GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

New generation test train arrives in Newcastle for fit out

The delivery of CityRail’s new generation trains has met an important milestone, with NSW Transport Minister David Campbell attending Newcastle Port for the arrival of a four carriage pre-production test vehicle on July 29. Mr Campbell said whilst it was a pre-production test vehicle, it was our first glimpse at the new generation fleet. The first eight carriages in the fleet will be delivered to the Cardiff facility for final assembly and commissioning later this year.

National rail safety week - Don’t put your life on the line

Transport Minister David Campbell reminded passengers, pedestrians and road users to stay safe around railway lines to mark National Rail Safety Awareness Week. Mr Campbell said, the national campaign aimed to keep people safe around railways, especially railway level crossings and rail corridors. “Most accidents on platforms are easy to avoid if you take some time to stay safe around the railways,” Mr Campbell said.

Preparations underway for Victoria’s new train fleet

Works have started on a $440 million program to prepare Melbourne’s rail network for the new fleet of 38 trains, with the first six carriage train expected to be on the tracks by the end of the year. Premier John Brumby revealed on 28 July that an expansion of the stabling facilities at Newport as part of a major infrastructure investment preparing for the new trains, will secure 500 new jobs during construction. “We are delivering on our commitment to improve public transport in Victoria, at a time when more people than ever before are using our rail network,” Mr Brumby said.

More level crossing upgrades completed in Victoria

A further nine level crossing upgrades funded in Victoria under the Rudd Labor Government's Economic Stimulus Package have now been completed. In just five months boom gates, flashing lights and other safety measures have been installed at 29 high-risk level crossings across Victoria, with work on a further seven projects currently underway. Last year alone, there were 28 collisions at level crossings in Victoria, nine resulting in fatalities and five involving serious injuries.

Industry embraces Gold Coast Rapid Transit

The private sector has embraced the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project with the industry briefing attracting an 700 representatives from 400 companies. Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan opened the briefing at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on July 29, to an audience eager to understand the project’s progress from the planning phase to tendering process. “The briefing attracted overwhelming interest from local, national and international organisations with the expertise and innovation to deliver a first-class project for the people of the Gold Coast on behalf of the Bligh Government,” Ms Nolan said. Early works such as surveying will start this August, with construction commencing in 2010.

Beerwah Rail Crossing taking shape

The Queensland Government’s $67 million Beerwah Rail Crossing Project will be open to traffic in September, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said on July 24. Ms Nolan inspected the newly-completed 1.2km road bridge over the rail line at the southern end of Beerwah, which will link Steve Irwin Way and Peachester Road. Ms Nolan said the construction would eliminate the existing level crossing, which caused traffic congestion and safety concerns in the centre of town and would also improve the local and regional road network.

Rail, road groups join forces for National Rail Safety Week

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien marked the beginning of National Rail Safety Week on July 26, by launching the Western Australian component of a nationwide public information campaign designed to promote safety at rail level and pedestrian crossings. Mr O’Brien said that each year there are a reported 50 serious near misses between motor vehicles and trains at level crossings in WA alone. “While Main Roads WA will spend around $20 million on rail level crossing improvements in 2009-10 (including a recent Federal allocation of $14.07 million to install boom gates on unguarded level crossings), it is still vital that drivers take care around level crossings and be aware of the dangers,” he said.

Canadian Transportation Agency releases 2008-09 Annual Report

The Canadian Transportation Agency released its 2008-09 Annual Report on July 22. It highlighted some of the Agency's recent achievements in making Canada's transportation system more competitive, efficient and accessible. "Last year, we laid the foundation for a more responsive and forward-looking Canadian Transportation Agency," said Geoff Hare, Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "The Annual Report demonstrates how our new organisational structure and clear strategic direction have placed us firmly on the path to continued – and increased – service excellence."

ROGS: The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has commissioned Noble Denton Associates to undertake a three-year monitoring and evaluation exercise of the performance and impact of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS). Regulations require most railway operators to maintain a safety management system (SMS) and hold a safety certificate or authorisation indicating the SMS has been accepted by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Deborah Hersman sworn in as NTSB Chairman

Deborah Hersman, who has been a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for 5 years, was sworn in on July 28 as the agency's 12th Chairman. Hersman was nominated for the two-year term as Chairman by President Barack Obama on June 18 and confirmed by the United States Senate on July 24. She was also nominated and confirmed for a second five-year term as Board Member, which runs through December 31, 2013. "The NTSB is an outstanding organisation that commands respect across the globe for its comprehensive investigations of transportation accidents," Hersman said.

INDUSTRY

ARTC partners with Leighton Contractors for major Hunter Valley rail works programme

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) signed an agreement on July 29 with Leighton Contractors to create the Upper Hunter Valley Alliance which will deliver a $152 million program of works on the Hunter Valley Rail corridor. The program incorporates two works packages designed to increase the coal carrying capacity of the Hunter Valley Rail network. In alliance with ARTC, Leighton Contractors will be commissioned to undertake all civil and track works in accordance with the ARTC 2009 – 2018 Hunter Valley Corridor Capacity Strategy from Singleton to Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter 1), Muswellbrook to Werris Creek (Upper Hunter 2). Leighton Contractors will be supported by sub-alliance partners Parsons Brinckerhoff, Coffey Geotechnics and KMH Environmental.

Electrification plans a good start

The announcement from the government on 23 July that it will support Network Rail’s plans for electrification is good news for passengers, the economy and the environment. Network Rail believes this is a good start in what should become a major rolling program of electrification. Chief executive Iain Coucher said: "Today is a good start, but there is much further to go. "Network Rail has been pushing for electrification for a long time. Indeed in 2007 – along with the Association of Train Operating Companies – we urged the Department for Transport to take the issue seriously.

ACCIDENTS

Train derailed, power cut

Storm winds cut power to 4,000 Wairarapa customers and a mudslide derailed a train and stranded hundreds of commuters bound for the region on July 23. About 300 Wellington to Wairarapa passengers and commuter staff escaped injury and were bussed to their destinations after the train struck a major mudslide in heavy rain while exiting a tunnel at Maymorn north of Wellington, Ontrack spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said. The locomotive and first carriage derailed on impact and commuter services on the line were cancelled for July 24 while the tracks were cleared and the stricken machinery was righted.

Third update on NTSB investigation into collision of two Metrorail trains in Washington, D.C.

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to make progress in its investigation of the June 22, 2009 collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains on the Red Line in Washington, D.C. Two signal companies, Ansaldo STS USA (US&S) and Alstom Signaling Inc. (GRS), that designed and manufactured the automatic train control components for the WMATA system, are providing technical assistance to the NTSB investigation.

RailLink routes trains around tunnel

A July 20 rockslide near the middle of the 3,896-foot tunnel choked off Montana Rail Link's main line between Helena and Missoula. The removal of debris from a rockslide inside the Mullan Tunnel is progressing more slowly than anticipated, indicating that train traffic won't resume until July 31 at the earliest. Last week, MRL spokeswoman Lynda Frost said that the company had hoped the tunnel would be reopened by July 27, but she noted that the project was a little more complicated than originally anticipated.

Croatia detains five people in train crash inquiry

Five people have been detained on suspicion of responsibility for the Croatian train crash on July 24 in which six people died and 55 were injured, police and court sources said late on July 28. Australians were among the injured in the country's worst train accident since independence in 1991. The train was on the way from the capital Zagreb to Split when it derailed some 30 km from Split. Police said the detainees were suspected of professional misconduct relating to the improper use of a flame-retardant liquid on the track which prevented the train from braking. Initially, eight people were arrested for interrogation.

Deaths in China train derailment

At least four people have been killed and around 50 people injured after a mudslide caused a train to derail in southern China on July 29. The official Xinhua News Agency said the train derailed in the pre-dawn hours in the city of Liuzhou, located in the Guangxi region. It was headed to Guangdong province from central China's Xiangfan city, Xinhua said, citing railway authorities.