Glasgow Crossrail

[me123]

Good... fits in with the end of the 156s so new stock would be coming in by the looks of things. I do hope that they order suitible EMUs for Edinburgh-Glasgow, up to Dunblane and similar routes: 320s and 334s just wouldn't work! But it's good to see we're getting the wires up in Scotland; seeing as only the Strathclyde area and the N. Berwick line are really electrified. (I'm excluding the mainlines).

 

[djw1981]

There are some suggestions of Siemens (in which case look at 350's); but the unions want Bombardier to keep the jobs in Uk - so then look at Electrostars which AIUI are turbostars with an electric engine and pantograph not a diesel. so it could just be the motive power than changes, not the look of the train.

The stock with have to be RVAR compliant, and thus will allow cascade of 170's onto the current 156/158 routes (with exception of WHL (clearance issues with a 158.....not sure anyone tested a 170).

There is talk longer term of electrifying Kilmarnock and then across to Ayr, and the EK branch, so by 2020, only the Borders, Aberdeen-Inverness, HML, Far North and WHL would be purely diesel in Scotland.

 

[gingerheid]

The idea is for a constant work programme so the OHLE team is not disbanded after A-B then reformed 2 years later.

Blimey! That starts to sound like ... *shudders* ... almost a bit like sort of *shakes* ...

*whispers* common sense.

Ain't seen much of that around for a while - forgot what it looks like!

 

[djw1981]

Transport Scotland has some Rail Managers (and some rail enthusiasts) working for it, and so do its consultants.........there also seems less political interference one the big decisions are made.

 

[vc-10]

Blimey! That starts to sound like ... *shudders* ... almost a bit like sort of *shakes* ...

*whispers* common sense.

Ain't seen much of that around for a while - forgot what it looks like!

Wow! Someone with an IQ of above 40 got hold of the plans!

 

[jopsuk]

There are some suggestions of Siemens (in which case look at 350's); but the unions want Bombardier to keep the jobs in Uk - so then look at Electrostars which AIUI are turbostars with an electric engine and pantograph not a diesel. so it could just be the motive power than changes, not the look of the train.

The stock with have to be RVAR compliant, and thus will allow cascade of 170's onto the current 156/158 routes (with exception of WHL (clearance issues with a 158.....not sure anyone tested a 170).

There is talk longer term of electrifying Kilmarnock and then across to Ayr, and the EK branch, so by 2020, only the Borders, Aberdeen-Inverness, HML, Far North and WHL would be purely diesel in Scotland.

 

[vc-10]

It should be purely electric across the whole country....

 

[laseandre]

But if you throw up wires on, say, the WHL, the Far North Line, or even the Highland Mainline, then you spoil the view that isn't blocked by Diesel trains, even though they partially help to destroy it.

 

[me123]

That's what I said, and someone (I can't remember who! sorry), said that it is a myth. He/she was correct and it is in fact a myth, however the lineside views would be quite sevreley compromised.

TBH, diesels on the WHL wouldn't emit too may fumes, considering the low frequency, so they wouldn't be top priority. I'd get the wires up to Aberdeen first.

My main worry about the leccy is the trains. As you'll probably know, FSR operate only suburban EMUs, so I would hope the new trains would be more like an electric turbostar than more junipers.

 

[djw1981]

WHL and far north have a very low density service so cost v benefit given the maintenacne requirements will mean that these routes will probably be diesel (or hydrogen! ) or at best battery if technology improves.

Aberdeen could do with being electrified, as could HML if freight traffic continues to increase. However, once the A9 is dualed, if the HML remains largely single track, the balance may tip back towards the capacity of road. So either dual tracking to Aerdeen or Inverness will I imagine be closely linked to further electrification (beyond that outlind so far)

 

[jopsuk]

My main worry about the leccy is the trains. As you'll probably know, FSR operate only suburban EMUs, so I would hope the new trains would be more like an electric turbostar than more junipers.

Electrostars for example? Used in various flavours in the south, with various combinations of AC only, DC only (but capable of AC conversion), Dual Voltage, with Turbostar-style cab ends, with corridor connection cab ends and the metro ones with a different cab-end and wide sliding doors.

 

[87015]

That's what I said, and someone (I can't remember who! sorry), said that it is a myth. He/she was correct and it is in fact a myth, however the lineside views would be quite sevreley compromised.

'Severley compromised' how? No problems on Shap/Beattock/Royal Border bridge and it must just be a myth that all those Scandinavian/Alpine lines that are far more aimed at the tourist trade are able to operate with electrification.

 

[me123]

I mean that, from a lineside photographers POV, the wires are quite obtrusive and ugly, and may destroy the scenary up there. From on the train, you barely notice their presence!

Not that that should stop the wires from going up, of course.
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Electrostars for example? Used in various flavours in the south, with various combinations of AC only, DC only (but capable of AC conversion), Dual Voltage, with Turbostar-style cab ends, with corridor connection cab ends and the metro ones with a different cab-end and wide sliding doors.

Hopefully we'll get trains similar to 170s internally, but with a pantograph. Edinburgh-Glasgow users and passengers for Stirling used to the 2+2 layout, with both tables and "airline" seating. I hope they retain that feature.

Of course, with the electrostar family far from dead, that is a possibility...