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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Heritage railway lines, Railtours, other rail based attractions / Re: "Mayflower"
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on: April 23, 2024, 01:30:15
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I've had a look at the Steam Dreams drinks list for those opting for Pullman dining.
FOUR types of Port!
Don't encourage him. No encouragement needed ! FOUR types of port is rather splendid, and verging upon decadent. I have only 3 types* at home Four types of port, and a buffet, and padded seats, and a through gangway, and 12 coaches might well finish of the poor old fart due to over excitement. *Some well aged vintage port, very expensive and being saved for special events. Tesco own brand, everyday port/cooking port. Cockburns special reserve port, purchased a good supply when it was reduced in price. I also have some home made "port" made by my Ukrainian neighbours, this is not actually fortified as is real port, but is fermented using a new type of yeast and reaches about 17% ABV. Extra sugar is added, but the amount is critical. Too little sugar results in a dry red wine that tastes nothing like port, too much sugar produces a sickly sweet drink that also tastes nothing like port.
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Journey by Journey / London to South Wales / Re: Power supply problems 1 April
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on: April 14, 2024, 02:15:14
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Does anyone know what electricity supply failed ?
Traction current ? sounds a bit unlikely as such supplies are generally duplicated, and I do not recall any widespread National Grid problems. And of course IETS could still run in diesel mode, and other diesel trains.
Local DNO▸ supplies to key stations ?. I would expect that most stations could still be used, at least in daylight.
Local DNO supplies to a signalling center perhaps.
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All across the Great Western territory / Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them / Re: Difficult to argue with e-bike/scooter rules?
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on: April 08, 2024, 23:37:55
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IMHO▸ , the rules need simplifying and then enforcing. I am in principle in favour of lightweight and relatively cheap electrically powered or electrically assisted vehicles. The carbon emissions are minimal as is the wear on roads and the road space taken up. The foolhardy way in which many such machines are operated is a serious cause for concern, as are the number of dangerously modified vehicles.
I would suggest the following.
Type 1, pedal powered with battery assistance, and a maximum speed under battery power of 15 MPH. Treat as pedal cycles with no requirement for a helmet, formal training, or insurance. Maximum weight 35 kilos. No age limit.
Type 2, battery powered, with or without pedal assistance, maximum speed 30 MPH. Treat as petrol mopeds, moped licence needed. Helmet required and also insurance. Maximum weight 100 kilos. Rider must be at least 14.
Type 3, no limit on speed or weight. Treat as any other motorcycle full motorcycle licence and insurance required and a helmet.
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All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom / Re: Climate Change Emergency - Implications for UK Transport Strategy
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on: April 01, 2024, 15:22:11
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I feel that new orders for diesel-only trains should be banned immediately, along with bi-modes capable of over 110mph. However ... Maybe. But are you condemning unelectified regions such as the South West peninsular and South West Wales to running on a fleet of trains that will become progressively older? Which are so far from any overhead electrics that their whole local of regional routes have to be covered with self-powered trains? A very interesting discussion as a small group of us chewed over a barbie yesterday ( the thunderstorms forecast having not appeared ) on the through of using lightweight (almost tramway) electrification for a low cost solution on branches that will always be lower speed. Windsor, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Severn Beach, Exmouth, Gunnislake, Looe, Newquay and St. Ives, perhaps? Starting (o tackling the issue) from the "other end" of heavy main line stuff. Perhaps short dead sections under bridges with trains coasting, with an emergency battery to cover the odd half mile? I am increasingly in favour of electrifying branch lines and secondary routes by use of simpler and cheaper technology than used at present. 750 volts DC▸ OHLE Perhaps. More like tramway overhead and therefore relatively cheap. The equipment used is less obtrusive and this would partially placate the nimbys. Also the relatively modest power demand would reduce the need for expensive grid extensions. DC traction has the merit of being a balanced three phase load, unlike AC which is single phase and therefore disturbing to the rest of the network. And yes, short dead or neutral sections under bridges or in other problematic locations. The train would normally coast through through such short dead sections but a battery would obviously be required for any unscheduled stop in a dead section. If one accepts a maximum demand of say 1000 amps at 750 volts, that is of course 750 kilowatts or about 1000 horsepower. That should be ample for reasonable performance of a 4 car train. A longer train could be run at reasonable performance by use of a battery to supply say 375 kilowatts in addition to the 750 kilowatts available from the OHLE. This extra power would only be needed briefly, to make a good quick start after a stop. A 6 car train could then run without any increase in peak power demand over a 4 car unit. If desired, electric heating and cooling could be automatically disabled when accelerating hard, thus further reducing peak power demand. And yes I am well aware that this is a very old thread, but the points raised are still relevant today, arguably more so.
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Heritage railway lines, Railtours, other rail based attractions / Re: Seaton tramway
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on: March 27, 2024, 13:55:06
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...my thoughts are - if a private individual/small group were able to introduce OHL▸ on a shoestring (presumably) for this tramway why cannot Network Rail electrify branchlines at reasonable cost?
I am expecting a whole load of reasons from forum members more knowledgeable than I am.
I believe that branch lines could be electrified at much lower cost than at present. New conductor rail installations are de facto banned. A cheaper possibility would be OHLE at 750 volts DC▸ . Already used for trams so the equipment is at least somewhat standard. DC electric trains are a mature and well understood technology, and the train need not "know" that the current is from an overhead wire and not a live rail. The move away from all 25 KV AC would be regrettable, but arguably a price worth paying for cheaper, simpler, and less obtrusive electrification of branch lines. Performance would be limited to keep down the current and the related costs, but remember we are talking of branch lines, not intercity. A class 159 has reasonable performance with a power of about 900 kw, something similar but electrically powered is probably about the sensible limit with 750 volt DC overhead.
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All across the Great Western territory / Buses and other ways to travel / Re: electric buses in Bristol
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on: March 25, 2024, 04:04:24
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Interesting that rural areas have been prioritised. Is this the best place to deploy electric buses?
Not in my view. Rural bus routes tend to be longer, and with higher average speeds than most urban routes, and with limited opportunities for part electrifying the route, or for charging at stops. Urban buses burn a lot of fuel when stopped in traffic or moving at walking speed, electric power is very economical under such conditions. OTOH▸ use on a rural route is a good demonstration of the technology.
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All across the Great Western territory / Introductions and chat / Re: Where would you recommend for an Easter Escape?
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on: March 18, 2024, 22:49:28
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I shall stay at home. I am not averse to travel but do whenever possible avoid Easter and other busy times. Most events and destinations that could be enjoyed at Easter may be better visited at a less busy time. I tend to minimise use of GWR▸ trains these days due to the general reduction in comfort and facilities. The risk of gross overcrowding only increases at Easter. Non GWR options are limited in my case, other than local buses or taxis, and the WSR. Local buses are effectively unusable on "Butlins days" They often start the route full and standing, with no question of boarding en-route. The WSR can also get overcrowded at Easter and is better visited at other times IMHO▸ . Taxis are in short supply and more expensive on public holidays.
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