If that’s how you want to describe it then we should have used more “sledgehammers” in the past instead of pussyfooting around with cheaper, less efficient options. You can’t have a fit for purpose, cost-effective railway on the cheap.
You know the answer to this. It’s been said often enough in this thread. The problem is that you won’t accept it.;)
I personally don’t know if the country really needs 200mph railways. However, what I do know is that the present routes are becoming more and more congested and new lines will have to be built. Doesn’t it therefore make sense to build these new lines for high speed running using the cleanest and most cost effective traction?
We are back to efficiency again. Even assuming that the bio-fuel could be ethically produced it still has to be carried round and burned in an inefficient internal combustion engine. It might appear to be a cheaper option but once again it’s only a stop gap solution. I shouldn’t think that we would ever be able to produce enough bio-fuel to supply the railways and even if we could it would be much better burnt in power stations to produce electricity. We have to get away from this dependency on oil.

Can I just ask one question? When was the last time anybody saw a modern DIESEL locomotive? From what I remember the last time I looked at one it was a diesel electric loco. So why not cut the middle man out ie get rid of the engine and pick the power source direct from the OLE surely it is more efficent and cost effective.
John

Don't forget the diesel-hydraulic locos John:)

Not forgot the good old hydraulics ST,in fact I shall go and reminisce about Westerns, Hymeks etc while I await the start of the thread Are wood burning steam locos the way forward?;)

Ah hold on.
Reading a bit further I find I am wrong.
What was I drinking last night.
Anyway we have gone a litle bit off topic.
Does anyone think that deisel hydraulics have a working furture?
I beleive that their lives were cut short.
Oh and sorry for disrupting the peace.

Swisstrains,
The fact Is I cannot remember steam in its heyday as I was not born yet.
I feel that you are lucky along with may others.
I don't think you relise just how lucky you are.
I am a philosopher and an architect by trade.
I do wish that I could work on the trains.
I am a bit wierd as I do not have much contact with others though so I am not very good at socialising.
Because of this, If I upset anyone please tell be I am being a philistine, as
I do not intend to offend.

And the very successful modern MaK/Vossloh/Siemens Diesel-Hydraulic locos still being built in Germany and used in many European countries.
Attachment 846Attachment 847

They have a "purposeful" look about them !

Like the chimney.:D