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691  Journey by Journey / London to Kennet Valley / Re: Electrification beyond Newbury - study results on: May 25, 2013, 23:26:11

This just proves again that if overhead wires are to be justified then a lot of electric trains have to run underneath them.

It should be a relief that a Bedwyn extension could show a BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio) of 2.58. The rest of the B&H (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) line would probably need all the InterCity, freight and any semi-fast service electrically hauled to merit the investment.

The BTPG proposal to continue hourly diesels all the way to Paddington seems just another way of saying "no wires, please", or as St Augustine said, "Lord, make me chaste but not yet..."

OTC
692  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: May 13, 2013, 17:20:52

Two new escalators out of use today. Shape of things to come?

To Oxford today - no escalators - what's happening to the old ones from Reading?

OTC
693  All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture - related rail and other transport issues / Re: More expensive station parking to decimate train use or are there other factors? on: May 04, 2013, 18:50:04

I'm doubtful about the effect of car parks, as each car space generally only generates 2 passenger movements per day (1 in, 1 out), although I like using them. By contrast, pedestrian access is reckoned possible within 12 minutes walk at 5km/hr, i.e  a catchment area of about 3.2 km2, or a population of about 12 000. Typically about 25 movements per year per individual seem to be a reasonable average, giving a typical suburban station figure of about 300 000. Bus link amplify this considerably.

To provide this equal access by car over say 300 days needs 500 spaces, hence my scepticism.

Incidentally, this method indicates how high Melksham passenger usage could be, if the residential area is compact and near.

OTC

694  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: April 11, 2013, 11:40:47

The reason for the grilles is of course for natural ventilation, needed partly for breathing but mostly to control odour and thermal gains. In the summer with air temperatures at c28C, with the sun falling on the glass and all those internal heat gains from people and gizmos....the transfer deck would be really cozy. Also, in winter the area would be classed as open and therefore unheated. Grilles should have rain screens (not NASA technology) but the proper solution is to provide more shelter through an overhanging roof. This also cuts out direct sun, the cause of discomfort, the diffuse component being adequate for daylighting.

What it means is that the station should have had more of an overall roof - a train shed - covering the escalators and perhaps a car length either side.

The new Leeds City Station is an example of what should have been done.

OTC
695  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: April 10, 2013, 19:34:35
...cough.  Gentlemen they are CURVES not BENDS.... Roll Eyes Roll Eyes

I know, I know. It drives me round the curve.
You can get around it quickly with a little cant  Shocked  Cheesy  Grin

...unless you suffer from cant deficiency.....


OTC
696  All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture - related rail and other transport issues / Re: Baroness Thatcher has died on: April 08, 2013, 21:00:31
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

Later railway electrification history in the UK (United Kingdom) is much as below:

Lea Valley completed 1968
Witham - Braintree completed 1976
Merseyrail (Loop/Link) authorised 1971 completed 1977
(extensions to Hooton , Chester, Hunts Cross in 1980's)
KX Suburban authorised 1972/3 completed 1978
BedPan authorised 1976 completed 1983
Anglia (East) (Colchester - Norwich) authorised 1981
Ayrshire (Ayr) authorised 1983
Hastings dc authorised 1983
Anglia (West) Cambridge authorised 1984
Southminster authorised 1984
Romford authorised 1984
ECML (East Coast Main Line) authorised 1984
North London ac authorised 1984
East Grinstead authorised 1985
Largs authorised 1985
Snow Hill (Thameslink - FCC (First Capital Connect)) authorised  1985
North London dc and Graham Rd authorised 1985
Weymouth 1986

(Source: Modern Railways Insight: BR (British Rail(ways)) Electrification)

Generally the 1980's projects were completed on time and to budget or better.

The high spending administration of 1997 - 2010 electrified 9 route miles (Crewe - Kidsgrove).

The 1979 - 1990 administration did flirt with privatisation and Serpell cuts but thought better of it.

Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.

(if you need a memorial. look around you)

OTC

......and the Chunnel....
697  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: April 06, 2013, 20:28:04
Paul7755,

Thank you for your kind and lucid explanation.

I can see that the great gain will be in access and quality space. I used to complain that it was a crowded 500m+ from my seat (!) in quiet coach A to the No 5 bus stop, also about short notice platform changes via the sub-way (old 5 to 9 then back to 4!). I also admired B'ham International with its deck above platforms and visible tracks.

I imagine that the 1991 concourse will soon look jaded and the poor, uneconomic site-ratio of the present building may prompt rebuilding.

I'm now looking forward to Monday!

Thanks,

OTC

698  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: April 05, 2013, 20:23:06

I paid my first visit to the new South (West) entrance/gateline today, not train-travelling till Monday.

I was amazed to find the gateline barely 3m inside the doors, no concourse, ticket office, coffee shops, WHSmiths etc, being directed by the friendly CSM (Customer Satisfaction Monitor (FGW (First Great Western) Survey every quarter)) on the line to the old (1991) concourse.

The transfer bridge is wonderfully airy and spacious and reminds one of European Gares and Bahnhofs - but is it just a posh footbridge?

Can anyone explain it to me?

OTC
699  Journey by Journey / South Western services / Re: Bricks on the line at London Waterloo? on: March 28, 2013, 20:24:37

What is the situation with regard to the trailers with long swing link (LSL(resolve)) fitted bogies that are supposed to be out of gauge for the third (live) rail?

A creme egg for the first jpeg of an LSL marked carriage at Waterloo.

OTC
700  All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture - related rail and other transport issues / Re: Random Observations ... what do YOU notice on: March 26, 2013, 12:51:59
Has anyone then ever noticed the difference in lighting from outside, on a HST (High Speed Train) in First vs. Standard Class??

First appears to be a creamy and fairly nice light. First Class seems harsh, white and bright??

Or is tt colourblind.

Angry

It may be the flourescent lamps fitted. Originally these were warm white but evidently replacements (of failed lamps and on refurbishment) were white or cool white lamps. This is quite noticeable on some coaches where a random mix may be seen. The white or cool white appear brighter and harsher.

OTC
701  All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture - related rail and other transport issues / Re: Random Observations ... what do YOU notice on: March 25, 2013, 19:25:59

I remember the notice at Earley station:

"Toilet out of use - wet paint!"

Two ways to read anything.

OTC
702  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Reading Station improvements on: March 25, 2013, 19:20:31
It's called MBWA (Management by Walking About) as advocated by Tom Peters and Nacy Austin in A Passion for Excellence,

Maybe if more company bosses and politcians did it then things might be considerably better. Lord Adonis when transport minister was a good example.

Gerry Fiennes tells the story of a Divisonal Manger at Doncaster on the pre war LNER» (London North Eastern Railway - about) who gradually raised his Divison up the table for punctuality. When asked how he'd done it "personal supervison sir". Apparently what was not said was that "personal supervison" consisted of standing at the door of the buffet on Doncaster station with a pint in hand!

At sea it was called "Captain's Rounds", consisting of him (!) visiting every compartment to see the sailors on watch directly. In hospitals it was called "Matron's Rounds", again to maintain standards by professional leadership. Many modern disasters are traceable to ceasing this practice.

OTC
703  Journey by Journey / London to the West / Re: Electrification to Exeter, then carry own electricity to Plymouth? on: February 05, 2013, 23:07:25

The problem with all batteries is the low energy density (qv).

The graph in

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Energy_density.svg

 may help explain this.

They are used on rail for shunting (such as the Southern MLV's or the two industrials at the Coventry Electric Railway Museum) and for an experimental bemu (SC79998/9). I believe that a 125 power car was considered for a "hybrid" conversion, where batteries are used to assist in acceleration and climbing but are recharged on braking and level running, giving higher peak power and less cycling of the diesel.

OTC
704  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Apply for your new station here.... on: January 25, 2013, 17:20:33

1. How about:

Marlborough and Burbage Parkway
Devizes Parkway
Somerton
Loddon Bridge (P & R)
and possibly Twickenham (Platform 2, to allow up SWT (South West Trains) trains to overtake between Ascot and Barnes).

2. Could this money also be used to provide adequate platform lengths?

3. Does NR» (Network Rail - home page) have suitable low-cost prefabrication methods (like the SR(resolve) Exmouth concrete works) to make good use of the money or is this another rail contractors' holiday benefit?


OTC
705  All across the Great Western territory / Looking forward - after Coronavirus to 2045 / Re: Filling the void? on: January 23, 2013, 11:26:46

If I were campaigning for trains in Wiltshire (and Melksham) I would be pointing out to my betters the advantages of the big supergrid switching station at Beanacre, just outside of M and alongside of the railway, suggesting that it would be a better grid supply point than the alternative at Bristol.

They don't always get it right (nor do we). NR» (Network Rail - home page)/RT fought a battle with locals over a site on the WCML (West Coast Main Line) at Weaverham, Cheshire and lost. The locals won because, surprise, there already was a substation nearby at Frodsham.

Just a thought,

OTC
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