Sparks RUS shows what we've lost

Telegrammed by our man at 222 Marylebone Road
Congratulations Network Rail on a truly excellent electrification RUS.

Perhaps one small quibble:

"Work is underway to improve knowledge of the dynamic interface between the pantograph and the contact wire. Simulation models will be used to better predict the pantograph to catenary dynamics in normal and perturbed states. The understanding can then be applied during the design stage to design out failure modes and also subsequently once OLE systems are in use to understand any performance issues. It will aid understanding about the use of multiple pantographs on a train which enable more flexibility in the use of the system. The developments will continue to be benchmarked against emerging evidence from elsewhere."

Question: What's the difference between Railway Privatisation and the Dark Ages?

Answer: Knowledge was retained during the Dark Ages.

Sadly this is basic stuff which British Rail Research had bottomed by the 1980s.

Now, thanks to John Major and Railtrack we are having to reinvent the wheel - or, at least, pantograph/OHLE dynamics.

What else has been lost? We don't know because we can't find it.

UPDATE: Dyspozytor over at Behind the Water Tower takes up the theme...

One little known Derby project that was killed in its infancy was the remote controlled self-propelled freight car. The idea was to make freight trains more truck-like, i.e. replacing ‘dumb’ goods wagons by motorised intelligent units.

Are there any pictures or footage of this is operation?