Planning Permission Granted For The First New Railway Station On The Northumberland Line
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on ITV.
The station concerned is Ashington station.
One of the reasons, I wrote this post, is that the ITV article has a very good map of the railway being reopened.
These two paragraphs describe the station’s features.
The new platform will be approximately 100 metres long, with a range of facilities including waiting shelters, CCTV, help points and lighting.
Plans also include car park providing up to 270 spaces including 17 accessible spaces and 18 electric vehicle charging bays.
It also gives the reopening date of the railway as 2024, when the service will be a half-hourly one between Newcastle and Ashington stations that should take thirty-five minutes.
Caterpillar, Cummins Move On Hydrogen For Trains
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Construction Equipment.
This is the first paragraph.
Caterpillar and Cummins are working separately to put hydrogen to work in locomotives.
They have a lot to lose with the extinction of their diesel businesses, so why not join the party.
Lumo And Dogs
I have just asked Lumo what is their policy on dogs!
I got this reply!
Dogs are welcome on Lumo trains, we would just ask that they are kept on a lead. We also provide water bowls and stool bags, just ask one of our Lumo ambassadors on board who will be able to help.
Sounds good to me! But then, I don’t have a dog, although I know a lady who does!
The Seat Of Aurora
The title of this post, is the same as that of an article in the August 2021 Edition of Modern Railway.
The article has this sub-title.
East Midlands Railway has finalised the new seats for its new trains, and they’re completely useless – as ironing boards.
Note.
- East Midlands Railway‘s new trains are Class 810 trains, which are Hitachi AT300 express trains, as used by several operators.
- Some passengers and industry commentators have criticised the seats in these trains as like ironing boards.
- Abellio Greater Anglia, who are a sister company to East Midlands Railway, also choose the seats for their new trains with care. I wrote No ‘Ironing Board seats’ For Greater Anglia’s New Trains, about their seat choice.
Ian Walmsley, who wrote the article for Modern Railways says this about the Seat of Aurora.
My verdict is that it is a good seat, and that is in absolute terms – not just saying it is better than an 800, which it would have to be really.
For myself, the proof of the seating will be in the sitting.
Israeli All-Electric Plane Maker Readies For 1st Flight, New ‘Age Of Aviation’
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Times of Israel.
It is a comprehensive progress report on the Eviation Alice.
The big news is that the first flight is expected before the end of the year.
What Happened To The Class 158/159 Bi-Mode Study?
In Class 158/159 Bi-Modes?, I discussed the possibility of turning South Western Railway‘s Class 158 and Class 159 trains into bi-modes.
I said this.
In the March 2018 Edition of Modern Railways, there is a short news item, which is entitled Bi-Mode Study For SWR DMUs.
The Class 158 and Class 159 diesel multiple units used by South Western Railway are diesel-hydraulic units.
Under their franchise agreement, South Western Railway, agreed to perform a study, to see if the multiple units could be converted from diesel-hydraulic to diesel-electric transmission.
If this is successful, then the plan would be to fit a third-rail capability to the trains, so they could use the electrification between Basingstoke and Waterloo on services to Salisbury and Exeter.
Could the conversion also raise the operating speed of the trains from their current 90 mph to a more timetable-friendly 100 mph?
It looks like it could be a feasible , especially as the article states they might re-use redundant modern traction equipment from Class 455 trains, which are due for replacement.
It sounded a sensible plan to do a study.
But we’ve heard nothing since.
- Has the late delivery of the Class 701 trains, pushed the availability of the Class 455 trains, that wioll donate the traction system, too far into the future?
- Has the Covids delayed another project?
- Would First Group prefer more Hitachi trains as five of their companies use them or have them on order?
- Is the 90 mph speed of the diesel trains, too slow for the busy London Waterloo and Basingstoke route?
Or could it be that Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Stadler or another manufacturer have a much better zero-carbon plan?
The Anonymous Widower 