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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 16:24:45 GMT
silly question but travelling on the met yesterday on an A Stock and a Class 168 slowly went past
so got me thinking what the line speed was, and was there a difference to the Chiltern Line. As other time the A Stock over taken the DMU....
Would the S Stock be much different?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 17:05:09 GMT
Line speed for Chiltern is 50mph out of MArylebone, increasing to 60mph shortly after Willesden Green. This increases again to 75mph after Neasden South junction, returning back to 60mph shortly after Preston Rd and then 40mph through Harrow On The Hill. From Harrow on The Hill northbound, the line speed limit on the fast lines is 60mph with a 50mph restriction through Moor PArk and 25mph through Rickmansworth. However - A and S stock are supposed to be limited to 50mph..... - while CHiltern are authorised to run at the full 60 over LU metals where this speed is allowed!
From what I can see, the S stock are generally quicker station to station than A stock when running late, particularly Northbound out of Harrow, due to their superior but electronically limited acceleration. The timetable is pretty slack though, and at times I have been frustrated as drivers cruise along doing no more than 40mph to avoid running ahead of time!!
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Post by chrisvandenkieboom on Dec 22, 2011 17:21:37 GMT
Why does LU lock acceleration anyway? Beyond the obvious fact of infrastructure and low line speeds. Does it also have something to do with allowing the trains to last longer by not fully unlocking the potential of the traction motors?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 20:27:58 GMT
Signal overlaps
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 21:07:42 GMT
Yes Met drivers have been driving slower than the usual 50+ odd down there (yes I know theyre not supposed to). I always found it strange overtaking a main line train on an LUL train
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 23:04:08 GMT
You mean tube trains faster than main line? Isn't there a plan to make all met line trains from Amersham and Chesham stopping services ? If that happened the line speed on the fast lines between Harrow and Moor Park could be raised to 75.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 23:07:17 GMT
Why does LU lock acceleration anyway? Beyond the obvious fact of infrastructure and low line speeds. Does it also have something to do with allowing the trains to last longer by not fully unlocking the potential of the traction motors? Apparently capped to match the A stock at present - though the S is definitely superior even in this state when driven flat out. Much also depends on the driver and what mood he/she is in! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 23:23:32 GMT
You mean tube trains faster than main line? Isn't there a plan to make all met line trains from Amersham and Chesham stopping services ? If that happened the line speed on the fast lines between Harrow and Moor Park could be raised to 75. Could be I guess, but signalling and track would need to be improved to allow that. Can't see LU spending the money on this especially as the latest S stock is limited to 60. Over such a short distance, the increase from 60 to 75mph wouldn't save much time anyway - maybe a minute maximum between Harrow and Rickmansworth! Chiltern timings are faster on this stretch as they omit the Moor Park stop and pretty much have a clear run through with no conflicting services to contend with. Problem for LU fasts is that you have fast and slow lines converging at Harrow North, plus the uxbridge branch coming in too. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 23:34:14 GMT
What I mean is if plans go ahead, the Met line becomes a stopper service on the slow lines only and the fast line is upgraded to network rail style 3 aspect signalling for chiltern trains only and trip cocks removed as they aren't suitable for speeds above 60 anyway.
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Post by eurostarengineer on Dec 23, 2011 0:58:06 GMT
Line speed will not change for a long time yet as there are a lot of points that need replacing with high speed points. Let alone the condition of the track: wooden sleepers to be changed for reinforced concrete ones, track joints to be replaced etc.
I really cannot see speeds going in excess of the current limitations until continuos welded rail is installed with the new signalling system.
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