TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN

SCOTRAIL HST CRASHES NEAR STONEHAVEN, ABERDEEN, KILLING 3 OF THE 9 PEOPLE ON BOARD

Just as RailStaff was closing Only nine people were on board this for press, news came service – three crew (driver, conductor and an through of the dreadful off-duty conductor) and six passengers. train crash near Aberdeen. What follows is, of course, under The cause wasn’t investigation. The Rail Accident Investigation immediately apparent, but Branch, Office of Rail and Road and British information started to come out after Transport Police will all be involved, along a couple of days. In addition, railway with Network Rail and ScotRail. However, with experts David Shirres, Malcolm the help of Rail Engineer, RailStaff has pieced Dobell and David Bickell from sister together what could have happened. © DC Thomson magazine Rail Engineer pored over video and photos to try and work out SPECULATION After a lengthy wait for further what could have happened. The train departed on time and called at instructions, the driver walked to the rear Stonehaven as normal. It then continued cab and began to return to Aberdeen, the

The train involved was the 06:38 from southwards, past Carmont, until, at around 07:15, wrong way up the southbound line, at slow Aberdeen to Glasgow. It was a six-car, four it was stopped by a radio message from the speed. coach (plus a Class 43 power car at each end) signaller at Carmont, who had just received a At Carmont, the train was able to cross ‘HST’ train of the type used by ScotRail for report from the driver of a train on the Down over onto the correct northbound line, at its Inter7City services. They have a seating (northbound) line that a landslip was obstructing which time the driver was able to accelerate capacity of around 250. the up line between Carmont and Laurencekirk. up to near normal linespeed – 75mph. About two miles north of the crossover, © PA Images the train rounded a corner and encountered a small landslip across the track. It was large enough to derail the leading power car but, by the time that it and a couple of coaches had ploughed through it, the rear power car stayed upright, though also derailed. The leading power car derailed to the left of the track and continued straight on as the track itself curved gently to the right. This path took it through the parapet of the small bridge over a stream, about 80 metres from the landslip, and then down into the trees beyond. Once it hit the trees, it stopped almost immediately. At some stage, either when hitting the bridge or when going into the trees, the diesel fuel tank split. This released the fuel which then formed an aerosol with the air and exploded, a phenomenon that had previously been experienced during the accident at Ladbroke Grove in 1999.

Landslip

The hot blast of this fuel/air mixture igniting caused the black smoke seen in various news reports and also engulfed the front of the train.

Due to the high energy involved in the crash, the sudden stopping of the power car broke its coupling with the other coaches. The first coach came to rest on its roof, having rotated to be at right angles to the track. The second coach also overturned onto its roof and came to rest on the first carriage.

The third coach fell off the track altogether and ended up down the bank, while the fourth coach, which remained upright and still coupled to the rear power car, came to rest on top of the first coach. All wheelsets of the rear power car derailed, but it remained upright.

All of the coaches were of one-piece welded steel monocoque construction and remained largely intact, although the one at the bottom of the pile of other coaches distorted somewhat.

In the aftermath of the crash, the off-duty conductor found she had no telephone signal, so she reportedly had to walk a mile to report the accident. A local witness also called the emergency services.

There are, of course, many unanswered questions, though the on-board forward-facing video and ‘black box’ recorder may answer many of these.

GRAYRIGG

There are some similarities with the UK’s last fatal crash, at Grayrigg on 23 February 2007. A nine-car Pendolino unit travelling at 95mph was derailed as it passed over a set of points. It came to rest 320 metres from the points with eight of its vehicles on the side, or at the bottom, of an embankment. Having hit an OLE structure, the lead vehicle jack-knifed and came to rest side facing backward. Another four vehicles finished on their sides.

There were four crew and at least 105 passengers on board.

© RAIB

One passenger in the lead vehicle was fatally injured, two crew members, including the driver, sustained serious injuries and 58 passengers received minor injuries as a result of being thrown around within the vehicles or being hit by objects.

The big difference is that the Pendolino came to a halt over a distance of about 320 metres, sliding down a grassy bank and only hitting one signal structure as it took around 13 seconds to stop moving. At Stonehaven, the train, travelling only a little slower, hit the bridge within 80 metres and came to a complete halt in under 150 metres. The deceleration was therefore much higher. Thank goodness there were so few people on the train!

This is all speculation, based purely on photographic evidence. No doubt, this will all come out over the coming months. RailStaff, Rail Engineer and all at Rail Media extend their heartfelt sympathies to all of those involved, particularly those who lost loved ones.

HS2 has published its final design for the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft headhouse – the first of four similar structures that will provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed rail line’s 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel.

Set back from the road, the design of the single-story building takes its inspiration from the style of local barns and other agricultural buildings, allowing it to fit into the surrounding landscape.

The building will be wrapped in a simple grey zinc roof with doors and vent openings picked out in a dark bronze colour to provide contrast. The pre-weathered grey zinc roof will age naturally over time, without loss of robustness or quality, while the whole structure will sit on a simple dark blue brick base.

Below ground level, a 60 metre ventilation shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels below, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature in the tunnels, remove smoke in

HS2 headhouse to look like barn

the event of a fire and provide access for the emergency services.

Rohan Perin, HS2’s C1 project client director, said: “Once construction is complete, the headhouse at Chalfont St Peter will be one of very few structures of the Chiltern tunnels that will be visible to residents living nearby. That’s why it’s critical that we get the design right.”

The government has stepped in to provide £8.5 million of financial support to keep services running on the Tyne and Wear Metro while passenger numbers continue to recover.

Government support for Tyne and Wear Metro

that was announced on 1 May and a further £7.6 million on 26 May. It means that the government has now committed a total of £24.7m for Metro to support its services during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has welcomed further financial support, and said that the money would help to sustain its services until the end of October.

The government aid is part of the DfT’s programme to help other metro and light rail networks around the country, which totals: • Tyne and Wear Metro £24.7 million • Manchester Metrolink £44 million • Sheffield Supertram £6.8 million • Nottingham Express Transit £12.1 million • West Midlands Metro £ 5.7 million

Hull Trains returns

There will be more direct trains from Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire to London after Hull Trains resumes services.

Trains between Beverley and London Kings Cross will be running from Friday 21 August - the first time they have done so since Sunday 29 March when services were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The open access rail operator will initially introduce a limited timetable - it plans to run two services southbound and northbound on Monday to Saturday and three services southbound and northbound on a Sunday.

Hull Trains managing director Louise Cheeseman said: “I am so thrilled to announce a return date for Hull Trains as the numbers of people using rail services has started to increase across the country. By relaunching services in August, we are giving families and friends an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

“We are excited to give people the opportunity to travel safely so they can make the most of the rest of the summer season and the services we plan to introduce on the timetable will give people the best chance to do this.”

Level-crossing safety warning

Network Rail has issued a safety warning to users of level crossings after a family was found taking photographs on the tracks at a level crossing in Hutton between Shenfield and Billericay on the Southend Victoria branch line.

Instead of crossing over quickly, the family of four, which includes two young children, stopped to take photographs on the tracks at Knights level crossing in Hutton. A train was less than three minutes away.

Trains travel at up to 80mph on this line and the number of train services have increased over the last few weeks, which means the risk is extremely high.

Network Rail’s community safety manager, Becky Crocker, was shocked by the images and has issued a warning to others: “Level crossings are dangerous and, just as you wouldn’t stand in the middle of a busy road to take photographs, nor should you on a level crossing. Trains travel at high speeds and can’t swerve out of the way or stop quickly and you don’t always hear them until it’s too late.”

George Stephenson viaduct to be restored

A 180-year-old viaduct in Todmorden, Lancashire, that was designed by railway pioneer George Stephenson, is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration to improve passenger journeys and secure its future for generations to come.

The 1840-built Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct will be grit blasted to its bare metal for structural repairs to take place in a £3.7 million investment project. The important piece of railway heritage, which spans the Rochdale canal, will then be deep cleaned and repainted back to its Victorian splendour.

Taylors bridge, which carries the railway over Rose Bank Road near Todmorden

Physical activity on sites was paused due to COVID-19 and only some of the time that was lost can be recovered. As a result, the opening of the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood next summer, station, will also be completely reconstructed with two disused sections permanently removed as part of the same investment.

Both projects mean the railway through Todmorden will be entirely closed from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

Network Rail scheme project manager Kathryn Berry said: “This work to restore the impressive Gauxholme viaduct and renew Taylor’s bridge is essential to improve passenger journeys through Todmorden.

“We have been working closely with Calderdale Council on our plans and thank passengers, road users and the local community in advance for their patience while

Crossrail delayed yet again

Crossrail’s board has considered the latest update from its leadership team concerning the impact of COVID-19 on progress to complete the Elizabeth line. This is now in its complex final stages with a comprehensive plan to complete the railway focused on completing the remaining construction and systems integration followed by intensive operational testing.

we deliver this essential work.” as announced earlier this year prior to COVID-19, is not achievable.

Mark Wild, Crosrail chief executive said: “We have a comprehensive plan to complete the railway but existing schedule pressure, along with COVID-19, has impacted the programme and time has been lost. Further work is being undertaken to finalise our detailed recovery plan which re-sequences the remaining work.

“We are striving to commence intensive operational testing for the Elizabeth line, known as Trial Running, at the earliest opportunity. Our focus right now is on completing the remaining infrastructure works so that we can fully test the railway.” Angel Trains donates £100,000 to Railway Children Train leasing company Angel Trains will be donating £100,000 to its long-standing charity partner, Railway Children, which provides protection and opportunity for street children who have been displaced in India, East Africa and the UK.

Of this sum, over £80,000 has been raised following the sale of retired Class 142 Pacer units to heritage railways, community railways and emergency services. The remaining £20,000 will be donated as part of Angel Trains’ continued sponsorship of the charity’s annual Railway Ball, which has been postponed this year.

Announcing the donation, Kevin Tribley, CEO of Angel Trains, said: “Whilst the Pacers have come to the end of their lifecycle on our railways, it’s great to see how they continue to deliver for this fantastic charity.

“We’re delighted to have raised this milestone amount of money and look forward to seeing how it will make a difference to children’s lives across the world at a challenging time.”

The Class 142 Pacer units were built between 1985 and 1987. With some of the units coming to the end of their operation at the end of last year, a selection was offered to a range of heritage and community railways, with all proceeds being donated to Railway Children.

Mott MacDonald appoints Mike Brown to shareholder committee

Mike Brown MVO, the former Transport Commissioner for London, has been appointed by Mott MacDonald as an independent member of its shareholders’ committee.

As part of this 20-strong committee, comprised of senior Mott MacDonald employee shareholders, Mike will provide support, oversight and challenge to the executive board. With extensive experience of infrastructure industry leadership, he will also advise on strategies and key issues, endorsing significant decisions and actions. As Commissioner for Transport for London, Mike was responsible for all public transport in the capital and oversaw one of Europe’s largest and most OBITUARY

It is with great sadness that the Permanent Way Institution has announced the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Alison Stansfield.

A long-time member and supporter of the PWI, Alison was a cornerstone of its community for many years. As PWI’s complex major investment programmes. Most recently, he led the transport network’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that critical workers were able to get to and from work. He also led the negotiations with Government for emergency funding necessary for the continued operation of services.

Before becoming Commissioner, Mike was managing director of London Underground and London Rail for five years. Prior to this he was managing director of Heathrow Airport.

Mike was recently appointed as the chair of the Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority for the Houses of Parliament. This project will see the Palace marketing director, Alison’s contribution to the growth of the Institution cannot be understated, and this was very much expressed at her retirement last year by David Packer and colleagues, including those from the London Section, of which she was a great part.

Alison remained close to the PWI, lending her skills and deep technical knowledge as PWI technical editor, and attending and supporting events. The news of her sudden decline in health came as a terrible shock to all.

She passed away peacefully at the end of June, at home, with her family beside her. Colleagues say they cannot describe their sadness over this loss, nor the high esteem and affection felt for Alison within the PWI and beyond, but they will endeavour to try. The executive team is organising a heartfelt tribute to her life and career, to be published in the October Journal. Journal manager Kerrie Illsley, a of Westminster modernised and made more accessible. Passionate about the skills agenda, he led the UK Government’s Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce, which seeks to address challenges by creating new, high quality apprenticeships, improving diversity in the transport sector and working across industry to promote transport careers to young people and their influencers.

Commenting on his appointment, Mike Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Mott MacDonald’s shareholders’ committee of as one of the independent members. The organisation has a unique ownership model

Alison Stansfield

with an ethos based on working very close friend to Alison and her family, is also organising a Memorial Book.

“I have so many cherished memories of Alison, our friendship, mentorship and our giggles together,” said Kerrie. “I’d like to produce a Memorial Book to gift to her family and so I invite anyone who wishes to contribute written and / or photographic memories of Alison to email me at journaleditor@thepwi.org by the end of November 2020.”

Anyone who would like assistance with their contribution should contact Kerrie who will arrange a call back.

All of the PWI executives and board will miss Alison deeply and their thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

Anyone wishing to mark her passing is asked to make a donation to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Support Network, which helped Alison and her family at the end of her life (www. justgiving.com/fundraising/alisonbarbro-stansfield). collaboratively with clients across many sectors in a way that really stimulates fresh thinking and adds strategic value. This is especially relevant as a model in the strange times we are living in. I very much look forward to meeting new colleagues across the business in the months ahead and continuing connections with those I already know.”

Mike Haigh, Mott MacDonald executive chair, said: “We’ve known Mike for many years, having worked very closely together on many of London’s recent major projects, and I’m thrilled to be continuing our long association. Mike’s insights, knowledge and passion for infrastructure as a means to improving society, will be invaluable to us, as we seek to enhance the social outcomes of our work and make the communities in which we live and work better. I know our colleagues will be excited by what we will learn from Mike.”

Anna joins Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald appointed Anna Delvecchio as development director to its transportation business for the UK and Europe.

Anna joined the international engineering consultancy in May this year, bringing with her knowledge and expertise from senior commercial, development and programme management roles in the transport sector.

At Mott MacDonald, she is focussing on external engagement, and supporting the account leadership programme to enhance the company’s profile in the transport sector.

New UK sales director for Flexicon

Flexicon, the flexible conduit manufacturer that is part of Atkore International, has appointed Neil Carter as its new UK sales director.

He joins from Unistrut UK, also part of Atkore International, where he held the position of national electrical wholesale manager, where he supported and accomplished significant brand growth.

He will now develop and transfer these skills to build on his existing solid relationships with electrical wholesalers, directing the sale of Flexicon’s products, via the UK regional sales team.

Neil commented on his new appointment: “Flexicon products are renowned for their quality and reliability and so I’m proud to be joining the team and helping Tim Hartley has been named as the new business development director at GB Railfreight.

Over the last 20 years, Tim has advised on the appointments of many of the most senior leaders in the UK rail industry, including the CEOs of the Rail Delivery Group, the Office of Rail and Road, Crossrail, HS2, and a range of passenger train operating companies, rolling stock companies and manufacturers.

Tim also has experience in providing leadership and organisational consultancy not only in the rail industry but also in the infrastructure and the real estate market. In addition, he has served as board director and trustee of the charity Railway Children for over 10 years. He is a judge for the Rail Business to strengthen the brand further here in the UK; offering new enhancements and systems to our valued customers.”

Paul Mildenstein, Flexicon managing director, added: “This organisational change reinforces our strong commitment of service and customer support and Neil is looking forward to meeting and working with Flexicon’s UK customers to support and develop mutual business growth. We are delighted to welcome him

GB Railfreight appoints Tim Hartley as business development director

to the team.” Awards and a mentor and supporter of the Women in Rail programme.

In his spare time, Tim is very active, having completed the Three Peaks by Rail and the London Marathon. He also coaches and referees rugby union matches.

The appointment confirms GB Railfreight’s commitment to remaining one of the fastest growing transport companies in the country and is a sign of GBRf’s confidence in the resilience of the UK economy.

John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be welcoming Tim Hartley to the GBRf family. In the weeks and months to come we will continue to consolidate GBRf’s position as one of the fastest growing

Raj Sinha joins SWGR as Group MD

SWGR, a leading supplier of civil, mechanical, electrical, fabrication services and personnel the rail and other industries, has appointed Raj Sinha to be its new group managing director.

The addition of Raj to the SWGR Board will add further strength to the market-leading Glasgowheadquartered business.

Founded by George Nixon in 1988 as SW Global Resourcing, SWGR has developed a strong reputation for innovation and added value across multiple sectors, responding safely and efficiently to customer needs – 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

George said: “We are absolutely delighted that Raj has agreed to join SWGR as both a shareholder and a Board member. With his incredibly strong track record of success in project delivery, and his excellent reputation for growing businesses, Raj’s appointment will be pivotal in helping our fantastic team to achieve our ongoing and ambitious growth aspirations.

“We constantly look for ways to expand and grow and this new chapter for SWGR builds on three-decades of delivering performance through our people, transport companies and the appointment of Tim sets us on the course to grow our business even further.

“At this time of economic uncertainty, I am pleased GBRf is leading the way to get the economy back on track and I look forward to working with Tim to keep going from strength to strength.”

Tim Hartley replied: “I am delighted to be joining GBRf, a company that I have always known as an outstanding business, delivering innovative, reliable and high-quality services to its customers. GBRf is leading providing teams and services that have helped innumerable companies and individuals secure their own success.”

Raj Sinha, who was formerly the managing director of SSE Enterprise Rail, is a chartered civil engineer with thirty years of experience in the civil engineering, construction, energy, contracting and rail sectors. He has led on some of the largest and most challenging corporate and private infrastructure rail projects in the UK.

Raj said: “I am really pleased to join the SWGR Board. This is a company that has a long and proud history for great operational delivery. I am delighted that I am now able to play a leading role in the continued success of a reputable and premium business that delivers high-calibre operations, people and projects as a single, focused solution to a vast international client base.”

Raj will be based at SWGR’s headquarters which sit on a 130,000sq ft site just on the

outskirts of Glasgow city centre. the way in decarbonisation, sustainability and has a longterm commitment to building collaborative relationship with its customers. It is a brilliant team that I feel privileged to be part of.”

Hybrid locos arrive on Snowdon

The Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been carrying visitors up the five-mile line from Llanberis to the top of the highest mountain in Wales and England since 1896, has taken steps to keep the national tourist attraction accessible for many years to come by improving its sustainability.

Two brand new Clayton Equipment hybrid diesel locomotives have arrived on the mountain from Staffordshire, purchased with seven-figure support from HSBC Equipment Finance UK. These eight-tonne battery equipped trains will replace existing diesel locomotives and will be the first mountain hybrid train in the world.

Making an average of 750 journeys a year each locomotive, the updated locomotives will reduce emissions by up to 98 per cent compared to the diesel locomotives.

Heritage Great Britain PLC, the organisation operating the Snowdon Mountain Railway, will continue to operate traditional steam locomotives as part of its service. Its group finance director Peter Johnson-Treherne said: “We’re delighted to bring innovative hybrid technology onto the famous slopes of Snowdon. 2020 has obviously been a difficult period for everybody, especially those within the tourism sector, but we’re confident that this investment will keep us on the right tracks for the future.”

Masterplan for Edinburgh Waverley

The Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan, developed by Network Rail, City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, includes plans for transforming the capital’s main station as part of the Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan.

It envisions a station that is a vital part of the city, with a major new public space on Waverley Bridge providing views of the iconic city skyline. It will be a station that puts people first, providing easy access for all, and creating vital city connections for walking, cycling and public transport.

Tyne & Wear Metro passengers help feed those in need

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, ran food bank collection points at Metro stations across the network and at Nexus Travel Shops in North Shields, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland and Newcastle.

A total of 360kg of food and toiletries was donated, along with cash donations totalling £592. The food will feed 42 families for a week and the cash raised will provide another 51 essential food packs. It has all been shared between five local food banks, which provide essential support for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Nexus public affairs manager Lynne Robinson said: “Metro is at the heart of the local communities that it serves, making our stations really good locations to collect for local food banks.

“Our thanks go to everyone who donated and supported this initiative. The food will help those most in need in these difficult times.

“I was really touched with the generosity from customers who donated from their own weekly shopping bags because they wanted to help people who needed the food more than they did.

“It was a pleasure to support the food banks, and the feedback we have received has been fantastic.”

The food banks that benefited are: The Bay Food Bank in North Shields, Gateshead Food Bank, the Hospitality and Hope Food Bank in South Tyneside, Sunderland Food Bank and the West End Food Bank in Newcastle.

Will the railway be reclassified?

Should the railways remain in the private sector? Or are they, effectively, already nationalised after the government’s emergency measures taken as part of its response to Covid-19?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has joined the debate, stating: “After reviewing their classification against international statistical guidelines, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has concluded that those train operating companies (TOCs) that have entered into emergency measures agreements (EMAs) with the UK and Scottish Governments should be classified to the public sector for statistical purposes.

Under the EMAs, normal franchise mechanisms have been amended, transferring almost all revenue and cost risk to the government. In addition, the TOCs have had restrictions placed on their ability to borrow money and cannot make significant changes to fares or staffing levels without government agreement. This has led the ONS to conclude that public sector control exists over them and that, in accordance with international statistical guidelines, they should be classified as public non-financial corporations with effect from 1 April 2020. As the EMAs are temporary in nature, the ONS will review the classification status of TOCs again in the future if the EMAs are amended or expire.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “This is a temporary accounting change that reflects the extent of government involvement in running trains during a national emergency. The Covid crisis presents a chance to move towards a new way of running the railway where contracts put customers at the centre and the private sector’s track record of attracting people to travel by train in safety is harnessed to boost the economy, the environment and the public finances.”

LNER and Northern are already in public ownership.

CPS can take no further action over Belly Mujinga

When Belly Mujinga, a ticket office worker with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Southern at London Victoria station, died of coronavirus in April after being spat at on the station concourse, her colleagues and her union were up in arms.

Her death of COVID-19 came after an incident in which, on 22 March 2020, Belly and a colleague were on shift at London Victoria. They were out on the concourse by the ticket office when they were assaulted by a member of the public who spat at them, coughed over them and told them he had the virus.

Belly died on 5 April, aged 47 and leaving an 11-year-old daughter.

Although British Transport Police investigated the incident, and identified and interviewed a man who they believed could help their enquiries, senior detectives concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that any criminal offences had taken place and that the death of Mrs Mujinga did not occur as a consequence of that incident.

However, BTP invited the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review the available evidence, so see whether there were any further lines of enquiry that could be made and to evaluate the prospect of meeting the general principle of a successful prosecution.

On 6 August 2020, Suzanne Llewellyn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “At the request of British Transport Police, following their decision to take no further action in this case, the CPS has now independently reviewed the evidence and advised on any further lines of enquiry that might support a prosecution.

“We considered whether charges could be brought in relation to homicide, assault or public order offences.

“As part of this review, we studied enhanced CCTV, forensic materials and witness statements. CCTV and witness evidence was insufficiently clear and consistent to substantiate allegations of deliberate coughing or spitting, meaning no charges can be brought for assault or public order offences.

“Medical tests confirmed the suspect had not been infected with coronavirus, which together with the lack of other evidence rules out any charges in relation to homicide.

“Therefore, after careful consideration and with all lines of enquiry explored, we have advised BTP no further reliable evidence has become available to change their original decision in this case.

“We have met with the family of Ms Mujinga to explain our reasoning, which we know will be disappointing for them. Our deepest sympathies remain with the family.”

Perpetuum to become part of Hitachi Rail

Hitachi Rail is to acquire Southamptonbased railway technology firm Perpetuum to accelerate its UK digitisation strategy. Its 73 staff will be integrated within Hitachi’s railway business.

Perpetuum’s product utilises wireless condition monitoring to spot faults and have them fixed before they delay passengers’ journeys. In fact, none of the 3,000 carriages that are fitted with Perpetuum sensors have ever had critical components fail in service.

Once they are installed on trains, Perpetuum’s self-powering digital sensors detect on-board vibrations and send back real-time data about the performance of A development consortium has announced a £3 billion plan to create a sustainable new business, leisure and residential destination and world leading economic hub around HS2’s proposed Birmingham Interchange station.

Arden Cross is a 140-hectare (346-acre) site to the east of the NEC campus and M42 motorway. The developers say it has the potential to boost the regional economy of the Midlands by over a £1 billion, create and support up to 27,000 new jobs, and deliver up to 3,000 new homes and up to six million square feet of commercial development, connected through new public realm and green spaces which retain and enhance the historic landscape features across the site.

With the HS2 Interchange Station as the catalyst to create unprecedented economic growth, Arden Cross Limited has developed critical train parts – such as wheel sets, gearboxes, motors or bogies – faster and more accurately than traditional conditionmonitoring approaches.

Andrew Barr, Hitachi Rail group CEO, said: “The inclusion of one of the most exciting, pioneering companies in digital asset management is an exciting development for our global mobility business.

“Perpetuum’s data-driven insights will offer further improvements to the service we provide to our customers – leading to better journeys for passengers. It also supports Hitachi’s growth in the digital technologies space, which is becoming increasingly key to our offering – adding value to support our

£3 billion plan for Arden Cross

global customer base.”

the masterplan in partnership with public sector stakeholders to reflect a shared vision to unlock the site’s full potential.

Located at the very heart of the UK, Arden Cross sits alongside Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.

The HS2 route passes through some lovely countryside. That’s been one area of complaint from naturalists and ecologists, who don’t want a railway interfering with the view.

However, High Speed Two Limited is well aware of its responsibilities and the need to cause the minimum amount of damage and harm as it builds Britain’s essential new railway.

A good example is the need to monitor Skylarks, in order to protect the species at the site of the Chiltern tunnel portal, near the M25 in Buckinghamshire.

Roadbridge, a sub-contractor to Align JV - the main works civils contractor that is delivering the portion of HS2 that includes the Chiltern Tunnel – has successfully adopted thermal drone imaging to monitor Skylarks in order to dramatically increase the accuracy of environmental surveys and enable faster and more effective results for ecologists working on the project.

At twelve metres above ground level, the drone captures approximately a nine square metre area, providing a reduction in search times, and a clear perspective from a 90-degree view of the ground below.

Using a thermal camera, the drone can calibrate to the ground temperature and other objects to lock onto a heat source and A new mural on a railway bridge at the corner of New Spring Gardens Walk in Vauxhall pays homage to a balloon record that stood between 1836-1914. Charles Green, a professional balloonist who had made 200 ascents at the time, flew 480 miles from Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to Nassau, Germany in the balloon Royal Vauxhall. This new mural is the latest example in a series of historic railway bridges that have been transformed into stunning pieces of art thanks to Network Rail’s unique partnership with community groups, schools, and identify the bird nests. This includes birds on the nest, eggs on the nest and birds sheltering on the ground.

Exclusion zones are then put on Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and into the Global Positioning System (GPS) of machinery working on site to let operators know when they are working near exclusion zones, to

Drones search out Skylarks

protect nests and allow works to progress safely.

During the initial trial, which Roadbridge conducted in association with Matt Dutton from Drone Media Productions, five nests were found in three hours of drone survey time using one drone operator and one ecologist, compared to one nest found in 20 hours of survey time using traditional methods. Traditional surveys require ecologists to observe the Skylarks flying then running to their nest, and to use walking transect surveys to accurately locate them, which can be invasive and sometimes ineffective, resulting in much larger exclusion zones being

Mural harks back to pleasure gardens and balloons

required. artists.

The mural was painted by Nerone, a celebrated street artist and walls bearing his work can be seen in many places including Paris, New York, Bangkok and Marrakesh. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working in Vauxhall and it has been a great experience despite the difficult weather conditions. Many people were curious to discover the new addition in the neighbourhood and congratulated me while I was painting.

“Compliments are always appreciated and I’m getting ready to paint more art in this amazing borough.”