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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #915 on: January 15, 2020, 10:30:08 » |
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Reported elsewhere today (15/01/2020) that the Severn Tunnel full use has been put back to sometime in May (2020 that is at the moment). No reason given yet.
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Electric train
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« Reply #916 on: January 15, 2020, 17:06:43 » |
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Reported elsewhere today (15/01/2020) that the Severn Tunnel full use has been put back to sometime in May (2020 that is at the moment). No reason given yet.
Could be a few reasons, Working timetable change needed to implement to use, the project / NR» / ORR» may feel the need for a prolonged "soak" test, electrical that is and not water  , there may be more dynamic test runs need |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #918 on: March 07, 2020, 10:47:37 » |
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Interesting stuff, although I really don't get it about this bridge - it's not even good looking or architecturally interesting (in the way that many other of Brunel's creations are). |
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broadgage
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« Reply #919 on: March 07, 2020, 12:51:20 » |
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I have a cynical suspicion that the real concern is trying to stop electrification, and that concerns about a not very interesting bridge are simply a way of trying to stop electrification.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #920 on: March 07, 2020, 12:57:06 » |
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It is Grade 2 listed.
But I'm not sure who's supposedly using this bridge as a means of stopping electrification. Presumably not just the district council?
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« Last Edit: March 07, 2020, 13:02:19 by Bmblbzzz »
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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ellendune
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« Reply #921 on: March 07, 2020, 14:45:58 » |
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The District Council acted after a long campaign by local people. Their principle objection seems to have been the road closure to do the work rather than the bridge itself. However, looking at the pictures of the bridge I suspect it will need major works or replacement before many more years.
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Clan Line
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« Reply #922 on: March 07, 2020, 15:39:38 » |
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It is Grade 2 listed.
Don't know if this is claimed to be a Brunel built bridge - if it is, it shows that Brunel was a lousy brickie What a horch-potch ! |
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didcotdean
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« Reply #923 on: March 07, 2020, 18:07:21 » |
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Here is the official Grade II listing description: Road bridge. Probably c.1839. Probably by I.K. Brunel. Brick. Eliptical central arch over railway lines. Lower round arches to left and right. Plain brick parapet. A few hedged statements there and Historic England didn't seem too concerned about the proposed work on it. Certainly though some of the other bridges in the area originally intended just to be raised needed substantially more work on them. |
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #924 on: March 07, 2020, 20:03:10 » |
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A few hedged statements there and Historic England didn't seem too concerned about the proposed work on it. Certainly though some of the other bridges in the area originally intended just to be raised needed substantially more work on them.
That possibly explains the wish to demolish and rebuild rather than start work, spend a lot of cash keeping it up, then watch it fall down, demolish the rest and rebuild. Another solution would be to close the nearby level crossing. Someone should put it to a vote!. |
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Now, please!
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ellendune
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« Reply #925 on: March 07, 2020, 21:14:13 » |
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That possibly explains the wish to demolish and rebuild rather than start work, spend a lot of cash keeping it up, then watch it fall down, demolish the rest and rebuild. Another solution would be to close the nearby level crossing. Someone should put it to a vote!.
That was suggested by NR» and it went down like a lead balloon! |
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #926 on: March 08, 2020, 08:02:00 » |
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This popped up on the WNXX▸ Forum: Seems electrification is genuinely back on the agenda at the DfT» - see Grant Shapps written reply to the Transport Committee, sent on Feb 17th and published a few days ago: You told us (Q37) that we could expect to see greater use of electrification on the railways. Can you provide some more detail on your plans to make greater use of electrification? "The Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce has been clear that greater use of electrification, alongside deployment of newer technology, will be needed. Electrification will play a significant role in our programme to achieve our Net Zero 2050 objective. Network Rail’s ongoing work will inform decisions about whether electrification or new technologies are the better option for each individual section of the network where diesel trains currently run and considers both passenger and freight services. This is a complicated process and it is right to take the time to do this properly. I will consider the case for exploring some electrification schemes more quickly as development of the strategy progresses. In deciding which early schemes to take forward, we will be considering the environmental impact as well as factors such as affordability; readiness of a scheme to proceed; deliverability; the disruption that might be experienced by passengers or freight operators during works; and availability of suitable rolling stock. We have noted the helpful work undertaken by the Railway Industry Association about the cost of electrification and will ensure that lessons are learnt from previous electrification schemes and those currently underway, including in Scotland and Wales. We will continue to ensure that new schemes deliver value for money for taxpayers and that the industry is able to deliver a decarbonisation programme in a sustainable way" https://committees.parliament.uk/download/file/?url=%2Fpublications%2F116%2Fdocuments%2F845&slug=letterfromgrantshappsfollowuptoevidence170220pdfSo perhaps Bristol, Oxford and Swansea back on the books again? |
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #927 on: March 08, 2020, 09:57:22 » |
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So perhaps Bristol, Oxford and Swansea back on the books again?
That would seem to be the case. I suppose it is subject to there being any money, but that looks like, if not a firm commitment, a step in the right direction. |
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Now, please!
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #928 on: March 08, 2020, 15:42:25 » |
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Does "deployment of newer technology" mean hydrogen fuel cells? Or perhaps CNG▸ ?
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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mjones
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« Reply #929 on: March 08, 2020, 16:52:48 » |
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Does "deployment of newer technology" mean hydrogen fuel cells? Or perhaps CNG▸ ?
CNG would be locking the railways into internal combustion engines and fossil fuels. Although it is often perceived to be cleaner than diesel, it is usually used in spark ignition engines that are less energy efficient than diesel, so aren't any better in terms of carbon. Indeed they can be worse. Biomethane can be used, but there is only so much organic waste to digest and we need to do something about domestic heating and other natural gas uses as well. |
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