<img data-attachment-id="15054" data-permalink="https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/15053/railways-returning-to-action/img_6527/" data-orig-file="http://www.railsistem.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/railways-returning-to-action.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,682" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="IMG_6527" data-image-description="The North Norfolk Railway is among the lines returning to action in July. LNER B12 No. 8572, BR 9F No. 92203 Black Prince and WD 2-10-0 No. 90775 are seen outside Weybourne shed on September 28, 2019: GARETH EVANS" data-medium-file="http://www.railsistem.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/railways-returning-to-action-3.jpg" data-large-file="http://www.railsistem.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/railways-returning-to-action.jpg" src="http://www.railsistem.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/railways-returning-to-action.jpg"
Tag: era
What’s inside the July edition of The Railway Magazine?
Britain’s best-selling rail title The Railway Magazine is back for another month of award-winning photos, news, features and exclusives from the rail industry, past and present. This month’s The Railway Magazine covers the devastating news about the COVID-19 pandemic as the rail industry is hit hard, as train companies thank the
Open access comes out on top in National Rail survey
OPEN-ACCESS operators have again proved to be the most popular with their passengers. The National Rail Passenger Survey from Transport Focus for Spring this year found that 95 per cent (19 out of 20 passengers) on Grand Central were satisfied with their journeys, while Heathrow Express (operated by GWR) and
One for All: The Frauscher Wheel Sensor RSR110
Inductive wheel sensors are reliable, robust and flexible. These characteristics make them the ideal basis for existing and new applications in the railway industry. Martin Rosenberger, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Frauscher, presents a few examples. Inductive wheel sensors are now being used in many railway markets around the world as
UWC Delivers 36 Tank Cars to Khimprom
“Maintaining a high-quality business culture is important to us, whether through modern corporate governance standards, tight quality controls on production and finished products, or an improved service for our clients. This is why we pay close attention to transportation side of our business and take decisions with great care. Having
A New General Manager for HÜBNER
HÜBNER has a new general manager: Gerald Steinhoff will take charge of financial and administrative areas. A new general manager for HÜBNER: Starting immediately, Gerald Steinhoff will join Helge Förster (Mobility business segment) and Ingolf Cedra (Material Solutions and Photonics business segments) in the top management team of the world market
Grand Central announce return to service after four-month hibernation
Train operator Grand Central has announced a measured return to service following a four-month period of hibernation during the COVID-19 lockdown. The company is inviting passengers to book for its West Riding and North East routes from July 26, and has thanked customers for their support whilst services have been suspended
Eurostar back on track as routes reopen
New Trains for Old: From Upminster to Upcycled – Vivarail’s D-Train
Ben Jones visits Long Marston to find out how redundant District Line trains are being rebuilt to provide cheaper and greener alternatives to brand new multiple units – and how Vivarail is looking to the future with new methods of propulsion. SOMEWHERE deep in rural Warwickshire, a former London Underground ‘D
Open access operator Grand Central announces ‘measured’ restart
Network Rail retracts statement about Soham contractor
ORR proposes clampdown on delay compensation rules
PASSENGERS delayed by late-running trains will be able to claim compensation more easily under changes proposed by the Office of Rail and Road. A new operators’ licence condition will require the companies to conform with a code of practice which would mean passengers receiving ‘clear information about their entitlements to
HS2 Launches Major Hiring Drive
“These jobs are a welcome boost for workers across the country at this challenging time, providing the opportunity to play a crucial part in delivering HS2, an integral part of improving connectivity and levelling up our country. “We continue to work with the transport and construction industry to accelerate projects, where
More trains will run next week as restrictions ease
Stadler Signs ETCS Retrofit Contract with Arriva
Stadler has signed a contract with Arriva for the retrofit of the ETCS train control solution GUARDIA on some of the operator’s trains. The contract between Arriva Nederland and Stadler states that Stadler will retrofit 36 trains with the European Train Control System GUARDIA. The contract also includes the homologation of
7 New 4-Car Impuls 2 Trains for Poland
Newag will also provide a software licence and technical documentation and it will provide training to the operator staff. The first two trains will be delivered within 16 months from the date of the contract, with the last train being handed over within 22 months. The Impuls 2 electric multiple unit
DB Cargo Belgium Runs Trains under Belgian Licence
DB Cargo Belgium has started running trains under a Belgian licence for the first time. Since 14 June, DB Cargo Belgium has been operating entirely under its own licence, meaning it is now an accredited railway company in Belgium. In January 2020 DB Cargo Belgium obtained the necessary safety certificates. However, the
TMH Begins Delivery of 1300 Passenger Coaches to Egypt
The test coach that Egypt received was transported on the last ship leaving Slovenia before the coronavirus lockdown. This gave ENR a two-month period during which it could perform running tests on its network. Because of their inability to travel, TMH staff in Russia developed a full training kit and
Milli elektrikli trenin fabrika testleri başlatıldı
Türkiye Vagon Sanayi Anonim Şirketi'nin (TÜVASAŞ) Sakarya'nın Adapazarı ilçesindeki fabrikasında düzenlenen Milli Elektrikli Tren Seti'nin Fabrika Testleri Töreni, Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanı Adil Karaismailoğlu ile Sanayi ve Teknoloji Bakanı Mustafa Varank'ın katılımıyla gerçekleştirildi. Karaismailoğlu, "Demiryolu teknolojisinde yerli ve milli araçlarımızın üretimiyle atılımımızı sürdürmekte kararlıyız. Amacımız, Türkiye'nin raylı sistem aracı üretiminde önemli
LNER to carry on in public sector
Monday essay: brave new world
Knorr-Bremse Partners with RZD on High-Speed Trains for Russia
Knorr-Bremse, Russian Railways (RZD) and the Russian Engineering Center for Railway Transport (ECRT) have signed a strategic partnership agreement for the construction of the next-generation high-seed trains. Once operational, these trains will serve Russia’s largest cities, connecting them at speeds of more than 300km/h. During the early phase of the project
Glasgow Subway operator SPT meets today over cash crisis
GLASGOW SUBWAY operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has sounded a warning about the Subway’s finances as a result of the pandemic, and members of SPT are meeting today to discuss the growing cash crisis. SPT said it had been calling on the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland for help since the lockdown
Alstom Data Fusion ETCS Solution Receives Full Certification
Alstom has received full certification of its ETCS Baseline 3 Release 2 solution. The solution, which is to be rolled out in Norway, has been certified by Belgorail. Alstom’s solution will use data fusion algorithms by using both satellite navigation and inertial movement to determine train locations and speeds accurately and
LNER joins ‘know your train’ on Real time trains website
LONG distance operator LNER is the latest train operator to participate in the ‘Know Your Train’ service feature of the website Real Time Trains. ‘Know Your Train’ gives you more information about the rolling stock actually operating on each service, such as what it will look like and what the facilities are
Adif Awards Signalling Contracts to CAF
Adif has awarded two signalling contracts to CAF Group subsidiary CAF Signalling. The two contracts, which are part of the company’s ongoing expansion into the Spanish signalling market, are worth 30 million euros. León Signalling Contract As part of the first contract, CAF Signalling is to remove the telephone block signalling system, a
Shapps gives green light to National Rail concessions
TRANSPORT SECRETARY Grant Shapps has given the clearest indication yet that the old style train operating franchises will not be revived after the pandemic. Instead, he told the Commons Transport Committee that concessions will be the way forward, with the DfT or another contract-awarding body collecting the revenue and taking responsibility
Construction Shortlist for HS2 Curzon Street Revealed
HS2 Ltd has published the construction firms that are shortlisted to build Birmingham Curzon Street station. The construction contract is worth 570m GBP. HS2 Ltd will invite the following companies to tender for the project: BAM Ferrovial (a joint venture consisting of BAM Nuttall Ltd and Ferrovial Construction (UK) Limited) Laing O’Rourke Construction
CAF Wins European Rolling Stock Contracts
CAF has won a contract to supply metro trains to the city of Naples as well as contracts to supply additional trams to Amsterdam and Stockholm. The combined value of these contracts is almost 100 million euros. Metro Trains for Naples The Spanish rolling stock manufacturer has signed a framework agreement with Ente
Sense Valley Line to Become Operational in April 2021
From 5 April 2021 S-Bahn trains will once again run on the entire Laupen-Bern-Langnau i.E. line. That is around three months later than originally planned. SBB agreed the new opening date in mid-June together with the Sense Valley Railway, the Federal Office of Transport (BAV), the canton of Bern and
China-Europe Mail Growth Sector for Rail Freight
“Seamless freight transportation, including mail transportation, is one of the main technological challenges that the Eurasian rail network faces now. That is why, together with our shareholders and partners, UTLC ERA is currently in the process of creating a common information space serving railway transit of container trains. “We have also
From the archive: Experimental Vehicles – Ro-Railers: Ahead of their time or overtaken by events?
NEW Settle & Carlisle luxury charter train announced
Breaking: social distancing in England cut to one metre
Updated 13.04 THE minimum social distancing restriction in England is to be cut to one metre, the Prime Minister has announced. The change will come into effect on 4 July, and will have implications for train operating companies and Network Rail, who have worked for some weeks to mark out trains and
Social distancing in England cut to one metre minimum
Updated 13.04 THE minimum social distancing restriction in England is to be cut to one metre, the Prime Minister has announced. The change will come into effect on 4 July, and will have implications for train operating companies and Network Rail, who have worked for some weeks to mark out trains and
Stadler ETCS Solution Gets First Homologation
The GUARDIA European Train Control System (ETCS) from Stadler’s joint venture (together with Mermec) AngelStar has been homologated for the first time. The FLIRT trains equipped with the GUARDIA system will be operated by Koleje Mazowieckie (KM) in the province of Mazovia (Poland). Stadler has received its first homologation for its train
Frauscher: At Home on Track
Iron, wood, stone and concrete: the immediate environment alone can be more than a little challenging for wheel sensors. Frauscher has been constantly improving its wheel sensors through the years. Even the most basic model in the range can now withstand the most adverse of conditions. By Gerhard Grundnig Wheel sensors are
Potential site for new Cambridge South station named
THE site of the proposed new station at Cambridge South has been revealed by Network Rail, following a six-week public consultation in January and February this year, after which 94 per cent of respondents supported the building of a new station south of the city centre. The station has been planned
HS2 Begins Operational Telecoms Supplier Search
HS2 Ltd has begun looking for a specialist contractor to deliver 230km of telecommunications systems for the new high-speed line. This contract is worth in the region of 300m GBP and the winning party will take on the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, safety authorisation, testing, commissioning and initial maintenance of the
BÄR Bahnsicherung’s EUROLOCKING Receives Type Approval
On June 12, 2020, the Federal Office of Transport (BAV) granted BÄR Bahnsicherung Type Approval for its EUROLOCKING electronic interlocking system. The approval is an important milestone after several years of development. The idea of developing our own electronic interlocking system, which was proposed in November 2014, was realized six months later.
Robel: New Era in Japanese Rail Maintenance
The Cooperation between Robel and JR East ROMIS is the second large-scale machine project that Robel has implemented in cooperation with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and its sales partners Nippon Plasser Co., Ltd. and Mitsui & Co. Plant System Co., Ltd. Since 2017, the REX-S 1200 Rail Train has
OEBB Sleeper Trains to Resume across Europe
Austrian Federal Railways says its OEBB Nightjet trains will resume services from 26 June. International sleeper train services were halted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the biggest provider of sleeper services is able to offer this environmentally friendly way of travelling around Europe again. Cities such as Dusseldorf, Hamburg
Transport Companies Sign Grand Paris Express Partnership Agreement
RATP Dev, a subsidiary of RATP Group that provides operations and maintenance of passenger transport services outside of the core RATP network in Paris, along with ComfortDelGro and Alstom have signed a partnership agreement for the purpose of submitting tenders for the Grand Paris Express project. The aim, subject to administrative
New Rail Link through the Alps to Open Fully in December
Government confirms digital go-ahead for East Coast Main Line
FUNDING worth £360 million for the replacement of conventional lineside signalling with digital train regulation on the southern section of the East Coast Main Line has been announced by transport secretary Grant Shapps. The Department for Transport says it is ‘new investment’. The installation of ETCS (European Train Control System), the signalling
East Coast Main Line Becomes First Digital Rail Link in GB
The East Coast Main Line, which connects London with Edinburgh, will become the first mainline digital rail link in Great Britain, following a 350m GBP investment to install electronic signalling equipment. The new electronic signalling system – the European Train Control System (ETCS) – will make operations more efficient, thereby cutting both
First APM for Bangkok’s Gold Line Arrives in Thailand
Bombardier Transportation is celebrating the arrival of the first INNOVIA automated people mover (APM) 300 vehicles in Thailand. The APM will operate on the Gold Line, Bangkok’s first driverless mass transit line. It will open its first two stations this October. The full system will then become operational in early December
Monday essay: more on board again?
Times are changing, with widespread speculation that the government is about to halve the social distancing minimum to one metre. As Sim Harris writes, the railway industry has spent several hectic weeks adapting itself for the original measurement. IT has been a busy time for train operators and Network Rail. There
Signalling Components with Tested Quality
By Melanie Kleinpötzl Maximum reliability requires guaranteed quality: Frauscher produces inductive sensors, wheel detection systems and axle counters that meet these requirements – and relies on its own in-house specialists to inspect the parts used. Safety is a top priority in the railway industry. This results in high quality requirements in the
Covid-19 transport funding total reaches £7bn
THE Department for Transport has drawn £7 billion from the government’s contingency fund, partly to support train operating companies through the Covid-19 crisis. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the money will pay for Emergency Measures Arrangements on the railways, which are known to have cost £3.5 billion so far. Funding has
RMT launches industrial action ballot at Heathrow Express
THE RMT has launched a ballot for industrial action in protest at changes to working patterns at Heathrow Express which could involve redundancies. The union has claimed that 123 posts could be lost. The jobs affected are mobile sales advisors and customer concierges. Heathrow Express said it is planning to
Keolis Renews Rail Contracts in US
Boston Keolis, as Keolis Commuter Services (KCS), has been operating commuter rail services on behalf of MBTA since July 2014. As part of its contract, Keolis performs all mechanical, transportation and engineering services for the Boston area. The total network consists of 14 lines, 139 stations and 640km of track. In
University of Birmingham Receives Funding for Hydrogen Train
“I am really pleased that our HydroFLEX project has secured further Innovate UK funding to take its development closer to full commercialisation. “To achieve decarbonisation of the railway we need to develop hydrogen technology, alongside electrification and batteries, as one of the means to get diesel trains off the network. “The University
SNCF Launches 2020 Hiring Drive
SNCF Réseau says that thanks to its continuous training efforts, employees are able to work their way up within the company. Therefore, almost two in five team leaders started out as technicians; and almost two in five managers were team leaders or technicians first. By 2022 SNCF Réseau will invest almost
UWC Completes Box Car Supply for Kuchukterminal
Porterbrook Receives Funding for Emissions Reduction Technology
The purpose of this trial is to see if this technology can bring about a reduction in carbon dioxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide emissions in these trains, bringing about an environmental benefit without replacing rolling stock. Passengers, staff and communities will also benefit from the improved air quality. This
High Court Rules in Favour of DfT
Background The franchises in question were the South Eastern, East Midlands, and West Coast Partnership franchises. The essence of the dispute was as follows: the government offered contract terms for each franchise that put the risk of pension liabilities on the train operating company that secured the franchise. The claimants in
Nomad Digital Names New Managing Director
Xavier Champaud to be appointed as Managing Director of Nomad Digital. Xavier Champaud, currently Regional Centre & Site Managing Director for Alstom in Charleroi, will take up this new position with Nomad from 1 August 2020 and will be based in the UK. Xavier Champaud Xavier has many successful years leading within
European Court of Auditors: Speed Up Megaproject Implementation
The rail mega-projects are: Rail Baltica Lyon-Turin rail link Brenner Base Tunnel railway tunnel through the Alps between Austria and Italy Fehmarn Belt fixed link 18km rail-road tunnel Basque Y high-speed rail connection between Spain and France E59 railway line in Poland Non-rail mega-projects: Seine-Scheldt inland waterway link A1 motorway in Romania The ECA found that the core network is
Alstom Providing Support Services to MetrôRio
“With the insertion of the new smart service, lines 1, 2 and 4 now have a significant improvement for the technical staff of the trains, who will have their doubts about maintenance operations answered more quickly. “In view of the current scenario in which there is a recommendation for social isolation,
Transfesa Logistics to Renew European Container Fleet
Transfesa Logistics is renewing its freight container fleet that it operates on European routes. The freight operator, which is majority-owned by Deutsche Bahn AG, will put the 122 freight containers into full circulation at the end of June 2020. They will transport Ford’s production components to the UK and Germany. Transfesa is
From the archive: A narrow gauge railway under south London
Keith Fender reports on the construction of the Northern Line extension to Battersea, which has necessitated the construction of a narrow gauge railway under south London – albeit a temporary one. MAJOR tunnelling projects are normally accompanied by construction railways using locos designed for mining and tunnelling – by their nature
HS2 Launches Innovation Accelerator
HS2 Ltd has launched the ‘Innovation Accelerator’ as a way of driving new ideas for the high-speed rail project. The Innovation Accelerator is a call for individuals and companies to get involved and develop entrepreneurial ideas that focus around three key areas: productivity, the environment, and the circular economy. HS2 will keep
Hitachi Begins Manufacturing East Coast Trains Order
Rail bailout has cost £3.5bn so far – but there’s no end in sight
THE cost of keeping the passenger railway operating during the Covid-19 pandemic has reached £3.5 billion, according to rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris. He was answering a Parliamentary question raised by Labour MP Ian Mearns, who represents Gateshead. Mr Heaton-Harris said: ‘Since the outbreak of Covid-19 the government has approved £3.5 billion
ENSCO Rail Acquires License for VAMPIRE® Pro Vehicle/Track Interaction Software
ENSCO Rail Acquires License for VAMPIRE® Pro Vehicle/Track Interaction Software to Enhance Rail Safety Solutions ENSCO Rail announces that it has acquired an enhanced user license to the internationally recognized VAMPIRE® Pro vehicle/track interaction software. VAMPIRE Pro will enhance ENSCO Rail offerings and provide customers with the most accessible, cost-effective and
Transitio AB Orders 12 Additional KISS Trains
Swedish train operator Transitio AB has ordered a further 12 double-decker KISS trains from Stadler. Transitio AB will operate the trains under its Mälab brand. The contract is worth 133.3 million CHF. It is an option from the 2016 framework agreement between the two parties. Stadler will deliver the trains in
Vivarail confirms expansion after borrowing £1.5m
TRAIN rebuilder Vivarail’s plans to expand have received a boost after it was able to secure a loan worth £1.5 million. The company was founded five years ago and bought many former District Line cars from London Underground. Their aluminium bodies, although some 40 years old, are still capable of being
Vivarail Secures £1.5m Loan
Vivarail says using the funds to grow its workforce and site to allow it to increase its operations. The company’s proposition to the rail industry is one of cost-effectiveness. It specialises in hybrid, electric and battery solutions. It designs and implements modular and interchangeable power systems, which allow trains to be
Coronavirus: You must wear face coverings on public transport from today
Face coverings on public transport – and for hospital staff, outpatients and visitors – will be compulsory in England from today. Anyone travelling by bus, train, ferry or plane in England should wear a face covering from today – to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The new rules coincide with a further easing of
SBB Powers 1.4 Million Passenger Kilometres with Solar Energy
Direct Supply There are already twelve solar panel arrays on twelve of SBB’s buildings, such as warehouses, service facilities and railway engineering halls. What is innovative about the solar panels on the roof of the frequency converter in Zurich-Seebach is that it is producing electricity for the running of the railways
GWR ‘masks’ high-speed train reminds passengers to wear face coverings
Great Western Railway (GWR) has created eye-catching artwork to remind customers to wear a face covering on its services from today (June 15). The train operator has applied artwork in the form of giant face coverings to either end of one of its high-speed Intercity Express Trains (IET). The ‘masked’ IET will
Green light for revived West Midlands passenger service
PASSENGER trains are set to return to the line between Walsall and Wolverhampton, having been withdrawn 12 years ago. Since then, the line has been used for freight. West Midlands Rail Executive said it had agreed a timetable with Network Rail, with trains also calling at Willenhall and Darlaston, which have
Face coverings become mandatory aboard English trains
Monday essay: time to cover up
Nomad Digital Complete Final Expansion of ISO 45001 Global Certification
“This is a great achievement for Nomad, aligning all our operations and practices to this standard. Our global operations across all regions have been following our fully implemented system, policies and processes for several years now, so it’s nice to finally bolt-on external recognition of this, for each region we
Borders Rail campaign ‘vindicated’ by HS2 report
CAMPAIGNERS who are calling for the Borders Railway to be completed between Tweedbank, Hawick and Carlisle say they have been ‘vindicated’ by a new report from the High Speed Rail Group for submission to the National Infrastructure Commission, which recommends the completion of the railway on the grounds of ‘economic
More anti-Covid precautions as railway prepares for compulsory facemasks
TRAIN operators are stepping up measures to protect their staff and passengers from coronavirus, on the eve of new regulations which will require most passengers travelling on public transport to wear face coverings. Facemasks or equivalent coverings for all passengers except those with respiratory problems will become compulsory from Monday. Operators have
20 Additional Capricorn Trains for RhB
Swiss transport company Rhätische Bahn has received the go-ahead to order an additional 20 Capricorn multiple units from Stadler. The management board of Rhätische Bahn (RhB) has passed the company’s new Strategy 2030. It is based on the owner strategy of the canton of Graubünden, in which the government, as the
The First New Class 701 Train Arrives for SWR
As part of the testing programme, SWR will check the new systems that were designed especially for the Class 701 trains. These include new communications systems, more environmentally friendly toilets, sensitive edge doors, regenerative braking and passenger features such as wifi and at-seat charging points. SWR operates services on an extremely
GWR Exeter Depot – Working during COVID19 Restrictions
The FirstClass Safety & Control (FCSC) team have been busy working on site at Great Western Railway’s Exeter Depot Enhancement Project. Following all of the current Government guidelines during the COVID19 pandemic, the team have been installing the high level beacons, sounders and signals. Artist’s impression of the new depot © GWR FCSC would
Network Rail warns of increasing level crossing risks
A WARNING has been sounded by Network Rail about the increased risks which level crossing users could be facing as lockdown restrictions are eased. The warning coincides with today’s International Level Crossings Awareness Day. Network Rail said the continuing call for people to avoid public transport if they can means more
Rail Dismay: Toll Exemption for LNG Lorries Goes Ahead
Following last week’s letter to the German Bundesrat, after the German government approved a law that would extend the toll exemption for LNG lorries by a further three years, these most recent efforts by competitive railway undertakings and the rail freight sector have failed. The Bundesrat – which represents Germany’s sixteen
Rail Freight Punctuality Soars During Covid Crisis
Among the key concerns shippers have with regards to rail freight, punctuality and reliability have been the main ones. Therefore, when freight trains cannot be punctual, this actively hampers a shift from road to rail for freight, a key European policy objective. The punctuality of freight trains is not fully
Real Time and Big Data Is Here to Stay
As the transportation industry develops and evolves, the use of data has never been more crucial in completing the intelligent journey and improving passenger experience. In this article, we will dissect Real Time Data and Big Data and how they positively affect the rail industry. Real time data is required for
Trade Activity to Urbanization, Trends Driving the Future of Rail Industry
By Aytek Yuksel, Content Marketing Leader, Power Systems Over 50 tons. This is the amount of goods transported annually, per person in the U.S. This shouldn’t be surprising given the device you are reading this article on is likely made from several different minerals and multiple sub-components. These get mined or
From the archive: COUNTDOWN – Getting Farringdon ready for the Elizabeth Line
ARCHIVE: Getting Farringdon ready for the Elizabeth Line
Keith Fender has been given an exclusive tour of Farringdon, one of the major interchange points on the £16billion project. On December 9 the tunnel section of the Elizabeth Line under Central London will open to passengers, with services between Paddington and Abbey Wood via Canary Wharf running 15 times an
Train operator warns of ‘no guarantee’ over distancing
A TRAIN operating company has warned that social distancing for its passengers cannot be guaranteed ‘at all stages of a journey’. It’s the first time that a TOC has admitted that the government’s 2-metre social distancing advice will not be achievable as rail passenger numbers rise. The warning, from ScotRail, has come
Ethiopia Gets $1.2m for Cross-Border Railway Study
The comprehensive feasibility study will have a runtime of two years. During this time it will look into the proposed project’s technical, economic, environmental and social viability. It will also assess alternative financing options such as a public-private partnership. The proposed railway line would link the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa,
Work on new Thameslink station moves forward
DEVELOPMENT of a new Thameslink station between London and St Albans has taken another step, with the appointment of an engineering consultancy to work on the project. Main contractor Volker Fitzpatrick has named WSP as its choice to produce the multidisciplinary design of Brent Cross West, which is connected with
UWC Signs Tank Car Contract with Slavneft-YANOS
15-6913 Tank Car The 15-6913 tank car is designed for the transportation of molten sulphur and other chemicals. The tank volume is 72 tons, which is substantially higher than tank cars fitted on standard bogies. The increase in payload reduces the amount of rolling stock needed by 10 percent. The tank car
Eski İspanya Kralı Juan Carlos’a soruşturma
Eski İspanya Kralı Juan Carlos, yolsuzluk iddiaları nedeniyle soruşturulacak. Yüksek Mahkeme’den yapılan açıklamada, 2014 yılında tahtı oğlu Felipe'ye bırakarak anayasal dokunulmazlıktan feragat eden eski kralın ‘eylemleri nedeniyle soruşturmaya dahil edilip edilmeyeceğinin araştırılacağı’ belirtildi. Soruşturmanın, Haziran 2014'ten sonra gerçekleşen fiillerin cezaya uygunluğunu belirlemeye ya da devre dışı bırakmaya odaklandığı vurgulandı. Soruşturmanın, yolsuzlukla mücadele
Monday essay: is nostalgia out of date?
Deutsche Bahn Installs 28,000 Sensors for Smart Points
Deutsche Bahn has connected the last of 28,000 points to sensors, turning them into smart points. The smart points record around the clock if they are working correctly or whether they are experiencing problems. This means upcoming problems can be detected and addressed before they even arise. Last year Deutsche Bahn
London–Cardiff Electrification Fully Completed
The electrification of the railway line between London and Cardiff is complete, with wires now running through the Severn Tunnel. On Friday, 5 June, passengers were able to travel between London and Cardiff on a fully electrified service, following Network Rail’s completion of the overhead wiring in the 7km Severn Tunnel. Installing
YOU can name the new East Midlands Railway Class 810 fleet
Photo: East Midlands Railway East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched a competition to name its new Intercity Class 810 bi-mode trains. Hitachi is building 33 five-car trains for the operator. They will enter traffic from April 2022. EMR says entries must reflect train heritage, history or character of the East Midlands, or technological
Rail union claims ‘confusion and conflict’ over facemasks
THE RMT has protested to the transport secretary that there is ‘confusion and conflict’ over the forthcoming changes to facemask rules on trains and other public transport from next Monday. The wearing of facemasks will become compulsory on all English public transport from 15 June, but the union’s general secretary
German Corona Stimulus Package Good for Rail
The VDB and Allianz pro Schiene now hope that these funds will be matched at state-level. Compensation for municipalities to address losses of business tax revenue as a result of the crisis also creates more certainty of planning when it comes to local transport and infrastructure projects. The stimulus package is also
Face Coverings on Public Transport Become Mandatory in England
On public transport it can be unavoidable to be in close proximity to another person for a prolonged period of time. It is these conditions that increase the risk of transmission. According to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), face coverings can provide a small amount of extra protection,