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Great Western Electrification Progress

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hwl

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with more than a dollop of silicon I read... and excellent corrosion resistance...
And magnesium and manganese.

In particular excellent chlorine corrosion resistance e.g. Aluminium boat hulls...
 
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Wilts Wanderer

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Pardon my ignorance, but does this 'beat' the March target that was stated for the tunnel to go live? I note that it is subject to a speed restriction of 75mph through the tunnel "until additional testing in accordance with ENE TSI clause 6.2.4.5 is carried out" - presumably that is what is scheduled to be completed by March, but it is theoretically completely usable now?

And the linespeed through the tunnel is 75mph max anyway?
 

GRALISTAIR

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One does wonder, if cost were no issue, what would be the best material for the various ole wires for difficult, corrosive environments; Gold + Titanium/Tungsten maybe?

In terms of conductivity the dogs bollocks is gold followed closely by silver and then copper. They are all magnificent with corrosion too though copper does pit. Gold and silver are too expensive and too ductile and soft. Copper is thus the usual material of choice. It is why virtually all house wiring is copper. When space is available aluminum is pretty darned good. The transmission grid is Al on steel formers because there is so much space and has better tensile strength for the long spans.
 

McRhu

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Any mileage in Graphene, which - I think - should score particularly well on all counts (when it becomes commercial).
 

hwl

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In terms of conductivity the dogs bollocks is gold followed closely by silver and then copper. They are all magnificent with corrosion too though copper does pit. Gold and silver are too expensive and too ductile and soft. Copper is thus the usual material of choice. It is why virtually all house wiring is copper. When space is available aluminum is pretty darned good. The transmission grid is Al on steel formers because there is so much space and has better tensile strength for the long spans.
The friction issues with gold /silver might be interesting
 

S-Bahn

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Entered Severn tunnel eastbound on electric. Diesel traction engaged about 90 seconds in.
Remained on diesel to just past Pilning station and switched back to electric.
 

JN114

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but hes got a letout if we get stuck with a mere 75mph... (as bad as the Lickey…)

No, Martin was quite unequivocal that the tunnel will remain diesel only permanently. 75mph electric is not Diesel only.
 

The Ham

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No, Martin was quite unequivocal that the tunnel will remain diesel only permanently. 75mph electric is not Diesel only.

Indeed, I was willing to let them have that it wasn't March - until I reread their post where it was clear that it was only going to be diesel trains.
 

Mintona

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I’ve never heard anything of the linespeed within the tunnel being raised from 75. Is anybody aware of a firm plan for this to happen?
 

S-Bahn

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Arrived into Cardiff on the wires today! Switched to diesel at platform 3 to continue to Swansea.
 

R G NOW.

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I had thought the wire used in the tunnel, was a chrome plated copper. You would think that would last and not corrode. I remember my father telling me years ago, that the atmosphere in the tunnel is very salty.
 

Optom1

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The ORR gave a derogation on 02/09/2019 for the use of an aluminium contact wire due to the harsh environment.(galvanic corrosion of the Al. R.O.C. system with a Cu alloy contact wire).
 

Mag_seven

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on twitter GWR's 1L34 08:50 Cardiff to Paddington was electric all the way formed of 800.031, today!
Further confirmation that the tunnel is live, just not yet in use:-

Now I'm getting confused! If it was electric "all the way" it would have been electric through the tunnel which is "not yet in use". :rolleyes:
 

JN114

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Now I'm getting confused! If it was electric "all the way" it would have been electric through the tunnel which is "not yet in use". :rolleyes:

Current briefs to train crew are still changeover at Pilning and West of Severn Tunnel Junction. I’m not convinced 1L34 was on electric through the tunnel.

It will have been the first to leave Cardiff on Electric, being the first eastbound train of the morning.
 

Mintona

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I can confirm 1L07 will be in electric from Cardiff this morning - but will be switching to diesel at Severn Tunnel Jn and back to electric at Pilning.
 

33017

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I can confirm 1L07 will be in electric from Cardiff this morning - but will be switching to diesel at Severn Tunnel Jn and back to electric at Pilning.
On 1L09 and can confirm electric from Cardiff, diesel through the tunnel, electric again from roughly the point the up and down lines start to split east of Pilning.
 
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