Metal theft

D'Peoples Voice

MarkoP11 wrote: »

Electrification is a long term goal, all the engineering is facilitating it by improving the vertical clearances now during routine replacement saving disruption and cost later.

I hope not.....there are some shortcomings with electrification.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/britain-a-nation-stolen-for-scrap-6256936.html
Phone networks, electricity pylons, train power lines, gas pipes, bus shelters and even manhole covers plundered on a daily basis – the theft of copper and other metals for scrap from around the country has become so endemic that it now represents "a significant threat to UK national infrastructure", senior police officers will warn Parliament next week.

The Association of Chief Police Officers will tell MPs on Tuesday that forces have become unable to reduce the crimewave because of spiralling global metal prices and inadequate legislation.
In terms of disruption, it is the theft of cabling from railways and telecommunications firms that is most widely felt. In 2006, 622 incidents of metal theft were reported on the railways. By last year, that had risen to 2,765, causing over 15,000 hours of delays to train travellers over two years.

Network Rail recently started employing former Gurkha soldiers to guard vulnerable signalling infrastructure. G4S Gurkha Services, which employs more than 600 former servicemen, offers what it describes as "an enhanced strategic military solution".

A Dub in Glasgo

D'Peoples Voice wrote: »

I hope not.....there are some shortcomings with electrification.....

It is very rarely the OHL cable that gets stolen, it is usually the copper signalling & telecoms cable.

It more identifies the shortcomings of the regulation of the scrap dealers. If the government crack down on that, they massively reduce the problem.

Losty Dublin

D'Peoples Voice wrote: »

I hope not.....there are some shortcomings with electrification.....

The disadvantages of electric lines include...

Up front costs for infrastructure for power line are enormous.
Bridges, tunnels etc will invariably need some amount of reconstruction en route.
New rolling/motive stock is required; it's use is limited to any other suitable electric lines.
Large scale adaption of track circuit based signaling/train protection systems.
Line closure times to facilitate fitting of same are long term, even with maximum manpower at the ready. DART took 5 years from construction to opening, even then there was still a lot of snagging after official opening.
Some visual intrusion of scenic areas.
Lines need to eliminate accommodation crossings around agricultural lands for safety reasons; high loads on tractors etc.


The benefits include....

Cheaper and cleaner fuel/bills; less pollution costs.
Lighter running loads of trains leads to less track wear and tear.
Easier servicing of EMU's leads to more intensive use of running sets.

corktina

zombie thread

Victor

corktina wrote: »

zombie thread

Thread split.

dvcireland

Rail cable theft: Up to eight cases a day, MPs are told
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15634949

There were now between six and eight attempted thefts a day, she said, which had cost Network Rail £43m over the past two years in terms of compensation paid to train firms and repair costs.

schemingbohemia

Victor wrote: »

Thread split.

Any chance of a bit of context cause this thread makes no sense to me at all?

A Dub in Glasgo

A thread from 5 years ago about the possibility of electrifying the Dublin to Cork route. D'Peoples Voice decided now would be a good time to contribute to the thread and states the post above.