Trains idling at termini

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

Electrification would avoid these concerns 

[IndustryInsider]

Electrification would avoid these concerns 

Very true.

Though it will just enrage the ‘masts are a blot on the landscape’ brigade instead! 

[Trowres]

If there's any worry that the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) engines would not start after a 30 minute break, or that the lights would go out, or that the air would leak away... then it makes me wonder whether it's the design or the maintenance of the trains that  leaves a bit to be desired.

[IndustryInsider]

The air will leak away after that amount of time, not completely, but enough to mean the brakes will apply, which is just a factor of the design, not the maintenance - though the rate will vary from unit to unit as you may have little leaks here and there.  Same with the batteries leading to loss of lighting.

It’ll only take a few minutes to build air again, and by speeding up the compressor (‘revving’ the engine) you speed that process up by about five fold.

[broadgage]

How about installing a short length of 750 volt DC^▸ (Direct Current) conductor rail, to supply electricity for lighting, air compressors, heating and other needs.
Would also be useful for charging any battery trains that might be introduced in future.
It should be possible to appease the health and safety industry by only energising this  conductor rail when a train is over it. Also install it centrally between the running rails to render it hard to reach/touch.

[grahame]

The "blindingly obvious" solutions is electrical so that the power to keep the train warm during layovers is not generated by a Diesel engine running while it sits there.     A number of choices

1. An electric train, with overhead power all the way from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach

2. A train that arrives, ticks over and leaves Severn Beach on batteries

3. A train that connects in to a land supply of electricity at Severn Beach

Option 1 - there are lots of tried and tested trains that could be used.   But infrastructure is needed.  Options 2 and 3 are more leading edge stuff as regards the rolling stock.   Option 3 also needs infrastructure work at "The Beach".

There are also other choices

4. Put up some sort of sound baffling

5. Tell the complainant that he's being unreasonable

6. Change the timetable to reduce layovers (e.g. run  through to / from SVB with every train not just alternate ones)

[froome]

While electrifying the whole route would be my preferred option, number 3 is an interesting concept here. I don't think there is any station building here now, but there is obviously an electricity supply, and you could add a few solar panels onto the platform somewhere as a back-up.

[Red Squirrel]

The "blindingly obvious" solutions is electrical so that the power to keep the train warm during layovers is not generated by a Diesel engine running while it sits there.     A number of choices

1. An electric train, with overhead power all the way from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach

2. A train that arrives, ticks over and leaves Severn Beach on batteries

3. A train that connects in to a land supply of electricity at Severn Beach

Option 1 - there are lots of tried and tested trains that could be used.   But infrastructure is needed.  Options 2 and 3 are more leading edge stuff as regards the rolling stock.   Option 3 also needs infrastructure work at "The Beach".

There are also other choices

4. Put up some sort of sound baffling

5. Tell the complainant that he's being unreasonable

6. Change the timetable to reduce layovers (e.g. run  through to / from SVB with every train not just alternate ones)

To address points 4 and 5:

4. Sound baffles won’t do much to reduce the filthy stink of ageing diesel engines;
5. He’s not being unreasonable.

[ellendune]

It's been a long time since I was there, but I don't think Severn Beach is a dead-end is it?  I need to refresh my knowledge.  I'll look at some track plans

The curve/chord linking Severn Beach Station to the main line at Pilning was ripped up and built over, in part at least, a fair few years ago.

Yes the line north of Severn Beach was closed in the 1960's and a significant number of houses and the M49 have been built over the first 800 metres of the trackbed. 

[TonyK]

If there's any worry that the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) engines would not start after a 30 minute break, or that the lights would go out, or that the air would leak away... then it makes me wonder whether it's the design or the maintenance of the trains that  leaves a bit to be desired.

As the late disgraced former DJ and Fixit guy Jimmy Savile once said in a series of TV^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) adverts: "It's the age of the train".

[grahame]

To address points 4 and 5:
5. He’s not being unreasonable.

The fact that he's not being unreasonable does not stop certain parties telling him that he is.  But then I don't suppose he's dealing with APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) or the Post Office in this ...

On point 6, if all trains were extended to Severn Beach, with a quick (Looe-sized) turn around at The Beach and a few minutes added for pathing / recovery at Avonmouth, am I right in suggesting that no extra train would be required?

[a-driver]

While electrifying the whole route would be my preferred option, number 3 is an interesting concept here. I don't think there is any station building here now, but there is obviously an electricity supply, and you could add a few solar panels onto the platform somewhere as a back-up.

You’d be surprised. We get complaints with electric trains that the compressors are making too much noise. You can never win, it’s never ending. Sadly, the likes of Mike will only be happy when the trains stop running.

[grahame]

Quiet morning at The Beach

Alterations to services between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach via Clifton Down

Due to flooding between Sea Mills and Shirehampton the line is closed. Disruption is expected until 12:00 12/02.

Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach via Clifton Down and Avonmouth will be terminated at and started back from Clifton Down.

[Mark A]

Is this tide-related, anyone? Not that there's anything untoward about the top of today's (gulp, but normal for the Severn Estuary) 14 metre tide...

Mark

https://ntslf.org/data/realtime?port=Portbury

[Red Squirrel]

That seems likely: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=27227.0

That state of Sea Mills Viaduct seems pretty suboptimal….