1404i

BRANCH LINE NEWS INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLEMENT TO BLN 1404 09 JULY 2022

This newsletter covers the World outside the British Isles from information supplied by members.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Compilers or of the Society.
International Editor: Pete Skelton, 1 rue Traversière, 16450 BEAULIEU SUR SONNETTE, France
to whom all email contributions should be sent. Email: [email protected]
Postal Contributions should be sent to: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX
Deputy International Editor: Derek Woodward, 68 Church Street, MATLOCK, DE4 3BY

Email: [email protected]

EUROPE
[273] Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sarajevo - Ploče Summer Service Planned
A meeting was held in Zagreb between the President of the Management Board - Director General of
FBiH Railways, Enis Džafić and the President of the Management Board of HŽ putnički prijevoz, Željko
Ukić, at which an agreement was reached on the introduction of a seasonal train on the Sarajevo –
Ploče route.

2041025 stands at Ploče on 15 June 2016

The train will run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 01 July 2022 to 11 September 2022. The
public will be informed in a timely manner about the exact timetable and ticket prices.

[274] Czech Republic – Lines to Close
The Central Bohemian Region wants to stop the operation of passenger transport on some regional
lines from December. The reason is the low occupancy of trains.

From December this year, it is expected to stop traffic on Line 110 between Slaný and Louny. At the
same time, the operation on Line 062 between Křinec and Městec Králové is to end. In the event of
unsatisfactory results from the passenger census, passenger traffic should also be stopped on the

Mělník – Mladá Boleslav line. Traffic on this line has been reduced since the December timetable
change last year. It is reported that replacement bus services will be provided ‘where necessary’.

From the middle of next year, the operation of the line from Lužná to Žatec is to be
stopped. However, the Ústí nad Labem Region, which has not yet agreed to this cut, is demanding
some services be retained on this line. The Central Bohemian Region has already strengthened the bus
connection along this line during last year. The Ústí nad Labem Region, however, still wants to
negotiate a reduction in, rather than withdrawal of services. The Central Bohemian Region also states
that it wants to analyse usage on the lines between Velký Osek and Chlumec nad Cidlinou and
between Rakovník and Louny.
The Public Transport Committee is still working on what to do with one pair of weekend trains to
Kralovice. KŽC Doprava runs these with a non-cancellable contract until 2028. This was concluded by
the previous management of the region without competition.
Since last year, the region has stopped operation on a total of six lines and significantly reduced traffic
on others. In two cases, it was restored after the municipalities paid for the transport.
[275] France – 1957 SNCF Documentary in English - Transition from Steam to Electric
Worth a watch if you have half-an-hour to spare. Lots of 1957 vintage action.
“Why the SNCF Converted to Electricity" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l6v2qLYg4Q
[276] Germany – Ahrtal and Eifel Electrification Agreed
Agreement has been reached to finance electrification of Deutsche Bahn’s Ahrtal and Eifel lines as part
of repairs being undertaken following the severe flooding in July 2021 which caused the suspension of
services. The €388mn agreement signed on 14 June by the Rheinland-Pfalz Ministry of Climate
Protection, DB Netz and transport authority SPNV Nord includes €308mn of federal funding and
€80mn from the Land.
The Ahrtal route from Remagen to Ahrbrück via Bad Neuenahr and Ahrweiler comprises 12 km of
single track, 14 km of double track and 2 km of station tracks. The section of the Eifel route from Trier-

Ehrang to the border with Nordrhein-Westfalen includes 50 km of single track, 22 km of double track
and 31 km of station tracks.

[277] Germany – Changes in the Museum Kursbuch
(BLNI1403.254) A member has reported: I can confirm NW18 St Tönis – Hüsler Berg is running.
On 12 June I travelled on train 501 11:10 from St Tönis and 502 the 12:30 return working. Motive
power was Rheinhafen Krefeld D1 [98 80 0262 202-1] hauling five coaches plus a buffet and two
bike/pram vans. Not very busy until we reached Nordbahnhof when substantial numbers plus
numerous bikes, trailers, prams etc. joined. The return working was sparsely populated. It was
notable that masks were not required despite still being required on all other public transport at the
time.
The two sidings at ARS Altmann Automobillogistik looked well used with many BMWs on site.
Additionally part of the loop that passes through the tram depot also looked well used. Other
sidings/loops looked as though they may see occasionally use.
[278] Germany – Potential Re-openings and Closures in Brandenburg
It appears that KBS 209.73 Neustadt (Dosse) – Pritzwalk is to close north of Kyritz Am Bürgerpark and
KBS 209.74 Pritzwalk West – Pritzwalk – Meyenburg is to close entirely at this December's timetable
change.
This document (Land Brandenburg Public Transport Plans 2023-2027)
https://mil.brandenburg.de/sixcms/media.php/9/LNVP_2023-2027_Entwurf.pdf has 2023 maps
without either line (or Templin – Joachimsthal); see page 26 for example. As is usual with this type of
document, it mentions all kinds of service improvements but not a word about service withdrawals.
One notable improvement which has been spotted is a Gesundbrunnen – Spandau – Golm – Potsdam
service by 2027, not calling at Wustermark so using the east to south curve there.
The only reported news which has been found on the two Pritzwalk closures was one piece a few
weeks ago in the local paper about local communities fighting the closure plans.

The Information Flyer for NW18 St Tönis – Hüsler Berg (Item 277 above)

The same document lists (from page 112) various lines which have potential for reopening in three
categories: A = expected potential for reopening; B = undetermined potential for reopening and C = no
potential for reopening.

The Category A lines are:
 Rathenow – Rathenow Nord (1)
 Falkenberg (Elster) – Herzberg (Elster) Stadt (2)
 Hoppegarten – Altlandsberg (2)
 Fredersdorf (b Berlin) – Rüdersdorf (b Berlin) (1).

The Category B lines are:
 Luckau-Uckro – Lübben (Spreewald) (1)
 Müncheberg (Mark) – Müncheberg (Mark) Stadt (2)

 Joachimsthal – Templin
 Neustadt (Dosse) – Neuruppin West (1)
 Schmachtenhagen – Oranienburg (Fichtengrund) (2)
 Wustermark – Ketzin (2)
 Werneuchen – Wriezen (1).
The lines are going to be evaluated in two packages; the figures in brackets show which line is in which
package. Joachimsthal to Templin is not in a package as it is already being evaluated by a test service;
it would appear that a decision has already been made on that one.

The Category C lines are (as per the map on page 115 of the document):
 Brandenburg Hbf – Bad Belzig – Treuenbrietzen
 Jüterbog – Zossen – Königs Wusterhausen
 Guben – Forst (Lausitz) – Weißwasser
 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) – Schipkau (F60) (but potential for limited tourist reopening)
 Falkenberg (Elster) – Riesa
 Wensickendorf – Liebenwalde
 Kremmen – Oranienburg

The following lines were 'eliminated in pre-selection':
 Bad Saarow-Pieskow – Beeskow
 Saarmund – Michendorf
 Wittenberge – Dannenberg Ost
 Pritzwalk – Putlitz
 Wittstock (Dosse) – Mirow
 Fürstenberg (Havel) – Templin
 Templin Stadt – Prenzlau
 Bad Freienwalde – Angermünde
 Angermünde north curve
 Tantow – Gartz
 Senftenberg – Hosena
 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) – Großräschen
 Nauen – Kremmen
 Rathenow Nord – Neustadt (Dosse)
 Jüterbog – Luckau-Uckro
 Herzberg (Elster) Stadt – Luckau-Uckro
 Lübben (Spreewald) – Beeskow

The map is rather confusing as certain stretches of line are in more than one category.

Numerous changes are being made in 2023 to line designations and routes, but there doesn’t appear
to be anything interesting track-wise, apart from the plan to extend the new RB37 service (Beelitz
Stadt – Michendorf – Berlin-Wannsee) to Berlin-Zehlendorf (depending on track works and agreement
with Land Berlin).

[279] Germany/United Kingdom – London - Köln Intermodal Service to Launch in September
A direct intermodal service connecting Barking in east London with Köln is due to be introduced in
September, initially operating three times a week. The service is being launched by Eurotunnel and
Ecco, working with freight operators TX Logistik and Italian State Railways’ (FS) subsidiary Mercitalia.
The service will be able to carry semitrailers using the NiKrasa system which allows non-craneable
semitrailers to be loaded onto pocket wagons without the need to adapt wagons, trailers or terminal
facilities. According to TX Logistik, 90% of road semitrailers cannot be lifted using cranes. The
semitrailer is loaded into a NiKrasa tub using a reach stacker which can then load the tub and trailer
onto the pocket wagon.

The terminal platform remains at the loading point,
while the transport platform goes with the semitrailer on the train

TX Logistik uses the system on intermodal services from Herne in Germany to Verona and is keen to
provide a connection to Britain for its route from Italy to Köln. The new service will be operated by DB
Cargo UK from Barking to Calais via HS1 and the Channel tunnel, and from Calais to Köln by Lineas.

[280] Hungary – Budapest Bypass to Go Ahead with or without Russian Support
Hungary is moving ahead with the V0 rail freight line bypassing Budapest, despite the complicated
relationship it currently has with Russia. Russia vowed to support the construction of the east-west
bypass in February this year, just before the war in Ukraine broke out. This financial support is now
uncertain, but the Mayor of Budapest is sending out positive signals about the project.
“We have started with the preparation of a new rail freight line bypassing Budapest”, the Mayor of the
Hungarian capital, Gergely Karácson, wrote on his Facebook page. What exactly he means by
‘preparation’ is unclear but he states that the starting sign was given by the General Assembly of
Budapest at the suggestion of Imre László, Mayor of Újbuda, one of the districts of Budapest.

V0 will connect Szolnok, which is located in the east of the country near the Záhony region, with the
city of Győr, very close to the border with Austria and Slovakia and not far from Bratislava and Wien.
The line bypasses the city of Budapest which is a traffic bottleneck. The main aim of the line is to
move international rail freight out of the city, making the V0 railway line a freight-only corridor.
Currently, it is impossible to run a freight train from east to west without passing the city. But in the
city, trains have to slow down and share tracks with passenger trains and, as passenger traffic is
prioritised, freight trains are bound to use fixed timetables. A freight-dedicated corridor will help
solving these issues. The V0 railway line will also improve the situation in the city. In the words of the
Mayor, freight traffic on the Southern Circular Railway in Budapest is extremely noisy and diverting
freight traffic would improve the living conditions of those living near the track in Budapest. The V0
must therefore be constructed, at any cost.

But what these costs are is currently not clear. The exact amount depends highly on the route chosen,
but this has been done only in a rough draft. In February, the Hungarian authorities announced it had
selected the route Szolnok – Kecskemét – Székesfehérvár – Győr. But until now, nothing substantial
regarding the construction has been announced. What is more, the costs of the construction of an
entire new line are substantial, and the Hungarian government is unlikely to be able to finance the
project on its own. In February this year, the Russian government expressed its willingness to

The six alternative routes for the V0 railway line proposed by the MLSZKSZ

contribute to the project, both financially and with know-how. However, EU sanctions make such
contribution impossible. Although there has been no official announcement regarding the co-
operation on the project, the Russian support is unlikely to be continued as long as the war in Ukraine
is ongoing. At the same time, the support of the EU for Hungarian projects is also not taken for
granted. Hungarian officials are currently in Brussel-Bruxelles lobbying for EU funds that were actually
planned to be provided to Hungary, but have thus far not been granted in full. One of the officials in
Bruxelles-Brussel is the Mayor of Budapest himself. He writes on his Facebook page that the funds are
needed to achieve the climate goals of 2030.

[281] Italy – RFI is planning a New Railway Connection to Venezia Airport
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has issued a call for tenders for a railway line to Venezia’s Marco Polo
airport. The project is geared towards encouraging people travelling to and from the airport to shift to
rail. The project calls for the construction of a new double-track railway of around 8 kilometres,
including a 3·4-kilometre-long tunnel section to the airport itself. There, trains will arrive at an
underground station connected to the terminal building. Starting point of the new line will be Mestre
station. The tender has a value of €467mn.

Marco Polo airport was Italy’s fourth-busiest airport before the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, it
handled more than 11 million passengers. The following year, it had dropped to 2·8 million. The
airport has no public transport hub. Instead, passengers are transported by shuttle buses and taxis. It
does, however, have a water boat service.

[282] Italy – Roma Ring Service Restarts after 32 Years
Regular passenger services on the 7 km Valle Aurelia to Vigna Clara section of Roma’s orbital ring
railway began running with the summer timetable on 13 June, 32 years after a service was provided
for eight days during the Italia 90 FIFA World Cup.

Current transport to Venezia Airport – A water taxi (Item 281 above)

There are initially nine trains per day in each direction with no service on Sundays. Six of the trains run
through from Vigna Clara as far as San Pietro and three continue to Ostiense. Interchange to metro
Line A is provided at Valle Aurelia. The long-disused Vigna Clara station has been modernised at a cost
of €6·1mn with the building renovated, platforms upgraded, escalators replaced and lighting and
equipment rooms refreshed.

RFI hopes to complete double tracking by 2025 and extend the line to Nomentana to provide a full ring
around the city.

[283] Italy – Trenitalia Seeks New Night Train Fleet
Trenitalia has launched a tender to acquire new rolling stock for Intercity Night services to Sicily. The
framework agreement covers the supply of up to 370 coaches over a period of five years with a
minimum guaranteed quantity of 70 vehicles. Total value of the framework deal is €732·6mn, with the
minimum order for 70 coaches expected to be worth €138S6mn.

The new fleet is being funded with part of the €200mn allocated to Trenitalia to purchase new rolling
stock in November 2021 by minister of sustainable infrastructure and mobility. Investment in new
rolling stock forms part of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Vigna Clara Station on the Roma Ring (Item 282 above)

The tender notice does not specify the precise type of coach to be supplied, but Trenitalia is expected
to place orders with a single supplier in order to simplify operation and maintenance, while
maintaining the integrity of the Intercity Night brand. The new overnight fleet is expected to enter
services from 2024.

[284] The Netherlands/United Kingdom – Amsterdam Station Revamp Threatens Eurostar Service
Eurostar’s direct services between London and Amsterdam could end in 2024 when major work starts
on revamping Amsterdam Centraal station, Junior Infrastructure Minister Vivianne Heijnen has told
Dutch MPs. There will, the minister said, be no room for Eurostar’s dedicated platform which includes
a lounge with security and passport controls and there is no easy alternative, she said in her briefing.
The situation, the minister said, is unacceptable. Eurostar is important for international rail travel and
for the shift from air to train travel over shorter distances. NS and track operator ProRail have been
urged to do ‘all they can’ to solve the issue. ProRail is doing all it can to find an alternative location
and it hopes to have found a solution by the end of the summer.

In the long term, Eurostar services and other international traffic will be moved from Amsterdam
Centraal station to Amsterdam Zuid which in the Zuidas business district and is also being expanded.
Eurostar currently offers three direct services a day to London and is planning to introduce a fourth in
September.

REST OF THE WORLD
[285] Brazil – Consultation Launched for Nova Ferroeste Project
The governor of the Brazilian state of Paraná has launched the public consultation process for the
Nova Ferroeste project which aims to build 1567 km of new freight railway at a cost of R$35·8bn
(€6·45bn).

The metre-gauge Ferroeste currently runs from Cascavel to Guarapuava and the state’s major
expansion programme would see it extended from Guarapuava to the port of Paranaguá and from

Cascavel to Maracaju, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. From Cascavel, a branch would also run to
Foz do Iguaçu, close to the frontier with Paraguay and Argentina, serving Brazil’s major grain
production area. A recent addition to the project is a route from Cascavel to Chapecó in the state of
Santa Catarina, a hub for refrigerated freight.

A scenic view of the existing part of the Ferroeste metre-gauge line

The state ministry of infrastructure will seek bids from the private sector for one concession and four
authorisations to build and operate Nova Ferroeste over a period of 99 years. The concessions cover:
Guarapuava – Dourados including the existing Ferroeste line between Guarapuava and Cascavel;
Dourados – Maracaju; Cascavel – Foz do Iguaçu; Cascavel – Chapecó and Guarapuava – Paranaguá.
Nova Ferroeste is expected to carry soy, bran, maize, wheat, sugar, beef, poultry, pork, fertiliser and
wood, and is set to become the second most important corridor for grain and refrigerated containers
in Brazil.
Around 70% of South America’s GDP is generated within a 1000 km radius of Nova Ferroeste which is
expected to transform the state of Paraná into a South American logistics hub by attracting
consignments from neighbouring countries such as Argentina and Paraguay. If in operation today, the
new railway would carry 38 million tonnes with 26 million tonnes going directly to the port of
Paranaguá. In 2021, 60 million tonnes were handled. In 2030, with the approved investment, it will
reach 100 million tonnes. Today, 20% of the port’s cargo is transported by rail. With Nova Ferroeste,
more than 60% of the port’s cargo will be transported by rail.
The Nova Ferroeste project has been developed throughout to have the lowest possible socio-
environmental impact. The design of the route from Maracaju to Paranaguá and its branches to Foz
do Iguaçu and Chapecó should not have any negative impact on indigenous communities, staying at
least five km away from these areas. Environmental impact has been reduced by selecting an
alignment between Lapa and Paranaguá that follows an existing highway. This will also shorten transit
times and enable double-stack container trains to be operated.
[286] China – Railway Loop around Largest Desert Opened
On 16 June China opened a railway loop around its largest desert, the Taklimakan, in the country’s
north-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The railway line is 2712-km long and allows for
speeds up to 120 km/h. It has 22 stations, of which six are offering freight services. It is the first time
a railway line has enabled trains to skirt a full circle around a desert, according to China Railway.

The opening of the Hotan – Ruoqiang railway line was a fact when it was linked with the Ruoqiang –
Korla section of the Golmud – Korla railway line, and the Korla – Kashgar and Kashgar – Hotan sections
of the southern Xinjiang rail line. However, construction of the megaproject started in December
2018.

The Taklimakan desert is the second-largest in the world and only slightly smaller than Germany. Due
to the high-speed service, trains can cover the entire distance in 11 hours and 26 minutes. The
completion of this line has connected five counties and certain towns in southern Xinjiang that were
previously inaccessible by train. It will also facilitate the transportation of Xinjiang specialties including
cotton, walnuts, red dates and minerals to other parts of the country. At the same time, the new
railway link may facilitate transportation to the international market. The region is the westernmost
stop on the network to the west. With the renewed commitment to complete the China – Kyrgyzstan
– Uzbekistan (CKU) line, the desert loop may connect the region to Central Asian countries as well.
The railway line runs through the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert and sandstorms in this
region pose a serious threat to the railway. Therefore, anti-desertification programs were carried out
simultaneously with railway construction. Five viaducts with a total length of 49·7 km lift the railway
to protect it against sandstorms. Meanwhile, a total of 5000 hectares of grass grids have been laid and
13 million trees including rose willow and sea buckthorn have been planted.
[287] The Philippines – First TBM in Place for Metro Manila Subway
The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) to be deployed on the Metro Manila Subway project has been
lowered into position at Valenzuela City. A total of 25 TBMs will be used to build the 33 km metro line,
running from Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and serving a total of 17
stations. According to the Department of Transportation, the initial section of the first metro line in
the Philippines is expected to open in 2025, with full operation to follow in 2027. In its first year of full
operation, the Metro Manila Subway is expected to be used by 370,000 passengers a day, but will have
capacity for up to one million passengers a day as traffic grows over the coming decades.
[288] Saudi Arabia – Tunnelling Contracts Awarded for New City
Two contracts have been awarded by the company developing a new city in the Neom economic zone
for the construction by drilling and blasting of 28 km of tunnels through rock to accommodate high-
speed passenger services and freight trains. The contracts have been awarded by Neom, a company

owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which is developing the economic zone city of the
same name in Tabuk province in the northwest of the country.

Tunnelling work has been divided into two geographical lots, with the first awarded to a joint venture
of FCC Construction, China State Construction Engineering and Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting. The second
contract has been to a joint venture of Samsung C&T, Saudi Archirodon and Hyundai Engineering and
Construction.
Neom aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and rock excavated during tunnelling will be processed for
reuse in the concrete tunnel linings and other projects to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
Covering 26,500 km2 along the Red Sea, the Neom economic area is being developed as a smart city
and tourist destination at a cost of €473bn. Its energy needs are intended to be met entirely met from
renewable sources. Neom will include The Line, a car-free, zero-carbon city with one million
inhabitants and no roads, laid out as a 170 km belt with services and transport infrastructure built
underground. Saudi Arabia aims to complete the first section of Neom by 2025.
[289] United Arab Emirates – Rolling Stock Ordered as Line Construction Continues
Etihad Rail has awarded CAF, Spain, a ‫د‬.‫إ‬1·2bn (€310mn) contract to design, manufacture, supply and
maintain push-pull diesel passenger trains for the Etihad Rail project. Neither CAF nor Etihad Rail
disclosed the number of trains included in the contract. The trains will meet European standards with
a maximum speed of 200 km/h, with capacity for more than 400 passengers. CAF said the base
contract is worth more than ‫د‬.‫إ‬968·5mn (€250mn). The agreement was signed on 23 June in the
Sakamkam area, where the first station will be built in the heart of Fujairah city. The development of
passenger services is one of the three strategic projects of the National Railways Programme in the

United Arab Emirates. Passenger trains will connect 11 cities and regions in the UAE from Al Sila to
Fujairah including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Abu Dhabi.
Rail is expected to reduce journey times by up to 40% compared with road. This includes a journey
time of 50 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Dubai to Fujairah, and a 1 hour 10 minute
journey time from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais. The journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 1 hour 40
minutes. The trains will be equipped to cope with the UAE’s harsh climate and will provide amenities
including infotainment systems, charging stations and a food and beverage service. There will be
ample legroom and an advanced air-conditioning system, with seating divided into first class, business
class and economy.

In February, Etihad Rail signed an agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to finance passenger
services, with a total value of ‫د‬.‫إ‬1.99bn (€510mn). First Abu Dhabi Bank will be the Certified Lead
Arranger for the loan. Before the signing, the interested parties visited the final package of Stage 2 of
the UAE National Rail Network, which extends for 145 km from Sharjah to Fujairah Port and Ras Al
Khaimah, to review the progress of construction work. During the visit, which started in the Al Suyoh
area in Sharjah and concluded in Sakamkam, key landmarks on the route were inspected starting with
the rail bridge in Al Suyoh followed by a stop to visit the Al Bithnah Bridge in Fujairah. They then
travelled to visit tracklaying work in tunnels in Al Hajar Mountains in Fujairah. Stage 2 has 54 bridges
and 20 wildlife crossing points, along with nine tunnels totalling 6·9 km. This includes the longest
freight tunnel in the Arab Gulf which runs for 1·8 km. In November 2021, Etihad Rail completed
excavation works for all tunnels on the route, two months ahead of schedule.
[290] USA – Plans for Washington Union Station Redevelopment Unveiled
Plans for the multi-billion-dollar Washington Union Station Expansion Project, intended to modernise
and revitalise what has been described as one of the most iconic and beautiful railway stations in
North America, have been unveiled including renderings of station tracks and platforms, a new train
hall and mezzanine and new entrances. The plans were revealed on 16 June when Grimshaw
Architects, the project’s architectural firm, gave a presentation to the US Commission of Fine Arts
(CFA) which reviews and approves design proposals for public and private buildings in the capital.
Grimshaw Architects stressed the importance of creating a bright and roomy space that is more
accessible for visitors, by adding a new train hall that would provide connections to the different
modes serving the station, and new entrances providing access from different parts of the city,
including the H Street Corridor. “The hope is to take what is currently a less than ideal space for

passengers, and open that up, and get on and off buses and trains in a straightforward fashion,” says
Grimshaw Architects principal, Mr Nikolas Dando-Haenisch.

An artist’s impression of the new train hall

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) owns Union Station and is leading the project, together with
Amtrak. They are seeking federal funding through the IIJA infrastructure programme that was signed
into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. An earlier estimate priced the renovation at roughly $US
10bn (€9·48bn), with completion by 2040.

An artist’s impression of the revised entrance layout

Based on the plans presented to the CFA, passengers and visitors will be able to enter the station
through the original century-old structure, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964, or
through newly-constructed entrances on each side to reduce vehicular traffic at Columbus Circle in
front of the station. Dando-Haenisch said the redevelopment does not include changes to the original
building.
A new train hall designed for daylight and for passengers to more easily spot where to catch their bus
or train, also connects to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro Red

Line and DC Circulator buses. Parking and a pickup/drop-off area will be on the lowest level, along
with four concourses housing shops and restaurants. Escalators and lifts will connect with the railway
station and the bus station. The project assumes increased use, so bus and train capacity has been
added. The highest level offers an outdoor deck where people can be dropped off or picked up or
simply enjoy some green space. Developer Akridge plans to create a mix of residential and commercial
buildings next to the centre space with greenery, along the six hectares of air rights north of Union
Station. However, that $US3bn (€2·84bn) project, called Burnham Place, is contingent on the
redevelopment of the station.

This latest proposal was developed on the basis of stakeholder feedback, including criticism from local
government officials of the large car park contained in an earlier proposal. CFA officials seemed to
largely support the plan, however, a few voiced reservations that the historic building would become
just a thoroughfare to the new train hall. The next step is for the FRA to complete an environmental
impact statement, after which final design and construction can then commence.

[291] USA – West Chester Wants Commuter Service to Philadelphia
West Chester SEPTA runs were stopped almost four decades ago due to a lack of patronage but now
there is increased interest in establishing another commuter line to Philadelphia. A more traditional
service could cost in the region of $500 mn (€474mn) which is why the Committee to Re-establish Rail
Service to West Chester is calling for battery-powered shuttle trains that would cost $16·4 mn
(€15·5mn). The use of recycled rail, using battery-powered zero-emission trains, deferring signalling
and minimising station costs are some of the elements that are supposed to keep costs down. Track
restoration is expected to cost about $9·5 mn (€9 mn) and station restoration would cost $675,000
(€639,500).

The old order between West Chester and Philadelphia [Photo: SEPTA]

Who will be operating the trains is still up in the air. SEPTA Regional Rail, SEPTA Suburban Transit, the
Transportation Management Association of Chester County and the West Chester Railroad are all
potential candidates.