Features & Analysis – Page 61
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Intelligent trains provide real-time feedback
Vehicle information systems using mobile phone technology provide real-time tracking of equipment condition and help to optimise fleet availability
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Customers stand to benefit most from metro automation
With 19 fully-automatic metros now in operation, the technology is well-proven and mature. The next step will be to justify the conversion of existing networks, based on flexible operation, lower costs and better customer service. Chris Jackson reports from Nürnberg
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Europe's latest S-Bahn EMUs go head-to-head in the race for orders
The Swiss Flirt, Austrian Elektro-Talent and Polish EN95 are all intended to operate suburban services. Harry Hondius MSc offers a technical comparison
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Automation by stealth
CHINA: This year Hong Kong MTR Corp will open its seventh line, and the first to be fully-automated. The 3·4km Disneyland Resort Line (DRL) will connect the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park at Penny’s Bay on the south coast of Lantau Island with the new Sunny Bay station on the ...
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Automation will meet the demands of the modern city
Raising line capacity on the Paris metro by 30% is the prime objective of a comprehensive modernisation programme that includes cutting headways to 90sec on many lines. Most ambitious of all is conversion of Line 1 to driverless operation
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Keeping it quiet below Berlin
Building a main line railway under the heart of Berlin demands the highest standards of vibration and noise prevention. The answer is to use concrete slabs supported on polymer bearings
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ERTMS development reaches the critical point
With installation of ETCS Level 1 underway in several countries, feedback from pilot projects is helping to fine-tune the technical specifications for Level 2. Growing pressure to upgrade the railways of eastern Europe may trigger the high-volume orders needed to make ERTMS cost-effective
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Three Railway Packages herald uncertainty across the continent
The ongoing liberalisation of Europe's railway sector is mandated by a series of directives and regulations from the European Union. Chris Jackson looks at the legislative programme and current proposals that will drive further change
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UIC redefines its role
CHANGE is sweeping through the corridors of Europe's railway organisations, not least at the International Union of Railways. Since its birth in 1922, UIC has worked to devise and define technical norms that allow trains to run across Europe's frontiers. Its practices and standards have also been adopted in many ...
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Demands on the subgrade drive GPR developments
Higher axleloads, rising traffic and route rationalisation are placing unprecedented demands on the track substructure of North American railways. In response, the industry is developing more effective substructure maintenance management techniques that include ground-penetrating radar
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Hitachi preferred for CTRL domestic trains
ON OCTOBER 27 UK Transport Secretary Alistair Darling named Hitachi as the preferred supplier of 'around 30' trainsets to operate 225km/h domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. HSBC Rail (UK) Ltd is preferred financier. The first four of the six-car trainsets are due to enter ...
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Working together on the front line
The government's latest restructuring proposals came as little surprise to the companies providing passenger services on Britain's privatised railway, who hope that the result will be an industry fit for the next 20 years. Robert Preston spoke to ATOC Chairman Keith Ludeman* about the white paper and its implications
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NewsUpdate from Myanmar
Due to open this month, the Thanlwin River bridge will help to complete a missing link in Myanmar's rail network. Despite international isolation, the railway continues to expand, reports Dieter Hettler, a mechanical engineer who has been involved with the delivery of diesel locomotives to Myanma Railways
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NewsEurostar on track to hit market share target
Launched 10 years ago next month, Eurostar is reaping the benefits from Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link with rising traffic and record punctuality. Chief Executive Richard Brown briefs Murray Hughes on Eurostar's future plans
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Europe's next tram-train arrives
On July 6 the first RegioCitadis dual-system LRV for the Regionalbahn Kassel network was rolled out by Alstom LHB. Harry Hondius reports from Salzgitter
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'Ahead of any listing comes the ability to be listed'
With a possible stock market listing of German Railway high on the transport policy agenda in Germany, we asked Federal Transport Minister Dr Manfred Stolpe for his views. Murray Hughes put the questions
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We like to play competitive games - if the rules are fair
Setting up a low-cost intermodal subsidiary and actively competing in Europe's liberalised rail freight market are part and parcel of Railion's strategy to win more traffic to rail. Railion Chairman Dr Klaus Kremper briefed Murray Hughes on progress since Stinnes was integrated into the DB fold last year
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Trans-Kazakhstan link will complete standard-gauge transcontinental artery
An international consortium is to be formed to close the gap between the standard-gauge networks of China and Europe, and construction of an initial 320 km section has already started
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Georgia on the road to reform
DAVID ONOPRISHVILI has a new challenge. Appointed as Chairman & Managing Director of Georgian Railway at the beginning of June, he is tasked with turning the network around and restructuring it for privatisation. As the country's former Finance Minister, and a member of the economic reform policy committee, Onoprishvili has ...
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NewsWinning the RCF battle on the production line
Faster and more frequent train services, higher axleloads and new generations of rolling stock have increased loadings on rails, particularly on curves. Improved manufacturing processes and product development are now focusing on rail head wear, internal fatigue defects and rolling contact fatigue