GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Rolling stock leasing market investigation

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has welcomed the publication by the Competition Commission (CC) of its final report at the end of its rolling stock leasing market investigation. ORR's Chief Executive Bill Emery urged the Department for Transport to seriously consider the CC’s recommendations. “A more competitive rolling stock market will bring about benefits for both passengers and the funders of the railway,” Mr Emery said.

Grant for planning of Midwest corridors

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded a $297,000 grant to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) to continue rail corridor planning, which may lead to the development of several high-speed rail corridors. MWRRI is a 3,000 mile system providing an improved intercity passenger rail service that serves nine states with a combined population of 60 million people from Chicago, which it uses as a regional hub. The MWRRI member states will match the $297,000 grant. The project includes an alternative routes analysis; system cost updates; equipment, train control and operational plans; and the preparation of public outreach materials.

ORR strengthens Network Rail's licence

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has made changes to Network Rail’s network licence aimed at strengthening and clarifying its obligations. The changes emphasise Network Rail’s vital roles in industry planning, capacity allocation, asset management and timetabling. Other changes include widening its obligation to treat stakeholders appropriately and to make sure the financial conditions in the licence are fit for purpose for the new control period, which started on 1 April 2009.

INDUSTRY

Veolia bid lodged

Veolia Transport has confirmed, with its partners, that it has lodged a bid with the Victorian Government to operate the Melbourne metropolitan train network from December 2009. Veolia Transport has also confirmed that its partners in the bid are Bombardier and SMRT. Bombardier is a global rolling stock builder, renovator and maintainer.

New rail loop named in Bishop’s honour

Another milestone has been reached in increasing the capacity of the freight rail line between Dry Creek and Outer Harbor with the completion of the ‘Bishop’ crossing loop at Wingfield South Australia by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The $2 million ‘Bishop’ crossing loop was named after Mr George Bishop, one of the longest serving and hard working rail workers in South Australia’s history. Mr Bishop worked for just under 50 years on the railways, his last post as a network controller for ARTC. ARTC Chief Executive David Marchant said it was only fitting that a brand new piece of infrastructure in the Adelaide Hills be named after such a dedicated rail worker.

UIC ERTMS world conference

The International Union of Railways (UIC) ERTMS world conference 2009, the leading event dedicated to the deployment of ERTMS (the European Rail Traffic Management System) has been hailed a success. A total of 750 participants from 35 countries were present at the two day conference in Malaga, Spain. Participants included stakeholders involved in the implementation of European Train Control System (ETCS) and Radio Communications System for Railways (GSM-R), representatives of railways, industries and a number of leading institutions.

ACCIDENTS

Derailment closes rail line

Rail services between Julia Creek and Mount Isa on the North West line were disrupted for several days following the derailment of a freight train on 3 April 2009. Ten wagons on a westbound freight train derailed on the Oorindi-Tibarri section between Cloncurry and Julia Creek at 12.10am. The two train drivers were not injured. A significant section of track was damaged in the derailment and some ammonium nitrate emulsion leaked from one of the derailed wagons.