From: Gordon@leaf.net.nz

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360816651/lower-north-island-get-brand-new-fleet-electric-trains

This raised a flag or two.

Points

1) Is the track still going to be limited by the standard of the track?
2) Many railway engines are diesel electric, so I guess we are are just "replacing" the disel enging with a battery.
3) Have they considered the case of fire breaking out with a full train
load of passangers, and say in a tunnel?
4) Good to see that this might keep some EVs off the road and thus helping
to reduce the load on the raods
5) Will the main stream media give us updates?
6) How many tonnes do the batteries weigh and will the grid stand up to the charging of the said batteries?

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From: YourName@YourISP.com

On 2025-09-08 05:02:43 +0000, Gordon said:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360816651/lower-north-island-get-brand-new-fleet-electric-trains

This raised a flag or two.

Points

1) Is the track still going to be limited by the standard of the track?
2) Many railway engines are diesel electric, so I guess we are are just "replacing" the disel enging with a battery.
3) Have they considered the case of fire breaking out with a full train
load of passangers, and say in a tunnel?
4) Good to see that this might keep some EVs off the road and thus helping
to reduce the load on the raods
5) Will the main stream media give us updates?

Apart from some freight, NZ's "train system" is a pathetic joke barely
used. They shouldn't be bothering to throw more money after bad into
the pit. Bad enough they have already wasted many millions wasted on
Auckland's pointless toy underground system that will also never live
up to the over-hyping.

6) How many tonnes do the batteries weigh and will the grid stand up to the charging of the said batteries?

Ah, one of the many stupidities of changing everything to be electric.
The power comanies can't keep up with demand now, let alone when
everyone is forced into electric transport and the ever-growing number
of electric gimmicky gadgets. :-\

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From: nogood@dontbother.invalid

On 8 Sep 2025 05:02:43 GMT, Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360816651/lower-north-island-get-brand-new-fleet-electric-trains

This raised a flag or two.

Points

1) Is the track still going to be limited by the standard of the track?

Yes. There is only one track per direction.

2) Many railway engines are diesel electric, so I guess we are are just >"replacing" the disel enging with a battery.

Most likely.

3) Have they considered the case of fire breaking out with a full train
load of passangers, and say in a tunnel?

Yes - tunnels are designed with escape routes for passengers for use
with any breakdown. Tunnel design started with coal-fired steam
engines and the risk of battery fire is less.

4) Good to see that this might keep some EVs off the road and thus helping
to reduce the load on the raods

The load imposed on a road by an EV is insignificant. Roads are
supposedly built to allow 60-tonne loads split over multiple axles.

5) Will the main stream media give us updates?
6) How many tonnes do the batteries weigh and will the grid stand up to the >charging of the said batteries?

Interesting point, but diesel-powered generators are not
featherweights so it is to be hoped that the batteries and new
electric engines weigh less that the old diesel-electric engines they
replace.


--
Crash McBash

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From: nobody@nowhere.invalid

On 8/09/25 18:29, Your Name wrote:

On 2025-09-08 05:02:43 +0000, Gordon said:

Points

THIS..............

NZ Rail is incompetent. They don't supervise their contractors.
See;

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/516667/kiwirail-to-begin-work-to-resolve-issues-on-wairarapa-line

1) Is the track still going to be limited by the standard of the track?

2) Many railway engines are diesel electric, so I guess we are are just
"replacing" the disel enging with a battery.
3) Have they considered the case of fire breaking out with a full train
load of passangers, and say in a tunnel?
4) Good to see that this might keep some EVs off the road and thus
helping
to reduce the load on the raods
5) Will the main stream media give us updates?

--- SoupGate-Linux v1.05
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- FidoNet<>Usenet Gateway -:--- (3:633/10)