The Anonymous Widower

Width And Height Of A Stadler Regio Shuttle RS1 Compared To UK Multiple Units

I am building this table, so that I can get a feel for where Stadler RS ZERO trains can go on the UK network.

Height Of The Regio Shuttle RS1

This is given as 3.70 metres in Wikipedia.

Other figures given in Wikipedia are.

  • Class 150 – 3.774 metres
  • Class 156 – 3.805 metres
  • Class 158 – 3.73 metres
  • Class 165 – 3.79 metres
  • Class 185 – 3.71 metres
  • Class 195 – 3.85 metres
  • Class 378 – 3.774 metres
  • Class 345 – 3.760 metres
  • Class 399 – 3.720 metres
  • Class 710 – 3.760 metres
  • Class 745 – 3.915 metres
  • Class 755 – 3.915 metres

Surprisingly, the Regio Shuttle RS1 is the shortest train!

But this means, that if the Regio Shuttle RS1 can get under all the bridges on a route, then all the other trains can.

Width Of The Regio Shuttle RS1

This is given as 2.90 metres in Wikipedia.

Other figures given in Wikipedia are.

  • Class 150 – 2.816 metres
  • Class 156 – 2.730 metres
  • Class 158 – 2.700 metres
  • Class 165 – 2.810 metres
  • Class 185 – 2.673 metres
  • Class 195 – 2.772 metres
  • Class 378 – 2.800 metres
  • Class 345 – 2.772 metres
  • Class 399 – 2.650 metres
  • Class 710 – 2.772 metres
  • Class 745 – 3.720 metres
  • Class 755 – 3.720 metres

Surprisingly, the Regio Shuttle RS1 is the widest train!

But this means, that if the Regio Shuttle RS1 can squeeze between the narrowest infrastructure on a route, then all the other trains can.

Conclusion

Does this mean, that once a Regio Shuttle RS1 can run on a route, lots of other trains can?

Itb looks to me, like a clever example of cunning Swiss engineering.

September 2, 2024 Posted by | Design, Transport/Travel | , , | 1 Comment

Could Stadler RS ZERO Be Used For The West London Orbital Railway?

In Stadler Presents A World First In Berlin, I talked about the launch of the Stadler RS ZERO.

 

I wonder, if these newly-launched trains, would be ideal for the West London Orbital Railway?

  • They will be zero-carbon and will not be emitting fumes or carbon dioxide.
  • Stadler could size the trains to UK platform height, just as they did the Flirts for Greater Anglia.
  • The two routes are only eleven miles long with 25 KVAC electrification at the Midland Main Line end, so the battery-electric version could be ideal.
  • They are likely to be extremely quiet, as battery-electric trains always seem to be.

This picture of the earlier Stadler Regio-Shuttle RS1 from Chemnitz, shows that it should be possible to have almost level boarding.

At least at new stations, where the platform height could be built for the RS ZERO.

The new stations along the Dudding Hill Line could be very simple indeed.

Conclusion

I feel that a fleet of RS ZEROs could convert the Dudding Hill Line into an efficient, step-fee and frequent addition to London’s passenger railways.

September 2, 2024 Posted by | Design, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out Of Thin Air: Solving The Dilemma Of Long-Duration Storage

The title of this post, is the same as that of this excellent article on the Australian Financial Review.

This is the sub-heading.

Two first-of-a-kind technologies in Australia are firming up as options to crack the tough nut of energy storage that lasts much longer than batteries.

This is the first paragraph.

Two competing technologies that use different forms of air to store energy are emerging as potential solutions for the thorny problem of long-duration storage needed to smooth out Australia’s bumpy transition to low-carbon energy.

The article then compares the two competing technologies.

Australia certainly has plenty of solar power to fill the energy storage.

 

September 2, 2024 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Are Offshore Hybrid Assets?

The title of this post is the same as that of a story explaining energy from National Grid.

This is the sub-heading.

Offshore Hybrid Assets or OHAs (formerly known as multi-purpose interconnectors) are a new generation of subsea technology that will connect clusters of offshore wind farms to multiple countries.

This is the first paragraph.

OHAs will help to speed up the connection of offshore wind and maximise the use of wind generation. They will also reduce the impact on local communities by reducing the amount of connection points and onshore infrastructure required to connect this clean energy to the shore.

The story goes on to discuss OHAs and how they are being developed.

It is very much a must read.

September 2, 2024 Posted by | Energy | , , , , , | 2 Comments