Talgo Explores Options For Building UK Test Track
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in Rail Magazine.
This is the first paragraph.
A new UK test track, available to all companies, is being proposed by Spanish manufacturer Talgo as it looks to develop its standing in this country.
It is interesting that the ttrack will be available to all companies, but probably a sensible decision.
- Hitachi have been testing some of their new Class 385 trains in Germany.
- Porterbrook have been testing the new Class 769 train on the Grand Central, which is a herotage line.
So perhaps we do need another convenient test track!
As Talgo are bidding to make trains for HS2, the test track will probably need to be a bit longer than the thirteen miles of the cuirrent Old Dalby Test Track.
The First Hydrogen Trains Have Been Ordered
This article on Global Rail News is entitled Alstom Confirms Orders For Its Hydrogen-Powered Coradia iLint.
There is also this Press Release on the Alstom web site, which gives a lot more details.
Given that this is a real order worth millions of euros, I think we can assume that another practical motive power source for trains has arrived.
One interesting point is that the deal involves the Linde Group, who are the world’s largest industrial gas company.
Tunnelling Complete On Northern Line Extension
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Global Rail News.
This is said in the Wikipedia entry for the Northern Line Extension To Battersea.
The main tunnelling started in April 2017.
So as it’s now November 2017, the tunnellers have performed like a Jack Russell after a rabbit.
I do think that this excellent performance might give Transport for London ideas for some new passenger or train tunnels under London.
Riding On A Battery-Electric Double-Deck Bus
This morning I rode on a battery-electric double-deck bus.
Some of these buses are russing on route 98 between Holborn and Willesden Garage, which includes a run down Oxford Street.
There’s more on the buses in this page on the Metroline web site.
I went upstairs and the experience was little different to that of a normal hybrid bus.
My Thoughts
My thoughts in various areas.
Design
It is a well-designed bus, that is easy to use for this seventy-year-old.
Passenger Experience
Travelling along Oxford Street, the passenger experience was equal to that of a New Routemaster, without the occasional low noise of the engine.
Performance Of The Bus
As we proceeded along Oxford Street, the performance of the bus, was very much in line with current hybrid buses.
The bus wasn’t full on the upper deck, but I suspect that the total weight of the passengers is very much lower than the weight of the battery, so this might mean that a full bus performs well compared with an empty bus.
Limited Space On The Lower Deck
There is one obvious problem and that is that the size of the battery reduces the number of seats downstairs.
As I said earlier, I doubt the weight of the passengers is a problem, but the available space, where they sit and stand could be.
Economics Of The Bus
The bus will obviously be expensive to purchase and to run, as batteries are expensive and need to be replaced every few years.
Coupled with the fact that capacity is smaller than current hybrid buses, which probably means more buses are needed to perform the required service, the economics of the buses may not be suitable for many routes.
I also wonder, if a battery-electric double-deck bus has better economics than a single-deck bus, as the extra weight of the top deck and the extra passengers is small compared to the weight of the battery.
But the economics will get better with improved battery technology.
The Marketing Advantages
BYD and Metroline could be big winners here, as corporate videos and marketing material showing buses in Central London, can’t be a bad thing!
The Competition From Diesel Hybrid Buses
I believe that one competitor to the battery-electric bus will be the next generation of diesel hybrid buses.
Take the current modern hybrid buses like a New Routemaster or any other hybrid bus built in the last couple of years. These have a battery that can power the bus for perhaps a couple of miles.
As the battery is smaller, it can be squeezed into an unlikely space. On a New Routemaster, the diesel engine is under the back stairs and the battery is under the front stairs.
A technique called geo-fencing can be retro-fitted, which forbids the use of the buses diesel engine in sensitive areas, based on GPS technology.
So a route like London’s route 98 could work through the ULEZ on battery power and charge the battery between Edware Road station and Willesden Garage.
The Competition From Hydrogen Hybrid Buses
This will surely be similar to that from diesel hybrid buses.
- Battery size will probably be as for a diesel hybrid bus.
- As hydrogen doesn’t give out noxious emissions, this will be an advantage and you won’t need the geo-fencing.
- But you will need to store the hydrogen.
As hydrogen technology improves, I feel that the hydrogen hybrid bus could become a formidable competitor.
The Competition From Converting Old Diesel Buses To Diesel Hybrid Buses
I talked about this in Arriva London Engineering Assists In Trial To Turn Older Diesel Engine Powered Buses Green.
Never underestimate good engineers with a good idea, that has a good financial payback.
Conclusion
There is going to be a lot of competition between the various technologies and the passengers, bus operators, London and London’s air will be big winners.
As all of this technology can be applied anywhere, other parts of the UK will benefit.
Government Delays Silvertown Tunnel By Six Months
This article on City AM is entitled Government Delays Silvertown Tunnel Decision By Another Six Months Over Air Quality Concerns.
The decision on the Silverton Tunnel will now be made in May 2018.
But surely this is too early.
- The Elizabeth Line will open between Abbey Wood and Paddington stations in December 2018.
- The Elizabeth Line will open between Shenfield and Paddington stations in May 2019.
- Thameslink will open between Kent and Central London via London Bridge in May 2018.
- The ULEZ becomes operational in April 2019.
I would have thought that the decision should be made after the effects of these changes have settled down.
This map shows the route of the tunnel.
Will any other public transport developments reduce the urgency for the tunnel?
London City Airport Crossrail Station
Under New Stations, the Wikipedia entry for Crossrail says this about a station at Silvertown close to the London City Airport.
London City Airport has proposed the re-opening of Silvertown railway station, in order to create an interchange between the rail line and the airport. The self-funded £50m station plan is supported ‘in principle’ by the London Borough of Newham. Provisions for re-opening of the station were made in 2012 by Crossrail. However, it is alleged by the airport that Transport for London is hostile to the idea of a station on the site, a claim disputed by TfL
This must surely cut down the traffic needing to cross the Thames in this area.
Gallions Reach Crossing And Thamesmead Extension Of The Docklands Light Railway
Wikipedia has a section, which says this about the extension.
The proposed Gallions Reach Crossing has been suggested by TfL as allowing a branch to leave the existing DLR network at Gallions Reach, and cross the river on the proposed tunnel/bridge and into Thamesmead. The new branch could then pass through Thamesmead and towards Abbey Wood, Woolwich, or northwards towards Barking. On 4 October 2016 the London Assembly approved the extension to Thamesmead.
Will this extension be a game-changer?
Extending The Gospel Oak To Barking Line From Barking Riverside To Thamesmead
This is definitely another rail extension that will be looked at.
The New Southeastern Franchise
The successor for the current Southeastern franchise will be announced in August 2018 and they will take over the franchise in December 2018.
If this award follows the pattern of others in recent time, there will be a lot of new services and trains promised.
Updating The Woolwich Ferry
Wikipedia has a Future section for the Woolwich Ferry, which says that two new diesel-electric hybrid vessels are on order.
Conclusion
We should wait until all related issues and projects are decided before making the decision on the Silvertown Tunnel.
Where Are The Small Cooking Spoons?
My mother had a very small wooden cooking spoon about twelve or so centimetres long. It was ideal for warming baked beans or making scrambled eggs in a non-stick milk saucepan.
Her’s had suffered an accident and I can remember that one side was slightly burned, but it was still usable. And absolutely the eight size!
I’ve been looking for over fifty years since I left home and not found one yet!
This is the best I can do!
But it’s still too big! Note I have drilled a hole through the handle and fixed a cable-clip in it, so I can hang it up above my cooker.
Is it a Health and Safety requirement that spoons must be big enough, so we don’t get our fingers burned?
I’d actually like one in a high-tech plastic, as it would be easier to clean!
Baked Beans
On the subject of baked beans, I usually buy my small tins in Waitrose.
I should say, that I have a tendency to not eat enough soluble fibre and this was raising my cholesterol. A dietitian recommended that I eat one small tin of baked beans a week and use Benecol instead of margarine. It worked and meant, I avoided going on special drugs.
Last week, I fancied some baked beans with a poached egg for lunch and I was out of stock.
So I went to the corner store close to my house and bought a couple of tins of Heinz baked beans.
Obviously, no problem with cooking, eating or taste, but I found washing up of the saucepan and the spoon much easier!
Which is surely a bonus for the thirty pence extra cost of the beans.
Auckland Rows Back On Battery Train Plan
The title of this post is the same as this article on the International ailway Journal.
This is said.
Following approval by Auckland Council, the proposal went to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for final sign-off. However, in the run-up to New Zealand’s general election on September 23, a political consensus emerged in favour of bringing forward electrification of the Papakura – Pukekohe line, prompting the NZTA to reject the case for battery trains.
Can we assume the reason for the change of order is political?
Certainly, CAF, who are building the trains seem to have the required battery technology. This is also said.
CAF says the contract will include an option to equip the trains with battery packs at a later date if required.
I just wonder if battery trains are just too risky for politicians, who tend to be rather conservative and badly-informed about anything technological.
World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Tram Runs In China
The title of this post is the same as this article on Global Rail News.
This is the first two paragraphs.
Rolling stock manufacturer CRRC has announced that the world’s first hydrogen-powered tram has been put into passenger operation in China.
The three-carriage hybrid electric tram enter service in the city of Tangshan, Hebei, on October 26.
It seems to have the following characteristics.
- Three cars
- 66 seats
- 70 kph.
- 40 km range.
It all sounds very tram-like.
It does seem there’s a lot of train and tram manufacturers thinking about hydrogen power.
Walking Along Oxford Street
I took these pictures this morning, as I walked along Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road.
Note.
- I was surprised at the number of trees.
- The large number of buses.
- The rather small numberr of private cars.
- The large amount of new development to the East of Oxford Circus.
I might have got a different set of pictures later in the day.
Oxford Street Could Be Pedestrianised By Next Christmas
The title of this post is the same as the sub-title of this article in the Independent.
The aim is to pedestrianise Oxford Street from Oxford Street to Orchard Street by December 2018, which is the date when the Elizabeth Line will open.
It is an ambitious plan and despite substantial backing from the Mayor, Westminster City Council, the West End Company and groups like the British Heart Foundation, I don’t think it will be plain sailing.
Walking Along Oxford Street
In Walking Along Oxford Street, I show various pictures I took this morning whilst walking between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road stations.
Oxford Street looked to have improved, since I last did this. But then it’s a long time since I’ve walked the streets without crowds.
My views are as follows.
Measuring Success Or Failure
The success or failure of the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is very easy to gauge.
The rate of change of turnover is a direct measure.
The Buses
I regularly go shopping in Oxford Street and often used a bus to travel there and back.
I used to be able to get a 73 bus from either 200 metres from my house or by changing at the Angel. But since the 73 has been cut back to Oxford Circus, I’ve tended to use the Underground, often by taking a bus to Bank for the Central Line.
Under Sadiq Khan’s plan all buses will be removed from Oxford Street and only the 139 and the 390 will remain, being rerouted along Wigmore Street.
A lot of people who go to Oxford Street regularly by bus, will lose their direct bus route. How will they react?
Will they use the Underground or the Elizabeth Line or will they go shopping elsewhere?
Since the 73 has been cut back, I think I’ve also gone to Oxford Street a lot less.
Why? I’ve no idea.
But it could be, that regularly, I’d buy something in John Lewis,Selfridges or perhaps in Bond Street and get straight on a 73 bus to the Angel, where I just got off the bus and waited until a bus home arrived at the same stop. As the 73 buses are New Routemasters, they’re a real shoppers’ bus and a lot easier than the Underground.
The Underground And Crossrail
Oxford Street will have the following stations and entrances as you proceed from East to West.
- Holborn – Central and Piccadilly
- Tottenham Court Road (Current Entrance) – Central, Elizabeth and Northern
- Tottenham Court Road (Dean Street Entrance) – Central and Elizabeth
- Oxford Circus – Bakerloo, Central and Victoria
- Bond Street – Central, Elizabeth and Jubilee
- Marble Arch – Central
Between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street, which will be the first section to be pedestrianised, you’ll never be more than two hundred metres from a fully step-free Elizabeth Line station.
Will this be enough to do away with the buses on Oxford Street?
Holborn station is being expanded with a new entrance, so will Oxford Circus and Marble Arch be upgraded?
Cycling
This will be banned. Although the plan envisages alternative cycle routes to the North and South.
Taxis
These will be banned from Oxford Street. Taxi ranks will be provided.
Will this be acceptable to the taxi drivers?
Uber And Mini-Cabs
These will be banned from Oxford Street.
How will these effect the surrounding streets?
Deliveries
How will these be arranged? You can’t get behind all the shops!
The Stalls
There are lots of stalls selling various goods along Oxford Street.
Will the stallholders give up their pitches quietly, if necessary?
Security
I’m no security expert, but after the latest attacks in the UK and Europe, surely keeping out vehicles must remove the weapon of choice from a large group of terrorists.
Local Residents
There are quite a few residents in the area perhaps two hundred metres on either side of Oxford Street.
They could be the biggest losers with traffic cramming the side streets.
Timing
Crossrail opens in December 2018. Does this mean the 1st, 31st or some day in between?
How do you time the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street to fit in with Crossrail?
Especially, as December 2018 will probably contain Christmas!
Conclusion
There is going to be a lot of discussion about this scheme.
As to my view, I like pedestrianised streets and Oxford Street should have gone this way years ago.
The Anonymous Widower 