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Post by christopher125 on Mar 15, 2018 20:29:44 GMT
The pre-grouping bogie coaches were 54ft long and relatively compact, both narrow and low-roofed. It's not just that the Standard Stock cars avoided gauging issues, but a significant quantity were available and going for scrap - this made a large fleet affordable, the early years seeing up to 7 7-car sets working the busiest Summer Saturdays.
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 15, 2018 15:30:09 GMT
It's always been a mystery to me why the Island line was electrified in the first place. The nearest existing electrified line was (and still is) less than five miles away but there is almost no chance of them ever being connected (and the raised floor of Ryde Tunnel would prevent through running anyway). Surely a higher priority would have been the Portsmouth-Southampton route, but that was not electrified until 1990. IIRC British Rail opted for standard stock vehicles early on, either fitted with bus engines (to be maintained by the local bus company, Southern Vectis) or push-pulled by a locomotive. However according to Brian Hardy's 'Tube Trains on the Isle of Wight' the minister came down on the side of the local authorities who favoured electrification - supposedly similar in upfront cost to diesel traction, but cheaper in the long run. Conventional mainland rolling stock doesn't fit - hence why short bodied, low-roofed LBSCR and SECR carriages survived to the end of steam.
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 15, 2018 2:58:44 GMT
On bridge clearances - the cab ride view does indeed show road over-bridges before and after Brading station and that the line here was at one stage dual track. While all Ryde St Johns-Ventnor overbridges allowed for a second track, only Ryde-Smallbrook and Brading-Sandown were actually doubled in later years. Only two overbridges therefore gained a second track; Smallbrook Lane which has rather restrictive clearances, and the other south of Brading which IIRC was rebuilt with a flat deck when doubled; perhaps to avoid the same issue? Not sure that would help - the tunnel combines a reverse-curve with a single and double track arched roof, so a narrow chimney has clearance that a wide, long and high carriage roof doesn't. Clearly returning those lost inches of headroom wouldn't hurt, but that may compromise the drainage system.
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 9, 2018 2:15:07 GMT
According to a reply posted in response to a question on this tweet, the Vivarail team don’t seem to think any work will need doing to the tunnel in order for Class 230 to fit... D78s might just fit through the tunnel - the portals at either end should be ok, but the tunnel also features a tight reverse curve with a combination of single and double track bores so it could be a very tight fit. Worth remembering that larger electric stock has been proposed before - ex-Merseyrail 503s were seriously considered back in the 80s, they even did a gauging run with a wooden mock-up. I found a few very grainy photos showing up on a google search for IOW pre tube rolling stock which shows examples of steam hauled Mk1 type slam door coaches on the Ryde pier so they must have made it through the tunnel. The Island only ever used pre-grouping carriages, with 57ft the standard length due to clearance issues - the SECR vehicles, even with the 'birdcage' lookout removed, were at the limit of the loading gauge IIRC. Prior to electrification, the tunnel was a limiting factor on the length of stock but the principle height restriction was a bridge at, iirc, Brading. This bridge is still extant and would need addressing if full height stock were to run on the line. How difficult and/or expensive this would be I don't know. I'm not sure about Brading's, but those in Ryde are tight and in particular the arched bridge carrying Smallbrook Lane. I'm curious why one would raise the track in a tunnel. There must be something that I'm missing. The tunnel emerges in a former dock below the height of some high tides, so water ingress is an issue with pumping required at times - when the line was electrified they removed the track and improved the drainage. While headroom was reduced, comparing an original construction drawing with a modern structure gauge suggests just 6 inches or so less than the original 14ft - staff could still visit the buffet at Pier Head with 05001!
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Post by christopher125 on Nov 20, 2017 12:51:02 GMT
That's brilliant, thanks - for such long lives there seem surprisingly few photos.
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Post by christopher125 on Nov 19, 2017 12:39:56 GMT
Fascinating, do other photos of them exist in this form? Can't remember seeing any.
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Post by christopher125 on Nov 19, 2017 2:33:51 GMT
Any idea what the nearest vehicle in the second photo is? Looks like a locomotive.
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Post by christopher125 on Nov 4, 2017 19:03:15 GMT
Now since the central section of Crossrail will run on ETCS, Im guessing all of the units are having their signaling software validated as the need for a surrogate test train(s) may make it self apparent. CBTC for the central section, ETCS for the Heathrow Branch IIRC.
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Post by christopher125 on Nov 4, 2017 17:23:05 GMT
The plate at the bottom of the door is covering the step board, the step boards appear to have been replaced, the originals were wood these new ones are cheap metal. I suspect they have been added to prevent people riding on the outside of the train... The plates are part of the locking mechanism as mentioned here"This picture illustrates the metal plate added to the bottom of each door so it can be held by an electromagnet fitted to the footboard. This was actually done after both units started working the Lymington branch"
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Post by christopher125 on Oct 7, 2017 0:31:04 GMT
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Post by christopher125 on Sept 17, 2017 22:46:38 GMT
It comes from a stakeholder presentation given to the Stourbridge Line Users Group, uploaded to their facebook page
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Post by christopher125 on May 10, 2017 22:14:04 GMT
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 24, 2017 2:47:44 GMT
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Post by christopher125 on Feb 11, 2017 3:19:03 GMT
I know that the 387s have had to modify their pantographs because of clipping supports on Great Northern. While the initial units had their pantographs changed that's apparently no longer necessary? Presumably whatever concerns were had have been addressed.
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Post by christopher125 on Jan 16, 2017 16:24:37 GMT
The trains do look more weathered than those in Chris's photos, the cars forming Train 007 apparently had rust issues on the roof. Train 006 looked in better shape It seems they are going through an overhaul program, 008 was released last year with a new coat of paint (regards to Steve Thorpe for the photo) 483008 by Steve Thorpe, on Flickr
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Post by christopher125 on Dec 21, 2016 18:16:38 GMT
Yes, I believe the project manager is the person who was managing the battle bus project. Thanks, some good news!
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Post by christopher125 on Dec 20, 2016 21:07:53 GMT
Isn't it due to be signalled conventionally, with ATO later? There's an obvious saving to be had there if so.
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Post by christopher125 on Dec 17, 2016 3:24:38 GMT
Any news since the July update regarding the business case, project manager etc?
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Post by christopher125 on Dec 12, 2016 1:29:51 GMT
According to comments elsewhere she's receiving CDL (central door locking), hopefully that isn't a new requirement for LU operations but some kind of mainline use? Also been suggested she'll return with the inspection saloon.
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Post by christopher125 on Oct 1, 2016 21:14:16 GMT
Does anyone know what the status of 45029 is? Presumably she's still at Eastleigh where she was undergoing restoration to provide a dining service, but I've not seen any photos of progress for quite some time. Threads merged by superteacher.
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Post by christopher125 on Aug 28, 2016 21:06:38 GMT
Has there been any discernible increase in usage since it became part of the Overground?
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Post by christopher125 on Aug 28, 2016 20:37:44 GMT
A north curve from the Bromley to Stratford was never built but the kink in the track ready for it is still there north of West Ham. I'm fascinated by this kind of thing, earthworks and structures for railways never completed - looking at the maps for 1867 and 1893 it seems the structure carrying the northern outfall sewer made provision for this connection, however by 1914 a dogleg allowed this to be used by the pair of tracks now carrying the Jubilee.
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Post by christopher125 on Jul 30, 2016 15:42:30 GMT
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Post by christopher125 on Jul 30, 2016 14:16:16 GMT
There's a positive sounding update regarding the Q Stock restoration on the LTM Friends site: www.ltmuseumfriends.co.uk/projects/friends/project/33/q-stockWhile it won't be operational for 2018, they've worked up a positive business case and pending sign-off by TfL expect to advertise for a part-time Project Manager 'immediately'.
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Post by christopher125 on Jul 7, 2016 2:44:45 GMT
Worth noting that article is over a year old.
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Post by christopher125 on May 11, 2016 20:32:01 GMT
I like it personally, more interesting than the rather bland Aventra front end.
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Post by christopher125 on Apr 8, 2016 14:00:39 GMT
On slide 18, there is a reference to "full end to end services including Reading to Heathrow Airport". Wishful thinking or is WRATH being built in secret? THC Western Rail Access does look like it will happen, but it's a little early to say whether Crossrail services will use it.
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Post by christopher125 on Apr 8, 2016 13:56:33 GMT
What has the person with the headdress on (can't remember her name but it start with an A) at the end been in before? IIRC she was in the King's Cross episode of 'The Railway' on BBC2.
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Post by christopher125 on Apr 8, 2016 12:44:41 GMT
Don't take that as gospel just yet - there's still a lot that needs sorting out and a couple of quite big stumbling blocks for 2016's heritage. Until the programme is announced by the LTM don't put anything in the diary... It does indeed appear they've been cancelled this year, due to the Bluebell's Ashbury set being unable.
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 23, 2016 22:43:21 GMT
I recall steam workings from High St Ken to somewhere west (Ealing Broadway?) being mooted for 2015, and then cancelled, So it would be great if they happened this year. According to a post on National Preservation the latest Heritage Railway Magazine reports that Ealing Broadway - High St Ken runs will operate on the 9th and 10th of July.
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