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Wednesday, 27 June 2012

BBC News

• Network Rail tree felling opposed The government is being urged to stop Network Rail cutting down trees along its tracks.
• Perth firm Stagecoach reports dip in profits Transport group Stagecoach has posted a small drop in underlying profits after seeing revenue growth at its rail division slip behind schedule.
• Cambrian Lines film shows teens how to behave on trains A train company has made a film which aims to improve the way schoolchildren behave, such as using bad language and putting their feet on seats.
• Railway hole caused by 'water build-up' A hole which appeared by a Herefordshire railway line, causing services to be cancelled, was caused by a build-up of water, Network Rail said.
• Digging up the deadWill 50,000 bodies have to be dug up for railway?
• Two transport strikes called offStrikes by London Underground drivers and Heathrow Airport cargo staff are called off after agreements are reached.

The Guardian

• HS2 is a northern railway too The government is right to press ahead, argues Nick Kingsley of Railway Gazette International, responding to Ed Jacobs' questions in the Guardian Northerner last week

The Herald

• Rail route ideas soughtPASSENGERS are being asked what they want to see on a major London to Scotland rail route when it is returned to the private sector next year.

Network Rail

• RAILWAY FACTORY MEANS NEW JOBS AND INVESTMENT FOR DONCASTER
• LEOMINSTER GETS A LIFT “ OR TWOEasy access for Leominster passengersLifts installedNew waiting area

Birmingham Post

• Former Jaguar shop steward elected chairman of CentroA former Jaguar shop steward has been elected as chairman of the West Midlands integrated transport authority.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Metro rail plan not ˜ambitious enough™ A rail link to Leeds-Bradford Airport, electrification of the Caldervale Line and development of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, are among a list of œaspirations� a senior council figure wants taken forward up to 2026.

London Evening Standard

• Two transport strikes called off in ONE dayThere was good news today for air and Tube passengers when strikes which threatened major disruption were called off.

Manchester Evening News

• Tram delays on Bury and Oldham Metrolink lines after points failure outside Victoria StationTrams on the Bury and Oldham lines were suspended today after a points failure. The problem was reported in the Irk Valley area of the line just outside Manchester Victoria station.

Northern Echo

• Crackdown on railway metal thieves sees 69 per cent drop in crime A BLITZ on metal theft, which has been plaguing the region’s railways, is already paying dividends with a 69 per cent drop in such crimes, police have revealed.

The York Press

• New trains for East Coast line as franchise consultation launched THE Government today promised a brand new fleet of trains on the railway from York to London as it launched a consultation for the East Coast Main Line franchise.

Yorkshire Post

• Tracsis’ ‘flight recorders’ see profits upgrade TRACSIS, the Leeds University spin-out whose software can prevent train derailments and delays, announced its third profit upgrade this year, sending its shares up 14 per cent.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Affordable fares key to a happy commute26 June 2012: Depending on where you live, commuting can be perceived as a Darwinian race between the strongest pushers to get into an overcrowded and expensive train or a more pleasant experience. read more

Global Rail News

• Bombardier confirms $266 million orderBombardier Transportation has announced that the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has confirmed an order for 150 additional rail cars valued at around $266 million. The order represents the exercise of an option under a contract signed on June 14, 2012. With this option, Bombardier now has firm orders for 410 cars [...]
• ˜Feel-good art™ goes on display at Ashford InternationalArtwork sponsored by High Speed 1 has gone on display at Ashford International Station. Several large-scale pieces by artist John Lester have gone on display in the station concourse and lounges. The installation includes a billboard poster depicting a high speed journey from London to Paris and four five-metre high banners portraying travel, sport and [...]
• Three days at InfrarailThe rail industry was out in force at the ninth Infrarail Exhibition, held at the NEC near Birmingham. Over 5,500 people came to see more than 200 exhibitors. The team from RailStaff was there too along with writers from the rail engineer “ which hosted a series of well attend seminars. RailStaff™s new format attracted [...]
• Manufacturing moves overseas as Downer sign five-year deal with EMDDowner EDI Limited has signed a new five-year agreement with Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) which will see locomotive manufacturing move away from Australian soil. Under the new agreement, EMD will manufacture all locomotives for the Australian market at a new low-cost facility overseas. Downer will continue to sell EMD locomotives and after-market products, including spare parts, [...]
• MP opens new £13.5 million freight linkThames Gateway Minister, Bob Neill, has officially opened a new £13.5 million freight link from the North Kent Line to the former Lafarge Cement Works at Northfleet. To mark the official opening the Minister, along with invited guests, travelled in a special passenger train from London Victoria into Lafarge’s Northfleet site via the reinstated rail [...]
• Furze-Waddock joins National ExpressNational Express Group has today announced that Paul Furze-Waddock will be joining the company as its commercial development director from October. The commercial development director role will focus on the company™s future strategic commercial opportunities in the  UK and abroad. Mr Furze-Waddock will also support the company’s UK rail bid teams in future franchise rounds. [...]
• Bungalow railway carriage wins restoration awardA 19th century railway carriage, which spent years of its life as part of a bungalow, has won its class in a competition for restored heritage vehicles. Earlier this year, the Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club invited Kent & East Sussex Railways (K&ESR) to put forward an entry into its annual competition for restored heritage items. [...]
• Safety by designNetwork Rail believes that all accidents and incidents are avoidable – as all its risks are known about somewhere in its business, either consciously or subconsciously. For this reason, it™s Safety Leadership and Culture Change (SL&CC) programme is promoting risk awareness, proactive involvement and open communications as part of a cultural change programme. This programme [...]

Other News Sources

• Commons to debate Network Rail's wildlife destruction ONE of Britain’s biggest charities has accused Network Rail of hiding behind a shield of Health and Safety excuses after destroying birds’ nests on railway land in Islington.