INFORMED SOURCES e-Preview April - Ooops http://ezezine.com
Apologies for confusing everyone, and raising Welsh hopes, by saying
that the GWML electrification would reach Swansea in this morning's
e-Preview. Last month's forecast was that electrification would stopat
Cardiff - and that is indeed current policy.
Can't think why I wrote Swansea, except that this month I had plenty of
time to compose e-Preview and without the spur of a tight deadline my
attention must have wandered. Apologies again.
Anyway, this correction gives me the chance to introduce a new acronym
and fly a kite which could be a way of making me right first time.
The new acronym is HOOP - High Output Overhead-line Plant. This is the
new title for Network Rail's electrification factory train.
Now for the kite. HOOP will involve new equipment, new techniques,
new processes and training a new workforce. Before you can let it
loose on a busy main line you will need to shake it down, run it in and
get it working efficiently. You can't roll up at Reading and say 'head
west lads and see how it goes',
What you will need is a relatively quiet section of main line, where
you can practice putting up masts, fitting registration arms and
running out wires under realistic conditions. So here's the idea. Why
not make Swansea-Cardiff the HOOP development track?. In exchange for
some disruption Swansea-Cardiff gets wired on the R&D budget.
Together, the two phases of the GWML electrification cost £1.3 billion.
Just 1% for development is £13 million. Then there's the saving on
bi-mode engines and increased track access charges.
Just a thought, but one worth pursuing.
Roger