Is deisel dying?
 

First electric trains are introduced.
Then deisel locomotive hauled trains are cut.
Then the great western main line anounces electrification.
Eco trains are starting service.
Is this the beginning of the end?

I doubt it somehow. Even after this next wave of electrification there'll be a lot of places left without it. So diesel will be with us for a good while yet I reckon.

Diesels are still the main motive power here, mainly because only part of the North Island main line is electrified.

We actually had electrification taken down in the South Island.

I don't think its the end, but it surely should be, dirty, smelly non-descript bohemoths ;)

I have an idea for a replacement, but I'll post it in another topic because it probably doesnt belong here

Of couse it wont be straight away but similar things were said about steam.

I think diesel powered trains will still be in regular use for a long time yet. The lines for which electrification was recently announced are all either main lines or alternatives to existing electrified lines.

And even after this there are still plenty of them to go, before anyone considers moving onto the branch lines, and they will all be done before anyone considers electrification of the remote, underused and underfunded corners of the network.

And then after that you've got all the goods-only lines, yards and sidings, which probably won't be done until Peak Oil is a thing of the far distant past - probably some time towards the end of the 22nd century I would guess - if they are ever done at all.

We still have coal and we certainly are not short of water.
This has all been seen before sadly.

Not too much water here in the Eastern Counties unless you include the North Sea. No coal and most of the Peat goes away in Peat Storms. So perhaps we should open a Human Powered Railway.
John (G)

Ah well there are plenty of coal mines around which were closed before time.

nooooooooooooooooo i hope diesel is not vanishing, we need SOME smelly trains!!!!!!!!!!!

Deep breaths............

Squeaky88