4 ms·
In Scotland the electrification of part of the (200 year old) network involved rebuilding every car and foot bridge and tunnel along the route to add enough spa
by ssl232 4y ago
In Scotland the electrification of part of the (200 year old) network involved rebuilding every car and foot bridge and tunnel along the route to add enough spare height for the overhead wires. It's one downside to being "first" to build widespread railways - with the initial huge investment made in Victorian era when trains were single decked and run on coal, the room for expansion was limited. The good fortune Britain has had in avoiding real destruction of infrastructure in war has also meant there hasn't been much opportunity to rebuild having learned lessons since the Victorian era (separate cycle lanes? Hah). Meanwhile, in Hannover for instance, U-Bahn stations were built in the bomb craters in the city center - making use of the "free" excavation.
Obviously not saying war or coming later to the party are good things, but it's one of those ironies of humanity.
- CalRobert 4y agoFunny you should mention cycle lanes - in the 1930's Britain had a fantastic network of cycle highways, which they let fall in to disrepair https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/britain-forgotten-1930s-bike-network https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/britain-forgotten-1930...
- steve_gh 4y agoThere is an interesting development going on to electrify some of the UK rail lines - an OverHead Line (OHL) - battery hybrid system. The idea is that you have a standard electrified OHL system where it is easy and cheap (!!!) to install. Places whee you can't put it easily, such as under bridges, through tunnels etc, you don't. You have some (small-ish) battery capability in the train which recharges from the OHL system, and use that in the areas where the OHL hasn't been installed.