Dear Readers
An operator of Japan's iconic Shinkansen trains has come up with a novel response to plunging passenger numbers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Its testing using empty seats to speed fresh seafood to the heart of Tokyo.
The first train to take part in the trial project set off on 26 August from the north-eastern prefecture of Miyagi. One of its carriages was loaded with cooled boxes containing about 140 kilograms of products such as the region's famous oysters.
East Japan Railway says passenger numbers last week on the Tohoku Shinkansen were only 30 percent of the figure a year earlier.
The train zipped to the capital in about two hours, and its cargo was soon being served up at a restaurant in Tokyo Station.
Fish dealers say the project means diners can tuck into food 24 hours earlier than with products delivered by truck. (Source: NHK World)
Our Job of the Week this week is in Mauritius where we are looking for a Team Leader Civil, LRT Design, LRT Projects.
Regards
Ceri Taylor
Editor
This Week’s Headlines
28 Aug 2020. India. Bangalore Metro starts trial runs on Kanakapura Road section
Bangalore Metro Corporation (BMRCL) has commenced trial runs on the new Reach 4 extension under Phase 2 of the project between Yelachenahalli and Anjanapura.
Source: Metro Rail News
28 Aug 2020. Australia. NSW shortlists Sydney Metro West JVs
Construction of the Sydney Metro West, from Greater Parramatta to the CBD, is another step closer with the New South Wales (NSW) Government shortlisting three consortia to deliver the project’s first two major tunnelling packages.
Source: Tunnelling Journal
27 Aug 2020. UK. Siemens Mobility to resignal Core Valley Lines
Transport for Wales (TFW) has awarded Siemens Mobility Ltd a three-year contract for the renewal and replacement of lineside signalling equipment and the creation of an integrated control centre as part of the Core Valley Lines Transformation programme.
Source: Siemens Mobility
26 Aug 2020. USA. USDOT seeks applicants for crossings grants
A Notice of Funding Opportunity has been published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), providing up to US$50m in grants for commuter rail agencies working to improve safety at railway-highway crossings.
Source: Mass Transit
26 Aug 2020. UK. Great Western Railway receives the UK’s first tri-mode train
Great Western Railway (GWR) has received the first train in the UK able to run on overhead and third-rail electric lines, as well as under its own diesel power, which is expected to be introduced on services between Reading and Gatwick by early 2021
Source: Great Western Railway
Job of the Week:
Team Leader Civil/LRT Design/LRT Projects, Mauritius
Job ID#: 13016
Discipline: Civil
Position Type: Contract
Language: English
Job Description:
We are looking for a Team Leader Civil Engineer/Civil Engineer/Civil Expat/Engineer/LRT Construction Expat for an ongoing LRT Design project which is happening in Mauritius
Initial the person would be placed for a period of 17 months but can get delayed to a period of 2-3 months as 25-30% work is remaining
Job Requirements
* Educational Qualification: Bachelor in Civil Engineering
* Minimum of 10 years experience in LRT and Metro Design. the main focus or the person whom they are looking for who has done LRT Design related work and has design related projects
These experts should have:
* Project experience of LRT design/Metro Design
* Experience of Alignment /Linear Infra work design
* Supervision & construction support of LRT/Metro work
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Rail News
28 Aug 2020. India. Bangalore Metro starts trial runs on Kanakapura Road section
Bangalore Metro Corporation (BMRCL) has commenced trial runs on the new Reach 4 extension under Phase 2 of the project between Yelachenahalli and Anjanapura. This will continue for a 30 day period to check all the system parameters at different speeds for safety. BMRCL operated a 6-coach train and covered the distance in around three hours. The 6.4km elevated section of Phase 2, which will have stations at Konanakunte Cross, Doddakallasandra, Vajrahalli, Talaghattapura and Anjanapura is expected to be fully operational on 1 November.
Source: Metro Rail News
28 Aug 2020. Australia. NSW shortlists Sydney Metro West JVs
Construction of the Sydney Metro West, from Greater Parramatta to the CBD, is another step closer with the New South Wales (NSW) Government shortlisting three consortia to deliver the project’s first two major tunnelling packages. Due to the scale of this city-shaping mega project the tunnelling and excavation works have been separated into geographically-specific contract packages between Westmead and the Sydney CBD. The three consortia include the John Holland, CPB Contractors and Ghella Australia Joint Venture (JV); Gamuda and Laing O’Rourke Australia JV; and Acciona Australia and Ferrovial Australia JV. The following consortia have been shortlisted for two packages: They will firstly participate in the Central Tunnelling Package, with the successful tenderer awarded a contract to build 11km of twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park. The remaining two tenderers will then bid for the Western Tunnelling Package, with the successful tenderer awarded a contract to build 9km of twin tunnels from Westmead to Sydney Olympic Park.
Source: Tunnelling Journal
27 Aug 2020. UK. Siemens Mobility to resignal Core Valley Lines
Transport for Wales (TFW) has awarded Siemens Mobility Ltd a three-year contract for the renewal and replacement of lineside signalling equipment and the creation of an integrated control centre as part of the Core Valley Lines Transformation programme. This includes 50 new signals, over 300 axle counter sections and 98 signalling location cases. The work is being co-ordinated from the project depot at Treforest, with Siemens Mobility working in with TFW, KeolisAmey Wales, Balfour Beatty and Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd to deliver the scheme as part of the wider South Wales Metro investment. All the equipment for this contract will be manufactured at Siemens Chippenham factory, which forms a key part of our British research, development, design, engineering, production, delivery and support capability.’
Source: Siemens Mobility
26 Aug 2020. USA. USDOT seeks applicants for crossings grants
A Notice of Funding Opportunity has been published by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), providing up to US$50m in grants for commuter rail agencies working to improve safety at railway-highway crossings. Eligible projects include those that separate or protect grades at crossings; rebuild existing railroad grade crossing structures; relocate highways to eliminate grade crossings; and eliminate hazards posed by blocked grade crossings due to idling trains. By statute, an eligible commuter authority must have experienced at least one accident investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) between 1 January 2008, and 31 December 2018, and for which the NTSB issued an accident report.
Source: Mass Transit
26 Aug 2020. UK. Great Western Railway receives the UK’s first tri-mode train
Great Western Railway (GWR) has received the first train in the UK able to run on overhead and third-rail electric lines, as well as under its own diesel power, which is expected to be introduced on services between Reading and Gatwick by early 2021. Provided by Porterbrook Leasing, the first of 19 Class 769 Flex trains has arrived at GWR’s Reading Depot for an extensive programme of staff training and testing. Offering more carriages than the trains they are replacing, the Class 769 fleet was specially commissioned by GWR to be able to run under overhead wires in London and the Thames Valley, and to take advantage of third rail provision where it exists on the North Downs line. The trains will support GWR to realise long-held plans to expand services over the North Downs line between Reading and Redhill and then through to Gatwick. The trains will enable the release of some of GWR’s diesel-powered Turbo trains to add capacity in the Bristol area and support the ability to launch new routes through the city.
Source: Great Western Railway
26 Aug 2020. UK. Train firms pressure Government to extend emergency funding
The Government is under pressure to extend emergency rail funding, as operators warn that without further support they will be forced to “hand back the keys”. Even after the coronavirus pandemic, industry insiders are expecting a long-term reduction in passenger numbers of around a third as a result of an increase in home working. Ministers have until 20 September to extend the emergency measures agreements (EMAs) which are believed to be costing taxpayers £900m a month. Ministers hope to replace the current arrangements with “management contacts”, where rail companies are rewarded on the basis of performance. The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the coronavirus crisis had provided opportunities to establish a “different type of railway”, with the Government expected to centralise control. Under the system, train operators would receive a fixed fee from the Government which would essentially own all routes and collect fares.
Source: The Telegraph
26 Aug 2020. Bulgaria. Third metro line opens in Sofia
The first phase of Sofia Metro Line M3, running 7·8 km east–west from Hadzhi Dimitar on Bulevard Vladimir Vazov to Krasno Selo with eight stations, has been officially opened. A consortium of Doğuş, Via Construct and Ultrastroy was lead contractor for Line 3, with Herrenknecht supplying a 9·4 m diameter tunnel boring machine. In September 2015 a consortium of Siemens and Newag was awarded a €140m contract to supply rolling stock and signalling. This included a base order for 20 three-car Inspiro trainsets and an option for 10 more which was subsequently exercised in March 2019. The third stretch of line 3, with four stations between the Krasno Selo and Gorna Banya boroughs, is expected to go into service in early 2021, with construction work already finished, but testing yet to begin. A proposed 6 km fourth stage would add a further six stations, taking the route to 21 km and 21 stations.
Source: Railway Gazette
25 Aug 2020. UK. South Western Railway unveils Arterio Fleet
South Western Railway (SWR) has announced Arterio as its brand name for the fleet of 90 Class 701 electric multiple-units which Bombardier Transportation is supplying for use on suburban services from London Waterloo station. Speaking at Wimbledon depot, SWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said the name Arterio reflects the importance of suburban rail services to the capital and Waterloo’s status as the network’s busiest station, with railways being ‘the arteries which feed it, taking people to work and school, to theatres, restaurants and bars and home again’. The first Arterio EMU is expected to enter service on the Waterloo – Reading route later this year, with a total of 750 vehicles to be introduced over the next two years.
Source: Breaking Travel News
25 Aug 2020. Australia. Funding announced for Port of Melbourne direct rail freight
The Victorian and Federal Governments are investing a total of A$28m in direct rail freight between the Port of Melbourne and Dandenong South. A new track connecting the main rail line with Dandenong South-based Salta Properties freight hub has been designed to reduce congestion in Melbourne’s growing south east region. The upgrade will connect to the Port of Melbourne’s A$18.3m in the project, and the Victorian Government is investing A$9.7m in the work is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project as part of the Cranbourne Line upgrade. The new connection is the next step in delivering the Port Rail Shuttle Network, which has been designed to remove congestion around the Port of Melbourne, cut transport costs for freight by as much as ten per cent and reduce truck trips on the suburban Melbourne roads by up to 100,000 annually.
Source: Infrastructure
24 Aug 2020. UK. Eurostar to launch Amsterdam to London trains in October
Eurostar passengers will be able to travel directly from Amsterdam to London from the end of October, the company has announced. There has been a direct route from St Pancras to the Netherlands since 2018 but returning passengers have had to stop in Belgium for security checks. UK Border Force officials will now be stationed in Amsterdam and Rotterdam to carry out passport checks. Tickets will cost £40 each way and will go on sale from 1 September. Travellers who arrive back in the UK from the Netherlands after 15 August have to self-isolate for 14 days under coronavirus safety measures. Eurostar said its trains are deep cleaned before every journey and a new seat map system will ensure passengers are kept a safe distance apart. The new return route starts on 26 October and will mean passengers can travel between St Pancras and Amsterdam Central in just over four hours. Passengers will also be able to go from Rotterdam, located south of Amsterdam, and back to London in just under three-and-a-half hours.
Source: BBC
24 Aug 2020. Malaysia. Bombardier completes local assembly of trains for KL
Bombardier Transportation have completed the local assembly work on the first of the additional driverless Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 trains ordered for the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in Kuala Lumpur. These high-performance, four-car metro trains with enhanced features are being manufactured in Plattsburgh, USA with the final assembly and interior fit-out works being carried out in Malaysia, at the Westport facility of the Bombardier Hartasuma Consortium, as part of ongoing initiatives to upskill Malaysia’s workforce. Equipped with the Bombardier Mitrac propulsion technology, the driverless metro vehicles are highly reliable with high operational flexibility and low energy consumption. The trains provide comfortable and convenient transport for around 300,000 daily commuters on the Kelana Jaya LRT line while meeting the highest safety and environmental standards. The new futuristic vehicles come with additional interior features including inter-car walkthrough as well as a modern seating arrangement that optimises capacity. Bombardier has received three orders from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd since 1998 for a total of 374 metro vehicles, making theirs one of the largest Innovia fleets in the world.
Source: Globe News Wire
21 Aug 2020. UK. Crossrail delayed to 2022 as overspend rises to £1bn
London’s long-delayed Crossrail line will not open until 2022, project chiefs have confirmed. The summer 2021 opening date for the central section of the line was scrapped last month – and it now faces up to a year of further hold ups. The project could now cost up to £1.1bn more than its current budget – some £450m more overspend than already expected. Scheme leaders have yet to secure these additional funds from the Department for Transport. The rail link was originally set to open in December 2018, but will now be more than three years late. Crossrail said that delays handing over shafts, portals and stations to Transport for London (TfL) have also contributed to hold ups. Construction teams are currently working 24 hours a day on the central section of the line – an intensive six week burst of activity to compensate for Covid-19 delays. Once completed the Elizabeth line will link Heathrow and Reading, Berkshire, in the west and Shenfield, Essex, in the east to central and south east London.
Source: Enfield Independent
21 Aug 2020. Australia. Siemens secures NSW's digital train management system deal
Siemens has been awarded a A$80m contract with the NSW government to deliver a digital traffic management system (TMS) that will serve Sydney’s heavy rail network. The contract for the new system forms a core component of Sydney Trains’ Digital System Project (DSP). The DSP will progressively replace legacy signalling and train control technologies across Sydney’s rail network with intelligence control systems over the next decade. The TMS is expected to allow Sydney Trains to run the train network more effectively, particularly during incidents, by continually monitoring the position of all trains across the heavy rail network. It will be used alongside other train controls systems in the state’s Rail Operation Centre in Alexandria from 2023.The DSP is also expected to increase reliability across the rail network by replacing traditional trackside signalling equipment and implementing Automatic Train Operation (ATO).Sydney Trains will initially deploy digital systems to two sections of line between Sutherland to Cronulla and Bondi Junction to Redfern.
Source: ITNews
19 Aug 2020. Sweden. Trafikverket completes ‘wasp’s waist’ upgrade project
Trafikverket has held a ceremony to mark the completion of a three-year upgrade of the 2km railway between Stockholm Central and Stockholm Södra, one of the Swedish network’s busiest sections. The three-year Getingmidjan, ‘wasp’s waist’ project involved eight-week closures of the link in each of the last three summers. Work focused on updating the entire infrastructure on the double-track line, which dates from the 1950s and will offer a further 80 years of life. This included replacing bridges over the Söderström River, connecting Södermalm with Riddarholmen last summer, and between Riddarholmen and Tegelbacken this summer. In order to accommodate the closure of the link, the project included rebuilding the Älvsjö freight railway and Stockholm South station and the completion of the City Line 6km tunnel beneath central Stockholm in 2017 for use by all commuter traffic. New track, signalling and electrification was installed on the entire 2km stretch during the final three weeks of the shutdown along with new overhead contact rails in the tunnels beneath the Södermalm and Riddarholmen.
Source: International Railway Journal
18 Aug 2020. Germany. Station renovation programme launched by Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Federal Transport Minister have announced a programme to renovate 167 train stations across Germany over the coming year. Funding of €40m is being allocated from the federal government’s economic stimulus package to strengthen the German economy and combat the consequences of Covid-19. The work to be carried out will include: replacement of wall/floor coverings, paint and facades; Renewal of stairs, entrances, fences and roofs; adding seating and waiting options; removal of graffiti and other damage caused by vandalism; expansion of traveller information; further expansion of accessibility; and energetic renovation, e.g. conversion to LED lighting or replacement of heating systems.
Source: Global Railway Review
