Recent content by hwl

You metric of "seconds of pantograph up per pound spent" is certainly heading in the right direction but probably need to include elements of needing reasonable lengths of contiguous wiring (outside of termini with long layovers), not having monster gaps and aiming to cover high power draw...

Drogheda is a DNO connection (10kV) fed from a 38kV substation upstream, not Grid and the local DNO network was fairly maxed out hence the on site BESS. This was designed as a temporary quick fix before longer term AC electrification with decent power feeds (which the new Stadler Enterprise...

I can't understand that either! The key differences with the Denmark Hill example is that Tulse Hill example has two speed signs and the signal not visible in the photo in the 1st post on the reverse side is a banner repeater. Given problematic local lighting conditions (sun a certain times of...

That depends on if it is Scotrail situation based on a matching EMU fleet (good) or if it is a BEMU microfleet (less good, but most of the impact is the microfleet element) . In all cases the maintenance effort is far lower than DMU, the question is how much. With BEMUs there will also be an...

Theale can easily be fed by pipeline from either Humberside refinery/ex-refinery. Westerleigh can't...

Am I correct in thinking that Impala is the most recent rebranding of the former Puma / Murco / Amoco terminal at Milford Haven? Importing diesel from the states is not a good business to be in currently.... [DBC and Touax are being sued by NR for Llangennech.]

The new EMUs will be rolled out first so the non battery issues can be ironed out on those. Some of the EMU will replace existing DMU services that run completely under the wires currently.

Exactly, you can get Class 70 performance from less than max 12car 450 power draw (with all the current limiting in place). The average power draw for freight will be much higher than passenger northbound and this may be part of the problem. 1791270433 A different solution has now been...

Lots waiting for parts. DfT wnet through a phase where they though they could save lots of money by getting TOCS (in management contract times) to hold less stock of spare to save cash. It has always turned out to be a bad idea for rail users but DfT had to learn the value of stock holding...

The signal gantry is on an "embankment" adjacent to the south circular and the ground conditions are very poor with minimal flexibility in locating the singal for signal spacing reasons. The foundations are two huge steel piles (the largest diameter used for problem OHLE structures).The local...

To BEMU the local EMR (or what every they are call by that point in time) services a very simple solution is to sort the MML as this gives lots of charging under the wires opportunities for lots of different local service groups. MML effectively got "paused" because the government need to fund...

Going back to my comment before that one: North of the A45 the work rate is sensibly high (but not crazy high) as there is plenty to do as lots of structures there are very behind compared to many other section of the route (~18months-ish on average) which matches exactly what you are seeing...

It also discusses compromises needed due to the space that toilets take up, most of the extra toilet discussion in the document is thus focused on intercity as they recognise people will get left behind on other services if you fit lots of toilets. (Ditto family spaces, luggage and cycle space)...

Refurbishment doesn't automatically imply upgrading equipment. GBRf have had all but about 2? of the /1 and /2 they have completely stripped down and rebuilt over the years. This was part of getting the NR contract for the 73s renewed.

The GBRf 73/9s (split between Caledonian Sleeper and Tonbridge for NR infrastructure) had new MTU diesel engines retrofitted and new traction electrical equipment retrofitted so are in much more capable all round compared to the remaining 73/1s based at Tonbridge. Bob Tiller was GBRf's...