tom

On 30 Jul 2003 08:28:31 -0700, raymonlux@yahoo.com.au (Raymond


They were testing some of the new track which wil finally let the
trains run to their top speeds rather than crawling along the crap
track they use at the moment.
If you really want to get into train spotting this TGV site leaves our
top speed with a way to go.

http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/tgv/rec-intro.html

powertrain

French trains. Don't get them started again...

raymonlux

Are you talking about standard UK trains too? What will the regular
UK trains do as far as top speed on decent tracks? I rode some of the
London commuter lines from say London central (Paddington) to
Kent/Bromley and appeared to be doing about 80 mph.

Are the UK and French trains powered by electricity? Are they mag
lev or do they use wheels. Amazing speeds.

I can't see how they can make any money or even lose just a little. I
know the German trains are really a make work project to employ
people. Taxpayers pour in billions. I think most rail systems are
the same way.

Passenger trains in the states lose money and "Amtrak" is really a
joke. The country is just too big and spread out. They can make
money in the NY to Washington DC run but that is about it.

Freight trains in the States do make money.

txl

The "regular" TGV does 300 kph every day between paris and marseille.

The "record" in france is 511 kph done in 82 or something like that, on the
regular TGV but on a special track portion built with special attention on
elevation changes and stuff like that...

john openshaw

In article <2ab42062.0307300728.5ca1f59e@posting.google.com>, Raymond
Luxury-Yacht II <raymonlux@yahoo.com.au> writes


I once worked with an ex-BR chappy who said they unofficially took the
APT up to 195mph on test runs (he was on-board when they did this). I
asked about special tracks and he said that normal (old BR) straight
runs were fine, but you wouldnt risk it on a bend.

Very sensible - saying that, in the 'bad old days' at least they used to
put the bolts in the track.

From 195 to 208 mph doesnt seem a big leap in 20 years though.

John Openshaw


PS I also worked with another ex BR chap who produced the seminal
'leaves on the line' report - this tabulated which trees/bushes were the
most dangerous adjacent to the track, dependent on leaf size and
quantity. My pants didnt dry for a week after reading that, I should
say.


--
John Openshaw
Remove random garbage in address to reply...

mark hewitt

news:<43ufivspch3i5kg508rumq8hc3slb8nb37@4ax.com>. ..


They are supposed to run at 125mph on the ECML. But they usually run at about 110mph AFAIK.


Probably about right. But they are commuter lines so you don't expect huge speeds.

The tunnel rail link (CTRL) is powered by electricity, actually both
overhead and third rail! UK trains use electricity in other places such as
the East Cost line, however electirification is by no means total, there are
vast stretches where diesel traction is still in use. And consequently
diesel often runs under electric lines in order to complete long journeys to
places with no electrificiation.

Yes, UK rail is heavily subsidised.


And thats the only train journey in the USA I've done!

raymonlux

Very quick. I don't know to much about the APT but saw how it leaned
into the corners. This was just before Lotus was doing serious work
in active suspension. Wonder if there was any connection.

True. Was the APT that unreliable? Or was it expensive.

Sounds pretty scary. I guess with enough leaves you could have a
derailing?

eddie dubourg

That's what you are meant to think. British Rail, over the years, has come
up with extremely feeble excuses for delays to trains - these have included
'leaves on track' and 'the wrong type of snow on the track'

Readers whose memories are less addled will be able to supply some more.

E

james connors

Except for the no showers problem, a cross Canada train trip is a rill
trip. Union Station in Toronto - way to go Rolling Stones, greatest rock
and roll band of all time - through the Canadian Shield, then the
prairies, then you bump into the mountains just outside of Calgary.
Then, through the mountains to Vancouver.

The Orient Express, no.

Still, very cool.
--
Cheerie-vederci . . .

j a m e s

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.
-- Gilbert Keith Chesterton

raymonlux

What about AC/DC at the concert. ;-)

- through the Canadian Shield, then the

There is a very good train on the west coast of the U.S. that goes up
into Canada. Beautiful scenery. This is really the only train ride
that people actually want to book in the states.

If you ever want to rent a pretty good movie, rent "Narrow Margin"
with Gene Hackman where he plays a cop travelling on that train
through western Canada. Very pretty scenery and a decent good movie.
Gene Hackman is usually good in everything.