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Noel Dolphin

@noeldolphin.bsky.social
533 followers 829 following 672 posts

Electrify - everything today.... oh yes and public transportify it all. Was @noeldolphin on X.

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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
You can't beat a ride at the front of a tram - and certainly the Dublin trams have been rammed every time I have got on one this week.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A sunny day for the Dublin - Belfast train... what I think is a parcels coach is looking quite retro.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
At the at the Railway Industry Association this afternoon to discuss the new track and train strategy... collective feeling... meh
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
At the at the Railway Industry Association this afternoon to discuss the new track and train strategy... collective feeling... meh
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
2nd in my series of "UK rail fixes that are cheaper than fixing a damn roof leak". The innovations just keep coming.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Your periodic reminder that ATOC is still a thing and any other names are just branding. www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/08892...
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Track and Train strategy - thoughts? The whole sector has been on hold for 18 months... waiting for a 28 page high-level overview of the things GBR/DfT may consider in the future when making decisions. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aba4b...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I totally agree with @railindustry comment for the current political conference season: rail can help us improve productivity, get people to work etc. But, I would add renewals & maintenance. We also need to get around reliably on our current rail network www.politicshome.com/members/arti...
politicshome.com
Rail can drive growth and jobs across the country – now we need to unlock its potential
From connecting people with opportunities to supporting businesses and investment, rail has a key role to play in delivering the Government’s econo...
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I've corrected the headline
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Asbestos on London Underground has been reported in lots of outlets, but worth the longer read here: confrontpower.org/asbestos-exp...
confrontpower.org
Mind the dust: Asbestos disease and the London Underground | Confront
The harm caused by asbestos exposure on the London Underground is becoming increasingly clear, while workers continue to face deadly risks today.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Is the DfT right on batteries?
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I am thinking of getting into the gadgetbahn racket - just in case the DfT announces cable cars for HS2 North.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Kicking off day 3 at InnoTrans. Taking an insider tip from @paulbigland.bsky.social - I've found the rooftop viewing platform
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Bill Reeves Transport Scotland at the InnoTrans reception... a rolling programme of electrification has build a better railway in Scotland for passengers and freight. It has allowed the industry to invest in plant and people....he followed the DfT speech about innovation..
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A quick scoot around the maintenance plant.... is a) quieter than passenger trains b) more interesting...
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Might catch the Piccadilly Line home
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I think a set of these would brighten up the garden.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
InnoTrans kicks off in an hour and a half. Looking exciting already
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Years ago, I made these for Project Managers who made design decisions. Choosing an option solely on cost & it has safety implications, then you’re a designer. Might send to DfT/Treasury. If you defer renewals, with safety implications, you're making engineering decisions
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Todays Railway Engineering Institution's Technical Board was at GCRE test track in Wales. Not seen this LiDAR monitor for bridge strikes that gives accurate warnings before.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Breakfast in Wales
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Saw inside the pits at Silverstone on Saturday night.... one day I want to run an assembly area that is that spotless and efficient.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Thinking about the upcoming GBR track-and-train strategy... wondering how close it will be to this.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Irish Rail presented at yesterday’s Liverpool RailEI conference. Capacity enhancements and electrification aim to get more seats and people to work/education more quickly, as part of a long-term plan to unlock new housing. Interesting that they saw housing as the core.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Gearing up for next month's Railway Engineering Institution's Practical Electrification Challenge with a new logo. The challenge is a great example of why we needed a name change.
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Reposted by Noel Dolphin
Coastway Will @coastwaywill.me · 31/08/2026
Please be Stadler, please be Stadler, please be Stadler etc etc
The "Cmon do something" meme drawing with a Stadler FLIRT and ScotRail logo
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Been testing equipment for Tyne and Wear Metro all week... It's been a total time sponge... Should I finish my work or get involved in something more interesting... More interesting has won every time.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Perhaps not one to read over lunch - construction is dangerous and needs good training and risk management. Clearly, none of which happened here www.ioshmagazine.com/2026/08/21/p...
ioshmagazine.com
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Kids idea today - write down every station that is a 3 hour walk, spin the wheel take the train and walk home....I think I need a lie down.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Rain has fallen, it is sunny but not 38 degrees, EMR have taken me to and from work on time, I have some kind of tapas box.... plus Rail Infrastructure has a lovely front cover pic from Swindon Electrification Training School. All is right with the world.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Tried to produce something similar to this at London Underground 20+ yrs ago, live database of all speed restrictions, including temporary ones & factor into journey time calcs & timetables. At the time was super complex, hopefully should be easier now www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/07848...
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
EMR all Ok this morning.... in hindsight was this always a threat?
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Rain, rain, come again....
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Sadly back at work today - via Dinant and Ghent.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I think we all knew the current funding period would mean worsening performance.... and that also equates to lack of climate resilience. These were active decisions made. www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/netwo...
newcivilengineer.com
Network Rail has insufficient funds to maintain the UK’s railway infrastructure | New Civil Engineer
A leaked presentation, seen by The Independent, says that the condition of crumbling infrastructure including tracks, bridges and earthworks is expected
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Everywhere needs hot weather rules. These guys are weeding the grass planted track on their knees in full PPE at 37 degrees - whilst the lookout (who doesnt need to wear full PPE) browses his phone rather than look for trams.... ps not the UK.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
All my dreams came true in Luxembourg... by topping the evening off with OppCharge bus charge stations.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Bird spikes.. are a big thing in Germany. In the UK, birds causing a flash over on a normal piece of electrification isn't an issue (except under low bridges ans the like).. every country has its own foibles...boring post over.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Visit to Villingen on the Black Forest Railway - really hard to capture some of the valleys, but a super line.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
So far - 6 regional German trains, no delays and no cancellation....the gods are with me. However, the trains were busy and did have to stand on the stairs for one journey (my kids pretending they dont know me during the selfie
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"Kids i have a great idea for a summer holiday". "Is it on the beach." "No.... but it is already booked"
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Reading a test report.... someone has beautiful pen work. Highlight of my morning.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
You are winning when you arrive within 30mins of timetable... one broken down train at Radlet to scoot around (and subsequent 2 trains cancelled) a quiet evening.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Swindon - Gloucester - Birmingham - Derby - Nottingham... upside I have avoided EMR 👍. Downside I had to use CrossCountry 👎.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
At Network Rail's Swindon Electrification Training School - prepping for RailEI's Practical Electrification Challenge in the Autumn. @25kv.bsky.social officially opening our course storage container.. (taken a while... so still need to update the name).
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Heading to Swindon to the Network Rail electrification training school... lovely day for it
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Popped out yesterday evening to look a new timber frame office building being built locally. The use of modern timber tech is really quite fascinating... though I must say my kids just found it embarrassing me taking photos of a building site.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I remember taking Indian Railways to Swindon electrification training centre - 10 years ago.... in 10 years they have boshed out the whole country. A genuinely great achievement. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railway...
infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Indian Railways is now world's second-most electrified large rail network: Vaishnaw
Indian Railways Electrification: So far, about 99.6 per cent of Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister, said in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Visit to Kelvedon former nuclear bunker... feels like not much has changed at the DfT from this desk.
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Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It pleases me immensely when looking at old drawings and find someone had super nice handwriting.
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