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Alstom unveils its new main-line train, the Coradia Liner V200

June 12, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Coradia Liner V200. Copyright: Alstom Transport / Design & Styling Courtesy of Alstom

Coradia Liner V200. Copyright: Alstom Transport / Design & Styling
Courtesy of Alstom

Today Alstom introduced the Coradia Liner V200, its latest, innovative main-line train, at the European Mobility Exhibition for Public Transport at the Parc des Expositions in Paris.

Designed to renew the pleasure of travelling on major European lines as well as to replace the Intercity rolling stock currently being used on French “Main lines”1, the Coradia Liner is a concentration of the technology created during of over 30 years’ experience in high-speed rail.

Electric or dual-mode (electric and thermal), equipped with ERTMS technology2 and consistent with European standards, the Coradia Liner can run on all conventional rail networks. It can reach speeds of 200 km/h and accommodate up to 900 passengers3.

The Coradia Liner meets operators’ needs in terms of performance and maintainability whilst offering travellers an unparalleled level of service and comfort. It is designed to be accessible to all thanks to the platform-height double doors and its low floor. The Coradia Liner is 100% consistent with STI PMR4 standards.

Particularly suitable for longer trips, it offers unprecedented comfort with its reclining seats equipped with electrical sockets and reading lights, and its service areas – children’s play area, restaurant/bar & hospitality areas. Particular attention has been paid to acoustic comfort. To improve the fluidity of movement on-board, the hospitality and travel areas are spacious, with wide corridors.

Also designed for operators, the Coradia Liner has a distributed traction system, over the entire train, providing outstanding acceleration and braking, allowing greater coverage of the national territory without increasing travel time. Being lighter, its consumption is 30% less than that of the current Corail and has become the national and European eco-mobility train. Its architecture makes for easy maintenance.

The Coradia Liner V200 design is based on the modular Coradia trains, with the ensuing benefits of over 30 years of operational experience in Europe: more than 3,000 Coradia are currently operating and have travelled more than 4 billion km in Germany (Coradia Lint and Continental), Denmark, Spain, France (Coradia Polyvalent and Coradia Duplex ZTER – 200Km/h), Italy (Coradia Meridian), Luxembourg (Coradia Duplex, the Netherlands (Coradia Lint), Portugal (Tagus Coradia DD) and Sweden (Coradia Duplex X40 – 200km/h).

Six of the eleven Alstom sites in France have participated in the Coradia Liner project: Reichshoffen for the design and assembly, Ornans for the motors, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction chains, Villeurbanne for the on-board computer system and Saint-Ouen for the design. This project has contributed to the perpetuation of more than 4000 jobs both within Alstom and across the French rail sector.

1 – “Main lines” such as Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) or Paris-Caen-Cherbourg. 2 – European Rail Traffic Management System 3 – With multiple units 4 – STI: Spécification Technique d’Interopérabilité/Technical Specification for Interoperability PMR: Personnes à Mobilité Réduite/Persons with reduced Mobility
About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, including rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers its customers all-inclusive solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.9 billion euros for 2013-2014. Alstom Transport is present in over sixty countries and employs approximately 26,700 people. Present on 11 sites in France, Alstom Transport is the leading French railway company and contributes to the vitality of local economies. Its approximately 8,900 employees in France provide a pool of expertise to serve French and international clients. A job at Alstom creates about three amongst its suppliers.

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over €20 billion and booked €21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14.

This article is a repost (6-11-14), credit: Alstom.

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Caltrain Modernization Kicks Off Advanced Signal System Work

September 24, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project  Image courtesy of Caltrain

Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project
Image courtesy of Caltrain

Caltrain has begun work on an advanced signal system that will significantly improve the performance and enhance the safety of the rail system.  With this milestone underway, Caltrain is formally kicking off the first element of the Caltrain Modernization Program.

Called the Communications Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS) Positive Train Control (PTC) Project, the new installation is the first step in the Caltrain Modernization program that will lead to the electrification of the rail system and prepare for future High Speed Rail operations.

The CBOSS PTC system equips the corridor with federally mandated safety technology and increases system capacity, which will help accommodate future increases in services and make it possible for Caltrain to respond to skyrocketing ridership demands.

This phase of the project involves installing a fiber optic backbone along the Caltrain right-of-way so that signals, trains, dispatchers and other components of railroad operations can communicate seamlessly. Once complete, the system will monitor and, if necessary, control train movement in the event of human error. The technology is designed to prevent accidents like the one in Spain, which killed 80 people earlier this year, and the Metrolink accident in Chatsworth, CA., in 2008 in which an engineer was texting while operating the train. The Chatsworth incident prompted legislation requiring positive train control technology on all railroads.

This system will increase safety on the Caltrain corridor, which has more than 40 at-grade vehicular and pedestrian crossings by:

  • Eliminating the risk of train-to-train collisions
  • Reducing the risk of potential derailments by enforcing speed limits
  • Providing additional safety for railroad workers on the tracks

More dependable passenger service and operating performance will be achieved through:

  • Schedule Management – improved accountability and management of train schedules.
  • Enforcement of Scheduled Station Stops – a train will no longer be able to overshoot a station stop or platform.
  • Improved grade crossing performance – travelers crossing the tracks will benefit from reduced gate downtime and improved local traffic circulation.

As more and more customers crowd onto Caltrain, the rail system is limited in its ability to add more trains and more capacity, due, in part to the  current wayside signal system, which forces distance between trains based on the slowest train type using Caltrain’s tracks.

CBOSS PTC reduces the distance required between trains to assure safety, matching the safe braking needs to specific train types. Combining the CBOSS PTC Project with the operation of high-performance electric multiple unit (EMU trains), which is planned with Caltrain Electrification, will upgrade the system to provide faster and/or more frequent service to more stations and more riders.

With 35 months or nearly three years of consecutive ridership growth, the modernization of Caltrain is long overdue. The CBOSS PTC project will be the first of several projects that lead to the electrification of the Caltrain Corridor by 2019. The Caltrain Modernization Program will electrify and upgrade the performance, operating efficiency, capacity, safety and reliability of Caltrain’s commuter rail service, providing Peninsula communities with a modernized rail service that will help meet growing ridership demand between San Francisco and San Jose.

About Caltrain

Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain has enjoyed 28 consecutive months of ridership increases, surpassing more than 50,000 average weekday riders earlier this year. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad will celebrate 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2019, reducing diesel emissions by 90 percent and adding more service to more stations.

This article is a repost (release 9-17-13), credit: Caltrain.

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Public Transportation Leaders To Convene In Chicago

September 23, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV News

Transportation Secretary Foxx

Transportation Secretary Foxx

2013 APTA Annual Meeting To Be Held September 30 – October 2, 2013

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will hold its Annual Meeting September 30– October 2, 2013 at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, IL.  Hosted by the Chicago Transit Authority, this premier industry event will attract more than 1,200 public transportation leaders from across North America.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx will share his vision for the public transportation industry and priorities for the department on September 30 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.  Peter Rogoff, the administrator for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will speak at the Opening Session on September 30, and share his thoughts on the FTA’s national initiatives for the industry.

The 2013 APTA Annual Meeting will include sessions that focus on a number of topics affecting the public transportation industry including:  MAP-21 legislation, high-speed rail, sustainability, economic issues, workforce development, technology, safety and security, and public-private partnerships.

Additionally, a product showcase with more than 100 exhibitors will take place on Monday, September 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton.  Listed in the link below are some highlighted session topics; to view a complete schedule visit www.apta.com.

***News media are invited to attend the conference at no charge but early registration is encouraged.  Please complete the media registration form.  On-site media registration is available at the conference registration desk at the Chicago Hilton in Boulevard A, Second Floor.  The media center is in room PDR 2 at the Chicago Hilton.

This article is a repost, credit: (click link for event details) American Public Transportation Association.

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Allegro high-speed train has got its millionth passenger

September 18, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Allegro High-Speed Train Photo courtesy of Alstom

Allegro High-Speed Train
Photo courtesy of Alstom

RZD press office announced that they had sold a millionth ticket for Allegro, a high-speed train by Alstom running between St. Petersburg and Helsinki. The ride is planned for the 20th September, 2013.

Allegro did its first ride from Helsinki to St. Petersburg on the 12 December 2010. With a commercial speed of 220 km per hour, the trains link Helsinki to St Petersburg in three and a half hours compared to five and a half hours previously. As Allegro made the two cities with deep historical, business and cultural ties become really closer, it was a big success straight away.

Allegro sets a new level of passenger comfort. It has 342 seats and is suited for disabled people. The 1st and 2nd class cars are equipped with adjustable arm-chairs, folding tables, pockets for newspapers and magazines, foot rests and electric sockets for computers and mobile phones.

Allegro’s tilting technologies allow it to significantly increase the speed at the curves, preserving the safety and comfort at the same time.

Depending on the intended commercial speed, Allegro could be offered for the Russian high-speed line project.

This article is a repost, credit: Alstom.

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AMTRAK: RECORD-BREAKING RIDERSHIP IN JULY

August 15, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Trains

Sets all-time record for most passengers in one month

New Electric Locomotive for Northeast Corridor Photo courtesy of US DOT

Electric Locomotive for Northeast Corridor
Photo courtesy of US DOT

WASHINGTON – Record numbers of passengers continue to choose Amtrak for their travel needs making July the best single ridership month ever in its history. “Amtrak is delivering record ridership across the country and serving as an economic engine to help local communities grow and prosper,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. Year-over-year ridership in July grew 4.8 percent to more than 2.9 million passengers, an all-time record for most passengers in one month.

Northeast Corridor services, state-supported and other short-distance routes, and long-distance trains all showed gains for July. State-supported routes continue to lead the way in ridership growth. Under federal law, beginning October 1, 2013, 19 states will take greater control of routes less than 750 miles, but first must reach new operating and capital cost-sharing agreements with Amtrak to ensure the corridor services continue to operate beyond the deadline. Currently, Amtrak has agreements with three states.

Thus far in FY 2013 (October – July), ridership is up 1.1 percent versus the prior year, with strong ticket sales forecasted for the final two months of the fiscal year. In addition, Amtrak set individual monthly records in October, December, January, March, May, June and July. Amtrak is on pace to meet or exceed last year’s annual ridership record of 31.2 million passengers.

Boardman explained Amtrak is a vital part of the national transportation network and provides mobility, connectivity, economic development and jobs. Since 2010, for every dollar of federal investment, America’s Railroad® has returned nearly $3 back into the economy, he said.

About Amtrak®

Amtrak is America’s Railroad®, the nation’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of services. Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

This article is a repost, credit: Amtrak, http://www.amtrak.com/home.

Tesla Hyperloop and Oil

August 13, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Hyperloop, Tesla

Tesla Model S Image courtesy of Tesla

Tesla Model S
Image courtesy of Tesla

Tesla stock (TSLA) sold off at the end of the day, closing at $145.43 per share, down 1.32%.  Interest rates jumped; the 10 year Treasury is trading at 2.71%.  Some market strategists are increasingly concerned that stocks will face headwinds with rising interest rates.

The famous stock picker, Ken Heebner, of Capital Growth Management took a position in Tesla in the second quarter.  Bloomberg reported: “Heebner bought 215,000 shares in Tesla, the electric-car company led by Elon Musk.”  In an interview 4-12-13 on WealthTrack, Mr. Heebner expressed that he is a stock market bull due to the strong US economy with particular emphasis on the rebounding housing market.  He believes interest rates will rise, but he thinks investors will shift bond market monies to stocks.

Mr. Elon Musk released his Hyperloop design yesterday: http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/hyperloop.

Due to the high estimated costs and relatively slow speeds of the LA – SF high-speed rail project, there is much hope that Mr. Musk will proceed in some form with his Hyperloop design.  The Hyperloop would most likely drive more long-term economic benefit for the United States, because it is a leading technology, which could ultimately change worldwide transport.  It would be foolish not to trial the technology.

Yes, many people around the world enjoy the comfort of train travel.  However, the world needs to be focused on energy efficiency, utilizing the most appropriate technologies to facilitate the movement of large numbers of people and goods.

Libya reminds us again today that the oil market is unreliable and unstable.  Reuters reported: “Libya’s state National Oil Corporation said in a statement to shippers it could not provide September loading schedules, normally due by now, as on-again, off-again strikes paralyse its ports.”  WTI oil has moved up to $106.5 per barrel, and Brent is around $109.5.

Source: EIA

Courtesy of EIA

 

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Tesla and Musk Hyperloop, Oil Transition

August 12, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Hyperloop, Tesla

Image courtesy of Tesla

Image courtesy of Tesla

Tesla stock (TSLA) opened below $150 and has been weak in morning trade.  The stock market as a whole has been edgy in recent days concerning the possibility of rising interest rates after the Federal Reserve starts tapering its stimulus.  Regardless, Tesla remains the great electric hope in a world that uses over 91 million barrels of oil a day (IEA).  Unfortunately, Tesla’s auto sales are still only a drop in a bucket in comparison to the approximate 80 million worldwide annual auto market.

WTI oil is trading slightly above $106 per barrel, which is a rather modest price considering China’s record oil imports in July.  In addition, WTI should be trading closer to parity with Brent since oil inventories at Cushing have been drawn down below 40 million barrels (EIA).  Brent oil is trading between $108 – $109.  The fourth quarter is the heaviest oil demand quarter due to the cold (heating oil fuels) in the Northern Hemisphere, so demand pressure will increase in the coming months.

How should the world transition from oil? 

Mr. Elon Musk plans to reveal his Hyperloop concept today.  As the CEO of Tesla Motors, Mr. Musk is no stranger to the oil and climate dilemmas of the world.  He may feel increasing pressure to work on his Hyperloop idea due to his own convictions.  In Europe, China and Japan, rail networks are already quite extensive and modern in comparison to the United States.  Mr. Musk has proposed that the US initiate a new form of transport, Hyperloop, which he believes would be significantly faster and cheaper than high-speed rail.

About EV News Report

EV News Report is a news and information service on electric vehicle news with a focus on the campaigns, events and star leaders shaping the EV revolution.

Electric vehicles are driving the change to a clean green sustainable future for the United States and the world. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other EV stars have launched a revolution. At EV News Report, you will see daily updates on the new electric era, including Tesla news, LEAF news, and all the leading players in the electric transportation movement.

Plug-in to the electric car / electric transportation revolution by creating a free account with EV News Report and join Poll Vote to discuss your ideas with other EV enthusiasts. We’re just getting the electric motor started. Let’s change the world…