[PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain

[TEP]

 Fred, Not quite that simple. The dual-mode streetcars that operate on DB
tracks require a higher buffing strength than streetcars on city trackage.
The railways themselves have lower buffing requirements than in North
America. I'm not sure but think the French follow this. Time separation is
still required, just that they work in multiple minutes rather than the
night/day over here--requiring all equipment to be fitted with cab
signallingand automatic stops--with a few exceptions worked on exclusive
possession.
This may change. DB has been going downhill lately with reduced equipment
availability and reliability--just like their automobiles. The results are
worse punctuality. The Berlin S-bahn has still not recovered from two years
of utter fiasco with services reduced to one-third at some times--due mainly
to deferred maintenance--all related to moving the railway into profit
pending stock market listing--sounds slightly familiar.

As to the Brits, they are in dire economic straights and are cutting many
grants and lottery funding. Which will be the next preserved railway to go
bankrupt? They have far more than can be supported by the usual parsimonious
railfans. At least tram preservation has been concentrated on Crich.

From: Fred Schneider <fwschneider at comcast.net>[1] Yes, Dwight, but not the
buff strength issues. Isn't it amazing that in Germany, they can run freight
trains and 180 mph passenger trains on the same tracks with urban streetcars
because they put their emphasis on making sure things don't come together. 
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Tom Parkinson Tom Parkinson 2 64 2007-04-17T20:06:00Z 2007-04-17T20:06:00Z 1
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