by Trinnau
I agree that the numbers will be difficult to come by to directly compare the costs because there are so many variabilities. I want to emphasize that I said operate/maintain because there is more to it than just not having to replace wire or not having the wire available. For example:
Still, removal of a downed tree on the ROW is an example of another thing that costs more with electric vs diesel. You have to wait for the ET and then the wire has to be inspected and might have to be re-hung. No more train or train crew pushing the tree clear, or the nearby foreman with a chainsaw who can be there in 10 minutes. More staff for more time, and more delay to trains which means more overtime for train crews. Plus any replacement wire if needed.
Again, this is operate/maintain. I'm not talking about capital costs to install, or how it can drive capital costs up for other projects due to protection or changes that need to be made to the wire as well. I'll also freely admit, again, that operating/maintaining a diesel does indeed cost more than an electric. Just knowing everything else that goes into it, I find it hard that savings isn't washed out by cost increases elsewhere.
- A dedicated power dispatcher 24/7
- Ice cutting patrols in the winter to clear the wire of ice
- Regular testing/inspection as required
- Specialized (expensive) workforce to do the all this work
Still, removal of a downed tree on the ROW is an example of another thing that costs more with electric vs diesel. You have to wait for the ET and then the wire has to be inspected and might have to be re-hung. No more train or train crew pushing the tree clear, or the nearby foreman with a chainsaw who can be there in 10 minutes. More staff for more time, and more delay to trains which means more overtime for train crews. Plus any replacement wire if needed.
Again, this is operate/maintain. I'm not talking about capital costs to install, or how it can drive capital costs up for other projects due to protection or changes that need to be made to the wire as well. I'll also freely admit, again, that operating/maintaining a diesel does indeed cost more than an electric. Just knowing everything else that goes into it, I find it hard that savings isn't washed out by cost increases elsewhere.