Midland Main Line

[childwallblues]

Midland Main Line
Just heard on the BBC News that it is likely that the Government will announce next week electrification between Bedford and Sheffield. Further details not yet to hand.

[Metroline1511]

RE: Midland Main Line
I saw the story profiled here, as I started to tune into BBC Radio Sheffield online.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18839483

[wirralbus]

RE: Midland Main Line
Think this news has effectively killed off the diesel only IEP train now .

A diesel IEP must be now at the point of unprofitability to make , a hybrid diesel and electric IEP might still be worthwhile for services off the electric network.

It will be interesting to read Roger Ford's informed sources in the Modern Railways magazine now .

[childwallblues]

RE: Midland Main Line
There is a report that the plan is to use Meridians with an extra "pantograph" carriage.

[Metroline1511]

RE: Midland Main Line

(16/07/2012 09:52)childwallblues Wrote:  There is a report that the plan is to use Meridians with an extra "pantograph" carriage.

This would make effective use of existing modern diesels. Maybe the same could happen to Voyagers if the Cross Country routes are electrified between Basingstoke, Birmingham and Leeds/ Doncaster.

[childwallblues]

RE: Midland Main Line

(21/07/2012 20:37)Metroline1511 Wrote:  

(16/07/2012 09:52)childwallblues Wrote:  There is a report that the plan is to use Meridians with an extra "pantograph" carriage.

This would make effective use of existing modern diesels. Maybe the same could happen to Voyagers if the Cross Country routes are electrified between Basingstoke, Birmingham and Leeds/ Doncaster.

There is currently a project to build a pantograph coach for the 220s. Bombardier are looking into the feasibility.