Sparks porn

This also from NR's RUS press release today...

• 50% cheaper to run electric trains over diesel equivalents

• 33% cheaper to maintain

• Electric trains are 90% more reliable (21k miles per break-down compared to 11k on average for diesels)

• Electrification can pay for itself with cost savings outweighing the up-front investment

• Up to 30% less CO2

Just thought you might like to know...

UPDATE: This just in from Roger Ford...

According to Network Rail's fighting pro-electrification press release electric trains are 90% more reliable than diesel.

So what has happened to Captain Deltic's provocative champagne challenge for the first IC125 diesel fleet to get above the Class 390 electric Pendolinos in the Golden Spanners rankings?

UPDATE: This from a less than convinced Mr Saltaire...

The current lobbying for electrification by Network Rail could, in the eyes of a cynic, be seen as a supplier that is in a dominant position seeking to cement the market’s dependence upon it.

The railway is a system of which the train is a part.

A recent written answer to a parliamentary question highlighted the fact that train cancellations on electrified routes far outweigh those on diesel routes.

When assessing the reliability of diesel trains vs electric trains, this major factor should be taken into account.

Also, the railway’s ability to promote its green credentials by electrification is heavily dependent upon electricity generators producing green energy.

The UK’s electricity is set to become LESS green over the next twenty years, as older nuclear power stations are shut down, without replacements having been built and brought on stream.

Ironically, it would appear that the UK’s only potential method of maintaining the current proportion of green electricity for the foreseeable future would be to import more electricity via under sea cables from France, where they appear to have got their act together!

NR calls for electrification to Sheffield

Wise words from Network Rail...

Network Rail’s chief executive Iain Coucher said: “Passengers would see enormous benefits from further electrification with faster, quieter, smoother, greener journeys.

"The case for the Midland Main Line is extremely strong. Affordability and bringing down the cost of such projects are key if they're to get the green-light."

Of course were the Midland Main Line to be electrified sooner rather than later the IEP might even start to make sense...

UPDATE: This just in from Chris Milner via Faceache...

Nice to see the dunces at the back of the class have finally woken up.

Add Sheffield to Doncaster and Derby to Proof house jct and you have a decent electrified network.

UPDATE: This just in from Peter Mark Roget...

Sir - Can I point out that the conjunction of 'IEP' and 'Making sense' is an oxymoron

UPDATE: This just in from the Raver...

So the government says it wants two lines to be electrified but rules out Sheffield for the time being as too expensive, then Network rail presses for it, claiming the idea for the first two was all its own, when, in fact, John Armitt was adamantly opposed to electrification of the Great Western, using environmental arguments as well as cost.

NR seems to have a way of winding up the government which does not bode well for its long term future.

Electrification creeps closer?

Network Rail yesterday issued an OJEU in connection with the proposed electrification of the Midland and Great Western mainlines.

Optimistically entitled 'Network Electrification' the document outlines NR's requirement as follows:

"The programme currently envisages the potential introduction of electric traction onto the Midland and Great Western Mainlines over Control Periods 5 and 6 subject to comprehensive study/development being carried out during Control Period 4.

In order to facilitate this programme, Network Rail is seeking to procure a number of services from the supply industry.

The initial development phase will include developing optimum technical solutions and outline design for all elements of electrification and associated infrastructure."

As the OJEU points out it is 15 years since Britain last saw a mainline electrified.

Typical, you wait 15 years and then two come along at once.

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?