Gotthard base tunnel freight tests begin. Short item also mentions carrying lorrys on cars.
New Silk Road. China opens freight traffic to Tehran, Iran:
http://english.cntv.cn/2016/02/16/VIDECx2DTRP1XB543vYtoQwG160216.shtml
The site has been very sluggish lately, so be patient.
The UK which appears to have the tighest loading guage of any European country. It is going to expand at least one route. Article does not define what the new loading guage will be ?. However it appears that the line will accomodate single containers on TOFC cars instead of well cars ?
W10 is the British loading gauge that accommodates transporting standard 9’6" high maritime containers on standard flatcars. On this map the routes shown in Green and now also the routes shown in Blue are cleared to the W10 loading gauge.
Immingham is located on the East Coast of England east of Doncaster and a little north of Grimsby on the map. It is a refining center and a busy bulk freight port, but very little containers until recently.
The map also shows the main inland container terminals. Lines shown in Yellow are proposed to have clearances raised but funding has not been authorized yet.
India RR has opened first section of its planned freight only route that will allow double stacks. Electrification is being installed presently and will be operational later requiring temporary diesel operation. Note quality of track work. Certainly looks better than the NEC ! Work is Split in 2 sections 1 - 1500+ Km and other 1800 + Km. total of 2000 + miles
Construction started February 2009 - finish 2020.
Rio Tinto completes automation of trains. Any bets how long that will last ?
https://www.railjournal.com/freight/rio-tinto-completes-automation-of-pilbara-rail-network/
Until the ore runs out.
China opens a new freight route dedicated to coal traffic. Due to China’s lack of information no indication if route iwll have passenger trains as well.ee
Australia fnially re opens Mount Isa line. Partial Passenger service begins May 11th
Opening a 272 Km line May 31 China has continued its expansion toward Batku at Kazakhstan border. This line will operate in a high wind area. Freight and 3 passenger round trips a day.
https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/asia/single-view/view/karamay-tacheng-railway-opens.html
If they could not perform construction during the 168 gale force wind days/year - will the line be safely operatable during those same gale force wind days?
Good question!
Amother good question: who the hell would want to go there.
Those that want to ‘go home’ and those that want to ‘leave home’.
China is connecting various bulk locations to national network. Also 1000Km coal haulng line complete.
https://www.railwaygazette.com/freight/china-accelerates-construction-of-freight-links/54852.article
Having been to Amarillo, TX a few times, I think we could tap into some BNSF expertise here. [:-^] IIRC the area ranchers often raise a special breed of cattle whose front hooves dig into the ground so the body can ‘weathervane’, usually toward Oklahoma. Now back to topic …
A tragic accident on a Pakistani railway just occurred. Fortunately Amtrak does not use gas stoves any more - right?
IIRC, the gas stoves were brought on by passengers, apparently much the same way that an L-1011 came down in the 70’s due to a fire started by a gas stove brought on by a passenger for making tea.
India is getting first of new freight unints into service. Photo is great ut brings up a question. Note loco has both buffers an janey coupler. Any one with any ideas ?
Russian bridge at Murmansk collaspes cutting off freight and passenger service. An alternate route under construction is supposed to be accelerated and completed this summer. Original bridge will be replaced in fall ?
Bridge built in 1930. Guess USA bridges last longer. The great russian infrastructure building construction companies fail again ?
I read somewhere that Russian bridges are designed to collapse and have pockets in them to plant explosive charges to facilitate that in the event of an invading army. Don’t know how true that is but still.
Don’t overlook the bridge collapse at Myrtlewood, AL that derailed booster rockets for the Space Shuttle in 2007.