H2 Green, Eversholt Rail To Jointly Develop Hydrogen Supply Solutions In The UK
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on H2 View.
Their co-operation will be for the rail industry and based on green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis.
- H2 Green is a Scottish company, that were recently taken over by Getech,
- Eversholt Rail Group is a rolling stock leasing company, who are also backing hydrogen trains, that will be manufactured by Alstom.
This could be the kick up the backside, that hydrogen trains need in the UK.
Moorgate Station’s Old Entrance Has Now Reopened
I went to Moorgate station today, as the old entrance has now reopened with lifts and stairs to the sub-surface lines.
Note.
- The stairs down to the tunnel connecting the Northern Line and Crossrail look a bit steep.
- The ceiling design in the entrance lobby.
- The escalators down to Crossrail at the Southern side of the entrance lobby.
- The gate line is very wide.
The oversite development, which is still being built, will surely tidy up the entrance.
In The New Lift To The Northern Line At Moorgate Station, I showed and described this visualisation.
Note.
- The Northern City Line is shown in purple.
- The double escalator going down to between the two terminal platforms of the Northern City Line.
- The Northern Line is shown in black and the two platforms are underneath the Northern City Line.
- The Northern Line tunnels cross over the top of the Crossrail running tunnels.
The dark green tunnel with the right angle bend at the top of the map, is the pedestrian tunnel that connects the Northern Line and Crossrail.
The tunnel will be accessed from the Northern line platforms by the lift or the stairs, shown in the first two pictures.
Alternatively, you will be able to take he rat-up-the-drainpipe route to the surface from the Northern Line, that I described in Up From The Depths At Moorgate Station. That route is escalators all the way and then the lift in the pictures to the main entrance lobby.
On August 1st 2021, I finally took the lift from the Westbound Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan platform to the new ticket hall and took these pictures.
This is a general view of the lift.
This is the information plate on the outside of the lift at the sub-surface platform level.
It shows two lifts from the Sub-service platforms to the new ticket hall.
This picture shows the lift buttons on the outside of the lift at the sub-surface platform level.
It appears you can go up and down.
The down must mean that there is a level below the sub-surface platform level.
These are the buttons inside the lift.
It appears that there is a level below the platforms, which passengers can use.
Although it is not named on the plate, the lift must connect to the right-angled tunnel to the Northern and Northern City Lines.
- It does appear that of the two lifts between the new ticket hall and the sub-surface platform level, only one accesses the connecting tunnel.
- It might also mean that passengers in wheelchairs will need to use two lifts between the Northern Line and the Eastbound sub-surface platform.
I did see another tunnel from the lift on the Westbound sub-surface platform, stretching to the East.
Let’s hope I’m wrong or it will be sorted before opening.
Moorgate station appears to be getting extremely complicated.
Approaching Kings Cross – 5th July 2021
I took these pictures approaching Kings Cross.
Reports say most of the work of the remodelling is now complete. Although, it did look to me that in places more tracks could be laid.
The Length Of The Long Platforms At Kings Cross
This repeat of the last picture in the gallery shows the length of the nine long platforms.
Note.
- The train is in Platform 3.
- The train is an eight-car Class 700 train.
- Eight-car units are 162 metres long.
- Twelve-car units are 242.6 metres long.
Platform 3 is obviously long enough to take the following trains.
- Twelve-car Class 700 train – 242.6 metres
- Two Class 800 trains working as a pair – 260 metres
- A nine-car Class 800 train – 234 metres
- An InterCity 225 train – 245.2 metres
- A twelve-car Class 319 train or Class 321 train – 240 metres.
This Google Map shows the ends of the platforms at Kings Cross.
Note.
- The long platforms at the right are 2 and 3.
- Platform 2 and 3 are wide.
- Two LNER Azumas are in Platforms 5 and 6.
It looks to me that whilst all platforms can probably handle the standard British Rail length of 240 metres, those on the right may be able to handle longer trains. But what trains? These are my thoughts.
Longer LNER Azumas
This document on the Hitachi Rail web site is entitled Development of Class 800/801 High-speed Rolling Stock for UK Intercity Express Programme.
The document says that Class 80x trains have a sophisticated Train Control and Management System (TCMS).
The document says that this is one of the functions of the TCMS.
To simplify the rearrangement and management of train configurations, functions are provided for
identifying the train (Class 800/801), for automatically determining the cars in the trainset and its total length,
and for coupling and uncoupling up to 12 cars in normal and 24 cars in rescue or emergency mode.
I would assume that with the purchase of extra cars, that it might be possible to lengthen trains to up to twelve cars.
Lengths would be as follows.
- Ten-car Class 80x train – 260 metres.
- Eleven-car Class 80x train – 276 metres.
- Twelve-car Class 80x train – 312 metres.
To add extra capacity on the routes to Leeds and Edinburgh services, there must be a balance between these factors.
- The cost of extra cars.
- The cost of platform lengthening.
There must of course be space for any platform lengthening.
It would seem to me, that common sense should allow twelve-car trains to be handled at King’s Cross, as this must be one of the best ways of adding capacity to East Coast Main Line services.
Caledonian Sleeper
The Caledonian Sleeper doesn’t normally run into King’s Cross, but during the rebuilding Euston for High Speed Two, it may be necessary to provide an alternative platform.
Unfortunately, the sixteen-car Caledonian sleeper trains are 352 metres long. So it would appear that Kings Cross would not be a temporary alternative.
But given the amount of money being invested in sleeper trains in Europe by the likes of Midnight Trains and NightJet, I can see that the Caledonian Sleeper might have another problem – success and the need for more capacity.
So I wouldn’t rule out an East Coast Main Line sleeper train between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh.
It might call at Stevenage, Newcastle and Berwick to widen its passenger base, just as the current sleeper calls at Watford, Carlisle and Carstairs.
The train could be extended to Aberdeen, to simplify services in Scotland.
Obviously, traffic and finance would decide, but I wouldn’t rule out the Caledonian Sleeper running to and from King’s Cross for a few years yet.
A Night Light Freight Terminal
In Is This The Shape Of Freight To Come?, I wrote about the new generation of fast electric freight trains, based on redundant electric multiple units.
- If you look at Real Time Trains, you will find that few trains use King’s Cross station between two and five in the morning.
- Platforms can take a twelve-car version of these electric freight trains.
- The new platforms are wide and level.
- Local delivery could use electric vehicles and bikes.
I think King’s Cross has possibilities for handling goods like food, parcels and shop supplies.
The Short Platforms At Kings Cross
When I was a child, King’s Cross had four short suburban platforms, where N2 steam tank engines hauled suburban services in and out of the station.
The suburban platforms have now been reduced to two platforms, that fit in with the current uses of the station.
- The two platforms are numbered 9 and 10.
- They can handle an eight-car Class 700 train, which is 162 metres long.
- They can handle a five-car Class 800 train, which is 130 metres long.
- Some five-car services run by the new Hitachi trains use these platforms.
These pictures show the platforms.
Note.
- The platforms are wide.
- The picture of the Azuma in Platform 9 was taken before the centre track was removed recently.
- Today, one LNER Azuma departed from Platform 9 to go to Lincoln, but both platforms were busy with Great Northern services to Cambridge, Ely and Kings Lynn.
I do wonder if the platforms could be used for light freight, during the night.
Conclusion
King’s Cross is not just one of the UK’s finest railway stations, which is recognised by its Grade I Listed status, but it is now moving towards an efficient, high-capacity station that works around the clock!
Watford Junction Station’s Barrier Seats
I quite like these seats at Watford Junction station.
They would appear to give a nice perch to sit, whilst waiting for the train and also act as a crush barrier for the glass shelter behind.
They also give me something to hold, when a train goes through.
The train shown in the picture was a Tesco train between Tilbury and Daventry.
It went through the station at probably over 60 mph.
It had the usual smelly and polluting Class 66 on the front.
It took four hours 45 minutes for the journey, which included the Gospel Oak and Barking Line through London.
I did note earlier that the train seemed to be using modern wagons.
Are these wagons faster than those you generally see on UK railways?
Surely too, this is the type of train, that could be hauled by an electric locomotive with a Last-Mile capability, like a Class 88 Locomotive.
I would have thought, that Tesco could benefit, by using electric haulage, especially if the locomotive was appropriately liveried.
Bletchley Viaduct – 5th July 2021
I took these pictures of the new Bletchley viaduct today,
Note that there is now a bridge over the four tracks of the West Coast Main Line.
Southgate Expects
Like most of England, Southgate is probably wishing England well.
The picture was taken after Southgate took England to the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
Transport for London with a little help from Visa, also changed all the roundels.
If they did that for losing in the semis, what will happen, if England go further?
Freightliner Secures Government Funding For Dual-Fuel Project
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Freightliner.
This is the first two paragraphs.
Freightliner, a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), in partnership with a consortium of specialist suppliers, has been successful in securing government funding to develop a dual-fuel solution for the Class 66 locomotive.
The technology is one of the 30 winners of the latest round of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition announced today by the Transport Secretary. Already the safest and greenest mode of ground-freight transportation, the competition has been aimed at making the railways even cleaner, greener and more passenger friendly.
These are my thoughts.
A Big Opportunity
Freightliner have a total of 113 Class 66 locomotives, out of a UK total of well over 400.
If the project succeeds, this could cut a large amount of carbon emissions from UK rail freight.
Who Are The Partners?
The press release gives these project partners.
The key project partners are Freightliner, which operates over 113 Class-66s in the UK, and Clean Air Power, providers of innovative clean air solutions for freight. The project is also supported by Network Rail, Tarmac, Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB), Flogas, Carrickarory and the University of Birmingham.
It is a comprehensive group of partners, which probably covers all aspects.
- From their web site, Clean Air Power would appear to have the expertise for the project, with back-up from the University of Birmingham, who seem to be involved in several high-profile rail projects.
- The early involvement of standards must be a good thing.
- Flogas are a gas company
- Carrickarory would appear to be consultants specialising in rail.
Getting the team right is important in having a successful project.
What Are The Objectives Of The Project?
The press release gives these project objectives.
The project will investigate the ability to substitute diesel with both hydrogen and biogas on the Class-66 locomotive which hauls over 80% of freight on the UK rail network and, in doing so, reduce carbon emissions on one of the industry’s most challenging two-stroke locomotives.
This will be achieved by retrofitting the Class 66 with Clean Air Power’s precision injection technology, creating a Class 66 that can run on a combination of diesel, biogas and hydrogen.
Sounds a good set of reduced carbon objectives!
Would The Technology Be Applicable To Other Operators And Locomotives?
The press release says this.
This sustainable solution will support a programme to decarbonise freight operating companies’ diesel fleets in a cost-efficient manner that does not require significant short-term investment and facilitates operational learning in support of a longer-term fleet replacement programme, potentially using 100% hydrogen fuel.
Does this mean that the eventual Class 66 replacement will be a locomotive, that runs exclusively on hydrogen?
I suspect it does!
How very sensible!
Conclusion
This could be a big step in the battle to decarbonise.
A Lump Near My Liver
In A Mysterious Attack On My Body, I explained how I ended up in the Royal London hospital after my hand stopped working, probably due to an infection.
A couple of weeks afterwards my GP called me in to the surgery and repeated the blood tests on my liver, as the first taken in the hospital, weren’t quite what they should be!
These blood tests didn’t show the improvement they should have done, so I went to Homerton Hospital for an ultrasound on my liver.
This didn’t satisfy the GP, so he arranged for a CT-Scan at Homerton hospital.
After the scan, but before the results were known I saw a consultant, who told me about the lump.
He said it could be benign or something nasty and hopefully after he reviews the CT-Scan next week, we’ll know.
He said an endoscopy will probably sort out what it is!
The weird thing, is that, I’m not in any pain.
Except that is, for the lower back pain, I’ve had since I was about twenty.
As I can never sit comfortably in a car and my mother told me, my spine turns the wrong way, that probably explains that.
When I’m working at the computer, about every half-hour, I lie flat on my back on the floor and that seems to sort it.
Why did I get such an odd body?
Any advice gratefully accepted.
Are Disposable Nappies A Wasted Resource?
I stated my views on disposable nappies in this post called Disposable Nappies, where this was the first sentence.
From a scientifically green point of view, in many places I’m against using disposable nappies, as they clog sewers, end up in landfill and I’ve even seen them in litter bins in parks. We used real nappies for all our three children in the seventies, washing them ourselves in a machine for the first and then using a nappy service for the last two.
But dirty nappies contain a lot of the ingredients, that can be used to make hydrocarbons.
This article from the Sunday Times in 2018 is entitled Syngas, The New Jet Fuel — Stinky Nappies And Coffee Cups.
These are the first two paragraphs of The Times article.
With their packed cabins and recycled air, long-haul passenger jets are the last place where you would want to encounter the whiff of a dirty nappy.
However, old nappies are to be used — along with other non-recyclable waste such as meal packaging and takeaway coffee cups — to power British Airways planes.
Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and some carbon dioxide. Some countries without access to petroleum or diesel created syngas and then used the Fischer–Tropsch process to create the fuels they needed. The process doesn’t have a good reputation as the two main countries to use the process were Germany under the Nazis and South Africa during apartheid.
Why is the use of this process being revived to produce aviation biofuel or sustainable aviation fuel for British Airways?
According to Wikipedia, it can save between 20 and 98 % of carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
The same process can also make biodiesel for buses, trains and trucks
It’s certainly an area, where a lot of research is going on! Just type “syngas nappies” or “syngas diapers” into Google and you’ll get a lot of serious hits.
By my front door I have a well-designed blue bin.
This is for my food waste bin, which is collected once a week.
This page on the Hackney web site is entitled Food Waste Recycling, and this is said about where the food waste goes.
Food waste from households in Hackney is sent to an anaerobic digestion facility in south east England, where it’s turned into renewable energy to power homes and biofertiliser to be spread on local farmland to grow crops.
A similar bin of an appropriate size could be used for nappies.
The nappies would go to an appropriate recycling site, instead of down the toilet or into landfill.
The Anonymous Widower 