44871 + 45407 Poole to Bristol. Thurs. 24th Nov, 2016

This is covered by Roger Ford in November's Modern Railways. It is all to do with the Interoperability standard- the (excessive) clearance specifications aren't so much of an issue in mainland Europe with its loading gauge, but in Britain of course are. But it is wrong to blame Europe, as we could have got a derogation, or within the UK, an exemption based on what is reasonably practicable. Not for the first time we didn't bother.......possibly the reason Network Rail isn't shouting about it is that it didn't shout up when it had the chance.

I suspect that the Europeans are bemused to see us lowering trackbeds and raising bridges at great cost.

It is wrong to blame the costs associated with this compliance for the delay on GW electrification, as the cost overruns are predominantly due to the other stated reasons. The Edinburgh-Glasgow electrification project cost overruns are, however, estimated as being 50% due to this compliance,

Jon

 

My footage of Ian Riley's Black Fives thundering through Keynsham with the return leg back to Poole. Enjoy.

 

Here's my effort, filmed at Bristol Temple Meads & Keynsham. Struggled a little with poor light, but hopefully of interest.

 

Actually Jon, it's even dafter than that. If one reads the letter from Josef Doppelbauer from the European Union Agency for Railways on page 44 of December Modern Railways, it rather seems as if they are quite surprised that system shown to safe in Britain for over 50 years has suddenly become inadequate. I get the impression that railway electrical engineers have been overruled by the theoretical chaps and that the UK Electricity at Work Regulations have dumped enhanced standards on NR that were neither expected nor justified. If it is shown, as Doppelbauer hints, that 200mm clearance is fine and that the 370mm clearance is not needed we shall have had tens of millions spent in the UK without good reason and, I am afraid, because NR didn't fight its corner at the right time.