Switzerland - railways and incidents (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Hmm. NHS. Something the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) holds dear (too dear?) to its heart over and and above funding for absolutely anything else. The UK *would* in general, according to many polls, be quite happy to pay more tax for its funding. Probably to the detriment of anything else unfortunately

Given how much less we spend on our health service than other European Countries (let alone the USA), perhaps not too dear.  You don't get owt for nowt.

[Trowres]

Ellendune, you've made me think...perhaps both National Rail and the NHS share the characteristics (compared with other countries mentioned) of meagre funding and patchy service quality...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model. That would support Trainer's viewpoint (although why are we a heavy defence spender?).

[JayMac]

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.

[Trowres]

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

Yes, I was thinking of healthcare. I have no idea about the value-for-money of USA passenger rail, and  comparisons with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) would be difficult due to the radically different geography.

[Noggin]

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.

Not to mention an oversized respect for authority and tolerance for intrusive rules and regulations that would have your average Britons up in arms - 55mph on a motorway, no booze until you're 21, draconian legal practices, interior decorators have to be licensed, chicken that has to be washed in chlorine because food standards are so dreadful etc.

In comparison with the US and much of the EU^» (European Union - about), we are a very liberal nation - no ID cards or legal obligation to tell the state where you live, tax and employment law are very simple and (relatively) easy to comply with, easy to rent and buy property, few "licenses to print money" like having to have documents notarised or having to use an estate agent. There's a reason why this country attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year despite having dismal weather, expensive property and a minimal welfare state.

[JayMac]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.

[Bmblbzzz]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.

The Most Reverend Nikon to you!
https://oca.org/holy-synod/bishops/the-most-reverend-nikon

[chrisr_75]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis.

Indeed, we had our own lowered speed limit of 50mph in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) at this time.

The rest of Europe enjoys substantially higher motorway speed limits than we do, mostly 130kph (81mph), with Switzerland at 120kph and of course the legendary 'unlimited' sections of Autobahn in Germany.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Yahoo! News:

Swiss authorities are investigating the crash of a train locomotive into a string of passenger rail cars during a maneuvering operation that injured 27 people, though none seriously.

Police and medical teams were rushed to the scene of the accident in the central town of Andermatt involving the locomotive and five cars with about 100 passengers on board.

Regional train operator Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn said the train's locomotive was supposed to move from the back of the train to the front on a parallel track, but instead crashed into the back of the train.

Spokesman Jan Baerwalde of train service operator Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn said authorities were investigating the cause of the crash.

The Uri regional police department said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

[RailCornwall]

This Autumn the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland are to attempt to run a world record 1.9km long passenger service on it's network.

A 'rehearsal' was held earlier this month

https://www.suedostschweiz.ch/rhb-rekord?utm_campaign=so-auto&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_page

Use Google Translate.

[RailCornwall]

Completed today

https://twitter.com/FlywheelMedia1/status/1586338247785205760

[broadgage]

Very impressive. Reported as 25 EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) each of 4 cars, coupled together. Bit surprised that the OHLE could supply enough current for that lot, especially when considering that significant gradients were involved.

[grahame]

Very impressive. Reported as 25 EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) each of 4 cars, coupled together. Bit surprised that the OHLE could supply enough current for that lot, especially when considering that significant gradients were involved.

Indeed -  though reading suggests that the regenerative braking system software was modified to avoid too much power being put back into the system on downhill sections!

[Red Squirrel]

Presumably there must have been times when some of the train was going uphill while other parts were going downhill… does that mean some units were consuming power while others were regenerating?

[RailCornwall]

BlickTV were the 'official' broadcaster of the event, their recorded livestream is currently online, Commentary in Schweizerdeutsch and Rumantsch

here -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjvz52iJafA

The line is predominately slightly 'uphill' (the direction of the attempt) but is conventional traction, there are no rack sections. From viewing the video I'd estimate only eight or nine of the units were pantograph up so the remainder were being pulled. The attempt couldn't have been in a more scenic area which has several overlapping twists and turns.