Recent content by apk55

After my injury last year when a tendon in my knee ruptured (see earlier entries) I am slowly getting back walking again. It took 6 months before I could mange easy walks with my walking club. Then I was tired after a 5 to 6 mile easy walk, now after another 6 months I have plenty left and...

You need to build into the model other factors such as resistance of running rails and overhead line. Steel running rails can have significant resistance and will affect return currents Also there is inductance of the line which can be significant.

One aspect that I have not seen mentioned here is the emergency services who will probably require at least a hybrid vehicle. This would also apply to people living in remoter parts of the country also some maintenance vehicles. We can guarantee that there will be weather events that will...

Most of the modern trains are Regen and rho-static breaking. Normally this would be done by having a resistor that can be controlled by an electronic switch to prevent the supply voltage getting too high. This would be almost essential anyway as a train may suddenly be gapped or otherwise lose...

I would have thought the power supply for a complex station area would be divided up into many different sections each with its own circuit breaker which would be set at level of maybe 2 train loads max. This would be done so that if there is a short circuit fault it can be detected and cleared...

You have not mentioned re electrification of the Altrincham line (MSJ&A) line from 1.5KV DC to 25KV AC in 1971. Then much of the line was converted to 750V for Metrolink tram service although part remains at 25KV for access to Trafford Park Many of the 1931 MSJ&A overhead support structures...

Seeing the pictures of Millers dale reminds me of the disaster that has struck me. What started off as an ordinary Sunday walk for me with my local walking club from Wyedale to Chelmorton, Taddington, Priescliffe and Millerdale - about 10miles and 1500 feet of climbing - ended in disaster when...

Been exploring some of the old railways between Eccles and Bolton recently. Most of the old railway between Patricroft and Bolton has been converted into a walkway (from Monton to near Bolton). Also a walkway is most the line from Patricroft to Clifton with a deviation required via Victoria park...

Quite a lot of narrow gauge railways used transporter wagons to carry standard gauge wagons so presumably the line would have to be at the same loading gauge as standard gauge lines, although it is possible stock might be restricted in size. This even ncluded some 750mm/760mm/2foot6 inch lines...

A few days ago I decided to walk from Eccles to Bolton along the old LNWR route.Most is now converted into foot/cycle path and is about 10 miles long. Tram to Eccles train back from Bolton. Another walk I did recently was from Staybridge up to Swineshaw reservoirs, returning partly via the old...

The simple torque converter transmission as used 150 sprinters etc while cheap and reliable is rather inefficient particularly when starting and at slow speed. It also tends to require a larger diesel engine to achieve a performance level over an electric or multi speed gear box transmission...

In the 50s electrical equipment was much more costly and bulky than the mechanical equivalent. It also would be very difficult to design a DC generator that could fit underfloor due to the commutator size etc hence the reason for above floor engines. Nowadays with alternators and 3 phase motors...

FYI Recent BBC report on situation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-manchester-62767793

Having a small isolated section of electrified track is generally not a good idea. You would require a depot with a fleet of trains that can only work on that section, and you would to have a spare or two knocking around. Then there may be a steady demand for dead hauling units to heavy...

As well as reinstating sevices to Middlewich the link could benefit many other people who would use the line as a through service. For example where I live (Altrincham) it would be a viable route to Crewe and onward connections rather than going via Manchester or Stockport. For people in...