The Anonymous Widower

Centrica Energy And Whitecap Enter Long-Term Natural Gas Supply Agreement

The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item from Centrica.

This is the sub-heading.

Centrica Energy is pleased to announce signing of a long-term natural gas purchase agreement with Whitecap Resources Inc., a leading Canadian producer dedicated to the responsible development of oil and gas resources across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

These first three paragraphs add more detail to the story.

Starting in April 2028, Whitecap will deliver 50,000 MMBtu of natural gas per day to Centrica Energy for a period of ten years – equivalent to roughly five LNG cargoes each year. The supply will be priced against the Title Transfer Facility (TTF), the benchmark for European gas markets.

This agreement advances Centrica’s strategy of managing market price exposure across its LNG portfolio by linking feed gas costs to European price signals. For Whitecap, the agreement provides access to international LNG-linked pricing, supporting the company’s natural gas price diversification strategy.

“Entering into this innovative agreement with Whitecap underlines our focus on building a balanced LNG portfolio through strategic partnerships across the globe allowing us to deliver reliable energy solutions to global markets” said Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive at Centrica.

I have some thoughts.

This Is The Sixth Deal Of This Type

Note.

All are marked with a tag of Natural Gas Trading.

None of the deals appear to be in the Middle East.

All appear to be fairly long term deals.

 

 

 

 

 

March 3, 2026 Posted by | Business, Energy, World | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cornish Plant Produces Geothermal Power

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Ground Engineering.

This is the sub-heading.

Hot water from a granite fault zone in Cornwall is being used to create electricity after a pioneering plant was switched on last week.

These two paragraphs add a few more details.

Geothermal Energy Lithium (GEL) started generating power from its United Downs facility near Redruth in late February.

The company drilled down more than 5km to reach hot water sitting in natural fractures in the rock deep below Cornwall.

This excellent video, shows the wide significance of what is happening in Cornwall.

March 3, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Much Electricity Do You Need To Charge A Garage Full Of Electric Buses?

Consider.

I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this comprehensive answer.

Charging a full garage of electric buses requires massive amounts of electricity, with typical, non-optimized charging for a 100-bus depot capable of drawing nearly 10 megawatts (MW) of power. To put this into perspective, a 100-bus depot might require roughly 150 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy to recharge over an eight-hour night.

Key Factors and Energy Requirements

Energy Consumption per Bus: A typical electric bus has a battery capacity between 300-500 kWh. Energy consumption averages around 1.11 to 1.35 kWh/km, with higher consumption in winter or with heavy A/C use.

Total Depot Power: For a 100-bus depot, power requirements can reach 10 MW, equivalent to the power output of a small hydroelectric dam.

Optimal Charging: Using smart charging, a 100-bus depot can reduce its peak demand to around 4 MW.

Daily Usage: A single, large electric bus can consume up to 500 kWh per day, with daily demand ranging from 189 to 231 kWh for typical operations.

Infrastructure and Grid Considerations

Charging Infrastructure: Depots often use 40 kW to 250 kW chargers, with 100 kW common for overnight charging.

Grid Capacity: A 34-bus depot might require a new 1000kVA transformer to handle the load.

Voltage: 11,000 volts may be required to power new substations, which are then stepped down to 400 volts for charging.

Operational Factors Affecting Energy Need

Heating and Cooling: Cold weather can increase energy consumption by up to 45% (due to electric heating).

Driving Style: Inefficient driving can increase energy consumption by 0.24 kWh/km above average.

Regenerative Braking: This can recover 37–40% of energy for 40-60 ft buses.

Cost Implications

Energy Bills: A 100-bus depot can incur monthly energy bills between $112,000 and $515,000 without optimization.

Cost Savings: Electric buses are generally cheaper to fuel, costing ~£0.21/mile compared to £0.49/mile for diesel.

Could A System Based On The Sumitomo/Highview Power System At Hiroshima Charge Electric Buses?

The optimal charging figure for a 100-bus garage would appear to be in the region of 4-5 MW.

In Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On line At Hiroshima?, I state, that it looks like Highview Power’s CRYOBatteryat the heart of the system has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh.

I also state in the post, that the Hiroshima facility is designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration.

Does this all mean that if you can install enough solar panels on the roof of the garage or perhaps a wind turbine nearby, that you can have buses substantially powered by the sun and wind.

Chicago would just love wind-powered buses!

 

March 3, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On line At Hiroshima?

From some work I did at ICI in the 1970s, I believe that Highview Power may have an extremely promising way of storing energy.

The Highview Power web site talks of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, who are building one of Highview’s batteries at Hiroshima in Japan.

So I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this comprehensive answer.

Yes, the Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) Highview Power liquid air energy storage (LAES) commercial demonstration plant in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, is operational, having commenced operations on December 1, 2025.

Key details about the plant:
Location: Within the Hiroshima Gas Hatsukaichi LNG Terminal.
Capacity: 5 MW output with 4-hour storage (4 MW charging).
Technology: Uses Highview Power’s CRYOBattery™ technology, specifically utilizing waste cold from the adjacent LNG terminal to improve efficiency.
Role: The facility is designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration.
A completion ceremony for the project was held on December 9, 2025. This news item from Sumitomo Heavy Industries gives more details.
This paragraph describes Liquid Air Energy Storage or (LAES).
In LAES, surplus power such as off-peak power and renewable energy is utilized to compress and cool air, liquefying it for storage in tanks. When electricity is needed, the liquefied air is pressurized, vaporized, and heated to drive a turbine generator and supply electricity. It is well-suited for long duration energy storage. It not only helps balance electricity supply and demand but also provides a constant, stable supply of inertia and reactive power, thereby contributing to grid stabilization. In combination with unstable renewable energy generation sources like solar power, it can replace thermal power plants.
Note.
  1. It looks like the battery has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh.
  2. As it talks about using waste cold, this looks to be a very professionally-designed specialist application.
  3. But surely, that would be expected from a company like Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
Some of the systems, I mathematical-modelled for ICI could certainly have benefited from Highview’s technology.
How Many LNG Terminals Are There In The World?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this section and received this answer.
There are hundreds of LNG terminals globally, with significant growth driven by over 300 projects (roughly 177 import/regasification and 124 export/liquefaction) expected between 2025 and 2030. In 2023, there were 22 countries with active liquefaction (export) capacity, while Europe alone operates roughly 28 large-scale terminals, supplemented by a rapidly expanding fleet of FSRUs.
Export Capacity: In 2023, global liquefaction capacity was 472 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with top exporters being Australia, the U.S., and Qatar.
Expansion: By 2027, 52 new liquefaction terminals are expected to commence operations.
Import Growth: European regasification capacity is expanding, with major terminals in Spain, France, Italy, and new additions in Germany and other nations.
U.S. Infrastructure: The U.S. alone has more than 170 LNG facilities performing various services.
There are a lot of LNG Terminals.
  • They are listed in this Wikipedia entry.
  • There are around thirty in Japan alone.
  • Will Centrica add a 5 MW /20 MWh Highview Power battery to their Grain LNG Terminal?
  • Each facility installed is claimed to be designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration, so the last part must cut carbon emissions.
It would appear, that Sumitomo could keep busy for many years improving the efficiency of LNG Terminals.
Are There Any Chemical Engineering Processes That Give Out Lots Of Waste Cold?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this section and received this answer.
Yes, several major chemical engineering and industrial processes generate significant amounts of “waste cold” (low-grade thermal energy or cryogenic energy) that is often discarded. While the chemical industry conventionally focuses on recovering waste heat, recovering waste cold is becoming increasingly popular for improving energy efficiency, particularly in cryogenic processes.
Here are the primary chemical engineering processes that produce large amounts of waste cold:
  1. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification
  2. Cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs)
  3. Dry Ice and CO2 Liquefaction
  4. Liquid Nitrogen Vaporization
  5. Emerging: Cryogenic Carbon Capture
It seems to me that this could be a technology worth exploiting, which Sumitomo are already doing in the case of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification.
How Was This Page Created?
  1. Creation of this page was not difficult, but you have to get the tricks right.
  2. I used Google Chrome and Google AI.
  3. My blog is hosted in WordPress.
  4. All pages on this blog, where I have had help in their creation from Google AI are tagged as such.

I would be happy to help anybody, who wanted to use Artificial Intelligence to create blog pages.

 

February 28, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Design, Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Polanski And Farage Don’t Agree. But They Have More In Common Than You Might Think

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC, by Laura Kuenssberg.

It is very much a must read article comparing two of the most controversial party leaders in the UK.

This is the sub-heading.

One is a former stockbroker from the south who, by his own proud admission, loves smoking, drinking and women. The other’s a proud vegan, gay, northern former actor, who told me he’d never drunk a drop.

These first three paragraphs add detail to the story.

But the jubilant Zack Polanski and Nigel Farage have rather a lot in common.

Before you scream, burst out laughing, or think I have lost my marbles, of course, there are very big differences between them.

The Greens talk about a climate emergency. Reform UK calls the government green plans, “net stupid zero”.

This is Laura’s summing up of the Terrible Twins.

Their views on the cause of Britain’s pain vary wildly.

The Greens might point the finger at the super-rich, the “donor billionaires” they often cite. Reform often blames immigration, which they controversially characterise as an “invasion” of people arriving in the UK without permission.

But both parties feed off and stir up sentiment that’s felt by lots of the public: that Britain doesn’t work any more.

Whether it’s the new Green MP saying “working hard used to get you something” in her victory speech, or Nigel Farage repeatedly telling us “Britain is broken”, the same argument flows from both: that the country is in such a dreadful state that only new political saviours can fix it.

And both Reform and the Greens are willing to push the conventions of what traditional UK politicians would find acceptable – or what they believe would make them electable.

That’s not just about their image or the unstuffy ways they court publicity – Nigel Farage willingly going into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, or Zack Polanski being seen on a dance floor in campaign videos – but how they choose to focus on sensitive issues, where others might not choose to tread.

I would disagree that Britain is broken, but that it needs someone with sensible policies that everybody can get behind.

The Greens policies on the super-rich would drive anybody with ambition and money from this country and already countries like Canada are advertising for migrants.

With two immigrant lines, Farage is everything my father thought was bad about Oswald Mosley and his fascists in the 1930s. If a Reform UK Government started rounding up illegal immigrants on the streets, the violence would probable be enormous.

 

How Much Renewable Energy Will The UK Be Generating By 2030?

I have to admit, that whether you like the Tories or not, they have developed an energy generation policy and an energy relationship with Germany, that appears to be working and is allowing the current Government to do a bit of spending on defence and other needs.

I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.

The UK government has set an ambitious target to reach 95% low-carbon electricity generation by 2030, aiming for a system driven by 43-50 GW of offshore wind, 27-29 GW of onshore wind, and 45-47 GW of solar power. This plan aims to dramatically reduce fossil fuel reliance, supported by 23-27 GW of battery capacity.

Key 2030 Renewable Energy Projections & Targets:

Total Clean Power Goal: The goal is 95% of electricity from low-carbon sources (renewables and nuclear) by 2030, up from roughly 74% in 2024.

Offshore Wind: Target of 43-50 GW, deemed crucial to powering the grid.

Onshore Wind: Target of 27-29 GW, with recent policy changes lifting bans to accelerate development.

Solar Power: Target of 45-47 GW, aiming to triple current capacity.

Flexibility: 23-27 GW of battery capacity and 4-6 GW of long-duration storage are needed to manage intermittency.

Challenges and Forecasts:

Shortfall Risks: While the government target is high, some projections suggest wind and solar may only account for 44% of generation by 2030, requiring significant acceleration to reach the 95% clean goal.

Investment Needs: Achieving these goals requires an estimated £48 billion in additional investment, on top of planned projects.

Progress: In 2024, renewable sources already hit a record of over 50% in certain quarters, with low-carbon sources overall (including nuclear) providing nearly 70% of generation.

My Thoughts

I will add some of my thoughts.

Electricity Demand: As I write, according to National Grid: Live it is 33.3 GW, which is met by with Production of 27.1 GW and Transfers of 6.2 GW.

Electricity Production: In 2030, I believe that if the UK has long-term battery capacity of something like 4 GW/40 GWh, that total UK electricity production could be upwards of 125 GW.

Hinckley Point C Power Station: This should add 1.6 GW in 2030 and 2031 to further boost UK electricity production.

Pumped Storage Hydro: In How Much Pumped Storage Hydro Will Be Operational In The UK By 2030?, I estimate that the Bank of England standard of energy storage, will add 5 GW of electricity production.

Highview Power: Highview Power are developing long duration liquid-air energy storage and have identified locations for sixteen 300 MW/3.2 GWh monsters.

Excess Electricity Production: This will be exported, either as electricity or after conversion to hydrogen. It will be a Magic Money Forest for the victor of the General Election in 2029.

If Hinckley Point C, the pumped storage hydro and Highview Power’s batteries work as their engineers hope, then the result of the next General Election will be predictable.

It is certainly, Kier Starmer’s to win, by getting the energy right!

Highview Power And The 2029 General Election

Every extra GWh added to energy storage has the following affect.

It will mean that more wind farms will not have to be switched in times of high wind and over production, as the electricity can be stored.

At the present time, there are four ways of storing energy.

  1. Turn it into hydrogen. But the Hindenberg did a good PR job for not using hydrogen.
  2. Store it in a pumped storage hydro system, but these have problems with their large land use.
  3. Store it in a large lithium battery, but these have problems  with fire risks and need a large amount of expensive lithium.
  4. Store it in one of Highview Power’s liquid air batteries.

I believe that Highview Power’s liquid-air long duration batteries, have several advantages.

  • They are built from readily available components.
  • They can be scaled to the need at the location, where they are installed.
  • A small one is 50 MW/300 MWh and a large one is 300 MW/3.2 GWh.
  • The batteries come with grid stabilisation and other features.
  • The batteries have a lifespan of greater than 50 years
  • The energy storage fluid, is captured from the air.
  • They are a product, that would be easy to finance in quantity.
  • Goldman Sachs is an investor.
  • A village with a power problem could fund a Highview Power battery and have a nice little earner, with perhaps a wind turbine on a nearby hill.
  • Centrica is an investor.

If a politician were to understand it, it could wind them the next General Election.

 

 

February 28, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage, World | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How Much Pumped Storage Hydro Will Be Operational In The UK By 2030?

Pumped Storage Hydro is the Bank of England-standard for energy storage.

I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.

The UK currently has approximately 3 GW (roughly 26-28 GWh) of operational pumped storage hydro (PSH) capacity. By 2030, this capacity is expected to increase, driven by new projects in the pipeline that aim to meet a government goal of up to 8 GW of long-duration energy storage by that year.

Key Projects Expected Online by 2030-2031:

Coire Glas (SSE): A major project in Scotland with a planned capacity of 1.3 GW / 30 GWh, expected to be operational around 2030–31.

Cruachan Expansion (Drax): A 600MW plant in Scotland that has received approval, with construction expected to contribute to the 2030 goal.

Glenmuckloch: Projected to be operational by 2029. In 

Other Developments:

Total Pipeline: Developers have identified up to 10 GW of potential projects in the Scottish Highlands and Wales, though not all will be operational by 2030.

Future Growth: The total installed capacity of PSH is expected to grow significantly, with one projection suggesting a rise from 26.7 GWh currently to over 122 GWh by 2034.

To support these projects, the UK government has confirmed a “cap and floor” investment framework to stimulate development of long-duration energy storage (LDES).

For a relatively small island we do seem to be an ideal place to develop pumped storage hydro!

The Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme

In The Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme, I give more details of this scheme.

The Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Scheme

In The Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Scheme, I give more details of this scheme, which is based on a disused open cast coal mine.

Addition Of Pumped Storage Hydro By 2030

This looks to be around 5 GW, but it is just a foretaste of the shape of things to come!

February 28, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Could The Settle And Carlisle Be Used As A More Formal Route?

In June 2021, I wrote Through Settle And Carlisle Service Under Consideration, which starts like this.

The title of this post, is the same as that of an article in the June 2021 Edition of Modern Railways.

This is the first paragraph.

Plans for a new Leeds to Glasgow through service via the Settle and Carlisle line are being developed, with CrossCountry and the Department for Transport starting to look at the possible scheme.

It sounds like a sensible idea to me.

The article also suggests the following.

  • CrossCountry is a possible operator.
  • CrossCountry are keen to improve services between Leeds and Glasgow
  • The trains could be InterCity 125s, freed up, by a the arrival of Class 221 trains from Avanti West Coast, when they receive their new Class 805 trains.
  • Maintenance of the trains wouldn’t be a problem, as this could be done at Neville Hill in Leeds or Craigentinny in Edinburgh.
  • Services could start in December 2023.

But nothing more has been heard.

However some things have happened.

The Settle And Carlisle Has Become A Popular Charter Route

Google AI gave me this paragraph.

The Settle and Carlisle line is an extremely popular, premier route for heritage rail charters, steam excursions, and luxury rail tours in the UK, often operating at full capacity. Renowned for its scenic 72-mile journey through the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines, it features iconic structures like the Ribblehead Viaduct.

I have also written these posts about charters on the Settle and Carlisle Line.

Scheduled Steam-Hauled Services For the Settle And Carlisle Railway

Rail Operator Crosses Line For First Time In Years

‘Staycation Express’ To Return Along Full Length of S & C

It doesn’t appear that the numbers of charter trains are showing any sign of decrease.

LNER Has Ordered Class 897 Trains

When LNER took over the East Coast Main Line services, they had six main classes of trains.

  • Five-car Class 800/1 bi-mode trains
  • Nine-car Class 800/2 bi-mode trains
  • Five-car Class 801/1 electric trains
  • Nine-car Class 801/2 electric trains
  • Seven-car InterCity225 trains
  • Nine-car InterCity225 trains

Note.

  1. The five-car trains can run in pairs as ten-car trains.
  2. The Class 800 and Class 801 trains can run to destinations, that lack full electrification using diesel power where needed.
  3. Hitachi are developing battery-power for rail routes without electrification.

In 2023 to replace the InterCity225 trains ten ten-car Class 897 tri-mode trains were ordered from CAF, which will soon be in service, over all LNER’s network.

LNER Has Fully Electrified And Unelectrified Destinations

LNER’s current  destinations, that are fully electrified to King’s Cross include.

  • Bradford Forster Square
  • Berwick on Tweed
  • Darlington
  • Doncaster
  • Durham
  • Edinburgh Haymarket
  • Edinburgh Waverley
  • Grantham
  • Keithley
  • Leeds
  • Newark Northgate
  • Newcastle
  • Peterborough
  • Retford
  • Shipley
  • Skipton
  • Stevenage
  • Wakefield Westgate
  • York

Whilst those are not fully electrified include.

  • Aberdeen
  • Cleethorpes
  • Dundee
  • Grimsby Town
  • Harrogate
  • Huddersfield
  • Horsforth
  • Hull
  • Inverness
  • Lincoln
  • Middlesbrough
  • Sheffield
  • Sunderland
  • Thornaby
  • Worksop

Note.

  1. Other destinations can be added as required.
  2. I suspect, that Class 897 trains will be able to approach many stations without electrification on battery power alone.
  3. Staff and Passengers would probably like underground stations like Sunderland to be worked on batteries alone.

The Class 800 bi-mode, the Class 801 electric and the Class 897 tri-mode trains will give LNER a very flexible fleet.

Onward To Skipton, Carlisle and Glasgow Central And Edinburgh From Bradford Forster Square

I wonder is someone has realised that the Class 897 trains could use their tri-mode capabilities to invade Scotland?

This OpenRailwayMap shows the railways between the Scottish Lowlands and northern England.

Note.

  1. Red tracks are electrified.
  2. Black tracks are not.
  3. The blue arrow in the middle of the map indicates Carlisle.
  4. The red track going North-South through Carlisle is the West Coast Main Line.
  5. The black track going South from Carlisle is the Settle and Carlisle Line.
  6. Where it turns red is at Skipton station and the electrification can power the train to Bradford Foster Square, Doncaster, Leeds or Sheffield stations.
  7. The West Coast Main Line splits North of Carlisle and electrified trains can reach either Glasgow Central in the West or Edinburgh Haymarket or Waverley in the East.
  8. The black track going North-South between Carlisle and Glasgow via Dumfries is the Glasgow South Western Line, which can be used as a diversionary route by some trains with a self-powered capability.

The Settle and Carlisle Line certainly makes Anglo-Scottish routes more robust and flexible when there is bad weather, engineering works or overhead wire or signalling failures.

Will Class 897 Trains Be Able To Run On The Settle And Carlisle Line?

I asked Google AI this question and it gave this answer.

Yes LNER’s new Class 897 tri-mode trains (scheduled for introduction from 2027) will be able to run on the Settle and Carlisle line. As tri-mode electro-diesel multiple units, these 10-car trains are designed to operate across the entire LNER network, utilizing electric, diesel, or battery power to manage non-electrified routes like this, providing a modern alternative to older, diesel-only fleets.

Key details regarding Class 897 on the Settle and Carlisle Line:

Tri-mode Capability: These trains can run on electric, diesel, or battery power, making them highly versatile for non-electrified, scenic, or challenging routes.
Operating Strategy: The trains are designed for flexibility and can be used across the LNER network, which includes routes connecting to Scotland via the West Coast Main Line (WCML) or through services from Leeds.

Upgrading Service: They will replace the 40-year-old InterCity 225 fleet, offering a more environmentally friendly, modern alternative to current diesel bi-modes, such as the Class 800/802.

The route is a major, yet challenging, rail line featuring 20 viaducts and 14 tunnels, making it suitable for modern, versatile train sets.

I also believe that running Class 897 trains between Yorkshire and Glasgow offers opportunities to run new services, that will appeal to both travellers and rail operators.

Does The UK Need More Passenger Rail Capacity Between Yorkshire And Glasgow?

I asked Google AI this question and it gave this answer.

Yes, the UK requires more passenger rail capacity between Yorkshire and Glasgow due to severe overcrowding and forecasted demand growth. Major routes like the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and West Coast Main Line (WCML) are, or will soon be, at maximum capacity. Key constraints include infrastructure limitations and the need for better Scotland-England connectivity.

Key insights on this need:

Capacity Constraints: The WCML, particularly at its southern end, is already effectively full, with limited capacity for additional, longer trains. Similarly, the ECML is experiencing significant overcrowding.

Growing Demand: Passenger demand for long-distance rail travel continues to rise, with significant increases noted in journeys between Scotland and other regions.

Infrastructure Issues: Constraints include steep inclines, tight curves, and the need to mix passenger and freight traffic, particularly on the West Coast route.

Proposed Solutions: While some improvements are planned, such as Lumo extending services to Glasgow, the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) focuses on capacity enhancements in the North/Midlands.

Strategic Need: Enhanced, high-speed connections are considered essential for long-term economic integration and to prevent increased air travel/emissions.

The great advantage of the route, is that is already in place.

Can The Settle And Carlisle Line Handle Planned Diversions?

 

Can The Settle And Carlisle Line Handle The Caledonian Sleeper?

I asked Google AI this question and it gave this answer.

The Settle-Carlisle line is not a standard route for the Caledonian Sleeper, which typically travels via the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond. While the line is a scenic, double-track route with significant infrastructure, it is generally used for local services and freight, not long-distance, heavy sleeper trains.

Key Considerations:

Route: The Caledonian Sleeper operates on the West Coast Main Line, serving destinations like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William.

Capacity & Infrastructure: While the Settle-Carlisle line has major structures like the Ribblehead Viaduct, it is not the primary route for high-speed or overnight sleeper services.

Operational Normal: The sleeper service splits into portions at Edinburgh, and does not regularly operate via the Settle-Carlisle line.

In short, the Settle-Carlisle line is not designed for or used by the Caledonian Sleeper, which operates via the West Coast Main Line.

But it does appear, that in the past some sleeper trains have used it.

How Many Freight Trains Use the Settle And Carlisle Line In A Typical Day?

This article on the BBC is entitled Settle To Carlisle line: Shortage of trains ‘Hampering Growth’, says this about the number of trains.

From only two trains a day in the 1980s the Settle and Carlisle line now sees 14 passenger and 18 freight services a day.

That is progress!

February 27, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does Lack Of B12 Cause Scurf In Your Hair?

I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.

Yes, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can contribute to poor scalp and hair health, which may manifest as scurf (dandruff/dry skin flakes) or dry, brittle hair.

While B12 is best known for its role in preventing hair loss and thinning, it plays a critical role in maintaining scalp moisture and health.

Here is how a lack of B12 can affect your hair and scalp:

Dryness and Flaking (Scurf): A deficiency can cause your hair and scalp to become dry, brittle, and flaky.

Hair Shedding: A lack of B12 can cause diffuse hair shedding or thinning, particularly because hair follicles are starved of nutrients when red blood cell production is impaired.

Premature Graying: Low B12 levels are also linked to premature whitening or graying of hair

I’ve certainly suffered from scurf at periods in my life.

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Health, Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Bid To Create UK’s First Regional Hydrogen Network

The title of this post is the same as this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading

Four energy companies are working together to bid for government funding to develop the UK’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network.

This two paragraphs add more details to the article.

National Gas, Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal aim to secure about £500m of funding to develop the network, which will connect sites across the Humber region.

“This is a competitive process that will determine where the UK’s first integrated hydrogen network is built,” a spokesperson for the four companies said.

Note.

  1. There are already several hydrogen projects in the area including Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage,  H2H Saltend, and Ferrybridge and Keadby Next Generation Power Stations.
  2. The local MPs seem in favour.
  3. In Could Doncaster Sheffield Airport Become A Hydrogen Airport?, I laid out my reasons, why Doncaster Sheffield Airport could become a hydrogen airport.

I can see this hydrogen cluster having a big future.

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A First Look At SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett – 26th February 2026

The site of SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett can really only be seen from a train on the Midland Main Line going between Radlett and St Albans City stations.

I took these pictures  from a Thameslink train going North.

I took these pictures  from a Thameslink train going South.

Note.

  1. Most of the work at present is site clearance and landscaping.
  2. The Midland Main Line crossed over the M25 and goes under A414.
  3. Veralum Golf Course  is on your left as you approach St Albans.

The Logistics Park is going to cover a large area.

I shall be following this project regularly.

 

 

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment