Marlow line electrification

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

The Thames would also get in the way of any new formation.  Certainly not worth the cost of modifications just to electrify it.  If a cheap way of squeezing a 3-car 60m EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) can't be found then best to keep it as a diesel route until (if ever) the line through to High Wycombe gets reinstated.

If a business case can be built for an all-day half hourly service using two units then electrify to Bourne End and run the Donkey as a diesel service connecting at Bourne End into the electric.  That's a big 'if' though.

[Noggin]

A four car unit cannot get onto the Bourne End to Marlow branch via platform 1, the distance from points to buffers is too short.   

The problem isn't really difficulty in electrifying the route, it is that there are no suitably short EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) that can fit the existing track layout, and a bespoke rolling stock solution is highly unlikely.   

If there was a short AC EMU, then they'd surely electrify.  An AC/battery EMU possibly couldn't fit all the equipment needed in a short train, so doesn't help.

So it is easier to carry on with short DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), and kick the rolling stock problem into the long grass.

Paul

Thanks, thought that might be the case.

I seem to recall someone mentioning a problem with electrifying Bourne End in that it would restrict the local sailing club's access to the river, aluminium masts and 25kV electrification not being particularly safe in close confinement. I believe that one of the members was a prominent QC who reckoned they had enough historical paperwork to make NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s life very difficult indeed. 

[Electric train]

I seem to recall someone mentioning a problem with electrifying Bourne End in that it would restrict the local sailing club's access to the river, aluminium masts and 25kV electrification not being particularly safe in close confinement. I believe that one of the members was a prominent QC who reckoned they had enough historical paperwork to make NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s life very difficult indeed. 

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr how!!!! 

QC's might understand the Law of the land and sail a dinghy but it would seem they do not have any understanding of the laws of Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Good grief if their dinghy masts and sails got that close to the live OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") it would be struck by a train not to mention have sliced a gouge into the steel work of the bridge.

And these guys are supposed to be intelligent!  its more to do with being a NIMBY

[grahame]

I seem to recall someone mentioning a problem with electrifying Bourne End in that it would restrict the local sailing club's access to the river, aluminium masts and 25kV electrification not being particularly safe in close confinement. I believe that one of the members was a prominent QC who reckoned they had enough historical paperwork to make NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s life very difficult indeed. 

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr how!!!! 

QC's might understand the Law of the land and sail a dinghy but it would seem they do not have any understanding of the laws of Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Good grief if their dinghy masts and sails got that close to the live OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") it would be struck by a train not to mention have sliced a gouge into the steel work of the bridge.

And these guys are supposed to be intelligent!  its more to do with being a NIMBY

I suspect that a concern might be towing sailing boats over the level crossing(s) when there isn't a train around.

Of course, level crossing are frowned upon these days, so if the objectors would care to finance the elevation of the railway along that stretch, with the crossings turned into under bridges, the risk of a mast catching the 25kV would be pretty well eliminated - and indeed the crossing would be safer, and open at all times rather than inconsiderately blocked when "The Electric Donkey" passes.

Please note tongue in cheek as I suggested this!

[Electric train]

I seem to recall someone mentioning a problem with electrifying Bourne End in that it would restrict the local sailing club's access to the river, aluminium masts and 25kV electrification not being particularly safe in close confinement. I believe that one of the members was a prominent QC who reckoned they had enough historical paperwork to make NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s life very difficult indeed. 

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr how!!!! 

QC's might understand the Law of the land and sail a dinghy but it would seem they do not have any understanding of the laws of Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Good grief if their dinghy masts and sails got that close to the live OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") it would be struck by a train not to mention have sliced a gouge into the steel work of the bridge.

And these guys are supposed to be intelligent!  its more to do with being a NIMBY

I suspect that a concern might be towing sailing boats over the level crossing(s) when there isn't a train around.

Of course, level crossing are frowned upon these days, so if the objectors would care to finance the elevation of the railway along that stretch, with the crossings turned into under bridges, the risk of a mast catching the 25kV would be pretty well eliminated - and indeed the crossing would be safer, and open at all times rather than inconsiderately blocked when "The Electric Donkey" passes.

Please note tongue in cheek as I suggested this!

Unstep the mast is the simple answer any good seaman is capable of doing that most basic of tasks

[Noggin]

I seem to recall someone mentioning a problem with electrifying Bourne End in that it would restrict the local sailing club's access to the river, aluminium masts and 25kV electrification not being particularly safe in close confinement. I believe that one of the members was a prominent QC who reckoned they had enough historical paperwork to make NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s life very difficult indeed. 

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr how!!!! 

QC's might understand the Law of the land and sail a dinghy but it would seem they do not have any understanding of the laws of Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Good grief if their dinghy masts and sails got that close to the live OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") it would be struck by a train not to mention have sliced a gouge into the steel work of the bridge.

And these guys are supposed to be intelligent!  its more to do with being a NIMBY

I suspect that a concern might be towing sailing boats over the level crossing(s) when there isn't a train around.

Of course, level crossing are frowned upon these days, so if the objectors would care to finance the elevation of the railway along that stretch, with the crossings turned into under bridges, the risk of a mast catching the 25kV would be pretty well eliminated - and indeed the crossing would be safer, and open at all times rather than inconsiderately blocked when "The Electric Donkey" passes.

Please note tongue in cheek as I suggested this!

Yes, sorry, I should have been clearer, level crossing and storage of boats in the narrow strip between the railway and the riverbank was the cause for concern, not the river crossing. 

[stuving]

Yes, sorry, I should have been clearer, level crossing and storage of boats in the narrow strip between the railway and the riverbank was the cause for concern, not the river crossing. 

Plus, of course, that's on the Marlow branch properly so-called - it wouldn't affect electrifying to Bourne End.

[dviner]

...with the crossings turned into under bridges, the risk of a mast catching the 25kV would be pretty well eliminated - and indeed the crossing would be safer, and open at all times rather than inconsiderately blocked when "The Electric Donkey" passes.

If the Bourne End > Marlow level crossings were replaced with under bridges, they'd require submarines during the winter...

 

[grahame]

...with the crossings turned into under bridges, the risk of a mast catching the 25kV would be pretty well eliminated - and indeed the crossing would be safer, and open at all times rather than inconsiderately blocked when "The Electric Donkey" passes.

If the Bourne End > Marlow level crossings were replaced with under bridges, they'd require submarines during the winter...

 

Hmmm ... I meant the road going under the rails.  "under" for a road user = "over" for the train.

[stuving]

Hmmm ... I meant the road going under the rails.  "under" for a road user = "over" for the train.

Exactly - they'd be road-going submarines.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... as distinct from canal-going submarines (from the Daily Mail):