Network Rail news
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Rail Business UKTrack access charge waiver aims to attract new freight to rail
UK: Infrastructure manager Network Rail is to waive track access charges for new flows in an effort to encourage new freight traffic to rail.
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail looks at TOPS replacement options
UK: Network Rail is undertaking market engagement on the possible replacement of its TOPS mainframe computer system originally procured by British Rail from the Southern Pacific Railroad in the USA in the early 1970s. The ’complex, command-driven’ Total Operations Processing System was designed to provide real-time information ...
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Rail Business UKNear-miss reporting guidance aims to increase level crossing safety
UK: The Level Crossing Strategy Group has published guidance to improve the reporting and management of near misses at level crossings. The guidance is the result of collaboration between stakeholders including Network Rail, the Rail Safety & Standards Board, operators LNER and c2c, and train drivers’ ...
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In depthUK: Delivering a high-capacity rail artery across northern England
A major upgrading programme is in progress to enhance resilience, raise capacity and cut journey times on Network Rail’s busy east-west route through the Pennines between Manchester and Leeds. Murray Hughes investigates.
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Rail Business UKHS1 obtains asset management certification
UK: High speed line concessionaire HS1 Ltd has obtained ISO 55001 certification for safe and long-term asset management on the 109 km line between London and the Channel Tunnel, including the four stations. On August 14 HS1 Ltd said ‘this is exciting news as HS1 looks ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail awards Scotland Civils Framework contracts
UK: Network Rail announced the award of Scotland Civils Framework contracts totalling up to £1·3bn on August 13. Each of the contracts are for five years, with a three-year extension option based on performance. Scotland Civils Framework contracts Lot Works Contractor ...
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Rail Business UKCheaper, quicker and greener modular footbridge attracts worldwide interest
Railways from around the world are taking an interest in a prototype stainless steel footbridge which is designed to make construction and maintenance cheaper, faster, less disruptive and more sustainable.
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Rail Business UKScotland’s Railway publishes five-year Climate Action Plan
UK: The Scotland’s Railway partnership of Network Rail and ScotRail has published a five-year Climate Action Plan setting out aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2024-29. There are five priority areas: Climate ready: preparing the railway and organisations for anticipated changes in the ...
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Rail Business UKFirst Beacon station footbridge opens
UK: The first footbridge built to the Beacon design has been installed by Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen at Garforth in West Yorkshire. Work is continuing to install the lifts, which will come with illuminated shafts which inspired the name of the design. The Beacon bridge ...
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Rail Business UKHedgehog sleeper designed to reduce embedded carbon
UK: Network Rail’s Wales & Western region and Dutch manufacturer Lankhorst Engineered Products have developed a composite sleeper made of made of 90% recycled materials which they say involves 90% less embedded carbon in production than wooden equivalents and 78% less than concrete. The design based ...
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Rail Business UKSamaritans to continue railway suicide prevention programme
UK: Network Rail has reappointed Samaritans as primary delivery partner for its strategy to prevent suicide on the railway. The charity has been partnering with Network Rail since 2010. The new contract awarded following a tender runs from September 2024 to March 2027. ‘The programme ensures ...
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Rail Business UKActing Chair appointed at Network Rail
UK: Network Rail’s senior non-executive director Mike Putnam has been appointed as Acting Chair of the infrastructure manager, replacing Lord Peter Hendy who has been appointed as Minister of State at the Department for Transport. The process of appointing a successor to Hendy will begin in ...
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Rail Business UKFirst stage of £36m Tyseley depot expansion completed
UK: Spencer Group has completed the first of three phases of a £36m project being undertaken on behalf of West Midlands Trains and Network Rail to enable Birmingham’s Tyseley depot to handle four rather than three-car trains. The first stage included removal of a significant section ...
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Rail Business UKAutomated detection of lineside vegetation on test
UK: The use of cab-mounted forward-facing CCTV for the automated detection of potentially hazardous lineside vegetation is being tested on the East Coast Main Line. The 12-month trial is being sponsored by infrastructure manager Network Rail, and undertaken in partnership with train operator LNER, rolling stock ...
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Rail Business UKLineside batteries could smooth railway electrical demand
UK: Network Rail is seeking a partner to design, develop, construct and operate ‘multi-MW scale’ lineside battery systems to support traction power supplies. A long-term services contract worth £150m to £200m is envisaged. The infrastructure manager purchases 3·7 TWh/year of electricity for traction power, and has ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail appoints Eastern Routes Partnership contractors
UK: Network Rail has appointed 15 contractors to its Eastern Routes Partnership framework, which is designed to enable it to directly award key infrastructure contracts worth £3·5bn during Control Period 7, with the option to extend for CP8. Network Rail said removing the need for individual ...
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Rail Business UKDashboard to facilitate more efficient use of the rail network
UK: Industry regulator the Office of Rail & Road has published a track access dashboard which it hopes will help Network Rail and train operators make more efficient use of the network. The dashboard gives an overview of how the industry is using available capacity and ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail awards 10-year train control system framework contracts
UK: New suppliers and better visibility of future work are included in the Train Control Systems framework contracts awarded by Network Rail for the provision of conventional and ETCS signalling services during Control Periods 7 and 8 in 2024-34. The Train Control Systems framework replaces the ...
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Rail Business UKSeparate MDs appointed for Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail
UK: Separate Managing Directors have been appointed for infrastructure manager Network Rail in Scotland and for passenger train operator ScotRail, though the organisations have stressed their commitment to the current alliance model of close co-operation. Both Managing Director roles are currently held jointly by Alex Hynes, ...
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Rail Business UKWaterbeach station to be relocated
UK: Cambridgeshire County Council has called tenders for an estimated £35m design and build contract for the relocation of Waterbeach station to a new site further to the north. This would support the Waterbeach New Town development of 4 500 homes. Opening is now envisaged for ...