The Anonymous Widower

FART Train On Show At InnoTrans

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.

This is the first paragraph.

Stadler has unveiled a custom-designed electric multiple-unit for the narrow gauge Centovalli railway which runs for 52 km between Locarno in Switzerland and Domodossola in Italy.

This appears to be one of Stadler’s special trains for a very unique railway in the Southern Alps.

This Google Map shows the route between Domodossola and Locarno.

Note.

  1. The Centovalli Railway runs East-West and is shown in purple.
  2. Locarno is in the East and is marked by a blue arrow.
  3. Domodossola is in the West, where the Centovalli Railway meets the Domodossola–Milan railway, which is shown in black and runs North to Brig via the Simplon Tunnel.

In From Milan To Geneva, I must have taken a train through Domodossola, as this picture is in the post.

Domodossola station looks a lot grander in its Wikipedia entry.

October 25, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | 1 Comment

Hydrogen Energy Explained

The title of this post, is the same as this story on Centrica.

This is the sub-heading.

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to natural gas, when it’s burnt it doesn’t produce carbon dioxide, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. It has the potential to play a significant role in achieving net-zero and decarbonising various sectors.

The story is a good introduction to hydrogen.

In the 1960s, when I first worked in a hydrogen electrolyser at ICI in Runcorn, I would have found a document like this one from Centrica invaluable.

October 25, 2024 Posted by | Energy, Hydrogen | , , | Leave a comment

Plans To Turn Former Station Waiting Room Into Pub

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

This is the sub-heading.

Plans to turn a Grade II listed railway station’s former waiting room back into a pub have been submitted.

These are the first three paragraphs of the article.

Network Rail wants to refurbish the room at Carlisle’s station, which is now a storage room and kitchen.

The first class waiting room, which was until recently used as a pub, was built by architect William Tite in 1880 as an extension to his original 1847 neo-Tudor station designs.

The plans are part of the £27m Carlisle Gateway project to turn the city’s station into a “national interchange” transport hub, funded by central government, Cumberland Council and Network Rail.

I very much like this idea.

Carlisle could be turned into a national interchange, that was almost unique in the world.

  • Rail services across the Borderlands could be improved, to the cities of Glasgow, Lancaster, Leeds, Newcastle and York.
  • Rail services could be developed, so visitors could explore the Lake District by rail.
  • The Eden Project at Morecambe would be a rail-accessible attraction, that was just an hour away from Carlisle.
  • The Borders Railway from Edinburgh could be extended to Carlisle.
  • All services would be zero-carbon, with power coming from either batteries or hydrogen.
  • Services would be tourism-friendly, with space for bicycles, large panoramic windows and high-class catering.

Current times between London and Carlisle could be reduced to under three-and-a-half hours, with reductions of up to an hour, as High Speed Two is eventually delivered.

October 25, 2024 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments