Unified linespeeds between Reading and Exeter

pjpjw

Guest

« on: October 29, 2009, 21:32:13 »

Network Rail Route Plans 2009 for Reading to Penzance (via B&H^▸ ) mention a project for 2011/2012 to provide "Unified linespeeds between Reading and Exeter" the output aim being "Improved reliability, capacity and journey times".

What will that "unified speed" or in reality perhaps "speed range" be? (A diagram in the document indicates a current range of 80-105mph from Plymouth to the Reading side of Westbury and 110-125mph from there to Reading)


	Logged

eightf48544

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 4574

Re: Unified linespeeds between Reading and Exeter

« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2009, 11:17:42 »

What an interesting question.

Whilst I could probably envisage 125 from Westbury to Reading 105 from Plymouth to Westbury seems very ambitious given the gradients and curves between Plymouth and Newton Abbot then the sea wall from there to Exeter. 105 from Exeter perhaps?

Perhaps they should have said a higher lower speed for the range.


	Logged

Electric train

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 4495

The future is 25000 Volts AC 750V DC has its place

Re: Unified line speeds between Reading and Exeter

« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2009, 11:53:06 »

Possibly it may mean a lowering of line speed in places, to make trains more fuel efficient and to diagram paths consistent a unified speed make this easier than a lot of variables along a route. There may be some engineering that can be done to increase line speed in places but this has to be balanced against the gain.

Passengers often want a reliable arrival time they really are not interested if they are traveling at 100 mph or 110


	Logged

Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”

Zoe

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 754

Re: Unified linespeeds between Reading and Exeter

« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2009, 15:12:22 »

Quote from: pjpjw on October 29, 2009, 21:32:13

What will that "unified speed" or in reality perhaps "speed range" be? (A diagram in the document indicates a current range of 80-105mph from Plymouth to the Reading side of Westbury and 110-125mph from there to Reading)

The maximum line speed on the Berks and Hants is 110 mph. This consists of a 110 mph section around Newbury and 2 110 mph sections between Pewsey and Westbury. There are no 125 mph sections. Due to the curvature of the route in many places significant speed increases are not likely.

The Main Line (MLN) from Bristol to Exeter would be much more suitable for any speed increase.


« Last Edit: October 30, 2009, 15:18:15 by Zo^ »	Logged

Btline

Hero Member

Posts: 4782

Re: Unified linespeeds between Reading and Exeter

« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2009, 15:54:14 »

That's why IEP^▸ should have tilting, to enable 125 running on more curvy sections of line. Yes, we all know that the line to Bristol does not need tilt. But further West/South it is.


	Logged

Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

Pages: [1]

« previous next »