Industry news
Northeast Corridor Commission releases 15-year rail development plan
15 July | Infrastructure
The Northeast Corridor (NEC) Commission has announced a $117bn, 15-year plan, CONNECT NEC 2035 (C35), to remake the US train corridor as part of a reinvestment programme.
The entities involved in the plan’s development include the state governments of the Northeast, the federal government, eight commuter rail agencies and Amtrak.
Around 150 projects and capital renewal activities along the corridor have been covered in the plan.
The C35 aims to provide connections to new markets as well as minimise travel times between communities. Its implementation will also result in railroad safety and reliability, along with an increase in services.
The NEC Commission stated that the gap in the fund, which would be around $100bn, will be shared between the federal government and states.
In a statement, the NEC Commission said: “To maximise the detailed sequencing laid out in C35 and provide the certainty needed to make long-term investments in workforce development and equipment procurement, multi-year funding needs to be predictable and should fund the plan, rather than individual projects.”
C35 is the initial phase of the ‘long-term vision’ for the corridor, as underlined in the Federal Railroad Administration’s 2017 NEC FUTURE plan.
16 July | Contract
Arup AECOM JV secures consultancy contract for Northern Link project
The Arup AECOM joint venture (JV) has secured a preliminary design consultancy contract from Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to conduct the planning and design for the proposed Northern Link main line project.
Work will include the development of the scheme into an engineering design, preparing the construction programme and gazette plans, as well as determining the cost estimate.
The Arup AECOM JV will work closely with MTR’s Capital Works team to deliver the works.
16 July | Contract
Arup AECOM JV secures consultancy contract for Northern Link project
The Arup AECOM joint venture (JV) has secured a preliminary design consultancy contract from Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to conduct the planning and design for the proposed Northern Link main line project.
Work will include the development of the scheme into an engineering design, preparing the construction programme and gazette plans, as well as determining the cost estimate.
The Arup AECOM JV will work closely with MTR’s Capital Works team to deliver the works.
12 July | Infrastructure
HS2 launches search for Phase IIb ground investigation contractors
HS2 in the UK has initiated the selection process for specialist ground investigation contractors for Phase IIb of the high-speed railway line.
The £300m single framework contract will involve appointing a lead ground investigation partner, supported by ten specialist ground investigation contractors for implementing the work. The eight-year framework carries an option of two additional years.
Selected partners will carry out ground investigations in a bid to identify technical and financial risks that often increase programme costs.
13 July | Rolling stock
Siemens Mobility to test hydrogen train on Bavarian rail route
Siemens Mobility has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to test a hydrogen-powered train in the German state of Bavaria.
The company signed the MoU with the state government of Bavaria and local railway company Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) to conduct the trial.
The two-car train will begin test runs from mid-2023 on the Augsburg – Füssen route and will enter passenger services in January 2024.
The train, which will be unveiled next year, is being developed on the basis of Siemens Mobility’s Mireo Plus H platform. The vehicle will have a range of up to 800km and will be capable of running on non-electrified rail lines.
As primary modules of the hydrogen traction drive, two fuel cells will be placed on the train’s roof. The system will utilise the newest generation of batteries from Saft.
11 July | Investment
New Zealand launches rail network investment programme
New Zealand has introduced the first Rail Network Investment Programme worth $907m (NZD1.3bn) to uphold and enhance rail lines across the country over the next three years.
The programme outlines KiwiRail’s work that would be executed between mid-2021 and 2024 in compliance with the government direction stated in the NZ Rail Plan.
The work needs to be approved by the Minister of Transport and is being financially backed by the National Land Transport Fund.
12 July | Safety
Canada issues railway safety measures to minimise wildfire risk
The Government of Canada has issued restrictions on rail transport for areas facing high wildfire risks. The restrictions became effective on 11 July and will continue until 31 October.
The move comes after a blaze destroyed the town of Lytton in British Columbia amid record-high temperatures.
Under the order, Canada’s two key railroad operators, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway, will be required to increase their prevention efforts against wildfires.
In brief
AF JV secures Sydney Metro West first tunnelling contract
The Acciona Construction Australia and Ferrovial Construction (Australia) joint venture (AF JV) has secured the first major tunnelling contract for the Sydney Metro West project. The $1.46bn contract will involve delivering 11km of twin metro rail tunnels stretching from Sydney Olympic Park to The Bays.
Estonia’s Operail launches LNG freight locomotive
Estonian railway logistics firm Operail has launched a LNG freight locomotive as part of its sustainability efforts. The company converted an American General Electric C36 locomotive to enable dual-fuel operations. Work involved reconstruction of the locomotive’s diesel fuel tank, installation of LNG tanks, as well as other systems. According to Operail, the vehicle is the first LNG freight locomotive in the Baltics and the neighbouring region.
Skeleton to supply ultracapacitors for CAF P&A’s OESS-powered trams
Skeleton Technologies has secured a contract to deliver ultracapacitors for trams powered by CAF Power & Automation’s (CAF P&A) onboard energy storage systems (OESS). The Skeleton cells will be included in the Greentech OESS portfolio that is used by several railway companies for catenary-free applications, in countries including the UK, Estonia, Luxembourg, Australia and Spain.
CHSRA enters partnership to advance Palmdale rail station planning
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has entered a new partnership to proceed with work for the proposed high-speed rail station in downtown Palmdale. The authority signed an agreement with the City of Palmdale to provide funds for a grant application to the US Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) programme. CHSRA is seeking a $1.35m RAISE grant to complete Palmdale high-speed rail station master plan.
15 July | Infrastructure
Welsh Affairs Committee report recommends rail infrastructure upgrades
The Welsh Affairs Committee has released a report recommending urgent improvements in rail infrastructure across the region.
It has called for a new Wales Rail Board, including the UK and Welsh Governments, Network Rail, the rail operators providing services in Wales and Transport for Wales.
Recommended to be in place by autumn, the board will help in identifying upgrades and rail investments, including the improvement of Wales’ ageing rail network, which is struggling to provide fast services and adequate stations for commuters.
In brief
AF JV secures Sydney Metro West first tunnelling contract
The Acciona Construction Australia and Ferrovial Construction (Australia) joint venture (AF JV) has secured the first major tunnelling contract for the Sydney Metro West project. The $1.46bn contract will involve delivering 11km of twin metro rail tunnels stretching from Sydney Olympic Park to The Bays.
Estonia’s Operail launches LNG freight locomotive
Estonian railway logistics firm Operail has launched a LNG freight locomotive as part of its sustainability efforts. The company converted an American General Electric C36 locomotive to enable dual-fuel operations. Work involved reconstruction of the locomotive’s diesel fuel tank, installation of LNG tanks, as well as other systems. According to Operail, the vehicle is the first LNG freight locomotive in the Baltics and the neighbouring region.
Skeleton to supply ultracapacitors for CAF P&A’s OESS-powered trams
Skeleton Technologies has secured a contract to deliver ultracapacitors for trams powered by CAF Power & Automation’s (CAF P&A) onboard energy storage systems (OESS). The Skeleton cells will be included in the Greentech OESS portfolio that is used by several railway companies for catenary-free applications, in countries including the UK, Estonia, Luxembourg, Australia and Spain.
CHSRA enters partnership to advance Palmdale rail station planning
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has entered a new partnership to proceed with work for the proposed high-speed rail station in downtown Palmdale. The authority signed an agreement with the City of Palmdale to provide funds for a grant application to the US Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) programme. CHSRA is seeking a $1.35m RAISE grant to complete Palmdale high-speed rail station master plan.
