On Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:13:18 +0100, Bruce
wrote:

On Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:20:45 +0100, Neil Williams
wrote:

On Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:49:33 +0100, Charles Ellson
wrote:
The wrong type of water ?



A rise in the water table caused by the decline of heavy industry on
Merseyside combined with wear caused by the 50x bogies on the steeply
curved track, for which they are not well designed.


It was mainly due to the closure of Walker's brewery, which used to
draw water from a 2' 6" diameter well that was located very close to
the running tunnel. It burst into the tunnel during construction and
flooded the workings, delaying the contract by many months.

Other businesses drew water from the ground but Walker's was by far
the largest user.


There is also the problem that the groundwater is becoming saline.

That was the wrong sort of water that I had in mind. AFAIR it does not
take a lot of salt to greatly increase any corrosive reactions
involving water.


The water has its advantages, though - it causes a natural cooling
effect, making the stations beautifully cool in summer, unlike on
London Underground.


They would not be so cool if the service was as frequent, or the
trains as long as on most Underground lines.