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Post by GWR 101 on Dec 21, 2014 13:13:18 GMT
This is not strictly MODEL engineering, but I noticed an article in yesterdays paper that may be of interest, sorry if it's old news. It states that Steam Trains could return to the main line in the IOW for the first time in 50 years, it is because of a proposed switch to diesel locomotives from former London Underground stock resulting in the removal of the "third rail". This will allow steam trains to run along a nine mile stretch into Ryde Esplanade station. Regards Paul |
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Post by charley on Dec 21, 2014 14:56:56 GMT
I lived on the IOW for two years and the railway history of all island is fascinating. Certainly it had a multitude of branches all focusing in on Newport the island's capital. I always wonder if Sodor isn't based on it.
No reason why steam should not return to the IOW system. Certainly would be a major tourist bonus
Charley
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uuu
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Post by uuu on Dec 21, 2014 15:04:37 GMT
Alas, I think the situation is political. The "steam trains to Ryde" is a dangling carrot to attract the voters.
Wilf
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Post by marshall5 on Dec 21, 2014 16:53:37 GMT
There's a lot of discussion about this proposal over on "National Preservation" but I don't see it happening any time soon. I've always wondered why B.R. went to the expense of electrifying the IoW lines when, surely, it would have been cheaper to modify a DMU design much as they did for the Hastings line. Rev. Audrey's fictional island of Sodor was actually based on the Isle of Man as the Bishop here is technically "The Bishop of Sodor and Man". Sorry, no idea why though!
Cheers,
Ray.
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Post by charley on Dec 21, 2014 20:43:09 GMT
Ray,
Thanks for letting me know about Sodor. When I worked on RTSZ steam locomotives were regular visitors to Waterloo with the "Cathedral Express" so the third rail shouldn't be an issue. Under the wires at one point they were banned but these restrictions were lifted sometime ago - what the limitations are on running I do know but other forum members I'm sure will.
Cheers
Charley
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uuu
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Post by uuu on Dec 21, 2014 21:22:12 GMT
The tunnel in Ryde runs below sea level. I think the track bed has been raised to alleviate flooding, and this reduces the loading gauge, so the old tube stock is OK, but not standard height stock. I'm not sure why you'd want to dig it back out again. Nor why you'd want to de-electrify a line.
Wilf
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Post by marshall5 on Dec 22, 2014 2:11:21 GMT
Charley, I agree. I don't think there is any technical reason why you couldn't run steam over the third rail, after all they've recently been doing it over LT tracks for Underground 150 as well as on Network Rail as you say. When B.R. allowed steam back on the mainline in the 70's it was, for some years, banned from the third rail - not for any technical reason but they were afraid that enthusiasts and other trespassers would get electrocuted. I can see Wilf's point but other lines have been de-electrified before - usually when the electrical equipment was worn out and traffic didn't justify the expenditure on replacing it e.g. Lancaster to Heysham. Ray.
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Post by steamingmess on Dec 31, 2014 18:32:57 GMT
Evening all.
As one or two of you know, i am an apprentice on the isle of wight steam railway. The prospect of running to ryde esplanade i very much doubt will happen although would be very nice. our main target would be to get to ryde st johns. the main problem of running to ryde esplanade is the tunnel into ryde. when steam was replaced by electric, the tunnel floor was raised to assist in stopping flooding (although it still floods to this day) and we would have to remove the tunnel floor again to get the steamers through.
Dan
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 20:34:42 GMT
Hello Dan------------ is that Ex-Army Diesel shunter still there ??
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Post by AndrewP on Dec 31, 2014 21:20:21 GMT
Sodor - just down t'road from me Andy
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Post by steamingmess on Jan 1, 2015 1:04:38 GMT
hi 4930hagley. yes the ex-army diesel is still there and used regularly for shunting. Dan
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Post by charley on Jan 1, 2015 11:15:21 GMT
So are they removing the third rail and reverting to diesel? I take it the diesel stock will have to be cut down rather than the tunnel dug out?
Out of interest the third rail system is controlled from a mainland electrical control room via radio link. I was told an anecdote that when a US carrier used to anchor in the Solent the link could be lost. An old Southern tale no doubt.
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jma1009
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Post by jma1009 on Jan 1, 2015 12:06:41 GMT
as ray has pointed out there is a detailed discussion of this topic on the nat pres forum www.national-preservation.com/threads/steaming-back-into-ryde.402392/ to which we have both contributed. gary walker of the IOWSR C&W dept has stated quite clearly on numerous occasions that the Ryde Esplanade tunnel is cleared for 150 units. personally i have my doubts whether this is true for the reasons outlined by dan above. the surviving Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin line has considerable and unique problems. cheers, julian |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2015 21:35:12 GMT
Quote}---- "Out of interest the third rail system is controlled from a mainland electrical control room via radio link. I was told an anecdote that when a US carrier used to anchor in the Solent the link could be lost. An old Southern tale no doubt."................ More like a flight of fancy ??
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Post by uuu on Jan 8, 2015 17:31:07 GMT
Line closed today - flooded.
Wilf
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2015 17:40:19 GMT
To what sort of depth is this flooding ??.....Could a Diesel/Mechanical loco get through safely where Electric transmission and Steam might be compromised by the presence of water ??
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Post by uuu on Jan 8, 2015 19:47:16 GMT
Not sure. This was a year ago:  And this was 2010:  Wilf |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2015 23:20:57 GMT
Glug !!
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Post by uuu on Jan 9, 2015 7:56:47 GMT
Reported as running again this morning.
Wilf
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Post by uuu on Jan 9, 2015 9:02:51 GMT
There's a letter from the commercial manager of the steam railway, in the Isle of Wight County Press today, which explains the position. The recent news stories have just re-stated a desire by the steam railway to extend to Ryde, but this is not a new initiative. Nothing has changed from 2009. And the proposal did not necessarily involve going through the tunnel.
In that year, the electic railway had set out plans to simplify their signalling system and track layout, removing quite a lot of the double track and going to single line. The would have allowed the steam railway to take over part of the redundant line, and run alongside the electric into Ryde St.Johns station. There would be no shared track.
It was an attractive proposal to the steam railway, because the current arrangement runs from Havenstreet (or Haven Street if you prefer) to Smallbrook Junction. There's car parking and tourist facilities at the Havenstreet end, but no electricity, no car or pedestrian access at Smallbrook (just the interchange with the electric railway). Exending to Ryde would give car parking, proper facilities etc.
Wilf
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