Advance TRS are delighted to welcome experienced rail industry recruiter, Chris Spurdle to join the business as Business Development Manager – Rail. Chris has over 14 years experience in the rail industry predominantly working in the rail civils and permanent way specialism and joins Advance TRS to focus on white collar recruitment in rail civils and permanent way.

Chris is looking forward to progressing his industry knowledge and network from the blue-collar and labour side of the rail sector into white-collar recruitment.

“This is an exciting new opportunity to build on the established reputation I have built in the blue collar and labour market, and a natural continuation of my work in the sector.”

Explains Chris.

Chris will be focused on business development, supporting the current team building on established relationships and also bid development. Chris Spurdle will also be the main point of contact for a new client partnership Advance TRS have recently secured providing construction managers, project managers, civils, permanent way, signalling, planning and commercial engineering professionals into key rail projects across the UK rail network. These projects range across the UK & Ireland from a couple of million budgets to major infrastructure projects with budgets up to 200 million.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris into the Advance TRS team, and more personally, I am so pleased to work with him in the business development team. His experience and industry knowledge will prove to be a great asset to our business.”

Shares Business Development Director, Michael Schruyers.

When asked why Chris chose to join Advance TRS, Chris explained:

“I wanted to work for a specialist company, a niche recruiter. It was important for me to join a flexible and agile business where the team are skilled, well networked and have the ability to support clients throughout the process rather than a large corporate business. Advance TRS offer all this and have a really good team, both in sales and business services, and provide a positive work environment.”

Chris Spurdle will be supporting the business development team across the full spectrum of permanent and contract supply, both in rail and also reaching across the wider infrastructure piece.

Chris goes on to say:

“I love the ambition and trajectory Advance TRS offer as a growing SME. It gives me an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the business growth trajectory and adding value. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming – particularly Jake and Josh who I have been working with a lot, and have helped me settle in. The business services support and payroll teams are brilliant too – shout out to everybody!”

Join Advance TRS

If you are looking for a new opportunity to further your career with an established and growing business providing quality recruitment solutions in the built environment and engineering markets, we are always looking for new talented staff to join our team. Find out what it is like to work for us and see our live opportunities.

Expert Rail Recruiters

Advance TRS know the rail industry like no one else. We work with some of the world’s biggest engineering organisations, creating bespoke recruitment solutions for some of the UK’s biggest rail projects.

Our team of experts are well established in the sector and expertly networked to ensure the best results for clients every time with specialisms focused on signalling, telecoms, E&P, OLE, Civils, M&E, Pway and Project Services. With over 400 contractors working across the UK rail network we are proud to be committed to high safety standards.

Advance TRS is accredited by the Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS), enabling us to supply rail recruitment solutions to clients across the UK. Find out how we can support your business hire the best talent in the market. Or get in touch to speak to a member of our team, call 01483 361061.

Advance TRS are proud to announce the new office opening in central London. The new office, based in the Northern & Shell Building, near Monument was launched in September 2022. This new base is the third office for the recruitment business and marks an exciting chapter in the business’s growth. 

The new London office will be a permanent office for some of our Rail recruitment business and provide a base for other members of the team who have meetings in London. 

The new office is led by Specialist Consultant in the Rail & Civil Engineering Industry, Craig Outhwaite. Craig joined Advance TRS in autumn 2021 and after one year is stepping up into this new role. Craig focuses on the recruitment of freelance Quantity Surveyors and Commercial professionals across the UK. 

“I’m really proud and excited to open and grow a London Branch for the company. London excites me, you can’t help but feel invigorated heading into the city each morning. The market is really busy and we are now expertly positioned to meet all our clients and candidates as needed”

Shares Craig. 

Craig is joined by Victoria Bartram (nee. Satterley), who joined Advance TRS earlier this month after a few years out to grow her family, Victoria is a brilliant addition to the team and back with a bang! 

“I’m very excited to of joined Advance TRS and to be involved in the opening of our new London office with Craig Outhwaite. Extremely busy and exciting times ahead!”

Explains Victoria. 

If you are a QS, at any level, with Civil Engineering experience, and you are feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and just a bit meh about your role, then please get in contact with the team who has various roles with contractors, subcontractors and consultancies that may be your perfect job. Even if you are not ready to make the move just yet, they would love to meet you for a coffee and chat about the market, and what your perfect role would look like, so can contact you in the future about suitable opportunities.

Check out our latest roles and opportunities.

The new London office will specialise in the recruitment of Commercial (Quantity Surveyors’) Rail and Civil staff for “blue chip” clients across the UK. The team are currently recruiting Commercial Managers/Directors, Estimating Managers, Managing Quantity Surveyors and all other levels of Quantity Surveyors, Estimators as well as Risk Managers and procurement staff for major rail projects and frameworks including HS2. 

Join the Team

Are you working in London and looking for a new opportunity in engineering recruitment? We are looking to expand our team from our London office. Find out more about working life at Advance TRS or contact our Head of Talent Acquisition, Jessica Wells, to find out about our opportunities across all three offices and all built environment teams. 

This October our Director of Client Services & Rail Signalling, Sam Jennings will be taking part in Railway Children’s Ride Vietnam Challenge. As a novice cyclist, Sam will be confronting a challenging 450km cycle across 7 days in 30 degrees, on a (barely used) bike!

Please support Sam to raise money for this excellent cause and donate via his JustGiving page.

“Having never previously ridden a bike without balancing a child on the back, it seemed like a great opportunity to take on a huge personal challenge and raise money that will go to support some of the most vulnerable children in the world”

shares Sam Jennings.

So far Sam has completed over 500 miles training in the saddle, with 340 miles travelled through a very hot July! Lots of water, sun cream and only the one puncture so far to date to report as Sam hits the halfway mark on his donations target and only 2 months to go! In the next few weeks, Sam faces a step up in training with 100 miles a week to complete.

The trip itself will see Sam spend between six and eight hours in the saddle each day, travelling across waterways and plantations on unpaved and dusty roads, slightly different surfaces to the hills he will be training on but all part of the challenge for a true bike novice!

Sam Challenge Charity
Sam Jennings continues training for the Ride Cambodia Challenge this October

Sam has previously completed the London Marathon raising over £2,500 for Action for Children but is a complete newbie to the world of cycling and hoping to make the challenge worth whilst by beating his previous total.

Giving Back

Since Advance TRS was established in 2011, advancing less fortunate people has always been a central motivator for founder Andy Ridout and the Advance TRS team. To date, our staff have raised over £65,000 for charities completing an incredible array of personal challenges to raise money and awareness for those less fortunate. Find out more.

Railway Children

Advance TRS has been a long term supporter and partner of Railway Children and the Rail Aid campaign. Railway Children is an international children’s charity that funds rescue workers and street teams that seek out vulnerable children living on the streets before potential abusers get to them first. Our staff have completed a number of challenges to raise money and awareness for the charity including Three Peaks By Rail, Three Ironman’s, a trek up Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp. Find out more about how Railway Children support children in need.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Aecom wins Network Rail Scotland contract

Network Rail has appointed Aecom to undertake civil engineering consultancy services on rail lines in Scotland. Read more…

Network Rail sets out targets to combat global warming

Network Rail has revealed new science-based targets to tackle global warming. Read more…

HS2 Chilterns tunnel vent shaft headhouse designs revealed

HS2 Ltd has revealed the final design for the Little Missenden vent shaft headhouse, which will provide ventilation and emergency access to the railway’s 16km-long Chilterns tunnel. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Siemens Mobility announces Goole apprenticeships

The first jobs at Siemens Mobility’s Goole train building factory have been announced as 12 apprenticeships. Read more…

HS2 work uncovers Curzon Street roundhouse

Archaeologists working on HS2 in Birmingham have uncovered the remains of what is believed to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at Curzon Street station. Read more…

Seven bridges face renewal in major rail project

Confirmation has come from Network Rail that a £10M plan to update rail in Somerset will take place over the next two weeks. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Turner & Townsend take on Sydney Metro West role

Management specialist Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide project management office (PMO) services on Sydney’s Metro West scheme. Read more…

Alstom’s world-first hydrogen train completes tests in the Netherlands

After ten days of successful tests, Alstom’s Coradia iLint train ran 65 kilometres of line between Groningen and Leeuwarden in the northern area of the Netherlands. Read more…

Birmingham HS2 Interchange build begins

Preparatory work is almost complete on the site of HS2’s new Interchange station that will serve Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham International. Major structures have started to arrive ahead of construction. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail invests over £100m to upgrade network over Easter

Network Rail is encouraging passengers to check and plan their journeys in advance over Easter this year due to planned improvement works. Read more…

‘Changing’ CrossCountry appoints regional directors

CrossCountry has announced the appointment of four regional directors with responsibility for operational and financial performance at the franchise, which is held by Arriva under a directly-awarded contract that currently runs to October 2020. Read more…

DfT greenlights ‘high quality’ Crossrail 2 business case

The Department for Transport (DfT) has rubber stamped the business case for Crossrail 2, which includes a funding update and a plan to avoid delays. Read more…

HS2 West Midlands-Crewe link takes next step

A motion has been agreed in the House of Commons on the HS2 link between the West Midlands and Crewe. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Work begins on £450M West Midlands metro extension

The Midlands Metro Alliance has started work on the £450M, 11km long metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Read more…

Masterton takes over HS2’s assurance panel

Former ICE President Gordon Masterton has been appointed chair of the Independent Assurance Panel (IAP) for High Speed 2, which peer reviews and provides procurement advice to the railway builder. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Alstom to take over Bombardier

Alstom, French multinational company who operate worldwide in rail transport markets, are set to take over Canadian train producer Bombardier. Read more…

New minister for HS2 named

Lancashire MP Andrew Stephenson has been appointed as minister for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Read more…

HS2’s latest designs for Old Oak Common Station revealed

HS2 Ltd revealed on 19th Feb designs for Old Oak Common Station, as part of the Schedule 17 submission to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Read more…

Network Rail launches £200M framework

Network Rail has begun the search for contractors to work on the rail network in southern England as part of a new £200M framework. Read more…

New structure replaces 129-year-old Dorset bridge

Network Rail has finished building the new Yetminister rail bridge in Dorset. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

HS2: Government to give high-speed rail line the go-ahead

The government is set to approve the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project. Read more…

Transport for the South East welcomes new partners

Network Rail, Highways England and Transport for London (TfL) have agreed to join the board for Transport for the South East, whilst working together with civic and business leaders representing more than 7.5m people and 300,000 businesses to form investment plans for the South East’s transport network. Read more…

Atkins wins rail role on Germany-Denmark tunnel

Atkins has secured a contract to provide consultancy services for the 18km Fehmarnbelt link between Denmark and Germany. Read more…

Network Rail awards five-year term to Jacobs for Design Services

Network Rail has awarded places on four Lots to Jacobs for their prestigious Design Services Framework (DSF), to deliver multi-disciplinary technical and professional services, including geotechnical, civils and structures capability. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail revitalisation | Potential of Shapps’ £500M fund

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has set aside £500M to reopen disused rail lines and stations. So what is the history behind these abandoned lines – and what precedent has been set for their revitalisation? Read more…

Amey teams up with University for railway engineering apprenticeship

Amey Consulting has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a trailblazing Railway Engineering degree apprenticeship scheme to help attract new talent into the railway industry. Read more…

Scotland set for £1.26bn of rail investment

The Scottish Government has published its budget for 2020/21, revealing a “bold and ambitious programme” to develop the country’s infrastructure. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Race starts for £570m Birmingham HS2 station

HS2 has fired the starting gun on bidding for Birmingham’s landmark Curzon Street station. Read more…

£500m promised by Government to restore historic rail lines

Remote communities across the country will see the benefit from better rail connections, set to advance regional economies and boost access to jobs and education, following a £500m fund to kickstart the restoration of lines closed over 50 years ago. Read more…

Bid submitted for £100m Darlington station regeneration

Tees Valley Combined Authority has submitted a bid to government for the funds needed to ‘dramatically overhaul’ Darlington railway station. Read more…

Avanti West Coast model train set to be auctioned for children’s charity

To raise money for children’s charity, Action for Children, the very first Hornby Avanti West Coast Pendolino is set to be auctioned off and expected to raise hundreds of pounds. Read more…

Two new stations lined up for central section of East West Rail

The preferred route for the central section of the East West Rail line has been revealed, with plans to build two new stations. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail unveils plan to protect South West rail line

Network Rail has unveiled an updated plan to protect rail lines in the South West from cliff falls, landslips and the sea. Read more…

Birmingham tram extension approved

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has approved plans for the delayed Eastside extension to the West Midland Metro tramway. Read more…

Plans for £22M Leeds station submitted

ADP Architects have submitted plans for a £22M station to open in the south-west of Leeds, called White Rose Rail Station. Read more…

New tech-enabled trains are putting passengers in control

This year, nine operators are introducing new and upgraded trains with better technology on board, which are part of the industry’s commitment to replace half of Britain’s train fleet new for old. Read more…

Engineering expertise in Northern’s £100m investment

Rail operator, Northern, has published insight into the processes and engineering expertise involved with its current £100m investment into its trains. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

150-year-old West Midlands tunnel set for revamp

Network Rail has announced it will be completing a £2M repair job on the historic Old Hill tunnel in Rowley Regis, near Birmingham. Read more…

Transport for Wales opens metro infrastructure hub

Transport for Wales has announced the opening of the South Wales Metro Infrastructure Hub. Read more…

Balfour Beatty electrifies rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff

Balfour Beatty has completed the electrification of 77km of the Great Western Railway (GWR) rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff. Read more…

Alstom wins £642 million contract with Avanti for Pendolino refurbishment and maintenance

Alstom has won a seven-year deal with Avanti West Coast worth £642 million for the refurbishment and maintenance of 56 Class 390 Pendolinos. Read more…

£1.7m investment from Network Rail to protect famous viaduct

The viaduct which was been featured in the Harry Potter series is the latest Network Rail project. Work has begun the protect the railway from possible landslips and rock-falls from the hillsides and embankments. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Shapps pledges £500M to reopen rail lines and revamp stations

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has pledged £500M to “reinvigorate” railways in the north of England. Read more…

Plans revealed to invigorate North-East rail network

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced a commitment to reviving the North-East rail network, outlining how new investment will boost the network and level up infrastructure across the country. Read more…

EIC announces Network Rail collaboration to optimise UK railways

The Energy Innovation Council (EIC) has announced a new collaboration with Network Rail which will see it support the rail company in continuing to deliver reliable and sustainable power to its infrastructure. Read more…

Electric rail services underway for South Wales passengers

This week rail passengers in South Wales are benefitting from electric services for the first-time following Network Rail’s successful completion of electrification of the railway between Cardiff Central and London Paddington. Read more…

Greater Anglia launches new intercity trains on Norwich-London route

Greater Anglia ran the first of its ten Class 745 intercity electric multiple units in passenger traffic on January 8, when its 745007 formed the 0740 Norwich-London Liverpool Street. Read more…

£642m deal secured between Alstom and Avanti West Coast

The new West Coast Mainline operator, Avanti West Coast, have secured a seven-year deal worth precisely £642 million with Alstom, who will refurbish and maintain the routes of 56 electric Pendolino trains. Read more…

Network Rail names winners of £640m design services deal

Network Rail has revealed the firms it will use to deliver design services across the country. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Heritage award presented to Network Rail

The National Railway Heritage have presented Network Rail with an award for their refurbishment of the South Esk viaduct at Montrose. Read more…

Northern Line Extension contractors prioritise workers’ mental health

Contractors working on the Northern Line Extension programme have revealed how they are attempting to improve mental health within the construction industry. Read more…

GTR start roll out of 200 more defibrillators in stations

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is continuing its roll out of life saving defibrillators at stations across its network. Read more…

Birmingham powers up battery operated trams

Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) has unveiled the first tram in the UK to run on battery power along a line without the need for overhead cables. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

GWR confident of smooth December timetable change

Ahead of a major timetable change on December 15, Great Western Railway is confident it will not be affected by problems similar to those suffered by the industry in May 2018. Read more…

Green light for ‘802s’ to continue Dawlish running

Class 802s can still operate along the Dawlish Sea Wall in stormy conditions, Great Western Railway has told RAIL. Read more…

£350m contract for Hitachi Rail to build new Avanti West Coast trains

Hitachi Rail awarded a contract worth more than £350m by First Trenitalia, whose new Avanti West Coast rail service starts on the 8th of December, to maintain and prove 23 new intercity trains. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Eurostar and Thalys could merge in 2021

The planned merger of Eurostar and Thalys should happen in 2021 if plans are agreed by shareholders. Read more…

Hull Trains prepares to introduce its five brand-new Hitachi bi-modes

New Hitachi Class 802/3 bi-modes are due to enter traffic between London King’s Cross and Hull from early December. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail Industry Ambassadors set to help shape the future of rail

Young Rail Professionals have announced in support of their mission to promote the rail industry as a great place to work, they’re recruiting Rail Industry Ambassadors to visit schools, colleges and universities and career fairs. Read more…

Amulet wins PFM award for work with C2C

Amulet, the specialist security business of the Churchill group has won the Partners in Expert Services – Public Sector for its partnership with train operator, Trenitalia Limited (trading as C2C). Read more…

Network Rail extends Ganymede labour supply deal

Network Rail has extended its labour supply deal with Derby-based agency Ganymede by a further year to March 2021. Read more…

Eurostar celebrates 25th birthday with first plastics-free train

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Eurostar has committed to a number of environmental measures including the running of the first plastic-free train. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Modernised Govia Thameslink Railway fleet improve energy efficiency

Govia Thameslink Railway are now recycling over 50% more energy back into the railway network, helping to power the fleet and making them more energy efficient than any previous generations of trains. Read more…

Edenbridge station refurbishment completed as part of £1.25bn Kent upgrade

A £500,000 upgrade at Edenbridge station in Kent has been completed by Network Rail. Read more…

£20bn of rail schemes to be delivered in 2020

The Rail Delivery Group has outlined the latest details of its £20bn investment in improving services and upgrading infrastructure on the network. Read more…

Network Rail charity partner says workforce mental health is paramount

The Health and Safety Executive’s annual figures for Great Britain, the Managing Director of Mates in Mind, has urged employers to ensure that they are investing in their workforce following a recent report. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Telent awarded Network Rail station wi-fi contract

Network Rail has awarded Telent Technology a contract to roll-out free passenger wi-fi with ‘seamless connectivity and single sign-on’ at the 20 major stations which it manages directly. Read more…

New uncertainty over status of HS2 review

The ‘make or break’ review into the future of HS2 being carried out by Douglas Oakervee and Lord (Tony) Berkeley may have been delayed by wider political uncertainties, including the possibility of a General Election, according to the Government’s critics. Read more…

Keighley station set for £4m upgrade

Network Rail has announced an investment of over £4m into the upgrade of Keighley station, improving services and experiences for the 1.7 million annual passengers. Read more…

Network Rail closes in on appointments for East Coast ETCS partners

Network Rail is in the final stages of appointing traffic management and system integration partners for its Digital Railway Transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line. Read more…

London’s Docklands Light Railway will receive New Thales technology

122 million passengers are set to have their journeys improved following Thales’ signing of a new contract to support DLR’s rolling stock replacement programme, which will help bring more regular and reliable journeys in East London from 2023. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Arup and Network Rail publish innovative report on ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’

Arup, in partnership with Network Rail, have published their ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’ report, exploring the exciting part that stations will play in our towns and cities. Read more…

Welsh SMEs invited to bid for £738M South Wales Metro project

Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched plans to involve local firms in the delivery of the £738M South Wales Metro. Read more…

Ilford and Romford station enhancement contract

Network Rail has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick a £20m contract to complete the upgrading of Ilford and Romford stations in east London for the Crossrail project. Read more…

HS2 JV reveals how it fast-tracked Birmingham design

Consultants working for the Balfour Beatty/Vinci joint venture (BBV JV), which has won the High Speed 2 (HS2) N1 and N2 main works civils contract, have revealed how they fast-tracked the stage 1 design. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Two Network Rail leaders internationally recognised among most influential women in engineering

The Financial Times has selected two Network Rail leaders to appear on the most influential females in engineering list. Read more…

Crossrail’s Paddington service plans revealed

Trains from London Paddington Crossrail station to Shenfield will begin six months after trains start serving the low-level station from other destinations. Read more…

Coming soon to a station near you?

Robots could be guiding passengers around stations in the future, under plans revealed by Hitachi this week. Read more…

Transport secretary approves Northampton rail depot plans

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given the green light to plans submitted for the Northampton Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, a huge rail depot located to the south of Northampton. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Oakervee review looks at axing HS2 to Leeds

The eastern leg of HS2 from the East Midlands to Sheffield and Leeds could be scrapped, according to reports. Read more…

Macho culture blamed for ‘toxic masculinity’ within engineering sector

Masculinity is a “prison” burdening male engineers with unrealistic expectations and causing a mental health crisis within the industry, a study has concluded. Read more…

Barhale to divert water mains for HS2 access

Barhale has been appointed by Affinity Water to direct water mains in West London ahead of High Speed 2 construction. Read more…

Class 20s redeployed on railhead treatment train and freight duties

Class 20s owned by Harry Needle Railroad Company have been resurrected for hire duties after a long-term deal with GB Railfreight came to an end in the summer. Read more…

Jet-washing trains begin work in Kent and Sussex to remove leaves on the line

Network Rail have deployed jet-washing trains onto the lines in Kent and Sussex, where they will be travelling the equivalent of four times round the Earth in order to clean the railway. Read more…

‘Quick-thinking’ ScotRail employee nominated for lifesaver award

On World Mental Health Day, a ScotRail employee has been nominated for a top award after his rapid response to noticing and helping a vulnerable person. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Mace wins role on £200M Yorkshire train factory project

Mace has been appointed by Siemens Mobility to support the delivery of a new £200M train factory in East Yorkshire. The firm will provide project and cost management services, health and safety work, and environmental expertise. Read more…

Target cost and timescale revealed for Coventry very light rail scheme

The target cost and timescale for a new very light rail (VLR) system in Coventry has been set out with the aim of having the first phase open to passengers by 2024. Read more…

Improved rail services for East Anglia

Greater Anglia’s transformation of the East Anglia is set to continue later this year with a complete fleet of new trains. Read more…

Network Rail teams up with universities on research

Network Rail is to invest a minimum of £10 million on working with universities to boost research and development. Read more…

Paddington-Reading Crossrail trains to begin running from December 15

TfL Rail will operate trains between London Paddington and Reading from December 15. They will form part of the planned Crossrail service, and replace existing Great Western Railway services. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Manchester Metrolink’s greener future

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are to renew and upgrade Manchester Metrolink’s electrical infrastructure in a bid to support and maintain TfGM’s green transport strategy for the city. Read more…

West Midlands HS2 interchange station development granted up to £20m

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has agreed to fund up to £20m for a UK Central Hub in Solihull alongside the HS2 station development. Read more…

New power research to be aided by veteran train

A veteran train which was built by British Rail around 40 years ago is to play a key part in research into alternative power sources. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

New railway station between Hinckley and Nuneaton receives backing

Plans for a new railway station between Hinckley and Nuneaton looks set to go ahead following backing from councillors. Read more…

Government paves way for next phase of East West Rail

The decision, which follows a public consultation on the line, paves the way for the project to apply for a development consent order from the Department for Transport which would formally authorise the line. Read more…

Prime Minister urged to support £3.5bn Midlands rail plan

Midlands Connect has unveiled an ambitious plan to move ahead with seven rail projects in the region, which are designed to be co-ordinated with HS2. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

HS2 review to consider changes north of Birmingham

The government-ordered Oakervee review is to rule on proposed changes to the northern section of High Speed 2 (HS2) tabled by Midlands Connect. Read more…

Sicat joins Network Rail’s UK Master Series

With the need to electrify significant parts of Great Britain’s rail network to meet rail decarbonisation targets, the industry continues to design and develop innovative solutions that will deliver improved value over the life cycle of an asset. Read more…

Gian Paolo Gotelli to head up TX Logistik

Rail logistics group TX Logistik has appointed Gian Paolo Gotelli as its new CEO. Read more…

TfL kicks off major rail infrastructure improvement framework

Transport for London (TfL) has kicked off its search for interested parties to take part in its major London rail infrastructure improvement framework agreement. Read more

Network Rail to fund projects to improve tunnel safety

Network Rail has launched a £3M fund and invited organisations to submit projects which can help improve safety and efficiency in tunnels or improve station security. Read more

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Northern Line heat exchange to warm 1,000 homes

Heat from the Northern Line is set to be captured and used to warm homes in Islington as part of an attempt to capture more “waste heat” in the capital. Read More…

World first as solar connected to railway line

The first in the world Riding Sunbeams project to power the Wessex railway route with solar power has taken a major step forward after the solar powered signalling and lighting system was switched on, on the Wessex route. Read More…

Anglia rail upgrades set to improve passenger journeys

Following major upgrades to the Anglia rail network, carried out by Network Rail, passengers are set to benefit from greatly improved journeys. The improvements were made as part of the company’s Rail Upgrade Plan across Essex and North London, and saw all of the projects delivered on time over the August bank holiday. Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail reveals detailed £2.9bn upgrade plans for TransPennine route

Major station upgrades and plans to rebuild and electrify an 8-mile stretch of track have been put forward by Network Rail as part of a public consultation on a major upgrade to the TransPennine route. Read More…

Aldershot railway line to be directly powered by solar farm in ‘world first’

A Network Rail pilot scheme will see the world’s first solar farm to power a railway line directly in Aldershot, in Hampshire. Read More…

Leeds puts out call for ideas for new mass transit system

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has issued a global call for ideas to develop a new mass transit system for the Leeds City Region. Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail submits indicative bid for troubled British Steel

Railway infrastructure company Network Rail have submitted an indicative bid to take over parts of British Steel in an attempt to save the troubled business. The state-owned company are concerned about disruption to the rail network if British Steel were to permanently close.  Read More…

Plans for Cardiff’s £1bn transport network unveiled

The network proposes a new ‘Cardiff Cross Rail’, a new light rail and tram system running from east to west of the city. Speaking at a Welsh Government Conference on Active Travel, council leader Cllr Huw Thomas called for major changes to the city’s transport infrastructure.  Read More…

Hydrogen trains could replace local electrification

Local commuter trains powered by hydrogen could replace the need for electrification on smaller routes, an industry expert has suggested.  Read More…

TfW starts work on £100m South Wales Metro depot

Transport for Wales (TfW) has begun work on a £100m depot for the South Wales Metro to support vehicles on the system. The depot at Taff’s Well is set to play a key part in the network which aims to be running from 2022, part of a wider £5bn investment to transform Wales’ transport infrastructure.  Read More…

‘The challenge of completing Crossrail’

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at how things went wrong. As has been extensively reported, Crossrail is around two years late and, if all its £17.6bn of funding is used, could end up costing around £3bn more than expected.  Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Diversity and inclusion: The shape of things to come

How the organisation developing the UK’s new high-speed rail network is changing the industry’s diversity and inclusion practices. Mark Lomas joined HS2 as its head of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in January 2016. After starting out as a musician he became an EDI specialist, overseeing the development of major programmes at the Shaw Trust, the Law Society of England and Wales and the BBC. Read more…

CAF wins DLR train order

CAF has been awarded the contract to design, manufacture and supply a fleet of 43 trains for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) by Transport for London (TfL). The contract will include a Fleet Support Agreement to provide technical support services and spares supply. Based on CAF’s successful Metro vehicle design, the new five-car trains enter passenger service from 2023. Thirty-three of the trains will replace DLR’s oldest rolling stock which is nearly thirty years old and 10 will increase frequency and capacity across the network. Read more…

The 5 bidders for HS2 train order reveal their designs

Five organisations are bidding for a contract to design, manufacture and maintain the trains for the first phase of HS2. The original list was Alstom, Bombardier, Hitachi, Siemens and Talgo. When Bombardier and Hitachi decided to make a joint bid, CAF was added to the list to maintain five bidders. The first phase, for at least 54 trains to run on both HS2 and the ‘classic’ network, is likely to be ordered in Spring 2020 with a contract value of around £2.75 billion. Read more…

WWII bomb-damaged signal box celebrates 120 years

A doodlebug, a blast-injured signaller and one of the longest frames on the South Eastern railway – Maidstone West signal box has had an extraordinary history. The Grade II listed box turned 120 years old on June 4 but remains fully operational. In fact, it’s one of the last remaining examples of the original signal box design by Evans O’Donnell &Co. Read more…

How to upgrade a railway station

Station upgrades are important to our efforts to put passengers at the heart of what we do. Such improvements can range from more room for passengers in the station and on platforms to improved railway infrastructure around the station for better journeys. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Week on the Network

We cater for 4.8m rail journeys every single day, while simultaneously delivering an ambitious, multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan. Watch their video of the week on the network here

A train journey on the Midland Main Line 15 years from now…

A mere 15 years from now, a description of a rail journey from London to Sheffield could include an explanation of how part of the journey will be clean and green under electric power and the rest will be driven by dirty diesels. Read more…

No excuse for derailing station IT

Are you truly a commuter until you’ve reached a mainline station at 6pm on a muggy summer Friday evening and experienced the dreaded digital signage failure? Read more…

From the archive: WWII and the railway

This D-Day – 75 years since Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy – we uncover fascinating images of the railway’s preparations for conflict in Europe. Read more…

The skills bottleneck: Dealing with growing apprenticeship demand

The Network Rail Engineering Technician apprenticeship program develops the technicians, team leaders, supervisors, managers, and engineers of the future. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail works hard to improve the railway each week

Last week on the network with Network Rail, watch here…

Work starts on Horden station, County Durham

Construction of a new station at Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, has commenced and should be complete by Spring 2020. Read more…

How we’re improving journeys through fewer speed restrictions

Handing back the railway to passenger services at a higher speed is a top priority for our engineers. Read more…

Birmingham Moor Street vision embraces the future and celebrates the past

Over the years, many of Birmingham’s beautiful, historic buildings have been lost to the bulldozers.  Read more…

International Archives Week – Network Rail

This International Archives Week – 3 to 9 June – highlights how archives put people at the heart of information. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Welsh Water to restore reservoir to natural state

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has begun a project to return a decommissioned reservoir to its natural state, in a move that will create walking opportunities and enhance the environment. Read more…

Reading between the lines

Today we might take the ability to read and write for granted – but not so long ago that wasn’t a given. In an industry like rail, so dependent on the written word, via rules, regulations and more, difficulties with reading, in particular, might have had real safety implications. Read more…

Plan for UK’s biggest plastics recycling plant

Waste specialist Viridor has unveiled plans to build what will be the UK’s biggest plastics recycling plant at Avonmouth. Read more…

Property transactions up in April – despite fall in demand

In April, the number of property sales agreed per estate agency branch increased to the highest level seen since October, according to the latest data from the NAEA. Read more…

Staffordshire Uni £40m skills hub approved

Staffordshire University has got the planning green light for its £40m Catalyst building. Read more…


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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail unveils new regional managing directors

Network Rail has announced five new regional managing directors as part of its “evolution” towards a more passenger-focused approach. Read more…

Evolution not revolution

Metal wheels on metal rails have, for almost 200 years, provided energy-efficient transport due to their low rolling resistance and effective load bearing. Read more…

Late May bank holiday works complete – Network Rail

Our huge team worked round the clock this late May bank holiday weekend to carry out vital upgrades for passengers. Read more…

Technical Seminars at Railtex – Keynote Speeches Revised

The Technical Seminar programme, arranged and hosted by Rail Engineer, gives Railtex exhibitors the opportunity to talk about their latest developments to an enquiring and knowledgeable audience. Read more…

How rail timetabling works

A new rail timetable went live on May 19, introducing 1,000 new services every day. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

RailStaff Awards: A conduit for change

When Lee Woolcott-Ellis was recognised at the 2018 RailStaff Awards, it launched a roller coaster ride that he’s yet to get off.  Read more…

Young Rail Professionals: A call to action

Before joining the rail group, I had the privilege of moving between different sectors – most recently higher education. Read more…

Railway Children to reconquer Kilimanjaro

Think back to 2009 and you might remember watching a group of celebrities take on the challenge of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day.  Read more…

Military is good for rail

Stewart Thorpe finds out why so many service leavers turn to and succeed in the industry. Read more…

The value of community rail

A new report from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) has evaluated the benefits of the community rail movement to individuals, local areas and society. Read more…


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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

5G: An opportunity to revolutionise on-train connectivity

FirstGroup and its partners are excited to be close to delivering a viable 5G millimetre Wave (mmWave) solution to the global rail market; one that can offer connectivity which until now, seemed unattainable. Read more…

Environment Minister launches major Hull flood alleviation scheme

Construction of one of the biggest flood defence schemes in the country was officially launched by the Environment Minister in Hull yesterday (Thursday 16 May). Read more…

Affordable and build to rent homes lift Countryside

Housebuilder Countryside lifted completions by 43% to 2,362 homes in the first half of the year, after strong growth in affordable and build to rent homes. Read more…

Making the railways safer and more reliable with Ze-Power

Professor Meiling Zhu, chair of mechanical engineering and head of the Energy Harvesting Research Group (EHRG) at the University of Exeter, introduces us to Ze-Power (Zero Power, Large Area Rail Track Monitoring): an innovative Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded project aiming to make the railway tracks safer and more reliable. Read more…

Waitrose & Partners reveals winners of £1million fund to fight plastic pollution

Waitrose & Partners has revealed the projects it will be supporting with its unique £1 million grant fund designed to tackle plastic pollution. Read more…

1,000 new homes for Cardiff by 2020

The authority’s Capital Ambition targets at least 1,000 new council homes to be completed by May 2022. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Passengers set to benefit following early May bank holiday upgrades

A workforce of thousands across the country delivered renewed infrastructure and improved facilities – leading to better services for passengers. Read more…

Bond Street a year behind other Crossrail stations due to tunnelling problems

Crossrail’s Bond Street station is a year behind schedule compared to the rest of the project’s stations because of extensive tunnelling delays, Mark Wild has revealed. Read more…

Ex-HS2 manager reveals route design complexities

A former High Speed 2 (HS2) area manager has pinpointed two major challenges facing route designers working on the southern half of the project.  Read more…

Five things you didn’t know about our fleet – Network Rail

Our fleet of vehicles and machinery works hard all year round.

It plays a crucial role in keeping the railway safe for passengers and freight operators, such as each autumn, when 61 specialist trains and vehicles minimise the impact of leaf fall and help reduce the chances of delays. Read more…

First new driverless Subway trains arrive in Glasgow for testing

The first of Glasgow’s new subway fleet has arrived in Scotland and begun an intensive testing programme in preparation for their launch as the first driverless trains in the UK. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail ‘From the archive: the Royal Albert Bridge’

Ten years ago, we gave one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s most famous structures a new lease of life. Read more…

Network Rail awards £750m of major signalling contracts for CP6

Network Rail has announced the winners of six major signalling and telecoms contracts worth a total of £750m across Control Period 6. Read more…

Network Rail: The challenges of working in tunnels

Ever wondered what it takes to look after thousands of tunnels?
re responsible for 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts as well as 20,000 miles of track. Read more…

UNIFE releases vision paper on Digital Trends in the Rail Sector

UNIFE, the Association of the European Rail Industry, has released a new vision paper on digitalisation that aims to bring the European rail supply industry’s views and objectives into the centre of the digital debate. Read more…

‘Cautionary’ welcome for Crossrail rescue plan

A NEW plan to rescue Crossrail and open the Elizabeth Line as soon as possible has been developed by senior managers and agreed by the Crossrail board. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

New map aids disabled passengers and informs others

A new Access Map has been introduced to guide disabled people, and others with mobility difficulty, of the facilities available at each railway station in the country. Read more…

Helium balloons causing ‘increasing number of train delays’ at cost of £1m

Helium-filled balloons are causing hundreds of train delays at a cost of £1m in taxpayer money every year, Network Rail has revealed. Read more…

Dawlish sea wall gets council planning approval with construction to begin in May

Plans for an £80m sea wall to protect the Dawlish coastal rail line from extreme weather have been by approved by Teignbridge District Council. Read more…

What’s the National Operations Centre and how does it help passengers?

At the heart of the railway is a little-known team of dedicated specialists.

How does it help keep trains moving? How does it plan for severe weather? And what does it have to do with football? Read more here…

Crossrail station designer wins Queen’s Award

Crossrail station designer WestonWilliamson & Partners (WW&P) has bagged a Queen’s Award for exporting its expertise. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Brexit impasse continues to challenge the market – RICS

The housing market remained subdued in March, a picture that has been evident in the sales market for several months now, according to our latest UK Residential Market Survey. Read more…

Green light for £60m Commonwealth Games pool

A £60m aquatic centre which will host events for the 2022 Commonwealth Games has been given the final go-ahead. Read more…

Water companies launch World Water Innovation Fund

Water companies including Severn Trent and United Utilities are joining forces to form the World Water Innovation Fund, which aims to find, develop and accelerate the ground- breaking technologies that will make a real difference to peoples’ lives across the world. Read more…

Branson says Virgin Trains could be gone by November after ‘baffling’ DfT franchise decision

Virgin Trains could disappear from Britain’s railways by the end of the year, Sir Richard Branson has announced after the government disqualified its joint franchise bid with Stagecoach. Read more…

Every second counts – new measures of train punctuality

Train operators and Network Rail are set to publish new measures for train punctuality as part of plans to reduce delays across the network and boost customer satisfaction. From April, up to the minute train performance data will be used as the primary method for measuring punctuality. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Week on the Network – Network Rail

Network Rail works hard to improve the railway each week, you can see their ‘week on the network’ video here.

Network Rail announces CP6 spending plans of £42 billion

Network Rail has released its plans for Control Period 6, which starts on 1 April 2019. These show how the company intends to spend over £42 billion over the five years of CP6 (2019-2024) on maintaining and renewing the railway with the aim of increasing reliability and improving performance. Read more…

Funding sign-off for first half of HS2 construction delayed by ministers

Ministers have delayed signing off on the first half of funding for HS2 over concerns about the flagship rail project’s spiralling costs. Read more…

Northumberland line could reopen for passengers in 2022

Northumberland County Council’s plans to reopen the line from Newcastle upon Tyne to Ashington via Blyth to passenger services by 2022 have taken a step forward with the completion of the Strategic Outline Business Case for the plan. Read more…

UK Government announces support for feasibility study into Borders Railway extension

The UK Government has announced its backing for a feasibility study into an extension of the Borders Railway. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Week on the Network

You can find Network Rails ‘Week on the Network’ here.

Government gives ‘hugely important’ £208m Belfast Transport Hub the green light

A new £208m Belfast Transport Hub with major rail and bus connections has been granted planning permission by the Department of Infrastructure. Read more…

ScotRail submits £18m improvement plan in response to government improvement notice

Under-fire train operator ScotRail has unveiled an £18m remedial plan to recruit more staff and bring in additional high-speed trains in response to the government’s improvement demands last month. Read more…

Easter engineering work “quietest for many years”

Although some routes will experience significant disruption, Network Rail said its Easter engineering work is “the quietest for many years” and will leave the majority of the country unaffected. Read more…

Major redevelopment plans for Edinburgh Waverley station unveiled

Network Rail has launched a consultation on a multi-million long-term redevelopment plan for Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Network Rail: Week on the Network

Network Rail works hard to improve the network each week, here’s their weekly update, read more…

LNER trains for East Coast Main Line given approval to enter passenger services

New LNER rolling stock for the East Coast Main Line (ECML) has received approval for its Class 800 Azuma trains to enter passenger service. Read more…

We’re investing over £100m in the railway this Easter

This Easter we’ll deliver more than £100m of investment in a better railway. A 13,800-strong workforce will work around the clock to keep the railway open and deliver more reliable infrastructure, improved facilities and services for passengers. Read more…

Rail minister gives boost to Hull-Manchester Airport direct rail link

Rail minister Andrew Jones has pledged to look at the options for a direct train service from Hull to Manchester Airport. Read more…

Midland main line electrification extended

Network Rail has been instructed to design an extension of the Midland main line electrification programme from Kettering to Market Harborough station, rail minister Andrew Jones has confirmed. Read more…

SWR and Porterbrook trial new emission-slashing rail technology

Groundbreaking emission-reducing technology is to be fitted to South Western Railway (SWR) train units as part of a new trial aiming to cut down harmful emissions from diesel trains by 80%. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Week on the Network

See what Network Rail have been up to this week, read more…

Liverpool Lime Street station remembers its past with unique display

Liverpool Lime Street station has had a thorough overhaul recently, with new platforms, signalling and track. But its heritage has not been forgotten as three slabs from the original station platforms, dating from 1836, have been included as part of the rebuild. Read more…

Final 100mph speed checks made on electrified Manchester to Preston railway

Final checks have been made on the newly electrified railway between Manchester and Preston as a test train made its last journey over the route for the arrival of 100mph in May. Read more…

New look for West Midlands Trains across Birmingham

Passengers on the Cross City line in the West Midlands (Lichfield – Birmingham – Redditch/Bromsgrove) are starting to experience an improvement in their on-train comfort as the first of West Midlands Trains’ Class 323 units re-enters service after a substantial refit. Read more…

‘Clearer vision’ and improved joined-up working needed to deliver growth in Cambridge-Oxford arc, NIC says

The potential of the highly-anticipated Cambridge-Oxford arc project could be stunted if the government does not provide a “clearer vision and better joined-up working” to maximising the output of the corridor, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has claimed. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

 

First-time buyer numbers hit 12-year high during 2018

The latest data and analysis from UK Finance has revealed that despite ‘challenging’ market conditions and the ongoing Brexit and political circus, first-time-buyer numbers reached a 12-year peak during last year. Read more…

Rainwater used for sewer jetting in Northumbrian initiative

Northumbrian Water has started using harvested rainwater in jetting operations to clear sewer blockages, as an alternative to using clean, treated water for the purpose. Read more…

East West Rail makes ‘powerful case’ for direct services from Ipswich and Norwich to Oxford

A direct rail link between Ipswich, Norwich and Oxford could unlock £17.5bn for the East Anglia community, according to a case for investment from the East West Rail Consortium (EWRC). Read more…

SSE becomes last of the big six to raise prices for customers

SSE has become the sixth and final large energy supplier to announce it is raising its standard variable tariff (SVT) to Ofgem’s revised price cap level. Read more…

£200m Port of Tilbury expansion plan approved

The Government has given the green light for the £200m expansion of the Port of Tilbury in Essex. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Network Rail: Week on the Network

Network Rail works hard to improve the network each week. Every week, we’ll highlight some of those interesting stories. Read more…

Using Data to Improve Fleet Maintenance

Rail Engineer has reported on the use of data analytics before, following attendance at Rolling Stock Maintenance conferences organised by London Business Conferences. Read more…

RMT suspends Northern strike action after “major breakthrough”

Union RMT has suspended its ongoing programme of strike action at Northern over the retention and the role of the guard on its trains. Read more…

Cutting edge technology helping Network Rail to almost double track maintenance capacity

A key part of Network Rail’s ‘predict and prevent’ strategy, Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) is helping to deliver a safer and more reliable railway for the 4.8 million passengers who rely upon it every day. Read more…

Robinson onboard for Wales

Not-for-profit government agency Transport for Wales has appointed Lee Robinson as development director for North Wales. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

 

Combating health concerns through changes in diet

With 1.7 billion people travelling by rail each year, the health of workers should be a key focus – if not the key focus – of the industry. Read more…

Long-awaited plans to build a sea wall to protect Dawlish rail line unveiled by Network Rail

Plans to build a new sea wall in the first phase of work to protect the coastal railway which connects Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the UK have been unveiled by Network Rail. Read more…

The pioneering project that could allow dozens of aspiring train operators to follow their dreams

When customer service assistant Alex Bulley successfully applied to become a London Underground train operator, it was a dream come true. Read more…

Network Rail announces new track systems contracts that will last for ten years

Network Rail has announced two (shortly to be three) track systems contracts that could cover the next 10 years and be worth around £5 billion to the successful bidders, or over £10 billion of work when the cost of free-issued materials and services is included. Read more…

Great British Bake Off finalist Ruby Bhogal reveals all about her career in rail

When Ruby Bhogal returned to work on August 30, she was greeted with a warmer reception than usual. She’d only had a day’s leave but, in the space of 36 hours, two of her big secrets were finally out. Read more…

Timing of door closure – how critical is it?

Much has been written and said in recent times about efforts to improve the throughput of trains on metro and inner suburban railways. Using CBTC has enabled 36 trains per hour (tph) to be achieved in each direction on London Underground’s Victoria Line. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Alstom/Siemens merger – new proposals

Siemens and Alstom, two major suppliers to the world’s railways, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 26 September 2017 to combine Siemens’ mobility business including its rail traction drives business with Alstom. Read more…

Mini museum opens at Liverpool Lime Street

Old railway artefacts have been put on display in a newly opened ‘mini museum’ at Liverpool Lime Street station. Read more…

Alstom and Siemens backtrack and submit new concessions for rail merger ahead of European Commission vote

Alstom and Siemens have offered new concessions to try to satisfy antitrust demands from the European Commission over their plans to merge and create a European rail champion, forcing Margrethe Vestager to reassess the merger at the last minute. Read more…

Rail freight deal unveiled by DB Cargo UK and Maritime Transport

DB Cargo UK and Maritime Transport have agreed to launch a joint intermodal division and contract out work to each other in bid to increase rail freight capacity and competition in the intermodal market. Read more…

Plans for tram-trains in Manchester unveiled as Grayling and Burnham mull expansion of Metrolink

Proposals for an expansion of Greater Manchester’s (GM) tram network are in the works, Chris Grayling and Andy Burnham have announced, with plans for greater devolved control for the region and the introduction of tram-trains being considered. Read more…

East West Rail publishes alternative routes for Bedford to Cambridge

The East West Railway Company has just released details of five alternative routes for a new railway between Bedford and Cambridge as part of the East West Rail development. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

A week on the network – Network Rail

We cater for 4.5m rail journeys every single day, while simultaneously delivering an ambitious, multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan. We’re renewing and upgrading 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges and viaducts, thousands of signals, level crossings and stations (the largest of which we also run), meaning our works have a wide-reaching impact. Read more…

New automatic braking system for London Trams

London is set to become the first in the UK to have an automatic braking system that will automatically apply the brakes, and bring a moving tram to a controlled stop, if it exceeds the speed limit at designated locations. Read more…

Station sleepout to raise funds for Railway Children

Fundraisers will be joined by Network Rail directors and so far unnamed politicians at a charitable station sleepout on January 31. Read more…

Waterloo and Derby stations heralded as exemplary rail projects

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Ceca) has championed the remodelling of Derby station and the redevelopment of London Waterloo station as exemplary projects to be learned from, in response to the government’s “root and branch” rail review. Read more…

Union launches campaign to save Glasgow rail depot

Representatives from union Unite are attempting to rally enough political support to save 180 jobs at Springburn rail depot in Glasgow. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Waboso to leave Network Rail

David Waboso, the managing director of Network Rail’s Group Digital Railway (DR), is to retire in March. Read more…

London trams to be fitted with automatic braking system in response to Sandilands recommendations

London’s tram network is to be fitted with an automatic braking system in response to safety recommendations following the fatal Croydon tram crash. Read more…

Deutsche Bahn may sell Arriva to plug multi-billion gap in finances

Deutsche Bahn (DB) reportedly wants to sell Arriva in order to plug a £3.6bn gap in its finances, although reports from Berlin say Brexit is making it hard to value the rail business. Read more…

Christmas 2018: Quiet network, busy Network Rail

While many spent the Christmas and New Year break with family and friends, a 25,000-strong workforce laboured through £148 million worth of work for Network Rail. Read more…

HS2 could run fewer and slower trains to keep within budget and schedule, warns chief executive

HS2 could be forced to run fewer trains and at slower speeds in order to keep the high-speed rail project within its £56m budget, its chief executive has said. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

175 years of progress

Electrification of the Great Western main line (GWML) reached a new milestone at the end of October when, following the installation of overhead electrical equipment from Didcot Parkway, the first revenue service operating under electric power pulled into Swindon station. Read more…

Winner Announced in the Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas  Competition

Network Rail and RIBA Competitions are delighted to announce the winner and highly commended entry in the competition seeking new design ideas for footbridges. Read more…

The past, present and future: A look at electrification of the UK’s railways

Standing here on the platforms of the electrified York station, breathing in a fog of diesel fumes from five diesel trains awaiting departure, it is easy to wonder what went wrong. Read more…

New HQ for Auctus Management Group following significant growth

Specialist infrastructure services provider Auctus Management Group (AMG), as well as its subsidiaries INFRA Skills and RSS Infrastructure (RSSI), have relocated their headquarters to a new 10,000 sq ft premises in the heart of the West Midlands. Read more…

Passengers across London reminded to check before they travel this Christmas and New Year

Rail passengers preparing for their Christmas getaway this week are being issued a final reminder to plan their journeys. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

 

Hitachi and Spencer Group join forces for £500m Tyne and Wear Metro deal bid

Hitachi and Spencer Group have launched a joint bid to win a £500m contract to build new trains and a maintenance depot for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Read more…

Balfour Beatty delivers 2-3% construction margin goal

Balfour Beatty chief Leo Quinn has achieved his goal of returning the business to industry standard margins by the end of this year. Read more…

London millennial exodus fueling rental growth across UK

Across the UK’s regional hubs, rents are continuing to spiral upwards faster than both London and the UK average, driven by workers continuing to relocate from London amid rising living costs. Read more…

Scottish Water trials use of sniffer dogs to find leaks

Sniffer dogs are being used to help find leaking water mains for the first time in Scotland and have scored a big success with two discoveries in the past few days. Read more…

Infrastructure giant Amey to be sold to private equity firm in new year

Infrastructure giant Amey is expected to be sold to a private equity firm in the new year, according to reports. Read more…

Northumbrian Water agrees ‘second life’ energy storage deal

Northumbrian Water is planning to pilot the use of large-scale battery storage at a number of sites across the North East, Essex and Suffolk. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry

 

Andrew Haines and the future of UK rail

Andrew Haines recently joined Network Rail as its new chief executive, replacing Mark Carne who had held the post since January 2014. Read more…

My life in rail: Caitlin Gent

For the first in a new series meeting rail staff at different stages of their careers, we sat down with rising rail apprentice Caitlin Gent. Read more…

Industry welcomes Rail Ombudsman

THE new Rail Ombudsman starts work today, with the aim of providing an independent judge of whether rail passengers’ complaints are justified. Read more…

Thameslink director appointed as East West Rail’s first CEO

East West Rail has announced its first chief executive as Simon Blanchflower, the programme director for Thameslink. Read more…

Major overhaul of one of country’s longest tunnels sees delays fall by a fifth

A major refurbishment of Sevenoaks tunnel has seen a 20% reduction in delays and halved journey times for passengers, even as the £21m infrastructure renewal nears completion. Read more…

 

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