International Railway Journal - May 2008 - (Page 5)

October opening? T The first V250 Albatross train arrived at the Velim test circuit on March 29. Lloyds Register Rail is approving and certifying the trains on behalf of HSA. Photo: Quintus Vosman HSL South tests to start this month? UTCH transport minister Mr Camiel Eurlings says the HSL-South high-speed line between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Belgian border will be ready for test running from the middle of this month, despite continuing problems with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, particularly communication problems at the border. Different suppliers are involved on each side of the border, with a Siemens consortium in the Netherlands and Alstom in Belgium. There are still problems with communication between the D radio block centre (RBC) and the on-board units. These should be solved with the next upgrade to ETCS version 2.3.0. For speeds in excess of 190km/h, a hot-box detector system is required, which the Thalys trains do not have on-board. A lineside hot-box detection system is being installed and should be operable from September. There are five interfaces between HSL South and the conventional network. An improved version of the Dutch ATB (ATB VV) system should be installed at these locations by October, but rolling stock will not be modified until spring 2009, which will result in local speed restrictions of 90km/h. Dust remains a problem in the Green Heart tunnel but quantities are reducing, despite a massive cleaning operation last December, when 20 tonnes of dust were removed. Regular weekend cleaning is still taking place and speeds are restricted to 160km/h. The Dutch government is now seeking compensation from the contractors for costs arising from both modifications to the noise barriers, and the embankment subsidence. g? HE Transport Ministry says there is a 50% chance that the hourlyinternal Amsterdam – Rotterdam interim service will start in October using locomotive-hauled trains limited to 160km/h and ETCS level 1. It is planned to divert Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam Thalys trains onto HSL South when ETCS level 2 becomes operational in May 2009. The AnsaldoBreda V250 high-speed trains ordered for the line should start entering service in mid-2009 and Eurlings expects a full service from the timetable change in December 2009, but acknowledges that the delays threaten the financial survival of the High Speed Alliance (HSA). The temporary 160km/h service will be subsidised and HSA is also to be compensated for the loss of income due to the delayed start-up of commercial high-speed services. The total costs for construction of the line has now reached ƒ6.1 billion. Of this, ƒ194 million has been subsidised by the EU. Vale increases rail investment to $US 8.7 billion INING giant Vale (formerly CVRD) is to invest $US 8.7 billion over the next four years to raise capacity on its Brazilian heavy-haul lines. By far the largest investment will be in the Carajás Railway (EFC), where Vale intends to spend $US 5.9 billion by 2012 increasing iron-ore capacity from 100 million tonnes to 230 million tonnes per year. Train lengths will be increased to 330 wagons, allowing each train to carry 35,000 tonnes of iron-ore. This will require track-doubling, lengthening of passing loops, investment in loading and unloading facilities, and the purchase of 10,600 wagons and 147 diesel locomotives. It also plans to build a 104km branch to a new mine at Serra Sul. M Vale will invest $US 2 billion in its southeastern networks, which include the Vitória a Minas Railway (EFVM), and the Central Atlantic Railway (FCA). EFVM expects iron-ore traffic to increase from 100 million to 120 million tonnes over the next four years, while steel traffic is forecast to double to 60 million tonnes. To accommodate this, EFVM will invest in a new signalling system, providing a 17% increase in capacity, and it will expand three marshalling yards. It also plans to buy 51 locomotives, 900 iron-ore wagons and 1000 steel wagons. Vale is applying for environmental licenses to build a 165km Southern Coastal Railway (FLS), which will connect Vitória with the iron-ore export terminal at Ubu and limestone quarries in the Cachoeiro do Itapemirim area. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year. The North-South Railway (FNS), which is currently under construction, will receive investment of $US 790 million. IRJ May 2008 5

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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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