"Nigel Pendse" wrote in message ...
"Alex Terrell" wrote in message
om

Would a lower cost option be to use diesel electric trains. These
would use overhead electricity where available, but diesel generators
elsewhere. Hence, no pollution in tunnels, but no need for further
electrification.

Is this feasible?
Is it being considered?
If not, why not?

Would Britain's over-zealous safety culture allow diesel engines (even
when turned off) with full fuel tanks to be carried through long,
deep-bored single tunnel sections carrying passengers? After all, there
will surely be leaks of fuel oil that will accumulate in the tunnel
sections and would then become a fire/pollution threat. Also, how
reliably can train diesels be re-started after being powered down for an
hour or two?

Surely its no harder than restarting a truck engine thats been off for a
while?

B2003