Borderlands line electrification proposal

[315801]

Moderator note: Split from

Class 230 units training/introduction on the Borderlands line.

Today looking better. +9 leaving Bidston on the last run. It’s only got to last another 3 ish hours and its completed the day

www.railforums.co.uk

The way I see it is that perhaps if a suggestion I put on rmweb when I was a member hadn't been ridiculed as badly as it was, it is possible that the service might have been running much sooner and probably better.

What I suggested was about using either 25Kv AC or 750v DC along the entire route.

I must point out her before anybody comes down on me like a ton of bricks that I do not know which of those power supply systems is cheaper to install and maintain. The thought was that even as the 3 coach units they are mow, the D78 stock could have been converted to 3 rail operation like the 5 x 2 coach class 484s for the Isle of Wight or if not using the D78 stock, the current class 507 and 508 units could have been providing a service on the Wrexham line.

From the comments I have seen and read since I joined the forum, it appears ( and I may be wrong here in which fair enough if I am ) that the D78 / Class 230s were possibly not the best selection of stock to use on the line at least that is the impression I am getting.

Admittedly I have not rode on the Wrexham line for a good few years ( the last time was when 150250 was the unit working the route ) but the 150 unit ran well and from what I was told by the guard at the time I think the unit was not even 1 minute down by the time I got off at shotton to change for a main line service to Llandudno.

If required bybthe moderators I might start a new thread once I know where it would need to be posted regarding whether forum members think that 25Kv AC or 750v DC would be better for yse on the Wrexham line, if the moderators could advise me regarding this I would be grateful.

 

[XAM2175]

The way I see it is that perhaps if a suggestion I put on rmweb when I was a member hadn't been ridiculed as badly as it was, it is possible that the service might have been running much sooner and probably better.

What I suggested was about using either 25Kv AC or 750v DC along the entire route.

With respect, it's been covered here before, and new third-rail isn't happening anywhere unless the ORR have a major change of heart.

You may wish to search the Speculative Discussion subforum for previous threads, and that's also the place in which you would start a new thread on the topic, should you desire.

 

[Krokodil]

AIUI BR considered third rail for the route but decided that the cost of securing the line was too great - trespass and animal incursions are common.

25kV AC will be pricey given the cost of rebuilding overbridges.

750VDC overhead might solve both of those concerns, but you'd need to fit a subset of the 777s with suitable pantographs and keep them from the Northern Line where they are intended to continue onto 25kV lines such as to serve Wigan.

The most likely option in the medium term is discontinuous third rail (to save costs on securing the boundary and fitting mitigations to satisfy the ORR) with batteries bridging the gaps.

 

[D821]

Third rail electrification was estimated as costing £207 million back in 2008:

Merseytravel fury over £207m price tag for Bidston-Wrexham rail link - Wirral News

NETWORK Rail has been accused of overpricing the cost of electrifying the Bidston to Wrexham railway line because it doesn’t want the work.


The project that would link up Deeside with Liverpool with a regular direct train service has “hit the buffers” because the cost was put at £207 million by Network Rail – three times the price tag Merseytravel came up with.

Edit: Or 60 million, if you believe Merseytravel instead of NR.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

where they are intended to continue onto 25kV lines such as to serve Wigan.

Wigan Wallgate is not getting 25kv, Wigan North Western - Lostock Junction however is.

 

[317 forever]

For the time it has taken for the D stock to be converted to 230s for this line, it may have been quicker to electrify the line to take the trains, rather than adapt the trains to work the line.