International Railway Journal - May 2008 - (Page 10)

News Netherlands plans linespeed upgrades UTCH transport Minister Mr Camiel Eurlings has been considering various measures to reduce journey times on long-distance routes – including line speed improvements and signalling upgrades. Should the go-ahead be given to raise the maximum speed from 140 to 160km/h it will require modification of the signalling and train control system. The present ATB train control system could be upgraded to either ATB-NL or ATB code 147. ATB code 147 has been installed in much passenger rolling stock but is switchedout because there is as yet no track installation. Roll-out of this system would, however, conflict with EU principles as it would hinder cross-border operators which use the older D version of ATB. Furthermore, railfreight operators say they would refuse to install the necessary equipment in their locomotives on the grounds that they are currently already involved with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on the Betuwe route and that their trains cannot run at 160km/h in any case. ATB-NL is already used by the Thalys and Benelux passenger trains on the 35km section from The Hague to Hoofddorp. Infrastructure manager ProRail considers the roll-out of this system might conform to the EU principles as operators could continue to use ATB as before - but the Transport Ministry rejects this as the modification has nothing to do with improving safety. Moreover, whilst the infrastructure investment would be limited to É3 million, passenger operator Netherlands Railways (NS) does not want to invest É47 million in on-board equipment. Although 160km/h would not be possible nationwide throughout the Netherlands, four possible routes have been identified: Amsterdam Bijlmer – Utrecht, The Hague – Hoofddorp, Boxtel – Eindhoven, and Weesp – Lelystad. Other routes would require expensive modification to the infrastructure and level crossings. A third option is the installation of ERTMS which is intended to replace current relay-based signalling systems. Eurlings has also opted for freight loops at Beilen and an extra platform at Deventer. China inks biggest train export deal HINA Northern Locomotive Rolling Stock Industry is to build 455 metro cars and 160 double-deck passenger coaches for Tehran Urban & Surbaban Railway in a deal worth É360 million – believed to be China’s largest export of passenger vehicles. The contract includes a technology transfer, and will see the metro cars formed into seven-car sets for use on metro lines 1 and 2. The double-deck coaches will be used on Line 5, and will be hauled by electric locomotives. C Funding for Thai-Laos line HAILAND’s Prime Minister, Mr Samak Sundaravek, has pledged Baht 900 million ($US 29 million) to help build a 9km line from Ban Thanaleng, on the Thai border, to the Laotian capital Vientiane. The project has been under discussion for many years, but it is hoped the financial commitment will guarantee the line’s construction. A 23.5km line from Nong Khai in Thailand to Ban Thanaleng via the Friendship Bridge is currently under construction. T EW British open-access operator Wrexham & Shropshire was expected to launch its Wrexham to London Marylebone service shortly after IRJ went to press in April. The company has been training staff in anticipation of the start of the service, which provides a direct link from the towns of Wrexham, Shrewsbury, and Telford to London for the first time in many years. N PKP stems losses P OLISH State Railways (PKP) says it reduced its financial losses to almost zero in 2007, compared with a Zloty 100 million ($US 45.3 million) loss the previous year. Similar results are expected this year. Sweden and Norway award single-source ERTMS contract HE Swedish and Norwegian track authorities have awarded Bombardier a framework contract for the specification and development of onboard European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) equipment worth around É30 million in its first year and around É200 million in total over eight years. T The order from Swedish track authority Banverket, and its Norwegian counterpart, Jernbaneverket, is part of a framework agreement for the specification and development of Bombardier’s Ebi Cab 2000 European Train Control System (ETCS) onboard system, together with the delivery of products and services on all new and retrofitted vehicles in both countries. Bombardier will initially equip 220 vehicles with the system, but the contract lasts for eight years, with an option for a further eight. Banverket and Jernbaneverket will provide funding for the country and vehicle adaptations, together with safety approvals for up to eight vehicle types. Further orders in both countries could raise the value of the contract to É200 million. Mr Anders Lindberg, Bombardier’s rail control solutions president, said: “Bombardier has a strong presence in the development of ERTMS technology. We are proud to contribute to Scandinavia’s integration into the European network.” 10 IRJ May 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of International Railway Journal - May 2008

International Railway Journal - May 2008 Contents This Month News Transit News Market News Technology News News Analysis Italian Railways on the Road to Recovery High-Speed: On the Home Straight Korea Develops High-Speed Ambitions Setting New Standards for New Rolling Stock India Solves Traction Motor Conundrum Weathering the Storm with Climatic Testing Technology Drives US Train Inspections Rendezvous Full Contact List Advertisers Index The Last Word

International Railway Journal - May 2008

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