Network Rail Recommends 80% of the network should be electrified by 2050

[class26]

We did have Briech, not only kept open but totally re-built for electrification and its Parliamentary service upgraded to a frequent one. As far as I recall there wasn't even a local pressure group pushing for that.

But Breich is between two MUCH larger centres of population (Glasgow and Edinburgh) and the line wasn`t to be closed. This is just a single station reopening not an about turn from closure to full electrification of an entire line. Somewhat different and the Finnish line in question is even more remote than the Far North Line

 

[edwin_m]

But Breich is between two MUCH larger centres of population (Glasgow and Edinburgh) and the line wasn`t to be closed. This is just a single station reopening not an about turn from closure to full electrification of an entire line. Somewhat different and the Finnish line in question is even more remote than the Far North Line

Yes indeed, but different in the opposite sense that hardly anyone seemed to be wanting it kept open but the government did so anyway.

 

[Bald Rick]

Fair point.
Interest though that on the programme they said the line was slated in for closure in 2005 (it was diesel at that time) so the freight couldn`t have been that large otherwise closure wouldn`t have been on the agenda.
Trains did actually stop for 2 years but the people of Kemijarvi started protests and they won not only a reprieve but electrification ! I just can`t see that here.

Quite so, the lines wouldn’t have shut in the first place!

 

[stuu]

Got to bear in mind transmission losses. I guess if the right place was in Cornwall its hardly likely to be providing power to Newcastle as the transmission losses wouldn't make moving the electricity from the SW to the NE.

Norway will be, and that's further away. HVDC is pretty efficient for long distance transmission. Of course that's not going to be the answer within the country, but it is possible should the need arise

 

[furnessvale]

Fair point.
Interest though that on the programme they said the line was slated in for closure in 2005 (it was diesel at that time) so the freight couldn`t have been that large otherwise closure wouldn`t have been on the agenda.
Trains did actually stop for 2 years but the people of Kemijarvi started protests and they won not only a reprieve but electrification ! I just can`t see that here.

Could it be oversimplification by the TV company in that the only thing that closed was the passenger service?

 

[class26]

Could it be oversimplification by the TV company in that the only thing that closed was the passenger service?

Not sure, would have to watch again. it could have been kept open for freight of course, this wasn`t said

 

[furnessvale]

Not sure, would have to watch again. it could have been kept open for freight of course, this wasn`t said

They definitely implied that the line had closed but a Google search only mentions the direct train to Helsinki ending and then returning after protests. No metion of freight one way or the other.

 

[johnnychips]

In 1980, there were two trains a day between Rovaniemi and Kemijarvi, one of which was a sleeper leaving Helsinki the previous evening, but provided a service from Rovaniemi at about 0800. If you wanted a day shopping in Rovaniemi from Kemijarvi you had to get a railbus at 0625, returning at 1640! I seem to remember getting the train to Kemijarvi in the morning, going for a walk then getting the hourly bus back to Rovaniemi. A very strange service.

 

[class26]

They definitely implied that the line had closed but a Google search only mentions the direct train to Helsinki ending and then returning after protests. No metion of freight one way or the other.

Thanks for clarifying. So in that case it was kept open for the timber traffic presumably ?

 

[class26]

In 1980, there were two trains a day between Rovaniemi and Kemijarvi, one of which was a sleeper leaving Helsinki the previous evening, but provided a service from Rovaniemi at about 0800. If you wanted a day shopping in Rovaniemi from Kemijarvi you had to get a railbus at 0625, returning at 1640! I seem to remember getting the train to Kemijarvi in the morning, going for a walk then getting the hourly bus back to Rovaniemi. A very strange service.

I did a dummy booking yesterday and there seems to be now only one service in each direction
The sleeper you mention would be the equivalent of the sleeper from London to Inverness continuing to Thurso ?

 

[Class 170101]

Having just watched the Channel 5 Scenic Railway programme this evening an interesting question is posed.It was set in Finland and travelled from Helsinki north to Oulu then on to Rovaniemi, finishing beyond the arctic circle in the small town of Kemijarvi.

On now on Channel 5+1 for those that missed it on Friday.

 

[Energy]

On now on Channel 5+1 for those that missed it on Friday.

And free on My5 (Channel 5's catchup app thing).