On Nov 4, 10:48*am, wrote:
On Wed, 3 Nov 2010 11:29:13 -0700 (PDT)

burkey wrote:
The report answers numerous questions posed by potential service users
and describes a clear time-line for the project, which will allow the
running of two trams at half-hourly intervals, instead the current one
every 45 minutes.

Heres an idea - why don't they just run trains at half hourly intervals and
same the millions on conversion and buying trams?

What I don't know is whether the consultants examined the option of
lightweight vehicles being able to complete the journey in 12 minutes,
through rapid acceleration, late braking, easing of PSRs at each end
and full automation of the level crossing at Watford North for
northbound services. *If* this were feasible [1], 3-min turnarounds
with short units on a self-contained service free of imported delays
shouldn't be impossible [2]. That would mean half-hourly services
could run, but without a loop.

However, it's clearly better to reinstate the loop to maximise
reliability, as well as building in an element of future-proofing e.g.
if new stations extend end to end journey times.

[1] A dusty bin with a good driver can do it in 15 mins southbound.
[2] The Stourbridge branch provides a real-life example.