Arriva Trains Wales Appoints Manchester Studio For Series Of Rail Masterplans

Gemma King
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BDP On Track For Station Success

BDP’s Manchester Studio has been appointed by Arriva Trains Wales to masterplan a number of stations across the UK, including Swansea. The new developments will benefit over six million passengers a year.

For each individual masterplan, BDP is tasked with designing and integrating new features and refurbishing existing buildings. Swansea, where work is due to commence later this month, is set to enjoy a larger concourse area, with better and more accessible passenger facilities, as well as new waiting shelters. In addition there will be a new booking office with extra ticket vending machines, toilets, digital information boards, shops and CCTV cameras.

The station environment will also be significantly improved with refurbished canopies and modernised fittings that will blend in with existing architecture.

The upgrading and redevelopment of the Arriva Wales estate is part of the nationwide NSIP programme. NSIP is a Department for Transport-backed scheme which is set deliver £150m of improvements at approximately 200 stations in England and Wales over the next few years.

In Wales the Welsh Assembly has committed additional resources to improving its stations via and initiative labelled its NSIP+.

Peter Jenkins, Transport Architect Director for BDP’s Manchester Studio, said: “For many travellers rail stations are the first thing they experience when arriving at a new destination and the impression they leave about the location is often indelible. For other rail users they are simply places to be enjoyed before boarding a train.

“In both cases the station environment contributes hugely to the overall passenger experience, so it is important that they are subject to the same investment and upgrades enjoyed by rolling stock and tracks.

“But in addition to being aesthetically pleasing and equipped with a range of modern facilities, stations also need to be functional. Being able to get information, buy tickets and catch the train is the primary purpose of the rail stations. Getting this balance right is what underpins BDP’s approach to transport interchange planning and will inform our work for Arriva Wales at Swansea and other stations due for refurbishment.”

Peter led BDP’s £60 million pound redevelopment of Manchester’s Piccadilly Station in 2002 which remains one of the most significant station developments of recent times and topped a national passenger satisfaction survey (with a 92% approval score) in 2008.  Last week it was also announced that BDP had been appointed to tackle the redesign and refurbishment of Manchester’s Victoria Station.

Rare open day for Electric Railway Museum

Jonathan Webb
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A public open weekend will be held at the Coventry Electric Railway Centre site on Rowley Road, Baginton on the weekend of Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of September 2010. 

Visitors will be able to view an extensive collection of electric traction, with many vehicles unique to the CERC.

Two locomotives on the site are celebrating significant birthdays. Ruston & Hornsby 165DE `MAZDA’ is 60 years old, whilst English Electric Overhead/Battery locomotive `Spondon No.1′ is celebrating 75 years of operating service. Both locos will be in operation on shunting demonstrations.

The stock on site will be uncovered for the event and some items will be open for interior viewing. It is hoped to have the LMS Class 503 `Wirral’ unit reformed correctly for the first time in nearly twenty years in time for the event. The two car class 501, the last examples of which were taken out of passenger traffic 25 years ago, will be on display and the ongoing restoration work on this unit can be viewed. 

In addition to the trains there will be a display of contemporary artwork by some local artists who will be on hand to talk about their work and techniques. Also, the West Midlands Fire Service will have one of their fire engines on site with a full crew.

The CERC is open:
Saturday 25th – 10:00 to 18:00
Sunday 26th – 11:00 to 17:00

Admission is free.

There will be on-site car parking available. If you are traveling by public transport, bus service No. 1 runs from the over bridge at the north end of Coventry railway station (bus stop is on the opposite side of the road from the station). The Coventry Electric Railway Centre is a fifteen minute walk along Rowley Road from the bus stop at Toll Bar Roundabout. 

Spondon in 2006. Picture: Jonathan Webb

New Railtrack approved LED buffer stop light from Aerco

Gemma King
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AE 431 LED buffer stop light from Aerco

Now available from Aerco is a new LED buffer stop light that has a robust housing supporting a multi-cluster of high intensity, sunlight readable red LED elements.

Operating from either 110 VDC or AC, the polycarbonate lens provides excellent wide-angle viewing for signals and indicator illumination.  Benefits include high optical performance, lower heat generation and outstanding reliability.  Railtrack approved, the unit features two parallel branches of LEDs and independent circuitry providing a 50% redundancy factor.

New York’s Transit Authority Dashboard allows public to track projects and spending

Stewart Thorpe
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The MTA unveiled a new on-line Dashboard that will enable the public to track the progress of the MTA’s various capital projects. This new web tool will feature a user-friendly interactive system that will provide information on project scopes, budgets, and schedules, all easily accessible by clicking here.

The public will be able to search the Dashboard for specific projects and follow their progression from inception to completion. This information will be available for every project in the 2010-2014 Capital Program and selected projects still underway in the 2005-2009 program.

“The Dashboard provides an unprecedented level of detail and information on our capital projects,” said Jay H. Walder, MTA Chairman and CEO. “From station improvements to the purchase of equipment, signal improvements to updates on the Second Avenue Subway, the Dashboard will allow anyone to monitor the MTA’s new approach to capital projects designed to keep the 2010-2014 Capital Program on schedule and on budget — all with a few clicks of the mouse.”

As the agency continues to transform how it does business, the Chairman added that the Dashboard will promote further transparency and reinforce the agency’s commitment to provide information to customers that is more concise and easier to understand.

The Capital Program Dashboard will enable anyone to search for a project in the 2010-2014 Capital Program by keyword, project category, by MTA agency, project phase (planning, design, construction, or complete), or by location where an interactive map, powered by Google, will list projects within a geographical area.

Additional project information will be accessible by clicking on the link that will provide a more detailed project description. The Dashboard can be used to check if the scope of a project has changed, when the project started, and whether or not it is still on schedule and on budget. Project milestones and budget data that break down project funding by year will be readily available as well.

The Dashboard will also encapsulate the entire Capital Program providing a thorough “Plan Review” that includes figures on the number of projects in the Program, how many are on budget, and the number of projects that are on schedule, ahead of schedule, or behind schedule.

In addition, the Dashboard will also include projects in the 2005-2009 Capital Program that are under construction but not completed and with budgets over $20 million. Information will also be available for projects funded by the federal stimulus (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) as well as projects contained within the Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access, and 7 line Extension projects.

The $26.3 billion 2010-2014 Capital Program reflects a nearly $2 billion reduction as the result of a comprehensive review and a new MTA focus on cost effectiveness and efficiency. The program aims to benefit customers by maintaining the high levels of service reliability and safety provided today; improve service on the existing system with new technology; and complete critical expansion projects to ease crowding and support growth.

ORR Responds to the UK Rail Industry’s ‘Planning Ahead’ document

Stewart Thorpe
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Commenting on the publication of today’s rail industry ‘planning ahead’ document, an ORR spokesperson said:

“The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) welcomes today’s publication of the rail industry’s long term planning framework. We are very supportive of this joint industry initiative as it helps define the choices for rail in the lead up to the next control period (CP5), and over the longer term.

“The publication will also help inform the guidance we will issue later in the year to Network Rail and the whole industry in preparation for CP5.”

DTP gets green light for Denver’s Eagle P3 commuter rail project

Stewart Thorpe
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Fluor Corporation announced today that Denver Transit Partners (DTP), a Fluor-led team, reached financial close and received an official notice to proceed from the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado. DTP will design, build, operate, maintain and finance the Eagle P3 commuter rail project (Eagle Project) in the Denver metropolitan area. Fluor will book the project into backlog in the third quarter of 2010.

The notice to proceed was given concurrently with reaching financial close in New York. DTP arranged for $452 million in private financing, including $397.8 million in Private Activity Bonds. DTP’s concession contract includes the six-year design-build phase of the Eagle Project followed by 30-year period of privatized operations and maintenance.

“Fluor is proud to have worked with the RTD and our Denver Transit Partners team members to bring this prestigious project to financial close,” said Patrick Flaherty, head of Fluor’s Infrastructure business. “We now look forward to working closely with the RTD, local businesses, and other stakeholders to complete the construction of the project safely and on time. We will establish a benchmark for rail transit service in the U.S. market.”

The Eagle Project is part of RTD’s FasTracks Plan, a 12-year multi-billion dollar transit expansion program to build and operate new commuter and light rail services and expand transportation offerings throughout the eight-county area. The Eagle Project is a public-private partnership that includes:

  • East Corridor: a new 22.8 mile commuter rail line from Union Station to Denver International Airport;
  • Gold Line: a new 11.2 mile commuter rail line from Union Station to Wheat Ridge;
  • A two mile initial segment of the Northwest Rail Corridor; and
  • A new commuter rail maintenance facility.

Fluor’s roles on the project include a 50 percent share of the engineering, procurement, and construction contract; a 33 percent share in the operations & maintenance contract as well as a 10 percent equity share in the concession’s special purpose vehicle that raised the financing to fund the project.

At the financial closing in New York, DTP partner Macquarie Capital conveyed its 90-percent interest to subsidiaries of two international infrastructure investment groups, John Laing plc and Uberior Investments, a unit of Lloyds Banking Group. Led by Fluor, John Laing plc, and Uberior Investments, the DTP team includes a world-class group of transit industry experts including Balfour Beatty Rail, Ames Construction, Hyundai-Rotem USA (Hyundai), Alternative Concepts, Inc. (ACI), Fluor/HDR Global Design Consultants, PBS&J, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Interfleet Technology, Systra, Wabtec and many others.

Passenger and freight numbers set to double

Jonathan Webb
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Twice as many passengers and a doubling of freight by 2035 is predicted in a new document published today, looking at long term planning for the rail industry, ‘Planning Ahead’.

With our roads getting more congested and the need to move to a ‘carbon-friendly’ economy, the demand for rail – for moving people and goods – will continue to grow. 

Paul Plummer, Network Rail’s director of planning and development, said: “Despite the tough economic times, we must continue to plan for the future and look to how we affordably expand the railway to meet big increases in passengers and freight. The railway is presently too expensive and must reduce its costs to ensure that the money it does invest delivers best value for Britain.”

Over the next 25 years the London commuter market, already very well served by rail, is likely to see growth  of up to 35%.  In contrast, regional urban commuting, to cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds Glasgow, is expected to see growth of over 100%, with growth on some route predicted to be in excess of 115%.  Rail freight is similarly predicted to double demand to 45 billion tonnes kilometres of goods moved by 2030.

Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations at the Association of Train Operating Companies said: “Rail makes a vital contribution to the UK economy, supporting jobs, businesses and helping millions of people to get round the country quickly and easily every day. 

“Value for money for the taxpayer and the passenger needs to be at the heart of everything that we do.  Train operators and Network Rail are working increasingly closely together to help plan the railway and identify ways to improve cost effectiveness, whilst fully recognising the distinctive role that each plays in this.  As our proposals on franchise reform have shown, allowing Network Rail and operators greater freedom to determine the most efficient way of delivering for passengers and making Britain’s railway more financially self-sufficient would be to the benefit of the nation as a whole.”

Lindsay Durham, chair of the Rail Freight Operators’ Association, said: “Rail freight contributes to the success of the UK economy by reliably and sustainably moving goods for consumers and industry within the UK and as a conduit for imports and exports. Freight trains are part of the logistics chain that stocks our shops, keeps the lights on and moves materials to build our infrastructure. We are pleased to work with our rail industry partners to plan a more efficient network that will enable growth and help to remove more lorries from Great Britain’s roads”

Busy scene at Watford Junction. Picture: www.upmain.com

Patriot Rail selected by North Carolina as the rail operator for the P&N RailRoad

Stewart Thorpe
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Patriot Rail, a privately-held short line and regional freight railroad holding company, today announced that it has executed a letter agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to provide rail service on the Piedmont & Northern (P&N) rail corridor in Gaston County, North Carolina.  The letter agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which Patriot will provide rail service on the P&N.  The transaction, subject to regulatory approval and execution of the final agreement, is expected to close within the next 45-60 days.

The P&N rail corridor, located approximately 20 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a 13-mile rail line that extends from Mount Holly to Gastonia, with a spur line towards Belmont.  It has strategic interchanges with Class I railroads Norfolk Southern Railway at Gastonia and CSX Transportation at Mount Holly.  The P&N was originally built in 1911 as an electrified interurban freight and commuter railroad by James B. Duke, founder of Duke Energy Company.

In May 2010, Patriot was unanimously selected by NCDOT from among five potential operators.  A selection committee composed of state and local officials from NCDOT and Gaston County reviewed the proposals and recommended Patriot as having the best proposal.

Under the letter agreement, Patriot will be responsible for operating, maintaining and marketing freight rail service on the P&N.  In 2009, NCDOT completed an upgrade of the westernmost four miles of the rail line from Gastonia to Ranlo, and anticipates upgrading the remainder of the line by the spring of 2011.

“Patriot Rail is pleased to have been selected by NCDOT as the rail operator for the P&N,” said Gary O. Marino, Chairman, President and CEO of Patriot Rail.  “Now that we have reached this agreement with NCDOT, we look forward to bringing in new rail customers, building the business and commencing operations.”

Severn Valley Railway appeals for more volunteers

Jonathan Webb
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With around half of its 75 guards due to retire over the next 10-15 years the Severn Valley Railway is launching a recruitment drive to attract up to 100 volunteers to replace them and avoid a staffing crisis.

Although 75 guards may seem like a lot of staff , in reality it’s barely enough to cover the rostered turns. This is mainly because many volunteers have other commitments, such as their family, and can only volunteer on the SVR for one or two weekends a year.

A typical weekend in August can require up to 10 guards to work the trains and some guards are being asked to do 30 or 40 turns a year.

1501 near Bewdley. Picture: www.upmain.com

Audi Is DB Schenker Rail’s First CO2-free Rail Freight Customer

Stewart Thorpe
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Audi now transports finished vehicles between Ingolstadt and Emden CO2-free. As of August, the German automobile manufacturer uses DB Schenker Rail’s Eco Plus product, which guarantees CO2-free transportation. Thanks to Eco Plus, one-fourth of the finished vehicles Audi transports by rail avoid CO2 emissions altogether.

Deutsche Bahn obtains the electricity required for transportation from renewable energy sources in Germany at an additional cost to the customer, in this case Audi.Transports can be shifted to Eco Plus on all national routes. The CO2-free transport option and energy procurement have been certified by the TÜV SÜD certification institute. Ten percent of DB’s revenues from Eco Plus are put toward financing the construction of new renewable energy power plants.

Dr. Karl-Friedrich Rausch, Member of the Management Board of DB Mobility Logistics AG, responsible for Transportation and Logistics, announced: “We are delighted that Audi, one of our most important customers, is the first to make the switch to CO2-free rail transportation. Audi is sending a clear message!”

“Choosing Eco Plus is a further important milestone in our environmental strategy,” explained Dr. Ernst-Hermann Krog, Head of Brand Logistics at AUDI AG. “Through this program, we can avoid emissions right from the start.”

DB Schenker Rail operates 625 trains along the Ingolstadt–Emden route on behalf of Audi, transporting approximately 150,000 vehicles CO2-free. By switching transports to Eco Plus, Audi can cut its annual CO2 emissions by around 5,250 metric tons of CO2 compared to regular rail transportation.

DB Schenker’s environmental advantage is based on intelligently linking individual modes of transportation in its vast international network. Eco Plus from DB Schenker Rail is part of DB’s Climate Protection Program 2020, which aims to reduce the DB Group’s specific CO2 emissions worldwide by an additional 20 percent between 2006 and 2020.

Customers can accurately calculate their ecological footprint online for routes throughout the world using the EcoTransIT World tool (www.dbschenker.com/ecotransit). EcoTransIT World provides a reliable method for calculating CO2 and pollutant emissions for modes of transportation such as train, truck, airplane, inland vessel, ocean-going vessel and intermodal transport and is based on scientifically tested methods and data.

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