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[email protected] · May 30th 14, 10:52 PM posted to uk.transport.london

In article
,
(Recliner) wrote:

wrote:
In article
,
(Recliner) wrote:

wrote:
On Thu, 29 May 2014 20:06:14 +0100
Steve Fitzgerald ] wrote:
In message ,
d writes
On a similar note - how far down the piccadilly line towards
heathrow can surface stock venture?

Hounslow Central; assuming S stock has now been cleared past
Northfields.

How would they clear it - is it all done in a computer sim or would
they actually drag a train down there at night to see if it bumped
the scenery?

Not sure, but I notice there's an article in the latest Rail magazine
about S stock venturing to Northfields, Ealing Broadway, etc. As these
are all places where older surface stock went, I assume they have a
pretty good idea that S stock will fit, and drive the first train
slowly. If in doubt, I suppose they could use a gauging test vehicle
first, with polystyrene cladding.

One reason cited for going to Northfields was to be be reassured what
would happen if a future District line train was accidentally sent that
way (ditto to North Ealing, etc, as mistakes do happen at that
junction, and that branch of the Picc is sometimes used for SSL stock
transfers). These were, of course, originally District line branches
anyway, and engineered for surface stock.

Good points. Don't forget the brake testing stretch between
Northfields and Acton Town as well.

Yes, but I don't think that was mentioned in the article. I wonder if it's
still needed for "packaged" trains like the S stock, as opposed to
previous LU-designed and modified stock? All S stock trains are tested
before delivery at Old Dalby, and I don't suppose LU will change the brake
specs of in-service trains without reference to Bombardier.

I can't imagine that things won't change over the next 40 years however.

--
Colin Rosenstiel