The Anonymous Widower

A Modern Electrified Metro Network Using IPEMU Technology

An IPEMU is an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit, which is a standard electrical multiple unit, which incorporates on-board energy storage, which can be charged on electrified lines and then used to power the train, where no electrification exists.

• At present a range on the on-board energy storage is typically fifty to sixty miles with adequate performance.
• The storage can be used to capture braking energy, which is then used to restart the train at a station.
• Every feature of a modern electric train can be provided.

The first IPEMUs to be delivered could be the Class 710 trains for the London Overground.

If you look at cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Leeds and Newcastle with comprehensive local metro networks of trains, they are mostly fully electrified, with perhaps the occasional line run by diesel trains.

Electric trains are preferable to diesel ones for several reasons.

• They have a better performance.
• They are quieter and don’t emit noxious fumes.
• They are easier to purchase.

But above all passengers like them better and they attract passengers and generate revenue and profits.

On the other hand.

• It is expensive to put up overhead wires and get power to the wires.
• Bridges need to be raised or track lowered to make space for the wires.
• Installation of electrification is disruptive.
• There are often heritage and/or environmental issues with the overhead wires or installing them.

But consider the cities or towns like Bristol, Cardiff, Norwich and Peterborough.

All have or will soon have the following.

• An electrified main line running through.
• A fully electrified central station.
• Branches and local lines fanning out from the central station, run by diesel multiple units.
• Most local services are less than eighty miles in total for an out and back journey from the central station.
• Other services go to another electrified central station, within the range of an IPEMU.

I think it goes without saying, that the current system in the town or city works after a fashion, even if the services are infrequent, too small and are worked using scrapyard specials.

Suppose the objectives for your new metro are as follows.

• Services are run by modern four-car electric trains, that meet all current and envisioned access and customer requirements.
• Services are run by a standard train, so if the network expands, more trains can be easily built!
• The ability to lengthen the trains, say for an important sporting or cultural event.
• Enough trains to run four trains per hour services on important lines and perhaps one per hour on lines that get much lesser use.
• Most services run out and back from the central station.
• As little disruption as possible, whilst creating the metro.

I believe that IPEMUs can be used to create such a metro, in the following manner.

1. Get electricity to the central station.
2. Check that all bridges, tunnels and stations on the lines can allow an IPEMU to pass.
3. Upgrade and test the signalling for the new trains.
4. Lengthen platforms on the lines to take the IPEMUs.
5. Wire up the platforms in the central station and for possibly a few miles around the station.
6. Test each line and convert them to IPEMU operation, as works are completed and IPEMUs become available.

One great advantage is that a lot of the testing can be done using a dummy IPEMU.

• It would be the same type of train as an IPEMU, but powered by a diesel engine.
• It would have the same cab as an IPEMU, so that all driver sight-lines and operations could be checked.
• It would have full signalling and other displays and instrumentation of an IPEMU.
• It would probably have a pantograph and a battery, so it could check all the overhead wires could charge the batteries of the IPEMU.

Real passengers could even be used for tests and asked for their opinions.

So where couldn’t this type of approach be used?

April 6, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Electrification, IPEMU, Trains