3rd Rail Eurostars

[5872]

(I now realise its wrong thread)

Should we have a thread for general talk and pics/videos of the eurostars on 3rd rail as in a few days they won't go on third rail again.
[youtube]GmlNyf3YM0g[/youtube]

 

[ChrisCooper]

I do wonder what the contingency plans are for a blockage on the CTRL, since currently Eurostars can divert via the old pre-CTRL route, but oviously once the 3rd rail capability is lost this won't be possible. Particularly problematic would be a blockage between the tunnel and Ashford, since unless they will be able to use the Shuttle terminal then they wouldn't be able to run through the tunnel. On the French side, TGVs and Eurostars can use the "classic" network if the LGVs are closed. I presume engineering work when required will be carried out with single line working and TSRs past the worksite. Another thing, is the AWS/TPWS being retained? I know St Pancras is going to have KVB which is the French equivalent, so there will be no need to use AWS under normal circumstances, but retaining this would be useful (removing it would prevent access to the platforms at Ashford for one thing, making Ebsfleet the first turnback point this side of the channel).

 

[paul1609]

My CTRL contact reckons Ashford has been fitted with KVB

 

[LucaZone]

How about hauling the set along the classic lines from Dollands Moor?

 

[Tom]

Yeah but how would it get to St Pancras? I think the time loss differential to slapping a loco on the end (of which they will have none when they move out of North Pole, apart from the odd 73 perhaps?) than to just saying "tickets valid on South Eastern services into London" would be too great.

 

[LucaZone]

For blockage between ashford and the tunnel. So only haul it as far as Ashford and then let it back onto HS1.

Certainly for blockage between Ashford and Ebbsfleet they would oust everyone at Ashford to use classic lines. The same setup would occur if there was blockage between Ebbsfleet and Stratford, ousting everyone at Ebbsfleet. Finally ousting everyone at Stratford (when it opens) if there are issues with St Pancras.

 

[Tom]

When there is a bad problem E* just generally don't run ...

 

[LucaZone]

hehe true!

 

[CosherB]

You can't get into St Pancras on 3rd rail, so why keep the shoes and 750 VDC electric gear on the trains?

 

[class 313]

You can't get into St Pancras on 3rd rail, so why keep the shoes and 750 VDC electric gear on the trains?

Just in case they cant use the CTRL between so and so, so have to use the old route which is via SET so need 3rd rail...

 

[ChampsRacing]

Got told by my course manager at Basingstoke yesterday that the 3rd rail shoes are currently being taken off them.