Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 10h

First full day of the @PWInstitution electrification challenge - a great cross-industry, hands-on event that helps people in rail understand electrification. @25kv.bsky.social up front in the classroom.

1 4

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 1d

Switzerland today for Swindon tomorrow - gearing up for the PWIs electrification challenge kicking off tomorrow.

1 3

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 3d

Article on fine below. Also appreciate the new trains make this type of incident impossible and GW were stuck at the time with legacy trains - just that plastering loads of warning stickers did not reduce any risk www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

GWR fined £1m over train passenger's death in Bath

Bethan Roper was killed in 2018 when she leaned out of a droplight window on a moving train.

www.bbc.co.uk

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 3d

Great Western was fined this week over Bethan Roper's death. The RIAB report was in 2019, link below. This image always stuck in my mind. Warnings either need to be simple or you need to prevent the risk. 6 sets of instructions, doesn't make it clear assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5da5d8...

1 1 5

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

Absolutely

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

A lovely moody image: londonist.com/london/trans...

2 11

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

Just slightly different designs. A photo of a GW pair and a photo of a typical UK one. The GW ones were designed for install in short possessions and don't have a knee brace to save time, but need to be stiffer to compensate.

1

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

I think GCRE's announcement of power and data can only be a good thing - hopefully gets them one step further to being built. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

Rail centre looking to attract multi-billion-pound investment

A competition has been launched to find an energy and data centre partner at what would be the world's first integrated train and rail infrastructure testing facility in one of the most deprived parts...

www.walesonline.co.uk

1 1 1

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

It was stuff like this that allowed parts of HS2 to be cancelled with only a whimper. Moving people around in the most efficient way, with the lowest emissions - is overwhelmingly good for the environment - but also boosts UK productivty

2 2 18

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

For some perspective, 1,680 football pitches is 0.018% of UK protected land. To say that temporary HS2 construction sites are visible from space is desecration is insane. On google maps a dinner plate on a table in my back garden is visible from space.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

3 9 35

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 6d

OK - I have a niche hobby: electrification structure spotting. But still feels odd to see Great Western two track cantilever structures outside York.

1 12

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 7d

One of many reasons I avoid Cross-country. Another is the service never going back to pre-covid frequency from Reading.

2

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 7d

Can't beat a lovely stock take - to wake you up after lunch.

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 7d

Last night's book launch for Lines of Power. Another use of my German v Uk graph. Flicking through this morning am drawn to the conclusion - a fervent hope is that the opportunity for a rolling programme of electrification does not slip from view once again.

2 7

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 8d

Given up for life with wifi or 5/4g reception on EMR's Meridian fleet. Now, I just need to remember to print all my work beforehand, like the 1990s.

1 2

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 8d

Been sick for two weeks, but finally headed out to a Rail Industry Association catch-up with a presentation from @crisortunity.bsky.social from @ridingsunbeams.bsky.social - some great facts from India and as always some enthusiasm from Leo.

2

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 20d

Well that was deeply unpleasant

2

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 21d

If we really try to resolve some of the issues with the UK rail network - nationalisation alone can't solve them..... but pleased Crosscountry is on the bottom of the list.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/brita...

3 11

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 21d

With creaking UK infrastructure, £3.2bn underspend on UK infrastructure in 2024/25 - seems surprising. Next time my train is delayed - will rest assured that the fix was on a spreadsheet but never implemeneted.
railuk.com/rail-news/cl...

Clarity needed on rail improvements says RIA - Rail UK

Clarity needed on rail improvements says RIA - Rail News

railuk.com

1 4

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 22d

Last week's @railforum_uk Major Project event, @NISTAgov (part of Treasury & Cabinet Office) presented UK infrastructure costs. Generally, UK rail is OK. Except where there is no rolling programme - says the people from the Treasury... if only we knew whose decision that was🤔

1 3

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 26d

Instead of cleaning my desk... I'm producing idealised versions of a clean desk in AI. It saves disturbing a whole lot of real dust.

1

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28d

Top tip of the day - read the warnings on the ticket machine... and don't blindly put your card in, if distracted on the phone. 🤦‍♂️

1 1 8

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28d

Reading the steelwork spec for the electrification of High Speed California... wondering if masts/poles are so tall to allow for double-stacked freight for a lot of it (train to Derby - perfect time to read long steelwork specs).
caleprocure.ca.gov/psc/psfpd1/v...

1 2 2

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29d

I think this is how we publicise infrastructure improvements: more trains, increased capacity, and better reliability. I score this 7/10 press-release (compares to about 2/10 for recent Midland Mainline releases).
www.thenational.scot/news/2544448...

£350m windfall for Scotland's rail network will 'boost capacity and reliability'

Scottish Government funding of almost £350 million will help electrify more parts of Scotland’s railway network – with Transport Secretary…

www.thenational.scot

1 1 5

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · Sep 8

Absolutely

3