Read on Twitter
Network Rail have responded to my FOI request on the benefits of the improvements on Great Western (not just mine – but it appears several people put in requests). See the link below to the reports. What did we learn? (1/8).
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/great_western_route_modernisatio#incoming-1725207
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/great_western_route_modernisatio#incoming-1725207
There is the obvious: quieter, cleaner, quicker trains, but are my top 15 specifics:
1. Electric power CO2 emissions are 60% of diesel, with current energy mix. By 2050 they will use just 4% of the CO2 of a diesel fleet (if they electrify everything). (2/8)
1. Electric power CO2 emissions are 60% of diesel, with current energy mix. By 2050 they will use just 4% of the CO2 of a diesel fleet (if they electrify everything). (2/8)
2. Performance & reliability improved significantly, new electric trains are more reliable (even taking into account OLE failures). Suburban services are an astonishing 300% more reliable.
3. GW mainline electrification increased proportion of UK railway electrified by 8%. (3/8)
3. GW mainline electrification increased proportion of UK railway electrified by 8%. (3/8)
4. New trains increased overall capacity by 24%. IET’s have 46% more seat than the HSTs they replaced.
5. IETs still have the option to remove diesel power packs to further improve performance – should anyone electrify the rest of the line. (4/8)
5. IETs still have the option to remove diesel power packs to further improve performance – should anyone electrify the rest of the line. (4/8)
6. Journey time savings (24 mins Swansea-London) could have been greater, but timetable allows greater resilience (ie: running trains slower than they could).
7. Headway at Paddington reduced from 2.5 to 2mins due to faster acceleration. Less time waiting for platforms. (5/8)
7. Headway at Paddington reduced from 2.5 to 2mins due to faster acceleration. Less time waiting for platforms. (5/8)
8. Electric traction IET reaches 125mph in 5miles from stationary. An HST/IET in diesel takes 15miles.
9. IET in electric mode costs 44% less to run than diesel mode.
10. Fumes in Paddington now fallen below levels that are hazardous to health (we were oblivious before) (6/8)
9. IET in electric mode costs 44% less to run than diesel mode.
10. Fumes in Paddington now fallen below levels that are hazardous to health (we were oblivious before) (6/8)
11. NR acknowledges that GW would have benefited from a rolling programme like Scotland.
12. Modern electrification systems are highly reliable. GW did not suffer in the heatwave in 2019 unlike the legacy systems around the UK. System bakes in resilience to climate change. (7/8)
12. Modern electrification systems are highly reliable. GW did not suffer in the heatwave in 2019 unlike the legacy systems around the UK. System bakes in resilience to climate change. (7/8)
13.The future? NR is pushing for electrification.
14. NR reference my graph – yay!
15. NR Mentions electrification to Plymouth and Swansea.
Erm.... wait to see Treasury's response to that last point.
14. NR reference my graph – yay!
15. NR Mentions electrification to Plymouth and Swansea.
Erm.... wait to see Treasury's response to that last point.
