Craig Waters - Articles and news items

ERTMS supplement (free to view)

Latest issue / 13 December 2011 /

Challenges across the borders with ERTMS (Justus Stern, Rolling Stock Division, Engineering & Projects, SJ AB)

Europe’s leading signalling experts raise opinions and debate – conference review of Rail Network Solutions 2011 (Craig Waters, Editor, European Railway Review) (more…)

A total renewal of the Danish signalling infrastructure

Issue 3 2010 / 31 May 2010 /

In January 2009, the Danish parliament decided to fund a €3.2 billion replacement programme of renewing all Danish railway signalling before 2021. The programme is one of its kind in Europe both in size and being unique in its approach of focusing on economies of scale and creating a competitive market situation to ensure the best possible price and quality.

The programme also introduces a step change in technology which maximises the possibilities and benefits of re-signalling the Danish railway network. Customer benefits from the programme includes: higher reliability, higher line speed at selected lines, homogenous high safety and nationwide interoperability. (more…)

A dedicated forum for the Scandinavian region

Issue 3 2010 / 31 May 2010 /

High-speed railways, major infrastructure projects, development and investment plans and market liberalisation were just some of the important topics highlighted and assessed during European Railway Review’s recent conference – Scandinavian Rail Development 2010.

Held in the stunning city of Stockholm, Sweden, at the Operakällaren, European Railway Review welcomed over 120 delegates and speakers to share and discuss knowledge of the Scandinavian railway marketplace – a region with many plans for investment and development to build and improve on its current rail infrastructure. (more…)

Discussing demand & opportunities for Poland’s rail network

Issue 3 2010 / 31 May 2010 /

On 11 and 12 of May 2010, European Railway Review organised Polish Rail Development 2010 – a comprehensive event for industry personnel to gather in one place to learn and discuss the most important issues surrounding the development of the railway market in Poland.

Held in the vibrant and historic city of Warsaw and Hosted by PKP Railway Lines S.A., Day One began with the Chairman of the event, Aleksander Domaradzki – an Independent Industry Expert – welcoming all delegates, speakers and sponsors and making clear that with the continuing volcanic ash problems, the situation continues to show how important the railway industry is. (more…)

Major network investments will help reduce UK passenger disruption

Issue 6 2009, Past issues / 12 December 2009 /

If a railway network is in need of track renewal, it is vitally important that the procedures are carried out to the best possible standards. Network downtime needs to be kept to an absolute minimum and it is therefore essential for infrastructure owners to invest heavily in high-tech track renewal technology and machinery.

Network Rail, the owner and operator of Britain’s railway infrastructure, performs work to tracks, signals, tunnels, viaducts, level crossings and stations. Network Rail aims to provide a safe, reliable and efficient network for freight and passenger trains, fit for the 21st century. It is with this in mind that they have recently announced a major commitment to achieve their own goals.

Network Rail passengers are set to reap the benefits as the infrastructure owner continues its investment in high-tech track renewals technology. This investment will ensure that disruption to the network is significantly reduced as the high-output technology will be capable of carrying out track renewal tasks much quicker than conventional methods. (more…)

Safeguarding passengers and infrastructure

Issue 5 2009, Past issues / 26 September 2009 /

On 8 and 9 September 2009, European Railway Review, together with its sister publication Eurotransport, welcomed leading industry personnel to Berlin, Germany, for Public Transport Security 2009 – an important conference to share knowledge and experience of providing safe and secure public transport systems.

The conference, held at the Westin Grand Hotel in Berlin, began with an informative Welcome Address by Hans-Werner Franz, CEO of VBB Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH who were also the hosts of the conference. Mr. Franz explained “it is our job to care about our passengers, and the system we provide must be high-quality, and high quality for me means high punctuality and frequency.” Mr. Franz continued to explain how important it is to increase the level of safety for passengers by implementing CCTV systems and placing more staff on vehicles and at stations. Mr. Franz finished his speech by stating that “passengers are always at the centre of our attention.” The Chairman of the conference, Jacques Colliard, Head of the UIC’s Security Division, commented on Mr. Franz’s speech, saying it was “very interesting and a very important start to the conference.” (more…)

Investing in rolling stock for future performance

Issue 2 2009, Past issues / 26 March 2009 /

Train operating companies obviously need reliable and robust rolling stock in order to provide efficient and effective services to their passengers. This is of course an obvious fact to point out, but an imperative issue nonetheless.

Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) needs no introduction in this German Profile issue of European Railway Review, but the company has made many recent orders for new rolling stock and I think it is important to take this opportunity to highlight the important investments that the company is making to ensure their passenger services are first class.

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Iberian Rail Development 2009 – Successfully linking the Iberian region to the rest of Europe

Issue 2 2009, Past issues / 26 March 2009 /

On 17 and 18 February 2009, European Railway Review organised the first ever Iberian Rail Development conference, held at the Lisbon Marriott Hotel, Portugal.

Attracting over 200 delegates, the conference was specifically developed to invite all industry personnel concerned with the ongoing developments for railway infrastructure and rolling stock in the Iberian region, and the links it has to the rest of Europe.

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Münster to host international permanent-way technology exhibition

Issue 2 2009, Past issues / 26 March 2009 /

Information about the IAF 2009 exhibition to be held on 21-23 April 2009 in Münster, Germany.

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Setting rolling stock technical and safety standards

Issue 4 2008, Past issues / 1 August 2008 /

Fire safety and risk assessment of rolling stock is an important aspect of our industry. To gauge an understanding of what requirements are involved and to assess what the future holds, we put four questions to the train operating company First Capital Connect, and to the notified body and railway engineering consultancy Lloyd’s Register Verification Limited. (more…)

Continuous Nordic rail development

Issue 4 2008, Past issues / 1 August 2008 /

On 16 and 17 June 2008, Nordic Rail Infrastructure, a conference organised by European Railway Review, took place at the Marriot Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The aim of the conference was to bring speakers and delegates together to enjoy informative presentations concerning major projects and developments within the Nordic region. The conference was chaired by two important industry peers; on the first day Morten Søndergaard, Programme Director of Banedanmark and on the second day Kim Andersen, Assistant Director of Technical Operations and Maintenance of Banedanmark. (more…)

FERRMED Conference: FERRMED Standards, the keystone of Rail Freight Competitiveness in Europe

Issue 4 2008, Past issues / 1 August 2008 /

On 26 June 2008, European Railway Review welcomed delegates to Brussels for the 2008 FERRMED conference to promote the development of rail freight in Europe.

FERRMED is a non-profit association of a multi-sectoral character, situated in Brussels. It was initiated in August 2004 by the private sector in order to improve competitivity by promoting the so-called FERRMED standards in the whole of the European Union and on the Great freight railway axis Scandinavia-Rhine-Rhone-Western Mediterranean.

Held at the Brussels Marriott Hotel, the conference was jointly organised between FERRMED and European Railway Review, and the event attracted over 150 delegates who were willing to learn more about this important subject and to have the opportunity to make new contacts within the industry. (more…)