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| Re: LIRR DE/DMS Some reasons why (578432) | |||
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Re: LIRR DE/DMS Some reasons why |
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Posted by Broadway Lion on Fri Feb 29 14:53:45 2008, in response to Re: LIRR DE/DMS Some reasons why, posted by trainsarefun on Fri Feb 29 11:14:37 2008. It's an analogy, but it's a bit strained, since LIRR's power demands for EMUs will be quite great in comparison, I think. Actually, LIRR may be able to make money by giving LIPA access to string up its own power lines too across LIRR ROW, since here where people aren't outnumbered by cows, people seem to mind power line easements. :)☺ It is an analogy, but think about the substations for a minute. First generating plants were built by the railroads in days when commercial powerplants were more scarce, and it made financial sense to self-generate and build their own infrastructures. They sort of keep that mentality, and railfans never forget: the railroad owned that sub station, so they have to own all substations. Not so any more. All railroads now by watts from the utility. Many still use their own existing transmission infrastructure. This is fine if the railroad already owns some sort of transmissions systems. But now look at places where the railroad wants to energize a different line... Well they have no power plant, distribution lines, or sub-stations. Now they are free to contract with the utility to provide watts. They are only buying the watts. The utility will build the infrastructure to bring those watts to them. Now suppose I am building say an ethanol plant. I need power. I contract with the utility. Well, the fact is maybe they will give me a better price if I buy power at 12,500 volts and buy my own transformers. Maybe it is the same for the railroad, maybe it is not. Maybe buying 750v DC at price x is better than buying 12,500 v AC at price y and a substation for z dollars. But the railroad doesn't have to buy transmission lines. If the place is well populated enough to need an electric train, the power is already in the neighborhood. In any event, you need to select what sort of electricity you want for the train, and build your cats or rails. Then you come to the utility, and tell them what you need: x kw of power. You look at the options, where you need substations. Maybe you install the subs, maybe the utility does. Depends upon what you wish to agree to. As far as BNSF, all they are using power for is their signals, but they do not allow utility poles on their property. Probably some issue about liability. They *do* lease ROW access to providers such as Sprint for optic fiber services, but that is buried and presents little liability. And the lease specifies that so much fiber capacity is dedicated to the railroad for their use. Signals, communications and etc. ROAR |
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