Network Rail news
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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 ...
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Rail Business UKSMEs selected for Bristol Temple Meads innovation zone
UK: Connected Places Catapult, Network Rail and Great Western Railway have selected three SMEs to receive funding of up to £75 000 for technology trials in the Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads. Chrome Angel Solutions applies ‘serious games’ technology to tackle performance, safety and ...
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Rail Business UKStation lift reliability needs to be improved, says regulator
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has raised concern over the rate of station lift faults, and it is to review of Network Rail’s processes to ensure it is taking appropriate measures to plan and carry out maintenance and repairs. ORR says there are 1 ...
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Rail Business UKHope Valley blockade signals completion of Sheffield – Manchester upgrading scheme
UK: The final stage of the £137m Hope Valley Capacity Scheme is due to be finished on March 25, enhancing capacity for passenger and freight trains in the Sheffield – Manchester corridor.
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In depthDecarbonisation: Accelerating the electrification task
Network Rail is now deploying UK-based Gripple’s SwiftLine Rail Dropper, which the supplier believes will speed up key steps in the installation of overhead electrification equipment.
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Rail Business UKNew concourse in London Waterloo station vision
UK: Network Rail and Lambeth Council have unveiled ‘an ambitious long-term plan’ for the redevelopment of London Waterloo station and its surroundings. This sets out aspirations to make the station easier to navigate, reduce platform congestion and interchange times, and enable easier movement. The proposals include: ...
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Rail Business UKRenewals at Network Rail’s only sliding bridge
UK: Network Rail has completed a nine-day programme of engineering work at its only sliding bridge, which carries the route from Scunthorpe to Doncaster over the Stainforth & Keadby canal and moves to let boats through. The project completed on February 26 included track renewals and ...
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Rail Business UKCapacity increase future-proofs Birmingham’s University station
UK: A three-year project to increase passenger capacity at University station on Birmingham’s Cross City Line was completed with the opening of two buildings on January 28. The station was designed for 500 000 passengers/year when it opened in 1978, but expansion of the university and ...
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NewsNetwork Rail Consulting awarded California high speed rail contract
USA: The consultancy arm of British infrastructure manager Network Rail has been awarded a $73·2m contract to provide rail systems engineering services to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Network Rail Consulting will be supported by subconsultants Egis and Ricardo, as well as local companies C2PM DR ...
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Rail Business UKConverting passenger information into sign language
UK: Signapse is aiming to improve access to real-time passenger information by using AI to translate messages at stations and on trains into British Sign Language. The specialist technology company is working with Network Rail, South Western Railway and Whoosh Media on the project, which has ...
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Rail Business UKDeliver gauge clearance in Kent to boost northern economy, urges Channel Tunnel operator
UK: The Channel Tunnel risks remaining ‘essentially inaccessible’ to rail freight without investment to enhance the loading gauge of the conventional main line through Kent, the CEO of Eurotunnel’s parent company Getlink has warned.
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Rail Business UKHow to explain signalling works to passengers
UK: Watchdog body Transport Focus has worked with Network Rail to understand how the signalling works which are being undertaken under the East Coast Digital Programme should be communicated to passengers over the coming months, as they will result in disruption to journeys. The research found ...
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Rail Business UKScottish rail electrification framework procurement underway
UK: Network Rail has begun procurement for a framework contract covering the ‘efficient, consistent development, delivery, entry into service and handback’ of electrification to decarbonise rail operations in Scotland. This forms part of the Aberdeen Route Upgrade Electrification programme worth £250m-£300m and the £50m-£60m electrical safety ...
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Rail Business UKEbbw Vale line enhancement programme completed
UK: Network Rail has completed a two-year project to upgrade the Ebbw Vale line to enable the operation of hourly direct trains to Newport from the December 10 timetable change; these will run in addition to the existing hourly service to Cardiff. The Ebbw Vale line ...
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Rail Business UKMoorgate branch ETCS goes live
UK: Revenue-earning suburban services have started to use ETCS Level 2 over London’s Northern City Line from Finsbury Park to Moorgate.
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail awards East Kilbride electrification contracts
UK: Network Rail has awarded the main works contracts for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project, which includes electrification of the line near Glasgow. The announcement on November 22 follows the confirmation of Scottish government funding in September, The contracts totalling £61·5m have been awarded to Story ...
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Rail Business UKFour options under consideration for Wisbech rail service
UK: There is a ‘strong strategic case’ for reinstating passenger services to Wisbech, but the ‘art of the possible’ will be key, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has said following a meeting with Network Rail to discuss an ongoing study of options. The Combined ...
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In depthSignalling: Visualising designs at an earlier stage
Most signalling schemes across the sector are designed using 2D schematic plans. But this approach can make it difficult to visualise what drivers in the train cab will see, and when and how they will react. To address this and other challenges, Arup has created a signalling visualisation tool that is being deployed as part of Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade.