Short (under 15 miles) lines that would be useful to electrify

[321362]

What are some short-ish lines that would be easy enough to electrify and would have a positive impact on the network as a whole?
Obviously electrifying any section of track isn't easy, but let's say relatively easy comparing it to other projects (cough cough MML)


I'll suggest Newark to Lincoln, which would displace a few bimode 80x to give other routes a better service as 801s would be able to operate there.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I'll go with Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere. 10 miles.

 

[Farigiraf]

On GWR, there's the obvious Didcot - Oxford and Filton Bank. The Thames Valley branch lines were good candidates a decade ago, but now battery technology is good enough to make it not worth it.

Cardiff Central to Cogan/Penarth would be sensible too.

Cambridge - Newmarket would be great for commuter traffic and bi-modes could utilise it already.

Needham Market/Ipswich - Felixstowe is an important one for freight.

Given that the new platform at Darlington will split the Bishop Auckland - Saltburn service, electrifying Darlington - Bishop makes sense.

 

[jfollows]

Stockport to Stalybridge etc.

 

[flitwickbeds]

The very short single line between St Pancras Eurostar platforms and the Midland Main Line!

 

[321362]

The very short single line between St Pancras Eurostar platforms and the Midland Main Line!

Where are we sending the Eurostar to? Corby?

 

[Sprinter107]

Kings Norton to Proof House via Camp Hill.

 

[brad465]

Newbury-Bedwyn (about 14 miles): allows Paddington-Bedwyn to be reinstated with 387s as an option, freeing up a Turbo and reducing platform occupation at Newbury. On top of this, all IET services will take advantage of the longer electric running to/from London. May also be beneficial if battery-electric freight locos ever end up on quarry runs (though they may need electrification to go further than this given the distance combined with very heavy aggregate loads).

 

[flitwickbeds]

Where are we sending the Eurostar to? Corby?

Who says we have to send Eurostar anywhere else? The tunnels aren't wide enough, the bridges aren't tall enough, and the loading guage isn't girthy enough for the current trains.

However, given this is Speculative Discussion, it could be a capacity upgrade for Thameslink/EMR on engineering weekends. It could be a new link to Universal (either internationally or domestically). It could be some kind of new round-London Airport Link line once Heathrow Southern Access is sorted (St Pancras - West Hampstead - Heathrow - Staines - Clapham Junction - Gatwick Airport and reverse)

...or it could be for train between Paris and Corby!

 

[bluenoxid]

Thinking of battery units moving forwards

Morpeth turn back - means that any deployed unit is not dropping and raising their pantograph every time they visit Morpeth

Darlington - Review train stabling post the new platforms but if P2 and P3 are used for overnight stabling, electrify them as well to enable overnight charging

 

[Zomboid]

How long is Hurst Green to Uckfield? Doing that and the Ashford - Hastings would allow the entire Southern and SE areas to be run with straight electric units.

I know batteries are the current flavour of bionic duckweed, but from a rolling stock point of view you still need to retain a form of self powered train on those lines, whereas proper electrification will get rid of all that, purely EMUs required east of the Brighton line.

 

[sh24]

On GWR, there's the obvious Didcot - Oxford and Filton Bank.

Amen. Crazy that 2 cities of that importance aren't already served by electric services from London.

 

[Magdalia]

Thinking of battery units moving forwards

Most examples are going to be quicker and cheaper with battery bimodes.

The exceptions need at least 2tph that would be served by extending existing services formed with electric only trains, use existing feeds from the National Grid, and avoid new electrification of big stations.

Cambridge - Newmarket would be great for commuter traffic and bi-modes could utilise it already.

This is one example that I think would be worth it. 2tph from Liverpool Street (or Kings Cross) to Newmarket with existing trains, and the added bonus of helping Cambridge-Ipswich to go battery bimode.

How long is Hurst Green to Uckfield? Doing that and the Ashford - Hastings would allow the entire Southern and SE areas to be run with straight electric units.

These have been done to death in another discussion that is specific to third rail. They will be electrified with battery bimodes.

 

[The exile]

Amen. Crazy that 2 cities of that importance aren't already served by electric services from London.

Though since there are currently no scheduled Bristol - London services via Badminton, Filton Bank on its own isn’t going to do much.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Remaining diesel suburban lines in the Manchester area (with reference to any Metrolink conversion plans). So Rochdale, Rose Hill / New Mills, Buxton, Southport via Atherton, Knutsford, Warrington C.

 

[Instinct04]

The section of line that links the North London (Mildmay Line) to the Hounslow Loop.

 

[popeter45]

The Thames Valley branch lines were good candidates a decade ago, but now battery technology is good enough to make it not worth it.

i think they alongside the Corrnish Branches would be good candidates for Tram electrification, 750v DC overhead and a fleet of tram tains like the 399 or 398's could work well for cheap

 

[brad465]

How long is Hurst Green to Uckfield? Doing that and the Ashford - Hastings would allow the entire Southern and SE areas to be run with straight electric units.

I know batteries are the current flavour of bionic duckweed, but from a rolling stock point of view you still need to retain a form of self powered train on those lines, whereas proper electrification will get rid of all that, purely EMUs required east of the Brighton line.

The Marshlink line is 26 miles and the Uckfield line just under 25 miles, which for the purpose of this thread are too long.

 

[melon68]

Gateshead (junctions south of the Tyne) to Metro Centre

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Though since there are currently no scheduled Bristol - London services via Badminton, Filton Bank on its own isn’t going to do much.

Enhanced Cardiff to Bristol T.M. service (as proposed by TfW)?

 

[Palmerston]

Reading to Basingstoke

 

[Cach17]

Preston to Ormskirk happens to just about fit the definition. Too bad about the de facto ban on further third rail electrification.

How long is Hurst Green to Uckfield? Doing that and the Ashford - Hastings would allow the entire Southern and SE areas to be run with straight electric units.

I know batteries are the current flavour of bionic duckweed, but from a rolling stock point of view you still need to retain a form of self powered train on those lines, whereas proper electrification will get rid of all that, purely EMUs required east of the Brighton line.

Hurst Green to Uckfield is just under 25 miles according to RTT.

 

[sh24]

Though since there are currently no scheduled Bristol - London services via Badminton, Filton Bank on its own isn’t going to do much.

True, though wires might bring back the Paddington-Bristol super fasts and allow 387's to be used.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Lancaster-Morecambe-Heysham (not for the first time, though a somewhat different route).

 

[brad465]

Reading to Basingstoke

If each end was the same electrification type it would be very useful, but that's not the case.

 

[Instinct04]

This is one example that I think would be worth it. 2tph from Liverpool Street (or Kings Cross) to Newmarket with existing trains, and the added bonus of helping Cambridge-Ipswich to go battery bimode.

Would the Cambridge trains even have time to be extended here? I think it would make the service too long.

 

[blimmo]

Needham Market/Ipswich - Felixstowe is an important one for freight.

I think part of the justification against electrifying Ipswich to Felixstowe is that the yard at the port can't be electrified since the containers are top loaded. Hence the loco will need to be changed somewhere anyway and Ipswich yard is almost as good an option.

(This is basically just speculation and I would appreciate someone with any actual information weighing in!)

 

[birchesgreen]

Elephant & Bear Line, or at least Nuneaton to Coventry, linking up the two parts of the WCML.

 

[bananas]

The 15 miles from South Wigston north. And then the next 15 miles of Midland Main Line after that. And the next 15 miles...

More seriously: I seem to remember that the EMR Norwich to Liverpool can't use bimodes because the unelectrified stretches are beyond their range. So maybe Grindleford to Edale, or Grantham to Nottingham, or the MML from Nottingham to Sheffield... wait...

 

[The Planner]

Elephant & Bear Line, or at least Nuneaton to Coventry, linking up the two parts of the WCML.

Doesn't help unless the Leamington Nuneaton is bi-mode. Its a bit pointless otherwise.