Features & Analysis – Page 65
-
News
World Speed Survey 2001
Speeds improve, but no change at the top HIGH-SPEED TRAINS have cut the fastest journey times on some inter-city routes by over 80% since 1914, according to the latest biennial World Rail Speed Survey, published in the October 2001 issue of Railway Gazette International. The opening of France's TGV-Méditerranée ...
-
NewsTilt technology still evolving as the cost falls
With trains operational in more than a dozen countries and two more fleets about to enter service in Britain, the commercial case for tilt is firmly established. While there is still diversity of actuation techniques, the cost is falling and side effects such as nausea are being overcome
-
News
The wave crests as the big four become three
Bombardier's purchase of Adtranz represents the largest industry acquisition to date and may just be the last, as results finally start to improve at the major suppliers. Andrew F Saxe of Accenture presents his annual review of the rolling stock supply industry
-
News
PKP starts the privatisation process
The restructuring of Polish State Railways reaches a crucial phase on October 1 this year when new companies responsible for regional passenger services, freight, traction power supplies, telecommunications and IT begin trading as wholly-owned subsidiaries of PKP. With various measures planned to reduce the state railway's historic debt, some operations ...
-
NewsIntegrating 'global brilliance'
IN HIS KEYNOTE speech to the 7th International Heavy Haul Conference in Brisbane on June 11, former Spoornet Chief Executive Braam le Roux, currently Representative for Southern Africa at the International Union of Railways, drew attention to the constant threat facing railways from their competitors. Telling 580 delegates from 27 ...
-
NewsTechnology transfer - from heavy haul to passenger and back
With privatisation sweeping the world, passenger carriers are increasingly subject to the same pressures as those affecting freight railways. Heavy haul operators have invested considerable time and effort learning how to run the world's most efficient rail businesses, and their experiences should be of interest to all railway managers, including ...
-
News
Five phases of HAL research bring billion dollar savings
With the fifth phase of HAL research due for completion next year, it is clear that substantial benefits accrue from heavy axleload operation. Cumulative savings from the use of HAL techniques and equipment in North America during the 1990s are of major significance
-
NewsExpress Rail Link Desiros take to the rails
Two types of Desiro EMU are being constructed for use on Malaysia’s Express Rail Link and Commuter Rail Service
-
News
SNCB sails into rough waters
Belgian National Railways' next 10-year investment strategy is due to be approved shortly, but renewal of the operating contract agreed with government in 1991 has become mired in political disagreement. Harry Hondius takes stock of the situation
-
NewsEarthworks 60% complete on first section of Libyan network
MOHAMMED Abdulsamed Ali, Chairman of the Railways Executive Board in Libya, has revealed details of progress with building a 3170 km national network. The Great Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is planning to spend US$10bn on two major routes, the first of which is currently under construction. This will not be ...
-
News
Three networks preparing to move Olympic crowds
Selected to host the 2004 summer Olympic Games, Athens is making a substantial investment in expanding its transport infrastructure to handle the crowds. Both recently-opened metro lines are being expanded, the suburban railways upgraded, and a new light rail network is starting to take shape
-
News
Catenary upgrade brings 225 km/h to British tracks
Renewal of 25 kV overhead wires, coupled with the world's first autotransformer feeding of a four-track main line, will enable Virgin's Pendolino tilting trains to slash journey times and double frequency from May 2005. Richard Hope explains how it is being done mainly during overnight possessions
-
News
Making the Virgin vision happen
The number of passengers using Virgin Trains' services has soared by 40% in three years, giving the company a head start in the race to meet ambitious commercial targets agreed with government. To succeed, Virgin Trains Chief Executive Chris Green must deliver top-of-the-range inter-city services with high speed tilting trains ...
-
News
ICE3 pioneers commercial application of eddy-current rail brakes
The dream of frictionless braking has crept closer with the installation of eddy-current rail brakes on German Railway's ICE3, but they will only be used in carefully controlled conditions
-
News
Cutting noise and smoothing the ride
Commercial demands for a better ride and political pressure to reduce lineside noise present engineers with fresh challenges in bogie design
-
News
Smallest state in privatisation vanguard
Estonia is on course to be the first former Soviet state to transfer rail operations to the private sector. Richard Hope reports keen bidding for rapidly growing transit freight through the port of Tallinn, although thereis a tussle over passenger subsidies
-
News
Chinese Railways tests 200 km/h EMU power car
Trials are under way in China with a 200 km/h EMU power car developed by Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works and Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Research Institute
-
News
Sifang JV launches coach production
A Chinese-Canadian joint venture isto design and manufacture a fleet of 300 long-distance coaches for China's Ministry of Railways at a new factory now being built in Qingdao
-
News
Driverless metros poised to expand
The high off-peak frequency and flexibility to meet demand surges which unmanned trains offer may lead to conversion of existing lines in Paris or Berlin. Tom Parkinson and Ian Fisher believe the caution displayed by operators and safety regulators is no longer justified
-
News
Ballast evaluation using ground-penetrating radar
Capable of surveying long sections in a short time, ground-penetrating radar can detect trackbed anomalies earlier than is possible with visual inspection methods. Maintenance can therefore be prioritised to reduce unnecessary cost and increase effectiveness