Jozhua
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Jan 2019
- Messages
- 1,859
There's a lot of comparisons made around UK electrification to other countries rolling projects, but I can't help feeling that difficulties faced with OHLE installation is to do with loading guages. Not only do you need space for cables and masts but also clearences under bridges, etc.
This generally means UK rail electrification projects get lumped in with station redesigns, new tunnels, track layouts, signalling and obviously this increases costs significantly. Sometimes ground conditions that can safely support trains can't support OHLE masts well due to the different loads.
Obviously under EU rules, new 3rd rail installations are not allowed, but in theory if/when this isn't a thing it could open up opportunities for it!
There are other limitations such as speed, max power delivery and the like but I can think of so many routes where this wouldn't really be an issue. Bi-mode electric trains are very common in the UK and Northern already has 319's!
In regards to needing a lot of power feeding points, a thin, high voltage cable could be run at the side of the track with occasional points with rectifiers and transformers back to 750v DC.
I shall put forward Manchester - Leeds as an example:
-OHLE until Victoria in Manchester and from the outskirts of Leeds till the centre.
-Lots of tight tunnels and bridges limiting the guage.
-45 miles or so, so probably not an enormous amount of transformer stations needed.
Would I be right in thinking that this could be a reasonable amount cheaper than OHLE on many routes or am I missing some important points?
Open to discussion!
This generally means UK rail electrification projects get lumped in with station redesigns, new tunnels, track layouts, signalling and obviously this increases costs significantly. Sometimes ground conditions that can safely support trains can't support OHLE masts well due to the different loads.
Obviously under EU rules, new 3rd rail installations are not allowed, but in theory if/when this isn't a thing it could open up opportunities for it!
There are other limitations such as speed, max power delivery and the like but I can think of so many routes where this wouldn't really be an issue. Bi-mode electric trains are very common in the UK and Northern already has 319's!
In regards to needing a lot of power feeding points, a thin, high voltage cable could be run at the side of the track with occasional points with rectifiers and transformers back to 750v DC.
I shall put forward Manchester - Leeds as an example:
-OHLE until Victoria in Manchester and from the outskirts of Leeds till the centre.
-Lots of tight tunnels and bridges limiting the guage.
-45 miles or so, so probably not an enormous amount of transformer stations needed.
Would I be right in thinking that this could be a reasonable amount cheaper than OHLE on many routes or am I missing some important points?
Open to discussion!