Double-Decker Trains

[patlucas]

So the end result was that they didn't do anything and ended-up with a bigger problem to solve now!!!

[swisstrains]

Originally Posted by patlucas

So the end result was that they didn't do anything and ended-up with a bigger problem to solve now!!!

Correct.........and typical of the British attitude towards public transport
John.

[John H-T]

The main problems are the restrictions imposed by the British loading gauge. It was the passengers who didn't like them because they felt claustraphobic inside them.

The Italian trains for example feel airy and spacious because they are so much bigger.

[patlucas]

So why was the British loading gauge so small? It is bigger everywhere else in Europe so double-decker trains do not have to be so cramped. In France, they also feel airy and spacious.

Can anybody confirm my impression that the catenary is lower in the UK than in the rest or Europe? If this is the case then we can say goodbye to double-decker trains. I can't see the British goverment putting-up the money for this kind of upgrade. If this is to happen then the passenger will have to foot the bill and that wouldn't be popular at all because fares are much to high anyway.

[Shed Cat]

Originally Posted by patlucas

So the end result was that they didn't do anything and ended-up with a bigger problem to solve now!!!

No, they went back to "Plan A" and spent billions on extending platforms and signalling etc. You can still see this on many Southern platforms where the last 30m are precast concrete stuck on the end.

To be fair, I think a lot of the infrastructure needed upgrading anyway, but think of the equivalent project today if they decided to make 14-coach trains as the new standard to relieve overcrowding.

One thing they didnt think of in the 1950's was today's alternative solution to overcrowding. i.e. Cut services, shorten trains, and put the fare prices up.

[John H-T]

We are paying the price for inventing trains in the first place. Much of the present infrastructure was laid out in the 1840-50's!

Countries that followed learn't from our mistakes!

Catenary is lower because the loading gauge is smaller.

The original West Coast Elecifiction was lowered to save the cost of rebuilding all the bridges and enlarging tunnels, which is why many steam engines ended up with yellow stripes on their cab sides.

The bigger engines running on the main line now eg the Duchess have been lowered to work under the wires.

If you compare the width and depth of our canals compared with those on the continent you will find the same thing for the same reason, which is why there is much more commercial traffic on canals on the continent.

We can be very proud of giving the world railways. The downside is our very restricted loading gauge.

[patlucas]

Indeed, the UK did give railways to the world but, unlike the rest of the world, it has not been upgrading them to keep up with demand. So now the railways in the UK are bursting at the seams and it is becoming more and more dificult to find a solutions that will not bring about major disruption.

[patlucas]

Hi

In the Metro recently, I read that double-decker trains are back on the agenda. Any comments?

Regards

Patrick

[swisstrains]

I haven't heard about that, Patrick.
I hope someone can give us more details.
John.

[patlucas]

The BBC website article is here for you all to have a look at.