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340 comments on Multiple Birds – One Silver BB: A synergistic set of solutions to multiple issues focused on Electrified Railroads

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mcgowanmc on July 14, 2008 - 6:46pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Vicksburg bridge must be electrified.

KCS Meridian Speedway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SPlbDzLXIY&feature=related

To take pressure off Memphis, if nothing else.

And/or electric must be able to switch to diesel.

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AlanfromBigEasy on July 14, 2008 - 7:02pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

The most likely solution when overhead wire just will not fit (New Orleans Huey Long double track bridge will be tight at spots) is to fit a 3rd rail. Eurostar trains can switch from 25 kV AC to 1.5 kV DC third rail when they get close to London (no longer needed as of a year ago).

The beauty of rail is that innumerable issues have already been resolved somewhere in the world in the last century.

Best Hopes,
'
Alan

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mcgowanmc on July 14, 2008 - 9:14pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

go for it, and good luck.

Trains are the future.

James

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BobE on July 15, 2008 - 3:37am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Alan,
With a certain amount of digging, you can lower the track within the tunnel to get the overhead wire to fit. This has been done in North London to get Eurostar trains from the Acton depot to St Pancras through the Hampstead tunnel (built in the late 1850s).
BobE

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AlanfromBigEasy on July 15, 2008 - 5:14am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

This is common approach, just lower the floor of the tunnel. Norfolk Southern is doing this to a East-West line to allow double stack containers.

Bridges can be more complex.

Best Hopes for solutions,

Alan

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SontagC on July 15, 2008 - 4:19pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Or put in a third rail. A large Steel rail is much cheaper than a copper wire and can carry more electricity. And you don't have as many height clearance problems.

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