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HS2 captive trains (and special gauge trains generally): diversionary routes & emergency measures?

paul1609

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Not voltage changeovers (all 25kV AC), but they will have to change signalling/train control systems and maybe pantograph type at Handsacre to/from the WCML system.
HS2 will be ETCS cab signalling, WCML is lineside signals and TPWS (with maybe some ETCS further north by then).
There will have to be an overlap for this, presumably at a reduced speed on what was intended to be the link from the Phase 1/2 junction to Handsacre WCML.
Technically on the change between 2 systems I think voltage changeover is correct. Whilst for instance a changeover from HS1 to BR on the NLL curve both systems are nominally 25 kV the voltage between the 2 systems might actually be several kV difference but still within the tolerances for their different systems.
 
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Krokodil

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HS2 doesnt have a theoretical capacity of 24tph.
Yes the plain line on the core section could support it but the constraints at Euston, even with 11 platforms, mean you could never run 24tph
That's why the 24tph is described as theoretical
 

The Planner

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Not voltage changeovers (all 25kV AC), but they will have to change signalling/train control systems and maybe pantograph type at Handsacre to/from the WCML system.
HS2 will be ETCS cab signalling, WCML is lineside signals and TPWS (with maybe some ETCS further north by then).
There will have to be an overlap for this, presumably at a reduced speed on what was intended to be the link from the Phase 1/2 junction to Handsacre WCML.
Switchover will be around 100mph as that is what the junction speed and approach will be.
 

plugwash

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Technically on the change between 2 systems I think voltage changeover is correct. Whilst for instance a changeover from HS1 to BR on the NLL curve both systems are nominally 25 kV the voltage between the 2 systems might actually be several kV difference but still within the tolerances for their different systems.
The same would presumablly apply to moving between two lines fed from different feeder stations on the classic network.

I've always thought of "voltage changeover" as meaning something more than moving around within the tolerance bands of a given nominal voltage.
 

paul1609

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The same would presumablly apply to moving between two lines fed from different feeder stations on the classic network.

I've always thought of "voltage changeover" as meaning something more than moving around within the tolerance bands of a given nominal voltage.
I think the difference with HS1 and TGV is that while it is the same nominal voltage 25Kv the tolerances are different to the BR system. So for instance the low voltage trip has to be adjusted when changing betweeen systems. Im an Electrical Engineer but only an enthusiast in terms of the rail industry. There are a lot better qualified people than me on this forum to confirm.
 

AM9

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373s were never designed to change from BR OHL to TGV OHL as they predated HS1 and the NOL sevices would have changed from third rail DC to BR OHL north of Kensington Olympia on the West London Line. It was a rotary switch in the cab of a 373 which had different positions for all the systems/ voltages the train could use.
Of course there was the instance in 1994 when 2 class 319s were sent into the tunnel a short distance. The particular units were fitted with Stone-Faiveley pantographs* which were standard on UK 25kV OLE. It was necessary to send the trains to Selhurst to have the overheight limit switches adjusted, but that was the extent of the temporary modification. It is probably likely that for continued high-speed (200+km/h) use that the design of pantograph would be designed for that but compliant with normal UK classic network speeds. Multiple pantograph types seem to be more common where trains traverse completely different systems, e.g. 25kV/15kV/3000kV etc. networks where lower voltages require higher upward forces.

* The units 319008 & 319009 were from the original 319/0 1988 batch which was then Stone-Faiveley fitted. The 319/1 batch had Brecknell-Willis high-speed pantographs. Many of the 319s were refitted with the B-W pantographs in later years.
 

paul1609

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Of course there was the instance in 1994 when 2 class 319s were sent into the tunnel a short distance. The particular units were fitted with Stone-Faiveley pantographs* which were standard on UK 25kV OLE. It was necessary to send the trains to Selhurst to have the overheight limit switches adjusted, but that was the extent of the temporary modification. It is probably likely that for continued high-speed (200+km/h) use that the design of pantograph would be designed for that but compliant with normal UK classic network speeds. Multiple pantograph types seem to be more common where trains traverse completely different systems, e.g. 25kV/15kV/3000kV etc. networks where lower voltages require higher upward forces.

* The units 319008 & 319009 were from the original 319/0 1988 batch which was then Stone-Faiveley fitted. The 319/1 batch had Brecknell-Willis high-speed pantographs. Many of the 319s were refitted with the B-W pantographs in later years.
The units actually ran all the way through the tunnel twice during 2013 on the handover from TML to Eurotunnel. It had to carry planks of wood for the VIPS to reach the platforms at Frethun.
The 2014 run was the first fare paying trip in to the Channel Tunnel from London Victoria as part of the Folkestone 1994 event This only ran as far as the UK Crossover where it was scheduled to return to the UK. Unfortunately it then lost power on the crossover and was stuck in the tunnel for sometime before returning to the UK. Alledgedly the alterations to the units wernt actually quite as simple as was subsequently claimed and they were of course quite basic dc motored units without anysort of computer control.
 

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