Swindon lecture: Making a stronger case for electrification

[whole diary]

[stuving]

This is an early evening lecture at Steam in Swindon, 17:00 for 17:30 on Tuesday 18th February.

Making a stronger case for electrification

David Clarke of RIA having reviewed the current scene will explain the case for everything from 25kV continuous electrification to self-powered electric trains.

It's a joint IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) and IMechE event, so it's hard to know how technical it will be, but is free and open to all. The RIA is of course the Railway Industry Association, the trade association for equipment suppliers and contractors.

Registration is required via the IET - http://bit.ly/SwindonIET (leads to registration here).

There is a poster for download too, but I've copied everything useful off it here.

Edited to add to forum diary - grahame

[rogerw]

I've registered.  Timings suitable for Transwilts services

[DidcotPunter]

Thanks stuving - I've registered.

[broadgage]

Sounds interesting, I favour ALMOST continuous electrification at 25Kv for all main lines, for busy branches, and perhaps for short branches where it can be done cheaply as part of an adjacent main line project.

At Dawlish, or under low bridges I can see the merit in limited numbers of short gaps where economics suggest this. To avoid frequent lowering and raising of the pantograph,  I would install "fake" overhead in such places that is made of insulating material.

The trains could coast through very short gaps under low bridges, but battery power would be required for longer gaps such as at Dawlish.
All new bridges should of course have clearance for OHLE^▸ (Over-Head Line Equipment (electrification via catenary)), but gaps could save a lot of money under existing structures.

Limited diesel power is fine for EXISTING trains such as the nominally electric IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)), but the future should be battery power when 25Kv is not available.

[Reginald25]

I've registered, hopefully can use the train to get there from Melksham!!

[ChrisB]

Finishing at 7pm.

Be warned though - if you are walking from the station, the foot tunnel under the tracks, while open to get to Steam, I think will close befotre you get back - check on the way there, and give yourself plenty of time going back as it's a long way around if closed.

[grahame]

Finishing at 7pm.

Be warned though - if you are walking from the station, the foot tunnel under the tracks, while open to get to Steam, I think will close befotre you get back - check on the way there, and give yourself plenty of time going back as it's a long way around if closed.

Tunnel now back to 9 p.m.during the week, I believe.

[ChrisB]

ahh, ok, that's good.

I know I got caught last year as it was closed by 7pm....