Green Light For Last Of Six New Stations For Northumberland Line
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Northumberland Gazette.
The title probably says it all and now final planning can be started, with construction due to start in the summer.
GB Railfreight Plans Order For Future-Proofed Bi-Mode Locomotives
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
This is the introductory paragraph.
GB Railfreight is planning to order a fleet of main line electro-diesel locomotives with a modular design which would facilitate future replacement of the diesel engine with a battery or hydrogen fuel cell module.
The rest of the article gives clues to the deal and the specification of the locomotives.
- Negotiations appear to have started with Stadler for locomotives to be built at their Valencia plant.
- Twenty locomotives could be ordered initially, with options for thirty.
- The locomotive will be Co-Co bi-modes.
- The diesel engine will be for heavy main line freight and not just last-mile operations.
- They would be capable of hauling freight trains between Ipswich and Felixstowe, within two minutes of the times of a Class 66 locomotive.
- They will be of a modular design, so that in the future, the diesel engine might be replaced by a battery or fuel cells as required and possible.
They have provisionally been called Class 99 locomotives.
These are my thoughts.
EuroDual or UKLight?
Stadler make two types of bi-mode locomotives.
But the two types are closely related and open up other possibilities.
This paragraph from the Eurolight wikipedia entry, explains the various versions.
The type has been intentionally developed to support use on secondary lines without limiting power or speed performances, making it suitable for mixed traffic operations. Specific versions of the Eurolight have been developed for the United Kingdom market, and a 6-axle Co’Co’ machine for narrow gauge Asian markets, named UKLight and AsiaLight respectively. Furthermore, an electro-diesel locomotive derivative of the UKLight that shares much of its design, referred to as the Stadler Euro Dual, has also been developed and introduced during the late 2010s.
It looks like the customer can get the locomotive they want.
GB Railfreight would probably need locomotives to this specification.
- Slightly narrower than a EuroDual, to fit the UK loading gauge.
- Three-axle bogies to handle the weight of the larger locomotive.
- A body bigger than the UK Light to be large enough for the diesel engine.
- It would probably help if the locomotive could go anywhere that a Class 92 locomotive could go, so it could handle their duties if required.
This leads me to the conclusion that GB Railfreight will get a slightly narrower EuroDual.
Weight Issues
The weights of various locomotives are as follows.
- Class 66 Locomotive – 129.6 tonnes
- Euro Dual – 126 tonnes
- Class 90 Locomotive – 84.5 tonnes
- Class 92 Locomotive – 126 tonnes
All locomotives have six axles, except for the Class 90 Locomotive which has four.
I don’t think there will be any weight issues.
Power On Electricity
These are the power of the locomotives on electricity.
- Class 66 Locomotive – Not Applicable
- Euro Dual – Up to 7 MW
- Class 90 Locomotive – 3.7 MW
- Class 92 Locomotive – 5 MW
GB Railfreight can probably have what power is best for their routes.
Operating Speed On Electricity
These are the power of the locomotives on electricity.
- Class 66 Locomotive – Not Applicable
- Euro Dual – 100 mph
- Class 90 Locomotive – 110 mph
- Class 92 Locomotive – 87 mph
GB Railfreight can probably have what power is best for their routes, but I suspect they’d want it to be as fast as a Class 90 locomotive.
Power On Diesel
These are the power of the locomotives on diesel.
- Class 66 Locomotive – 2.5 MW
- Euro Dual – Up to 2.8 MW
- Class 90 Locomotive – Not Applicable
- Class 92 Locomotive – Not Applicable
To be able to handle trains, that a Class 66 locomotive is able to, 2.5 MW would probably suffice.
Could The Locomotives Use The Channel Tunnel?
I suspect that diesel locomotives are not liked in the Channel Tunnel because of all that flammable diesel.
But in the future, when there is a battery-electric variant, I would suspect that would be allowed.
In UK To France Automotive Train Service Launched, I talked about Toyota’s new service between Toton in England and Valenciennes in France via the Channel Tunnel. A locomotive with sufficient battery range might be ideal for this service, if it could handle the Market Harborough and Toton section, which is likely to be without electrification for some years.
Will The Locomotives Have Third Rail Shoes?
If their power on electricity is such that they can stand in for Class 92 locomotives, then there may be a need to fit all or some of the locomotives with third rail shoes.
As an example, they might be useful in taking freight trains to and from Southampton or the Channel Tunnel.
Conclusion
I feel that, as the locomotive must fit current routes and schedules, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the following specification.
- UK loading gauge.
- Co-Co
- Class 90 locomotive power and operating speed on electricity of 3.7 MW and 110 mph.
- Class 66 locomotive power and operating speed on diesel of 2.5 MW and 75 mph.
- Ability to change between electric and diesel power at speed.
- Ability to haul a heavy freight train out of Felixstowe.
- Ability to haul passenger trains.
Stadler will have one eye on the fact, that if they get this design right, this order for up to fifty locomotives could be just the start.
It certainly seems a locomotive designed for the UK’s railway system.
The New Winslow Station Site
This Google Map shows the site of the new Winslow station, on the East West Railway.
Note.
- The line from north of Wolvercote Tunnel (just north of Oxford) through Bicester to Bletchley would be enabled for 100 mph (160 km/h) double-track running.
- There will be two platforms at Winslow station.
- The station is planned to open in 2024.
Services at the station are likely to be.
- Two tph – Oxford and Milton Keynes via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow and Bletchley
- One tph – Oxford and Bedford via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow, Bletchley, Woburn Sands and Ridgmont
Note.
- tph is trains per hour.
- It appears the current Bedford and Bletchley service will continue.
It looks like the one tph service between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes via Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Winslow, Bletchley has been deferred indefinitely.
Consider.
- Building a single track railway between Aylesbury Vale Parkway station and Claydon Junction on the East West Railway can’t be that challenging or expensive.
- A single track railway should be able to handle the required train service of up to two tph at Aylesbury Vale Parkway station and occasional freight trains.
It doesn’t look too difficult or costly. So why? The only valid reason I can think of is that High Speed Two doesn’t want it for some reason.
Fortescue Unveils World-First Electric Train Using Gravity To Recharge
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on InnovateAus.
These two paragraphs summarise the project.
Fortescue has announced the development of an electric train that recharges itself using gravity, as the Australian resources giant finalises its acquisition of UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.
Fortescue is dedicating $50 million, in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), for research and development on the Infinity Train, which fully recharges its battery using gravitational energy when it descends.
Note.
- Most of Australia’s iron ore is mined in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
- There are at least four railways in Pilbara leading to the coast.
- As the mines are higher than the coast, the heavily loaded trains will be going downhill, whereas the empties will be going uphill.
- There would certainly appear to be scope for charging going to the coast and coming back on a full battery with the empties.
- 94 % of Australia’s iron ore exports are transported by train from Pilbara to the coast.
There are hundreds of locomotives used for transportation of Iron ore from Pilbara to the coast.
Will Williams Convert Existing Locomotives?
I suspect they will as this is route that Wabtec is taking with their FLXdrive locomotives.
Will Williams Convert Locomotives For Other Pilbara Companies?
I suspect what Andrew Twiggy Forest wants he gets.
Could Williams Convert Other Diesel Electric Locomotives
I suspect they could and I wouldn’t rule out seeing a battery-electric Class 66 locomotive.
I laid out my thoughts in Could Class 66 Locomotives Be Converted Into Battery-Electric Locomotives?.
‘Game-Changing’ Drones Helping Ukraine In Battle For The Skies
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the introductory paragraph.
The Ukrainian military has been using “Punisher” stealth drones that can target fuel storage, ammunition supplies and electronic warfare stations up to 30 miles behind enemy lines.
Some other points from the article.
- They are a Ukrainian-built drone with a 7.5 foot wingspan an electric propulsion.
- They are from a company called UA-Dynamics.
- They have completed sixty successful mission.
- They can fly for hours at 1,300ft
This paragraph describes a mission.
He said the drone, which can carry 3kg of explosives, needs the co-ordinates of its target and then carries out its mission automatically. Onboard cameras record the impact of the blast to check the accuracy of the mission.
It can also work in combination with a reconnaissance drone.
Could this be the reason the Russians have held back the convoy?
It may not be a big enough warhead to knock out a tank, but it would do a lot of damage to a supply truck or a tanker full of diesel.
There is also this paragraph, which describes a dog-fight between Russian and Ukranian fighters.
The Ukrainian military said today that a “fierce air battle” took place overnight in the Kyiv region between a pair of MiG-29 fighters and a pair of Russian Su-35s. Both Russian jets were destroyed and one MiG-29 survived.
Note.
- The Mig-29 first flew in 1977.
- Mig-29s are a very common fighter aircraft.
- Ukraine inherited hundreds of Mig-29s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- The USAF has a few Mig-29s
The Su-35 first flew in 1988.
In addition to the Russians, they are flown by China and Egypt.
This is a paragraph from the Wikipedia entry for the Mig-29.
On 29 May 2020, Ukrainian MiG-29s took part in the Bomber Task Force in Europe with American B-1B bombers for the first time in the Black Sea region. In September 2020, B-52 bombers from the 5th Bomb Wing conducted vital integration training with Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s inside Ukraine’s airspace.
Have the Ukrainian pilots been doing some combat training?
Final Tunnelling Gets Underway On Bank Station Blockade
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Ground Engineering.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Four weeks into the closure of Bank Station for its capacity upgrade, main contractor Dragados is making good progress on all key activities, including final tunnelling works.
This has been traditional tunneling, that would have been familiar to those like the Victorians, where a lot of the digging has been done by hand, with the addition of smaller diggers and power tools.
The project seems to be on schedule for a mid-May opening.
UK To France Automotive Train Service Launched
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
This is the introductory paragraph.
DB Cargo UK has launched a rail service transporting Corolla hybrid cars manufactured at Toyota’s Derby plant in the UK to Valenciennes in France via the Channel Tunnel, returning with Aygo, Yaris and Yaris+ vehicles.
It sounds very sensible and efficient, as the trains seem full both ways.
Ukraine: Anger Over Russian Oil Tanker Due In Orkney
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the first two paragraphs.
Russian ships could have their access to UK ports restricted, under plans being considered at Westminster.
It follows concerns that a Russian-owned tanker is due at an Orkney oil terminal within days.
The tanker is going to pick up oil.
I can understand the anger, but as we are led to believe that the Russians have plenty of oil and gas does it matter that we sell them a tanker full, provided the cheque or transfer doesn’t bounce?
We should sell the Russians anything that has nothing to do with the war, but things like luxury goods will not help them in their takeover of Ukraine.
The list would include goods like expensive cars, but not trucks or 4 x 4’s, Scotch whisky, jewellery, chocolates and expensive clothes.
The Joy Of Freedom
I set out my views on masks in the title of Should We Be Given More Discretion Over Mask Wearing?.
Today was the first Friday under the relaxed rules on masks, when I have done my pre-weekend Friday morning routine.
- Take a bus and a Northern Line train or a direct bus to Moorgate.
- Have a Full English breakfast in Leon.
- Visit Marks & Spencer on Moorgate and get my weekend food.
These are my comments on today’s trip.
- I rode the bus to Angel without a mask and had a pleasant chat with a lady of my age about Putin.
- We felt that the Brutus solution for Vlad the Poisoner would be best!
- On the train between Angel and Moorgate stations, I was the only passenger not wearing a mask.
- It was easy to walk up the steps at Moorgate station.
- Leon was busy, with about half of customers and all staff wearing masks.
- Marks was about half full and it was nice to be able to shop wearing my glasses, which don’t fit my mask.
- I should say, that I need my glasses to read sell-by dates.
- There were no naked faces on the bus home.
It was such a joy for me, to be able to travel and do my shopping without a mask.
But then at no time, was I in a crowd, which might have made me reach for my mask.
Conclusion
I doubt at no time, I’ll go back to full-time mask wearing.
Incidentally, I used to have a racehorse called Joy of Freedom.
Timber Freight Train Runs For First Time In 18 Years
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Network Rail has partnered with Colas Rail in a pilot project to run a timber freight train for the first time in 18 years.
A sawmill in Abergavenny has received the first rail-transported timber since 2004 which was transported 92 miles from Hackney Yard near Newton Abbot.
I do wonder how many other specialised freight trains like these could be run.
As it was only 320 tonnes on eight wagons, it was probably hauled by a diesel Class 66 or Class 70 locomotive.
If there were hydrogen-powered locomotives available, would this encourage more companies to switch from road to rail.
It also appears that for this movement, Network Rail had strengthened a bridge. Are there enough yards, where heavy trucks can access the railway?
Timber Imports
With the situation in Ukraine, I wondered if we imported any timber from Russia, that could perhaps be replaced by locally-grown timber.
I found this page on the Forest Research web site from the UK Government, which is entitled Origin Of Wood Imports.
Our biggest timber imports from Russia are wood pellets and plywood.
Wood pellets are an obvious import, as we also import large amounts from the United States and Canada and all three countries have extensive forests and I suspect they all produce large amounts of woody waste, that is only suitable for making into pellets.
Are we recycling scrap wood and woody waste, as best we can in the UK or are we just burning it on bonfires? The guy opposite lost a tree in the recent storms and a tree surgeon came with a special truck and a shredder to reduce it to small pieces of woody waste. Did that go to make pellets for Drax and other boilers that burn them?
It strikes me, that there may be opportunities For creating or enlarging our own wood pellet industry to cut imports.
Plywood comes mainly from China (37 %), Brazil (18 %), Finland (9 %) and Russia (8 %). Of these, I suspect only one has good environmental standards.
As this softwood plywood for lower-grade applications only needs wood from trees, that we can grow in this country, perhaps we should make a lot more in automated plants.
I’m sure Network Rail would be happy to arrange the transport.
The Anonymous Widower 