Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

Seems to require a log in now - I'm sure you used to be able to browse without an account though...

Paul

You can log into google using your youtube username & Password or hotmail log in details if you are already registered on them like i am

[paul7575]

uk.railway is not a private google forum - it's a 'usenet newsgroup' that Google happen to provide their own front end for. 

I don't have a password for hotmail or youtube.

Please don't provide links to password protected versions of information - as it is on usenet Woody could have just copied and pasted it here...

Paul

[ellendune]

I got in fine without logging in.

[woody]

uk.railway is not a private google forum - it's a 'usenet newsgroup' that Google happen to provide their own front end for. 

I don't have a password for hotmail or youtube.

Please don't provide links to password protected versions of information - as it is on usenet Woody could have just copied and pasted it here...

Paul

It was not password protected I just browsed onto Uk railway google groups clicked on "intercity Express program" and there it was.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm. It works for me, too, without problem - but then, I am logged in to both hotmail and youtube by default.

Purely to maintain the peace here, I'll take a bit of a flyer and quote what that particular post says:

Both FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and East Coast have told the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) that the Pendolino would be
ideal for those two main lines.
And - just to calm the anti-390 brigade - it isn't "the exact design"
that is the train type in question. It is the concept of the train in
terms of the distributed power, technical specs etc. and the way
Virgin work with Alstom that is being highlighted. In Italy last week
Alstom hosted Virgin and new Italian private operator NTV to talk
about their operations. Virgin explained how good the Alstom operation
is in terms of maintaining the trains and getting so many sets in
service every day. NTV said that their new AGV.italo fleet will be
maintained by Alstom in exactly the same way and Alstom said that
every enquiry they get about new train orders comes with "take us to
Longsight to show us how you do the job there."
As Jon has pointed out - a Pendolino-type train on a similar contract
to the Alstom one with Virgin would come it at about ^20,000 per
vehicle per month cheaper... work that out for 20 years and you soon
find the money to electrify to Swansea etc.
Alstom has also produced a design for a "simplified" Pendolino without
the front hatches and permanently accessible couplers. These could
couple to an Alstom diesel loco in a minute or two - and be ready to
move off "because the trains and locos would be designed to do this
from the start..."
Everyone - even people in the DfT are actually saying the ^20k a month
is "a low estimate" and confirm that IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) is still only backed by one
(we know who) civil servant - who, somehow, still seems to have
convinced ministers its a good idea.
Finally - as has been mentioned - nobody wants to actually finance the
IEP anyway. We know the DfT has now approached at least two of the
ROSCOs^» (Rolling Stock Owning Company - about) begging them to take on the financing - both have told the DfT
where to stick the idea. (and if the experienced ROSCOs don't think
there is any money to be made will an inexperienced bank find the
money? - especially now they know that the existing ROSCOs aren't
interested?)
Tony

Chris from Nailsea 

[paul7575]

It was not password protected I just browsed onto Uk railway google groups clicked on "intercity Express program" and there it was.

Weird - I wonder why they won't let me in then?   Have to do some digging - or buy a new PC or something...

Paul

[homsar]

Agility submitted a planning application to the local council last week, is the news that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) passed on. Mayve a search of the council's planning srction on their website?

You mean something like this?

As a minor update, the website now claims that planning consent has been granted today, with apparently very little controversy.

[anthony215]

Too be honest where they are putting the new depot in Swansea is an industrial site already so I am not too surprised that planning permission has been given already

[anthony215]

Just seen this posted on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes):

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/carbon-free-freight-trains-to-be-introduced-by-db-schenker-rail-uk/

[Electric train]

Just seen this posted on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes):

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/carbon-free-freight-trains-to-be-introduced-by-db-schenker-rail-uk/

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are looking at its land and property assets with a view to its use for renewable energy generation

[onthecushions]

The idea of NR^» (Network Rail - home page) generating its own electricity and exporting the surplus, especially if it's green, is well worth pushing, now that there is no monolithic GEGB.

Wind/PV sources need nearly 100% backup to meet continuous demand and need Govt subsidy.

The combined heat and power system is also suitable for the railway; the waste heat being used for district (piped) heating in an urban area and for heat driven absorption cooling for industry. Typically the railway needs about 80MVA(e) at 40/50 mile intervals. Placed in urban areas where there is the heat/industry demand, small railway power stations might well improve electrification's chances, as the West of Cardiff scheme may indicate.

It may also be more efficient to generate 25kV 1ph directly rather than transmit, transform and split off a phase from the grid.

Lots Road lives again,

OTC

[IndustryInsider]

An interesting article with an interview with Mark Langman, Network Rail's Wales Route Manager, with strong hints that electrification to Swansea, as well as the Valley Lines, is still very much on the agenda and strongly supported by Network Rail.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/02/29/electrification-can-boost-welsh-economy-says-network-rail-s-managing-director-in-wales-mark-langman-91466-30426051/

[Lee]

From Railnews:

Welsh delegation calls for more electrification

A delegation of business people and politicians from south Wales has arrived in Westminster to urge a rethink on electrification.
 
The Great Western Main Line is set to be electrified from London as far as Cardiff Central, but many people in south Wales say the scheme should continue to Swansea.
 
Conservative AM Byron Davies is also calling for a South Wales Metro to be created, which would require electrification of the Valley lines.
 
Such a scheme already exists in outline, although its supporters say they are worried that some routes, such as the lines to Ebbw Vale Parkway and Maesteg, may not be included.
 
Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant is arguing that further investment would boost the economy in depressed areas.
 
In an article published in the Western Mail, he said the case for electrification was 'far stronger than many rail schemes that have already been funded by the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Government in England'.
 
A Department for Transport spokesman said that the Welsh Government had provided an outline business case for electrification beyond Cardiff to Swansea.

[paul7575]

Contract for main works to Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford, and Newbury has just been awarded to Amey:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/amey-awarded-great-western-electrification-contract.html

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Roughly a year until actual physical work will start and bright green marking have been sprayed trackside for most of the route between Didcot and Reading.  They look about the right distance apart to be locations for the catenary masts.