of Commons. Labour is seeking to impose a 1% above inflation cap on future increases in rail fares. This would prevent price hikes of up to 11% in January 2013, something shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle has called putting “the wrong people... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-fare-increases-should-be-capped-at-rpi1--eagle 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-fare-increases-should-be-capped-at-rpi1--eagle Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Government subsidies to the rail industry should be scrapped, the Transport Select Committee heard yesterday at their inquiry on rail freight, franchising and reactions to the HLOS. Dr Richard Wellings, deputy editor of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), said rail scheme announcements seemed to be more based on political... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-subsidies-should-be-reduced-to-zero-ie 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-subsidies-should-be-reduced-to-zero-ie Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The former chief whip takes the role of transport secretary, replacing Justine Greening. Greening has been promoted to international development secretary. McLoughlin’s position as chief whip has been taken on by Andrew Mitchell. McLoughlin has previously held a role at the DfT as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/patrick-mcloughlin-appointed-transport-secretary 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/patrick-mcloughlin-appointed-transport-secretary Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Transport Committee is taking oral evidence today in relation to its Rail 2020 inquiry into reform of the railways. The session will focus on freight, franchising, reactions to the HLOS and opportunities to generate income from stations. The HLOS set out the Government’s priorities for rail investment and a list of projects... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-committee-takes-evidence-on-hlos 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-committee-takes-evidence-on-hlos Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has officially delayed the signing of the West Coast Main Line with FirstGroup, following a legal challenge launched last week by Virgin Rail. The Opposition has urged the Government to delay the sign-off so that ministers can scrutinise the contract. Virgin labelled FirstGroup’s bid ‘undeliverable’... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wcml-deal-remains-live-following-legal-challenge 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wcml-deal-remains-live-following-legal-challenge Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The war of words between Virgin Trains and the Government continues, as Virgin responds to claims that the company only started to challenge the bidding process once they had lost the bid. Virgin has pointed to ‘several meetings’ expressing concerns with the process for over two years prior to the award of the West Coast Main... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/concerns-with-franchise-ran-over-two-years--virgin 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/concerns-with-franchise-ran-over-two-years--virgin Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Coast has been awarded the Gold Carbon Saver Standard for saving energy under the CRC efficiency scheme. The operator has set up a network of ‘environment champions’ at stations, depots and offices to identify ways of saving energy. Measures introduced at Durham station achieved a 30% year on year saving in energy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gold-standard-for-east-coasts-energy-scheme 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gold-standard-for-east-coasts-energy-scheme Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT New training academies are opening in Leicester and York, offering over 100 apprentices the opportunity to receive specialist training in rail engineering and signalling. Vital Skills Training is launching the centres in partnership with the Great Central Railway (CGR), Leicester City Council and York College. The Leicester academy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/leicester-and-york-rail-training-academies-opened 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/leicester-and-york-rail-training-academies-opened Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Kate Ashley reports on the upcoming changes to Nottingham’s rail infrastructure. Network Rail is embarking on a £100m renovation and refurbishment of the tracks, signals and station in Nottingham. The plan is to re-lay six miles of track, install more than 140 new signals and expand the station, all designed with the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/100m-investment-for-nottingham-rail-network 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/100m-investment-for-nottingham-rail-network Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, and Susan Anderson, Network Rail’s route commercial manager, explain how the alliance between the two companies to upgrade the Paisley Canal line is working. Network Rail and ScotRail have agreed a £12m alliance to fast-track the Paisley Canal line upgrade earlier and bring it... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/12m-electrification-for-paisley-canal-line-through-new-alliance 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/12m-electrification-for-paisley-canal-line-through-new-alliance Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The McNulty review has suggested fewer staff at stations could cut costs. Dan Taylor, Passenger Focus research and policy adviser, considers what this will mean for passenger safety. Over the next few years several rail franchises will be up for renewal. For those bidding to take control of the new-style franchises there will be a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-human-presence-on-empty-stations 389,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-human-presence-on-empty-stations Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The F2A project, aimed at improving capacity on the Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace route, is the first major rail scheme to make use of Mission Room technology, which allows planners, engineers and track workers to see a 360° view of the site from inside the project offices. RTM heard more from Network Rail’s Ian Grant, Balfour... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-site-to-behold 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-site-to-behold Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Hitchin Flyover project, which recently passed a major milestone when a 30-tonne bridge span was lifted into place in just 90 minutes, is being managed by an innovative alliance of Network Rail and Hochtief. RTM heard more from Network Rail’s alliance manager for the project, Nick Hilton, and his counterpart from Hochtief, Julian... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/all-together-now 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/all-together-now Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Michael Woods, head of operations and management research at the RSSB, considers the importance of vocal warnings to improve safety at level crossings. Accidents at level crossings are often covered in the news even though they are relatively rare compared to those occurring on the rest of the road network. Compared to other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/another-train-coming 389,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/another-train-coming Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Jeremy Long, CEO – European Business at MTR, which is shortlisted for the Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchises, explains how engaging staff in continuous improvement methods is key to driving efficiencies for the UK’s railways. At MTR, we believe that taking small steps is the key to continuous improvement. It’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/continuous-improvement-holds-the-key-to-world-renowned-efficiency 389,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/continuous-improvement-holds-the-key-to-world-renowned-efficiency Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird, area commander for BTP Scotland, and ScotRail’s managing director Steve Montgomery discuss the recent ban on alcohol after 9pm and its intended effect on passenger and staff safety. With an increasing number of trains being delayed due to anti-social behaviour and at least one accident a week caused... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dry-evenings 394,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dry-evenings Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport consultant David Thrower, who has contributed to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into high-speed rail and the recent All-Party Parliamentary Group for High-Speed Rail report, discusses the issues surrounding rail freight and HS2. The announcement by Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport, in January that the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-trains-freight-gains-from-high-speed-2 389,386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-trains-freight-gains-from-high-speed-2 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to Derek Jackson, performance engineer at Refocus, ATOC’s fleet reliability focus group, about lessons for the railways from unexpected sources. The Association of Train Operating Companies’ (ATOC) fleet reliability focus group takes inspiration from some surprising places to improve maintenance, operational... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lessons-from-across-the-water 383,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lessons-from-across-the-water Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Kate Ashley reports on a major upgrade to the Manchester light rail system’s tram fleet. Manchester Metrolink will get 20 new M5000 trams to replace all of its old T68 stock by 2014, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced. 12 of the original T68 trams were replaced last September, with the old trams in a period... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolink-replacing-entire-fleet-by-2014 385,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolink-replacing-entire-fleet-by-2014 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Sean Heslop, Network Rail’s project manager for MFBW, about progress so far. As Rail Technology Magazine was going to press, Network Rail was finalising the necessary approvals to roll out its new Mobile Flash Butt Welding (MFBW) service, with the first of four machines hoped to be fully approved for use by the end of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mobile-flash-butt-welding 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mobile-flash-butt-welding Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Davy Gay, Egis Rail project manager, discusses the successful Montpellier tram scheme in France and its recent extension. In the space of 12 years the Greater Montpellier Authority (L’Agglomération de Montpellier) has developed one of the most inter-linked and most heavily-used tram networks in France (over 300,000 passenger... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/montpellier-tram-network-a-group-in-action 389,385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/montpellier-tram-network-a-group-in-action Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Andrew Foulkes, transportation communications manager at Lloyd’s Register, looks at London’s transport network’s performance during the Olympics. Transport was always the worry during London’s initial bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Even after it had been chosen, one could sense a collective holding of breath... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olympics-proved-londons-transport-is-on-the-up 389,380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olympics-proved-londons-transport-is-on-the-up Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ian Mitchell, chair of the conference committee organising the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers ASPECT 2012 conference, discusses the upcoming event and the IRSE’s centenary year. The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers is the premier professional institution for those involved or interested in the fi eld of railway... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/royal-guest-for-irse-at-aspect-2012 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/royal-guest-for-irse-at-aspect-2012 Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Kate Ashley reports on the latest technological developments at South West Trains. Technology can transform the efficiency and reliability of rolling stock, and offer operators the chance to cut costs whilst improving passenger experience. South West Trains has been collaborating with Siemens to update their trains with the latest... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/technology-for-the-future 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/technology-for-the-future Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Philippa Oldham, head of transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), spoke to RTM about the HLOS investment and what this will mean for the next generation of trainees. In July 16, the Government announced a package of investment in the rail network worth £9.2bn. The High Level Output Specification (HLOS) detailed... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-bigger-picture 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-bigger-picture Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM hears from Centro’s Geoff Inskip, chairman of UKTram. Industry leaders in the light rail sector have been calling for a bigger Government push on tram-train technology – by setting aside £100m a year from the £3bn ‘McNulty savings’ the heavy rail industry has to make. At a recent meeting at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-case-for-tram-train 385,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-case-for-tram-train Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Wilson, Blackfriars communication manager for Network Rail, updates RTM on the record-breaking solar panel installation at the station. The largest bridge solar panel installation in the UK has now passed the halfway point, with construction having taken a break for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the autumn, contractors... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-futures-bright 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-futures-bright Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi Rail Europe’s managing director, Keith Jordan, talks to RTM about the IEP contract, which encompasses so much more than just buying trains.  The Intercity Express Programme (IEP) contract has now been officially awarded to Agility Trains, a consortium made up of Hitachi Rail Europe (70%) and John Laing (30%). Hitachi... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-legacy-of-agility 392,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-legacy-of-agility Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Network Rail’s route managing director for Wales, Mark Langman, about the upcoming £220m resignalling project in the Cardiff area, which also involves station and track upgrades. Mark Langman, who runs Network Rail in Wales, says that the 1960s-era cabling and signalling infrastructure in the Cardiff area includes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-most-ever-spent-on-the-welsh-railway 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-most-ever-spent-on-the-welsh-railway Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Crausby, Labour MP for Bolton North East, outlines to RTM his concerns about the new franchise. We have just found out that FirstGroup has won the bidding war to take over the franchise for the West Coast Main Line that is currently run by Virgin Trains. As this franchise is so important, I would hope that the bidding process... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-next-west-coast-franchise 389,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-next-west-coast-franchise Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The IMechE’s first Railway Challenge in July 2012 produced some innovative entries – including a hydrogen-powered locomotive built by a team from the University of Birmingham. Stephen Kent, a teaching fellow at the university’s Centre for Railway Research & Education, told us more. The first Institution of Mechanical... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-uks-first-hydrogen-powered-locomotive 394,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-uks-first-hydrogen-powered-locomotive Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is transforming its relationship with its supply chain, and the results of the 2012 suppliers’ perceptions survey back up its claims of greater engagement. Kate Ashley reports. At a roundtable event held on August 7, industry professionals from Network Rail Infrastructure Projects (IP), RIA and CECA discussed the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transforming-perceptions 384,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transforming-perceptions Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Simon Green, chief engineer for Southern’s TRIME project, explains how a new maintenance prototype has the potential to significantly reduce damage to the third rail. Damage to the third rail can lead to significant passenger disruption, and yet it remains difficult for rail operators to determine how problems with the interface... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/understanding-the-third-rail 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/understanding-the-third-rail Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The train drivers union ASLEF has called for the Government to review the system of rail franchising, following the public dispute between Virgin Trains and the DfT over the WCML contract. The franchise system was initially introduced to increase competition and efficiency and cut public subsidies, but has failed to do so, Mick Whelan... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/aslef-calls-for-rail-franchising-review 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/aslef-calls-for-rail-franchising-review Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A Northern Rail train carrying around 100 passengers derailed in Cumbria yesterday, following a landslide near St Bees. Severe weather conditions led to the damage. The train remained upright, despite leaving the tracks and no injuries have been reported. The RAIB has been informed. A second train was sent to transport the stranded... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/landslide-in-st-bees-leads-to-train-derailment 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/landslide-in-st-bees-leads-to-train-derailment Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Centro is set to offer passengers in Walsall the opportunity to give their views on the area’s public transport network. The ‘Your Public Transport Matters’ event will allow local people to speak directly with representatives from the region’s integrated bus, rail and tram system. It is taking place on September 13... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passenger-feedback-to-improve-walsall-public-transport 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passenger-feedback-to-improve-walsall-public-transport Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Trains has labelled the transport secretary’s decision to award the WCML franchise to FirstGroup “unlawful” as the company seeks to launch a judicial review into the proceedings. The £13.3bn contract was due to be signed on Wednesday, but the legal challenge has provided a delay. Virgin has suggested... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/unlawful-decision-over-wcml-contract 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/unlawful-decision-over-wcml-contract Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance is now at 92%, figures from Network Rail show. This covers period 5, from July 22 to August 18 and compares to 92.3% for the same period last year. The moving annual average (MAA) is now at 91.6%. The best performing franchise this period was c2c Rail, with 97.4%. c2c Rail has also achieved the highest MAA... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ppm-at-92-for-period-5 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ppm-at-92-for-period-5 Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded contracts to design and develop a new nationwide traffic management system for the rail network. Hitachi Rail Europe, Signalling Solutions and Thales UK have been awarded contracts worth approximately £20m in total. They will develop a prototype for December 2013, which will undergo vigorous testing and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/traffic-management-system-contracts-awarded 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/traffic-management-system-contracts-awarded Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail must review its repairs process following the derailment of a train near Waverley station, the RAIB has recommended. The derailment took place on July 27, 2011 near Princes Street Gardens. No-one was injured and there were no passengers aboard, but services were cancelled and led to disruption for two days. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/worn-points-led-to-waverley-derailment--raib 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/worn-points-led-to-waverley-derailment--raib Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 Ltd has announced a shortlist for consultants to a new Professional Services Framework (PSF) for the second phase of the planned high speed rail network. Engineering and environmental consultants will help develop the work for the link from Birmingham to Manchester and to Leeds through the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, as well as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/consultants-invited-to-tender-for-public-services-on-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/consultants-invited-to-tender-for-public-services-on-hs2 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin has applied for a judicial review of the West Coast Main Line franchise decision. This will force a delay to the contract signing between the Department for Transport and FirstGroup, which was due this morning. The high court is expected to decide if there are grounds for a review within two weeks and a formal review could take up... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/franchise-sign-off-delayed-as-virgin-launches-judicial-review 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/franchise-sign-off-delayed-as-virgin-launches-judicial-review Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest Tube performance figures show a continued trend of improved reliability and customer satisfaction, TfL has reported. The new data, covering the period from May 27 to June 23, shows customer satisfaction has improved to 82, the highest score since the survey began in 1990. And delays measured by lost customer hours would... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/highest-customer-satisfaction-on-tube 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/highest-customer-satisfaction-on-tube Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The east coast mainline should remain in public control, the shadow transport secretary has suggested. Labour’s Maria Eagle has asserted that the mainly privatised rail network would benefit from a “public sector comparator”.  The franchise was returned to public control in 2009 after National Express East Coast... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eagle-calls-for-a-public-sector-comparator-for-rail- 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eagle-calls-for-a-public-sector-comparator-for-rail- Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Justine Greening has confirmed that the Government plans to sign the West Coast Main Line contract with winning bidder FirstGroup, despite opposition from Virgin Trains, Labour and members of the public.  She suggested that if Virgin had won the competition they would have been “perfectly happy” with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/greening-confirms-wcml-contract-will-go-to-firstgroup 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/greening-confirms-wcml-contract-will-go-to-firstgroup Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new smartphone app has been developed by Network Rail to improve its ability to deal with incidents on the railway. The app links Network Rail helicopters to emergency services and track crews to speed up response times by identifying locations of incidents quickly. The app was created by the asset information team to allow air crews... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-links-air-and-ground-for-emergency-response 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-links-air-and-ground-for-emergency-response Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Young welsh trainees are joining the Network Rail apprenticeship programme today, the company announced, ahead of gaining maintenance experience on track.  17 new apprentices will attend a welcome day at Newport Maintenance Depot, Ebbw Junction, where they will meet route managing director Mark Langman and his team.  The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/apprentices-to-experience-track-maintenance-work 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/apprentices-to-experience-track-maintenance-work Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new tool has been developed to help older and disabled passengers plan their journeys more easily.  The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has launched a website, Rail Travel Made Easy, to help these passengers and make the most of the new Passenger Assist service, which allows people to book assistance in advance of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/atoc-launches-new-journey-planning-assistance- 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/atoc-launches-new-journey-planning-assistance- Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The award of the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup should be delayed, until the bid has been scrutinised by MPs, the chair of the Transport Committee has stated.  Louise Ellman MP, chair of the committee, has written to transport secretary Justine Greening asking for the final sign-off of the deal to be postponed. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mps-call-for-review-of-firstgroup-wcml-win 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mps-call-for-review-of-firstgroup-wcml-win Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cleaners, security staff and train dispatchers are on strike for 24 hours today in a dispute over pay. The workers are employed by Carlisle Cleaning and Support Services and work on the Trans-Pennine Express.  The rail union RMT is conducting a strike over a “sub-inflation pay offer”, which they suggest would result in a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/trans-pennine-express-cleaners-strike-for-better-pay 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/trans-pennine-express-cleaners-strike-for-better-pay Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail and Bentley Systems have launched the UK’s first dedicated Building Information Modelling (BIM) academy to enhance supply chain knowledge and drive innovation in the construction industry. This knowledge can be transferred to other major infrastructure projects, such as HS2. Crossrail is also set to establish an Industry... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/building-information-modelling-academy-launched 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/building-information-modelling-academy-launched Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A special forum has been set up to allow the Edinburgh public to help make future decisions on transport policy. The Edinburgh tram project is years behind schedule and over budget. A £776m line between Edinburgh Airport and St Andrew’s Square is due for completion by summer 2014. Edinburgh City Council has set up the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edinburgh-public-to-help-decide-transport-policy 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edinburgh-public-to-help-decide-transport-policy Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sir Brian Souter, chief executive of Stagecoach, is to step down from his role and become chairman of the company. He will be replaced by finance director Martin Griffiths from May. The move from chief executive to chair is against the corporate governance code, and has been criticised by commentators, but Stagecoach insists Sir... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/souter-to-move-to-chairman-role-at-stagecoach 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/souter-to-move-to-chairman-role-at-stagecoach Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first of Crossrail’s tunnel boring machines has reached Paddington from Royal Oak, with the second TBM beginning the journey from Royal Oak Portal towards Paddington. Work to install a major conveyor belt system, to remove excavated material, will complete once the second machine, Ada, is fully below ground. Over 12,000... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/phyllis-reaches-paddington-in-crossrail-milestone 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/phyllis-reaches-paddington-in-crossrail-milestone Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT An e-petition calling for Virgin to keep the West Coast Main Line franchise has received over 78,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. Virgin lost its bid last week, when FirstGroup was awarded the contract. The franchise will start on 9 December and run until 2026. Virgin has run the franchise for the last 15 years. The petition... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/25000-signatures-calling-for-virgin-to-run-wcml 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/25000-signatures-calling-for-virgin-to-run-wcml Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new Cycle-Rail Toolkit has been launched to aid train operators and passengers in improving coordination of the two modes of transport. Announcing the scheme, transport minister Norman Baker called it a “win-win”. Developed by ATOC, the guidance seeks to improve the provision of facilities for cyclists, encourage new users... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/guidance-to-promote-cycling-to-stations-launched 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/guidance-to-promote-cycling-to-stations-launched Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners fear that changes to the Borders railway project could lead to journey times being extended from 55 minutes to over an hour – making it one of the slowest railways in east-central Scotland. The Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) is warning that cuts to the £295m project could be implemented, after Transport Scotland... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/borders-could-be-one-of-slowest-services-in-east-central-scotland-cbr 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/borders-could-be-one-of-slowest-services-in-east-central-scotland-cbr Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A railway collision was staged yesterday in Northern Ireland to highlight the potentially fatal consequences of trespassing on the tracks. In the past ten years, about ten incidents a month were reported where motorists had failed to follow the rules at level crossings, risking passenger safety as well as the lives of the motorists... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/northern-ireland-train-crash-re-enacted-in-trespassing-warning 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/northern-ireland-train-crash-re-enacted-in-trespassing-warning Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The National Rail Enquiries (NRE) smartphone app has been downloaded by over a million people since its launch in May. Developed for use with iPhone and Android operating systems, the app provides the latest real time travel information on train journeys to passengers. Features include arrivals, departures, a journey planner tool... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-million-people-use-rail-enquiries-app 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-million-people-use-rail-enquiries-app Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government could face a revolt by Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs over rail fares when they return to parliament next month, as critics suggest commuters in marginal seats will revoke their support for the Coalition. In January, unregulated fares are set to rise by an average of 6.2%, with some fares increasing by 11%. MPs have... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fares-revolt-expected-by-tory-and-lib-dem-mps 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fares-revolt-expected-by-tory-and-lib-dem-mps Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Home Office is to consider introducing mass security screening at mainline rail stations and the Tube to scan for terrorist threats, as it launches a research brief for new technology. The search would focus on emerging technology capable of rapidly screening huge numbers of passengers to detect explosives, guns and knives as well as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/security-screening-considered-on-railways 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/security-screening-considered-on-railways Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has awarded the main construction contract for Custom House station to Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd. The new station in east London is the only above ground station within Crossrail’s central section. The building will be built on the site of the former North London Line station, which closed to passengers in 2006... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/laing-orourke-wins-custom-house-contract 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/laing-orourke-wins-custom-house-contract Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia has invested half a million pounds into Maryland station, to provide a clearer and more pleasant environment. Contractor Spence Refit Ltd has replaced canopies on station platforms, repaired the guttering and redecorated the station. Colin MacConnachie, Greater Anglia’s metro area manager, said: “This... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/maryland-station-benefits-from-greater-anglia-investment 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/maryland-station-benefits-from-greater-anglia-investment Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Rail was assessed as the top bidder for ‘deliverability’ in the DfT scoring matrix for the WCML, reports today suggest, but lost out to FirstGroup on other measures, such as customer service and fleet delivery. The Telegraph newspaper reported that ‘deliverability’ covers things like timetabling for forecast... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-offered-wcml-deliverability-dft-scoring-system 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-offered-wcml-deliverability-dft-scoring-system Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new PA system at Waterloo station will keep passengers up to date despite the “acoustically challenging” environment. The South West Trains/Network Rail Alliance is funding a £2.8m investment to provide clearer announcements to one of the busiest stations in the UK. Waterloo caters for 350,000 passengers per... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/waterloo-station-to-benefit-from-clearer-pa-announcements 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/waterloo-station-to-benefit-from-clearer-pa-announcements Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT There has been fierce opposition to rail fare increases which were announced on Tuesday. Regulated fares will rise by up to an average of 6.2% in 2013, with some fares set to rise by as much as 11.2%.  The increases were calculated on July RPI data, which the ONS reported as 3.2%. This was higher than the predicted figure of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/day-of-action-against-fare-rises 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/day-of-action-against-fare-rises Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Some of the key areas to benefit from FirstGroup’s West Coast win are Shrewsbury, Bolton, Telford and Blackpool, which are to see direct services to London reinstated.  The Government announced yesterday that FirstGroup would run the West Coast franchise for the next 15 years, starting in December, taking over from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/direct-links-to-london-welcomed-after-firstgroup-wcml-win 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/direct-links-to-london-welcomed-after-firstgroup-wcml-win Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger groups, MPs and unions have responded to the award of the West Coast franchise to FirstGroup over rival bidder Virgin Trains.  Whilst some have raised concerns over the operator’s ability to deliver such a high-value bid, or the possibility that fares may rise and jobs could be lost, others have used the opportunity... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/industry-reaction-to-firstgroup-west-coast-win 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/industry-reaction-to-firstgroup-west-coast-win Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is launching a new safety campaign urging people to remove headphones at level crossings so they are not distracted from warnings about approaching trains.  The ‘Lose your Headphones’ campaign is using digital media to spread the safety message, with celebrity endorsement from rapper Professor... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/safety-campaign-calls-for-public-to-lose-your-headphones- 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/safety-campaign-calls-for-public-to-lose-your-headphones- Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson says it would be “extremely unlikely” that the company will bid for another franchise in the UK, having lost the West Coast and grown increasingly angry at the DfT’s rules and processes, which he has branded “insanity”. He said trying to top FirstGroup’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-unlikely-to-bid-again-for-rail-franchise 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-unlikely-to-bid-again-for-rail-franchise Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup has been awarded the West Coast franchise, the Government has announced. Rival bidder Virgin Trains, which will lose its last UK rail contract, has warned that FirstGroup’s financially impressive bid is unachievable, and will lead to service cuts and fare hikes. The contract will run from 9 December 2012 to 31 March 2026.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/west-coast-franchise-awarded-to-firstgroup 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/west-coast-franchise-awarded-to-firstgroup Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Unions are preparing to campaign against cuts to services as FirstGroup looks set to win the West Coast franchise. The Government is expected to announce the winner of the 14-year contract today.  The RMT has stated it will consider balloting for industrial action if cuts to catering services are necessitated by the company’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-win-could-lead-to-rmt-strikes 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-win-could-lead-to-rmt-strikes Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Regulated rail fares rises are set to rise by 6.2% next year, the Government has announced.  Passengers, unions and campaign groups are holding a national day of action against the proposed increases, which could see some commuter fares rise by over 11%, as operators have flexibility in how they raise fares.  RPI was 3.2%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/government-announces-62-fare-increases-for-2013 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/government-announces-62-fare-increases-for-2013 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The national rail network delivered an “outstanding” service during the Olympics, says the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC).  Around 55% of spectators – up to five million people – used rail for part of their journeys to events. Train operating companies provided 12.4 million extra seats over... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/outstanding-olympics-for-rail--atoc- 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/outstanding-olympics-for-rail--atoc- Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Campaign for Better Transport has urged the Government to scrap plans to increase regulated fares by 3% above inflation, as to do so would mean fares rising three times faster than salaries. The fare rises will be based on 3% above July’s RPI figure, which is predicted to be around 2.7%. The ONS is due to publish the exact... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fares-to-rise-faster-than-wages--campaign-for-better-transport 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fares-to-rise-faster-than-wages--campaign-for-better-transport Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The route for HS2 should follow the M40 corridor, an expert who worked on the first high speed rail link has said. Mark Bostock, an engineer who worked on the CTRL, is calling for Government to learn lessons from this first project and states that there is still time to change plans. His route proposal would safeguard the Chilterns... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/motorway-route-proposed-for-hs2-by-hs1-engineer 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/motorway-route-proposed-for-hs2-by-hs1-engineer Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Increased charges for rail freight would be “grossly unjust”, the train drivers union Aslef has stated. The ORR is consulting on proposed changes to rail freight. The ORR states that the new charge would ensure that freight covers all costs that would have been avoided if rail freight had not used the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/aslef-strikes-out-at-orr-freight-charge-proposals 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/aslef-strikes-out-at-orr-freight-charge-proposals Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tube cleaners are continuing their strike action today for Olympics bonus pay, and union RMT has joined web campaigners Labour Start to launch a ‘cyber picket’.  The cleaners, who work for ISS and Initial, began their strike yesterday and will continue with the action until Saturday.  The partnership with Labour... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cleaners-strike-continues-with-web-partner 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cleaners-strike-continues-with-web-partner Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger complaints about train companies have risen by over 30% in the last year, new statistics show. Rail watchdog Passenger Focus took up 3,000 complaints with train companies, with East Coast highlighted as the worst offender by some distance. In the past year, a total of 14,687 passengers contacted Passenger Focus to complain about... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-coast-complaints-rise-by-80-this-year 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/east-coast-complaints-rise-by-80-this-year Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Women’s Institute has warned the Government that rail cuts could threaten women’s safety on the railway. Ruth Bond, chairman of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, has written a joint letter with TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady to the transport secretary Justine Greening highlighting the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-job-cuts-could-jeopardise-female-safety- 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-job-cuts-could-jeopardise-female-safety- Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train operator FirstGroup is set to win the west coast rail franchise, with a higher bid than competitor Virgin Rail, reports indicate.  This could lead to fare rises from 2020, insiders fear.  The Department for Transport has highlighted Tuesday as the provisional date for declaring the winner of the West Coast Main Line... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-win-could-lead-to-rail-fare-increases 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-win-could-lead-to-rail-fare-increases Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Concerns that work has not yet begun on the Llandudno railway station have been allayed by transport minister Carl Sargeant.  Construction was due to start on the £5.4m revamp this summer, but contracts will now be awarded in the autumn.  The scheme includes new shops and toilets, refurbished platforms and ticket... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/llandudno-station-upgrade-to-go-ahead- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/llandudno-station-upgrade-to-go-ahead- Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cleaners on the Tube network are on strike for 48 hours in a dispute over bonus payments for working during the Olympic Games.  The rail union RMT is calling for extra pay for working during this period.  RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “With the eyes of the world on the London Olympics the many millions enjoying... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-cleaners-strike-for-olympics-bonus-pay- 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-cleaners-strike-for-olympics-bonus-pay- Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Four new graduate interns have joined Greater Anglia for a period of paid work experience, under the industry-wide Track and Train scheme.  The interns have been undertaking a wide range of roles in their placement at Greater Anglia. Work has included reviewing procedures at the Crown Point Depot, rostering for Olympic volunteers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/greater-anglia-offers-rail-work-experience 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/greater-anglia-offers-rail-work-experience Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The results of this years’ Rail Supplier Perception Survey show that though communication with Network Rail has improved, more consistent collaboration and engagement were needed.  The survey, the seventh of its kind, was conducted by Ipsos MORI and consisted of 70 interviews with suppliers.  Advocacy reached its... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-now-easier-to-work-with-supplier-survey-shows 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-now-easier-to-work-with-supplier-survey-shows Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Leigh-on-Sea station was upgraded ahead of the Olympic Games in preparation for a  mountain bike event taking place at Hadleigh Farm this weekend.  The £300,000 improvements were funded by c2c and Network Rail. Work included repainting the station, replacing over 100 panes of glass, the installation of special Olympic... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/station-facelift-for-olympic-event 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/station-facelift-for-olympic-event Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A train cleaner at Liverpool Street station who volunteered to sort through its bins to find a family’s missing Olympics tickets has been given a ‘Champions’ award by Greater Anglia. The mother and son realised they had mislaid their tickets on their way to Stratford, and re-traced their steps, working out they could... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/award-for-train-cleaner-who-found-familys-missing-games-tickets 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/award-for-train-cleaner-who-found-familys-missing-games-tickets Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cleaners on the Tyne & Wear Metro are taking their protest to Nexus’s front door this lunchtime on the second day of their strike over pay.  The RMT said their protest at the transport authority’s headquarters in Newcastle “is expected to be a carnival show of public support for their fight for pay... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cleaners-strike-continues-on-tyne--wear-metro 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cleaners-strike-continues-on-tyne--wear-metro Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new level crossing system will be rolled out across the Scottish Highlands following a successful trial at Ardrossan Harbour in the west of the country.  The new system uses short barriers at previously open crossings, and will be installed at over 20 locations, including Corpach, Brora, Kirkton and Dalchalm.  The upgrade... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-level-crossing-trial-proves-a-success 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-level-crossing-trial-proves-a-success Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun on the Cardiff area resignalling renewals project, Network Rail has announced. The scheme will help tackle congestion and allow more freight to run on the network, supporting Welsh businesses. The £220m project, £17m of which is funded by the Welsh Government, will be delivered in five stages, starting with the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cardiff-resignalling-work-begins-to-cut-congestion 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cardiff-resignalling-work-begins-to-cut-congestion Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Thameslink rolling stock deal will be subject to further delays, Siemens has admitted.  The £1.4bn deal to make 1,200 carriages for the route was subject to fierce criticism when Siemens was named preferred bidder over Derby-based Bombardier, back in 2011. The company is currently completing commercial contracts to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thameslink-contract-sign-off-delayed-until-autumn- 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thameslink-contract-sign-off-delayed-until-autumn- Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The alliance between Southern and Network Rail is developing a new on-train monitoring system to reduce delays due to third-rail electrical transfer problems.  The third Rail In-Service Monitoring Equipment, or TRIME, project will identify where on the network excessive force is present at the interface between shoe-gear and the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/trime-project-to-reduce-delays-on-the-third-rail 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/trime-project-to-reduce-delays-on-the-third-rail Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Extra seats and better information has been promised for passengers attending the next Team GB football match, following massive disruption on Wednesday night at Cardiff station.  A record number of passengers used the station after the match – a total of 19,500. This is more than double the normal figure after an event at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cardiff-station-struggles-to-cope-with-record-passenger-numbers 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cardiff-station-struggles-to-cope-with-record-passenger-numbers Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT More seats and services will be provided for the following two Olympic Games weekends, East Midland Trains (EMT) has announced. An additional 1,000 seats will be available on August 4-5, and on August 11-12, to meet extra demand for passengers travelling to events in London. Customers with pre-booked Games train tickets will be able to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/emt-offers-extra-seats-for-games-weekends 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/emt-offers-extra-seats-for-games-weekends Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT NSARE, the railway industry’s academy for training and skills, is holding its national conference on September 27-28 at Pride Park stadium in Derby.  The conference, ‘Training Matters’, will highlight the organisation’s achievements in its first 18 months and lay out its plans for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/national-training-conference-announced-by-nsare 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/national-training-conference-announced-by-nsare Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Four new schemes to improve parking facilities at English stations have been approved, with £15m funding. South West Trains, First Capital Connect, Chiltern Railways and Greater Anglia made successful bids from the £100m station improvement fund. The fund requires projects to provide a benefit to passengers as well as a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-and-extended-parking-for-stations-funded- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-and-extended-parking-for-stations-funded- Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Following reports that FirstGroup is beating Virgin Rail in the competition to run the West Coast Main Line franchise from December, founder Richard Branson has reportedly written to the transport secretary to warn of potential cuts to services. Speculation that FirstGroup would offer the Government around £7bn – around... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-bid-would-cut-quality--branson 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-bid-would-cut-quality--branson Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new station was officially opened at Gourock yesterday. The opening ceremony was led Alex Neil MSP, the cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, and attended by Network Rail officials. This marks the completion of Network Rail’s two year plan to provide a “bright and more welcoming environment,” for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-8m-gourock-station-unveiled 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-8m-gourock-station-unveiled Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new guide to identify fake and illegal personal protection equipment (PPE) has been published by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), to ensure workers are protected. All PPE is required to meet certain CE standards and is given official certification to confirm it has met them. BSIF has launched a new CE Certificate Checklist... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-guide-released-to-identify-fake-protection-equipment 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-guide-released-to-identify-fake-protection-equipment Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Heathrow Express says a potential RMT strike will not affect the running of the service. An Olympic Games reward scheme was created for directly employed staff, who will receive a bonus if extra passenger volumes and revenues are experienced on specific peak days. However, this deal does not cover contractors employed by Amey Rail and BAA... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-strike-would-not-affect-services--heathrow-express 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-strike-would-not-affect-services--heathrow-express Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail services to London Bridge were delayed this morning during rush hour due to “operating problems”. There were also problems at Cannon Street station, where a signalling problem led to delays to Southeastern services. The disruption at London Bridge took place from around 8.10am. A train was signalled into the wrong... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/signalling-problems-lead-to-london-delays 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/signalling-problems-lead-to-london-delays Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Central Line, one of the major arteries serving the Olympic Park, has been part-suspended due to a fire alert at Leyton. Services have been suspended as a precaution between Woodford and Liverpool Street, causing severe delays for the rest of the line. Travellers have been advised to take different lines or use local buses to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/central-line-fire-alert-causes-olympic-delays 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/central-line-fire-alert-causes-olympic-delays Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A railway operator is donating £30,000 for tree and woodland conservation projects in the north of England and Scotland. First Trans-Pennine Express (FTPE) has announced a new partnership with the Forestry Commission to fund the work. Grants worth up to £2,000 will be offered to community groups, charities, schools and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ftpe-funds-conservation-projects-around-railway 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ftpe-funds-conservation-projects-around-railway Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail union RMT is preparing to ballot staff for a strike and action short of a strike against Heathrow Express in a pay dispute. Cleaning, facilities and asset management, and mechanical engineering staff working for Heathrow Express have been offered a pay increase of 1.75% and will not receive compensation for working during the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-to-issue-strike-ballot-on-heathrow-express 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-to-issue-strike-ballot-on-heathrow-express Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup seems to be the frontrunner to win the next West Coast Main Line rail franchise, pushing incumbent Virgin Rail into second position, according to reports and industry speculation over the weekend. The two operators have been vying for the contract, after rumours suggested the other two shortlisted bidders, Abellio and a bid... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-leading-west-coast-franchise-race 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-leading-west-coast-franchise-race Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A number of railway structures along the Great Western Main Line have been upgraded or awarded protected status by the English Heritage. The line was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and is widely regarded as a triumph of engineering. Swindon station, four viaducts, 12 tunnel structures and 26 bridges have been awarded protected... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gwml-structures-awarded-protected-status 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gwml-structures-awarded-protected-status Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A high-speed rail Industry Leaders Group has been established, bringing UK companies together to create a ‘centre for excellence’ for high-speed rail.Greengauge 21 has launched the group to conduct a research and planning programme, as well as developing the supply chain for the implementation of a national high-speed... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/industry-leaders-group-launched-for-high-speed-rail 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/industry-leaders-group-launched-for-high-speed-rail Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Opponents to HS2 have been granted a hearing by the High Court, and the right to seek a judicial review against the scheme. The £32bn project has been opposed by environmentalists and several Conservative ministers along the route, whose constituencies would be affected by the network. Eight days have been set aside for a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-court-grants-hs2-opponents-hearing 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-court-grants-hs2-opponents-hearing Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Further speed restrictions were in place on the rail network yesterday due to the hot weather, it emerged. Services running to and from Paddington and Liverpool Street stations were affected. High temperatures caused speed restrictions to be put in place, with trains slowed between Paddington station and Ladbroke Grove from the normal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hot-weather-leads-to-further-speed-restrictions 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hot-weather-leads-to-further-speed-restrictions Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Planned strike action by train drivers in opposition to pension changes has been cancelled, following talks to reach a “positive settlement”. Drivers’ union Aslef had planned strikes for August 6, 7 and 8, which would have significantly disrupted rail services during the Olympic Games. East Midlands Trains had... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olympic-strike-called-off-by-aslef-and-emt 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olympic-strike-called-off-by-aslef-and-emt Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Office for Rail Regulation (ORR) has launched a consultation seeking views on the publication of greater information about railway costs, safety and performance. The consultation considers how the industry can provide more information and how this can be best made publicly available. It is published alongside new research... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-passenger-information-consultation-launched 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-passenger-information-consultation-launched Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cable theft caused huge disruption for passengers north and south ofLondonlast night, with four train operating companies’ services affected. Signalling problems atBedfordled to delays on First Capital Connect’s Thameslink route, with services suspended betweenBedfordandLuton. A replacement bus service is available and tickets... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bedford-cable-theft-leads-to-delays-and-cancelled-services 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bedford-cable-theft-leads-to-delays-and-cancelled-services Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Transport has awarded a £1.9m contract to design, develop, implement and manage a Rail Passenger Counts Database (RPCD). Capita Symonds has been appointed to develop the database, to collate, manage and report on rail passenger figures for 23 TOCs which have contracts with the DfT. The contract covers an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-announces-19m-passenger-counting-contract 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-announces-19m-passenger-counting-contract Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Service personnel on security duty at the Olympics are to receive free train travel to and from Games venues inside and outside London. The offer includes free standard class travel withinLondonzones 1-9 and to and from Hadleigh Farm,Cheshunt, Brands Hatch and Eton Dorney for service personnel in uniform and carrying valid military... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/free-train-travel-for-military-at-olympics 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/free-train-travel-for-military-at-olympics Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Docklands tunnel shafts are near completion for Crossrail, with construction of the eastern tunnels to begin this winter. Workers have reached the bottom of two huge launch shafts, where the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be lowered ahead of tunnelling. Assembly of the third TBM, Elizabeth, is well underway. Over 250 people... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrails-docklands-tunnel-shafts-near-completion 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrails-docklands-tunnel-shafts-near-completion Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The £4.5bn InterCity Express Programme (IEP) contract has been approved after multiple delays. The new trains will replace Britain’s InterCity 125 fleet. The consortium, led by Hitachi, will build 596 carriages at a new train facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The 92-train fleet will provide 730 skilled jobs, as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/iep-contract-finally-approved 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/iep-contract-finally-approved Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Air conditioning and cooling works have been installed on the London Underground to counter hot weather this summer, TfL has announced. At Green Parkair cooling units have been installed using borehole cooling technology, with drills boring to cool water deep below the ground. At Oxford Circus the cooling units scheme has been expanded to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/lu-cooling-works-installed-at-key-stations 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/lu-cooling-works-installed-at-key-stations Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Some trains will not stop at Stratford today, as Greater Anglia had cancelled services due to the heat. The temperature is expected to exceed 30 degrees in London today. Some services will be suspended from midday due to the heat and speed restrictions will be put in place. This could lead to delays to other services throughout the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/greater-anglia-cancels-services-due-to-heat 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/greater-anglia-cancels-services-due-to-heat Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first 1,000 students have completed their training at the Crossrail Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA).  The academy in eastLondonhas also launched new courses to meet industry demand and is providing new facilities, including a high-tech concrete testing laboratory. TUCA provides nationally-recognised... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tuca-training-complete-for-first-1000-students 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tuca-training-complete-for-first-1000-students Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger safety is improving on the railways, with the rate of harm reduced to the lowest level ever recorded, the ORR has reported. The UK network was praised for being “one of the safest railways in Europe”. The data is published today in the 2012 Health and Safety Report, and shows the overall rate of passenger harm has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-railway-one-of-the-safest-in-europe--orr 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-railway-one-of-the-safest-in-europe--orr Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train drivers’ union Aslef will decide later today whether strikes planned during the Olympics will go ahead. The dispute concerns East Midlands Trains (EMT) implementing changes to the staff pension. Aslef has scheduled industrial action for August 6-8, but EMT believes talks held on Friday could lead to the strikes being called... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/emt-awaits-aslef-strike-decision-after-progressive-talks 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/emt-awaits-aslef-strike-decision-after-progressive-talks Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Access at Manchester Victoria station is set to be improved with a £1m project, the DfT has announced. The work is part of the larger £370m Access for All programme, which aims to provide step-free access at key stations, making them easier for less able passengers to use. Manchester Victoria will see the construction of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/manchester-victoria-to-get-1m-access-improvements 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/manchester-victoria-to-get-1m-access-improvements Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has published updated plans for the operation ofLondonBridgestation during the Olympic Games to manage the thousands of additional spectators expected to travel. The plans include 140 extra staff, 11 extra customer information screens feeding live information from the Olympic transport coordination centre, 140 new signs to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olympic-crowd-management-system-at-london-bridge 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olympic-crowd-management-system-at-london-bridge Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail’s drinking ban comes into force today on all trains between 9pm and 10am. Passengers will no longer be allowed to drink or ‘visibly carry’ alcohol at these times, in an effort to reduce alcohol-related disruption, delays and violence. In the past six months on ScotRail, the British Transport Police (BTP) has had... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/drinking-ban-begins-on-scotrail-trains 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/drinking-ban-begins-on-scotrail-trains Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has appointed five new directors to its asset management services, a new structure which goes live on August 22. The asset management team is intended to be more customer focused. A new role of technical director has also been added to work closely with the group strategy and technical services teams. The new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-appointments-for-network-rail-asset-management 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-appointments-for-network-rail-asset-management Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The threat of industrial action during the Olympics looms large, after South West Trains staff voted in favour of taking action short of a strike, and Aslef has named two strike dates in August. The RMT union balloted members working at SWT over a pay deal for the Olympics, which begins a week today. Staff voted against a strike, but for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olympic-disruption-imminent-on-railways 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olympic-disruption-imminent-on-railways Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup could be handed an extension to the Great Western rail franchise, with subsidies from the Government, due to delays in the tendering process. The next franchise is due to begin on 1 April 2013, after the company exercised a break clause to withdraw from the last three years of the contract, avoiding an £826m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tendering-delays-could-signal-firstgroup-extension 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tendering-delays-could-signal-firstgroup-extension Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is embarking on a £100m renovation and refurbishment of the tracks, signals and station inNottingham. The plan is to re-lay six miles of track, install more than 140 new signals and expand the station, on top the government’s plans to electrify the line toNottingham, announced earlier this week. Three signal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/100m-investment-for-nottingham-rail-network 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/100m-investment-for-nottingham-rail-network Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Liverpool’s Central Station is in the middle of a £20m upgrade, with the Wirral line platform re-opening in a month’s time – but Network Rail has long believed a new platform or even new underground station may be necessary by 2020-2025. The station’s current upgrade was commissioned to meet concerns about... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/liverpool-could-need-a-new-station-by-2020 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/liverpool-could-need-a-new-station-by-2020 Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has launched a consultation with the aim of formalising the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). The RDG, formed in 2011 in response to Sir Roy McNulty’s Rail Value for Money Study, is currently composed of ten passenger and freight train operators, in addition to Network Rail. The main aim of the group is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-to-formalise-plans-for-the-rail-delivery-group 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-to-formalise-plans-for-the-rail-delivery-group Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT An internal LU document includes plans to move to driverless operation within three years on the Jubilee line, the union RMT has stated. The document, ‘Deep Tube Railway – Generic Operations and Maintenance Concept – 2020’, details the operation to be trialled later this year, with other deep level tube lines to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/driverless-operation-could-be-implemented-by-2015 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/driverless-operation-could-be-implemented-by-2015 Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans for a new station in Ilkeston have been given a boost from Government, as the transport secretary voiced her hopes for the project. Campaigners are seeking a share of a £20m government fund for new stations and believe a station could bring long-term benefits for the town and nearby areas. Improved transport links could boost... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ilkeston-could-benefit-from-20m-new-stations-fund 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ilkeston-could-benefit-from-20m-new-stations-fund Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new 220-metre balcony has opened atWaterloostation to reduce Olympic congestion. The £25m structure will improve access to Waterloo East and provide extra space for the 300,000 daily passengers who use the station. The balcony has provided space for ten new shops, and additional outlets have been repositioned from the main... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/waterloo-balcony-open-to-reduce-congestion 375,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/waterloo-balcony-open-to-reduce-congestion Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cornwall could lose a third of its direct trains to London under the new Great Western franchise, with the DfT proposing six Paddington to Penzance services a day instead of nine. When questioned in the Commons, transport secretary Justine Greening did not rule out the cuts. She stated: “No final decisions have been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/london-cornwall-services-could-be-cut-by-a-third 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/london-cornwall-services-could-be-cut-by-a-third Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Manchester Metrolink will get 20 new M5000 trams to replace all of its old T68 stock by 2014, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced. 12 of the original T68 trams were replaced last September, with the old trams in a period of phased retirement due to finish by the end of summer this year. The rest of the fleet is now... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolink-replacing-entire-fleet-by-2014 385,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolink-replacing-entire-fleet-by-2014 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT An Olympic strike ballot on the West Coast Main Line has been averted after intervention from the transport secretary, the London Evening Standard has reported. The TSSA union was to vote for industrial action following the suspension of a union official and had already highlighted July 26 as the date for a planned 24-hour... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tssa-olympics-strike-averted 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tssa-olympics-strike-averted Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has published its High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for the next spending control period, including £9bn in rail investment and giving projects across the country the green-light. A vast array of projects have been approved, including the extension of GWML electrification to Swansea, the whole of the Northern Hub... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/9bn-secured-for-rail-investment-in-hlos 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/9bn-secured-for-rail-investment-in-hlos Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT FirstGroup and Virgin have emerged as the top two bidders for the InterCity West Coast franchise, according to reports today. The two other companies shortlisted for the contract – a joint venture between Keolis and SNCF, and Abellio – are no longer considered likely contenders, the Guardian newspaper has reported. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/intercity-bidding-down-to-two-competitors 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/intercity-bidding-down-to-two-competitors Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Industry professionals have welcomed the Government’s £9bn investment in rail, as detailed in the High Level Output Specification (HLOS), published today. But they have recognised the challenge achieving these specifications presents to the industry.  RIA director general Jeremy Candfield said: “It will bring... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-investment-plans-set-tough-targets-for-industry--higgins 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-investment-plans-set-tough-targets-for-industry--higgins Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The European Commission has announced £11m funding towards three projects to improve freight in the UK. The successful bid means the TEN-T agency will award £4m towards electrification in the North West, £4m to increase capacity on the West Coast Main Line and £3m for freight loops near Ely. The first project... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-freight-receives-11m-funding-for-capacity 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-freight-receives-11m-funding-for-capacity Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Proposals to remove catering and other passenger services from trains on the new West Coast InterCity franchise have been condemned by the rail union RMT for putting 800 jobs at risk. Potential changes to the configuration of rolling stock include replacing the on-board shop with 20 additional seats and converting of coach G from first... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/800-jobs-threatened-by-plans-to-replace-on-board-shops-with-seating--rmt 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/800-jobs-threatened-by-plans-to-replace-on-board-shops-with-seating--rmt Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new £500m rail link to Heathrow Airport has been announced, which could cut journeys on the Great Western Main Line by up to 30 minutes. Transport secretary Justine Greening announced the funding as part of future plans on airports. New track will be laid from Slough to Heathrow and is planned for completion by 2021. Service... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gwml-heathrow-link-to-cut-journeys-by-30-minutes 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/gwml-heathrow-link-to-cut-journeys-by-30-minutes Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The decision on property compensation for people living near the route for HS2 has been delayed, transport secretary Justine Greening has announced. The extra time will allow ministers to consider a fair and affordable deal, she said. A public consultation on the issue will be launched in September when the preferred routes for the second... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-compensation-decision-delayed 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-compensation-decision-delayed Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT An investigation has been launched after a car driver was killed by a train in a level crossing accident in Norfolk. The man was hit by a First Capital Connect train at the Pleasants level crossing yesterday at 1.15pm. No passengers were hurt and the train was not derailed. The incident caused unions to call for more level crossing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-car-death-in-norfolk 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-car-death-in-norfolk Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Midland Main Line electrification, GWML electrification to Swansea and not just Cardiff, the Northern Hub, ECML upgrades and further investment in rail freight at ports are all to go ahead and will be confirmed in the upcoming HLOS, according to reports tonight. The Government has suggested that the total value of capital... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/pfaff-silberblau-awarded-metronet-contract 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/pfaff-silberblau-awarded-metronet-contract Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded a £15.5m contract for works as part of the Crossrail programme. VolkerRail will begin works at Acton freight yard to improve access and increase the capacity for freight. VolkerRail will be jointly delivering the works with the rail division of sister company Volker Fitzpatrick. Work will include plain line... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/155m-crossrail-contract-awarded-to-volkerrail 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/155m-crossrail-contract-awarded-to-volkerrail Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger numbers have increased on Eurostar this year, but leisure traffic and not business travel is driving performance. Performance for the first half of 2012 shows that passenger numbers were up by 2% to 4.8 million, and sales revenues were up 1% to £425m, in figures published today. Business travel was broadly flat in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/eurostar-reports-resilient-performance-in-2012 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/eurostar-reports-resilient-performance-in-2012 Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers on South West Trains will now be able to buy train tickets on their mobile phones via the operator’s updated mobile website. Tickets can be bought on the move and collected from stations across the south ofEngland. Additionally, a journey check allows passengers personalised access to real time service updates to keep up... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ticket-purchasing-technology-for-swt-mobile-website 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ticket-purchasing-technology-for-swt-mobile-website Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail and ScotRail have agreed a £12m alliance to fast-track the Paisley Central line upgrade earlier and under budget. The joint investment will be used to electrify the 8km stretch of line between Glasgow central and Paisley Canalby December 2012. The contract has been awarded to Babcock, recently named Network Rail’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/12m-electrification-for-paisley-line-through-new-alliance 396,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/12m-electrification-for-paisley-line-through-new-alliance Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The European Parliament has agreed to invest nearly £4m to upgrade Ely North Junction. The funding to eliminate a key rail bottleneck was announced yesterday in Brussels and will help boost reliability and punctuality of services across the whole of the East of England. The investment will fund a rail loop east of Ely station... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/38m-european-investment-for-peterborough-rail 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/38m-european-investment-for-peterborough-rail Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is being investigated for cutting down trees by the trackside, potentially disturbing birds during their nesting season. The British Transport Police are compiling a file to pass to the Crown Prosecution Service, meaning Network Rail could face criminal action, according to the Telegraph. BTP officers found trees and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-investigated-for-bird-disruption-claim 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-investigated-for-bird-disruption-claim Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A heritage railway operator has been fined £5,000 after an accident in which its own chairman had his legs crushed, requiring eight hours of emergency surgery. The ORR has prosecuted Telford Steam Railway for criminal breaches of health and safety law, following the incident in July last year in which a 450kg length of rail being... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/5000-fine-for-heritage-railway-health-and-safety-breach 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/5000-fine-for-heritage-railway-health-and-safety-breach Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new station bridge has been moved into position at Reading this weekend, leaving the project a year ahead of its original schedule. The first part of the bridge was moved into place over two nights by Network Rail, using precision engineering techniques to position the 728-tonne structure to within a 20mm tolerance. The bridge will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reading-bridge-moved-into-position 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/reading-bridge-moved-into-position Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT New rail performance data that shows the number of services that arrive within a minute of their scheduled arrival time has been published today. Network Rail is releasing the ‘right-time’ data in a move to make more information available to the public. During the last ten years, there has been a 50% improvement of trains... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/right-time-arrivals-increased-by-80-since-2001 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/right-time-arrivals-increased-by-80-since-2001 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new partnership to share rail knowledge more efficiently has been agreed between the RSSB and the International Union of Railways (UIC). The RSSB portal SPARK has been chosen as a web platform to create international sharing capability for rail research by the UIC. From January 2013, SPARK will link to the new ‘Railway... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/international-spark-partnership-to-boost-rail-research 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/international-spark-partnership-to-boost-rail-research Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has launched its international rail consultancy business, aimed at demonstrating British expertise overseas and channelling innovation back to the core of the business. The move is part the broader reform towards a devolved group structure, which the company’s senior leaders say will drive efficiency and demonstrate... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-launches-international-consultancy-business 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-launches-international-consultancy-business Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has launched a fourth ultrasonic rail testing train into service to detect minute flaws in the track. The UTU1 train has more accurate positioning systems and an improved ability to test the track and can be used at a higher speed of 45mph. The £700,000 systems detect irregularities in ballast and formation up to 2... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ultrasonic-rail-testing-to-detect-track-flaws 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ultrasonic-rail-testing-to-detect-track-flaws Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government must revisit the business case for HS2 and ensure it learns lessons from the first high speed rail link fromLondonto the Channel Tunnel, a House of Commons report urges. The Public Accounts Committee warns that overoptimistic travel assumptions, underestimates of the economic value of time spent on a train and insufficient... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dfts-hs2-plans-have-not-learnt-from-hs1-mistakes-say-mps 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dfts-hs2-plans-have-not-learnt-from-hs1-mistakes-say-mps Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Spoken warning alarms are being installed at seven level crossings in Selby and York to improve safety and compliance by users. Network Rail is installing the new warning systems nearYorkat Hunmanby station, Nether Lane, Nafferton, Cranswick and Arram level crossings and near Leed sat Wressle and Eastrington.  A vocal alert will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-vocal-warnings-installed-at-york 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-vocal-warnings-installed-at-york Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail overcrowding in London during rush hour is at its highest point since privatisation, official figures suggest, despite extra investment on the railway. Train providers say they now provide 20% more service than 15 years ago. The level of overcrowding on peak-time trains to and fromLondonrose from 3% in 2010 to 3.2% in 2011, the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/peak-time-overcrowding-worsens--dft 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/peak-time-overcrowding-worsens--dft Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The National Assembly for Wales’ Enterpriseand Business Committee has published an inquiry into international connectivity through Welsh ports and airports which calls for a greater emphasis on rail freight. The Rail Freight Group welcomed the publication, which urges the Welsh Government to put pressure on the UK Government to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/welsh-freight-recommendations-to-increase-connectivity 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/welsh-freight-recommendations-to-increase-connectivity Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ‘Changed circumstances’ have forced cuts to the £1bn Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), as the Scottish Government announced this morning that only £650m will now be spent, at least initially. The current timetable of four trains per hour – rather than a hoped-for increase to six – will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/350m-cut-from-edinburgh-glasgow-improvement-programme 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/350m-cut-from-edinburgh-glasgow-improvement-programme Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Coast has appointed a supplier to deliver an engineering maintenance management system as part of Project Eagle. The £1.5m investment will provide readily available maintenance and defect information to depots. Project Eagle aims to improve management and control of engineering processes. Vetasi has been appointed supplier... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Maintenance-management-supplier-named-for-East-Coast 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Maintenance-management-supplier-named-for-East-Coast Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance is now at 92.9%, new figures demonstrate. This covers period 3, from May 27 – June 23 and compares to 93% for the same period last year. The moving annual average is now at 91.6%. Performance for period 2 was at 92.3%. The franchise with the highest PPM this period was c2c Rail at 97.9%, and a MAA of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/National-train-PPM-is-at-929 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/National-train-PPM-is-at-929 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger Focus is urging TOCs to take greater responsibility for selling the correct ticket – rather than leaving it to passengers, often in a rush and without all the right information, to have to make the decision. If fares are used to further incentivise people onto off-peak trains and away from the peak, it wants a carrot... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Dramatic-improvement-needed-in-fares-info-for-passengers 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Dramatic-improvement-needed-in-fares-info-for-passengers Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT A huge consortium of businesses, politicians, councils and rail users in Eastern England have come up with a ‘manifesto’ to improve rail services in the region over the next 20 years. They are lobbying not only for the cherished East-West Rail scheme, but also for new track north of Chelmsford to ease congestion; a remodelling... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Detailed-manifesto-for-improved-Eastern-England-rail-services 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Detailed-manifesto-for-improved-Eastern-England-rail-services Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Labour Party and the TSSA union have condemned new bonus and incentive schemes being considered for senior Network Rail executives. A letter from Network Rail’s remuneration committee suggests a new long-term incentive scheme that could see bosses sharing £1.7m in 2014 alongside annual bonuses, as well as ‘golden... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-bonus-plans-attacked-by-Labour 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-bonus-plans-attacked-by-Labour Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT South West Trains stations have had a welcome accessibility upgrade ahead of the Olympics, costing £16m. Upgrades have taken place atWeymouth,Wimbledon, Windsor & Eton Riverside, Southampton Central and Clapham Junction, while Vauxhall will soon benefit from improvement works. The improvements include new and larger booking... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/16m-improvements-to-swt-stations-before-olympics 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/16m-improvements-to-swt-stations-before-olympics Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Smart ticketing and opportunities for private sector investment are to be part of the new 15-year Essex Thameside franchise, the Government has announced. The invitation to tender has been published, including more flexibility for the franchise owner to develop their own train timetable and provide more responsive services. The four... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/essex-thameside-franchise-offers-private-sector-investment-opportunities 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/essex-thameside-franchise-offers-private-sector-investment-opportunities Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT An East Midlands Trains Class 222 Meridian was run at record speed on the Midland Main Line on Sunday, as part of a test to research the effects higher speeds would have on the track infrastructure. Network Rail and East Midlands Trains operated the diesel train at 125mph on a short stretch between Bedford and Ampthill. Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/record-125mph-reached-on-midland-main-line-test-run 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/record-125mph-reached-on-midland-main-line-test-run Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Another 200 Network Rail apprentices have started work at depots around the country after completing their first year’s training at HMS Sultan. The apprentices specialise in track, signalling, telecoms and electrification and plant. They will work under supervision for the next two years, returning to HMS Sultan for further training... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/200-network-rail-apprentices-start-work 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/200-network-rail-apprentices-start-work Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The ‘Rebuilding Rail’ report, which suggests gradual rail renationalisation by not re-letting franchises when they end but instead bringing them back into public ownership, has won a firmer than expected endorsement from the Labour Party. Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle told the Observer that the report made a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/labour-backing-for-proposals-to-begin-renationalising-the-railway 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/labour-backing-for-proposals-to-begin-renationalising-the-railway Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Repairs on the railway in the North East are complete this morning, following damage from storms and flooding last Thursday. Embankments had to be rebuilt as areas of the track bed had been torn away at Haltwhistle on theNewcastletoCarlisleline, and Scremerston on the East Coast Main Line. No trains ran between the Haltwhistle... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/north-east-rail-repairs-complete 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/north-east-rail-repairs-complete Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Every electrification project makes the business case for the next one slightly more attractive – and instituting a rolling programme of electrification could also help ensure the workforce has the right skills without the need for expensive mass re-training. David Golding, Network Rail’s programme sponsor for electrification in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-rolling-programme-of-electrification 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-rolling-programme-of-electrification Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transportation director at Lloyd’s Register, John Stansfeld, talks to RTM about a new survey on engineering skills in the rail industry. A survey of members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) conducted by Lloyd’s Register, sheds new light on the reasons why rail may be struggling to attract the brightest young... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/asking-the-engineers 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/asking-the-engineers Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Howard Penstone, Network Rail’s development manager for the Quadrant:MK and Tim Morrison, director of building services at URS, tell RTM about the latest in sustainable architecture. A building that breathes has been designed to adapt to today’s environment and look to the future. Employees started moving into the Quadrant:MK... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bringing-architecture-to-life 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bringing-architecture-to-life Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Professor Simon Iwnicki and Anson Jack – co-chairs of the Rail Research United Kingdom Association (RRUKA) – spoke to RTM about bringing academia and industry together to provide solutions for the rail network. RRUKA has grown from a small virtual group of universities aiming to link railrelated research and expertise to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/building-a-bridge 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/building-a-bridge Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s transport policy manager Emma Antrobus, who was the former co-ordinator of the North West Rail Campaign, explains why businesses in the region are so committed to backing the Northern Hub. The Northern Hub is a major rail investment scheme that, if funded in full, will provide an essential... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/chambers-northern-hub-campaign-on-track 389,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/chambers-northern-hub-campaign-on-track Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT British Transport Police’s Chief Inspector Christopher Horton and London Underground’s Operations Director Nigel Holness speak to RTM about an innovative new scheme to improve emergency response on the Underground. A collaborative new trial has cut emergency response times by more than half, and is now set to be rolled... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/faster-faster 392,380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/faster-faster Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Energy use at Sloane Square station has been cut in half in an innovative, experimental, award-winning project by London Underground’s asset maintenance team – and the ideas are now being rolled out across the rest of the LU estate. RTM hears more from London Underground’s head of stations and structural maintenance, Chris... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/green-innovation-at-sloanne-square 380,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/green-innovation-at-sloanne-square Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sophisticated lubrication can have a massive impact on wheel and track wear, extending operating life and reducing maintenance requirements and frequency. RTM spoke to David Rowe, senior engineer at Rowe Hankins, about a long-term trial on Manchester Metrolink that has proven the value of ‘intelligent’ wheel flange... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/intelligent-ways-to-extend-wheel-and-track-life 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/intelligent-ways-to-extend-wheel-and-track-life Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Terri Vogt, head of CSR at FirstGroup, explains how sustainability sets the company’s rail division apart from other operators. Arecent sustainability report produced by EIRIS has ranked FirstGroup as the top company for sustainability in the UK, and second best in the world. Just one other transport provider, the UK’s GoAhead... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/leading-the-way 392,383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/leading-the-way Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Adam Hewitt reports on the ‘Devolving Rail to the Regions’ event held at Manchester Town Hall. Delegates from transport authorities, councils, TOCs, rail businesses and associations came together in Manchester to discuss the devolution agenda across the UK network, which could see more local control over rail operations and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-services-run-from-town-halls-not-whitehall 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-services-run-from-town-halls-not-whitehall Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chiltern Railways Mk III coaches, designed in the 1970s, are among British Rail’s best-regarded engineering accomplishments – and a refurb project that has involved replacing their slam-doors with power sliding plug doors should see them in service for decades to come. Adam Hewitt reports. The first set of Chiltern Railway... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/refurbishing-the-mk-iiis 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/refurbishing-the-mk-iiis Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to Simon Tarr, chief operating officer at sector skills council People 1st, about employment and skills trends in the rail industry. Analysis of official labour force statistics suggests that rail has a workforce of around 133,000, plus another 20,400 in light rail. But as might be expected, the sector is much older and more... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/skills-gaps-in-the-rail-industry 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/skills-gaps-in-the-rail-industry Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT With all the major civil engineering work now done, the team behind the complex Blackfriars rebuild can give themselves a huge pat on the back. The project’s leaders, including Network Rail’s project manager for Blackfriars Rob Lines, and Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering project director Chris Evans, briefed RTM on the challenges... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-station-over-the-thames 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-station-over-the-thames Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to NSARE chief executive Gil Howarth about its joint bid with Network Rail, TfL and Crossrail for Government funds to upskill the transient workforce – the so-called ‘weekend warriors’. The three biggest employers of rail engineers have joined with NSARE, the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering, in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/training-rails-transient-workforce 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/training-rails-transient-workforce Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Frances Duffy, director of transport for the Welsh Assembly Government and a former director of rail for Transport Scotland, spoke at the recent ‘Devolving Rail to the Regions’ event in Manchester about the importance of electrification. Wales has some powers over its railways, but unlike Scotland, many of the decisions still... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wales-electrification-priorities 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wales-electrification-priorities Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT As London Underground launches a summer of free wi-fi, Cor van der Coop, business consultant of IT operations at NS (Dutch Railways), the state-owned railway operator in the Netherlands, speaks to RTM about an ambitious onboard internet project. On Board Information Services (OBIS) is the world’s largest project for wireless... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wi-fi-is-the-way-forward 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wi-fi-is-the-way-forward Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Wiltshire is set to see improved services and stations along its rail network, with £4.25m Government funding secured. Wiltshire council successfully bid for the money, from part of £40m available. The £4.25m will fund more regular services betweenSwindonand Westbury, station improvements and work to synchronize bus... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/425m-grant-to-fund-wiltshire-rail-improvements 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/425m-grant-to-fund-wiltshire-rail-improvements Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tyne and Wear Metro is benefitting from an updated ticketing system, with more than half of its stations now upgraded with newer ticket machines with added functionality. Nexus has so far installed new machines at 33 stations as part of the £25m ticketing project, and is replacing a total of 225 ticket machines at all 60... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Nexus-ticketing-machine-upgrade-reaches-halfway-mark 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Nexus-ticketing-machine-upgrade-reaches-halfway-mark Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Government must work proactively with PTEs and other local transport authorities to achieve rail decentralisation successfully, according to pteg (the Passenger Transport Executive Group). This could see improved rail services in the north and midlands, responsive to local need. In its response to the Government consultation on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/PTEs-urge-Government-to-seize-decentralisation-opportunity 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/PTEs-urge-Government-to-seize-decentralisation-opportunity Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Flooding and landslides severely disrupted rail travel yesterday, leaving Scotland virtually cut off from the rest of the UK, and the disruption has continued today. Landslips closed both the West Coast Main Line in Cumbria and East Coast Main Line at Berwick, while a landslide in Scotland caused a freight train to derail, blocking the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/stormy-weather-causes-massive-rail-disruption 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/stormy-weather-causes-massive-rail-disruption Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT London Underground is among the more reliable of metros in its international peer group of other European and North American systems, a new benchmarking report suggests. TfL has published its first ‘Rail and Underground Annual Benchmarking Report’ under the direction of the Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Benchmarking-report-urges-more-Tube-investment 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Benchmarking-report-urges-more-Tube-investment Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has launched a new online ‘information portal’ to make it easier for people to get facts, figures and data about the infrastructure operator. This is part of the company’s transparency agenda and includes information on pay and expenses, project data and budgets, level crossing risk assessments, and even... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-launches-information-portal 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-launches-information-portal Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The East Coast line has launched a franchise consultation, including proposals on a new fleet of InterCity Express trains and improved stations from London to York and Edinburgh. The new operator will manage services on the East Coast Main Line from 2013 and the DfT has called for improvements to service quality, information offered to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Consultation-launched-for-ECML-franchise 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Consultation-launched-for-ECML-franchise Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A contract for a new rail factory has been agreed to supply the network with concrete sleepers. Doncaster council approved the plans this week. The factory will be owned by Network Rail and built and operated by consortium Trackwork Moll in a 10-year contract to provide concrete sleepers for the company’s programme of track... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Doncaster-rail-sleeper-factory-plans-approved 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Doncaster-rail-sleeper-factory-plans-approved Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT An MP has criticised Network Rail’s tree felling policy and is calling for transport minister Theresa Villiers to ensure proper consultation takes place. Network Rail fells hundreds of miles of trees along its tracks to uphold safety and avoid delays. The company states this is cheaper than repeated pruning across such a large area.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-tree-felling-must-undergo-consultation--mp 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-tree-felling-must-undergo-consultation--mp Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Britain must see a huge modal shift from road to rail if it is to meet binding emissions targets, new research suggests. Even assuming half of cars on the road are electric by 2050, it will require at least 12% of private car journeys and 53% of road freight to change to train by 2050, research by the Just Economics think tank... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/12-of-car-journeys-must-shift-to-rail-by-2050 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/12-of-car-journeys-must-shift-to-rail-by-2050 Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new station entrance and concourse for the Hammersmith & City line are now complete at Paddington station, as part of London Underground’s (LU) station capcity programme. The works also include two new stairways, improved CCTV and extended platforms to accommodate longer trains. Additional improvements due for completion in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/paddington-station-concourse-opens 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/paddington-station-concourse-opens Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A folding cycle scheme has been introduced at Stoke-on-Trent station, to allow passengers to hire bicycles which can then be folded away for use on buses, trains or in the office. The Bromptondock scheme was first set up at Manchester Piccadilly in partnership with Virgin Trains, and is due to be installed at multiple locations by 2013.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Stoke-on-Trent-launches-bicycle-hire-scheme 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Stoke-on-Trent-launches-bicycle-hire-scheme Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT An upgrade of Croydon tram services will mean passengers can benefit from 12 trams per hour, TfL has announced. The extra four trams per hour will relieve crowding during peak times and provide new direct journey opportunities between Elmers End and stations from Sandilands to the Wandle Park/Waddon Marsh area. The new services follow the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Croydon-trams-see-50-service-upgrade 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Croydon-trams-see-50-service-upgrade Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Commuters face rail fare increases of 6% next year, the Government has confirmed. The planned fare rise of 3% plus inflation will be reinstated, after it was limited to 1% this year. In the face of this, train operating companies are considering opposing the rise with a campaign. In an internal ATOC document, they discuss the merits of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-fares-to-rise-by-6-on-average-in-2013 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-fares-to-rise-by-6-on-average-in-2013 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT An extension for Warwick Parkway station’s car parking has been confirmed, with the DfT to contribute £1m to the project. A new multi-story car park was announced by rail minister Theresa Villiers to boost capacity for passengers, increasing the number of spaces from 737 to 959. The whole project is worth £2.5m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Warwick-Parkway-car-park-extension-announced 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Warwick-Parkway-car-park-extension-announced Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT More reliable trains and improved infrastructure were amongst the plans outlined for the future of Scottish rail services yesterday. Transport minister Keith Brown announced £5bn investment ahead of the expiry of ScotRail’s contract in 2014. Brown called for the new franchisee to improve services between Glasgow and Edinburgh... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/5bn-investment-for-scottish-rail-announced 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/5bn-investment-for-scottish-rail-announced Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new £13.5m freight link between the North Kent Line and Northfleet has been officially opened by Bob Neill, the minister with responsibility for the Thames Gateway. The link will be used to transport excavated material from the construction of Crossrail’s tunnels inLondonto a new nature reserve atWallaseaIslandinEssex. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-freight-link-to-Northfleet-opened 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-freight-link-to-Northfleet-opened Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 is “full steam ahead”, transport secretary Justine Greening has affirmed, following speculation that the project was “losing momentum” and Government support. There was no HS2 legislation in this year’s Queens Speech, leading some to believe support for the project was wavering. The Government strongly... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Greening-attempts-to-dispel-HS2-speculation 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Greening-attempts-to-dispel-HS2-speculation Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT TfL staff are set to strike and to take action short of a strike over an Olympics dispute. The rail union RMT is opposing changes to working conditions, bans on annual leave in certain departments and unacceptable recognition and reward proposals. Following a ballot in favour of industrial action, RMT has instructed its... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RMT-union-members-to-strike-over-Olympics-pay 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RMT-union-members-to-strike-over-Olympics-pay Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT An agreement has been reached on the First Railway Package Recast, which will ensure better access, regulation and cooperation for the industry, the Rail Freight Group suggests. EU member states, the European Parliament and the Commission have agreed to better access to terminals and rail-related facilities such as refueling for all... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/First-Railway-Package-Recast-agreement-reached 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/First-Railway-Package-Recast-agreement-reached Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Scottish transport minister Keith Brown is to outline his plans for train services ahead of the current rail contract ending in 2014. Reforms suggested in a Transport Scotland consultation include a blanket ban on alcohol on trains, raising fares on routes which have benefited from improvements, removal of first class services and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-Scottish-rail-plans-to-be-announced 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-Scottish-rail-plans-to-be-announced Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A public consultation has been launched in South East London and Kentto get people’s views on the new franchise, due to start in 2014. The new South Eastern franchise will run from April 2014 until September 2020, with a possible extension of up to two years. The franchise winner must help facilitate the delivery of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/South-Eastern-franchise-consultation-launched 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/South-Eastern-franchise-consultation-launched Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first TBM components have arrived for assembly at Crossrail’s eastern tunnels in Limmo Peninsula. Over the next four months the components will be transported to the Limmo worksite from Tilbury Docks, where the TBM Elizabeth will be reassembled before construction begins on the tunnels running between Docklands and centralLondon... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Elizabeth-assembly-begins-for-eastern-tunnels 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Elizabeth-assembly-begins-for-eastern-tunnels Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new wi-fi trial has been launched in Scotland, offering passengers free access to the internet on trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The £250,000 scheme will see digital communications systems fitted to four ScotRail trains and customers will be asked to complete an online questionnaire to further inform the trial. If... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Free-wi-fi-for-ScotRail-trains-launched 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Free-wi-fi-for-ScotRail-trains-launched Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The rail union RMT is set to ballot its members for industrial action against Greater Anglia proposals for an Olympics reward package. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Greater Anglia have deliberately dragged their feet over this crucial issue knowing that the clock is ticking down and they have now confronted us at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RMT-threatens-strikes-over-Olympics-deal 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RMT-threatens-strikes-over-Olympics-deal Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Olympics and Paralympics volunteers will benefit from special rail fares when travelling to the Games from outside London. Fares will be available at ‘competitive’ prices and will allow volunteers the flexibility to catch later trains home if events overrun. The special fares are also available to spectator holding events... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Games-volunteers-offered-flexible-fares 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Games-volunteers-offered-flexible-fares Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin’s chief operating officer has agreed to a secondment at Network Rail, following the operator’s criticism of Network Rail for the state of the infrastructure on the West Coast Main Line, contributing to poor performance. Chris Gibb will join Network Rail for the remainder of the year to improve the performance of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-secondment-for-Virgin-boss 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-secondment-for-Virgin-boss Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvements on the railway should be seen as a success story, the Transport Select Committee heard during its first evidence session for the Rail 2020 inquiry held today. Rail unions, Network Rail, the Rail Delivery Group and the Rail Value for Money Study team were all questioned by MPs. Witnesses included Sir Roy McNulty, David Higgins... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-performance-a-minor-miracle-tim-otoole 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-performance-a-minor-miracle-tim-otoole Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new law could be introduced to tackle scrap metal, as a Private Members Bill is due to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday. Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has outlined plans to re-regulate the scrap metal industry and tackle cable theft. The bill will include tougher rules for dealers who want licences... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/industry-welcomes-proposed-new-cable-theft-law 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/industry-welcomes-proposed-new-cable-theft-law Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Details of the second phase of Nottingham station’s improvement scheme have been announced, with work to begin in mid-September. The Hub project is being run in partnership with East Midlands Trains (EMT), Network Rail and Nottingham City Council. The work will involve restoring grade 2 listed buildings, improving passenger... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nottingham-station-partnership-to-deliver-improvements 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nottingham-station-partnership-to-deliver-improvements Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger demand is being consistently underestimated in Scotland, a recent rail conference heard. Railfuture, which organised the event, says the figures have been “woefully inadequate”. Rail re-openings have boosted ridership and exceeded passenger forecasts again and again, leading to concern that some schemes have not been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Scottish-passenger-forecasts-underestimated 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Scottish-passenger-forecasts-underestimated Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A potential rail link between East Lancashire and Manchester has been discussed at a meeting between local politicians and transport minister Theresa Villiers. Cllr Alyson Barnes and MP Jake Berry met Villiers inLondonto consider how the borough’s connections could be improved. A railway line in the Valley, costing around £28m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/East-Lancashire-calls-for-new-rail-link-to-Manchester 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/East-Lancashire-calls-for-new-rail-link-to-Manchester Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail freight traffic has continued to grow over the past year, despite a volatile economic climate. Statistics from the ORR show that for the year to April 2012, the amount of freight moved in tonne-km was up 10% on the previous year. The amount lifted in tonnes was also up 13%. Intermodal traffic has seen an 11% year on year... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/More-traffic-for-freight-operators 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/More-traffic-for-freight-operators Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM joined some of the biggest names in the rail industry at the annual Network Rail Partnership Awards at the Imperial War Museum near Cambridge last night. The team behind the stunning King’s Cross Station Western Range building and Western concourse, made up of ARUP, John McAslan and Partners and VINCI Construction UK Ltd, was... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-rewards-its-top-suppliers-at-partnership-awards 387,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-rewards-its-top-suppliers-at-partnership-awards Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT An investigation has begun into a fire that started under a train in Mottingham in south east London on Wednesday night. 70 passengers were led off the train to nearby stations and many others joined them. When emergency services arrived the fire was already out and nobody was hurt. Police believe the fire could have started after the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Object-deliberately-left-on-tracks-started-train-fire 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Object-deliberately-left-on-tracks-started-train-fire Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Investment of £60m could boost the West Midlands economy by over £370m a year and create over 4,400 new jobs, Centro has stated. The organisation is urging the Government to include three projects in the upcoming High Level Output Specification (HLOS) that will help make the region’s rail network connect better with the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Centro-highlights-minor-projects-for-major-boost 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Centro-highlights-minor-projects-for-major-boost Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A coalition of business and transport groups is calling for government to provide further investment in rail, ahead of the HLOS (high level output specification), due to be published next month. The British Chambers of Commerce, Campaign for Better Transport, The Centre for Cities and the Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg) have... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Industry-calls-for-further-investment-in-rail 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Industry-calls-for-further-investment-in-rail Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work on the Birmingham Metro tram extension began yesterday, launched by transport minister Norman Baker. The dig has begun as the junction of Corporation Street and Bull Street, with work to move water pipes and power cables. The extension, which will run from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station, is part of a larger £127m joint... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Work-starts-on-Midlands-Metro-extension 385,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Work-starts-on-Midlands-Metro-extension Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Relations between Aslef and East Midlands Trains have come under fresh strain after the union called for further industrial action over pension scheme changes. EMT has labelled this action as “hypocrisy”, as other similar deals have been agreed without strikes. Aslef has planned strikes for June 23 and 25. Changes to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/further-strikes-in-emt-pensions-dispute 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/further-strikes-in-emt-pensions-dispute Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has been fined for breaches of health and safety law that led to a woman’s death at a level crossing in Wiltshire in 2009. Julia Canning was hit by a train at Fairfield crossing near Little Bedwyn. Following an investigation and prosecution brought by the ORR, Network Rail pleaded guilty to breaching health and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-death-fine-for-network-rail 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-death-fine-for-network-rail Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Manchester Piccadilly will soon see its station car park extended, to cope with increased demand. Network Rail is creating 263 extra car spaces, bringing the total parking up to 855 spaces. The new building will use pre-cast concrete before being clad in structural steel, a low-maintenance material that does not require painting or... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/More-parking-for-Manchester-Piccadilly 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/More-parking-for-Manchester-Piccadilly Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT union has announced two more bonus payments for staff working during the Olympics. Cleaners working on the Virgin/Alstom West Coast Cleaning Contract for VOITH industrial services will now receive a bonus of £400 over the Olympic and Paralympic period. Staff working at Heathrow Express will receive a £700 deal, as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympics-bonuses-for-railway-staff-agreed 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympics-bonuses-for-railway-staff-agreed Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £7.6m upgrade at Swansea station is now complete, making it more accessible and safe for passengers, the Welsh Government has announced. Improvements included information boards, waiting shelters, toilets and a glazed wall between the concourse and the platforms. £3m funding came from the Welsh Government, with £1.2m... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Swansea-station-upgrade-completed 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Swansea-station-upgrade-completed Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first employees are now moving into The Quadrant: MK, Network Rail’s new national centre of operations inMilton Keynes. Over the next three months, around 3,000 people will move in, with the centre fully operational by September. David Higgins, Network Rail chief executive, said: “The national centre is at the heart of our... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-Quadrant-MK-welcomes-first-of-3000-staff 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-Quadrant-MK-welcomes-first-of-3000-staff Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has confirmed the shortlist for the non-traction high voltage power supply contract, with chosen organisations to be invited to tender later this summer. The scope of works within the contract (C650) includes design, procurement, installing and testing and commissioning of the non traction high voltage system. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-power-supply-contract-confirmed 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-power-supply-contract-confirmed Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new Metrolink line that extends the light rail network to Oldham is set to open on Wednesday, subject to final testing. The service from Oldham Mumps will reach the city centre in around 25 minutes, with services running every 12 minutes. A six-minute service will be introduced as patronage grows and capacity through the city... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-metrolink-line-opens-to-oldham 385,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-metrolink-line-opens-to-oldham Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Trains has launched a scathing attack on Network Rail, saying its performance on the WCML “continues to be unacceptable”. The company came bottom in the latest punctuality league table released by Network Rail, with a performance percentage of just 82.9%, which the operator blamed on infrastructure failings – the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-trains-blames-network-rail-for-poor-performance 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-trains-blames-network-rail-for-poor-performance Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Access for All improvements have been completed at Slough station, ahead of the Olympic Games. Birse Rail delivered the £4m project for Network Rail to increase accessibility to the station, which will be a major transport hub for Olympic rowing events this summer. Three lifts and a new footbridge were installed to provide step-free... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/4m-accessibility-project-for-slough-station 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/4m-accessibility-project-for-slough-station Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The final lot of contracts under the professional services framework has been awarded, HS2 Ltd has announced. Four land referencing contracts, covering land access and referencing for ecological, environmental and engineering surveys, were won by Mouchel, Mott MacDonald and Terraquest, which won two. The contracts also require the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS2-professional-services-contracts-awarded 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS2-professional-services-contracts-awarded Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport for London has increased both ridership and reliability over the past year while creating significant savings, its draft Annual Report and Statement of Accounts suggests. The report covers the year ended March 31, 2012 and will be considered by the Audit and Assurance Committee on June 15 before being presented to the TfL board... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-efficiencies-programme-saves-18bn 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tfl-efficiencies-programme-saves-18bn Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Foregate Streetstation in Worcester is to benefit from a £500,000 improvement project, funded by Worcestershire County Council. The council was awarded £14.2m from the DfT to help implement the first phase of the Worcester Transport Strategy (WTS). Malvern Link station will also receive £500,000 funding for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/worcester-transport-strategy-to-deliver-station-improvements- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/worcester-transport-strategy-to-deliver-station-improvements- Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has announced an increase in both profits and debts in its full-year financial results for 2011/12, as well as progress on making efficiency savings and repaying money to the UK and Scottish Governments. Its post-tax profits increased by £441m to £754m: more than double the 2010/11 figure of £313m. Overall... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-profits-more-than-double 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-profits-more-than-double Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The ORR has done its own research into passenger confusion over ticketing and fare options, reinforcing the message found in other studies that many people find selecting and buying tickets “confusing and frustrating”. The terminology – peak, off-peak, Advance tickets, and so on – is not always well-understood, and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Widespread-passenger-confusion-over-fares 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Widespread-passenger-confusion-over-fares Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ten more level crossing camera vans are being rolled out across the country this year. Network Rail made the announcement today to coincide with International Level Crossing Awareness Day today (June 7). Just three of the Network Rail / British Transport Police vans have so far managed to catch 2,400 people inLondon, the south east... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-vans-to-monitor-entire-network 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-vans-to-monitor-entire-network Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Adam Hewitt reports from Infrarail 2012, which had over 4,500 visitors from 36 different countries, as well as 212 exhibitors. Infrarail 2012 pulled in visitors from across the UK and around the world, eager to see the latest innovations in rail infrastructure technology and hear from some of the industry’s leading figures. New... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/4500-visitors-at-infrarail-2012 387,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/4500-visitors-at-infrarail-2012 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Campaign for Better Transport is to launch a new campaign urging an expansion of the rail network, re-opening of lines, and adding chords and curves to “rejoin missing links”. The new campaign, Railways Fit for the Future, wants a dedicated fund to be set up for re-openings, alongside modernisation across the network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/campaigners-demand-a-dedicated-fund-for-line-re-openings 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/campaigners-demand-a-dedicated-fund-for-line-re-openings Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has won permission for its £16m replacement of Loughor viaduct, linking Swansea and Llanelli, from Carmarthenshire Council. It is part of a wider £40m redoubling of a six-mile stretch of line between Cockett West Junction and Duffryn West Junction, which will also see the eastbound platform of Gowerton station... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crucial-loughor-viaduct-rebuild-gets-the-go-ahead 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crucial-loughor-viaduct-rebuild-gets-the-go-ahead Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A consultation has been launched to get people’s views on the biggest franchise ever dreamt up by the DfT – the so-called ‘combined franchise’ of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern, which would operate services from Brighton to King’s Lynn and Southampton to Ashford. The franchise would basically be a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-undecided-on-services-to-be-included-in-massive-combined-franchise 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-undecided-on-services-to-be-included-in-massive-combined-franchise Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Simon Kirby, director of Infrastructure Projects at Network Rail, updated the Infrarail 2012 conference on the ongoing work to set up his unit as a completely separate company, competing with the private sector for Network Rail’s work. “We will be a fundamentally different company by the end of 2012,” Simon Kirby told a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-becoming-a-group-of-companies 384,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-becoming-a-group-of-companies Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT MPs and unions have attacked “ineptitude” at the DfT for the delays in getting a final Thameslink rolling stock contract signed with Siemens, nearly a year after it was picked as preferred bidder. After a Parliamentary written answer by rail minister Theresa Villiers on May 17 revealed that “core project... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/still-no-thameslink-trains-deal-but-iep-financing-close 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/still-no-thameslink-trains-deal-but-iep-financing-close Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Gatwick Express has seen a 17% increase in passengers in the past year, figures suggest. There was also a 100% increase in people booking tickets online, due to investment in mobile ticketing technologies. Alex Foulds, development director for Southern Railway, which runs the Gatwick Express, said: “Considering the context of a 6.9%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/17-passenger-increase-for-Gatwick-Express 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/17-passenger-increase-for-Gatwick-Express Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Redoubling of the Kemble to Swindon line is to begin in October, Network Rail has announced. The £45m project was given the go-ahead in March 2011 to remove a bottleneck on the Cheltenham to London route. Doubling will take place on 12.5 miles of single track. The section was singled in the late 1960s as a cost-saving measure... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/date-set-for-kemble-to-swindon-redoubling 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/date-set-for-kemble-to-swindon-redoubling Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT union has withdrawn its ballot for industrial action over East Midlands Train’s updated pension proposals, to be implemented in July. Aslef is still considering further industrial action, however. RMT’s ballot had been open for two weeks and was due to close yesterday, but has now been declared void, as the union... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RMT-drops-pension-strike-ballot-plans 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RMT-drops-pension-strike-ballot-plans Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger rights and responsibilities have been made easier to understand with a revision of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, following consultations with ATOC, ORR and the DfT. The conditions will now be more user-friendly, with a summary of passenger rights provided and passenger and train companies’ responsibilities... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Conditions-of-carriage-revised 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Conditions-of-carriage-revised Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT RMT has settled with London Underground for a deal over Olympics working following months of negotiation, averting the threat of a strike during the Games. LU staff will receive up to £850 for working during the Games, with drivers receiving up to £1,000. The deal for maintenance, stations and control room staff breaks down... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/LU-and-RMT-settle-Olympics-deal 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/LU-and-RMT-settle-Olympics-deal Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work is progressing fast on the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station, as construction of the new entrance gets underway. Situated on the corner of Stephenson Street and Navigation Street, this will improve links between the city’s business district and the station. The new entrance is expected to open in April 2013... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-Street-entrance-takes-shape 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-Street-entrance-takes-shape Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest round of successful bids for a share of funding from a £100m station commercial projects facility have been announced. The third and final tranche will see £15m for ten projects, with improvements including new and extended car parks, station redevelopments and retail space. The fund was launched by Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/15m-announced-for-station-improvements 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/15m-announced-for-station-improvements Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has been instructed to deliver better punctuality for long distance train services, or face a “substantial financial penalty” – totalling £1.5m for every tenth of a percentage point by which it misses its target. The ORR has warned that the company must improve towards meeting its punctuality target of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Better-punctuality-or-fines-ORR-warns-Network-Rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Better-punctuality-or-fines-ORR-warns-Network-Rail Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Forth Bridge is to make a bid for Unesco world heritage status, as one of two UK sites chosen to put forward nominations. The Forth Bridges Forum, including representatives from Historic Scotland, Network Rail, TransportScotland, the Forth Estuary Transport Authority, Fife Council and Edinburgh City Council, will prepare a bid for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/World-heritage-site-bid-for-the-Forth-Bridge 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/World-heritage-site-bid-for-the-Forth-Bridge Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail unions are launching a new campaign, ‘Action for Rail’, to fight government reforms to the rail industry. Union leaders are opposed to the staffing and service cuts recommended by Sir Roy McNulty’s Rail Value for Money review. The review suggested that the rail industry was inefficient and needed to make... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Campaign-against-rail-reforms-launched 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Campaign-against-rail-reforms-launched Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT ORR proposals to overhaul access charges for rail freight risk “destabilising” recent growth and customer confidence, according to the Rail Freight Group. The ORR is considering proposals to introduce new charges for freight, following a recent consultation, with proposals including an additional charge on operators moving... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-charges-could-cut-traffic-by-10-rfg 386,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-charges-could-cut-traffic-by-10-rfg Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Heathrow Express has launched the first of its newly refurbished trains, after a £15m investment into its rolling stock. The upgrade of its fleet of 14 four-car Class 332s is aimed at making the experience for passengers more like that of an airline and to comply with new safety standards that will be introduced in 2019. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-fleet-launched-for-Heathrow-Express 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-fleet-launched-for-Heathrow-Express Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The 20th annual Rail Freight Group (RFG) conference will discuss the impact of rail reforms on freight, as well as the opportunities for growth and expansion. Key issues include the capacity for new infrastructure, HS2’s effect on freight and how customer expectations for freight are changing, following the introduction of carbon... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-impact-of-reforms-on-agenda-for-freight-conference 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-impact-of-reforms-on-agenda-for-freight-conference Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport minister Norman Baker has approved £4.5m funding towards the Tees Valley Metro project, through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. A new station will be built at theJamesCookUniversityHospitalinMiddlesbrough, to help encourage modal shift and reduce car traffic and congestion around the busy site. The station will be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/45m-approved-for-tees-valley-metro-project 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/45m-approved-for-tees-valley-metro-project Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT London Underground is proposing to increase capacity at Bank Tube station to cope with rising passenger numbers. Following an initial announcement of the plans in November, a second exhibition is to be held from May 28 – June 1. The proposed scheme would be completed by 2021 and includes solutions to ease over-crowding. The work... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bank-capacity-works-exhibited-by-lu 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bank-capacity-works-exhibited-by-lu Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is holding a consultation on plans to build footbridges in Lincolnshire to stop people misusing the level crossings. Both pedestrians and motorists have been seen regularly trying to ‘beat the barriers’ at High Street and Brayford Wharfin Lincoln City Centre, with some even attempting to lift the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Footbridge-plans-considered-for-Lincolnshire-level-crossing 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Footbridge-plans-considered-for-Lincolnshire-level-crossing Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Welsh Government is replacing the Geralt Gymro service introduced recently by the previous Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition, and reducing the number of daily express trains between Holyhead and Cardiff from two to one. The new service will stop at Wrexham and Flint, and aims to save over £500,000 a year. Operating from September... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-express-service-for-Wales 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-express-service-for-Wales Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport minister Norman Baker has entered the pensions dispute between East Midlands Trains (EMT) and train drivers’ union Aslef, in a letter setting out the DfT’s position on the matter, saying it only “reluctantly” accepted the operator’s decision to cut its contributions. EMT is proposing to reduce... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/baker-disappointed-at-emt-pension-proposals 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/baker-disappointed-at-emt-pension-proposals Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has agreed a £2.3bn deal with Crossrail to deliver infrastructure enhancements on the existing rail network to enable Crossrail services to Maidenhead, Heathrow, Abbey Wood and Shenfield. The work involves design, development, and delivery elements of the Crossrail project above ground, including modifications at 27... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-deal-sealed-for-above-ground-works 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-deal-sealed-for-above-ground-works Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin Trains is introducing extra capacity between Glasgow Central andLondonthroughout the summer to cope with extra demand during the Olympics. Three extra trains with at least 439 seats each will operate every weekday in each direction in July, August and September. Four new Pendolino trains with 589 seats instead of the normal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympics-boost-for-Scottish-visitors 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympics-boost-for-Scottish-visitors Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Alternatives to HS2 would not solve capacity problems on the rail network, a parliamentary inquiry has concluded, after considering evidence from both those for and against the new line. The first phase of HS2, fromLondontoBirmingham, was approved by Government in January, despite significant opposition from environmental campaigners.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-speed-alternatives-insufficient-for-demand-mps 381,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-speed-alternatives-insufficient-for-demand-mps Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Slough station has seen a major upgrade to its forecourt, platform access and customer information, through a partnership with Network Rail, First Great Western and Slough Borough Council. The improvements will make the station bigger, brighter and more accessible, ahead of the Olympic Games. Work on the station forecourt was carried... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/major-refurbishment-at-slough-station-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/major-refurbishment-at-slough-station-complete Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has submitted plans to build a Rail Operations Centre in York, with the application set to be discussed by councillors today. The centre would control the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland. Located behind York station, it would replace an existing signalling centre with one that would be the operating hub for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/york-operations-centre-plans-submitted 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/york-operations-centre-plans-submitted Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The demolition of Stamford New Roadbridge is now complete, ahead of the £19m redevelopment of Altrincham Interchange. The disused footbridge had been closed for a number of years, and now it has been cleared, pedestrian access across the road will be improved. The bridge connected the Stamford Quarter to the current interchange, and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bridge-demolition-paves-the-way-for-Altrincham-transformation 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bridge-demolition-paves-the-way-for-Altrincham-transformation Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport operator FirstGroup has been named the most sustainable large company in the UK, and the second best in the world, by a new EIRIS survey. The research assesses the sustainability of all 2,063 companies in the FTSE All-World Developed Index. FirstGroup was ranked second in the top ten ‘Sustainability Leaders’... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-is-global-sustainability-leader-eiris 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/firstgroup-is-global-sustainability-leader-eiris Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers face inconsistent treatment when they are unable to produce a valid ticket when asked, according to research from Passenger Focus, with consequences ranging from no action, to fines and even criminal prosecution. Passenger Focus is calling for the introduction of a code of practice, setting out clear and consistent guidelines... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/perils-of-tocs-privatised-justice-for-passengers-with-wrong-tickets 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/perils-of-tocs-privatised-justice-for-passengers-with-wrong-tickets Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Infrarail 2012 had over 4,500 visitors from 1-3 May, the organisers have revealed. The exhibition saw visitors from 36 different countries, and there were 212 exhibitors. New features The Yard and The Platform were well received and there was good attendance at the Technical Seminars, featuring keynote addresses by rail minister... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/4500-visitors-at-Infrarail-2012 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/4500-visitors-at-Infrarail-2012 Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medically trained British Transport Police (BTP) officers are to be deployed on the Tube to attend to ill passengers more quickly and reduce service delays. 20 officers have received advanced training on a four-week course in Pre Hospital Care, accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons. They will patrol key locations around the network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/btp-officers-to-provide-medical-support-on-tube 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/btp-officers-to-provide-medical-support-on-tube Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Blackfriars Communications Manager David Wilson talks RTM through the developments that have so far taken place at the station and the work still to be done. The countdown to completion for Blackfriars began in December last year when the first 12-carriage trains began calling at the station. Although only a few of these longer trains... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/re-building-blackfriars 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/re-building-blackfriars Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT MSPs are calling for changes in the rules that see late trains classed as ‘on-time’. The Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure Committee has analysed the state of rail services and highlighted several improvements that could be made. Currently, long-distance services are classes as on-time as long as they arrive... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/threshold-for-late-trains-should-be-reduced-msps 377,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/threshold-for-late-trains-should-be-reduced-msps Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Blackfriars’ final two platforms are now open for use, meaning passengers will benefit from an extra 727 trains every week. Southeastern services to Sevenoaks will begin using the new platforms on Monday, May 21 and First Capital Connect services to Sutton will operate from Sunday, May 27. Alongside the return of weekend and late... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/727-more-services-for-Blackfriars-station 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/727-more-services-for-Blackfriars-station Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT MPs in East Angliaare campaigning for infrastructure improvements to increase speed and capacity on the region’s railways. Ahead of the 15-year franchise that will start in July 2014, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) aims to lay out their priorities for the region in ‘A Rail Prospectus forEast... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Campaign-for-East-Anglia-rail-picks-up-pace 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Campaign-for-East-Anglia-rail-picks-up-pace Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains is working to promote environmental awareness during Stagecoach’s annual Green Week. Staff will take part in a series of activities and training to raise awareness of the importance of preventing pollution. Initiatives the company has already introduced include using a fuel additive to improve fuel economy, an... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Green-Week-raises-environmental-awareness-for-rail-staff 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Green-Week-raises-environmental-awareness-for-rail-staff Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Andover station is set to receive a £700,000 upgrade as work begins this week. The scheme is funded by the National Station Improvement Programme, South West Trains and Test Valley Borough Council. The upgrade includes the refurbishment of the waiting room and new station frontage as well as additional parking and drop-off space.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/700000-improvements-at-andoverstation 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/700000-improvements-at-andoverstation Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crime on the railways has fallen for the eighth successive year, with a 9.1% decrease in notifiable crime in 2011/12. Violent crime dropped by 2.9%,  robberies by 9.6%, vandalism by 21.6%, theft of passenger property by 10.4% and theft of rail property by 12.8%. Crime on the railways over the past five years has fallen by over... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/btp-statistics-show-railway-crime-falls-by-91 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/btp-statistics-show-railway-crime-falls-by-91 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Wembley Central has become the 65th step-free Tube station ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. Network Rail installed three new lifts and one new stair lift, as well as constructing a corridor linking the ticket hall with all platforms to cover passengers. Access improvements will be implemented at over 90 Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Step-free-access-for-Wembley-Central 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Step-free-access-for-Wembley-Central Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The rail watchdog Passenger Focus has urged the Government to ensure that passengers’ priorities are taken into account in its decision over whom to grant the next Great Western franchise. It says the top passenger priorities for improvement in the franchise are punctuality/reliability, being able to get a seat on the train, value... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/passengers-demand-punctual-and-reliable-great-western-service 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/passengers-demand-punctual-and-reliable-great-western-service Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT has entered the pensions dispute with East Midlands Trains, to the anger of the operator. East Midlands Trains said that the RMT’s ballot of its members employed there was “extremely unhelpful”. Another union, Aslef, has already held a number of strikes as part of the dispute. David Horne, the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-ballots-members-over-east-midlands-trains-dispute 373,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-ballots-members-over-east-midlands-trains-dispute Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Engineering consultants firm Parsons Brinckerhoff has won two HS2 contracts, under the ‘professional services framework’. The two contract, worth £8m, will see the company working with HS2 Ltd to provide a ‘whole system’ approach to optimise the overall rail systems design and provide the appropriate balance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Two-more-HS2-contracts-awarded 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Two-more-HS2-contracts-awarded Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Funding has been agreed for the redevelopment ofNorthamptonstation, with the Government agreeing to fund half the costs. The £20m station will replace Castle station in Black Lion Hill and will be funded by Northamptonshire County Council and Network Rail. The construction is expected to start by the end of the year and is due to be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-20m-station-for-northampton 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-20m-station-for-northampton Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The union RMT has accused London Midland of planning its cuts to stations and staff to save £1.25m in profit each year. Changes to staffing practices and ticket offices were one of the recommendations of the McNulty value for money study. The RMT says it has seen leaked financial reports from London Midland, which show that 12... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rmt-says-london-midland-making-125m-profit-from-cuts 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rmt-says-london-midland-making-125m-profit-from-cuts Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvements on the Tube have been achieved through a vital investment and reliability programme, Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced, as performance statistics for 2011/12 are published. More passenger journeys were made on the Tube than ever before – 1.171 billion – and the volume of train services operated increased... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tube-investment-sees-significant-results 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tube-investment-sees-significant-results Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Four bridges are being replaced on the Esk Valleyline between Middlesbrough and Whitby in June to ensure they are fit for purpose for many years. The work is worth approximately £2.1m and will take place in the school holidays to minimise disruption. The bridges will be replaced in pairs, Derby and Duck together, and then... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/2-1m-bridge-replacement-for-Esk-Valley 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/2-1m-bridge-replacement-for-Esk-Valley Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Allerton Train Care got the ministerial seal of approval at its official opening on May 10, with rail minister Theresa Villiers cutting the ribbon. It is the new home of Northern’s Class 156 DMUs, but is expected in the future to become the base for Class 319 electrified stock, cascaded from the Thameslink routes when Network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Allerton-depot-officially-opens 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Allerton-depot-officially-opens Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is facing an equal pay case amid claims that female staff are earning less than their male counterparts. The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) will set out details of the case at its annual conference inCardiff, including claims for over £25,000 in back pay for the staff in question. 34 women, who... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Equal-pay-case-against-Network-Rail 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Equal-pay-case-against-Network-Rail Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The ORR is to review the compensation regime between Network Rail and train operators, and passenger awareness of their rights regarding compensation It has been claimed that less than 10% of the £184m paid to private firms for delays last year went to passengers whose journeys were affected. There has been a dispute between... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Compensation-review-launched-by-ORR 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Compensation-review-launched-by-ORR Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cows that caused a train crash outside of Oxfordon Wednesday stampeded through a fence maintained by Network Rail, it has emerged. However, the company has no plans to compensate the farmer and insists the fence is regularly inspected. A spokesperson said: “There’s nothing you can do if animals decide to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cow-crash-caused-by-stampede-Network-Rail 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cow-crash-caused-by-stampede-Network-Rail Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Strikes are set to continue after talks between drivers’ union Aslef and East Midlands Trains break down without agreement yesterday. The drivers union Aslef is opposed to the company’s plans to reduce pension fund contributions from both workers and East Midlands Trains, which says it is “frustrated” at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Further-driver-strikes-in-EMT-dispute 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Further-driver-strikes-in-EMT-dispute Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Campaigners are redoubling their efforts to get rail electrification extended to Swansea, as politicians, businesses and Swansea University meet to present ‘a united front’ for faster and more frequent services. The Department for Transport is currently considering the business case for electrification in south westWales. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Swansea-electrification-campaign-picks-up-pace 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Swansea-electrification-campaign-picks-up-pace Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passenger services are disrupted today after a freight train derailed yesterday afternoon just outside of Aberdeen. The 15-mile stretch of line between Aberdeen and Stonehaven has been closed since the derailment happened just before 5pm yesterday (Wednesday), as it was crossing onto the main line. Disruption is expected to continue... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Freight-derailment-causes-severe-disruption 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Freight-derailment-causes-severe-disruption Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvements at Loughborough station are now complete, following an £8m refurbishment of the station and surrounding area. The work included a new footbridge and the installation of lifts to provide step-free access, extended platforms to accommodate 10-carriage trains, new cycle parking and TVMs as well as updated customer... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Loughborough-station-upgrade-complete- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Loughborough-station-upgrade-complete- Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT National Train Performance for period 1 is 93.3%, with the moving annual average (MAA) now at 91.7%. This covers April 1-28 and compares to 92.9% for the same period last year. It is down 0.1% on the previous period. The most punctual franchise in this period was c2c Rail with 97.9% and a MAA of 96.9%. c2c managing director Julian Drury... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/PPM-at-933 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/PPM-at-933 Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT ATOC has published a high-level rolling stock strategy to help guide ministers ahead of the publication of the HLOS this summer. It includes forecast numbers of rolling stock needed by the end of CP5, based on low-growth, medium, and high-growth scenarios, and addresses the question of new build trains versus continuous service and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ATOC-publishes-rolling-stock-strategy 382,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ATOC-publishes-rolling-stock-strategy Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail and Network Rail have issued an “unprecedented” joint apology for poor services over the past year. In the open letter, published on the ScotRail website, Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, and David Simpson, Network Rail’s route managing director for Scotland blame a number of things for the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Joint-apology-from-ScotRail-and-Network-Rail-for-poor-performance 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Joint-apology-from-ScotRail-and-Network-Rail-for-poor-performance Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT South West Trains has announced the introduction of 48 extra carriages on its network – cascaded Class 456s from Southern Railways, refurbished to the same specification as SWT’s existing Class 455s.  These 48 carriages, plus the 60 announced by the DfT in December 2011 – refurbished former Gatwick Express Class 460... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/South-West-Trains-welcomes-new-carriages 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/South-West-Trains-welcomes-new-carriages Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A revised timetable is in operation on East Midlands Trains services again today due to strike action over pensions changes by Aslef, which it is repeating on Thursday, when talks are planned. A full and normal service will operate tomorrow (Wednesday) and Friday, but two more stoppages are planned next week, unless progress is made at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/East-Midlands-Trains-condemns-strike-over-nothing 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/East-Midlands-Trains-condemns-strike-over-nothing Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT More than 100 MPs have now signed a Commons motion opposing the Government’s rail policies and the implementation of the McNulty value for money study recommendations. The early day motion, first tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell in October last year, is backed primarily by Labour MPs, but also by 13 Lib Dems, three Plaid Cymru... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/More-MPs-come-out-against-McNulty-proposals 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/More-MPs-come-out-against-McNulty-proposals Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Civic and business leaders in Shropshire are lobbying heavily for a return of direct London services to the county in the next WCML franchise, following the collapse of Wrexham & Shropshire early last year. Representatives from Shropshire and Telford councils are pressing for a morning and evening train service between London and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Shropshire-demands-restored-London-rail-link-in-WCML-franchise 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Shropshire-demands-restored-London-rail-link-in-WCML-franchise Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The ORR has set out Network Rail’s financial and incentive framework for 2014-19, including plans to vary track access charges in different regions. The document focuses on encouraging collaborative ways of working, in an attempt to align operators’ incentives with those of Network Rail. This was a key concern of last... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Incentive-framework-published-for-Network-Rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Incentive-framework-published-for-Network-Rail Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stagecoach Group has launched a new mobile website letting users access information on the move in a clear and appropriate format. Smartphone users will be automatically redirected to the website, offering quick access to press releases, regulatory news, share prices, financial calendar and key contacts. Event reminders will also be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Mobile-access-for-Stagecoach-website 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Mobile-access-for-Stagecoach-website Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A viaduct in Blackburn is set to be refurbished by Network Rail in a project worth around £350,000. Cobwall viaduct will be upgraded during the next six weeks. The work involves tightening tie bars and stitching, grouting, pointing and replacing the brickwork as necessary. Any vegetation will be removed from the viaduct and the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Refurbishment-work-for-Cobwall-viaduct- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Refurbishment-work-for-Cobwall-viaduct- Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Simon Kirby, director of investment projects at Network Rail, has said it will soon be a “fundamentally different company” – and could even be better described as “a group of companies” – as it alters its structure, in a speech at Infrarail 2012 at Birmingham’s NEC. Speaking to a sizeable crowd on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-becoming-a-group-of-companies-says-Kirby 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-becoming-a-group-of-companies-says-Kirby Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Jeremy Candfield, Director General of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), speaks to RTM about the economic situation for rail businesses. Recent surveys by major business groups have suggested that UK manufacturing is bouncing back after a tricky couple of years – although official data on manufacturing output and exporting does... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-booming-supply-chain 387,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-booming-supply-chain Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Professor Andrew McNaughton, chief engineer of HS2 Ltd, addressed the iRail event and then talked to RTM about the importance of engaging younger people, and the future of high speed rail. The rail industry has a heck of a good future,” Professor Andrew McNaughton told RTM at iRail 2012. “Rail is going to be the backbone of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/as-fast-as-we-can 381,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/as-fast-as-we-can Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Simon Kirby, head of Network Rail’s infrastructure business, has told the Financial Times that a “major target” is for it to win a lead role in the construction of HS2, competing against other businesses. Structural changes at Network Rail mean that it expects more work and responsibility to be outsourced to other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-reforms-more-competition-and-less-control 384,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-reforms-more-competition-and-less-control Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A section of track that has been closed since the end of last week due to a landslide caused by heavy rain has now re-opened. The railway between Inverness and Aviemore had to be closed on April 27 when an 18 metre (60 foot) section of the lineside gave way near the Slochd, a pass between Inverness and Carrbridge. About 2,000 tonnes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Track-re-opens-after-landslide 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Track-re-opens-after-landslide Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NSARE, the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering, is at a crucial stage: it is in the middle of the first wave of inspecting the industry’s training providers, it is developing a new National Competency Database of every engineer/ technician working in rail, and updating its skills forecasting of the jobs the industry will have... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-radically-different-approach 394,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-radically-different-approach Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi and the Royal College of Art Vehicle Design programme are working closely together on a new rolling stock R&D project. Adam Hewitt reports. Hitachi Rail Europe, whose first rolling stock contract in Europe was for the fleet of 29 Class 395 high-speed trains for High Speed 1, and which, as the lead partner in the Agility Trains... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bright-ideas 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bright-ideas Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tunnelling is only just starting, but Crossrail is already looking ahead to the hand-over of works from the civils contractors to the installation of track and the tunnel fit-out railway systems works. Adam Hewitt spoke to Siv Bhamra, Systemwide Director at Crossrail, about the track and tunnel fit-out works contract, for which five bidders... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail---getting-ready-for-the-railway 379,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/crossrail---getting-ready-for-the-railway Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Commuters and travellers arriving in Manchester can now hire folding bikes directly outside Piccadilly station. Transport minister Norman Baker – a big proponent of cycling – has given influential backing to a new cycle hire scheme launched at Manchester Piccadilly station at the beginning of April. Brompton Dock Ltd... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cycle-hire-arrives-at-piccadilly 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cycle-hire-arrives-at-piccadilly Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans for a tram network in Edinburgh have cleared their final parliamentary hurdle. Following a vote in Parliament on the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill, Scotland’s MSPs have signalled that Royal Assent can bow be granted and the network can assume ‘approved status’, with a Business Case being presented in the autumn.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edinburgh-tram-network-approved 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edinburgh-tram-network-approved Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £22m project that started in 2008 to fit more than 200 trains in the South West Trains fleet with regenerative braking is now complete. RTM spoke to the operator’s engineering director Christian Roth. Investing in regenerative braking is one of those business decisions that can be safely labelled as a no-brainer. With energy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/feel-the-power 392,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/feel-the-power Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT MPs are supporting a scheme offering free rail travel worth up to £600 to people travelling for job interviews or new job starts in collaboration with c2c rail. Jobseekers are eligible for up to six free tickets to interviews and new starters are eligible for two months free travel on c2c trains when the vacancies are organised... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Free-rail-travel-for-job-starts- 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Free-rail-travel-for-job-starts- Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT London Bridge has just received planning approval, marking the next stage of the Thameslink programme. Kate Ashley reports. The proposals to overhaul London Bridge station as part of the Thameslink programme have won formal planning consent. The upgrade will remove a critical bottleneck on the railway, with the new station able to cope... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Go-ahead-for-London-Bridge 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Go-ahead-for-London-Bridge Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Derby Roundhouse set the stage for inspiration once more, as students took on the iRail challenge. Kate Ashley reports. The third annual iRail event took place in Derby on March 15, 2012, where teams of school children and college students competed on railway challenges, in a bid to encourage them to consider the rail industry as a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/irail-2012 394,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/irail-2012 Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Centro’s Rail Partnerships Manager, Steven Fisher, explains more about the agreement that is adding value to West Midlands’ railways. An innovative partnership arrangement between Centro and operator London Midland is set to improve the passenger experience at stations across the West Midlands. As part of the Transforming Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/listening-to-the-passenger 375,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/listening-to-the-passenger Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains and the British Transport Police (BTP) have launched a new initiative to help reduce anti-social behaviour on the Robin Hood Line. The ‘code of conduct’ reminds passengers of existing railway regulations in place to dissuade behaviour such as the culture of loitering and drinking alcohol on stations and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-anti-social-behaviour-initiative-launched 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-anti-social-behaviour-initiative-launched Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail has been undertaking a comprehensive refurbishment and relivery project across much of its fleet, and the latest to benefit are 33 of the Class 170s. Adam Hewitt reports. The first batch of the 33 ScotRail Class 170 Turbostars to be refurbished under a £6m enhancement programme are back in service, with interior and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-look-Class-170s 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-look-Class-170s Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new King’s Cross western concourse has been years in the making, but opened to universal acclaim in March at the way it marries the old and new, helps passengers get around, and of course for the stunning latticed columns and roof. Adam Hewitt reports on one of the country’s biggest station refurbishments, all done under the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-new-king-of-stations 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/the-new-king-of-stations Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s financial and commercial director David McLoughlin took the conference through an overview of the structural changes that have taken place in the last year. The Network Rail Tier 2 conference, held at its Westwood centre in Coventry, was part of the move to become more open, honest and transparent in the way the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-a-changing-culture 384,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-a-changing-culture Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Stephen Blakey, Network Rail’s head of cost planning and bid management, informed the Tier 2 supplier conference in Coventry in February of the latest developments in contracts for suppliers. Network Rail is setting new standards in important workstreams, with new payment terms and the introduction of the fair payment charter.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-collaborative-engagement 384,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-collaborative-engagement Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Neil Thompson, regional director for the Central area, spoke to the conference about the importance of safety and ensuring it really is endorsed. Despite admitting to spending most of his time talking to tier 1 contractors, Neil Thompson was adamant that "when it comes to safety, we need to talk to the market more". The new regional... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-safety 384,394,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tier-2-conference-safety Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM hears more about the latest research from Track 21, led by Professor William Powrie. Track 21 is a research programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), which aims to develop a systematic understanding of the fundamental science underpinning railway track behaviour, and then use this to bring... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Track-for-the-21st-Century 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Track-for-the-21st-Century Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A partnership between a transport authority, train manufacturer and a university has shown what is possible in forward-looking rolling stock design. Adam Hewitt reports on the ‘Green Train’ project. A four-year project to come up with a vision of a train for the future has been judged a huge success. Although the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Trains-for-tomorrow 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Trains-for-tomorrow Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Nick Salt, rail director at construction, infrastructure and design business Morgan Sindall about their work to refurbish three central Liverpool stations’ underground areas. Work is beginning on brightening up Central station in Liverpool to improve the passenger experience, as part of a major refurbishment initiative... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/underground---but-not-london 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/underground---but-not-london Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Managing & Technical Director of VTOL Technologies, Ashley Bryant, a chartered engineer, chartered IT professional and member of the IMechE, reports on the new and rising Unmanned Aerial Systems and their value in the rail industry The UK rail network covers over 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges and tunnels as well as 2,500... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Why-are-UAS-not-being-more-widely-used-for-rail-network-inspections 389,379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Why-are-UAS-not-being-more-widely-used-for-rail-network-inspections Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM talks to Heathrow Express managing director Keith Greenfield about the upgrade of its fleet and its decision to rebrand itself. Heathrow Express has unveiled the result of a £16m rebrand and rolling stock refurbishment, three years in the making. With partners including Siemens, Designhouse, Interfleet, Axminster and No... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Years-ahead-on-safety-compliance 392,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Years-ahead-on-safety-compliance Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans for the redevelopment of Bristol Temple Meads station have been revealed by Network Rail, and a high-level feasibility study is being carried out to determine the economic benefits of the proposals. The station area would be expanded, and train services increased to cope with growing demand. Passenger numbers are set to rise by 44%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bristol-station-plans-unveiled 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bristol-station-plans-unveiled Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cable theft has fallen dramatically, yet it is continuing to cause significant disruption on the rail network, figures from a recent Network Rail summit on the crime show. The number of incidents fell by 15% in 2011/12, compared to the previous year, from 995 incidents to 844. But the total cost of disruption rose from £16.4m to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Legal-reform-needed-to-cut-cable-theft 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Legal-reform-needed-to-cut-cable-theft Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT South West Trains and Network Rail have marked the official launch of their ‘deep alliance’, creating a joint management team that will be responsible for both trains and tracks. A first for the industry, this follows recommendations from Sir Roy McNulty’s on how to reduce inefficiencies in the rail network. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-and-SWT-pledge-improvements-through-alliance 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-and-SWT-pledge-improvements-through-alliance Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Shadow transport secretary, Maria Eagle MP, is supporting the ‘Stansted in 30’ campaign, and has urged the Government to consider work to cut journey times between Stansted and London from 45 minutes to 30. Improvements on the West Anglia Main Line in the next round of funding could also deliver improved reliability on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Stansted-in-30-campaign-gets-Eagles-backing 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Stansted-in-30-campaign-gets-Eagles-backing Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT No immediate extra funding is available to tackle cable theft on the railways, despite Transport Select Committee recommendations to invest as “a matter of urgency”. Current funds of £5m are going towards the British Transport Police (BTP) metal theft task force, with the aim to increase prosecutions, disrupt organised... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Government-cable-theft-funding-disappointing--MPs 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Government-cable-theft-funding-disappointing--MPs Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has launched a series of educational videos to help promote engineering in the classroom and to encourage young people to consider a career in rail. The videos aim to bring to life how different aspects of the industry help to keep Britain’s railways running, including operations in depots, on track and in laboratories... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-videos-highlight-engineering-careers 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-videos-highlight-engineering-careers Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Balfour Beatty has won a multi-million pound contract to build a new rail terminal capable of handling the longest trains in the UK. DP World’s London Gateway is a new deep sea container port being built on the north bank of theThames. The work involves three rail terminals and redoubling of track, able to accommodate trains up to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Rail-terminal-contract-to-handle-longest-trains-in-UK 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Rail-terminal-contract-to-handle-longest-trains-in-UK Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT To support the future of UK industry, Francis Maude and Vince Cable have published data on future public procurement needs across 13 different sectors, starting with construction. This aims to help government to work with industry to spot skills and investment gaps earlier and to safeguard UK competitiveness and growth. In terms of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Data-published-for-construction-procurement 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Data-published-for-construction-procurement Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Resignalling is complete on the Harrogate line, leading to improved performance and capacity. A turnback facility is also being built at Horsforth to facilitate future increases in rail services. The project saw £16m investment for resignalling between Kirkstall Viaduct andHarrogate. The turnback facility involves the installation... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Harrogate-resignalling-complete 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Harrogate-resignalling-complete Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Jonathan Tyler of Passenger Transport Networks, York, argues that ‘strategy’ is a key word in the presentation of the plan to build a high-speed railway connecting the North of England and the West Midlands with London; but it is also an abused word because it can conceal disordered thought. Effective and legitimate strategies need... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS2-strategic-wisdom-or-grand-folly 389,381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS2-strategic-wisdom-or-grand-folly Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvements for rail services have been announced at the 4th Kent Rail summit, held yesterday. These include faster services and an extended high speed service to the capital. A £10m investment programme by Network Rail in partnership with Kent County Council is due to begin in 2014, and an extended high speed service is due to run... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Kent-sees-extended-high-speed-services 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Kent-sees-extended-high-speed-services Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT More than 200 apprentices have started work for real at railway depots across Britain after completing their first year at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. The apprentices specialise in track, signalling and telecoms, electrification and plant, property works and mechanical locking. They... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Rail-Apprentices-Get-To-Work- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Rail-Apprentices-Get-To-Work- Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The number of passenger journeys have reached record levels, according to latest data from the Office for Rail Regulation (ORR). In 2010-11, 1.16 billion journeys took place in Great Britain, up 8.9% from 2009-10. 769.8 million rail journeys took place within individual government office regions (GORs), which is an increase of 10.3%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Rail-journeys-hit-new-heights- 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Rail-journeys-hit-new-heights- Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train fares could rise by inflation plus 3% next year, as transport secretary Justine Greening admits the reduction to inflation plus 1% this January could not be guaranteed again. Speaking at a rail briefing in London, Greening stated that she would consider seeking a reduction closer to the end of the year. She said: “There... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/2013-fare-rise-could-hit-passengers 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/2013-fare-rise-could-hit-passengers Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS1 Ltd and Network Rail have signed a new deal to extend the contract to operate and maintain HS1 until at least 2025. This follows five years of operation since HS1 opened. The organisations plan to align their incentives for quality and efficiency, reduce the price of fares, and facilitate the 50/50 sharing of future financial... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Contract-extension-for-HS1-operation 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Contract-extension-for-HS1-operation Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT A 72-hour strike on the Tube starts later today, in a dispute over pensions and benefits. The RMT union voted to take industrial action from 4pm, involving workers who maintain and upgrade three lines on the Tube. RMT is arguing for Tube Lines staff to join Transport forLondon’s pension scheme and to receive travel concessions. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/72-hour-Tube-strike-over-TfL-pensions 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/72-hour-Tube-strike-over-TfL-pensions Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT East Midlands Trains has pledged to keep some key services running despite ASLEF’s planned strike action. The train drivers’ union voted for industrial action on the 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17 of May following confirmation from East Midlands Trains that pension contributions made by employees and the company will go down from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/EMT-train-drivers-walk-out-in-pensions-dispute 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/EMT-train-drivers-walk-out-in-pensions-dispute Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Translink is expected to move into the red next year according to its next three-year plan. The group includes Metro, Ulsterbus and NI Railways. The Department for Regional Development (DRD) analysis of the corporate plan anticipates that the company will achieve a profit of £2m in 2012-13, but will start to make significant losses... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Financial-difficulty-ahead-for-Translink 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Financial-difficulty-ahead-for-Translink Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Whilst many websites are opting to charge users to view editorial content, rtmjobs.com has decided to buck the trend by keeping all of its editorial content free to use. The sector leading rail recruitment website, which is produced by the same team as Rail Technology Magazine, is to leave all of its regularly updated news features and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Free-online-content-a-rail-good-job 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Free-online-content-a-rail-good-job Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail works at Connaught Tunnel are well underway, as dewatering wells are sunk and preparations to dismantle the 130-year-old pump house begin. The project will improve the poor structural condition of the tunnel and allow it to accommodate larger Crossrail trains. The major repairs to the 1km Connaught Tunnel include widening the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Connaught-Tunnel-refurbishment-underway 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Connaught-Tunnel-refurbishment-underway Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Details of Tube and rail ‘hotspots’ have been published to help people who live, work and travel in London to avoid during the Olympic Games this summer. Up to three million extra journeys are expected on the busiest days until the closing ceremony. The information highlights which stations will be affected from July 2012... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympics-rail-congestion-hotpots-published- 380,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympics-rail-congestion-hotpots-published- Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Urs Brechbühl of Geobrugg AG explains work being done in Alpine regions and elsewhere to prevent landslides disrupting the rail network. News reports of roads or railroad tracks blocked by debris from a shallow landslide are becoming more and more frequent. Why? The volume of rain falling not only in Alpine regions is increasing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/protecting-infrastructure-against-shallow-landslides 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/protecting-infrastructure-against-shallow-landslides Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The union RMT has confirmed a signallers’ strike inStirlingfollowing a dispute over rosters. Members voted 100% for industrial action, which will take place on Thursday 26 April and Wednesday 9 May. The dispute concerns RMT attempts to negotiate 12-hour rosters for the signallers, which were rejected by Network Rail on the grounds... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Signalling-strike-confirmed 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Signalling-strike-confirmed Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Leaked emails in which DfT officials admit decisions on ticket office closures have already been made by ministers have been raised in Parliament. Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle told the Commons yesterday: “I have here a leaked email dated just two weeks ago from the civil servant responsible for the rail fares and ticketing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Ticket-office-closure-emails-raised-in-Parliament 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Ticket-office-closure-emails-raised-in-Parliament Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is opening up a site of historic railway importance to the public next week. Foundations for the North Eastern Railway roundhouses in York, which were abandoned in the 1960s, were uncovered during engineering works connected with the construction of the new operating and training centre in the city. They are believed to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Abandoned-North-Eastern-Railway-roundhouses-opened-to-public 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Abandoned-North-Eastern-Railway-roundhouses-opened-to-public Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has waded into the controversy over the timing of the FA Cup, whose late kick-off will prevent thousands of fans travelling home to Liverpool by train due to long-planned engineering works. Network Rail says that if the match kicked off at the usual 3pm, instead of 5.15pm as planned, far more could be done... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/FA-refuses-to-engage-over-kick-off-timing- 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/FA-refuses-to-engage-over-kick-off-timing- Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Tyne & Wear Metro fleet depot has been upgraded with a new £800,000 train wash system. Nexus, which owns and manages the Metro, said the old one was 30 years old and was a “maintenance burden”, and decided to upgrade it as part of the £385m ‘Metro: All Change’ modernisation of the entire network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-£800000-train-wash-for-Tyne-Wear-Metro 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-£800000-train-wash-for-Tyne-Wear-Metro Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has pulled out all the stops in its bid to mark the opening of Blackfriars south station, by hosting Shakespearian comedy sessions and a novelty hip-hop act on Thameslink trains to keep commuters entertained. Passengers are being treated today to short acts from the Shakespeare play Two Gentleman of Verona on trains in and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Entertrainment-for-Blackfriars-commuters 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Entertrainment-for-Blackfriars-commuters Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Institution of Engineering Technology (IET) London Young Professionals is hosting an interactive workshop where the role and benefits of becoming an ambassador at either a business or university will be discussed. Nigel Charig, publicity officer for the London area, said: “For existing ambassadors, this evening will present a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/IET-calls-for-young-ambassadors 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/IET-calls-for-young-ambassadors Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Representatives from Stagecoach, First Group and Arriva Trains met with Plymouth campaigners hoping to secure better services for the city. The three companies make up, with National Express, the shortlist of bidders for the Greater Western franchise, which starts in April 2013. The meeting yesterday heard that services were... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Plymouth-civic-leaders-lobby-franchise-bidders-over-services 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Plymouth-civic-leaders-lobby-franchise-bidders-over-services Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has delivered improvements to eight more smaller stations, as part of its Rail Stations Improvement Strategy (RSIS). Funded by TfGM, DfT, Stockport South East Manchester Multi Modal Study and Wigan Council, these works are the fourth stage of the programme of enhancements. RSIS seeks to improve... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RSIS-has-improved-35-stations-in-Manchester- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RSIS-has-improved-35-stations-in-Manchester- Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cosford station’s reopening has been delayed for a second time, amid disagreements between Network Rail and station operator London Midland. TheShropshirestation was originally due to reopen on March 12, and then again on Monday, following a £2.1m project to rebuild it. Network Rail stated that sufficient work has been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cosford-reopening-delayed-again 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cosford-reopening-delayed-again Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT GreaterAngliahas launched a new training programme for managers and customer service staff in the region, to be completed ahead of the summer’s London Olympics. The ‘Inspire’ programme is being rolled out across the company in two phases. The first will see over 600 key frontline staff participate in the interactive... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Customer-service-training-launch-for-Greater-Anglia 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Customer-service-training-launch-for-Greater-Anglia Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Southeastern is to be prosecuted after a passenger train overshot a station inEast Sussexby almost 2.5 miles, it has been reported. The ORR is launching a criminal prosecution against the rail company and the first hearing has been scheduled for 24 May at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court in Kent. The London to Hastings train is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Prosecution-launched-against-Southeastern 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Prosecution-launched-against-Southeastern Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government must commit to rail franchise reform, demonstrated by tangible action, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has stated. ATOC chairman Tom Smith was speaking at a lecture at the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) yesterday, where he urged Government to provide evidence that it will deliver on its commitment by... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Call-for-reform-commitment---ATOC 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Call-for-reform-commitment---ATOC Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT union has confirmed 72 hours of strike action, following a four to one ballot of Tube Lines staff in a dispute over pensions and benefits. The strike will take place from Tuesday 24 April 4pm to Friday 27 April 4pm. RMT has called for all staff to join the TfL pension scheme and receive the same travel concessions as those... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Three-day-strike-over-Tube-concessions 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Three-day-strike-over-Tube-concessions Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT A rail recycling depot upgrade could save Network Rail up to £4m each year as it produces recycled rail out of old track. The Eastleigh rail depot can now produce 216m lengths of serviceable rail, up to 70% cheaper than new rail, which can be safely used on low volume and rural routes. The depot can produce up to 10,000 tonnes of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Upgrade-for-Eastleigh-increases-recycled-rail 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Upgrade-for-Eastleigh-increases-recycled-rail Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT StanstedAirportneeds improved rail links to centralLondon, Stansted’s managing director Nick Barton has argued. Reducing journey times between the airportLondon’sLiverpool Streetstation could boost the economy in the area, he suggested. Stansted currently processes 18 million passengers a year, but could handle up to 35... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Call-for-faster-Stansted-services 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Call-for-faster-Stansted-services Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Very few 2012 Olympic Games ticket holders have so far booked train travel for the event, with the danger of missing out on advance rail fares specifically for this purpose, ATOC and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have warned. New figures published by ATOC show that nine out of ten spectators expected to book travel arrangements... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympic-audiences-missing-out-on-special-fares 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympic-audiences-missing-out-on-special-fares Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Manchester is considering tram-train technology, as TfGM discusses plans to use continental-style carriages to operate on both tram tracks and existing railways. The model is to be explored in depth over the next 12 months and could offer improved services and choice for passengers. Several routes may be considered, including the line... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tram-train-possibility-for-Manchester 385,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tram-train-possibility-for-Manchester Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Over 20 British-based companies could share £5m of investment into new railway technology, including low carbon technology to reduce fuel costs, and tools to remotely monitor the health of equipment on the rail network as well as new ideas to prevent cable theft. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and the RSSB have match-funded 19... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£5m-investment-for-railway-technology- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£5m-investment-for-railway-technology- Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) has launched a Dyslexia Awareness Campaign targeting Translink NI employees, to raise awareness of the support available within the workplace. The minister for employment and learning, Dr Stephen Farry, announced the campaign yesterday in Belfast. He said: “Many adults struggle... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Dyslexia-campaign-for-Translink-NI-staff- 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Dyslexia-campaign-for-Translink-NI-staff- Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Latest figures show that national train performance is at 93.4% for the period between March 4 and March 31, making it the second best period 13 on record. This compares with 92.9% for the same period last year and 91.6% for the previous period in 2012. The moving annual average is now at 91.6%. It is also one of the few times that all... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Performance-hits-934 383,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Performance-hits-934 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Investment is needed inSurrey’s rail network to tackle overcrowding, Surrey County Council has stated. This could fund vital improvements, such as longer platforms, more train services and upgraded infrastructure including new signal technology. The ORR has suggested that overcrowding on rush hour trains inLondonand the South East... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Surrey-bottlenecks-need-investment 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Surrey-bottlenecks-need-investment Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The economic benefits of HS2 have been revised down again, it has been revealed. The London-Birmingham phase of the project was originally forecast to bring £2.40 of benefit for every £1 invested. The revised benefit-cost ratio is now 1.2:1. The full route from London to Manchester and Leeds now has a benefit-cost ratio... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS2-benefits-revised-down 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS2-benefits-revised-down Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT A major rail union has criticised rail operators for lacking adequate data for passenger numbers during peak periods, claiming they run “cattle truck” train services. This overcrowding cannot be solved if the real size of the problem is not appreciated, the Transport Salaried Staff Association stated, as currently rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Overcrowding-data-inadequate---TSSA 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Overcrowding-data-inadequate---TSSA Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Work has started on a major revamp of railway track and signalling in and around Stalybridge station. This includes alterations to the platforms, the coffee shop and other passenger facilities. The £20m project is to upgrade the existing infrastructure, which is nearing the end of its operational life, in order to meet the future... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Stalybridge-upgrade-begins 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Stalybridge-upgrade-begins Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £400m scheme to upgrade signalling infrastructure on the Great Western Main Line has started, which could help cut delays by up to 50%. The work will benefit services through Bath, Bristol, Chippenham, Swindon, Didcot, Reading, Newbury and Oxford. The 4-year programme will prepare the infrastructure for electrification and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Great-Western-£400m-signalling-scheme-begins 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Great-Western-£400m-signalling-scheme-begins Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport secretary Justine Greening welcomed the newest recruits to the Track and Train scheme, as 85 young graduates began their paid work experience with Network Rail. The scheme lasts 18 months and includes three six-month placements all across the industry, with one at Network Rail and the other two at either a passenger or freight... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Greening-greets-graduates 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Greening-greets-graduates Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has published its update to its CP4 delivery plan, highlighting a need for the industry to become more financially sustainable and to improve performance in line with demand. The company is failing to meet targets for the punctuality of long distance trains and for freight performance, citing passenger demand growing faster... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Unexpected-demand-led-to-missed-targets- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Unexpected-demand-led-to-missed-targets- Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The proposals to overhaul London Bridge station as part of the Thameslink programme have won formal planning consent. The second stage of the Thameslink programme will unlock capacity on the rail network in London and create better pedestrian connectivity, Network Rail said. Its proposal for the station includes new street-level... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/London-Bridge-station-works-approved 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/London-Bridge-station-works-approved Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Safety performance is improving on EU railways, new statistics show, as the number of significant rail accidents dropped by 20% compared to the previous year. The European Railway Agency has published its fifth report highlighting safety on the network. Member states reported 2,401 significant rail accidents overall and 2,500 casualties... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/EU-rail-safety-improving 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/EU-rail-safety-improving Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £2.2m investment in regenerative braking systems has been completed for South West Trains. Over 200 electric trains have been fitted with the new energy saving system. The project was implemented in partnership with Network Rail and rolling stock providers Alstom and Siemens. The amount of electricity that will be saved annually... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Green-braking-for-South-West-Trains 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Green-braking-for-South-West-Trains Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Young Railway Professionals (YRP) mentored students at the recent iRail event in Derby, with the aim of encouraging young people to consider a career in rail. Professor Andrew McNaughton, chief engineer of High Speed 2 Ltd announced the winners of the competition. Teams of five students from twelve secondary schools in theDerbyarea... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/iRail-competitors-mentored-by-YRP 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/iRail-competitors-mentored-by-YRP Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has confirmed the appointment of its new chairman-designate, following Rick Haythornthwaite’s decision to step down from the position. Professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE started with the company this week as a non-executive director, and will take up the position as chairman if his appointment is ratified by members at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-chairman-designate-for-Network-Rail 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-chairman-designate-for-Network-Rail Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bidders have prequalified to run services on the Great Western, Thameslink, and Essex Thameside franchises. 13 firms are in the running for the three contracts, rail minister Theresa Villiers announced. “Our reformed approach to franchising will give more flexibility to train operators on how they configure services and run their... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Franchise-bidders-announced 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Franchise-bidders-announced Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The percentage of scheduled services was at 97.1% for London Underground for the performance period from January 8 – February 4, figures published by TfL show. Delays, as measured by the number of customer hours lost to disruption, were at 2.1 million. For the financial year to date, average delays were at the lowest level since... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/LU-figures-show-performance-improvements 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/LU-figures-show-performance-improvements Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Waterloo is the busiest station in Great Britain, with over 91 million passenger entries and exits, statistics from the ORR suggest. The latest station usage figures for April 2010- March 2011 estimated that Waterloo had 91,750,382 entries and exits, an increase of 6.2% compared to 2009-10 figures. The top ten busiest stations were... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Usage-figures-highlight-busiest-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Usage-figures-highlight-busiest-stations Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Amey has been awarded a five-year contract to electrify the Great Western Main Line between Maidenhead and Cardiff as part of Network Rail’s £700m electrification programme. Up to 150 staff are expected to be recruited to deliver the works, which will increase capacity on the line as well as improving journey speeds and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Electrification-contract-awarded-to-Amey 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Electrification-contract-awarded-to-Amey Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Demand on the HS1 line has not been as high as expected, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report, with the revenue expected to cover debts guaranteed by the DfT falling short of expectations. Only two thirds of the predicted international passengers use the service and at £6.2bn, the project cost 18% more than the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS1-demand-falls-short-of-expectations---NAO 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS1-demand-falls-short-of-expectations---NAO Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government will publish its plans for the second phase of HS2 in the autumn, Transport Secretary Justine Greening has announced. A report from HS2 Ltd including advice on the business case and potential locations for additional stations will be received by the Government by the end of this month. These could include options for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Phase-2-plans-to-be-published-in-autumn- 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Phase-2-plans-to-be-published-in-autumn- Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has appointed BAM Nuttall to develop designs for the Borders Railway project, bringing it “another step closer” to delivery. The £2m contract will include designs for bridges, tunnels and stations along the route. Network Rail will proceed with ground stabilisation works in theMidlothiansection of the route.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Borders-£2m-design-contract-awarded 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Borders-£2m-design-contract-awarded Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Four ScotRail trains have been refurbished under a £6m enhancement programme. These are the first of 33 to receive interior and exterior makeovers in a project due to be completed in December 2013. The project was aimed at improving passenger comfort and included new carpets, toilet flooring and rebranding class 170 trains into new... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ScotRail-enhancement-begins 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ScotRail-enhancement-begins Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Four suppliers have been announced for signalling framework agreements with Network Rail. They will develop and design a new, European standard signalling system from April, covering a one-year development phase. The successful suppliers are Signalling Solutions Ltd, Invensys Rail, Infrasig and Ansaldo STS. The European Train Control... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Signalling-framework-agreed- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Signalling-framework-agreed- Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail station works atCanaryWharfhave been completed ahead of schedule, with the first station platform level complete five months early. The station is now ready to receive the tunnel boring machines for eastern running tunnels in 2013. A station box has been created that is more than 250m long and 30m wide. Twenty-eight metres below... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Early-completion-for-Canary-Wharf-station 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Early-completion-for-Canary-Wharf-station Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail replaced a bridge in Gateshead this weekend - without a single train being affected or the need for any rail-replacement buses. The project was an important first as Network Rail looks to reduce the time taken over infrastructure improvements and so reducing disruption for passengers. The single span bridge carries the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tyneside-rail-bridge-replacement-is-network-first 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tyneside-rail-bridge-replacement-is-network-first Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT London Overground stations will offer wi-fi for free after signing a contract with public wi-fi provider The Cloud. Passengers will be able to use 60 minutes of free internet access at every station after registering at any of the 56 London Overground-operated stations. Steve Murphy, managing director of London Overground Rail Operations... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Wi-fi-for-London-Overground- 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Wi-fi-for-London-Overground- Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Northern Hub project will receive £130m funding, Chancellor George Osborne confirmed in the Budget. The investment will improve connectivity and journey times acrossManchester, Sheffield, Bradfield andPrestonas well as fund extra trains. Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC said: “It’s good news that the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£130m-funding-for-Northern-Hub 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£130m-funding-for-Northern-Hub Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has announced the shortlist of organisations for the contract to design and install track and tunnel equipment, worth around £400m, and one of the largest pieces of work on the whole scheme. Work will commence in 2014 when the tunnelling is complete. The shortlisted companies and joint ventures are: ·... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£400m-Crossrail-track-works-shortlist-announced 379,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£400m-Crossrail-track-works-shortlist-announced Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new report proposes that GatwickAirport’s rail links must be improved if it is to compete with Heathrow and remain up to standard. The report by the firm designing the HS2 terminal at Euston station, Arup, suggested that if Gatwick wants to attract further airlines, it is necessary to improve and expand direct rail links to other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Gatwick-told-to-improve-rail-links 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Gatwick-told-to-improve-rail-links Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Talks concerning Olympics pay for Underground rail staff have broken down between LU and the union RMT. The current offer would see station, maintenance, service control staff and operational managers receive up to £850 subject to attendance, customer satisfaction scores and working flexibly for defined periods to deliver a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympic-pay-talks-break-down 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympic-pay-talks-break-down Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The consultation on Wythenshawe’s new bus and tram interchange is almost complete, with over 1,000 people having taken part. Public exhibitions showcasing the plans launched in February and will close on Monday. Designs and plans have been discussed to relocate the current bus station to a new site where it will link up with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tram-bus-interchange-plans-for-Wythenshawe 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tram-bus-interchange-plans-for-Wythenshawe Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The partnership between HS1, Network Rail and the freight industry and supported by the European Commission has finally reached its objective since the 5-year plan to promote freight on HS1 was launched. The SNCF TGV (Train á Grande Vitesse), which can reach speeds of up to 168mph, is an electrically-powered freight train which... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Freight-launched-on-HS1 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Freight-launched-on-HS1 Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Royal College of Art (RCA) has announced a joint project to design a train forLondon, with students’ ideas to be incorporated into train designs by theHitachiteam. The RCA’s vehicle design programme is expanding into public transportation, and students will work on design ideas to present in an exhibition inLondonin early... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Joint-project-for-RCA-and-Hitachi 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Joint-project-for-RCA-and-Hitachi Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Construction has begun on a railway link that will be used to transport nuclear waste out of Dounreay power plant. A freight terminal will be built at Georgemas Junction, in Halkirk, to carry the fuel out of the decommissioned nuclear plant and transport it to the Sellafield nuclear site inCumbria. The work is expected to be complete... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Freight-terminal-construction-begins 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Freight-terminal-construction-begins Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Welsh politicians are urging the Government to expand the electrification of the Great West Main Line to Swansea instead of ending it at Cardiff, following public support for the project. Swansea West AM Julie James and Swansea West MP Geraint Davies met with the Welsh transport minister Carl Sergeant to discuss the plans, and are set to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Swansea-electrification-campaign-continues 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Swansea-electrification-campaign-continues Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £13.8m project to develop and update Wednesbury Midland Metro depot is under way, in order for the depot to cope with the increasing number of trams on the line as a result of the Metro expansion. The Midlands’ transport authority, Centro, has awarded the contract to Morgan Sindall after a “rigorous and tendering... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Wednesbury-Metro-depot-set-for-£138m-makeover 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Wednesbury-Metro-depot-set-for-£138m-makeover Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A Wrexham to Chester rail project has been announced, with improvements totalling £36m. This will cut journey times and increase services and capacity as part of the north-south Wales journey time project. Parts of the track will have speeds increased from 65-70mph to 90mph, and seven miles of track are being re-doubled between... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£36m-Wrexham-to-Chester-improvements 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£36m-Wrexham-to-Chester-improvements Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT King’s Cross concourse opened to the public for the first time yesterday, showcasing a huge new glass and steel roof structure in the new concourse and improved passenger facilities. Ian Fry, Network Rail programme director for King’s Cross, said: “The new King’s Cross station is something for everyone to be proud... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Kings-Cross-concourse-opens 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Kings-Cross-concourse-opens Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail has launched a new mobile website, following a 130% increase in the number of people using mobile devices to visit the website. From Wednesday, visitors will be automatically redirected to the new website, where faster online services will be available, including journey planning, ticket booking and live travel... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-mobile-website-for-ScotRail 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-mobile-website-for-ScotRail Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tube workers have been advised to reject individual payments of £850 for working during the Olympic Games. The RMT union has joined Unite and the TSSA in turning down London Underground’s latest offer. The dispute concerns the offer excluding drivers, which unions argue is unfair. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RMT-rejects-LU-Olympics-offer 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RMT-rejects-LU-Olympics-offer Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Nexus has launched a new campaign to promote the safe use of level crossings on theTyneand Wear Metro. 28,000 leaflets detailing key safety guidelines have been distributed to all homes within one mile radius of all crossings. Nexus is also visiting schools in the area to raise awareness and reduce the number of incidents of misuse.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Safety-campaign-launched-for-Metro-level-crossings 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Safety-campaign-launched-for-Metro-level-crossings Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvement work to the railway at Lincolnshire Coast is almost complete, following Network Rail track improvements at Wainfleet in a £400,000 investment scheme. The work involved replacing 500 yards of rail ballast and sleepers on theBostonto Skegness line. A full road and footpath closure is needed for the weekend of March 24-25... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Wainfleet-track-improvements-completion- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Wainfleet-track-improvements-completion- Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has been sentenced for breaching health and safety law, which led to the deaths of two teenage girls, Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson, at Elsenham station footpath crossing in December 2005. The company has been fined £1m and ordered to pay costs of £60,015, after pleading guilty to two charges under The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£1m-fine-for-Network-Rail 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£1m-fine-for-Network-Rail Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new maintenance depot opens today inHereford, as part of a wider Network Rail plan for improvements in the area. The £1m facility will form a maintenance hub for the railway between Cwmbran and Ludlow. The depot will include modern facilities and extra room to house a bigger team, and is “integral” to the wider... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£1m-Hereford-depot-opens 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£1m-Hereford-depot-opens Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance has risen slightly to 91.6% for period 12, covering February 5 to March 3. This compares to 92.5% for the same period last year, but is up from 91.4% for period 11 this year. The moving annual average is now at 91.6%. The top performing franchise in this period was London Overground, with a PPA of 97.0%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/916-national-train-performance 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/916-national-train-performance Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has awarded the tunnel portal contract for Victoria Dock to VINCI Construction UK Ltd. The final contract is subject to a 10-day standstill period under EU procurement rules. Construction will begin in autumn 2012. Five new tunnel portals will be constructed as part of Crossrail at Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane, Victoria Dock... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Final-Crossrail-tunnel-portal-contract-awarded 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Final-Crossrail-tunnel-portal-contract-awarded Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The first Crossrail tunnel boring machines (TBM) are now ready to begin tunnelling, and are being moved into place at Royal Oak Portal. The tunnels will be 21km long in total, will pass through 37 stations and is providing £250m worth of contracts to over 50 UK companies. Crossrail is set to add £42bn to the economy, with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-TBMs-move-into-position 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-TBMs-move-into-position Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT A timetable for a ballot to industrial action for equal pension and travel pass rights has been confirmed by the rail union RMT. Papers will be sent out to members on March 20 and voting closes on April 16. The union is calling for all tube lines, including ex-Alstom Stratford Market depot staff, to be allowed to join the TfL pensions... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RMT-ballots-for-travel-pass-rights 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RMT-ballots-for-travel-pass-rights Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT King’s Cross western concourse is now complete, as part of a five-year programme to restore and improve the station. The £550m scheme opens to the public on Monday March 19. The work is also part of a larger transport upgrade for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the total investment in infrastructure in the area... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Western-concourse-complete-for-Kings-Cross 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Western-concourse-complete-for-Kings-Cross Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT An 11-month, £1m upgrade programme at Balham station has been completed to refurbish facilities, funded through the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP). The improvements include step-free access to the station, relocation of the main gate line, a new gated entrance from Balham High Road, improved ticket availability, two... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Balham-station-upgrade-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Balham-station-upgrade-complete Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Engineers are being deterred from railway careers due to requirements for early specialisation, an industry survey suggests. Over 80% of chartered engineers and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) surveyed reported that current training and development can limit their career paths, and suggested a move from internal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Engineers-deterred-from-careers-in-rail 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Engineers-deterred-from-careers-in-rail Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Public Accounts Committee has said it is “unacceptable” that Network Rail is closed to the National Audit Office (NAO) and has called for full access to determine why fares are so high, despite funding from the DfT. Transport secretary Justine Greening announced that the industry will have to find savings of up to £3... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/PAC-calls-for-full-access-to-Network-Rail-spending 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/PAC-calls-for-full-access-to-Network-Rail-spending Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new King’s Cross station is due to open to the public next Monday, March 19. The works have offered a large new concourse, with more space, better facilities and new links with the Tube and St Pancras stations. Other improvements include larger destination boards and clearer station announcements. The existing building will... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/One-week-to-Kings-Cross 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/One-week-to-Kings-Cross Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Train services are set to resume from Ashford toHastingsfollowing the completion of a major upgrade. The works took place over the past nine weeks and aim to provide more reliable journeys for passengers and reduce journey times. The upgrade included strengthening the Ore tunnel, improving drainage and repairing the lining inside to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Ore-upgrade-complete- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Ore-upgrade-complete- Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT In the last 12 months, the number of rail passengers grew by 6%, with the number of journeys reaching over 1.4 billion – a new high for a peacetime year – according to new statistics from ATOC. ATOC suggested that cut-price fares and high petrol prices were the cause of such a historic rise. The sales of reduced-price tickets... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Rail-passenger-numbers-hit-new-high 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Rail-passenger-numbers-hit-new-high Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is recruiting more apprentices for electrification work on the Great Western Main Line. Applications will now be accepted for 18 more apprenticeship places in Bristol, Didcot and Reading. Apprentices will spend a year training at HMS Sultan in Hampshire to become electrical engineering technicians. There will be opportunity... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Apprentices-needed-for-Western-electrification 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Apprentices-needed-for-Western-electrification Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s Command Paper on cutting costs and boosting efficiency in the rail industry has been broadly welcomed by most rail bodies and been given a cautious welcome by passenger groups, but others have deep reservations about the proposals on fares, station staffing and greater TOC involvement in infrastructure. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Command-Paper-gets-industry-talking 378,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Command-Paper-gets-industry-talking Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Professor Richard Parry-Jones is to take up the role of chairman of Network Rail when Rick Haythornthwaite steps down. Professor Parry-Jones worked for Ford for 38 years, rising to become group vice president in charge of global product development and chief technical officer, and he is now a council member of the Royal Academy of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/NRs-new-chair-announced-alongside-governance-reform 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/NRs-new-chair-announced-alongside-governance-reform Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Infrarail Awards team are very pleased to announce that the Headline Sponsor for the Infrarail Awards has now been confirmed – welcome Rail Technology Magazine! 2012 is a very busy year indeed, with the Olympic Games, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 9th international railway infrastructure event, Infrarail 2012, taking... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/RTM-to-sponsor-Infrarail-Awards 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/RTM-to-sponsor-Infrarail-Awards Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Peak fares could rise and station closures may lead to thousands of job losses, as the Government is set to publish its official response to the McNulty review of the rail industry. However, more flexible ticketing could provide integrated transport options for those working part-time. Transport Secretary Justine Greening is to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Command-Paper---fare-rises-and-station-closures 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Command-Paper---fare-rises-and-station-closures Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s response to the McNulty rail review is expected to set out how the industry could be run differently, through alliances between Network Rail and the train operating companies. Critics have already condemned the plans as having the potential to become ‘mini-Railtracks’, and fear the consequences of giving... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Command-Paper-endorses-NR-TOC-alliances 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Command-Paper-endorses-NR-TOC-alliances Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Michael Leach, chief executive of ITSO, quit yesterday in a surprise move. The Government-backed company, which manages the standards for compliance and interoperability of smart ticketing systems, issued a statement this morning. Mike Fuhr, chairman of the ITSO Ltd board, said: “We can confirm that Michael Leach, Chief... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ITSO-CEO-steps-down 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ITSO-CEO-steps-down Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s proposals to form alliances with several operators have been welcomed by the ORR, if certain regulatory expectations are met. The alliances involve greater integration and close working with operators to improve services to passengers and reduce cost. The alliances may also look at how stations can be better managed... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Alliance-draft-policy-statement-published- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Alliance-draft-policy-statement-published- Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Greater Anglia is set to provide 3,500 new cycle parking facilities and hire facilities after the DfT announced £1.2m of funding for the project. Cambridgestation will receive 3,000 spaces, making it the largest CyclePoint ever created in theUK. Facilities will also be available for cycle repair, hire and sale. Funding from the DfT... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bicycle-scheme-for-Greater-Anglia-stations- 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bicycle-scheme-for-Greater-Anglia-stations- Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT All train companies have signed up to new licence obligations which will ensure passengers receive appropriate, accurate and timely information, allowing them to then plan their journeys accordingly. The regulator, ORR, will be able to take action against any organisation consistently failing to meet these obligations. The new code... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-licence-obligations-signed 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-licence-obligations-signed Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Passengers on Eurostar services have faced severe delays due to sagging power cables near the high-speed line in France yesterday, which forced trains onto alternate slower lines. Four trains were cancelled this morning due to the fault, but services are now returning to normal. Some passengers had been delayed for up to nine hours... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Eurostar-hit-by-severe-delays 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Eurostar-hit-by-severe-delays Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has allowed the Google Street View team into some of its biggest stations to add them to the online application, to aid visitors to the stations find their way around. Over the past fortnight, the ‘Google Trolley’ has captured images of the concourses of 13 stations including London Liverpool Street, Manchester... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Google-Street-View-captures-images-from-major-train-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Google-Street-View-captures-images-from-major-train-stations Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The King’s Cross western concourse redevelopment – which opens to the public this month – narrowly missed out on the top trophy at the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards 2012, but still walked away with honours. Although Thames Waters’ Lee Tunnel project won the ‘Greatest Contribution to London’ award... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Plaudits-at-engineering-awards-for-Kings-Cross-project 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Plaudits-at-engineering-awards-for-Kings-Cross-project Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Design work has begun on the link between Birmingham’s rail stations and the planned high speed hub. The region’s passenger transport body Centro and Glenn Howells Architects (GHA) are developing detailed proposals to create the interchange. The scheme would link two key stations,New StreetandMoor Street, with the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Birmingham-link-design-work-starts 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Birmingham-link-design-work-starts Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Despite work to improve trackside graffiti and litter on trains and stations, London TravelWatch suggests that there is still much more to be done. The damage caused at Bellingham Station in particular has had a major impact on passengers all over London, including disruption from trains being cancelled or running with fewer carriages... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Trackside-rubbish-must-be-tackled---TravelWatch 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Trackside-rubbish-must-be-tackled---TravelWatch Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport Scotland and Glasgow Airport owner BAA are investigating the benefits of building a tram-train link to the city centre, it has been revealed. Scottish transport minister Keith Brown announced that a study group is currently looking at the viability of a link, as well as other measures to reduce congestions and to improve access... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tram-train-link-from-airport-investigated 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tram-train-link-from-airport-investigated Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Northern Ireland is close to replacing the last of its jointed rail tracks with continuously welded rail, as part of a project that will see many other track safety improvements and eventually improved services on the Coleraine to Derry-Londonderry line. RTM speaks to Translink NI Railways’ Infrastructure Executive Clive... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/a-smoother-ride 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/a-smoother-ride Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Proposals to extend the role of the regulator are ‘deeply flawed’, ATOC has stated. The association believes that giving the ORR extra responsibility to oversee the operators would hinder Government attempts to limit future fare rises, reduce taxpayer subsidy and sustain investment in the railways. Additionally it would... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ATOC-slams-ORR-role-extension 374,396 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ATOC-slams-ORR-role-extension Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is facing an unlimited fine after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches leading up to the fatal Grayrigg train crash on February 23, 2007.  The Virgin Pendolino train derailed at 95mph after hitting faulty points. Stretcher bars holding the moveable rails a set distance apart when the points are operated failed... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Grayrigg-guilty-plea-from-Network-Rail 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Grayrigg-guilty-plea-from-Network-Rail Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Liverpool Street Station contract awarded  Crossrail has awarded a major construction contract at Liverpool Street Station to Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd.  The station will provide interchanges with London Underground’s Northern, Central, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines, connections to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Liverpool-Street-Station-contract-awarded 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Liverpool-Street-Station-contract-awarded Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT An agreement has finally been reached between the union RMT and Network Rail over career progression at the West of Scotland signalling centre. The union started a series of strikes after management decided to ‘ignore a long-term custom and practice arrangement concerning the filling of vacancies’. RMT argued that members of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Signalling-dispute-resolved- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Signalling-dispute-resolved- Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport ticketing standards bodies across Europe have taken a major step towards the creation of an EU Intelligent Fare Management Alliance. Adam Hewitt reports. Organisations from across the EU came together on February 15 to sign a memorandum of understanding to co-operate in finding a way forward for European interoperability in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/All-together-now 378,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/All-together-now Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The way in which local rail and light rail schemes get funding could change comprehensively under Government plans. RTM gets a view from Jonathan Bray, director of the Support Unit at the Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg). The DfT consultation on devolving local about transport schemes, and also are the major transport schemes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cash-flows 392,385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cash-flows Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Lee Armson, London North Western route performance manager for Network Rail, has waged war on cable theft – and has managed to reverse the upward trend. The rise in cable theft has been matched by a plethora of options available both to deter cable thieves and convict those who succeed in their theft. While a combination of these... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cutting-cable-theft 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cutting-cable-theft Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Improvements at Ely to increase freight capacity have now begun. Network Rail is building two 775m loops parallel to the existing track east of Ely station, to allow better regulation of trains through the junctions at Ely. This work is part of Network Rail’s strategic freight network, a programme of investment to improve freight... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Ely-improvements-to-increase-freight-capcity 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Ely-improvements-to-increase-freight-capcity Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The GNGE route linking Peterborough and Doncaster via Spalding, Lincoln and Gainsborough is undergoing a largescale upgrade to make it suitable for modern freight containers and relieve pressure on the ECML. RTM found out more from senior sponsor David Anderson of Network Rail. The current upgrade work on the GNGE route has its genesis in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Freight-ready 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Freight-ready Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ian Prosser, director of railway safety at the ORR, talks to RTM about advances in passenger safety and driving improvements for the future. Safety on the railways is improving year on year, but there is still much that needs to be done to take the network from ‘average’ to ‘excellent’, according to ORR’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/From-average-to-excellent 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/From-average-to-excellent Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Drought conditions have disrupted services on parts of the Fen Line in Norfolk. Network Rail’s Sam Kelly tells RTM how this issue is being tackled to bring train services back up to speed. Speed restrictions are gradually being lifted on the Fen Line, reducing the amount of delays to passengers waiting for services between... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Full-speed-ahead 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Full-speed-ahead Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Getting young people to choose careers in rail is a challenge for the whole industry. Paul Cooper, the new chairman of the Young Railway Professionals, explains how to provide vital support to this demographic. The Young Railway Professionals (YRP) has expanded very rapidly since it was founded in October 2009, when it acted to join up... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Making-connections 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Making-connections Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Project Spiderweb has dramatically reduced theft onLondon’s transport network, new figures show. The scheme involves TfL, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the British Transport Police (BTP) working together to reduce crime in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the first six months of the programme, from July... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Project-Spiderweb-cuts-transport-crime-in-London 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Project-Spiderweb-cuts-transport-crime-in-London Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Safety may have improved, but maintaining it in the face of whole-industry change is a challenge. RSSB’s director of policy, research and risk, Anson Jack, talks to RTM. No single factor or improvement can be credited with the gradual but assured increase in safety standards and statistics on Britain’s railways, according to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Remaining-vigilant 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Remaining-vigilant Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT English and Scottish transport ministers are to take part in talks concerning high speed rail today, as Scotland pushes for involvement from the beginning of the HS2 project.  Keith Brown and Justine Greening are set to meet today, to discuss Scotland’s involvement in the project. Ahead of the meeting, Brown said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Scotland-calls-for-early-HS2-involvement- 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Scotland-calls-for-early-HS2-involvement- Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT When RTM talked to ITSO chief executive Michael Leach a year ago, there were tentative signs that, with Government support, a wider switch to smart ticketing was finally underway. The rapid increase in operators making the leap has meant that 2011 was a busy year for ITSO – and 2012 will be even busier. More and more franchises and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Setting-the-standard 378,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Setting-the-standard Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT In the last edition of RTM, we looked at one way of dealing with extreme winter conditions on the third rail network – heated rails. But there is another and more direct way to clear snow. Adam Hewitt reports. The world’s largest railway snow melter has recently been unveiled in a country that has its fair share of the white... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Suck-it-up 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Suck-it-up Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Dan Taylor, policy and research advisor at Passenger Focus, argues that station staff should not be seen as an indulgence that can be cut to save money, but a vital resource. The McNulty rail value for money study identified cutting staff costs (which are approaching £4bn a year) as a major priority. Amongst other things it... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-importance-of-staff-at-stations 389,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-importance-of-staff-at-stations Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Reading upgrade project is further proving the use of 4D modelling as a project management tool across multiple disciplines, and showing how augmented reality might soon be used to revolutionise rail engineering and construction. RTM’s Adam Hewitt spent some time with the Engineering Data Management Team at Reading to find out more... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-next-dimension-in-project-management 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-next-dimension-in-project-management Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Clive Woods, programme manager for the Great Eastern OLE renewals project, discusses the vast task of replacing overhead cables with minimum disruption. The Great Eastern overhead line renewals project involves the replacement of cable equipment that has been in operation since the 1930s. Starting in 2007, this complex programme of works... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-restrictions-of-renewals 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-restrictions-of-renewals Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The long-awaited Government confirmation that HS2 is to go ahead did not deter the project’s opponents, who are convinced it is a waste of money with few environmental benefits. RTM asked Julie Mills, of pro-HS2 research company Greengauge 21, to answer some of the common concerns over the route, Old Oak Common, and speed... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-route-ahead 381,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-route-ahead Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT John McLaughlin, Milton Keynes Council’s transport project manager, talks to RTM about the new station building in Wolverton. After years of campaigning for a new station building at Wolverton, its backers are now just weeks away from seeing it realised. The new building – the fourth on the site since the creation of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-wait-is-over-for-Wolverton-station 375,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-wait-is-over-for-Wolverton-station Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT With Crossrail about to enter the crucial tunnelling phase, project manager Andy Alder says the key to success rests with getting the details right. It’s Europe’s biggest construction project: a rail tunnel underneath one of the world’s busiest cities, linking east to west. It is high profile and complex in the extreme.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Tunnel-Boring 389,379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Tunnel-Boring Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Adam Hewitt reports on plans to reintroduce passenger services on a branch line in Hampshire. Proposals to reintroduce passenger services on the branch line in Hampshire between Totton and Hythe have taken another step forward, with Hampshire County Council agreeing to fund a GRIP 3 technical study. The GRIP 2 study established a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Welcoming-passenger-trains-back-to-Waterside 394,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Welcoming-passenger-trains-back-to-Waterside Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Blackfriars Underground station has been reopened, following a complete rebuild over the course of three years. The station has increased its capacity by 60%, to accommodate 40,000 passengers. The work will provide better connections between Tube and rail services. New lifts and escalators have increased access to the station, making it... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/blackfriars-underground-station-reopens 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/blackfriars-underground-station-reopens Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has confirmed the shortlist for C520 Custom House station, with the main construction contract worth an estimated £35m. The four organisations which performed strongly at pre-qualification stage and so form the shortlist are; Laing O'Rourke Construction Limited; Hochtief UK Construction Limited and Hochtief Solutions AG... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Custom-House-shortlist-announced 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Custom-House-shortlist-announced Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A campaign has been launched to transform local rail services in Bristol by reopening closed lines and stations and four-tracking a congested part of the network. Greater Bristol Metro Rail aims to increase service frequency and secure greater investment in branch rail services. Campaigners want stations reopened, including... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Great-Western-consultation-sparks-investment-campaign- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Great-Western-consultation-sparks-investment-campaign- Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Gold standard of the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) has been awarded to Keyline for its safety, efficiency and environmental responsibility. Part of the Travis Perkins Group, Keyline is the only heavy building materials provider to the rail industry to achieve this award. Keyline’s fleet operation delivers to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/keyline-wins-fors-gold-standard 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/keyline-wins-fors-gold-standard Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sustainable infrastructure investment must be prioritised for London, says the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), and it has called for the mayoral candidates to focus on it. Fit-for-purpose infrastructure is necessary to fulfil the city’s long-term economic, social and environmental potential, it suggests, and will ensure London... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/London-needs-continued-infrastructure-investment---ICE 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/London-needs-continued-infrastructure-investment---ICE Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Rail workers could face losing their jobs if they live too far away from Network Rail’s new headquarters, union leaders claim. Staff have been given a limit of 75 minutes travelling time to reach the new offices in Milton Keynes. But managers can live up to 90 minutes away, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/75-minute-limit-to-get-to-Network-Rail-HQ 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/75-minute-limit-to-get-to-Network-Rail-HQ Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The tram network in Birmingham is set to be extended, after transport minister Norman Baker gave final approval to the £128m scheme. Trams have been absent from the city centre since 1953. The new metro service will link Snow Hill station with the redeveloped Birmingham New Street from 2015. The project will deliver a new fleet of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Birmingham-tram-extension-approved 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Birmingham-tram-extension-approved Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Camden Council has joined campaigners in seeking a judicial review of HS2 because of its effects on homes and businesses, hundreds of which will be demolished to make way for the project. More than two-thirds of the 323 homes that will be demolished along the entire route are within the first half-mile in central London, mostly social... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Camden-homes-at-risk-from-HS2 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Camden-homes-at-risk-from-HS2 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Five northern cities have joined forces to urge the Government to fund the £560m Northern Hub programme, which could generate £4bn in economic benefits for the region. There have been reports that the Government has concerns about the value for money of the idea, which made it into Network Rail’s Initial Industry Plan... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cities-push-for-northern-hub 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cities-push-for-northern-hub Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Carriages for Crossrail will not be of identical design to Thameslink, removing an advantage for Thameslink rolling stock winner Siemens, and offering Bombardier more of an equal chance, it has been revealed. Following a 2008 DfT document, industry professionals understood that the Thameslink winner would be a favourite for the £1bn... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Design-differences-offer-even-playing-field-to-Crossrail-bidders 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Design-differences-offer-even-playing-field-to-Crossrail-bidders Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Transport for London is increasing its penalty charge for failure to pay the correct fare from £50 to £80 this weekend, to deter and further reduce fare evasion. The change will come into effect from Sunday 19 February and will cover all TfL services in the capital. Failure to pay the correct fare for a journey could lead to a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fare-dodgers-to-face-increased-penalty-charges 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fare-dodgers-to-face-increased-penalty-charges Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Inchyra level crossing has become the first in Scotland to close this century. Network Rail has created a new link road to divert traffic away from the railway between Inchyra and St Madoes. This is part of a wider initiative to reduce the number of level crossings in Scotland. Network Rail is negotiating with other councils to close more... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/inchyra-crossing-closed- 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/inchyra-crossing-closed- Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Britain has been judged the worst for fares, efficiency, speed and comfort, in a study of rail services in Europe, commissioned by the union RMT. The think tank Just Economics researched these outcomes across a range of European countries, although the report was dismissed by ATOC as not giving the full story. The only category in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/British-railways-worst-in-Europe 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/British-railways-worst-in-Europe Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Organisations, businesses, MPs and councils in Plymouth have launched a campaign calling for better rail services for the region. Additional annual investment of £10m into rail links between Plymouth and London could generate returns of £94m to the economy, consultants Steer Davis Gleave suggested. The Greater Western... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Campaign-for-Plymouth-rail 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Campaign-for-Plymouth-rail Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The tunnel segment plant has begun full operations, producing the first of 250,000 concrete segments to line the 42km Crossrail tunnels. To achieve this, the first 15 trainees and apprentices have started work at Old Oak Common. The facility will employ about 60 people at its peak. They are among the first to receive training at TUCA... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Concrete-segments-produced-for-Crossrail 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Concrete-segments-produced-for-Crossrail Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT New plans for a station proposed in Energlyn were unveiled for public consultation yesterday in Caerphilly. The Welsh Government, Network Rail, Caerphilly County Borough Council, SEWTA and Arriva Trains Wales have worked together to develop the plans. Located between Aber and Llanbradach, the station would benefit local residents with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/energlyn-station-plans-showcased 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/energlyn-station-plans-showcased Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has adjourned its meeting this Friday, where a decision on executive bonuses was expected, in the face of Government pressure to cut the proposed £20m bonus pool. Transport Secretary Justine Greening had announced her intention to attend Network Rail’s AGM with a vote opposing the award of bonuses to senior... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-bonus-meeting-adjourned- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-bonus-meeting-adjourned- Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new rail training course and qualification will be launched this year by Atkins. The MSc in Rail Integrated Design Management will be taught by Atkins and accredited by the University College London (UCL) to develop design leaders and technical managers. The programme has been developed by Rail’s Engineering Management Development... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-msc-launched-for-design-training 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-msc-launched-for-design-training Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A £500 Olympics deal has been agreed for Virgin Rail staff, as part of a package which will see wages and allowances rise by 4.6% or £950, whichever is greater, from this April. The deal also includes an extra day’s leave for the Queen’s Diamond jubilee. Other deals that rail union RMT has negotiated include a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/virgin-rail-staff-to-get-500-olympics-deal 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/virgin-rail-staff-to-get-500-olympics-deal Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has admitted to breaching health & safety laws at a level crossing where two teenage girls were killed. In December 2005, Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson were struck by a train whilst crossing the footpath at Elsenham station. Network Rail has pleaded guilty to failing to carry out sufficient risk assessment... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Guilty-plea-from-Network-Rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Guilty-plea-from-Network-Rail Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Initial HS2 survey deals have been agreed to allow access to land on the route between Birmingham and London. The National Famers’ Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) confirmed the deal for £1,000 for each landowner affected. Landowners are in line for additional payments if further environmental... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/1000-for-hs2-landowners 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/1000-for-hs2-landowners Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Centro has announced Spanish manufacturer CAF as the preferred bidder for the new tram fleet for Midland Metro. The contract includes 25 Urbos 3 trams, in a deal worth approximately £40m. The new fleet will replace16 trams currently on the network, to cope with the expected rise in demand once the 1.3km extension between Snow Hill... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/caf-preferred-bidder-for-midland-metro 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/caf-preferred-bidder-for-midland-metro Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A freight train has derailed on the West Coast Main Line at Bletchley, meaning all services have been cancelled between London Euston and Milton Keynes, causing mass disruption for passengers. The engine is currently blocking the line and delays are expected to continue throughout the day. There is extensive damage to tracks and points... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/freight-train-derails 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/freight-train-derails Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded Invensys Rail the £35m Glasgow South Surburban Resignalling (GSSR) contract, to design, manufacture, install and test the signalling scheme. The area of the scheme includes the Cathcart Signal Box area, the East Kilbride branch lines and Barrhead lines, meaning the contract covers both electric and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Invensys-Rail-wins-£35m-GSSR-contract 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Invensys-Rail-wins-£35m-GSSR-contract Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The proposed bonus for the chief of Network Rail has been deemed ‘unacceptable’, by the Transport Secretary. Chief executive Sir David Higgins could receive a £336,000 bonus – 60% of his annual salary. The focus on Sir David’s bonus comes after political pressure caused the chief executive of the Royal Bank... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-bonus-unacceptable 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-bonus-unacceptable Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A second series of roadshows are being held by NSARE to engage with colleges, universities and rail industry organisations. The country-wide shows aim to establish a network of support for the rail industry to meet its skills challenges. The events are open to any interested colleges or organisations, but are especially targeted to those... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nsare-launches-roadshow-series 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nsare-launches-roadshow-series Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The third and final round of bidding has opened for the National Station Improvement Fund, with more passengers set to benefit from funding for station works, including improved access, redevelopments and parking space. Train operating companies, local authorities and Network Rail will be able to bid for funding over the next four weeks... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Station-improvement-fund-bidding-opens 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Station-improvement-fund-bidding-opens Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is cutting payment times to suppliers from 56 to 21 days, while suppliers’ own first-tier sub-contractors will be paid within seven days of receiving payment. It comes as a result of the creation of a Fair Payment Charter aimed at improving payment terms and speeding up payment times for rail industry suppliers and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/faster-payments-for-rail-suppliers 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/faster-payments-for-rail-suppliers Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT MPs are calling on the Government to act with more urgency in tackling metal theft, as the crime has cost the railway industry over £16m in the last year, as well as disrupting passenger journeys. The Transport Select Committee suggests that scrap dealers should be legally required to show proof of identity at the sale of scrap... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-ideas-to-clamp-down-on-cable-theft 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-ideas-to-clamp-down-on-cable-theft Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish Government has called for serious consideration of extending HS2 into Scotland, and states that work could begin earlier than that in England. The Fast Track Scotland Routes and Stations report also suggests this provides an opportunity to offer early delivery of an Edinburgh – Glasgow connection. They recommend... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Scottish-push-for-HS2-link 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Scottish-push-for-HS2-link Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Reductions in Underground station ticket office opening hours have led to problems with staffing and adequate information, a London TravelWatch report demonstrates. They found problems with gateline staff at tube stations, with some stations lacking staff presence and others with staffed offices when they should have been closed. There... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ticket-office-reductions-lead-to-inadequate-staffing 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ticket-office-reductions-lead-to-inadequate-staffing Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new alliances between Network Rail and train operators are set to benefit passengers by delivering operations more quickly and cheaply. Six alliance framework agreements have so far been made, or about to be made with Abellio, Greater Anglia, c2c, ScotRail, Northern and Southeastern. A ‘deep’ alliance is also being... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Track-and-TOC-integration-takes-another-step-forward 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Track-and-TOC-integration-takes-another-step-forward Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sir Roy McNulty’s Value for Money report is set to be discussed at a European Parliament conference ahead of the European Commission’s new legislation on rail market liberalisation, which is due by the end of the year. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/UKs-value-for-money-lessons-for-Europe 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/UKs-value-for-money-lessons-for-Europe Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 offers a lower return on investment than alternatives, a new report suggests. The DfT commissioned engineering firm Atkins to appraise a set of strategic alternatives to the Government’s proposed HS2. The report concludes that ‘51m’, an alternative which would improve the capacity on the West Coast Main Line, could... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/atkins-report-suggests-hs2-alternative 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/atkins-report-suggests-hs2-alternative Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The £150,000 project to revamp Bury St Edmunds is finished with its official opening to the public today, conducted by the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Cllr Chris Spicer. National Express East Anglia (NXEA) conducted the upgrade as part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme. Improvements include better... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bury-st-edmunds-station-upgrade-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bury-st-edmunds-station-upgrade-complete Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The final sign-off on the details on the IEP fleet to replace the HSTs on the GWML and ECML has been further delayed by the Department for Transport, according to the December Structural Reform Plan, published on the Number 10 website. Procurement for the Intercity Express Programme was expected to be completed by December. But the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/iep-fleet-commercial-close-delayed-until-may 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/iep-fleet-commercial-close-delayed-until-may Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT HS2 could free up space for faster and more frequent trains on the West Coast Main Line, according to a new report published by Network Rail and Passenger Focus. An improved level of service could be possible due to extra capacity and the availability of 125mph trains. This could help ease overcrowding, which is set to increase as demand... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-and-Passenger-Focus-publish-WCML-objectives 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-and-Passenger-Focus-publish-WCML-objectives Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is being prosecuted for the Grayrigg train derailment in 2007, which caused the death of one passenger and injuries to 86 people. The ORR has started criminal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law which caused the derailment. The charge is of failure to provide and implement suitable and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-prosecuted-for-Grayrigg-derailment 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-prosecuted-for-Grayrigg-derailment Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Google maps has integrated rail travel information from the ticketing website thetrainline.com to provide users with train route and timetable information for over 2,500 stations and 170,000 journeys nationwide. To make journey planning easier, an option to click through to the thetrainline.com is available to buy tickets when researching... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-travel-integrated-into-google-maps 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-travel-integrated-into-google-maps Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government is holding a formal consultation on UK aviation, and will examine the possibility of creating a Thames Hub as one of the options for increasing capacity – which could also have a dramatic impact on the rail network. Although it is the proposed new airport east of London that has garnered most attention, the Thames Hub... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thames-hub-to-be-considered- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thames-hub-to-be-considered- Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT National train performance for period 10 is 88.7%, figures released by Network Rail show. This compares to 81.1% for the same period – 11 December to 7 January – last year. Performance for period 9 was 88.4% and the moving annual average is now at 91.6%. The upward turn in performance ends many consecutive months of decline... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Train-PPM-ticks-up-to-887 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Train-PPM-ticks-up-to-887 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The high-speed rail link between Birmingham and London has been officially approved by Government, Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced today, and will proceed to the next legislative stages. The first phase of HS2 should be completed with services ready to begin by 2026, with the second phase to Manchester and Leeds, forming a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS2-approved---with-minor-route-alterations- 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS2-approved---with-minor-route-alterations- Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT A cross-industry internship scheme is being launched by Network Rail to help up to 100 graduates gain local experience in the rail industry. 27 companies are taking part to provide ‘Track and Train’ for students. The 18-month scheme will take place in three parts, with one month at Network Rail and the other two at another... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-launches-internship-scheme 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-launches-internship-scheme Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT National Express East Anglia (NXEA) has invested £45,000 in installing additional ticket machines at Norwich station. Customers can use the machines to collect pre-paid and Advance booked tickets, and the project seeks to improve customer service and speed up collection times for passengers using the station. Following a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nxea-invests-in-ticket-machines-at-norwich- 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nxea-invests-in-ticket-machines-at-norwich- Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new trial of a project to combat metal theft has been launched, aiming to make it easier to trace sellers of stolen metal through an identification scheme. The British Transport Police (BTP), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Home Office, British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), and Northumbria, Durham and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Operation-Tornado-launched-to-tackle-cable-theft 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Operation-Tornado-launched-to-tackle-cable-theft Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has announced framework agreements worth £1.5bn to deliver rail signalling projects, as part of wider reforms to Network Rail’s infrastructure business, with a greater focus on partnership. The agreements are expected to commence on April 2, operate for the remaining two years of control period 4, and can be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£15bn-framework-agreements-announced 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£15bn-framework-agreements-announced Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has asked Government to devolve the power to franchise the suburban London railways to him in order to improve services. He would set standards for private train companies by integrating them into the Transport for London network and adopt the TfL contracting model. The savings from this could then be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Boris-Johnson-calls-for-rail-service-control 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Boris-Johnson-calls-for-rail-service-control Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT With a final Government decision on HS2 expected next week, businesses, economists, and trade union leaders are having a major last push to promote the scheme, arguing in letters to national and local newspapers that ‘Britain needs HS2’. In letters to the Guardian, the Financial Times, and the Daily Telegraph, among others... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/britain-needs-hs2-say-union-leaders 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/britain-needs-hs2-say-union-leaders Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Electrification plans for the Hull to Leeds rail line are set to be investigated by Network Rail. The electrification, which would shorten journey times and improve the route’s signalling system, was proposed as part of the National Infrastructure Plan last year. Network Rail is now undergoing a feasibility study to assess whether... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Leeds---Hull-electrification-investigated- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Leeds---Hull-electrification-investigated- Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT A proposed £100m investment into the cross-border rail sleeper service to and from the Highlands could save the service from elimination, after a recent consultation suggested it should be cut due to under-use. The Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has announced £50m for the Caledonian sleeper trains, matching a pledge... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sleeper-services-saved 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sleeper-services-saved Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT High winds have caused disruption on railways around the UK and in the Midlands especially after trees were blown onto overhead power lines and trains. This follows disruption from storms and high winds in Scotland earlier this week. Winds of 60mph uprooted a tree which crashed down onto overhead power lines before resting on a train on... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/storms-cause-rail-disruption- 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/storms-cause-rail-disruption- Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The RMT is calling for Government to reverse the decision to award the £1.4bn Thameslink contract to Siemens, as the bid was “priced in euros”. With a 10% decline in the value of the currency since tendering, this means the price of the contract has risen by £140m, the union argues. In a parliamentary answer... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thameslink-bid-increasing-in-price--rmt 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thameslink-bid-increasing-in-price--rmt Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has labelled today, the first day back in work for most commuters since rail fares went up by an average of 6%, as a ‘national day of passenger protest’. The Government backtracked on its original plans to allow an 8% average rise, but passenger groups say even 6% is far too... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/unhappy-return-to-work-for-rail-commuters 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/unhappy-return-to-work-for-rail-commuters Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The rail industry in Derby has not fully recovered from Bombardier’s loss to Siemens for the Thameslink rolling stock, but Network Rail is determined to invest in the city, with plans for a new depot which will become its regional headquarters. Michelle Craven, vice-chair of the DDRF, speaks to RTM. Network Rail has confirmed that... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/A-new-depot-for-Derby 392,384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/A-new-depot-for-Derby Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Kate Ashley reports on the case for electrification of the Midlands Main Line, and why this upgrade is well over-due. The Midland Main Line (MML) is the only main line to London that has not been electrified, and there are still no current plans to implement any upgrades in this spending control period – although the Initial... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/An-electric-proposal 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/An-electric-proposal Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Electrical engineer Dr Iñigo Adín, a researcher at CEIT (the Centre of Studies and Technical Research of Gipuzkoa, Spain), discusses the European TREND project on rolling stock electromagnetic compatibility. Currently, rolling stock electromagnetic emissions are a major concern for train manufacturers and railway... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Avoiding-interface 389,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Avoiding-interface Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Asset management and monitoring has long been a concern of freight operators, due to the structure of rail freight access charges and the need to pay to offset the costs of freight’s use of the track. Poor asset management can lead to these costs and thus charges being miscalculated. But Network Rail is really getting its act... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Costs-and-assets 392,386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Costs-and-assets Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Efforts being made by the United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) to educate and inform rail industry engineering staff and their contractors are essential, says Peter Crouch, UKSTT Technical Secretary, who here reviews the steps being made to improve and update industry awareness of trenchless capability and proven track... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Education-is-critical 389,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Education-is-critical Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM discusses risk management in the rail industry with Office of Rail Regulation deputy chief inspector Allan Spence. Network Rail has been improving its management of health and safety risk – and management more generally – helped by a management maturity model pioneered by the Office of Rail Regulation. ORR deputy... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Even-the-best-performing-companies-can-still-have-things-go-wrong 392,374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Even-the-best-performing-companies-can-still-have-things-go-wrong Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The £130m refurbishment of the Forth bridge is now complete after 10 years of work. The project finished on 9 December 2011 – ahead of schedule – and the bridge is free of scaffolding for the first time in a decade. The work included painting over 230,000 square metres of the 125-year-old structure and means that no... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Finish-on-the-forth 375,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Finish-on-the-forth Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tony Lodge, chair of the Transport Committee of Conservative aligned think tank The Bow Group, makes the case for altering the HS2 route. Two decades have passed since a Conservative Government backed the alternative route for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. British Rail, furious that their proposed alignment had been exposed as higher-risk... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Getting-the-best-route-for-High-Speed 389,381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Getting-the-best-route-for-High-Speed Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The reconstruction of four rail bridges in north east London in the autumn required some deft lifting work, the relocation of some residents, and an awful lot of engineering prowess across four tight possession windows. RTM speaks to Network Rail’s scheme project manager Jagjit Singh. Four weak bridges on the Gospel Oak to Barking line... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Heavy-lifting 375,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Heavy-lifting Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The trial of trackside ‘listening’ technology has proved such a success for South West Trains that it is now being expanded to cover the whole fleet, as engineering director Christian Roth tells RTM. Axle bearing failures can be costly and hugely disruptive to passenger services, and traditional ways of monitoring bearing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Listen-closely 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Listen-closely Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hitachi’s proposed rail maintenance depot for Stoke Gifford has met some local opposition, but could create up to 170 permanent jobs in the area. Kate Ashley reports. Hitachi Rail Europe is in the process of planning a new rail maintenance depot in the ‘Railway Triangle’, close to Bristol Parkway Station, to service its... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Maintaining-the-IEP-fleet 387,394 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Maintaining-the-IEP-fleet Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Shirley Clark of Ordnance Survey discusses the organisation’s closer relationship with Network Rail, and the many ways in which smart use of geographic data helps the rail industry. Accurate topographical information is obviously vital for those working in civils and construction on railway projects, but it is also a key tool for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/mapping-the-future 392,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/mapping-the-future Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sitting back and hoping for warm winters is not an option: something has to be done to make the railways more resilient to ice and snow. RTM speaks to Network Rail’s Mark Ellerby about the steps it has been taking in south east England. The electrified third rail network south of the Thames has been particularly badly affected by... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/melting-point 394,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/melting-point Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cutting unit costs on the railway is about more than just rolling stock, infrastructure and working practices – for an organisation the size of Network Rail, savings have to be made in the back office, too. Steve Swientozielskyj, head of finance shared services, tells RTM that is just what has been happening – but that the back... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Number-crunching 392,384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Number-crunching Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Barry Graham, business development director at Northern Rail, discusses the recently opened rail depot at Allerton in Merseyside. The re-opening of Allerton depot has been in the pipeline for a long time, but when work finally did start, it was all done incredibly quickly. Northern started discussions with Axiom Rail, the previous... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Preparing-for-electrification 394,382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Preparing-for-electrification Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT RTM speaks to Network Rail’s Rosie Majer and co-ordinator of the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium, Sue Miles, about the reconstruction of the Loughor viaduct and plans to re-double the singled section of the Swansea to Llanelli route.  The dual-tracking of a six-mile stretch of railway in south west Wales, as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Shaking-the-timbers 392,376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Shaking-the-timbers Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT National Rail Enquiries’ chief executive Chris Scoggins and head of online services Jason Webb talk to RTM about delivering information faster and in more accessible formats to keep up with passenger expectations. Providing information via a mobile version of National Rail Enquiries is much more than simply condensing the original... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Staying-informed 392,377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Staying-informed Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Malcolm Cook, simulator centre manager for ScotRail, and founder of the UK Rail Simulator User Group, talks to RTM about using simulation effectively. Continual assessment is a way to ensure drivers retain the high standards necessary for rail and for simulators to remain useful, according to the simulator centre manager for ScotRail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-application-of-simulation 392,373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-application-of-simulation Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Buckshaw Parkway station serves a major development at Buckshaw Village in Lancashire with direct services to Manchester, Preston and beyond. The £6.8m project developed Network Rail’s modular station designs to deliver the station platforms, buildings, access and car parking on time and within budget. Development... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/The-future-is-modular 375,389 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/The-future-is-modular Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Bombardier won the Southern order for 130 new carriages, but the next big challenge is Crossrail – where the financing arrangements look like they will be similar to Thameslink, which provided an in-built advantage to Siemens. RTM discusses procurement policy with Professor Karel Williams, an expert witness to the Transport Select... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Train-building 378,392 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Train-building Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The tube drivers’ strike planned for Boxing Day has been deemed legal after London Underground took the case to the High Court. LU has said as many services as possible will still run and extra buses will be provided in the busiest areas. LU said the ballot was illegal, as drivers not scheduled to work had cast their votes.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/-Tube-drivers-strike-ruled-legal-and-will-go-ahead 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/-Tube-drivers-strike-ruled-legal-and-will-go-ahead Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded three Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) contracts, collectively worth £55m. Morgan Sindall will build a new £25m Haymarket station, BamNuttall will carry out £27m of bridgeworks and Carillion will deliver £3m worth of track alterations. These works form part of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/major-egip-contracts-awarded 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/major-egip-contracts-awarded Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail unions have declared a ‘national dispute’ after Network Rail has refused to give a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies in the control room restructuring. Strike ballots will be held by the RMT, Transport Salaried Staff’s Association and Unite in the new year. The dispute involves 150 staff, with 70 jobs due... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/national-dispute-over-control-operator-cuts 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/national-dispute-over-control-operator-cuts Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has been found to be in breach of its licence for declining performance on freight services and long-distance passenger services, the ORR has announced. Following an investigation into declining punctuality, the ORR has responded with two enforcement orders requiring Network Rail to develop new robust plans to recover for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-announces-enforcement-orders-against-network-rail- 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-announces-enforcement-orders-against-network-rail- Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT ATOC has suggested that the ORR should concentrate on regulating Network Rail properly before taking on extra responsibilities. A new Government proposal would give the regulator more powers to protect passenger interests through complaints handling and the responsibility for all aspects for approving, monitoring and enforcing compliance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-criticised-for-role-expansion-plans 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-criticised-for-role-expansion-plans Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The majority of respondents to Network Rail’s consultation support plans for a Northern Hub, with 80% saying it would make them more likely to use the train. Over 2,000 people took part in events across the area and offered online feedback. The proposed Northern Hub would allow faster and more frequent journeys, the implementation... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Support-for-Northern-Hub-plans 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Support-for-Northern-Hub-plans Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT A rail service running from Saunderton station to Marylebone, London will be cancelled next month as the train is set to become too long for the platform. Chiltern Railways have decided to add a seventh carriage to the service to ease congestion. However, this means that the train will be too long for the platform at Saunderton, and as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Train-too-long-for-platform 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Train-too-long-for-platform Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT New rail plans for west Wales have been unveiled, with £40m to improve infrastructure between Swansea and Gowerton, as Network Rail submits its proposals to Carmarthenshire Council. The plans aim to improve performance to deal with the rising demand in Wales, and are jointly funded by Network Rail and the Welsh Government. The South... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/£40m-Welsh-rail-plans-revealed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/£40m-Welsh-rail-plans-revealed Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The refurbished Colchester North station is being officially opened today following its £2.2m facelift. The improved facilities include a new ticket office, booking hall, customer service office, extended canopy and additional waiting shelters. New cycle parking, better pedestrian access and additional cycle capacity has also been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/colchester-north-improvements-complete 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/colchester-north-improvements-complete Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Crossrail rolling stock will be funded through a PFI deal, Transport Secretary Justine Greening has announced. Mayor of London Boris Johnson had wanted to pay for the 60 trains by raising the debt ceiling of Transport for London, but Greening refused. TfL is not allowed to increase its borrowing, which is currently at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-rolling-stock-to-be-PFI-funded 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-rolling-stock-to-be-PFI-funded Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The HS2 line should be extended to Scotland to exploit its economic potential to the full, a new report suggests. The Scottish Partnership Group for High Speed Rail, formed by Transport Minister Keith Brown, brought together Glasgow and Edinburgh city councils, Network Rail, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Transport Scotland to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-should-extend-to-scotland--scottish-partnership-group 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-should-extend-to-scotland--scottish-partnership-group Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Audit Office should step in and investigate the Government’s decision to award the Thameslink rolling stock contract to Siemens over Bombardier, according to MPs on the Transport Select Committee. The NAO is considering the recommendation and the DfT has stated the Government would welcome an independent... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/NAO-could-investigate-Thameslink-deal- 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/NAO-could-investigate-Thameslink-deal- Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Construction work is set to begin on extending the Nottingham tram system, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced. The Department for Transport will provide a maximum of £371m towards the total cost of £570m. The two extensions will run to Chilwell / Beeston and Clifton, linking directly into Line One at Nottingham... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Nottingham-tram-extensions-to-begin 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Nottingham-tram-extensions-to-begin Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Transport could have sacrificed sustainability in favour of speed when making spending cutbacks, the National Audit Office has warned. A new report suggests that there is no real long-term plan for sustainability, there is only a weak amount of information on the relationship between cost and value in rail, and no... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sustainability-risk-to-rail-industry--nao 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sustainability-risk-to-rail-industry--nao Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Train companies should be given a bigger role in ordering and managing rolling stock, but the potential savings in this area are lower than McNulty’s calculations suggest, a new report published by ATOC states. The discussion paper recommends a more market-based approach to deliver better value for money, giving TOCs a wider range... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bigger-role-for-TOCs-in-rolling-stock 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bigger-role-for-TOCs-in-rolling-stock Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The final phase of redevelopment for Blackfriars station has been announced. The new south bank entrance opens to passengers yesterday, and the entrance on the north bank is due to open on December 12, when the first ever 12-car trains will stop at the station. The underground station, originally expected to open at the end of December... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/blackfriars-final-developments-announced 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/blackfriars-final-developments-announced Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The £130 million refurbishment of the Forth bridge is now complete. The work included painting over 230,000 square metres of the 125-year-old structure and means that no additional full-scale repainting will be needed for at least 20 years. Network Rail delivered the project with Balfour Beatty. A small team of specialist engineers... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Forth-bridge-painting-finished 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Forth-bridge-painting-finished Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is considering a £500m revision to its proposed route for HS2, by taking the line through a new tunnel under the Chiltern hills to try to appease opponents of the scheme. The extra cash would be found by making savings elsewhere in the project, not increasing its overall cost, officials suggest. Although the most... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-tunnel-suggested-for-hs2-route 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-tunnel-suggested-for-hs2-route Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The ORR has published its quarterly review of Network Rail’s performance, highlighting the deterioration of punctuality for long-distance train services. The average performance figures are now at 88.7%, far short of the 90.9% required for 2011/12. In real terms, this means that 13,783 out of 125,975 planned services were over... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/orr-considering-enforcement-action-over-performance 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/orr-considering-enforcement-action-over-performance Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT London Overground has succeeded in its bid for funding to install step-free access at six more stations. £5m will go towards the cost of lifts at six stations for the DfT’s Access for All scheme, bringing the total number of accessible stations in London up to 42. The stations are Hampstead Heath, Crystal Palace, West... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/six-new-step-free-stations 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/six-new-step-free-stations Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bridges were closed, emergency timetables introduced and speed restrictions imposed on rail lines yesterday as Scotland endured hurricane-force winds. The winds hit highs of 165mph and the Met Office issued a red warning on Wednesday, calling for people to only travel when necessary, and leave work earlier where possible to avoid... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Wind-disruption-on-Scottish-railways 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Wind-disruption-on-Scottish-railways Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has welcomed the Government’s support for the Northern Line extension to Battersea – although no funding has been secured at this stage. He praised the commitment to London’s infrastructure announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, such as the creation of new stations at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/infrastructure-investment-welcomed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/infrastructure-investment-welcomed Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the revised fares for 2012. After securing an additional £136m in Government funding, TfL fares will now rise by an average of 6%. Some fares will be slightly higher than RPI + 1%, as long as others are lower. All free and concessionary travel remains protected. Average tube fares... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-tfl-fares-announced 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-tfl-fares-announced Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT London Overground staff are set to get a 25% pay rise for work during the Olympics, in a deal with the RMT union. Staff who work during the Olympic or Paralympic Games will get a minimum pay rise of £650 in 2012. This includes station, train care, revenue, conductor and fleet maintenance staff, 500 of whom belong to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/olympics-deal-for-staff 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/olympics-deal-for-staff Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce a cap on rail fares today in his Autumn Statement. Instead of regulated rail fares increasing by RPI + 3% inflation, as previously announced, they will rise by RPI + 1%, meaning that the average increase will be 6%. It is unclear whether this will continue for the two years following... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-cap-to-be-announced- 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-cap-to-be-announced- Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT More details have been announced about the sanctions that TOCs will face if they deliver poor passenger information. The ORR will enforce the new obligations to keep passengers up to date on the length of delays, reasons for the disruption and access to alternative journey guidance. Operators have been warned that up to 10% of their... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/train-operators-could-face-fines 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/train-operators-could-face-fines Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Chancellor George Osborne has been urged to reduce rail fare rises, as transport ministers fear a large reduction in passengers who are either unwilling or unable to pay the higher prices, and will turn to other modes of transport. Ticket prices are set to rise by 8% in 2012, 3% plus RPI – but Transport Secretary Justine Greening... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fares-should-only-rise-by-6-on-january-1--greening 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fares-should-only-rise-by-6-on-january-1--greening Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT High speed rail services will be severely reduced between Kent and London during the Olympic Games, and the trains will be used instead as a shuttle service between St.Pancras, Stratford and Ebbsfleet International stations. This was part of London’s Olympic bid to secure the games in 2012. Services will not run from Folkestone... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/high-speed-services-reduced-during-olympics 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/high-speed-services-reduced-during-olympics Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT National train performance for period 8 is 89.3%, official figures reveal. This compares favourably to the figure for the same period last year, 86.5%, but has fallen from the 91.5% performance in period 7. The moving annual average is now at 90.6% for the period from October 16 to November 12. The franchise with the highest performance... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/National-train-performance-continues-to-fall 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/National-train-performance-continues-to-fall Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is set to launch a criminal prosecution of Network Rail today over the deaths of two teenage girls in December 2005. The case will allege that a breach of health and safety laws contributed to the accident, which took place at a village station in Elsenham, Essex. The company faces two charges under the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Network-Rail-charged-for-health-safety-breach- 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Network-Rail-charged-for-health-safety-breach- Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has appointed a new HR director, Richard Doyle. Doyle was previously HR director for Kraft/Cadbury, where he worked for over 20 years. The appointment follows the announcement of current HR director Peter Bennett’s retirement. Doyle will join the company on 28 November. Bennett will remain as HR Director until the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/New-HR-director-for-Network-Rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/New-HR-director-for-Network-Rail Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Delivery Group reported progress on the opportunities to reduce rail industry costs yesterday, and commented on future efforts to deliver value for money. Created in response to the McNulty report, the Group’s priorities cover asset, programme and supply chain management as well as commercial and contractual... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-delivery-group-reports-progress 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-delivery-group-reports-progress Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT BBMV, a joint venture of Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall & Vinci Construction UK, has been awarded the £110m contract for the Whitechapel main station works for Crossrail. Construction is due to start in January 2012, and will be completed by 2018. The work will take place in three parts; the new Whitechapel Station in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Whitechapel-Station-contract-awarded 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Whitechapel-Station-contract-awarded Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bombardier has announced several executive changes in their UK division, including the promotion of Sir Neville Simms and Paul Roberts, and the resignation of Colin Walton. Sir Neville Simms, FREng, has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman, with immediate effect. Sir Simms is currently the Deputy Chairman of International Power plc and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Bombardier-announce-executive-changes 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Bombardier-announce-executive-changes Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has announced changes to the way it delivers capital projects, with the implementation of ‘Project Dime’, which aims to deliver better value for money. The McNulty report published earlier this year suggests that 10-20% efficiencies are needed in the capital investment programme. The changes to achieve this... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/changes-to-capital-project-delivery-announced 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/changes-to-capital-project-delivery-announced Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Central line trains will be revamped in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games, TfL has announced. The 85 train fleet will benefit from £27m improvements, completed in time for the Games. TfL have also issued notice of improvements works this weekend, taking place on the Tube, London Overground, London Tramlink and DLR. This... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/improvement-works-for-london-trains 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/improvement-works-for-london-trains Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has completed the purchase of the rail division of Hydrex Equipment (Ltd) from its administrators, KPMG. This includes the transfer of employment for 531 rail division staff and the provision of over 300 road-rail vehicles. Martin Elwood, director of Network Rail’s National Delivery Service, said: “This is not a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-completes-hydrex-purchase 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-completes-hydrex-purchase Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Passengers could be banned from drinking on Scottish trains under proposals from Transport Scotland’s Rail 2014 consultation. However, there has been criticism over recommendations to cut certain services. The consultation is examining the way services are run in Scotland. The document states: “One of the most distressing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Proposals-to-change-Scottish-rail-services 387 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Proposals-to-change-Scottish-rail-services Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thameslink platform extensions are now complete at Flitwick and Harlington stations, which will allow 50% longer 12-car trains to operate on the Bedford to Brighton route from next month. First Capital Connect will lengthen its first services from 8-12 carriages starting on December 12. Network Rail has extended platforms at 12 stations... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Thameslink-platform-extensions-complete- 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Thameslink-platform-extensions-complete- Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom claimed that the HS2 High Speed rail link would be a ‘white elephant’ during an MPs debate yesterday. The £32 billion proposal would connect London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds via a 225mph line, and would include stops in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. MP Andrea Leadsom... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-link-described-as-a-white-elephant 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-link-described-as-a-white-elephant Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT A train fire in Manchester Piccadilly station last night forced its partial evacuation and multiple disruptions. The blaze broke out on the 17.50 service to Llandudno on platform 14, and took fire crews an hour to deal with. The driver was given oxygen as a precaution but was not injured. Trains were stopped from entering the station... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/engine-fire-at-piccadilly-causes-disruption-to-manchester-services 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/engine-fire-at-piccadilly-causes-disruption-to-manchester-services Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Former Network Rail track supervisor David Lewis, who broke down in tears at the Grayrigg crash inquest when he explained how he had forgotten to check the points five days before the crash, is “the only one who has shown any remorse or integrity”, according to the family of the woman who died. George Masson, son of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/margaret-massons-family-blame-network-rail-for-her-death 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/margaret-massons-family-blame-network-rail-for-her-death Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is preparing for the launch on Monday of the rest of its devolved routes. Scotland and Wessex have been operating since May as distinct business units, with their own route managing directors, and from November 14 they will be joined by the East Midlands, London North Eastern, London North Western, Wales, Western, Sussex, and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-prepares-for-mondays-big-bang-shake-up 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nr-prepares-for-mondays-big-bang-shake-up Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Transport bodies in the north of England have reiterated their calls for HS2 to be built from both ‘ends’ at once – meaning the northern links will be operational far more quickly. Chairman of Metro, the West Yorkshire PTE, Cllr James Lewis, told the Guardian newspaper: “To unlock its huge forecast economic... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-regulations-calls-to-start-hs2-simultaneously-at-both-ends 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-regulations-calls-to-start-hs2-simultaneously-at-both-ends Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Passenger groups and opposition MPs are alarmed at the possible consequences of the scrapping of hundreds of railway regulations under the Government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’. Even the National Rail Conditions of Carriage could be scrapped or watered down and made voluntary, and operators could get more discretion over... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-regulations-facing-abolition-are-not-red-tape-say-campaigners 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-regulations-facing-abolition-are-not-red-tape-say-campaigners Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT British railway workers are having to learn German phrases to let them operate some track equipment, the RMT has said, adding that the country’s state operator, Deutsche Bahn, is trying to “tighten its grip” on the UK rail market. Its subsidiary, Arriva, this week confirmed it is taking over open access operator Grand... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-workers-learning-german-phrases 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-workers-learning-german-phrases Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Transport Select Committee has given its qualified backing to HS2, saying the network will provide a “step change in the capacity, quality, reliability and frequency of rail services between our major cities” – as long as it does extend north of Birmingham. The cross-party committee of MPs wants a “firm... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-committee-back-hs2--with-caveats 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-committee-back-hs2--with-caveats Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Nation Cycle Rail Awards showed the improvement to integrated travel demonstrated by train operating companies. The awards, run by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), celebrated cycle hubs, school schemes and extra cycle spaces at stations, to encourage greater access, security and information for those wishing to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cycle-access-to-railways-improves 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cycle-access-to-railways-improves Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Sir Roy McNulty told delegates at the DDRF annual conference that the way the railways are now run is “absolutely not common sense” as rail workers and unions protested outside the meeting against his recommendations, which they say will mean job cuts and a worse service for passengers. They also continue to demand the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ddrf-hears-of-massive-opportunities-for-suppliers 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ddrf-hears-of-massive-opportunities-for-suppliers Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Prime Minister has pledged to tackle cable theft, by working with police and looking into regulation of the scrap metal industry. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Jason McCartney said: “Cable theft has cost the rail industry £43m over the last three years and they have even drafted in Gurkhas to patrol... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Government-considering-regulation-of-metal-dealers 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Government-considering-regulation-of-metal-dealers Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT ScotRail has revealed £2m plans to prepare for severe winter weather, with new equipment and initiatives to keep more trains running, improve live travel information and increase station access. The plans include ‘power shower’ systems, introduced at all maintenance depots to remove snow and ice from the undersides of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scotrail-winter-weather-plans-revealed 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scotrail-winter-weather-plans-revealed Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Architect Lord Foster’s Thames Hub plans have been criticised as “pie-in-the-sky” and even “potentially lethal” by one of the councils affected. The project would cost at least £50bn, but could generate huge financial benefits, as well as creating thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, manufacturing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Thames-Hub-plans-pie-in-the-sky---Medway-Council 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Thames-Hub-plans-pie-in-the-sky---Medway-Council Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT London Underground has committed to keep Tube drivers in their jobs for the rest of their careers, even if it introduces driverless trains on some lines, as long as they in return are more flexible over their terms and conditions. London Underground’s (LU) ‘Operational Vision’ is being discussed by the TfL board today... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-drivers-to-keep-their-jobs-despite-driverless-technology--lu 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-drivers-to-keep-their-jobs-despite-driverless-technology--lu Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Peter Johnston, Rail Services Officer with responsibility for rail timetabling and operations at GMPTE from 1993 to his retirement in 2005, devised and wrote the Passenger Service Requirement Specifications for the Greater Manchester local rail network at the time of privatisation. Here he argues that the Ordsall Chord proposals are unlikely... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/behind-the-curve-the-ordsall-chord-is-a-poor-choice 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/behind-the-curve-the-ordsall-chord-is-a-poor-choice Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Following the award of the contract for the Greater Anglia franchise to Abellio, transport campaigners have pledged to ensure that promised infrastructure improvements are actually delivered for passengers. Starting from February 2012, the contract will last until 2014, but will then be renewed to last around 15 years. Norwich North... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/campaigners-maintain-pressure-on-abellio-for-improvements 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/campaigners-maintain-pressure-on-abellio-for-improvements Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to give £500m as a long-term loan to Manchester’s tram scheme to further expand the network with new trams and infrastructure. The money will fund the long hoped-for ‘phase 3b’ of the construction plans can go ahead, which will make the network three times bigger, with 60... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Half-a-billion-pounds-in-EU-funding-for-Manchester-Metrolink- 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Half-a-billion-pounds-in-EU-funding-for-Manchester-Metrolink- Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Justine Greening, former Treasury minister, has been appointed the new Transport Secretary. She replaces Philip Hammond, who has been appointed as the new Defence Secretary following the resignation of Liam Fox. Greening was appointed as Economic Secretary to the Treasury in May 2010, and her work has impressed Prime Minister David... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-transport-secretary-appointed 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-transport-secretary-appointed Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Cosford railway station is being refurbished under a £2.1m scheme, and will be shut for the next four months while the work is completed. London Midland buses will go from the site to Albrighton railway station during the work. The improvements will involve two replacement platforms, new fencing, shelters and staircases as well as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cosford-railway-station-closed-for-rebuild 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cosford-railway-station-closed-for-rebuild Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Councillors are backing calls to restore passenger train services to Blyth and Ashington instead of extending the Tyne and Wear Metro network into Northumberland. The call comes as an alternative to a plan put forward in an online petition signed by over 1,500 people, calling for the Metro network to be expanded to include south east... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/councillors-back-campaign-to-reopen-northumbrian-rail-line 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/councillors-back-campaign-to-reopen-northumbrian-rail-line Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A revamp has been planned for Dalmarnock station in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow. The station is close to the athlete’s village and will help to channel visitors to the event. Developer C Spencer Ltd has been appointed by Network Rail for the £11m refurbishment. The contract includes a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dalmarnock-station-commonwealth-revamp 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dalmarnock-station-commonwealth-revamp Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Work on the Derry to Coleraine rail line has been prioritised to be ready in time for Derry’s year as the City of Culture in 2013. The £75m upgrade, which will be completed in three phases, was originally going to be delayed due to financial pressures. The work will now begin next July, instead of in 2014, with £27m of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/derry-line-work-brought-forward 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/derry-line-work-brought-forward Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail’s chief executive has told an audience of rail professionals that the project will seek to use the UK supply chain, calling it an “obvious goal”. Andrew Wolstenholme was speaking at Dinner at the Roundhouse, which took place on Thursday in Derby, with professionals from across the rail industry gathered to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse-hears-from-wolstenholme-and-otoole 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dinner-at-the-roundhouse-hears-from-wolstenholme-and-otoole Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) welcomed its first students yesterday as its phased opening begins. The £13m Academy is expected to be fully open by early 2012, and will offer training to 3,500 people over the lifetime of the Crossrail project. The National Construction College has been appointed to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/First-students-attend-TUCA 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/First-students-attend-TUCA Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Stop HS2 campaigners have delivered a petition with around 108,000 signatures to Downing St. The petition was initially started to secure a parliamentary debate in the main chamber, which is due to happen on Thursday. The £17bn scheme would connect London to Birmingham, and would cut commuters journeys to 49 minutes. The project... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Stop-HS2-campaigners-deliver-petition 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Stop-HS2-campaigners-deliver-petition Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Britain and France could face legal action if they fail to open up Channel Tunnel rail services to more competition, the European Commission has warned. ‘Infringement proceedings’ could be launched due to a lack of independence of the Channel Tunnel rail infrastructure manager. The two countries have a two month deadline... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Channel-Tunnel-needs-competition 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Channel-Tunnel-needs-competition Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Long-awaited plans for the Ordsall Chord linking Manchester’s Piccadilly and Victoria stations have come a step closer now that a public consultation on the plans has been launched as part of the Northern Hub proposals. The new link is estimated to cost £85m, and would unlock new connections across the city and the rest of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/consultation-on-ordsall-chord 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/consultation-on-ordsall-chord Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Work has started on improvements to Peterborough station, as part of a £2.5m redevelopment scheme funded by East Coast and Network Rail, through the Government’s National Stations Improvements Programme. The improvements will include a new frontage and concourse, new waiting room, customer information point, refurbished... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/peterborough-station-improvements-start 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/peterborough-station-improvements-start Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The RMT has begun balloting tube drivers for action short of a strike over safety aspects of London Underground’s Operational Effectiveness Programme. There are four key areas which the union feels are potentially dangerous and should not be implemented. These include the new procedures that allow drivers to reverse a train without... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/safety-concerns-for-operational-effectiveness-programme- 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/safety-concerns-for-operational-effectiveness-programme- Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Interfleet, a Derby rail firm that specialises in rolling stock, railway systems and management, has been bought by the Canadian company SNC-Lavalin. The firm employs about 300 people, and SNC-Lavalin has confirmed that none of these jobs are at risk. David Rollin, from Interfleet, said: “The acquisition represents the best way to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/snc-lavalin-buys-interfleet 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/snc-lavalin-buys-interfleet Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ticketing staff will be retained at Romsey railway station, despite recommendations that would have seen them replaced with ticket machines. First Great Western has confirmed it intends to keep the ticket offices manned for the duration of its franchise. The jobs in question were under threat after the McNulty report proposed the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ticket-staff-to-remain-at-romsey 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ticket-staff-to-remain-at-romsey Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Work has begun to create the world’s largest solar bridge, as the Network Rail upgrade turns Blackfriars into a solar-powered rail station. This is part of the Thameslink programme, and aims to cater for more passengers and deliver an improved train service, whilst saving energy costs and cutting carbon. Over 4,400 solar PV panels... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/work-begins-on-blackfriars 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/work-begins-on-blackfriars Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has responded angrily to criticism from Labour leader Ed Miliband that train companies are ‘ripping people off’. Miliband, speaking at the Labour conference in Liverpool this week, used train companies and utilities firms as examples of firms acting irresponsibly and harming... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/-miliband-is-a-hypocrite--atoc 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/-miliband-is-a-hypocrite--atoc Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new course to manage passenger transport emergency incidents has been proposed by the University of Wolverhampton. The Postgraduate Certificate in the Management of Passenger Transport Emergency Incidents would be the first of its kind in the UK. Running for 12 months part-time, the course is designed for people working in the transport... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/emergency-incident-management-course-proposed 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/emergency-incident-management-course-proposed Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Merseytravel has launched the Walrus card, a travel pass which will eventually be valid on rail journeys as well as on buses and ferries. Similar to the Oyster card in London, the Walrus is a smartcard which aims to reduce hassle for passengers. Research started on the idea in 2008, with a £2.2m grant from the Government. The card... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/merseytravel-launches-the-walrus 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/merseytravel-launches-the-walrus Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT National train performance figures have been released for period 6, which measures performance from August 21 to September 17 in 2011. The average figure is 92.4%, down from 93.5% this time last year, and the moving annual average (MAA) is now at 90.5%. The franchise with the highest performance was c2c Rail, which increased from 96.6... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/performance-figures-released- 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/performance-figures-released- Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has written to the transport secretary Philip Hammond, claiming that freight needs HS2 as much as passengers do. Tony Berkeley, chairman of the RFG, said: “For freight, the reasons are clear. More capacity is needed to move containers, particularly on the North-South axis. Here, container traffic has... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-freight-needs-hs2- 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-freight-needs-hs2- Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The rail industry has published its Initial Industry Plan (IIP), which sets out proposals on spending across the network for the next control period, from 2014-2019. The plans include a pledge that the industry can improve in quality and cost efficiency, and sets out its aim to cut running costs by £1.3bn per year. Network Rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reaction-to-initial-industry-plan 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/reaction-to-initial-industry-plan Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Southeastern has revealed severe weather contingency plans for passengers, including the provision of glowsticks and foil blankets if a train breaks down and loses its lighting. Last December, Southeastern was heavily criticised after passengers suffered cancellations and delays due to heavy snow. Other measures include increasing the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/scepticism-at-southeastern-glowstick-plans-for-severe-weather 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/scepticism-at-southeastern-glowstick-plans-for-severe-weather Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail is to take over the project to build the new Borders railway in Scotland, after the tender process was cancelled. The Scottish Government attempted to get private company interest for the contract, but several consortia have dropped out of the competition for commercial reasons. The 35-mile line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tender-process-for-borders-project-scrapped 377 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tender-process-for-borders-project-scrapped Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Transport minister Norman Baker MP is set to speak at the ATOC Integrated Transport Conference in Leeds on September 29. This conference is aimed at public transport officers and managers and will discuss how rail can achieve more sustainable integration with other modes of transport. Conrad Haigh, Integrated Transport Manager at ATOC... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/baker-to-speak-at-integrated-transport-conference 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/baker-to-speak-at-integrated-transport-conference Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Germany’s Deutsche Bahn has confirmed it will begin running services to London through the Channel Tunnel from December 2013 - later than originally hoped. The company plans to run three services a day of two coupled train sets between London St Pancras and Brussels, which will uncouple in Brussels, with one set covering the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/DB-to-run-services-to-London-from-2013 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/DB-to-run-services-to-London-from-2013 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT People who don’t buy tickets make an estimated 110,000 train journeys every day, according to figures published by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). Around £200m is lost every year due to fare dodgers, the operators calculate. There are a number of safeguards in place to ensure that customers unable to buy a... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fare-dodgers-make-110000-journeys-each-day 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fare-dodgers-make-110000-journeys-each-day Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT German company Herrenknecht AG has been selected to build Crossrail’s remaining tunnel boring machines, after manufacturing the first six earlier this year. The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will dig Crossrail’s Thames Tunnel in South East London, increasing the rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, cutting journey... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/herrenknecht-selected-for-remaining-crossrail-tunnel-boring-machines 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/herrenknecht-selected-for-remaining-crossrail-tunnel-boring-machines Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A CCTV police van has begun operations in Glasgow to deter motorists from using level crossings dangerously. Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have launched the project after a successful trial in South East England. The van is equipped with nine cameras, and uses number plate recognition combined with access to computer... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/level-crossing-misuse-in-scotland 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/level-crossing-misuse-in-scotland Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT CrossCountry Trains has launched a free new app, ‘Train Tickets’, to stop passengers worrying about losing their paper tickets. A survey of 2,000 passengers showed that many wasted significant amounts of time patting their pockets and checking their purses to ensure they had a train ticket with them. The survey also showed 47%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/new-ticket-app-launched 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/new-ticket-app-launched Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Technology Strategy Board and RSSB will invest up to £4m in an ‘Accelerating Innovation in Rail’ competition to support the development of new technology and build innovation in the rail industry. It forms part of a long-term strategic partnership to identify strong market opportunities, increase capacity for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-competition-for-innovation-set-up 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-competition-for-innovation-set-up Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail passengers in Wales will only see fares increased by an average of 6% next year, 1% above the inflation rate. This is 2% less than the rise in England, and will be applicable on Arriva Trains Wales. First Great Western and Virgin trains will still be subject to the 8% rise in fares next year. Scotland has also confirmed a rise of 1%... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/wales-rail-fares-to-increase-by-6 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/wales-rail-fares-to-increase-by-6 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) has been awarded the concession to continue Network Rail’s Rail Training & Assessment Accreditation Scheme (RTAS). The scheme was previously undertaken by Achilles, who will continue to run the programme until December 31, with no changes. NSARE will commence delivery... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nsare-to-take-over-rtas 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nsare-to-take-over-rtas Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The campaign to save jobs at Bombardier has achieved virtually unanimous support in Derby, with the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition that rules the city council now considering helping to fund a Unite union challenge to the decision. Councillors joined Bombardier workers on the train down to London, alongside representatives of the trade... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/city-lines-up-behind-bombardier 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/city-lines-up-behind-bombardier Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Transport Secretary Philip Hammond refuted suggestions that the UK will lose its last train builder if Bombardier is forced to close its Derby factory, because Hitachi is opening its assembly plant for the Intercity Express Programme in County Durham. He rejected suggestions from MPs on the Transport Select Committee that an assembly... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hammond-suggests-hitachi-could-replace-bombardier-as-uk-train-manufacturer 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hammond-suggests-hitachi-could-replace-bombardier-as-uk-train-manufacturer Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Bombardier chairman Colin Walton told MPs on the Transport Select Committee that he is “very concerned” that the company will undergo a “drastic reduction” in workforce because of the loss of the Thameslink rolling stock bid. The company is reviewing its UK operations in the wake of the Government’s... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/jobs-impact-of-thameslink-decision-could-be-drastic 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/jobs-impact-of-thameslink-decision-could-be-drastic Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The award of the Thameslink contract to Siemens will not only lead to job losses at Bombardier, but throughout the supply chain, a new survey suggests. A survey conducted by Survation for the Unite union shows that out of 125 companies in the supply chain, 6% rely entirely on Bombardier for business, and so will also have to make cuts.... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/more-job-losses-from-thameslink-contract 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/more-job-losses-from-thameslink-contract Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rick Haythornthwaite, the chairman of Network Rail, will not run for re-election at the annual general election next July, stepping down from the post after three years. Delivering the inaugural George Bradshaw Address for the rail industry, Haythornthwaite said: “Serving as chairman of Network Rail has been an immense honour, as... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-chairman-to-step-down 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-chairman-to-step-down Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A move to tackle Oyster overcharging has been announced by Transport for London. Failing to touch out with the Oyster card resulted in users being overcharged by £60m last year, figures released in January showed. The current system charges travellers who forget to touch out with the maximum zone 1-6 fare, which costs... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/oyster-overcharging-overhauled- 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/oyster-overcharging-overhauled- Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail Technology Magazine joined hundreds of Bombardier workers, campaigners, trade unionists, politicians and supporters on their trip to London this week as they lobbied for the Thameslink rolling stock contract to be rethought. On a specially-commissioned East Midlands Train service from Derby on Wednesday morning, workers and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rtm-joins-derby-workers-london-protest-trip 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rtm-joins-derby-workers-london-protest-trip Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The next stage of the procurement process for Crossrail rolling stock and depot construction has been delayed to save cash and while it awaits a procurement review being carried out to ensure UK firms don’t lose out to European rivals before the scheme goes to tender. That review was announced in the wake of the controversy over the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Crossrail-decision-delayed 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Crossrail-decision-delayed Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT In a major turnaround, the Edinburgh tram project looks likely to continue into the city centre as previously planned, to finish at St Andrew Square. A threat by the Scottish Government to withhold the last £72m installment of its funding, after opposition councillors voted to stop the project at Haymarket to save money, was... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Edinburgh-tram-project-rethink 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Edinburgh-tram-project-rethink Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A £211m extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has opened, completing the £500m upgrade to improve capacity by 50%. There are also four new stations along the route. The 3.7 mile track expansion runs from Canning Town to Stratford International, and forms a key part of the Olympic Games transport network by connecting... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Olympic-upgrade-for-Docklands 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Olympic-upgrade-for-Docklands Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Action is needed to ease overcrowding at 11 key stations, according to Network Rail. In a new report, it suggests that measures to reduce congestion must be identified by 2019 and implemented as soon as possible. These suggestions include convincing more passengers to print tickets at home, relocating information points away from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/overcrowding-needs-action 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/overcrowding-needs-action Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Chiltern Railways is launching a new ‘premium economy’ class coach on services between London and Birmingham from September 5. The seating will provide first class comfort at a more affordable price, the operator says. The ‘Business Zone’ will be available in a separate 30-seat coach on four ‘silver... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/premium-economy-launched-on-chiltern-railways 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/premium-economy-launched-on-chiltern-railways Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT National train performance figures have been released for period 5 by Network Rail, with punctuality down compares to last year. The data for July 24 – August 20 shows that performance is down to 92.3% from 94.2% in the same period last year. The moving annual average is currently at 90.6%. Last month the moving annual average... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Rail-punctuality-down-to-923 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Rail-punctuality-down-to-923 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail, which acts as a landlord to many small businesses through its large property portfolio, is introducing special terms in areas hit hardest by this month’s riots to help small enterprises get up and running as soon as possible. Simone Bailey, Network Rail’s head of commercial estate, said: "For many people running... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Riot-hit-businesses-offered-railway-properties-on-good-terms 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Riot-hit-businesses-offered-railway-properties-on-good-terms Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail freight could suffer if the Government presses on with plans to allow more integration of train operations and infrastructure control, the Rail Freight Group has said. Its chairman Tony Berkeley says that DfT officials “appear to have done a ‘U-turn’ that basically dumps the policy of total separation on which our... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/uk-stance-on-eu-rail-liberalisation-softened--rfg 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/uk-stance-on-eu-rail-liberalisation-softened--rfg Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Business Secretary Vince Cable has suggested that one of the reasons the Government is refusing to consider reversing the Thameslink rolling stock decision is because it is concerned about protecting its reputation. A letter from Cable to Derby City Council leader Philip Hickson was leaked to the Derby Telegraph yesterday, stating that... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/government-reputation-at-stake-over-thameslink-decision 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/government-reputation-at-stake-over-thameslink-decision Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The ‘Save Bombardier’ campaign is holding a public meeting to gather support for the effort to reverse the decision to award Siemens the Thameslink rolling stock contract. The event, at Landau Forte College, Derby on Thursday, September 1, features a number of speakers, including MPs Chris Williamson and Margaret Beckett; Mark... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bombardier-holds-public-support-meeting 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bombardier-holds-public-support-meeting Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Over 5.5 million passengers are expected to travel by rail this bank holiday weekend, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) reports. People will travel to the seaside, to visit family and friends with the number of leisure travellers increasing in certain areas of the country. Network Rail maintains that 95% of normal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/busy-bank-holiday-for-rail 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/busy-bank-holiday-for-rail Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Edinburgh’s tram project is in trouble again after opposition councillors voted to stop the scheme on the edge of the city centre, instead of running into St Andrew’s Square. The vote came after earlier estimates that pressing on with the project as far as St Andrew’s Square would cost £770m (and cancelling it... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/edinburghs-tram-project-in-crisis 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/edinburghs-tram-project-in-crisis Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The second First TransPennine Express (FTPE) strike has been cancelled while further discussion over pay takes place. The action was set to take place today, affecting services across the operators routes in northern England, but the normal timetable is back in operation. The first strike, held on Wednesday, caused disruption to services... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ftpe-strike-suspended 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ftpe-strike-suspended Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The number of light rail journeys in England has increased, with revenues up a tenth, according to a report by the Department for Transport. The number of passengers travelling by light rail or tram has increased by more than 5% from 2009/10 to 2010/11. The number of journeys was last recorded as 196.5 million, which is the highest figure... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/increase-in-journeys-by-light-rail 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/increase-in-journeys-by-light-rail Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Merseytravel has called for a rethink of the HS2 route plans in its response to the DfT consultation. It wants to include a link straight to Liverpool, as well as a network of other cities. The authority fears that under the current proposals, the city will lose business investment to Manchester. HS2 will cut journey times from... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/merseytravel-calls-for-link-to-liverpool 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/merseytravel-calls-for-link-to-liverpool Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to change the decision concerning the Thameslink contract, and will not meet with a delegation to discuss the issue – even though a new poll of voters suggests it could cost the Conservatives a Parliamentary seat in Derbyshire. Labour’s Derby North MP Chris Williamson started a petition... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/thameslink-contract-rethink-refused 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/thameslink-contract-rethink-refused Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail services are set to be disrupted by engineering works over the bank holiday weekend – but 95% of services will still be running, compared to a normal weekend, according to Network Rail. More than 3,000 replacement buses will be available, yet passengers will not be able to claim compensation for delays unless it takes... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bank-holiday-trains-disrupted 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bank-holiday-trains-disrupted Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT High inflation rates are set to hit rail passengers particularly hard, with confirmation today that train fares will rise by an average of 8% from January 2012. Government policy has changed from allowing operators to increase regulated fares from RPI+1% to RPI+3%, in line with its general policy of shifting more of the burden for paying... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fares-to-rise-by-an-average-of-8 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fares-to-rise-by-an-average-of-8 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT An analysis by Greengauge21 has been published today, with recommendations on improving HS2. The report was submitted to the Government’s consultation on the project before the July 29 deadline, and is now available to the public. “We fully support the development of a high-speed rail network for Britain,” said Jim... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Greengauge21-report-to-improve-HS2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Greengauge21-report-to-improve-HS2 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Rail workers are set to strike next week after turning down a pay rise offer. Walk-outs have been planned next Wednesday and Friday, with up to 700 workers from the ASLEF and RMT unions expected to participate. TransPennine Express had offered an increase of 2.2%, it has been reported, yet this has been rejected. Passengers have been... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-strikes-planned-next-week 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-strikes-planned-next-week Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The public has responded with anger to the news that train fares will increase by an average of 8% from next January. Campaigners rallied in London yesterday, and now rail union RMT has published the minimum increases to be expected on season tickets. The RMT calculated the minimum likely increases for season tickets from a variety... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reactions-to-the-train-fare-increases 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/reactions-to-the-train-fare-increases Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT A prototype sensor system, developed by City University London, can provide early warning of power line defects, leading to dewirement. This could save costly rail delays in the future. The researchers received £102,000 funding from the EPSRC collaboration fund to develop the optical sensors, which attach to pantographs to measure... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sensor-saves-rail-delays 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sensor-saves-rail-delays Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT More than 3,000 people attended an open day at Whitemoor Yard on August 14. Network Rail invited members of the public to visit the new recycling centre, which will save thousands of tonnes of waste materials from going to landfill each year, cut the cost of Britain’s railways and eliminate many lorry journeys. The recycling... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Whitemoor-recycling-centre-opened 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Whitemoor-recycling-centre-opened Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Transport has announced the new rail franchising plans for the coming years. Changes include postponing operator East Coast’s return from Government to private ownership until December 2013, instead of this year as originally intended when the company was taken over by the Department for Transport in 2009. Other... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/amended-rail-franchising-plans-announced 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/amended-rail-franchising-plans-announced Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Metro cables were cut on Wednesday night in a theft attempt in Tyneside. The line between Howdon and Percy Main was cut. The incident occurred in the early hours and engineers were able to finish the repairs before the first service in the morning. A spokesman for Nexus, which operates the Metro, said: “There was an attempt to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/cable-cutting-continues 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/cable-cutting-continues Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT London Underground has made an increased pay offer to its staff of 5% this year. This is 0.25% higher than its previous offer, which was rejected by unions. Tube and other workers would then receive retail price index (RPI) inflation plus 0.25% in the following three years, and RPI plus 0.5% in the final year of the five-year... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/improved-pay-offer-from-london-underground 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/improved-pay-offer-from-london-underground Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT A survey in Birmingham found that only 3% of motorists would be persuaded to switch to HS2 because of the speed. Motoring organisation the AA polled 16,850 members in Birmingham to uncover their thoughts on the proposed rail link to London. The results showed that the majority, 62%, considered cost the most important factor on the type of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Motorists-unconcerned-with-speed-of-rail 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Motorists-unconcerned-with-speed-of-rail Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has released the National Train Performance figures for July, with the average punctuality at 92.2%. This was measured in the fourth quarter, from 26th June to the 23rd July, and has fallen from 92.6% compared to the same period last year. The current ‘moving annual average’ measure is now at 90.7%. The... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/National-train-performance-at-922 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/National-train-performance-at-922 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Proposals to improve Network Rail’s rail services in London and the South-East with further construction work will create a significant number of jobs for civil engineers. The 'London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy' includes work in and around the capital, and new western rail access which will improve services to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/network-rail-supports-engineering-recruitment 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/network-rail-supports-engineering-recruitment Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The rights to run the Manchester Metrolink, the tram network currently undergoing a massive expansion, have been given to the French company that runs the Paris Metro after previous the previous operator Stagecoach withdrew from the contract. Yesterday RATP Dev UK Limited took over the remainder of a ten year contract, which will last... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Shock-sale-of-Manchester-Metrolink-tram-network 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Shock-sale-of-Manchester-Metrolink-tram-network Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Yes to High Speed Rail campaign has responded to comments made by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in his official response to the Department for Transport. Johnson stated that aspects of the route were “unacceptable” and expressed his opposition to the project. He also called for a new tube link at Euston station to deal... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Yes-campaign-responds-to-Johnson 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Yes-campaign-responds-to-Johnson Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Train frequency on the London Overground network has shot up as Transport for London completes its upgrade programme of the constituent lines, stations and rolling stock – with passengers constantly filling the additional capacity. Howard Smith, TfL’s chief operating officer for London rail, is both happy and scared at the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/latent-demand 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/latent-demand Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The high cost of petrol is one of the key reasons for 6% year-on-year growth in passenger numbers seen on the UK rail network in the second quarter, ATOC says. Its new figures showed that from 1 April to 25 June, there were 322 million passenger journeys, compared to 304 million in the same period in 2010 – a rise of 6%. Journeys in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/atoc-welcomes-further-rise-in-passenger-numbers 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/atoc-welcomes-further-rise-in-passenger-numbers Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Association of Train Operating Companies has welcomed official figures in the Government’s ‘National Travel Survey’, which it said showed the “surge” in rail’s popularity compared to other forms of transport over the past 15 years. The Department for Transport survey shows that between 1995/97 and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-survey-confirms-long-term-trends-in-train-and-car-travel 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-survey-confirms-long-term-trends-in-train-and-car-travel Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The derailing of a ScotRail train near Waverley station on Wednesday evening is still causing disruption today. The front wheels of the train’s rear carriage came off the rails beside Princes Street Gardens, and although no-one was injured, diversions are still on place and there is expected to be further disruption until tomorrow... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/further-disruption-following-edinburgh-derailment 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/further-disruption-following-edinburgh-derailment Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The second phase of HS2, the links from Birmingham north to Manchester and Leeds, will be built “at the same time”, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed. He made the comments during a trip to Sheffield, telling the BBC that once the £32bn high-speed project had reached Birmingham, “we will then build... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/HS2-Y-shape-branches-to-be-built-simultaneously-says-Hammond 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/HS2-Y-shape-branches-to-be-built-simultaneously-says-Hammond Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Today is the final day of the HS2 public consultation – one of the biggest ever undertaken in the UK. It is possible to comment online on the Department for Transport’s high-speed rail website until midnight tonight. A final decision is expected by the end of the year and although the DfT says it would be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/hs2-procurement-process-starts-as-consultation-ends 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/hs2-procurement-process-starts-as-consultation-ends Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Audit Office is to examine the Thameslink rolling stock decision to see if a full Value for Money review is needed – although it has no power to overturn the decision itself. MPs and campaigners in the East Midlands angry that the Government picked Siemens over Derby’s Bombardier to manufacture the carriages... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nao-could-investigate-thameslink-decision 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nao-could-investigate-thameslink-decision Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new economic analysis of the London-Birmingham phase of the HS2 project suggests it could produce between £6bn to £7bn as a return on the £13.9bn investment. PwC, which did the analysis for pro-HS2 think tank Greengauge 21, released the figures just days before the consultation on HS2 is due to close on July... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/PwC-report-suggests-HS2-will-provide-healthy-return-on-investment 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/PwC-report-suggests-HS2-will-provide-healthy-return-on-investment Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The RAIB has recommended that Network Rail needs to upgrade its highest-risk automatic level crossings. Its review into safety issues associated with automatic open level crossings followed an earlier report into the circumstances surrounding a crash in Caithness in Scotland in September 2009 in which three people from the same family... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/raib-makes-level-crossing-recommendations-after-crash 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/raib-makes-level-crossing-recommendations-after-crash Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport and the Treasury. It is asking the Government to disclose its calculations to back up the conclusion that Siemens provided better taxpayer value than Derby’s Bombardier for manufacturing Thameslink... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/business-groups-challenge-government-over-thameslink-figures 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/business-groups-challenge-government-over-thameslink-figures Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Camden Council has concluded that HS2 would have a “substantial negative impact” on the borough. This is primarily because of the proposed expansion of Euston station, which would force the demolition of 216 homes and at least 20 business premises in the borough, as well as the closure of a number of parks and a nature reserve... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Camden-expected-to-formalise-opposition-to-HS2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Camden-expected-to-formalise-opposition-to-HS2 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Philip Hammond quashed hopes of a last-minute reprieve for Bombardier after talks with rail unions this week over the Thameslink rolling stock decision. The Transport Secretary reiterated that his hands are tied by EU procurement rules, which would not let him reverse the decision to go with Siemens even if he wanted to. He said:... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/dft-cannot-reverse-siemens-decision 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/dft-cannot-reverse-siemens-decision Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Campaign for Better Transport has launched a new fares petition, arguing that the Government does not realise just how “unpopular and damaging” constant above-inflation fare hikes will prove. Alexandra Woodsworth (pictured), the CBT’s public transport campaigner, said: “Ministers have rushed to provide help for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-campaigners-attack-hammond-over-car-friendly-policies 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-campaigners-attack-hammond-over-car-friendly-policies Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT High-speed rail is the best way to beat the coming ‘capacity crunch’ on the West Midlands’ railway, according to Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip. Responding to Network Rail’s WCML Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), which predicts that it will be running at full capacity by 2024 as demand continues to grow... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Capacity-crunch-predicted-in-West-Midlands 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Capacity-crunch-predicted-in-West-Midlands Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT More than 400 permanent and nearly 1,000 temporary jobs are to go at Derby’s Bombardier in the wake of the Government’s decision to hand the Thameslink rolling stock contract to Germany’s Siemens. The Canadian company, the last train manufacturer in the UK, said there was not sufficient workload to keep its facility... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bombardier-announces-nearly-1500-jobs-to-go 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/bombardier-announces-nearly-1500-jobs-to-go Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Eurotunnel Le Shuttle has signed a deal with coach company Eurolines UK to carry fans heading to London for the 2012 Games. The two operators expect to carry an additional 18,000 European visitors to London next summer. The vast majority of passengers are expected to travel from Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels and tickets will be... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cross-Channel-transport-operators-prepare-for-Olympics 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cross-Channel-transport-operators-prepare-for-Olympics Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Greater London Authority is turning to the capital markets to raise money for Crossrail. According to the Financial Times, it is the first local authority to do so for 17 years, having announced a £600m bond issue, through a new vehicle developed with Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets. It reported that the last councils to use... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/GLAs-£600m-bond-issue-to-raise-Crossrail-funds 379 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/GLAs-£600m-bond-issue-to-raise-Crossrail-funds Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The shadow business and transport secretaries have written to the Prime Minister to ask for a review of decision to award the Thameslink rolling stock contract to Siemens, which they say “dealt a body-blow to British manufacturing” at Derby’s Bombardier. They say the choice to send so much of the work abroad to Germany... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/labour-demands-review-of-thameslink-carriages-decision 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/labour-demands-review-of-thameslink-carriages-decision Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT After a number of delays and false starts, the Manchester Metrolink’s southern extension opened this week. The line, linking the city centre to Firswood, Chorlton, ad St Werburgh’s Road, is the first phase of longer-term £1.4bn expansion plans for the network, which will grow to triple its current size. Further... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/metrolinks-new-line-finally-opens 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/metrolinks-new-line-finally-opens Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Siemens, which beat Bombardier to the Thameslink rolling stock contract, is now trying to hire its staff, according to the Unite union. The union said Siemens wants the UK train maker’s procurement and sales staff, as well as Bombardier’s bogies. Siemens said it was not aware of any approach being made, but insiders at... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/recruitment-agencies-for-siemens-want-bombardier-staff 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/recruitment-agencies-for-siemens-want-bombardier-staff Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT High temperatures caused delays across the rail network yesterday. As well as the service cancellations due to problems with overhead line equipment design between London Liverpool Street and Suffolk and Essex, there were separate incidents in Kent that caused delays. Southeastern said the first set of delays was caused by a train... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Passengers-force-open-carriage-doors-to-escape-heat 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Passengers-force-open-carriage-doors-to-escape-heat Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has become the first member of the Cabinet to formally oppose HS2. The MP for Amersham and Chesham, through which the proposed high-speed rail link will run, submitted evidence to the Commons Transport Select Committee outlining her opposition to the scheme. The Daily Telegraph newspaper said she is... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Cabinet-minister-publicly-denounces-HS2-route 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Cabinet-minister-publicly-denounces-HS2-route Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The delayed south Manchester Metrolink extension will be open by the end of June, it has been announced. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) had earlier asked RTM to tell readers to “please be patient” while final testing was completed, but now the new line, with stops at St Werburgh's Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Firswood... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/delayed-metrolink-extension-just-days-away-from-opening 385 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/delayed-metrolink-extension-just-days-away-from-opening Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Transport Secretary Philip Hammond says HS2 could be the “last, best chance” to finally close the growth gap between the North and South of England. He told MPs during Transport Questions in the Commons: “I believe that it is not possible for Britain to maintain its prosperity in the 21st century in an increasingly... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/experts-divided-on-hs2-parkway-stations-and-construction-timetable 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/experts-divided-on-hs2-parkway-stations-and-construction-timetable Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Campaigns in favour of high-speed rail have opened up a new line of argument this week, with posters running across buses, trains and transport centres in the North of England with the words: “Their lawns or our jobs?” The posters, showing a rich country gent and a mansion, are designed to boost support for high-speed rail... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/north-south-divide-in-new-high-speed-rail-posters 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/north-south-divide-in-new-high-speed-rail-posters Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Anti-HS2 campaigners have jumped on the independent report on the business case for the rail scheme, published by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, as fresh evidence that its benefits will accrue to London, widening the north-south divide. The report, by consultants Oxera, also warns that there remains “a degree of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/report-highlights-uncertainty-over-hs2-figures 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/report-highlights-uncertainty-over-hs2-figures Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Proposals to extend the length of articulated lorries by up to 2.05m will “decimate” rail freight, say campaigners. The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has urged the DfT to reject the proposals, which it says would increase road congestion, hold back the shift to more environmentally-friendly transport modes and harm the viability of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/threat-to-rail-freight-from-longer-lorries 386 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/threat-to-rail-freight-from-longer-lorries Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has released the latest strike dates for tube drivers in London. The strikes will happen four times over two weeks, on the 19th, 27th and 29th of June and the 1st of July. The strikes come as a response to the refusal of London Underground (LU) to reinstate driver Arwyn Thomas after he was... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-strikes-announced 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-strikes-announced Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The RMT has called off its planned Tube strikes following the reinstatement of driver Arwyn Thomas by London Underground. A tribunal this week said he was unfairly sacked, despite London Underground’s argument that he was dismissed for alleged unacceptable behaviour towards staff. The RMT said it would not now go ahead with... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tube-strikes-off 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tube-strikes-off Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Balfour Beatty Rail has been awarded a seven-year framework agreement with Network Rail National Delivery Service (NDS) for the supply of on-track machines. The national contract, which includes tampers and ballast regulators, is estimated to have a potential value of £110-£120 million. Balfour Beatty Rail Managing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-awarded-nr-contract- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/balfour-beatty-awarded-nr-contract- Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish Government has said the £230m Borders to Edinburgh rail link scheme will still go ahead, despite Carillion’s consortium confirming it has dropped out. First Minister Alex Salmond reassured MSPs: “The Borders railway will go ahead.” It is hoped the 35-mile line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank in the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/only-one-bidder-remains-for-borders-rail-link 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/only-one-bidder-remains-for-borders-rail-link Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The chairman of Network Rail has said the rail industry is already seeing some of the reforms recommended in the McNulty value for money review. Rick Haythornthwaite made his comments during a speech at the Railtex 2011 exhibition in London this week, stating NR had not waited until the publication of Sir Roy McNulty’s report before... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-reforms-starting-says-haythornthwaite- 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-reforms-starting-says-haythornthwaite- Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Siemens and the North East of England are celebrating after the German company won the £1.5bn Thameslink rolling stock contract, in a bitter blow to Bombardier and rail businesses based in the East Midlands. A consortium led by Siemens has been named as preferred bidder to build the 1,200 carriages and new depots at Three Bridges in... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/siemens-celebrates-thameslink-order-as-bombardier-considers-its-future 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/siemens-celebrates-thameslink-order-as-bombardier-considers-its-future Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Sir Roy McNulty gave the keynote speech on the closing day of the Railtex conference, but was barracked by RMT members including Bob Crow for his recommendations on workers’ pay and for “ignoring” the effects of privatisation. Sir Roy spoke to a packed seminar theatre about his value-for-money report and the urgent need... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/sir-roy-mcnulty-argues-with-bob-crow-over-railway-pay 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/sir-roy-mcnulty-argues-with-bob-crow-over-railway-pay Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail’s managing director for investment projects has underlined the organisation’s desire to develop green policies in current and future infrastructure programmes. Simon Kirby (pictured) made his comments during a presentation to visitors to the Railtex 2011 exhibition at Earls Court, London, citing the example of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Sustainability-key-theme-for-Network-Rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Sustainability-key-theme-for-Network-Rail Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s decision, for the second time this year, to award a major rolling stock contract to an overseas consortium has provoked anger among unions representing British workers. Although Siemens said it will create hundreds of jobs in the North East, with more likely to be created or secured in the supply chain in the region... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/unions-slam-government-over-siemens-decision 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/unions-slam-government-over-siemens-decision Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has awarded one of the biggest contracts as part of the Reading station upgrade works. The contract for large parts of the station rebuild, which involves the construction of two new entrances and five new platforms, worth around £80m, has gone to a joint venture between Costain and German firm Hochtief. The first... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/80m-reading-contract-goes-to-costain-and-hochtief 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/80m-reading-contract-goes-to-costain-and-hochtief Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT A 25-year-old graffiti artist has been jailed for causing criminal damage in many places throughout the UK rail network. Thomas Stanley from Tenterden in Kent was given an 18 month jail sentence after being found guilty by a jury of 12 people. Detective Constable Will Livings of BTP’s Graffiti Unit said: “Those who commit... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/graffiti-artist-jailed-for-18-months 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/graffiti-artist-jailed-for-18-months Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Business groups from two of the cities likely to be most affected by HS2 were both discussing the proposals this week. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told business forum Birmingham Future that the project would draw investment away from London, while business leaders in Manchester joined a round-table event to encourage support for... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/more-businesses-back-hs2 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/more-businesses-back-hs2 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT South West services had to stop last night near Woking due to a signalling problem. Some passengers were stuck on the train for more than four hours. On the 18:33 train from Clapham, five passengers broke out of the train after waiting for over two hours. The group included a heavily pregnant woman and a diabetic man in need of... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/south-west-train-delays-cause-disruption- 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/south-west-train-delays-cause-disruption- Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has increased its pre-tax profits and reduced the costs of running the nation’s railways by £400m this year, it says. In its full year annual results, it says its profits after tax rose to £313m, from £284m in the previous year, 2009/10. Staff numbers fell by around 1,500, from 37,153 to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/profits-up-staff-levels-and-performance-down-at-nr 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/profits-up-staff-levels-and-performance-down-at-nr Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Network Rail has unveiled its new ‘masterplan’ for Leeds station. The plans feature the new £15m southern entrance and concourse, for which DfT funding was secured earlier this year, as well as improvements to the New Station Street entrance and 350 extra car parking spaces. The whole scheme combines eight separate... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/leeds-station-plans-go-on-show 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/leeds-station-plans-go-on-show Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Companies who breach overcrowding limits could be penalised. Ministers hope the proposal, which is one of the key recommendations of the McNulty report, will be included in a Government White Paper. The proposal could impose fines on the companies who breach these limits by a significant amount, giving companies an incentive to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/-fines-for-congested-train-services 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/-fines-for-congested-train-services Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The 15-year-old dream for a rail link from central southern England to East Anglia is still alive, and the consortium promoting the plans has just released a new video explaining its proposals and the potential benefits. The complete scheme would link Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge with Letchworth, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Bicester and... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/campaigners-keep-up-the-fight-for-east-west-rail 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/campaigners-keep-up-the-fight-for-east-west-rail Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Companies who breach overcrowding limits could be penalised. Ministers hope the proposal, which is one of the key recommendations of the McNulty report, will be included in a Government White Paper. The proposal could impose fines on the companies who breach these limits by a significant amount, giving companies an incentive to... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/fines-for-congested-train-services 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/fines-for-congested-train-services Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The programme to revamp trains running between Sheffield and London reached a landmark phase today. In a ceremony at St Pancras station, Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond (pictured)launched East Midlands Trains’ first refurbished seven-carriage Meridian train ‘222006’ and renamed it as ‘The Carbon... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/meridian-train-revamp 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/meridian-train-revamp Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The programme to revamp trains running between Sheffield and London reached a landmark phase today. In a ceremony at St Pancras station, Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond (pictured)launched East Midlands Trains’ first refurbished seven-carriage Meridian train ‘222006’ and renamed it as ‘The Carbon... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/meridian-train-revamp 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/meridian-train-revamp Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT New Northern Ireland Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, paid a visit to Fortwilliam Train Care Centre in Belfast yesterday to inspect one of the new Class 4000 trains expected to enter service later this year. Three of the 20 new trains, costing £114m altogether, have arrived into Northern Ireland. The preview follows Translink... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/ni-minister-inspects-new-trains 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/ni-minister-inspects-new-trains Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Huge cost savings could be made when Britain buys its next generations of trains if the rail industry works together even more closely to design and procure them, a Network Rail report reveals. The report draws on months of work of all key players in the rail industry, including train operators, government, manufacturers, rolling stock leasing... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-report-highlights-costs-savings-for-tomorrows-fleets 382 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/nr-report-highlights-costs-savings-for-tomorrows-fleets Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The MP for Burnley & Padiham, Gordon Birtwistle, has welcomed work by Network Rail on creating a fast train link between Manchester and Burnley (pictured). NR has completed its assessment of the project and is now investigating the best options to allow the trains to pass safely and effectively through the Todmorden Curve. Initial... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/positive-signs-for-fast-link-between-burnley-and-manchester- 376 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/positive-signs-for-fast-link-between-burnley-and-manchester- Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The newest challenge to high-speed rail is the discovery of a very rare species of bats in one of the forests that lies along the proposed route. Classified as one of Europe’s rarest mammals, the colony of Bechstein’s bats has the highest level of legal conservation status, making the destruction of their habitat... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rare-bat-poses-new-problem-for-high-speed-rail 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rare-bat-poses-new-problem-for-high-speed-rail Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The ninth annual Transport Practitioners Meeting is set to be held on July 19-20 in Liverpool. It is organised by PTRC (Planning and Transport, Research and Computation), a company within the Charted Institute for Logistics & Transportation. Papers will presented by active professionals, selected by a committee of transport... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/transport-professionals-prepare-for-tpm 373 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/transport-professionals-prepare-for-tpm Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The first direct and high-speed service from Maidstone to St Pancras International began this morning. The journey, part of a trial service calling at Strood, took just 47 minutes. Charles Horton, managing director of rail operator Southeastern, said: “This marks another positive step for services in Kent with the new High... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Another-domestic-high-speed-service-launches 381 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Another-domestic-high-speed-service-launches Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ministers have confirmed that armed British Transport Police officers are to patrol major railway and London Underground stations with regular operations during the 2012 London Olympics. The BTP will have its own unit of around 100 armed officers. The new unit will be based at key rail stations in London and on various patrols on the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/btp-armed-to-fight-terrorism 374 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/btp-armed-to-fight-terrorism Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The structural works and excavation at Canary Wharf station to prepare it for Crossrail is nearly complete. It is one of the largest stations on the Crossrail route. The station, which has been built ‘top down,’ now extends 28 metres below the waters of North Dock in Canary Wharf, with the ticket hall and platform levels... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/canary-wharf-crossrail-station-nears-completion 375 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/canary-wharf-crossrail-station-nears-completion Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Professionals from across the transport sector gathered in Birmingham yesterday for the Rail Champions Intelligent City debate, thrashing out the biggest issues in integrated travel, ticketing, value-for-money and data access, writes Kate Ashley. The debate focused on the concept of ‘intelligent city hubs’ and how different... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/conference-looks-to-the-future-of-rail 378 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/conference-looks-to-the-future-of-rail Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT ATOC has predicted that more than five million passengers are predicted to travel by train this Bank Holiday weekend. Many are expected to head towards seaside towns, racecourses, sporting events and music festivals, and numbers could be further boosted because of potential flight cancellations due to the volcanic ash cloud. Network... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/rail-the-travel-mode-of-choice-for-5m-over-bank-holiday-weekend 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/rail-the-travel-mode-of-choice-for-5m-over-bank-holiday-weekend Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Boris Johnson has been accused of “sneaking out” mid-year 5% fare rises on some Underground and National Rail routes. Nine off-peak Railcard-discounted fares have been raised by 5p since the annual fare levels were set in January. But Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat chairwoman of the London Assembly Transport Committee... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/row-over-underhand-london-fares-rise 383 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/row-over-underhand-london-fares-rise Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The TSSA has said it accepts “unreservedly” the findings by Antony White QC that exonerate Network Rail of most of the charges it had made against the company regarding financial impropriety. The report, commissioned by Network Rail but conducted independently, found that 11 of 12 allegations made, related mostly to the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tssa-backs-down-after-white-exonerates-coucher 384 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/tssa-backs-down-after-white-exonerates-coucher Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has rejected the London Undergound’s improved pay offer of rises for the next five years, covering the 2012 Olympic Games period. LU made its revised offer earlier this month, worth 4.5% this year, followed by a rise of RPI inflation plus 0.25% in subsequent years. However the RMT... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Unions-turn-down-second-offer 380 http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com:80/Rail-News/Unions-turn-down-second-offer Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Crossrail has confirmed the identity of its new chief executive to replace Rob Holden, who is stepping down to head up HS1. Andrew Wolstenholme, currently director of innovation and strategic capability with Balfour Beatty, will join Crossrail in September, after Holden leaves in mid-July. Wolstenholme oversaw construction of the... http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Andrew-Wolstenholme-to-be-new-Crossrail-boss 379 http://ww