Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

I'm not an engineer, but would vibrations be that noticeable if between train and Preci-Spark, they have to be transmitted through the bridge deck, then bridge pillar (debatable how close this will be anyway), then the ground before the two meet ?, presumably you lose a significant amount in the transfer between each surface ?.

 

I think that Preci-Spark are very close to the embankment and the vibrations from a train would possibly be felt from this, rather than from the bridge.

Keith

 

From their web site Preci Spark are involved in precision machining for the aerospace industry using advanced processes such as spark erosion (Electro Discharge Machining to give it it's correct name).
When you work to fine tolerances the slightest vibration can mean ruining a piece worth thousands of pounds. We used to talk about tolerances of 3/5 th's of a knat's d**k in the power station field but they work to even smaller. The quote goes 'There is only one thing smaller than a knat's d.. that and that is the hole in the end.' Those are the sort of tolerances in the aero engine field
So I can well understand their concerns about vibrations from passing trains, though one of their works is also in close proximity to the Midland Main Line so they should have some ideas of the issues.
From bitter experience the transmission of vibrations is not always logical. There used to be a 1500T blanking press right next to Hall Green station that could only be used after modifications due to the vibrations being felt in one particular zone two streets away but could not be felt in immediate surrounding area.

 

Oops can't edit for some reason. Spring Road not Hall Green....

 

If that hair in the pic is anything to go by you are going/gone grey. Welcome to the club

 

The GCR website is reporting the total raised to 29/11/13 as £280,000. Some way to go folks...

 

I work at Rolls-Royce in the aero engine division. We had a component returned from the inspection department because it was a micron over size.
That equals one 1000th of a millimetre .....'tis a hard life. <BJ>

 

When RHP used to make aerospace bearings in the UK I went round on a technical visit. In order to reach the tolerance on their balls they had to control the fluids in their machines to +/- 1/4 of a degree C. It's another world in the aircraft industry.

 

The gap doesn't look that big in this picture from 1983 (scanned from a slide).
It's taken from the canal bridge and the platforms of Loughborough Midland are clearly visible together with the far side of the former bridge over the MML.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38339202@N00/10861425843/
JP

 

The gap is approx 300 yards.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Loug...&hnear=Loughborough+LE11,+United+Kingdom&z=16

 

It's a lot more than 300 yards. From railhead to railhead it is more like 700 yards. From Bridge 331 (the canal) to Bridge 329 (Railway Terrace) is ~370 yards alone

Flip

 

Yes, just over 700yards from Nottingham Road bridge across Railway Terrace and onward to the loco shed side of the canal bridge.

 

I sit corrected gentlemen, thank you.

 

There is quite a bit of turbulence between the two societies, and many GCRN volunteers are not actually too keen on the link up unless the south change their attitude - at times their relationship with Ruddington has been bordering on a bullying one. To be honest the main reason Loughborough are pushing for this is the fact that the GCRN has a mainline connection which is the most prominent absence at Loughborough. Money is not the only barrier between the two railways joining, there's a lot of politics to get round too...

 

They had better sort that sh*t out, I don't want to have to come up there and bang their heads together.

 

Maybe the attitude of the GCR towards the GCR(N) could be seen as that of an older and more experienced relative, and as is often the case in such situations the junior relative is sometimes not inclined to benefit from such advice and guidance as may be offered ?

Reflect, perhaps, on the rather unequal situation pertaining during the reunification of Germany in the early 1990's, and on the differing attitudes of the East and West Germans to the undertaking.

Incidentally, is it really such a massive surprise that the GCR would look covetously on the mainline connection enjoyed by the GCR(N) ? They've never made much secret of the fact that it is a major part of the attraction, and if nothing else it provides for some considerable financial justification for any investment made in bridging the gap. It is indeed a juicy morsel to bring to the bargaining table.

As I see it, in return for their main line connection, and 9 odd miles of single-track railway (with next to no operational infrastructure), the GCR(N) will get access to a fully signalled, double track main line railway, with extensive infrastructure, a sizeable stud of locomotives, considerable amounts of rolling stock, and by no means least - many hundreds of man-years worth of experience of running a significant railway operation.

Does the deal *really* seem that unfair to the North . . . . ?

Flip

 

I don't think the GCR(N) will quite see it as oneside as you seem to think it is.

 

If the GCR(N) didn't want to do it they'd say no