UK rail industry news – Page 18
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Rail Business UKModelling tool to optimise DMU fuel consumption
UK: A modelling tool is being developed to help Northern Trains optimise speeds and braking patterns to minimise the fuel consumed by its fleet of 276 diesel multiple-units. The tool will use the specific topography of Northern’s routes, combined with real consumption data. It is being ...
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Rail Business UKChiltern Railways seeks proposals for low-emission multiple-unit fleet
UK: Chiltern Railways is seeking proposals for the supply of between 20 and 70 new or converted ‘low-emission’ multiple units. The operator has called for ‘established’ rolling stock manufacturers, owners and modifiers to propose vehicles which would provide a ’meaningful’ reduction in the emissions and external ...
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Rail Business UKRail capacity planning qualifications launched
UK: Network Rail and the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators have launched three capacity planning qualifications for use in the infrastructure manager’s internal training programme. The qualifications delivered by Network Rail’s Capacity Planning Training & Development Team in Milton Keynes and awarded by CIRO are designed ...
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Rail Business UKNorthern Trains plans framework contract for 450 multiple-units
UK: Northern Trains has invited expressions of interest in a framework contract covering the supply of up to 450 multiple-units to replace ‘significant quantities of its ageing fleet’. Firm orders would be placed in phases. The initial order would be for ‘multi-mode’ multiple-units, with Northern having ...
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Rail Business UKBattery train deployment report commissioned
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has commissioned consultancy WSP to produce evidence-based recommendations for optimising and standardising the adoption of battery-powered trains. WSP said it would draw on its experience of battery train development in Norway and Sweden, as well as in the UK ...
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Rail Business UKWellbeing focus at 26th Rail Business Awards
UK: ‘Physical and mental health are crucial for people to feel happy and happy people perform well’, says LNER Chief Executive David Horne, the current Chair of the cross-industry Rail Wellbeing Alliance. ‘Passengers and customers who meet happy and confident railway colleagues will feel happier themselves — ...
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Rail Business UKAir-purifying totems trial at Birmingham New Street station
UK: The use of air-purifying totems to reduce the impact of diesel train exhaust fumes on air quality is to be tested at Birmingham New Street station. The Pluvo Column devices take in air at the bottom of the totem and pass it through a series ...
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Rail Business UKTimetable confirmation deadline to remain at 12 weeks
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has decided not to proceed with two changes to Network Rail’s network licence, after receiving mixed responses to the proposals. The first of the changes prompted by Network Rail’s Better Timetables for Passengers & Freight reform programme would have ...
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Rail Business UKHigh Speed 1 Ltd misses performance targets
UK: Channel Tunnel to London high speed line infrastructure concessionaire HS1 Ltd has missed key performance targets, according to the Office of Rail & Road’s annual assessment. ORR said HS1 Ltd has made improvements since it raised concerns about asset renewals last year, but it missed ...
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Rail Business UKUK railway news round-up
This week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry.
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail publishes £4·2bn CP7 Strategic Business Plan for Scotland
UK: Network Rail Scotland has published its £4·2bn Strategic Business Plan for Control Period 7, covering the five years from April 1 2024. The document is NR’s response to the Scottish government’s High Level Output Statement, which detailed what it wants Scotland’s Railway to deliver in ...
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Rail Business UKNorthern Irish rail freight opportunities
UK: Industry group Logistics UK has called for the rapid development of rail freight in Northern Ireland, building on the ‘much-needed vision’ in the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review for expanding rail freight across the whole island of Ireland. ‘Currently, there is no freight moved by ...
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Rail Business UKBristol’s Portway Park & Ride station opens
UK: Passenger services at Portway Park & Ride station near Avonmouth on the Bristol to Severn Beach line began August 1, following a formal inauguration by Transport Secretary Mark Harper, Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees and Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority Dan Norris ...
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Rail Business UKDB Cargo UK withdraws Class 90 electric locos
UK: DB Cargo UK has taken what it calls ‘the bold decision’ to withdraw its entire fleet of Class 90 electric locomotives, citing ‘the cost of running and maintaining this fleet given the extraordinary economic pressures facing our sector’. The operator currently has 24 of the ...
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Rail Business UKThanet Parkway station opens to improve rail options without increasing journey times
UK: Southeastern’s Thanet Parkway station between Ramsgate and Minster in east Kent opened to passengers on July 31. Development was led by Kent County Council with the aim of improving transport connectivity and supporting the local economy, and the station is expected to be used by ...
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Rail Business UKHVO fuel switch starts Chiltern Railways decarbonisation drive
UK: Chiltern Railways has switched to using hydrotreated vegetable oil in its fleet of Class 68 diesel locomotives, as part of a long-term strategy to decarbonise London’s last remaining all-diesel suburban network.
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Rail Business UKUK railway news round-up
This week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry.
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Rail Business UK‘Worst case scenario’ put forward as ticket office closure consultation extended
UK: In what appears to be a rushed decision, the consultation period for passengers to give views on the proposed closure of ticket offices has been extended to September 1.
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Rail Business UKTunnel drilling rig increases output and safety
UK: AmcoGiffen has developed a drill rig to assist Transport for Wales and principal contractor Amey Infrastructure Wales with the installation of two high voltage 60 mm² cable routes in the crown of the Caerphilly tunnel. The rig can be operated remotely from a trailer to ...
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Rail Business UKViewpoint: Passenger experience must be protected if ticket offices close
If the proposed closure of station ticket offices in England is not purely about cost-cutting, then carefully considered customer-centric interventions will be needed to make it work, argues David Watts, Managing Director of human-centred design agency Mima.