@25kV

#JustStringWires

I mean, it's really that simple.

In N America we need to figure out a tax thing so that power utilities are encouraged to build & own the distribution system all the way to the contact wire so that they can bill the RR for the MWh used *at the pantograph*. The the RR will be spared having to maintain all the physical plant & carry it all on their books.

@mattblaze

I think you've posted this before. Coal plant, so sub-optimal for continued human existence, but I also note that despite the PRR having gone to a LOT of trouble to electrify all their lines east in the first half of the 20thC, they've been dewired since ConRail (or PC) days. Catenary supports here as well as transmission lines, but no actual contact wire.

#JustStringWires

@JenLucPiquant

Like running locomotives on CNG/LNG instead of Diesel, it's a dumb idea.

#JustStringWires

@AGTMADCAT @Hypx @michaelgemar @straphanger

My preferred hashtag: #JustStringWires

In the USA, there should be USDOT focus on 1) coming up w/a catenary structure that alleviates landlord RRs fears about AAR Plate F loads & 2) coming up w/a commercial methodology that allows RRs to buy power "at the pantograph" so that they don't have to be bothered w/maintaining distribution & delivery systems - just raise the pan and go. They don't want those costs on their books.

@ukrailways I love that they realized that battery electric was dumb 150 years ago. Yes, I do see that the UK, like the US, has dewired lines.

#JustStringWires

@evannakita @Alon Should all be electric. #JustStringWires north of Groton & run Diesel shuttles to the NEC in the mean time. Diesels under wire, which both #MNR & #MBTA *love* should be a crime against nature. Remember, too, branching is limited by main-stem cap'y.

@oclsc As you know, I follow the BYD "e-Bus" debacle via Cap'n SwanBoat ... No sense carrying around fuel like an ICE bus - that just increases the tare & way increases complexity. You go from poles, speed controller, motor (probably dynamic brakes, too - ~100 year old tech) to having that PLUS several 1000 kg of batteries (that need a sophisticated BMS to keep get good life out of them) and every few years, you have to swap them out! All in extremely harsh service.

#JustStringWires

@bhtooefr #JustStringWires - we've been making trolleybus wire pairs cross for ~100 years. Can the poles dewire, yes. Does that mean we need to haul batteries around on every bus because *sometimes* the pole(s) come(s) off? Hardly. It's the carcinogenic particulates/ GHGs that are the problem, not perceived issues w/overhead wire.

Meanwhile, the #MBTA plans to dewire their remaining trolleybus lines because something-something-maybe-hydrogen.