Rolling stock

DW Down Under   26/03/2013 at 02:51

I've read the Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy report. There are at least three areas that require comment, and I trust this is a suitable medium by which those comments might reach the relevant people: 1) fuel types for self-propelled vehicles. The assumption in the report would seem to be that only diesel engines are applicable. This type of engine is being forced out of the market by regulation. The strategy needs to refer to the appropriate R&D to overcome this. Some potential avenues of amelioration include: a) use of commercially produced alocohol fuels (where the principal emission issue is related to carbon); or b) the use of combustible gases in liquified or compressed forms; including but not limited to: i) LPG ii) CNG iii) LNG iv) Hydrogen Each of these fuels is more combustible than diesel and raises safety issues and additional safe-handling costs. But they should be discussed as a means of ameliorating the consequences of ever-tightening regulation of diesels. 2) The impact of loading gauge on individual vehicle and train capacity. This analysis is needed to inform the capital works programmes which currently target additional route clearance for freight. Additional route clearance for wider or taller passenger cars have the capacity to yield substantial dividends in train capacity and efficiency in the use of platform accommodation (I've coined the expression "volumetric efficiency" to describe this: how many passengers per metre train length can be carried); 3) As materials technology has progressed, the industry's ability to shape vehicles to optimally fit their operating environment while yielding maximum internal usable space has made much ground. The 2007ts for the Victoria Line is an illustration of this direction. In the planning horizon being analysed, I submit that dwell-efficient "double-deck" designs to suit a significant part of the heavily loaded PiXC sections of the national network could be forthcoming. These might not be able to be "universal," but with a large mileage electrified, should have an adequate cascade regime available over the planning horizon. I have already discussed the DD concepts with RSSB and others and would welcome an opportunity to share my work with the strategy team. The editor has my e-mail address. I commend these additional items to the attention of Members and other interested parties. DW down under