Tom Anderson wrote:
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008, Mr Thant wrote:

On 21 Apr, 12:43, "J. Chisholm" wrote:

I thought the intention was to 'extend' Hex to Staines, to enable
interchange with Reading/Windsor lines. You can only do that if you
25kv that short bit.

No, they're also investigating adding shoes to the HEx trains.

From the consultation brochu
"Three options for making the change from OHLE to third rail
electrification are currently being considered:
1) change over as close to the tunnel entrance as possible, while
trains are moving. It is possible that in this option the overhead
lines may not need to extend onto the SSSI at Staines Moor
2) change over from OHLE to third rail electrification at the new
Staines High Street station, while trains are stationary
3) run OHLE all the way to the existing Staines station. This option
would allow Heathrow Express services, which currently use OHLE, to
operate to the existing Staines station and is favoured by BAA for
that reason

While *not* allowing any through trains from beyond Staines until
someone got hold of some dual-voltage stock!


Not a problem as such- despite the '450' numbering, the SWT Desiros are just
as 'dual voltage' as any other modern EMU - it has been argued in the past
that they should really be 350s, following the convention adopted for the
Electrostars, which are all 37x whether or not the AC is actually fitted...

Paul S