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#1
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It seems to me that there is a great need for means to link
the dozens of pairs of stations in London and elsewhere where the two stations are just too far apart to be considered "the same place", and too far apart to walk conveniently between. The legacy of the railway politics of the 19th century! What means of transport could link such pairs? It would be nice to have a standard thing which could be widely used. There may be other ways of doing it, but I want to explore the possibilities of bi-cable gondelbahnen/cableways (Sorry, I am not sure of the English word) as used, for example, in ski-resorts. "Bi-cable" means that the weight is carried by wheels running on a fixed cable, and the cars are pulled along by a moving cable. Cableways certainly have very low visual impact, just two wires, high up, and the masts necessary to support them. That can't be very expensive. Certainly not as expensive as the Birmingham airport shuttle at £10M for 1Km of double route, when the track bed already existed. Cableways can go up and down steep gradients, that's their function in ski resorts. Pairs of stations often have a large height difference between them. Speed is adequate for such short distances. I have always been struck by the fact that cable cars are always hung well below the level of the cable. Why is that? Is it to ensure that like pendulums, they swing slowly and don't make the passengers sick? That will be a problem in cases where the route has to go underground because the tunnel has to be so much bigger. But could the difficulty be overcome? The car is fitted with rail wheels set into the corners (ie, not increasing its total height), where the route is of reduced height, the car is guided onto rails which carry its weight, the hanger at the top folds down, and the moving cable continues to pull it along. Cable cars can be run automatically, and the number of cars can be varied to match the level of traffic. No doubt a lorry could be fitted inside with rails and overhead cable so that the cars could be run into it over a special route and taken away to be maintained at a central depot. Is this workable? -- Michael Bell |
#2
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On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 11:10:37 +0100, Michael Bell
wrote: It seems to me that there is a great need for means to link the dozens of pairs of stations in London and elsewhere where the two stations are just too far apart to be considered "the same place", and too far apart to walk conveniently between. The legacy of the railway politics of the 19th century! [snip] Cableways certainly have very low visual impact, just two wires, high up, and the masts necessary to support them. That can't be very expensive. Certainly not as expensive as the Birmingham airport shuttle at £10M for 1Km of double route, when the track bed already existed. So when I'm loaded up with luggage or shopping I'm supposed to hang from a thread in order to move between two stations? Oh and if you are scared of heights? What if it is windy or wet or snowing? You too can get frozen to the core, blown to the ground or soaked to the skin courtesy of a new form of air travel. Cableways can go up and down steep gradients, that's their function in ski resorts. Pairs of stations often have a large height difference between them. Speed is adequate for such short distances. Do they? I don't recall there being a mountain range e.g. between Shepherds Bush H&C and Shepherds Bush Central Line. I'll tell you what - there are these fantastic inventions called footpaths which allow people to walk along the ground on solid material. If they are well maintained they are a pretty good and practical alternative to dangling in the air. I have always been struck by the fact that cable cars are always hung well below the level of the cable. Why is that? Is it to ensure that like pendulums, they swing slowly and don't make the passengers sick? That will be a problem in cases where the route has to go underground because the tunnel has to be so much bigger. But could the difficulty be overcome? Install a moving walkway. Is this workable? Not in the slightest. ding next stupid idea please. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
#3
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"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
... On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 11:10:37 +0100, Michael Bell wrote: Pairs of stations often have a large height difference between them. Do they? I don't recall there being a mountain range e.g. between Shepherds Bush H&C and Shepherds Bush Central Line. Whyteleafe to Upper Warlingham is a bit of a climb. A cable car there would be quite fun, actually... But in general, cable cars (like paternosters) are suitable for a continuous dribble of traffic, not for the intermittent crowds that leave stations. -- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes |
#4
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Michael Bell wrote:
It seems to me that there is a great need for means to link the dozens of pairs of stations in London and elsewhere where the two stations are just too far apart to be considered "the same place", and too far apart to walk conveniently between. The legacy of the railway politics of the 19th century! Is it just me who saw the thread title and thought "well, they have them in San Francisco..."? :-) -- James Farrar | London, SE13 | |
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