Recent content by gingertom

are there inclines like Shap, Beattock and Lickey in Europe?

Stadler or Talgo perhaps?

but with a massive fleet replacement order in the offing for the 156/158/170/I7C/318/320/334 a Scottish build would tick a lot of boxes.

problem in 3rd rail land is if you double the number of motors you double the current take. The direct consequence of which is the need to upgrade power feeder stations. Also can the pick up shoes handle the (vastly) increased current?

A pendo could be shortened- are 9 or 11 coach units really required to match anticipated demand? Also, what journey time savings could be achieved deploying them, and would the cost of installing TASS equipment justify those time savings?

indeed, because there is a commuter flow in both directions.

Talgo have such a product already, and it goes faster than 140mph.

I wonder if this new (to the UK) plastic sleeper system, as recently used in Moncrieff tunnel near Perth, could be used here? It requires less ballast, so is a track lowering to some extent, perhaps sufficient if used in conjunction with polymer insulating paint and surge arrestors?

just wondering if, during the recent blockade to undertake track replacement at Moncrieff tunnel, the opportunity was taken to lower the track to gain electrification clearance?

TTCs seem to be a recent phenomenon. Also piled foundations for the masts seem to be a more recent practice. I used to have not infrequent journeys up and down the M74 and that part of the WCML looked like drilled and concreted was the preferred method. Concrete is still used where piles aren't...

IIRC it's been mentioned that TTCs are preferred, as obviously only one mast is needed, but that mast needs a larger pile to support it. Several things would suggest the use of a single track cantilever, STC or a portal. Ground conditions, signal sighting, the zig zag to accommodate a curve etc.

are you able to give us a hint from where to where?

Sounds like a workable plan. That rise will assist with braking for the station and speed things up going down the hill. Any blocks in place for this work to be carried out? Reckon Thornliebank road bridge is a little bit more pressing.

is there sufficient distance from the bridge to the station to get the track back to the correct height or will there be a need for rebuilding the platforms a bit lower too?

Climb out of Queen St on electric and change over to diesel at Cowlairs on the chord would work. I could see them get used to Kilmarnock too, the changeover at Barrhead.