Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

BBC News

• Wales rail franchise bids formally invited 'this week'Rail companies will be able to bid for the next Wales and Borders franchise this week, BBC Wales understands.
• Northern to cancel more than 50% of trains on strike daysNorthern Rail says only 46% of its normal timetable will operate on both strike days
• Rail bosses to 'look again' at needle exchange closureScotRail Alliance bosses agree to
• Alstom and Siemens to create 'European rail champion'Merging the high-speed train makers will create 'a European champion in the rail industry', the firms say.

Financial Times

• Siemens, Alstom agree to merge rail operations
• Siemens and Alstom seal deal to form European rail ‘champion’Groups hail merger to create company capable of resisting Chinese challenge

The Herald

• Edinburgh Tram Inquiry: Chief admits he didn't know who was in chargeEDINBURGH’S tram project lurched along rudderless and a senior councillor was “imploredâ€� not to raise concerns in public about the botched development, an inquiry has heard.

Reuters News

• Alstom, Siemens to merge rail businesses to counter China's CRRC German industrial group Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) and French rival Alstom SA (ALSO.PA) agreed to merge their rail operations, creating a European champion to better withstand the international advance of China’s state-owned CRRC Corp Ltd.

City AM

• It's official: Siemens and Alstom announce rail merger to form 'European champion'Germany's Siemens has confirmed that it will merge its rail operations with France's Alstom to create "a new European champion in the rail industry".

Network Rail

• Rail industry is working together to remind people in Wales and the borders to stay safeNetwork Rail is teaming up with Arriva Trains Wales, British Transport Police, and other partners to remind the public to stay safe on and around the railway in Wales and the borders.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Trespassing on the railway and the shocking footage that will make you think twiceFigures show more people are walking onto dangerous railways, risking life and limb to save time or for a deadly thrill

North Wales Live

• Commuters left fuming after being “abandoned on the platformâ€� during Wirral line signalling problems Some people trying to get home reported being stuck at stations for an hour and a half

Other Regional Press

• “To me, to you” – Labour and SNP likened to Chuckle Brothers ahead of Leven rail link debateLabour and the SNP have been accused of behaving like the Chuckle Brothers as they pass the buck on plans for a Levenmouth rail link.
• MP supports rail development for access to airportAN MP has shown her support for a rail access scheme which would see direct services running to London Paddington via Heathrow.
• Electric car charging points coming soon to Helensburgh and Cardross rail stationsCHARGE points for electric vehicles are coming to Helensburgh Central and Cardross railway stations in the next few weeks.
• The 'best small railway station' in the country is right here in Oxfordshire THE new-look Bicester Village train station has been crowned small station of the year.

Rail Magazine

• VIDEO: BTP & Northern heroes recognised at National Rail Awards 2017Full video of the presentation made to recognise rail staff for their services and bravery during the terror attacks earlier this year.
• VIDEO: Tony Walsh reads National Rail Awards poemRAIL commissioned a poem to celebrate how British railways changed the world and to salute the men and women who keep the railway, and this country, moving.
• Nationalisation: “a dead-end argumentâ€�MICHAEL HOLDEN explains why he believes a fully public railway won’t work, drawing on his experience as chairman of the Government-run East Coast service
• New trains - coming to a line near you…Billions of pounds’ worth of new trains are on order, with many more in the pipeline. RICHARD CLINNICK rounds up what’s on order and where they will all go.

Railway Gazette

• Electro-diesel multiple-unit to be developed for regional routesPOLAND: A letter of intent for the development, construction and testing of a prototype electro-diesel multiple-unit was signed on September 19 by regional train operator PolRegio, investment and leasing company Polski Tabor Szynowy and rolling stock manufacturer Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych H Cegielski, which will co-operate on the project with the IPS Tabor railway research institute.
• DB Cargo UK tests ‘jumbo’ trainUK: DB Cargo UK operated a trial 660 m long ‘jumbo’ train of 34 wagons from ABP Port of Cardiff to Acton in London on September 20, carrying 2 300 tonnes of limestone from Cemex’s Wenvoe and Taff’s Well quarries.

Other News Sources

• Green light for multi-million pound rail projectWORK to create the world’s leading research and innovation centre for very light rail is set to go ahead after a multi-million pound funding bid was approved.