Prototype News

Eagle P3 takes off

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 08/19/2010 - 06:42

USA: The Regional Transportation District has given Denver Transit Partners the official notice to proceed on the Eagle P3 commuter rail project following financial close by the Fluor-led team. Groundbreaking is scheduled for August 26.

As part of RTD’s FasTracks expansion programme, DTP will design, build, operate, maintain and finance three projects: the 18 km Gold Line, the 38 km East Corridor and an initial 3 km section of the Northwest Rail Corridor. The contract also includes rolling stock and a maintenance facility.

The contract includes a six-year design and construction phase followed by 30 years operations and maintenance. The consortium will contribute $1·3bn to the $2·1bn project, which must be completed by the end of 2016.

• The US Department of Transportation has approved two loans totalling $303·7m towards the $500m conversion of Denver Union Station into a transport hub by mid-2014.

Categories: Prototype News

Rail expansion in Kuala Lumpur

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 08/19/2010 - 06:37

MALAYSIA: Government infrastructure company Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd has obtained approval from the Department of Railways to expand the Kelana Jaya automated metro and Ampang light rail lines in Kuala Lumpur.

Tenders for rolling stock and E&M equipment for the first phase are due to be issued next month.

The Kelana Jaya Line will be extended by 12 km from Kelana Jaya to Station 10 at USJ Sabang, while the Ampang extension will be 15·2 km long from Sri Petaling to Station 11 at Taman Puchong Prima. Each extension will have 13 stations.

Cable and utility relocation has already commenced, and infrastructure packages are currently being tendered to prequalified bidders. The project will be part-financed by a 4bn ringgit Islamic bond programme guaranteed by the government.

• On July 23 the Ministry of Communications signed a 4bn yuan contract with CSR Zhuzhou for 38 six-car EMUs to work Kuala Lumpur’s north-south commuter route.

Categories: Prototype News

Cairo orders metro trains

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 08/19/2010 - 06:16

EGYPT: The National Authority for Tunnels has awarded a Japanese consortium a contract to deliver 88 cars for the Cairo metro.

The vehicles will be supplied by Japanese trading group Mitsubishi, working with rolling stock manufacturer Kinki Sharyo and Toshiba which will provide electric systems and lighting. The contract announced on August 18 is worth around ¥18bn. Deliveries are scheduled for 2012-13.

Categories: Prototype News

Takeover to take train toilet technology international

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 08/19/2010 - 05:17

GERMANY: Specialist supplier of train and ship toilets, water pumps and waste disposal systems Hugo Vogelsang Maschinenbau has taken a 51% stake in Prometheus, which has supplied it with control and monitoring systems since 1999.

'This takeover enables us to offer railway companies a much broader range of technology', said managing partner Harald Vogelsang. 'Vogelsang can now provide a one-stop shop for vacuum technology and controllers, in addition to communications electronics used in the supply and disposal systems. Our customers also enjoy the benefits of our greater expertise in the development of vacuum system solutions, passenger information systems and passenger counting devices.'

Löningen-based Prometheus will continue to be managed by Karl-Heinz Block and Paul Flerlage, who said the deal means the firm 'is now in a position to offer our products internationally via an outstanding distribution network.'

Categories: Prototype News

BNSF genset locomotives launched

News from Railway Gazette International - Thu, 08/19/2010 - 03:14

USA: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited BNSF's Commerce maintenance depot in Los Angeles on August 16 for a ceremony to mark the entry into service of two rebuilt genset locos for in the city's port area.

He was joined at the event by Pennyslvania's Governor Ed Rendell, who co-chairs the Building America's Future coalition, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The two governors used the occasion to emphasise the need for continued investment in rail, both to stimulate the US economy and support environmental initiatives.

BNSF Executive Vice President Roger Nober said the railway was buying N-ViroMotive GenSet switchers from National Railway Equipment Co for use in Southern California for $16m, of which $9m is coming from federal stimulus grants. The remanufactured gensets are expected to be around 40% more fuel-efficient than the 1970s-built locos they will replace, as well as cutting NOx emissions by around 80% and particulates by 90%. BNSF now has a total of 74 genset shunters operating in Texas and California.

Categories: Prototype News

World rolling stock market August 2010

News from Railway Gazette International - Wed, 08/18/2010 - 21:00

Angola: Using US$89m of government funding, CFB has signed contracts with China's CMEC for eight locomotives, 66 coaches and 94 wagons. Staff are to be trained in China.

Australia: Pacific National has ordered a further nine Class 7100 electric locomotives from Siemens for use on coal trains in Queensland.

Downer EDI is to market National Railway Equipment's N-ViroMotive genset locomotives in Australia.

Austria: Siemens is to supply Wiener Lokalbahnen Cargo with four more electric freight locomotives.

Brazil: CAF has ordered electrical equipment worth ¥4bn from Mitsubishi Electric for 288 EMU cars being supplied to CPTM in early 2011 for São Paulo Line 8.

China: CSR Nanjing Puzhen has appointed Interfleet Technology and the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research at the UK's University of Southampton to analyse wheel designs for the Shanghai metro, seeking better understanding of noise and thermal and structural dynamics.

The Ministry of Railways has ordered an additional 40 CRH1 Zefiro trainsets from Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation at a cost of 5·2bn yuan. The 250 km/h eight-car trains will have capacity for 604 passengers, with a 'VIP car' incorporating 1st class seats. Deliveries will begin in September and run to May 2011.

Cuba: Eurosib-Logistics has delivered 50 Russian-built ballast wagons.

Czech Republic: D has awarded CZ Loko a KC678m contract to fit 19 Class 750 locomotives with Caterpillar 5312BG DI-TA engines, funded through a lease-back deal with Impuls-leasing Austria.

RegioJet has called tenders for the supply of 20 coaches suitable for at least 160 km/h to support its planned bids for contracts to operate long-distance services (RG 6.10 p15).

Europe: On July 12 VTG bought 1100 grain wagons and a 75% stake in French rail logistics company TMF from Ermewa. The remaining 25% of TMF is held by the Express-Interfracht Internationale Spedition subsidiary of Rail Cargo Austria.

Germany: Bombardier is to supply DB with a further 21 double-deck coaches worth €34m for use in Sachsen-Anhalt from the end of 2010.

India: On June 30 Bombardier announced an €83m order to supply Delhi Metro Rail Corp with a further 74 Movia cars by 2011, with an option for another 40.

CSR Zhuzhou is to supply Siemens with 15 three-car aluminium-bodied air-conditioned metro trains between November 2011 and March 2012 for the 6·1 km six-station elevated line being built by Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon (RG 6.10 p20).

Netherlands: On July 2 Arriva placed a €140m order for a further 14 electric and 24 diesel Stadler GTW units to be delivered from late 2012 for the Vechtdal Lines and Rivierenland - Achterhoek concessions.

New Zealand: KiwiRail has shortlisted Hitachi, Hyundai Rotem, Bombardier and a consortium of CAF and Mitsubishi to supply up to 38 three-car EMUs for Auckland. The winner will be named by the second quarter of 2011 and deliveries begin in 2013.

Poland: PR has begun trial running with two DH-I and DH-II DMUs bought secondhand from the Netherlands by Sigma Tabor. Swietokrzyskie Voivodship has ordered four two-car EMUs from Pesa for delivery in late 2011 at a cost of 46m zoty.

Russia: Independent Transport Co paid 3bn roubles to acquire 10000 open wagons auctioned by RZD.

On July 15 Siemens and RZD subsidiary Aeroexpress agreed to form a joint venture to produce and service 1200 'Lastochka' Desiro ML suburban EMU cars from 2012 (RG 7.10 p20).

MTU is to supply Metrovagonmash with more than 100 Powerpacks in 2011-13 for use on DMU cars.

Freight One has ordered 300 open wagons from Vagonmash and 200 from Barnaul for delivery this year.

Switzerland: This month Slovak firm ŽOS begins work on a SFr19m contract to rebuild 440 SBB Type Eaos four-axle wagons as Fas scrap carriers by September 2011.

Tunisia: On July 20 Alstom announced a €58m contract to supply Tunis with a further 16 trams which Alstom will maintain for five years, taking the city's Citadis fleet to 55 cars.

UK: Porterbrook has paid £54m to buy 11 four-car Bombardier Class 377/5 EMUs ordered by Southern and subleased to First Capital Connect.

VTG Rail UK has acquired BP Oil's 124 tank wagons through a purchase and leaseback deal.

USA: Under a $115m order MotivePower is to supply 20 HSP46 diesel locomotives in 2013 for MBTA commuter services. The 4600 hp locomotives will have 12-cylinder GEVO engines supplied by GE.

Categories: Prototype News

Kraków rolls out rebuilt tram

News from Railway Gazette International - Wed, 08/18/2010 - 05:26

POLAND: MPK Kraków has rolled out the first EU8N tram to be built at the operator's own workshops using components from former Wien E6 and C6 vehicles.

An E6 car was extended with using a 290 mm entry height low-floor section supplied by Polish bus manufacturer Autosan, with bogies from C6 trailers.

The rebuilt tram now has a single cab and doors on one side only. The original doors, windows and traction equipment have been retained, and air-conditioning fitted. The interior has 48 new seats, space for 132 standees. 24 further rebuilds are planned.

Categories: Prototype News

World rail market August 2010

News from Railway Gazette International - Tue, 08/17/2010 - 21:00

Canada: Parkeon Transport has won a C$7m contract to supply GO Transit with ticketing equipment for Toronto’s public transport network.

Europe: Perpignan - Figueres infrastructure concessionaire TP Ferro is to use a bilingual version of HaCon's TPS software for train pathing, the first time TPS has been used to link the networks of adjacent infrastructure managers.

Germany: Bombardier has been awarded a further €26m contract to operate and maintain the 1·9 km Innovia 100 automated peoplemover at Frankfurt airport in 2011-15, with an option for extension to 2020.

Russia: A joint venture between Siemens, RZD and the All-Russian Railway Research Institute is to modernise 22 marshalling yards by 2026.

UK: Capgemini has won a £15m five-year extension of its IT support outsourcing contract with online ticket seller thetrainline.com.

Multipulse Electronics has won a £20m contract to supply Network Rail with onboard GSM-R installation kits including wiring looms and mountings over four years.

Categories: Prototype News

World infrastructure market August 2010

News from Railway Gazette International - Mon, 08/16/2010 - 21:00

Argentina: Herso and Luis Carlos Zonis have won a 8·6m pesos contract to restore to operating condition the 285 km Puerto Deseado - Colonia Las Heras route over 22 months.

During President Fernández's visit to China co-operation agreements were signed with China Railway International for the 18 km, 29-station metro for Córdoba that is expected to cost US$1·8bn, and the US$1·5bn project to extend Buenos Aires metro Line E to Ezeiza airport (RG 1.05 p7).

Belgium: Infrabel has awarded Eurailscout a contract to undertake automated rail inspection in 2011-13.

Brazil: Invensys Rail Dimetronic will supply the Novavia consortium with signalling equipment for the 10 km, four-station extension of Porto Alegre metro Line 1 from São Leopoldo to Novo Hamburgo.

China: Hollysys Automation Technologies has a 75·8m yuan contract to provide Scada on the north and south extensions of Beijing metro Line 8 totalling 17 km due to open in late 2012.

France: Thales and Exprimm are to install Tetra DigiMax radio communications across Ile-de-France by the end of 2011 under an SNCF contract including eight years of maintenance.

Germany: DB has begun a €40m upgrade of the Frankfurt-Griesheim ICE depot to maintain the Siemens Class 407 high speed trainsets (RG 6.10 p29).

DB has awarded Balfour Beatty a contract to electrify 33 km of the München - Berlin route between Ilmenau and Erfurt by May 2016.

India: The CCCL consortium has won contracts worth R$1·8bn to build 10 elevated stations on Phase I of the Chennai metro by 2013.

Research Designs & Standards Org-anisation is testing plastic composite sleepers on bridges.

Kolkata Metro Rail Corp has appointed Mott MacDonald as detailed design consultant for the six stations on the 5·7 km elevated section of the East-West corridor.

Morocco: Axion International is to supply ONCF with plastic sleepers.

Norway: Skanska has been awarded a NKr392m contract to build 3·4 km of double track on the Vestfold line by June 2014, including a 1·8 km tunnel.

Saudi Arabia: Turnkey contractor Saudi Oger has appointed KEO International to design the 3·6 km Riyadh monorail (RG 7.10 p14).

Spain: Bombardier and Emte Catalunya have won a €14·3m contract to install electronic interlockings at five locations on the Barcelona suburban network and upgrade a sixth.

Travipós and Prefabricados Delta have won a €12·8m contract to supply sleepers and fastenings for Phase 1 of tracklaying between Albacete and Almansa, where two 1668 mm gauge tracks are being provided to free the existing formation for the Madrid - Alacant high speed line (RG 7.10 p12). Phase 2 has been awarded to Flota Proyectos Singulares and Andaluza de Traviesas for €10·9m.

ADIF has awarded ArcelorMittal España a €19·8m contract to supply rail welded into 270 m lengths for tracklaying on the 72 km between Albacete and Amansa. Amurrio Ferrocarril y Equipos, Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios and Talleres Alegría are to supply 1668 mm gauge turnouts for work between Alabacete and Alacant under a contract worth €6·6m.

Sri Lanka: Ircon has been awarded a contract to rebuild the war-damaged 63 km Madu - Talaimannar line in the north of the country over two years at a cost of US$150m.

Switzerland: Leoni has begun delivering 350 km of halogen-free power cables for the Gotthard base tunnel. A further 2000 km of cable will be needed in total.

Turkey: TCDD has awarded the Spanish Ministry of Development's Ineco consultancy a contract to supervise upgrading of the 158 km Köseköy - Inönü section of the Istanbul - Ankara route for 250 km/h operation.

USA: Walsh Construction has been awarded a $205m contract to construct the 11 km St Paul section of the 18 km Central Corridor light rail line between Minneapolis and St Paul.

Granite Construction has a $78m contract to elevate Caltrain's commuter line in San Bruno by 2012, including a new station and signalling and telecoms changes.

Categories: Prototype News

Berlin S-Bahn control update

News from Railway Gazette International - Sun, 08/15/2010 - 21:00

GERMANY: DB Netz is to replace mechanical train stops on the Berlin S-Bahn network. Over the next 10 years, electronic speed supervision using balises will be introduced at a cost of €130m.

Tests have been carried out between Hermannstrasse and Sonnenallee on the southern ring, and the first part of the S-Bahn to be equipped will be Route S1 between Frohnau and Schönholz. A further 19 stages will follow, with successive batches of rolling stock fitted with balise readers, on-board processors and cab displays.

Existing electronic interlockings will need to be replaced, but any new interlockings will be designed to work with the speed supervision equipment.

Categories: Prototype News

Organisation and major players of short-distance public transport

News from Railway Gazette International - Sat, 08/14/2010 - 21:00

Published by UITP, this third edition revises and updates the previous handbook to reflect national developments which have occurred since the entry into force on December 3 2009 of EC Public Service Obligation Regulation 1370/2007. This affects the provision of public passenger transport services by rail and road in Europe.

The 95-page report describes the public transport sector in 23 EU member states and Switzerland, providing details of the institutional organisation, legal framework and market structure together with key statistics. It also highlights recent changes attributable to the PSO Regulation. The intention is to provide sufficient information to allow readers to understand the direction in which public transport is moving in the different countries.

The final section examines the impact of increasing liberalisation on public transport operations in Europe, notably the consolidation of private or publicly-owned operators competing for concessions and the emergence of a number of European and international players. A useful map shows where the transport groups are active in Europe.

Full price €200, UITP Members €100, from UITP Euro Team, Rue Sainte-Marie 6, B-1080 Brussels, Belgium

Categories: Prototype News

News in Brief

News from Railway Gazette International - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 21:00

OTIF is consulting on harmonising RID regulations on dangerous goods with global UN recommendations. The main changes concern piggyback transport, hand and checked luggage and written emergency instructions for train drivers.

POTA Holdings has acquired Australian short line and terminal operator South Spur Rail Services from Coote Industrial for A$26·5m.

Infrastructure Australia included rail projects worth A$2·9bn within its A$18·2bn list of port, rail and road projects meeting its economic criteria.

Plans for a 4·6 km rail link to Cape Town airport have been put on hold because of difficulties structuring a R2·1bn funding package and low patronage on the existing bus service.

On July 21 French infrastructure manager RFF issued the final tender documents for the PPP contract to build and maintain LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire between Le Mans and Rennes. Three shortlisted consortia led by Bouygues, Vinci and Eiffage are due to submit final offers in October, with a preferred bidder named by the end of the year.

Outlook Research has undertaken a usability study of ticket vending machines on behalf of four UK train operators and watchdog Passenger Focus, looking at difficulties passengers have with user interfaces and recommending changes to screen colours, layouts and information provision.

Electrification of the Plzen – Ceské Budejovice – Wien route was completed with the start of electric services on the 50 km single-track line from Ceské Budejovice to the Austrian border at Ceské Velenice on June 11. The KC1·9bn cost was partly met from the EU’s Cohesion Fund.

The Cusco – Machu Picchu line in Peru reopened on July 1 following repairs to Janauary’s flood damage.

The UK government has granted Network Rail legal powers to build the 1 km Nuneaton North Chord. To be completed in 2012, this will allow freight trains from the port of Felixstowe to access the West Coast Main Line without crossing the fast lines on the level.

A study by British Columbia and the Island Corridor Foundation partnership has found traffic levels on the 289 km E&N Rail Line Corridor on Vancouver Island ‘do not support significant infrastructure investment at this time.’ Development is dependent on population and industrial growth and transit-oriented development.

Categories: Prototype News

INTERCITY TRAINS GRIND TO A HALT

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 07:03

From The Cape Times, 12 August:

“Thousands of Shosholoza Meyl passengers were left stranded as long-distance train services had to be halted due to a financial dispute between the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and Transnet. Prasa claims Transnet reneged on providing services to it following the sale last year of Shosholoza Meyl – the long distance train service. Transnet denied the claim.

‘The relationship between ourselves and Prasa is contractual. We have fulfilled all our obligations in terms of such contracts which relate to the provision of access to the rail network, haulage services, shunting and maintenance of rolling stock,’ said Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela.

“In April last year Transnet sold Shosholoza Meyl to Prasa for an undisclosed amount. As part of the deal, coach maintenance would have been provided by Transnet at a cost to Prasa.
Since the transfer the companies have been in discussions regarding the takeover process which Tiro Holele, general manager for corporate affairs at Prasa, said was a ‘difficult task’.
Months of negotiating proved fruitless.”

Categories: Prototype News

CITADEL WANTS MORE UGANDAN LINES

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 06:02

Citadel Capital, the Egyptian private equity firm with a 51% stake in Rift Valley Railways (RVR), says it is holding talks with the Ugandan government concerning two lines that were excluded from the original concession deal. These are the 507km Tororo-Pakwach section and the 300km Kampala- Kasese route, which has been out of service for many years..

Kampala-Kasese is described as a “key gateway” to Uganda’s copper mines. Tororo-Pakwach runs through major cement mining zones and mineral fields, passing to the north of the newly discovered oil fields in the Albertine Basin.

Citadel says Ugandan authorities have entered “a gentleman’s agreement” with RVR to cede these two sections of the line, explaining that they were not aware of the position when they acquired a controlling stake in the concession company. The deal signed in 2006, which runs for 25 years, comprised the 1,200 kilometre Kenya-Uganda railway from Kampala to Mombasa, together with the Nakuru-Kisumu (Lake Victoria) branch.

Citadel told press representatives it has “effected major management restructuring” at RVR, has hired additional executives to run the railway and has introduced “three more lenders into the fold”. According to the statement, Citadel has “roped in South America’s independent rail operator America Latina Logistica (ALL) as a new partner which is expected “to bring on board the technical capacity needed to salvage the concession.” It describes ALL as being “registered as a Brazilian holding firm that operates railway lines in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. It provides transport services such as logistics, intermodal transport, port operations, movement and storage of merchandise and manages a rail network that extends for more than 20,000km.”

[ A comment posted following the appearance of the above report on the internet contended: “the Brazilian railway company ALL does not (and has never) operate trains in Uruguay. There are just from time to time wagons from ALL Argentina entering to Salto in Uruguay, but ALL has no operating concession in Uruguay. The same in the case of Paraguay. And the way ALL isn’t fulfilling its work, for example no infrastructure maintenance in Argentina, isn’t the best reference to be operator in more countries.” – editor

Categories: Prototype News

NAIROBI CITY RAIL GOES AHEAD

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 06:01

Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has advertised for contractors to build a new station in Nairobi. “We expect construction to start in the next 60 days,” managing director Nduva Muli told the newspaper the Nation. The facility will be “somewhere along Mombasa Road” and is to include a shopping centre, carpark and bus terminus.

“We are implementing the project with government support,” Muli was quoted saying, “and plan to put up others at Imara Daima, Makadara and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).” Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta has allocated Sh1.9 billion in this year’s budget to finance railway upgrading.

The first phase of the project, which was allocated Sh600 million in the 2009/10 budget for feasibility studies, will involve the rehabilitation of about 160km of the existing rail system within Nairobi. About 7km of new track is to be built to JKIA’s Unit 3, and stations and other facilities on the network are to be rehabilitated. Work is expected to be finished by early 2012.

As a public-private partnership project, the government intends to own, upgrade and maintain the track as well as stations and the signalling system, while the private sector operates the trains. A regular and efficient commuter service is envisaged, using coaches designed to carry a maximum of 200 passengers. Most trains will consist of eight coaches, giving a total capacity of 1,600 passengers per train.

Compared with current passenger totals of about 20,000 passengers daily, it is expected that 200,000 will be moved once the Sh24 billion project is complete.

Categories: Prototype News

ON THE BUTTON

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 06:00

In Fred Khumalo’s column, Johannesburg Sunday Times, 8 August 2010:

“I embarked on my first Gautrain journey this past weekend, and it wasn’t as glamorous as I’d been promised. For readers out there in the sticks – in the visdorpie, in Durban-and-all, in Bapetikosweti and Pofadder – the Gautrain is this magical chariot which is supposed to have changed the lives of those of us who scrounge for a living in the city of gold.

“Instead of paying R300 for a trip by meter taxi from your house in the northern suburbs to OR Tambo airport, what you do is you get a lift to the nearest Gautrain station, purchase a ticket for R100 – and you are on your magical, swift journey to the airport. At least that’s how it was sold to me, and I couldn’t wait to get on board this chariot of excitement.

“Having looked at my itinerary, I made quick mental calculations on the time it would take me from my house to the station, the waiting period at the station, my trip to the airport, and, finally, the check-in process.

“I hadn’t realised that at Marlboro station I could only take the train going to Sandton, when the airport is in the opposite direction. As I stood waiting at the station, I saw a half-empty train from Sandton to the airport on the platform across the way – and I asked the security guard why I couldn’t go across and get on board that train. He wouldn’t budge, and my ticket didn’t allow me to do so! I had to go to Sandton first.

“Needless to say, after waiting there, and more waiting again at the Sandton station, I missed my flight. Had I driven to the airport I would have made it with time to spare.

“But the joke was not over: three days later, on my return trip, I boarded the train at the airport. But when I tried to get off at Marlboro, the doors wouldn’t open. I started hitting the ‘open’ button with some force. Suddenly a security guard appeared, and remonstrated with me. I told him I wanted to get off. He said I was in the wrong coach. Why hadn’t anyone told me? I simply had to laugh when he said: ‘You didn’t ask.’

“Why not open all the doors when the train stops? It still does not make sense to me! The Gautrain is a great intervention in this traffic-choked city – but whoever is in charge must iron out these absurdities.”

Categories: Prototype News

METRORAIL PROBLEMS AFTER THE WORLD CUP

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 05:53

This article appeared in Blits, newsletter of Western Cape Metrorail, on 29 July 2010:

“Metrorail acknowledges that defective train sets were at the root of problems experienced last Wednesday morning, leading to several trains on the Kraaifontein line being cancelled between 05:00 and 08:30. Ms Riana Scott, head of marketing and communications, said it affected the northern service area particularly. ‘We have identified this as a priority and our rolling stock department which is responsible for the maintenance of our train sets, is working around the clock to ensure that the defective train sets are brought back into service as soon as possible.

‘Last week we were still operating the World Cup service, without the late trains, and reverted back to the service prior to the World Cup on Sunday. This should restore predictability, increase frequency and improve punctuality. Due to the increased kilometres operated during the SWC, some sets are due for maintenance sooner than usual.’

“She said given the age of the rail fleet, random and unanticipated delays occur. Once a train has developed technical problems Metrorail evaluates whether the train can be repaired on-site, it can operate with fewer carriages or whether alternative transport should be arranged. Metrorail has contracted several bus operators to assist with alternative transport during train service disruptions.
“The dilemma during peak hours is that contracted bus operators have limited capacity to assist. All have regular primary contracts, such as transporting learners to school during peak hours. None of the operators are able to spare more than a few buses during peak hours, due to their other contractual commitments. In addition, the buses are subject to peak hour traffic conditions and have several stations to serve — with a capacity of 75 passengers per bus. Metrorail usually requires seven to nine buses at a time. More often it is quicker to fix the train than to order buses from different areas to assist.

‘Customers must please obey instructions given by our staff For their own safety they should not disembark and walk along the tracks,’ said Scott. She added Metrorail and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) have a mutual track sharing agreement. They operate one another’s lines by ‘mutual* consent and arrangement.

‘When problems arise on TFR lines, we are obliged to rely on their technicians to repair the fault which can also be time-consuming. Operationally the rail system is not as flexible as road transport. Trains, like planes, are scheduled in specific time slots and intersect at any time with 70 to 80 other trains. It needs careful planning to schedule additional trains into an existing schedule. It is also not a matter of just adding carriages. Trains are configured specifically with a ratio of plain trailers without engines to a motor coach with an engine, which supplies braking power and haulage for the other carriages.
The number of carriages of a train is determined by the length of the platforms of the stations on the particular service line as commuters require a platform to disembark onto. Southern trains comprise of eight carriages, the northern line eleven and central fourteen.

‘Space permitting trains are parked in sequence of departure so that one problematic train does not prevent the next one from departing. ‘Trains are also tested on Sunday evenings when stabled, to pick up any potential problems before Monday morning. We acknowledge that keeping service levels at an optimum is a challenge and our commitment to our customers is to keep them informed as best we can in case of service interruptions.’

Categories: Prototype News

ZIMBABWE “FREEDOM TRAINS”

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 05:35

“There was always drama at the main railway station in Harare barely a year ago as commuters jostled to take a ride in the cheap commuter trains — the Freedom Train,” writes Fortious Nhambura in the state-owned Herald. “So popular were the trains that some people chose to take a ride from town to Cold Comfort before taking a commuter omnibus to Kuwadzana only to have a feel of the train. That was indeed the freedom of the Freedom Train that time.

“But barely a year later and after the introduction of the multi-currency system the train has lost its appeal.

“Introduced in 2001 to alleviate glaring transport problems experienced by many urban commuters, the Freedom Train became an instant hit. Most urban commuters opted for the Freedom Train as it offered and allowed them to travel in a relaxed atmosphere that was also cheap and convenient for the hard-hit factory city worker. Although the prices have remained fairly low the increase of quicker alternative transport to and from the city centre has drawn commuters away from the Freedom Train.

“A trip into town cost R2 but that is also the price being charged by some private cars and trucks for a single trip to town. Commuter omnibuses are charging R4 for a trip – something that has forced private vehicle owners – particularly pick-up truck owners – to charge less. This has made it uneconomical for commuters to use the commuter train.

“Commuter trains ply the city-Mabvuku, city-Tynwald and the city-Dzivarasekwa routes. Demand for their services soared as the economic challenges hit commuters hard on their heels thereby forcing the National Railways of Zimbabwe to increase both the morning and evening services in all the intra-routes in Harare. The greatest undoing by the commuter train has been its failure to observe timetables, forcing commuters to seek alternative transport.

“When the service began, one had to make sure that he or she got to the main station in time to catch the train. The 17:30 train from the city centre to either Mabvuku Kuwadzana or
Mufakose was punctual because it needed to get back to town and do another roll at 19:00. Although the trains have a main timetable, frequent delays have meant that the commuter would always get home a bit late.

“The morning commuter trains have, however, remained popular with workers in the industrial areas as they run past the city’s major industrial locations. Commuting is all about time and if one is to get to his or her workplace on time, there must be some assurance that leaving home around 07:00 will enable them to get into town at 07:45. This would give the individual enough time to walk to the workplace and not risk the wrath of a red-faced manager.

“One of the biggest let downs by the Freedom Train has been time-tabling. You expect to get to your destination on time and be assured that your train comes at the correct time. That has not been the case with Freedom Train. Unfortunately this has even affected the organisation’s management to a point that it has failed to ensure the train keeps schedule or even care to apologise for the delays.

Freedom Trains plying the urban routes get to the main station in the city at 07:00, but are sometimes late.
Commuters say the railway authorities have also done a disservice to the travelling public by failing to refurbish the wagons despite the handsome income they are generating.
They say they expected NRZ to start refurbishing the trains as a way of attracting more passengers. In this era of the US dollar one needs to get value for their money but nothing has been done to refurbish and beautify the coaches.

‘The train’s service has just become the most unreliable mode of transport for anyone doing serious business,’ said Rashiwe Chiradza of Mabvuku. She said one has to always think twice before using the train because the coaches are sometimes smelly and poorly ventilated. ‘You don’t know who is sitting next to you and that is dangerous especially these days when robberies are the order of the day. Thieves have become more daring and they can follow you from town only to rob you at your local stations. This means you have to make a choice of either going for the train or pay R5 or R4 in a commuter omnibus.’

“The situation has been compounded by the fact that most commuter stations are located far from the residential areas, making it risky for commuters to walk to and from their homes in the dark. Joram Mukute of Budiriro 5 said he preferred the commuter omnibus because he gets off nearer to his home. ‘That is risk a mudhara. You take the ride and risk losing your head. Thieves are more daring these days. They can even attack a group. I only use the train when I do not have enough money,’ he said.

“Although the NRZ promised to start refurbishments the programme has taken too long to commence and that is not good for business. The refurbishment exercise would have seen the coaches being fitted with a new lighting system and replacing the old vandalised seats. NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati said shortage of resources had hampered
efforts to improve the conditions of the trains. He said the suspension of the electrical powered locomotives has forced the parastatal to redeploy some of the trains that were being used as commuter trains.

‘The trains were made to assist the people and not to cater for a particular class. We therefore made sure the costs were affordable for the people as a social obligation. Our core business is freight services and our operations are not bad.’

“Shortage of funds has retarded investment in the railway sector with the NRZ saying it requires $US30 million to recapitalise its operations. Lack of interest in the passenger trains has also affected intercity services such as the Harare-Bindura, Harare-Mutare and Bulawayo-Harare routes. However, despite the problems there is a general agreement among urban commuters that Harare still needs to develop its urban commuter train service if it is to effectively deal with urban transport woes.

“As the economic sanctions bite, the metal snake made sure the low-income earners of Harare were taken from their homes to work. Political, religious and economic debates made the day as the chongololo explored the city’s townships. It is indeed the hope of the people, we still want you Freedom Train. You must not go.”

Categories: Prototype News

PRASA INVESTS MILLIONS

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 05:33

This article appeared in Blits, newsletter of Western Cape Metrorail, on 29 July 2010:

“The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) invested millions of Rands to improve rail services and infrastructure across the country. Improvements include:
• An ongoing accelerated rolling stock programme that has cost R1,544 million to date;
• Refurbishing of 705 coaches for the Soccer World Cup (SWC) at a cost of R700 million;
• Completing infrastructure maintenance at a cost of R738 million;
• Building new stations at a cost of R1,795 million. These include the Moses Mabhida, Rhodesfield and Windermere stations; Doornfontein, Rissik, North End, Durban, Kwa Mashu, Kwa Mnyandu;
• Building facilities for the railway police at Cape Town, Bellville, Philippi and Retreat at a cost of R17 million.

“Ms Riana Scott, Metrorail’s head of marketing and communications, said not all trains were in a suitable condition to be refurbished. ‘Where problems could be anticipated through careful analyses, preventative measures were put in place to minimise delays. An extensive preventative maintenance regime was completed last year. Habitually problematic culprit parts most prone to frequent breaking were identified. Our engineering department determined at what stage (age/km) rate these before failure. This intervention greatly improved reliability and had a positive impact on punctuality.

‘As a further preventative measure, refurbished stock were monitored for 500km before being deployed, to ensure that trains are as reliable as possible.’

“Scott said no one single reason contributes to delays. It may vary from defective sets – (most components are mechanical and not electronic, which affects reliability to some extent), track conditions (objects placed between points are problematic), overhead/signal wiring or any one of a myriad other factors.
Weather conditions also impact on reliability. ‘Coastal regions generally have wetter winters that cause problems.’

Categories: Prototype News

LIBYAN TRACK COMPONENTS

News from Railways Africa - Fri, 08/13/2010 - 05:31

General contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has awarded Vossloh two contracts to supply rail fastenings and turnouts for 1,300km of the future rail network in the west of Libya. The contracts have a total value of €115m and deliveries will run to 2012.

Categories: Prototype News