Jordan Williams’ Post

On this week's Rail Min: Sound Transit Announces Opening for Light-Rail, Former New York Congressman Marcus Molinaro to Head Federal Transit Administration, Norfolk Southern Reports $4.3 Billion in Industrial Dev, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) has unveiled its first new trainset, and in Canada, a fleet expansion is underway with the addition of Former Metrolink Diesels Set to Join Torontos GO Transit. These stories brought to you by Railroad Software and Automated Rail.

Yesterday's wonderful announcement by South Eastern Railway that they are looking for new trains was hugely historic for UK railways. Now Siemens Mobility Alstom Hitachi Rail CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) Will have to bring brand new level boarding designs to the UK! Unlike 30 odd years ago where disabled people chained themselves to buses to demand equal access to buses, disabled people have been fighting more behind the scenes for this change, seemly with this Conservative Government more inclined to listen. Yes level boarding trains with retractable steps have been mainstream overseas for decades, so finally the UK seems to be catching on. their are still worries of old platforms around the network being of various heights (should be 915mm) and not being level with the train. but just maybe Huw Merriman maybe able to find a pot of money for these platform modifications works where needed. Remember Control Period 7 funding and Access for All funding doesn't cover this work. I understand DfT used Stadler as an experiment with their level boarding technology for Greater Anglia, which has been an roaring success. Sure, it isn't perfect, but it highlights the stations which need platform modifications. not much money was spent by Network Rail on infrastructure in order to get these trains on the network. Then we had Stadler win bids for Merseyrail and Nexus for their level boarding technology, but some say they are on their own networks, it doesn't prove the need for level boarding trains because of the platform heights variations. Rubbish! Again look at Greater Anglia, hopefully they will have their Stadler Flirt trains for 30 years plus, so plenty of time to find the money for platform modifications. Thameslink and CrossRail prove that Level Boarding from infrastructure to train (although may offer a smoother level boarding solution) gives only a handful of level boarding stations compared to the tried and trusted train to infrastructure to deliver level boarding seen in Europe and many other Countries. Kristoff van Leeuwen from Connected Places Catapult Rail division has shown early interest in maybe starting a competition to find out how we could show internally and externally on trains what the gap is between train and platform so disabled passengers, station staff etc, aren't caught out at those stations where the train and platform aren't level. So once again thanks so much to Steve White for having faith with level boarding trains and uncorking the level boarding revolution in the United Kingdom! But history will show Stadler Started it in the United Kingdom.

All Great Northern trains to Moorgate in the City of London are now controlled by digital signalling using the European Train Control System (ETCS). This system allows continuous communication between trains and the track, removing the need for trackside signals. Instead, the safe speed for trains is displayed on a screen in the driver's cab. This upgrade on the Northern City Line between Moorgate and Finsbury Park is the first phase of the £1.4bn East Coast Digital Programme. The system has been in testing for over a year, and drivers have received training through Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). The success of this system will pave the way for further digital signalling on the East Coast Mainline and eventually across the UK’s railway network. Read more here: https://heyor.ca/HefLmI #RailInnovation #DigitalSignalling #RailModernisation

Bus Stop Improvement Plan recommendations come from two-year analysis of more than 1,800 bus stops throughout the SamTrans system.  SAMTRANS April Chan https://lnkd.in/gNBmfqQ8

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today opened a public consultation seeking feedback on proposed bus service enhancements along the Wexford to Gorey bus corridor. The consultation will be open for submission until 5pm on Tuesday, 3rd January 2025 and seeks feedback on service enhancements aimed at improving connectivity in the region. To review the proposals and submit feedback, visit: https://lnkd.in/eAYai32E

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today opened a public consultation seeking feedback on proposed bus service enhancements along the Wexford to Gorey bus corridor. The consultation will be open for submission until 5pm on Tuesday, 3rd January 2025 and seeks feedback on service enhancements aimed at improving connectivity in the region. To review the proposals and submit feedback, visit: https://lnkd.in/eAYai32E

VNC LP#497 Sound Transit 3 (ST3) System The Sound Transit 3 (ST3) System Plan will improve and expand the regional mass transit system by connecting the major cities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties with light rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), express bus and commuter rail. PROPOSED ST3 PROJECTS: 1. Link Light Rail Sound Transit launched Link light rail as part of Sound Move and is expanding Link under the voter-approved Sound Transit 2 plan. 2. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Sound Transit 3 adds Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in two corridors either in principally exclusive right-of-way or in managed toll lanes that provide substantially equivalent speed and reliability as uncongested highway speeds. 3. Sounder Rail The Sounder south line capital improvement program helps meet growing demand for service by increasing system capacity and enhancing service. © Sound Transit #ST3 #infrastructure #transportation #sound transit #megaprojects

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today opened a public consultation seeking feedback on proposed bus service enhancements along the Wexford to Gorey bus corridor. The consultation will be open for submission until 5pm on Tuesday, 3rd January 2025 and seeks feedback on service enhancements aimed at improving connectivity in the region. To review the proposals and submit feedback, visit: https://lnkd.in/eAYai32E

A summer of inconvenience could one day lead to longer trains for G train riders, MTA Chair Janno Lieber said. Transit officials plan to shut down three segments of what's known as the Crosstown Line from June 28 through Sept. 3 to modernize the route’s aging infrastructure. Lieber says that once the work is complete, full-sized trains could eventually run on the G line. It's currently serviced by half-length, five-car sets that often force riders to sprint down platforms to catch an arriving train. But, Lieber says, the line needs more riders to justify longer trains. And Gov. Hochul's pause of congestion pricing may also throw a wrench into such plans. https://lnkd.in/ehgp3rt3

🔌On January 3 we completed a two-year project to upgrade signalling at Basford Hall freight depot and the lines which connect it to the West Coast Main Line in Crewe. 🚦We’ve invested £191m in the latest digital signalling technology with trains passing through this extremely busy area for passenger and freight services now controlled from our Manchester Rail Operating Centre. Here’s our short film - shot in the middle of the final 10 day railway closure so the work could take place - in one of the three traditional signal boxes which are now no longer needed - the end of one era, and the beginning of another… Louise Ward Jamie Morris Harry Milner Read more here👉 https://lnkd.in/eXz6eSbN