Intercity Express Programme (IEP) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

Regarding post 162, and the possible problems in accessing such a large underfloor engine for maintenance, perhaps the intention is to remove the complete engine/alternator/cooler group even for relatively minor attention ?

As the transmission is electric, not mechanical, complete removal might be relatively easy as cables are much easier to dissconect than mechanical drive units.

[TonyK]

I presume that movements at low speed within depots would also be under diesel power, thereby saving the costs and hazards of electrification in depots.

This quote from a communiqu^ by the Green Party suggests that indoor movements will not be under elecric power:

However, we believe that residents concerns are mostly unfounded. Considering noise: To quote Monday's report in the Evening Post, "...train mechanics will have laptops not wrenches ," and maintenance will be indoors in soundproofed buildings. Train movements outside the depot will be electrically-powered, so there will not be the noise of engines. The existing earth mound between the site, the South Wales Main Line, and adjacent houses provides a natural sound barrier, and could be planted with trees. One would imagine that the current background noise levels from near-by roads (Hatchet Road, the ring road, the M4 & M5), and the planes that use Filton Airfield night & day, will be considerably higher than any noise from the proposed depot. Local residents will also be used to overnight rail freight passing by their homes on the South Wales main line, which have done so for over a century.

I would trust it but for at least one glaring factual error: Filton airport has not had night flying since Royal Mail moved back to Lulsgate, after their temporary use of Filton during the ill-starred resurfacing and grooving of the runway, in the winter of 2006-7. Filton has been closed weekends for the last three years, to try to make sure it loses enough money to justify closing it, apart from occasional weeked fly-ins, such as happened Saturday 15 September. See here for video of a two-seater aircraft passing Parkway on the way in. Other railway-related highlights to be seen include the site of the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) depot, and at about 2m10s, one can see to the left the level crossing over taxiway Foxtrot.

Regular use of the diesel for movement within depots would ensure that the machinery is kept in good working order and does not fall into disuse.

Spot on - exactly what is anticipated. Wouldn't there still need to be one powered line at least, for testing? I know nothing - over to the experts!

[The SprinterMeister]

Regarding post 162, and the possible problems in accessing such a large underfloor engine for maintenance, perhaps the intention is to remove the complete engine/alternator/cooler group even for relatively minor attention ?

As the transmission is electric, not mechanical, complete removal might be relatively easy as cables are much easier to dissconect than mechanical drive units.

Possibly but that will mean that minor faults will incur even greater downtime penalties while the Engine-alternator set is drained, disconnected, removed from the vehicle and attended to.

While noting the comments about disconnection it should be noted that the traction output cables carry huge amperages and voltages and will not be as easy to disconnect / reconnect as some people think, with the possibility of rapid heating and fires if the connections are not remade securely.

I assume the MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) engine will be a 'dry sump' unit with a seperate oil tank, de-areator and scavenge pump in order to reduce the overall height and increase the clearance beneath the lowest part of the engine.

[The SprinterMeister]

The International Railway Journal also states "The first train for Great Western will be completed in June 2014, and test operation on the British network is due to begin in May 2015.

Crickey, not long then!

The beginning of the end (of quiet comfortable coaches) is indeed in sight.

[TonyK]

I assume the MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) engine will be a 'dry sump' unit with a seperate oil tank, de-areator and scavenge pump in order to reduce the overall height and increase the clearance beneath the lowest part of the engine.

There's a little more detail, all above my head, and a picture, for what it's worth, here To my inexpert eye, it appears shiny.

[stebbo]

I suppose it'll be as noisy as an Adelante or Voyager and with the same inadequate space in the overhead racks.

[FremlinsMan]

There's an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) talk about the Hitachi Super Express Train at Swindon Steam Museum next Tuesday 11th - places are limited, registration is at https://localevents.theiet.org/register.php?event=4642fe

Details at
http://www.theiet.org/events/local/168517.cfm

===

About this event
The Hitachi Super Express Train is the new generation of high speed trains that will operate on the Great Western Main Line and other inter-city routes in Britain.  This talk will cover an introduction to Hitachi and to this major project with an overview of the train^s design, manufacturer, operation, maintenance and servicing.
Speaker
Alistair Dormer, Chief Executive Officer, Agility Trains (Hitachi)
Programme

18:30  Light refreshment
19:00  Lecture starts
20:30  Close
 
Joint Event with the IMechE Railway Group

===

[JayMac]

Thank you for that heads up FremlinsMan.

I think though it is very short notice for most, if not all, of us.

Just the sort of event I'd like to attend if I'd had more notice.

However, if you, FremlinsMan, or other Coffee Shop members, do attend, then please do report back here.

[John R]

I've put my name down, so will give a report in due course. And thank you FremlinsMan too.

[Electric train]

While we are on the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) topic, I have noticed over the last few months that 7 bells of whatsit is being knocked out of North Pole Depot this must be development works for IEP?

[FremlinsMan]

Thank you for that heads up FremlinsMan.

I think though it is very short notice for most, if not all, of us.

Just the sort of event I'd like to attend if I'd had more notice.

However, if you, FremlinsMan, or other Coffee Shop members, do attend, then please do report back here.

I can't make it, so I'd also like to hear a report back. I assume IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) members get a few week's notice of such events, but I only got the e-mail about this yesterday around 3:00.

[DidcotPunter]

Thank you for that heads up FremlinsMan.

I think though it is very short notice for most, if not all, of us.

Just the sort of event I'd like to attend if I'd had more notice.

However, if you, FremlinsMan, or other Coffee Shop members, do attend, then please do report back here.

I can't make it, so I'd also like to hear a report back. I assume IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) members get a few week's notice of such events, but I only got the e-mail about this yesterday around 3:00.

Thanks for the heads up FremlinsMan.  It's local to me so I've registered. Happy to report back.

[SandTEngineer]

While we are on the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) topic, I have noticed over the last few months that 7 bells of whatsit is being knocked out of North Pole Depot this must be development works for IEP?

Yes I noticed that last Wednesday.  I think the building being demolished is the old bogie inspection shop.  Noticed a lot of track had been lifted on the sidings adjacent to the main maintenance building as well and some of the signalling has gone (I tested and commissioned that way back in 1992 - crikey was it really that long ago ).

From a draft signalling plan I have seen there will be two separate and diverse connections off the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) at the Ladbroke Grove end and these pass through the site of the current North Pole Depot sidings at that end hence the need to demolish the building mentioned above.

[Electric train]

While we are on the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) topic, I have noticed over the last few months that 7 bells of whatsit is being knocked out of North Pole Depot this must be development works for IEP?

Yes I noticed that last Wednesday.  I think the building being demolished is the old bogie inspection shop.  Noticed a lot of track had been lifted on the sidings adjacent to the main maintenance building as well and some of the signalling has gone (I tested and commissioned that way back in 1992 - crikey was it really that long ago ).

From a draft signalling plan I have seen there will be two separate and diverse connections off the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) at the Ladbroke Grove end and these pass through the site of the current North Pole Depot sidings at that end hence the need to demolish the building mentioned above.

Yes I guessed there would be an East facing connection onto the GWML.  The building being raised to the ground was the stores building, the wheel lathe is the building nearer Barlby Road. 


I am attending the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) event at Swindon be MIET

[SandTEngineer]

The building being raised to the ground was the stores building, the wheel lathe is the building nearer Barlby Road. 

Thanks for that correction ET.  It has been 20 years since I was last in the depot.......