The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 4 (July 1, 1936)
Suburban Electrification in Britain
Suburban Electrification in Britain.
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Extensions of the Southern electrification are now proceeding with the utmost speed. The whole scheme is estimated to cost nearly £3,000,000, and involves the electrification of nearly 95 route-miles, corresponding to about 242 single track-miles. It is planned to complete the extensions by July, 1937. The new works cover the conversion to electricity of the London-Portsmouth main-line and branches. When completed, the throughout run from the metropolis to Portsmouth will cover 74 route-miles, and will be one of the longest stretches of electrified track in the country. Some 100 miles of high tension cable is being laid down, with about 10 ½ miles of low tension cable. Over 139,000 insulators and 150,000 copper bonds will be required. Forty-eight new four-coach motor units, nineteen of which will be provided with a kitchen-car, are being constructed in the railway shops to operate the new services. The stopping services will be operated by specially constructed new stock, consisting of thirty-eight two-coach units with lavatory accommodation, eight two-coach motor units, six three-coach motor units, and five two-coach trailer units. The total seating capacity of the new stock will be 17,804.