I thought that Brunel's broad gauge also allowed more headroom...
How much extra height is needed for the wires over the standard loading gauge?
Peter - they are having to demolish and replace or raise the deck of more than 100 bridges at huge expense. Most of these it is not necessary - if out in open countryside we will not be stopping trains underneath so a gap in the contact wire could be an alternative (as long as a technical issue with pantograph contact could be sorted) but it's public money so no ones really bothered.
Graham -yep I'll certainly miss the 2250hp at full chat. Might have to tape the sound and play back during each transit !
Cheers
