Recent content by Mike C

To clarify: Std Premier gives you a seat in a 1st class carriage and a meal with drinks (the type will depend on the time of travel) which usually consists of 3 small courses served to your seat. Business Premier adds a larger cooked meal (and a choice of meals), and a shorter check in time...

The transformer doesn't convert from AC to DC - that would be a rectifier (of which there are many different types). A typical modern scheme would be: 1) 25kV/50Hz AC Single phase supply 2) Transformer to step down to something in the ~1000 to 1500v range (still AC) 3) This is then fed to a...

It is on HS1 and on SNCF LGV's...

In my experience: - The "coasting" issue when they lower pantographs under "DC" mode (which is no longer existing) and the AWS can't be over-ridden. - Couplers: I have had a few where there is a unit short of formation because they couldn't couple up. Not in icy weather either - I have...

They do. Even our 1993 vintage rolling stock has 3 phase motors.

Spotters think they know more about rolling stock design and operation than those doing it for a living.

I just echo the other comments here. 365s are a good unit, but have even more potential. I can well believe that with some sensible engineering I think 110 is not only possible but actually a good idea. The Peterborough fasts will be able to clear further north before a 125mph train catches up...

Agreed - they did a good job. It has been a hard week for them, but today there was a definite sense of order and control. Job well done under difficult circumstances.

Didn't look good on the way past this morning but the line was reopened at about 0800h.

It used to be Gordon, but I think Henry is under-rated.

In terms of outright speed, yes, TGV is the world's fastest on a max speed record and in-service average journey speed basis. However I would guess that an N700 or similar would have greater acceleration, especially from a stand due to the extra number of powered axles. I think a TGV-R has the...

Well, yes obviously, but my point is that there is a way around for those going further north. If there wasn't, it would affect many more than use just those 5 stations.

I travelled to work in London this morning from Huntingdon, everything was fine and on time. I left KGX on the 1640 and it arrived spot on time. I guess I have been lucky by the sound of it - dodging the chaos. At least with those stations affected today you can use the Hertford loop.

Being a diesel, the NMT has yet another issue there. It would need to be dragged through. Yes, overhauling carriages to be fire compliant is practically a re-build. Even re-engineering the locos would be prohibitively expensive. You would need to do the same work - new cabling throughout...

In a word - No. In some more words: They won't have the necessary fire compliance (French standard NFF 16-101 for anyone who cares). They don't have the required signalling systems, they don't have the required redundancy (only one pantograph for a start), and in order to make the train long...