Useful

**Mr_Deputy** · 16-12-2009, 17:09

Well I'm having a ruby with the (probably) soon to be in-laws so can't complain. as long as i can drive home that is.

**abeaumont** · 16-12-2009, 17:31

It's reached as far east as Canterbury. Started half an hour ago, hardly anything so far. Sorry for all you people who have to struggle home this evening, and then struggle back to work tomorrow. I knew there had to be a good side to retiring.

**Queensman** · 16-12-2009, 18:05

PANIC!!!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8416010.stm

**Recce19** · 16-12-2009, 18:32

Originally Posted by ABrighter2006

Originally Posted by OldSnowy

Snowing in Whitehall. I fully expect SouthWest Trains to stop at any second. Winter always seems to catch people out - if only it happened at the same time each year.............

Ah, the legend which is SW Trains. Coupled with the leaves, about as reliable as a British Airways shorthaul over the Christmas period. Good luck on the fun of Waterloo this evening OS. :D

Council Offices all over the country now going into "panic mode" -

"At what point do we deploy gritters, or should we keep them in and save the money (which we haven't got anyway)"

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

:D

No, I don't drive for SW!

**pongo6863** · 16-12-2009, 19:06

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

What a shame we don't still have steam or overhead pickups - or, and here's a novel idea, why not use a snowplough and spread sand on the track!

**Recce19** · 16-12-2009, 19:20

Originally Posted by pongo6863

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

What a shame we don't still have steam or overhead pickups - or, and here's a novel idea, why not use a snowplough and spread sand on the track!

The South has got 3rd Rail, purely because it's the cheapest of the two electrical systems. Trust me, as a driver it's just as annoying as for the punters!

**Legs** · 16-12-2009, 19:25

Originally Posted by Recce19

Originally Posted by ABrighter2006

Originally Posted by OldSnowy

Snowing in Whitehall. I fully expect SouthWest Trains to stop at any second. Winter always seems to catch people out - if only it happened at the same time each year.............

Ah, the legend which is SW Trains. Coupled with the leaves, about as reliable as a British Airways shorthaul over the Christmas period. Good luck on the fun of Waterloo this evening OS. :D

Council Offices all over the country now going into "panic mode" -

"At what point do we deploy gritters, or should we keep them in and save the money (which we haven't got anyway)"

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

:D

No, I don't drive for SW!

I'm going to get so much shit for this but....

Snow is water. Water conducts electrickery. Why does snow insulate the 3rd rail?

**Accidental_discharge** · 16-12-2009, 19:30

have 4 feet of it with drifts up to 6 foot high. Ho bloody Ho

**Recce19** · 16-12-2009, 19:31

Originally Posted by Legs

Originally Posted by Recce19

Originally Posted by ABrighter2006

Originally Posted by OldSnowy

Snowing in Whitehall. I fully expect SouthWest Trains to stop at any second. Winter always seems to catch people out - if only it happened at the same time each year.............

Ah, the legend which is SW Trains. Coupled with the leaves, about as reliable as a British Airways shorthaul over the Christmas period. Good luck on the fun of Waterloo this evening OS. :D

Council Offices all over the country now going into "panic mode" -

"At what point do we deploy gritters, or should we keep them in and save the money (which we haven't got anyway)"

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

:D

No, I don't drive for SW!

I'm going to get so much shit for this but....

Snow is water. Water conducts electrickery. Why does snow insulate the 3rd rail?

Off the top of my (empty of UK stuff) head, I think it's a combination of the change of the water molocules and the fact that 3rd Rails conduct DC as aposed to AC and at a lower voltage ie 750 verses 25Kv.

I'm sure smeone will be along to correct me, my heads overflowing with German rules and braking systems at the moment.

Edited 'cos I contradicted myself

**leveller** · 16-12-2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by Legs

Originally Posted by Recce19

Originally Posted by ABrighter2006

Originally Posted by OldSnowy

Snowing in Whitehall. I fully expect SouthWest Trains to stop at any second. Winter always seems to catch people out - if only it happened at the same time each year.............

Ah, the legend which is SW Trains. Coupled with the leaves, about as reliable as a British Airways shorthaul over the Christmas period. Good luck on the fun of Waterloo this evening OS. :D

Council Offices all over the country now going into "panic mode" -

"At what point do we deploy gritters, or should we keep them in and save the money (which we haven't got anyway)"

[Pedant]If you drove the fcuking things you'd understand. Snow is an insulator, it doesn't exactly 'stop' the train but stops the 'shoes' from being in contact with the 3rd Rail; hence no electricity transfer and as for leaves... They turn into a Teflon type coating on the Rail Heads and therefore no break force what-so-ever! It's the trains' version of aqua-planing

[/Pedant]

:D

No, I don't drive for SW!

I'm going to get so much shit for this but....

Snow is water. Water conducts electrickery. Why does snow insulate the 3rd rail?

Nobody told the Swiss about this pesky snow and train problem then?

Back on 'track' :D fook all here but rain in Gloucestershire.