Lampshade
Established Member
Why not use the 395s now? SET has a load unused at the moment.
1. They'd be limited to 110mph as the wires are too loosely sprung
2. That's common sense
Why not use the 395s now? SET has a load unused at the moment.
I seem to remember the problem was that only one Eurostar unit could be on the rail bridge south of Newcastle station at the time.
Yes, the tight curve on the 90 degree turn on the southern approach to King Ed Bridge did not have adequate clearance for passing Eurostar sets. Max linespeed was about 10mph through the curve. (I believe the next restriction, going north, was the curve on the southern approach to Morpeth).
However, the approach to King Ed Bridge was re-laid a few years ago, with better clearances. As a consequence, linespeed was raised and I guess (but am only guessing) that the clearances on the curve would be adequate to allow 2 sets to pass.
As for the Tyne Bridge it definately wouldn't fit as it's only a Road bridge
Do you think they would fit in platforms 3 & 4?
I ought to know that too, after a year as a Newcastle student.
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IIRC, they fitted into the platforms at Stevenage (just) with the leading power car's nose beyond the signal and the last coach hanging off the back. They locked out the doors in the last two coaches, so that did not matter too much. If anyone knows a bit more about platform lengths, perhaps they could work out whether they would fit.
Waverley might be a problem, unless you take up both of the double platforms.
Incidentally, what happenned to that Eurostar. Did it go back to the Channel Tunnel?
OK, I have no idea about the mechanics or the electrics of any of this but...not that there is any reason for doing so..but..
If they ran an a MK4 set with top and tail 91 on HS1 could it be a crazy blazing 250mph+ train? Let me just remind you I have no idea regarding air resistance on trains
I'm not sure that doubling 91's would indeed double speed possibly only the power.
If they are only capable of say 140mph then two of them can only run at 140mph.
Its like drinking a lager that is 5% alcholic volume, if you drink 20 bottles of this you havent drank 100% alcohol (and you would also be dead), simply 20 times 5%.
If I am wrong please forgive me
You have a very active imagination
Well no, it's more akin to adding a vodka to a pint of beer (we've all done it) but you're right it would not double the performance - you couldn't down it any faster!
There are all sorts of systems in a loco (or any piece of machinery) which could not cope with being in motion at over its design capacity. Maximum speed is limited not (just) by load being hauled but also by other factors such as the capabilities of system components. You won't see a higher speed by adding another loco, merely better acceleration and less strain on the systems at a given speed.
I'm sure 91s can comfortably physically exceed 140 as a one off/trial basis (HST power cars have done 143 mph), but the systems would quickly leave their design envelope and it would be unsafe and damaging to do so regularly or in service.
Taking the coaches out of the equation simplifies the analogy: 2 identical light engines together at full pelt would travel the same speed as one at full pelt.
But Look it Like This
Arriva Group
we have seen in months and years gone by that Arriva have trouble with certain franchises like when they ran Arriva Trains Northern then Arriva Trains Wales and CrossCountry so cant see them managing to Run East Coast
Virgin Group
Virgin Sleek PR Good customer service and good First Class and Standard Catering Service High Prices but you cant all that for nothing and Virgin (with help of Stagecoach) have bought new trains, improved stations and improved the whole route of WCML including timetable faster services and better catering which is desperately needed for ECML but dont agree with Virgin having Monopoly
Grand Central
with such a slow start to the franchise of quite a while and same on Bradford Route meant to start last may now this may cant see them ruunning it really
Maybe your right but i think virgin or first got strong chance dont think stagecoach will too close to Midland Mainline in my opinion
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well come on Virgin Has Got A good Chance, and Grand central i know are an open access operator
I was under the impression these were now part of the one franchise, the former Island Line franchise had been merged with South West Trains2) South West Trains
3) Island Line Trains