international passenger news

[Mario_v]

New high speed connection being built in Spain and a very important one, since it will allow full integration of the North HSL with the rest of the network, via a tunel between Madrid Atocha and Madrid Chamartin (the 3rd between these stations, track is already in place, only signals and catenary needs to be installed), and a new strech betwen Atocha and Torrejon de Velasco, some 27 kilometres South of the capital, wich will quadruple the present section of the South HSL, and also permiting independent paths for trains going to Valencia and Alicante (to be built on this phase, platform already in place)

http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM/LANG_CASTELLANO/GABINETE_COMUNICACION/NOTICIAS1/2015/FEBRERO/150227-10.htm

[blue streak 1]

Gottard tunnel  ( world longest ) is now claimed by the Swiss to be coompleted.  Testing to start Oct 1 with service sometime in 2016.  Pictures very interesting.

http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-longest-tunnel-switzerland-2015-8#ixzz3k21fTtCm

 

 

[Mario_v]

blue streak 1

Gottard tunnel  ( world longest ) is now claimed by the Swiss to be coompleted.  Testing to start Oct 1 with service sometime in 2016.  Pictures very interesting.

http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-longest-tunnel-switzerland-2015-8#ixzz3k21fTtCm

 

 

 

 

And it's not the only big news. In December a new tunnel in Zurich under Zurich Hbf will permtit Intercity trains to take less 18 minutes between Geneve - Lausanne - Zurich and St. Gallen (presently these trains have to revert at the station). Also between Geneve and Lausanne there are some big works starting, with the prurpose of transforming today's double and triple  track route in to a 4 track main line allowing 15 minute intervals in commuter service. For this last reason, trains will get some extra 3 minutes added to their schedules. 

[blue streak 1]

China approved 3 new HSR routes totaling 1348+ Km today.  Would be nice if trains mag could construct a map of China's operational, under construction, & proposed HSR lines.

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/china-approves-three-more-new-lines.html?channel=540

 

[Mario_v]

Schedules and fares anounced for the new HSL Madrid - Leon, due to open on the 29 th of september (only the Madrid to Leon schedules are shown, but  trains to/from Gijon and Ponferrada - dual gauge Talgos - will also use the line, chanibg gauge in one of the two 'cambiadores' (automatic gauge changers usable by series 130 and 730 Talgos, and also Caf series 120 high speed railcars) next to Leon's classification yard). 

http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/leon/el-billete-ave-leon-costara-mitad-precio-fin-ano_1008409.html

[Mario_v]

Line reopening in Portugal for passenger service

http://www.jornalaltoalentejo.com/index.php/regiao/449-transporte-de-passageiros-regressa-ao-alto-alentejo

Translation ; '3 years after service supression, on the 1st of january of 2012, the local railroad passenger operator, CP, is reinstating service on the 'East' line.

The new service is due to operate between fridays and sundays, and the first trip will take place on september 25 at 6:20 pm. This is now possible, since economical conditions in the country are better.

The trains will operate between Portalegre and Entroncamento calling at the following stations ; Crato, Chança (Alter), Torre das Vargens, Ponte de Sor, Abrantes, Tramagal, Santa Margarida, Praia do Ribatejo, Almourol, Tancos and Barquinha.

Presently, some minor interventions are being carried away by the infrastucture owner and the railroad at stations in order to reactivate it   

 

[blue streak 1]

China approves another 900 Km of new HSR and HrSR.  Wonder if all this rail constructions will help China's internal economic balance.  Then the long range results will pay dividends man years into the future.

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/china-approves-another-900km-of-new-lines.html?channel=540

 

 

[Buslist]

blue streak 1

UK is putting on hold further expansion of electrification due to cost over runs and lack of supplies.  Also note that article states system is at capacity much of day.  That may be the reason that supplies are in short supply ?

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news.html

 

 

 

 

 

News totoday that it's coming off hold. 

[Mario_v]

Portugal's infrastructure company IP launches international 'building work contest' for a new 'high performance' line (speeds up to 155 Mph)

http://www.vialibre-ffe.com/noticias.asp?not=15876&cs=inte

Basically the only real new section to be built will be the one between Evora-North and the border (circa 50 miles). The rest (existing lines) will be upgraded, or it's already in use (for example Evora to Casa Branca, nowadays good for 125 Mph, but prepared for  higher speeds). Also some track doubling will be done. This line will be for mixed traffic and of iberian gauge (but with multi gauge ties), with the main purpose of getting a much direct conection from the deepwater port of Sines to Spain and other points in Europe. However it's also some sort of 'missing link' between Portugal's network and Spain's Extremadura HSL, presently under construction. There's also a possibility of building a second railway crossing in Lisbon, but this one will be a very expensive one, since the tagus river is quite large in the place where this last one is planned to be built

 

[blue streak 1]

China plans 2400 Km ( 1500 Sm ) Beijing - Hong Kong in ~ 8 hours including ~8 stops.  This route will be built incrementally but can you imagine, WASH - HOU, NYP - DAL, WASH / NYP - DEN, SFO / LAX - DEN, in 8 hours.  Of course never happen in the USA. 

http://shanghaiist.com/2015/10/13/beijing_to_hk_in_8_hours.php

[schlimm]

blue streak 1

China plans 2400 Km ( 1500 Sm ) Beijing - Hong Kong in ~ 8 hours including ~8 stops.  This route will be built incrementally but can you imagine, WASH - HOU, NYP - DAL, WASH / NYP - DEN, SFO / LAX - DEN, in 8 hours.  Of course never happen in the USA. 

http://shanghaiist.com/2015/10/13/beijing_to_hk_in_8_hours.php

 

+1

[CJtrainguy]

I can imagine and would love to see it happen.

[blue streak 1]

Zurich HBF  RR station expansion complete.  Only minor work needs completing.  Includes eliminating stub end tracks with new run thru tracks.  Expansion will allow doubling of number of trains per hour.  SBB will make a major schedule change Dec 13th.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/durchmesserlinie-project-completed.html

 

 

[blue streak 1]

China will build another HSR line that will serve the winter olympics for out door sports.  China claims line would have been built any way so not charging cost to Olympics.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2015/11/04/china-approves-budget-for-2022-winter-olympics-rail-link/75142128/

 

[Mario_v]

Eurostar e320 Trainsets (Velaro 2s) enter service ;

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/eurostar-e320-enters-service.html

[Mario_v]

New HSL opening tomoreow in Spain between MEdina del Campo and Zamora, with just 1 (one) train per day (!?). this is due to chenge on January 10, when the new gauge changer will be declared operational, and the number will then be 4 trains per day (the new one plus the 3 daily trains to and from Galicia). anyway, it isn't quite a HSL since trains will be limited to 200 kmhr (125 Mph), and it only has a grande total of circa 9 kms of double track, and it (still) is not electrified. Maybe it's being rushed into service due to electoral reasons (there will be s national elections on sunday, and the present prime minister happens to be from galicia), therefore, no PTC or electification, qich means that the 'hybrid' 730 series Talgos will be used. also opening the new electrified service to Salamanca with some 5 daily trains each way

[blue streak 1]

China is continuing large amounts on passenger rail for 2016.   $121B US

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/china-plans-dolus-1216bn-rail-investment-in-2016.html?channel=540

 

[blue streak 1]

Gotthard base tunnel has first test trains.  Was an empty 1500m empty train.  Haven't heard when passenger train testing will begin. 

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/1500m-freight-train-tested-in-gotthard-base-tunnel.html?channel=537

 

 

[Paul of Covington]

   From the article:

"The test run was made by a 2216-tonne unloaded train with 76 flat, telescopic, and container wagons..."

    What are telescopic wagons?

[Buslist]

Paul of Covington

   From the article:

"The test run was made by a 2216-tonne unloaded train with 76 flat, telescopic, and container wagons..."

    What are telescopic wagons?

 

flat wagon with telescopic covers, somewhat like coil cars but the cover stays with the wagon.

[Paul of Covington]

   Thanks, Buslist.   I was trying to picture cars that could stretch and shrink lengthwise.   I was pretty sure they weren't cars designed to carry telescopes.

[blue streak 1]

London Waterloo station is getting an extensive expansion.  Longer platforms, restored out of service platforms.  As well everal EMUs are being converted from DC traction to AC traction. Other items as well plus video. 

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/pound800m-london-waterloo-capacity-programme-launched.html

If only the US could emulate our UK cousins ? ? ?

 

[Buslist]

blue streak 1

London Waterloo station is getting an extensive expansion.  Longer platforms, restored out of service platforms.  As well everal EMUs are being converted from DC traction to AC traction. Other items as well plus video. 

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/pound800m-london-waterloo-capacity-programme-launched.html

If only the US could emulate our UK cousins ? ? ?

 

 

More like our British cousins? Do you realize that those 5 platforms they are bragging about putting back in service have been out of service since Nov. 2007 when Eurostar services moved out of Waterloo. They have not been out of service due to any technical deficiency but due to the British "debating society's" inability to decide how to use them. Can you imagine the uproar here if we had 5 platforms out of service for almost a decade at Penn Station or Grand Central?  Frankly I'd prefer the NA/Nike "just do it" approach.

 

And let's ignore the fact the NR's track maintenance costs are 3 to 5 times higher than North American costs.

 

The Brits have some good things going but it isn't all great. The effect of the unintended reclassification of NR as a government agency is yet to be fully understood.

[54light15]

There has been talk for years of expanding Waterloo's platforms to handle trains longer than 8 coaches, but I go there often enough and can't really see how it's going to happen. the main concourse platform is packed at evening rush hour and the track layout isn't all that roomy either. 

[Mario_v]

New extension of the 'LGV Atlantique' route to open soon, and with new double decker TGV EMU's

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/euroduplex-atlantique-sets-to-serve-bordeaux.html

[Mario_v]

New underground high speed link completed in Madrid, alllowing a previousely unexisting connection between N the north and south high speed networks (plus some 25 kilometres of high speed 'broaddway' with 4 main tracks)

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/madrid-high-speed-link-nears-completion.html

[cogloadreturns]

Mario_v

Line reopening in Portugal for passenger service

http://www.jornalaltoalentejo.com/index.php/regiao/449-transporte-de-passageiros-regressa-ao-alto-alentejo

Translation ; '3 years after service supression, on the 1st of january of 2012, the local railroad passenger operator, CP, is reinstating service on the 'East' line.

The new service is due to operate between fridays and sundays, and the first trip will take place on september 25 at 6:20 pm. This is now possible, since economical conditions in the country are better.

The trains will operate between Portalegre and Entroncamento calling at the following stations ; Crato, Chança (Alter), Torre das Vargens, Ponte de Sor, Abrantes, Tramagal, Santa Margarida, Praia do Ribatejo, Almourol, Tancos and Barquinha.

Presently, some minor interventions are being carried away by the infrastucture owner and the railroad at stations in order to reactivate it   

 

 

 

I once spent two weeks ostensibly goat farming in Portalegre many moons ago. I seem to recall the railway running through the middle of the scrub....

[cogloadreturns]

54light15

There has been talk for years of expanding Waterloo's platforms to handle trains longer than 8 coaches, but I go there often enough and can't really see how it's going to happen. the main concourse platform is packed at evening rush hour and the track layout isn't all that roomy either. 

 

The extension of the platforms at Waterloo is to start within the year. AIUI the problems regarding the old International station have been various - ownership (the Treasury thought it would be worth more as a shopping centre); the huge hole in the concourse; signalling and the rest. When I passed it last (a couple of weeks back) the middle roads were ripped up and work was occuring.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/mar/investment-over-%C2%A3800m-Waterloo-upgrade/

[Buslist]

Some interesting news out of the U.K. besides the Brexit vote (more on that later). By way of background you may remember that Network rail was electrifying several main lines. The most important was the Great Western route west out of Paddington. This was given priority as a fleet of new EMUs had been ordered for this route. This had been discussed earlier in this thread. Even with work stopping on the northern 2 routes it appears that the electrification on the Great Western will be delivered at least 2 years late, and way over budget ( guess managing this is a little more difficult than a branch line in Wisconsin). Anyway the IEP trains (a government speced replacement for the now long in the tooth HSTs) that were fraught with their own issues, were to come in 2 varieties class 801 which were EMUs and class 800 which are to be dual mode with DMU capabilities to be used on non electrified secondary routes. So rather than have the 801s sit around unused due to NR's inability to deliver the electrification on time, the order for the 801s is being changed to dual mode (there is also a group of 801s intended for the East Coast Mainline which will remain pure electric) albeit with smaller fuel tanks thus requiring mid day refueling.

 

There was also a recent study by the Shaw commission looking at what the future form  Network Rail should take. One concept, which I didn't take very seriously was devolution of the organization (devolution is a currently popular UK term for decentralization. For example the recent power given to the Scottish Parliament is a devolution of the U.K. government). Anyway the proposal was to devolve NR into separate organizations each centered on the routes of the various franchises. Central policy would still come from Milton Keynes, but detailed maintenance, renewal and investment plans would be arrived at jointly by this "local" infrastructure manager, and the route franchise holder. This is sounding a lot like a vertically integrated railway, rather than the all knowing government owned infrastructure provider. I didn't take this proposal very seriously but now the British railway press is starting to talk like this reorganization is quite likely.

 

A surprise was the news that NR is planning to sell off it's electrification infrastructure 

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/04/network-rail-starts-potential-sale-of-power-network-assets/

 

and it's big city stations.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35785499

 

The real surprise to me is that the Tories have a plan sell off the routes as well.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tory-plans-sell-rail-networks-8290146.amp?client=safari#

 

 

On the Brexit issue I suspect there will be a couple of effects. 

 

The EU mandated use of ERTMS will go away, but NR may be so heavily invested that this will make little difference to plans.

The EU mandated vertical disintegration will no longer be in effect perhaps opening up more options for the future of NR.

Depending on how trade agreements end up, cross channel freight traffic may decrease.

The requirement for central approval of new rolling stock will probably go away saving jobs for the UK notified bodies (like Delta Rail and Interfleet).

[azrail]

DB Schenker (the German Federal Railway) is a major train operator in the UK, do they stay post-Brexit? Another opportunity for G&W owned-Freightliner?