Among a series of top level meetings involving CEOs and officials from companies who are members of UIC, CER and EIM, the UIC European Management Committee (EMC) met in Berlin on 4th September at the kind invitation of Rudiger Grübe, CEO of DB.

The principle issue on the agenda was the conclusions of the joint CER, EIM and UIC Europe (“tripartite”) working group, established in spring 2009 as a result of a mandate set by Mr Mehdorn when he was Chairman of UIC–Europe. EMC Chairman Guillaume Pepy thanked all those involved in bringing the discussions to this point. He highlighted the importance of the improvements that the initiative of a Coordination Technical Group (CTG) would bring to the rail operating community especially in respect to the way in which we coordinate our activities in response to the needs of the European Railway Agency’s (ERA) work programme.

Members of EMC were in full agreement that the organisation of CTG (to operate in Brussels) and the involvement of the UIC as part of it alongside the CER and the EIM, would reinforce and strengthen the position of the rail operators and ensure that especially in relation to safety and interoperability issues, the developmental work is being undertaken from a system perspective. It is intended that the UIC team in Brussels and the usage of the office facilities be refocused so as to be better placed to support the responsibilities that the CTG will undertake.

The meeting also agreed that in the present search for more savings, the appointment of a Regional Director, Europe would not take place at this time. Still there is an important task of coordination to be done vis à vis this new CTG, our European members and the liaison with our technical departments to follow progress on projects (in particular those with DG research) by the Regional Coordinator for Europe.

The meeting also discussed the issue of the overall noise reduction programme and the important contribution to be made by the approval and use of “LL brake blocks”. There had been a very disappointedly low response to the call for funding for this project. It was highlighted that a technical solution is needed within the next 2 years in order to underpin the political debate over noise. A resolution on this issue with the proposal of a test train, was to be discussed at the CEOs’ meeting on Saturday 5th September.

The meetings of CER, EIM, and UIC’s European Management Committee were held in Berlin as part of the annual meeting between the directors of the major European railways.

On Saturday 05 September, presentations and discussions took place on a wide variety of subjects, including the introduction of a new experimental train project aimed at live testing of LL brake blocks by 2010, the stance to be taken by railways vis-à-vis European environmental policies on energy, and the rules governing the opening up to competition. Following animated discussions, the participants (infrastructure managers and the three organisations, UIC, CER and EIM) signed common resolutions on the various topics addressed.

These discussions were highly constructive and to conclude the meeting, the Chairman Mr Grübe thanked all participants as well as the three organisations, UIC, CER and EIM, for their collaboration and active participation.

Following the tragic derailment of a freight train in Viareggio (Italy) on 29th June 2009, the European Commission and the European Railway Agency organised a stakeholder conference on rail safety in Brussels on 8th September 2009. The UIC along with other rail associations (CER, EIM, ERFA…) participated and were represented by Jean-Michel Richard, Chair of the Safety Platform, Eric Peetermans, Chair of the Wagon Users Group and Simon Fletcher, UIC Regional Coordinator, Europe. In partnership with a number of key players, there had been a concerted effort behind the scenes throughout the summer in preparing the sector’s position and approach especially in relation to maintenance of rail freight vehicle axles and wheelsets.

The conference was attended by over 200 delegates coming from safety authorities, investigation bodies, transport ministries as well as representatives of the rail sector – operators, manufacturers…

The core messages emerging from the event were:

• the absolute necessity for safety to be developed at a European level and to discourage individual initiatives that could lead to an unbalanced approach to a range of safety-related issues but in particular to maintenance and checks of axles.
• The need to ensure a joined-up system-based approach to safety management; it is through this that costs can be better controlled and more effective measures introduced
• It is important that freight traffic stays on rail and that it remains a competitive mode; individual, national safety measures could in fact lead to seamless cross border rail freight traffic in Europe becoming more difficult

The conference was divided into 4 specific areas:

• Safety at the level of infrastructure and railway operations
• Safety at the level of vehicles
• Safety at the level of goods transported
• Supervision and investigation

The rail operating community was invited to speak in a number of the sessions with Mauro Moretti, Vice Chair of UIC Europe and chairman of FS (Italy) speaking in the first session. In the second session, CER’s Libor Lochman presented a joint CER-UIP-ERFA-UIC proposal which addresses a number of general issues but also outlines 11 detailed measures in respect to limiting the risk of broken axles. Further presentations were made by ERFA and UNIFE.

The European Commission and the ERA greatly appreciated the fact that the sector had presented a coordinated and indeed consolidated view. An action plan has been drawn up by the ERA which sets out a number of short and longer term measures that will be developed by a special task force established to explore all the issues. The ERA is placing great importance in the work of this task force as it will be personally chaired by the ERA’s Head of Safety, Anders Lundstrom. The task force will also take the sector’s 11-point plan into account.

In drawing the event to a close, EU Vice President and Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani set out the core resolutions that the event had concluded:

• Any measures introduced must be done at a European level
• The existing regulatory framework must be fully implemented by all Member States; there are some still very behind and implementation must be accelerated
• The action plan prepared by the ERA and to which the sector actively contributed shall be followed; the task force shall be set up activated immediately
• A time/mileage based approach to vehicle maintenance shall be studied and applied
• The mandatory certification of Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) shall be accelerated
• The ERA’s role will be enhanced. This will include: o involvement in vehicle certification, o auditing of NSAs, o on-site inspection and o participation in accident investigations The EC will study how this modified framework shall be developed and the timescales for implementation
• A European-wide platform for the real-time exchange of data related to wagon operation/maintenance and the transportation of dangerous goods should be developed

Copies of the various documents mentioned in this article will be placed on the UIC website within the safety pages.

UIC was present at the World Climate Conference-3 Better climate information for a better future, organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and various partners in Geneva, that took place from August 31st to September 4th. The main focus of the conference was on how to adapt and prepare for the increasing consequences of climate change, with a technical and scientific approach.

The opening session included Mr Kofi Annan, President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of WMO, Dr Alexander Bedritsky, President of WMO, H.E. Mr Hans Rudolph Merz, President of Swiss Confederation and Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Change. Dr Brundtland pointed out in her address that “as you all know, in less than four months, the world’s governments will meet in Copenhagen to seal the deal on a new climate change agreement. Any such agreement must be scientifically ambitious, fair and effective in reducing emissions” and she continued “Clear, credible scientific data is essential for informed decision-making at the global level in Copenhagen this December. It is essential for those in the business community who are creating the new green technologies that can drive low-carbon growth. And it is vital to creating a more informed public discourse on our response to climate change. The science demands we act boldly, or we may not get a second chance.“

On the 1st of September Margrethe Sagevik, UIC, participated in a session entitled “Climate, Transport and Tourism”. During the session two white papers on tourism and transport were presented and the panelists were invited to give their comments to these. The session Chair was Luigi Cabrini, Director Sustainable Development of Tourism, United Nations /World Tourism Organisation.

The transport panel consisted of Sibylle Rupprecht, Director General, International Road Federation, Jean Andrey, Professor of Geography and Environment Management, University of Waterloo (Canada) and Margrethe Sagevik, UIC Sustainable Development Senior Adviser, while the panel on tourism among others included OECD’s head of Tourism Unit, Alain Dupeyras.

The “White Paper on Weather and Climate Information for Tourism” was written and presented by Daniel Scott, Chair in Global Change and Tourism, University of Waterloo and the ‘White Paper on Climate information on Transport” was written and presented by Geoffrey Love, World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The transport panellists acknowledged and debated the paper on transport. UIC emphasised the need to focus on both mitigation and adaptation in the transport sector, and welcomed this cooperation between the tourism and transport sectors. Margrethe Sagevik thus presented the main findings and ambitions of the ARISCC-project so far, outlining the need for cross sectoral cooperation in order to develop resilient sustainable transport systems. Further on, Sagevik brought forward the recommendations from the Bridging the Gap-initiative to the COP 15 in Copenhagen in December that the future climate regime must recognise the importance of upgrading existing and design of new robust transport infrastructure and communities and provide funding for this.

As a curious detail remarked by several participants, it might have been one of the rare occasions so far in history where the tourism panellists were men only, while the panel on transport included only women!

UIC has contributed to a book that was launched during the WCC3, entitled “Climate Sense” with an article on the Adapting Rail Infrastructure to Climate Change (ARISCC)-project.

About the World Climate Conference The first two World Climate Conferences were revolutionary in their impacts. The First World Climate Conference in 1979 ultimately led to the establishment of the World Climate Programme, the World Climate Research Programme and the Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC — all endeavours that have raised awareness and scientific understanding of climate variability and change.

The Second World Climate Conference in 1990 added decisive momentum to global climate discussions, increasing political will and commitment to the issue through the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Global Climate Observing System.

UIC, SNCF, the Railenergy and Trainer consortia are about to host the major Railway Energy Efficiency event in Europe in 2009. The organisers are expecting more than 270 participants from all over the world to attend the Energy Efficiency Days 2009 in Tours (France). The conference, under the high patronage of the French Ministry for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Maritime affairs, will address all important topics related to energy efficiency in the railway world like energy saving technologies and programmes, energy metering & billing, eco-driving and CO2 reduction and climate change among others. Among the 50 speakers presenting the various technical topics, Pierre-Franck Chevet from the French Ministry for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Maritime affairs and Khalida Bouzar from UNEP will address the strategic orientation in the fields of energy, ecology and sustainable development.

The three days conference, comprising the Railenergy intermediate conference, the 4th UIC Energy Efficiency Conference and the TRAINER final conference, will open its gates in Tours on September 23rd, 2009 until Friday providing the most important energy efficiency forum in Europe for 2009.

UIC was able to take part in the 4th Summer Seminar of the Avenir-Transports association in Uzès, France, from 24 to 26 August 2009. The association was founded in 1995 by Dominique Bussereau, the current French Secretary of State for Transport, and groups numerous members of Parliament from across the political spectrum and all the major players and top experts of the transport sector in France. Its aim is to provide a platform for exchanges of ideas and dialogue in view of encouraging proactive policies for transport at domestic and European level.

On this occasion, the speech by Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of UIC, focused on the opening up to competition of rail transport and deregulation. The atmosphere was relaxed which did not prevent the discussion from covering a wide range of topics – the evolution of relationships between infrastructure managers and train operating companies in Europe and around the world, and its impact on the opening up to competition – which were addressed exhaustively and constructively.

The impact of market liberalisation in terms of technologies and the need for interoperability were also emphasised. The participants and other speakers who included notable French politicians as well as transport company executives and some members of UIC such as SNCF, DB and Veolia Transport, all greatly appreciated the international perspective provided by Jean-Pierre Loubinoux within a series of speeches otherwise very centred on Europe. Indeed significant differences exist between the situations and experiences in France and Great Britain, but the same can be said for North America or Japan. Participants were thus provided with references which brought to light the key success factors and conditions in each of these situations.

This event was also an excellent opportunity for learning from European authorities as well as for meeting with all the operators, politicians, academics and manufacturers attending the seminar, in order to promote our organisation and its action.

On October 22-23 UIC and FIATA’s second edition of the Market Place Seminar will take place. This time the seminar will take place in Istanbul and the focus is on “Rail Transport Connecting Continents”. This second edition follows on the success of last year’s seminar in Prague. UIC e-news interviewed Oliver Sellnick, UIC’s freight director, to find out the latest news on the event.

What is the Market Place Seminar?

The Market Place Seminar is a jointly organized event between UIC and FIATA (International Freight Forwarders’ Association) which aims to create opportunities for increased cooperation and business development within the rail sector by offering a common platform for railway undertakings, freight forwarders and customers.

What is the latest status of the event?

This year we have high profile speakers representing the whole railway industry. The development of the seminar has been excellent. In fact, we still have companies who approach us with the aim to get their companies name in the program. Furthermore, we have also a very effective co-operation with our co-organizers TCDD (Turkish Railways) and UTIKAD (Freight Forwarders & Logistics Service Providers Association in Turkey) which facilitate some of the local planning.

What is different to last year / What is new this year?

The concept is the same but this time we focus on a different market. Last year’s focus was on Central Eastern Europe and now we sharpen our attention on the corridor from South-Eastern Europe to the Middle East. It is obvious that this region is expanding and attracts a lot of business partners. The Market Place Seminar is a great occasion for the European rail logistic professionals to learn more about business opportunities and requirements for doing rail business in this region and to enlarge their business network.

Who can participate?

People connected to the railway’s supply chain. Ideally we will have a mix of decision makers from the whole railway sector (e.g. logistic managers, sales managers, key account managers and business development managers).

Anything else you would like to add?

• Don’t forget to register!

UIC e-news comment: To register, please visit the seminar’s website www.marketplaceseminar.org and follow the instructions.

The 3rd international conference of the International Railway History Association IRHA-AIHC will take place in Bratislava in the Slovak Republic from 24 to 26 September 2009. This international IRHA conference is supported by UIC, Slovak railway companies ZSR, ZSSK, ZSSK Cargo, SNCF and SE Henry Cuny, Ambassador of France to Slovakia. The conference will be opened in the presence of Mr. Lubomir Vazny, Minister of Transport of the Slovak Republic.

Main theme of this 3rd international conference dedicated to Railway history and heritage, is “ Railways in Transition – Eastern European Railways – Past, Present and Future in the 20th and 21st Centuries”.

Four sessions will handle successively following issues:

• Historical overview of railways in Eastern European countries,

• Under Russian protection,

• After the Fall of the Iron Curtain: Changes, Problems, Modernisation”,

• Heritage and its Use.

In addition to the conference programme, a programme of visits is proposed by Slovak railways to delegates including the Transportation Museum of Bratislava.

The International Railway History Association IRHA was established in 2002 out of a joint initiative of railways, universities, scientific societies, railway and transport museums and cultural institutions as well as people interested in history and safeguarding of the archives and historic and cultural heritage of rail transport.

The IRHA is dedicated to the history and heritage of rail transport and its networks, to the memory of men and women who built and operated them, and to understanding the activities to which they gave birth, in particular their contribution to economy and society. The international association is chaired by Henry Jacolin, former Ambassador of France, Vice Chairmen are Miguel Munoz Rubio, FFE-RENFE and Paul Véron, UIC, and the Secretary General Prof.-Dr. Ralf Roth, University of Francfort.

The idea to restore and put back on rails the insurrectional “Improvised armoured train Stefanik” (IAT Stefanik) was put forward some years ago by employees of SNP Museum in Banska Bystrica, Slovak Republic, in connection with the preparation of the 65th anniversary celebration of Slovak national uprising (SNP).

From June 2009 ten men of different professions –members of the Historical Technique club of Zvolen as well as several railwaymen- carried out the restoration works of these historic railway vehicles with the objective of bringing back the “IAT Stefanik” train into operation. Inauguration of the restored train took place on 21 August in presence of chairmen of the railway undertakings, museum representatives and many guests (source: ZSR).

The main purpose of OTIF’s General Assembly, which was held in Bern, Switzerland, on 9 and 10 September, and in which Jean-Pierre Lehman took part as UIC representative, was to resolve ongoing legal and practical issues involving the European Commission and OTIF regarding

• Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of Use of Infrastructure in International Rail Traffic (Appendix E of COTIF);

• Uniform Rules concerning the Validation of Technical Standards and the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions applicable to Railway Material intended to be used in International Traffic (Appendix F of COTIF);

• Uniform Rules concerning the Technical Admission of Railway Material used in International Traffic (Appendix G of COTIF).

The report by the Secretary General on the outcome of discussions on this subject since the eighth General Assembly (in particular with the European Commission) gave a clear summary of the measures that had been or remained to be taken in order to avoid the negative effects of the coexistence of different types of member state (member states that have ratified COTIF 1999, members states that have ratified COTIF but have stated that they will not implement Appendices E,F and G, and member states that have not ratified COTIF).

The Secretary General’s report, which was based on the work of the Revision Committee, was adopted by the OTIF General Assembly.

The establishment of the European Community’s adherence to COTIF (approval of the agreement in accordance with Article 38 of COTIF 1999) would have been another highlight of the General Assembly. Unfortunately the internal decision-making processes of the European Community had not reached a conclusion at the time of the assembly, therefore the adherence could not be made official. Consequently, an extraordinary GA will be required to close this important legal chapter.

UIC wishes to congratulate Mr Stefan Schimming, who was reappointed as Secretary General until 2012, and hopes that this new mandate will see a strengthening of the links between the two organisations.

A delegation of 16 communications and press specialists from the Danish State railways DSB led by Niels Molsted from the DSB Communications department, visited the UIC headquarters in Paris on Friday 4th September This visit was part of a study trip to France.

Paul Véron, Director of Communications, presented to the Danish delegation the current evolution of UIC, its role and missions, new focuses for international cooperation activities as well the evolutions resulting from the new statutes: increased initiative for UIC regional assemblies, etc. An exchange –with questions, answers- between members of the DSB group and UIC –including Liesbeth de Jong, Press Relations manager and Marie Plaud, Communications advisor- took place on the issues of international cooperation among railways, communicating with the press on railway issues, etc.

Mr. Arkady Petrov, Deputy Head of International Relations Department at October Railway (part of Russian Railways RZD which operates railway traffic in the Saint-Petersburg region) paid a visit to UIC headquarters on 9th September. He met at UIC HQ with (?) Vincent Vu, Director of Institutional Relations, Paul Véron, Director of Communications, Brian Bock, World Senior Advisor and Margrethe Sagevik, Senior Advisor Sustainable Development and Climate Change.

This visit provided an opportunity to present to Arkady Petrov the mission and organisation of UIC –resulting from the approval of new statutes in March 2009- and to have an exchange with the UIC representatives on a series of important issues: passenger traffic (in particular high speed rail) and freight issues, technology and rolling stock, interoperability, gauge difference between members, UIC activities aiming to promote rail transport as the most sustainable transport solution, etc. In this respect, the “Train to Copenhagen” campaign coordinated by UIC together with its members prior to the United Nations Climate Change conference to be held in Denmark in December, will involve Russian railways with the circulation of a special ‘”Train to Copenhagen” and Mr. Petrov was very interested by the presentation of this project. Later on the day, Mr. Petrov had the opportunity to visit high speed trains facilities, in order to benchmark with the help of UIC how to operate and maintain high speed trainsets, in the perspective of the future high speed line between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Oliver Sellnick, Director Railway Undertakings, visited SBB Cargo in Basel 15 September with the purpose to understand better the current strategic and business situation of SBB Cargo, their needs towards the Freight Forum as well as to review the performance of UIC from the point of view of SBB Cargo. He was invited to an internal committee reviewing all aspects of SBB Cargo’s institutional relations. In addition, in depth discussions were led with the deputy CEO of SBB Cargo, the head of strategy and the Head of international relations of the SBB group.

SBB Cargo appears to perform above average in the European context. While the international business has been hit as strong as in other European markets, the national business could be sustained with only single digit reductions. Moreover, management has focused on increasing the flexibility of the cost base.

SBB Cargo is actively involved in all major projects and activities of the Freight Forum. UIC is requested to review the value added of all work for members even more vigorously in the face of the crisis. SBB Cargo has performed a valuation of all working groups in which staff participates and has forwarded the findings as a feedback to UIC. Under the positive impression of this process, UIC reviews the option of introducing a structured and automated feedback process for members.