Refurbished Class 165 Trains
I have collected these pictures over the last couple of days of the recently refurbished Class 165 trains.
Note.
- The copious luggage space for holidaymakers and schoolchildren.
- The large number of quality charging points.
- The good quality painting and decorating.
- Lots of useful accessories like litter bins.
- I found the seats reasonably comfortable.
They certainly haven’t scrubbed up like a thirty-year old train.
Ashley Down Station – 28th September 2024
Ashley Down Station opened today, so I went to visit and took these pictures.
Note.
- There are four tracks and two platforms.
- The numerous numbers of Class 165 trains buzzing around.
- I saw several Hitachi Class 80x and CrossCountry passing trains passing through.
- I arriving in and left in Class 165 trains.
- All the Class 165 trains appear to have been refurbished.
- The station has stairs and a pair of lifts.
- There is bicycle parking and a car drop-off area.
It is certainly, a station with a long list of features.
The station is also in walking distance of Bristol Rovers ground.
This map shows the two locations.
Note.
- The football ground is in the North-West corner.
- Te staiton is in the South-East corner.
A Bristolian told me it will be 15-20 minutes walk.
Robertsbridge Station – 25th September 2024
I went to Robertsbridge station, today and took these pictures of the station.
Note.
The tracks are electrified.
- The platforms can accommodate eight-car trains and probably ten-car trains.
- There is a level-crossing at the South end of the station.
- The bridge is not step-free.
- Passengers may be able to use the level-crossing to cross the tracks
- The station has a good collection of books for passengers.
- The London trains are in good conditiopn.
- There is an adequate amount of car parking.
It is a small workmanlike country station typical of many in the UK.
This Google Map shows the station.
Note.
The London and Hastings Line runs down the West side of the map.
The station buildings are marked by the usual sign and are on the East side of the tracks.
Also on the East side of the tracks is a siding used by Network Rail to store machinery and a car park and then the premises of the Rother Valley Railway.
Station Road with its level crossing runs across the bottom of the map.
These are my thoughts.
The Aim Of The Rother Valley Railway
This is the first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry for the Rother Valley Railway.
The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It takes its name from the original name for what later became the Kent and East Sussex Railway, running from Robertsbridge through to Headcorn in Kent, via Tenterden. The project is to replace the “missing link” between Robertsbridge, a station on the Tonbridge to Hastings mainline, and Bodiam on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, a heritage railway which operates from Bodiam to Tenterden.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the route of the railway between Robertsbridge and Tenterden Town.
Note.
- Robertsbridge Junction is in the South-West corner of the map.
- Tenterten Town is in the North-East corner of the map.
- Bodiam, Northiam, Wittersham Road and Rolverden are the intermediate stops.
This second OpenRailwayMap shows the tracks at Rotherfield.
Note.
- Robertsbridge station is on the West.
- Robertsbridge Junction station of the Rother Valley Railway is on the East.
- Network Rail’s siding runs between the stations.
It appears that the Robertsbridge Junction station has a turnback for a locomotive.
Progress On The Rother Valley Railway
This is the second paragraph of the Wikipedia entry for the Rother Valley Railway.
Following a public inquiry in 2021, the government approved the project in May 2023 and granted the RVR’s application for a Transport and Works Act Order. This came into force on 2 August, allowing the reinstatement scheme to be completed. There will be then an end-on link with the Kent and East Sussex at Bodiam enabling through-running of passenger trains between Tenterden and Robertsbridge for the first time since 1954. Heritage trains will make use of the Rother Valley Railway’s own new station at Robertsbridge Junction, a short walk from the mainline station. Work is expected to begin on the final phase of reinstatement in 2024, following detailed surveys.
It certainly looks like progress is being made.
Tenterden Is The Largest Town In Kent Without A Railway Station
Although compared to some towns, that have recently got stations, it is somewhat smaller.
But it is larger than Okehampton, which has successfully opened a National Rail station.
Perhaps, a supermarket car park can be found big enough for a single platform station?
Starmer May Give Tenterden Some New Development
A few more houses could generate commuter traffic.
Will VAT On School Fees Encourage train Travel To School?
But train travel may be cheaper than a car to say Tonbridge by car! Every little helps!
More Trains At Robertsbridge Could Draw Traffic
Two trains per hour would surely help.
Conclusion
A Tenterden branch could be viable for a shuttle between Robertsbridge and Tenterden.
A Small Station Entrance With Almost Everything
The pictures show the second entrance to Hackney Central station, which was built a few years ago.
Note.
- There is a light controlled-crossing outside the station.
- There are two ticket machines, where National Rail tickets can be bought and collected.
- There is a coffee hut.
- Stairs lead all the way up to the Westbound platform.
- The Eastbound platform is over a step-free bridge.
- The best M & S Food store in East London is within a hundred metres of both platforms.
- 38, 242 and 277 buses pass the the new entrance.
It is a well-appointed entrance to a station.
World’s First Public Demonstration Of Hydrogen Engine Motorcycle
This title of post, is the same as that of this news item from Kawasaki.
This is the sub-heading.
On July 20, Kawasaki Motors, a member of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, conducted the world’s first public demonstration run of a hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle by a mass-production motorcycle manufacturer at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan.
These three paragraphs outline the demonstration.
The hydrogen ICE motorcycle was designed and built as part of research that began in March 2023, with test runs starting this year, culminating in the public demonstration run. Mounted in the machine is a hydrogen engine based on the 998 cm3 In-Line Four Supercharged Engine found in Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 motorcycle, with modifications made to allow direct injection of hydrogen fuel into the cylinders. The motorcycle’s chassis was designed to accommodate hydrogen fuel canisters and a hydrogen fuel supply system on-board.
Hydrogen ICE motorcycles run on hydrogen combustion, producing the rumble and pulsating sensation that riders enjoy when twisting the throttle, while emitting mainly water.
As part of their carbon neutral initiative, Kawasaki Motors is currently conducting research and development with the aim of realizing a functioning hydrogen ICE motorcycle*2 as one carbon-neutral option for riders in the early 2030s.
Some people will prefer quiet, hydrogen-fuel cell motorcycles.
Lawnmowers And Other Small-Engined Equipment
As hydrogen fuel spreads around the countryside, I can see lots of rural equipment using it for motive power.
Cummins Debuts Integrated HELM Drivetrain At IAA
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on truckinginfo.com.
This is the sub-heading under a rather informative image.
Cummins’ integrated drivetrain offers fleets three powertrain options: advanced diesel, diesel-hybrid and zero-carbon hydrogen.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Cummins pulled the curtain back on a new integrated drivetrain concept at the IAA Transport Show in Hannover, Germany, on September 17. According to Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins chair and CEO, the newly designed drivetrain is based on the OE’s HELM engine platform. It is also intended to highlight Cummins’ broader product portfolio and continued commitment to providing flexible, sustainable power solutions.
The Cummins HELM engine platform is a fuel-agnostic series of engine versions that are derived from a common base.
The article could be called the Jennifer and Jane Show, after the two people, who provided most of the words.
When I was dealing with large American corporations in the last century, one lady would have been a rarity, but two at the top indicates how Cummins has turned itself into a sustainable company for the twenty-first century.
The Cummins Integrated Drivetrain Concept
The Cummins Integrated Drivetrain Concept is shown in a Cummins image in the trucking.info.com article.
- Up-front is a 15-litre internal combustion engine, which can be diesel, natural-gas or hydrogen-fueled.
- As Cummins manufacture fuel cells, I suspect that the motive power can be one or more hydrogen fuel cells.
- It looks like along each side of the truck are tanks for the hydrogen fuel cells.
- Between the tanks is a powerful electric motor, that drives the rear axle.
- The electric rear axle could incorporate batteries for regenerative braking and traction efficiency.
A vehicle of any size between a Fiat 500 and a 44-tonne articulated truck could use this integrated drivetrain concept, with components sized accordingly.
This is a paragraph from the trucking.info.com article.
Rumsey emphasized that Cummins’ acquisition of Meritor, Siemens Commercial Vehicles and Jacobs Vehicle Systems in recent years means Cummins can now offer full powertrain capability.
Don’t develop your own, if you can buy the best!
Siemens electric motors and Cummins diesel engines are used in London’s New Routemaster buses.
Could The Cummins Integrated Drivetrain Concept Be Used For A Small Car?
I don’t see why not?
Just watch the Koreans, who are going large on hydrogen.
Ashley Down Station Opens On Saturday
Ashley Down station will be Bristol’s latest new station, when it opens this Saturday.
I shall be going, after probably taking the Elizabeth Line to Reading station.
Is A Ride Across South London On Tramlink, The Worst Rail Ride In London?
Last week, I took a ride across South London on the London Tramlink from Beckenham Junction to Wimbledon.
I was in one of the original Bombardier trams and it was very underwhelming.
None Of The Current Trams Have Air-Conditioning
These days, this is expected.
In this article on RailAdvent, which is entitled Potential Tram Builders Announced For New London Trams, this is said.
Transport for London has issued an Invitation to Tender for four manufacturers to design and build a new fleet of trams.
Alstom UK, CAF, Hitachi and Stadler are the four manufacturers who can now proceed to the next stage of the procurement process with Transport for London to design and build the new trams.
The new trams are expected to feature air-conditioning, real time travel info and charging points, along with areas designed for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs and luggage.
It sounds that the new trams will be to a higher standard with more comfort and interior space.
The Current Trams Have Bricks For Seat Padding
In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more comfort.
The Current Trams Lack Interior Space
In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more interior space.
On one journey recently, two mothers were having a friendly discussion about the limited space for their buggies.
The Current Trams Lack Flat Floors
The floors weren’t flat on my cross-London tram ride and it nearly tripped me up.
All trams, buses and trains should have flat floors and no-step entrances and exits.
The Current Trams Lack Details That Passengers Now Expect
In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more real time travel info and charging points.
The Route Of The Tramlink Is Boring
I’ve travelled on trams and light rail systems in other cities and towns, in the UK, in Europe and around the world.
But I feel that unlike say Blackpool Tramway, except for a couple of shopping centres and IKEA, London Tramlink doesn’t take you anywhere.
I expected to find refreshment kiosks at the terminals, but only at Wimbledon and East Croydon did they exist.
Perhaps, Transport for London could add a few kiosks, as they have done on the Overground?
Conclusion
Transport for London should look at all aspects of design of the London Tramlink.
Public Views Sought Over Mersey Tidal Barrier Plan
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
More details have been revealed about plans to build the world’s largest tidal barrier in the River Mersey.
These two paragraphs outline the project.
A dam-like structure would be constructed between Wirral and Liverpool, with the possibility of cyclists and pedestrians being able to walk across it.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority believes the project could generate enough clean, predictable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes for 120 years.
Note.
- A six-week public consultation on the scheme will begin on 1 October, offering local people and organisations the chance to comment on the plans.
- Steve Rotherham, who is the Mayor, has said it will be within ten years.
As Rotherham has called in the Korean experts, he could likely be right.
This is a flythrough of the barrage.
The Anonymous Widower 