LUL take over services to Aylesbury

[Sunil_P]

Amersham to Aylesbury is only four stops.

Reading is 37 miles from Paddington
Aylesbury is 39 miles from Marylebone (ie. not much difference).

Third/fourth rail is much less visually obtrusive than overhead catenary.

 

[12LDA28C]

Amersham to Aylesbury is only four stops.

Reading is 37 miles from Paddington
Aylesbury is 39 miles from Marylebone (ie. not much difference).

Third/fourth rail is much less visually obtrusive than overhead catenary.

I'm failing to see the connection.

Not to mention the fact that third/fourth rail electrification is rather out of favour these days - if you've seen the recent OHLE installation on the GWML you'll be aware that being visually obtrusive is not a major concern these days. Can you tell me when the last brand new or major extension of a third rail electrified railway was installed (not including very small LU extension projects within central London)?

 

[Sunil_P]

I'm failing to see the connection.

Not to mention the fact that third/fourth rail electrification is rather out of favour these days - if you've seen the recent OHLE installation on the GWML you'll be aware that being visually obtrusive is not a major concern these days. Can you tell me when the last brand new or major extension of a third rail electrified railway was installed (not including very small LU extension projects within central London)?

Admittedly, not a UK example, but Bangalore Metro in India, 2011.

 

[Trainbike46]

Amersham to Aylesbury is only four stops.

Reading is 37 miles from Paddington
Aylesbury is 39 miles from Marylebone (ie. not much difference).

Third/fourth rail is much less visually obtrusive than overhead catenary.

Fourth rail definitely won't be extended to Aylesbury.

If the Chiltern routes get electrfied, it will be with OHLE, at least for the sections beyond Amersham.

I really hope it does get sorted, most of the lines are busy enough to justify it, but it seems relatively unlikely with the current government

 

[12LDA28C]

Fourth rail definitely won't be extended to Aylesbury.

If the Chiltern routes get electrfied, it will be with OHLE, at least for the sections beyond Amersham.

I really hope it does get sorted, most of the lines are busy enough to justify it, but it seems relatively unlikely with the current government

Electrification of Chiltern routes has never even been proposed, I can't see it happening, ever. If we can't even build EWR, effectively a brand new line with OHLE then what chance is there?

A more likely solution might be bi-mode diesel units with third rail capability that could run on DC between Harrow and Amersham and diesel for the rest of the journey.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Electrification of Chiltern routes has never even been proposed, I can't see it happening, ever. If we can't even build EWR, effectively a brand new line with OHLE then what chance is there?

A more likely solution might be bi-mode diesel units with third rail capability that could run on DC between Harrow and Amersham and diesel for the rest of the journey.

Another thread has appeared stating that Chiltern have gone out for expressions of interest in fully electrifying by way of new or converted battery units. The world truly has gone mad.

 

[12LDA28C]

Another thread has appeared stating that Chiltern have gone out for expressions of interest in fully electrifying by way of new or converted battery units. The world truly has gone mad.

That is correct. All part of their commitment to move towards 'net zero' which the whole world is raving about these days, apparently. (Apart from India and China of course, building coal-fired power stations at steady rate...)

One battery hybrid unit (168329) is already in trials with another (165004) due to be delivered in the next few weeks, for ongoing evaluation and testing.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That is correct. All part of their commitment to move towards 'net zero' which the whole world is raving about these days, apparently. (Apart from India and China of course, building coal-fired power stations at steady rate...)

One battery hybrid unit (168329) is already in trials with another (165004) due to be delivered in the next few weeks, for ongoing evaluation and testing.

The proposal seems not to be hybrids but full battery operation with point charging.

 

[The Planner]

Electrification of Chiltern routes has never even been proposed, I can't see it happening, ever. If we can't even build EWR, effectively a brand new line with OHLE then what chance is there?

A more likely solution might be bi-mode diesel units with third rail capability that could run on DC between Harrow and Amersham and diesel for the rest of the journey.

Yes it has, NR have looked at it often, still are though Chiltern Route Upgrade (CRUG) is likely going to end up on the shelf like most other enhancements.

 

[Basil Jet]

Electrification of Chiltern routes has never even been proposed, I can't see it happening, ever.

Electrification of Amersham to Aylesbury was part of the Crossrail plan until approximately 1999.

 

[12LDA28C]

Yes it has, NR have looked at it often, still are though Chiltern Route Upgrade (CRUG) is likely going to end up on the shelf like most other enhancements.

I've looked through the window of my local Aston Martin dealer, doesn't mean I'm seriously considering buying one. If there has been any firm plan proposed with associated costs and timescales I'm unaware of it but happy to be proved wrong.

As mentioned, given that electrification is not on the horizon within the next generation, Chiltern have invited manufacturers to offer battery / hybrid solutions to replace the current 165/168 fleet in the medium to long term.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Nov 2022 ==

The proposal seems not to be hybrids but full battery operation with point charging.

All options are being explored currently with no particular method of operation being considered more favourable than any others. I don't believe full battery operation has been developed sufficiently yet beyond use for short branch lines although such technology is under development.

 

[miklcct]

I really can't imagine how electrifying all the busy London commuter routes isn't a benefit. With the electrification of Midland main line extending northwards and the replacement of EMR fleet by bi-mode units, Marylebone will soon be the only terminal left with diesel running in London.

 

[zwk500]

I really can't imagine how electrifying all the busy London commuter routes isn't a benefit. With the electrification of Midland main line extending northwards and the replacement of EMR fleet by bi-mode units, Marylebone will soon be the only terminal left with diesel running in London.

It IS beneficial, it's just also expensive. It'd need it's own feeder stations and so on, especially as it'd be an island of OLE for quite some time.

 

[12LDA28C]

I really can't imagine how electrifying all the busy London commuter routes isn't a benefit. With the electrification of Midland main line extending northwards and the replacement of EMR fleet by bi-mode units, Marylebone will soon be the only terminal left with diesel running in London.

You're aware that Government is trying to save a large amount of money currently and has the railway firmly in its sights for cost-cutting? It's not even prepared to electrify a brand new railway (EWR) so it's hardly likely to spend many billions on a costly and difficult electrification scheme, regardless of any associated benefit.

 

[miklcct]

You're aware that Government is trying to save a large amount of money currently and has the railway firmly in its sights for cost-cutting?

If the benefit is greater than the cost it should be pursued regardless of how costly it is.

 

[The Planner]

If the benefit is greater than the cost it should be pursued regardless of how costly it is.

Doesn't quite work like that....