iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 18h

Here are the lovely new structures for tensioning equipment at Adey Steel in Loughborough last week. Inspections are now done, and it's ready to go up early next year. Perhaps one less thing to worry about when it gets too hot (3/3).

050

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 18h

The result: it dramatically increases the risk of failure at the worst possible time, just when everyone is too hot in a summer heatwave and trying to get home from work or school. The junctions have been redesigned to prevent this (2/3)

110

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 18h

Tyne and Wear Metro/Nexus was designed in the 1970’s for a maximum summer temperature of 26 degrees C, add to this that all the complex junctions used fixed termination equipment (no balance weights or tensioning equipment) (1/3)

261

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

£1m a single track km, for route-clear areas (ie: if civils works bridges/platforms had been done), which is now being done early & as other projects are done (ie: if they renew a bridge, they make it route-clear knowing it will be electrified one day). It's about £2m where that hasn't been done

020

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

We have just finished the Railway Engineering Institution 2026 Practical Electrification Challenge, getting decision-makers and those new to the railway out of the office and on track.... and it was a sunny Swindon!

130

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I've managed to dry out my phone and download a video from my afternoon.

030

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Say whatever you want about GWR 800's... when you look up and it is dusk, it does look dramatic.... To quote the original Intercity Express Programme Vision Style Guide: “Personalisation: Essence = MY train. Be here and yet in your own world”… whatever that might mean.

110

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Kicking off the 2026 Railway Engineering Institution Practical Electrification Challenge at a rainy Swindon, with a talk from @25kv.bsky.social and an isolation. The power from my blue RailEI supervisor arm band has gone to my head.

021

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Was for more crane electrification, since the Gov's port electrification programme seems to be more coherent than rail

020

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Not for rail electrification, but got involved in design for this 35m gantry at London Gateway Port, for power cables over the sidings. Piles, masts, boom & rigging in one shift - to keep the 22 freight trains a day moving. Sadly couldn't be out over the weekend to see install

130

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I am just not sure the plot is believable or joined up.

031

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Got to chat to Richard Bowker earlier, for this week's Green Signals podcast on the GBR track and train strategy, what it means for battery charging... and what it means for the new TPE infrastructure.

250

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Suspect there are a lot worse things that can happen than static... hoping this is just perspective from my viewing position.

010

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.

030

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes... I think at the time everything was so noisy it was hard to tell. But yes it is a generator car.

020

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.

170

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I have given up on rail. Now pitching AI for buckets to Gov - think this will get more traction (forgive the traction pun)

110

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

001

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

121

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.

130

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...

020

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

..... it isn't bad... just seems like an awful lot of time, workshops and consultation for something so generic.

220

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

130

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...

010

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.

061

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

050

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..

022

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A quick scoot around the maintenance plant.... is a) quieter than passenger trains b) more interesting...

120

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Might catch the Piccadilly Line home

050

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I think a set of these would brighten up the garden.

050

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

InnoTrans kicks off in an hour and a half. Looking exciting already

1130

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

130

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.

020

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.

000

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.

072

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.

020

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.

021

Noel Dolphin @noeldolphin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

You don't get that nonsense in Standard Premier 😅

020

Reposted by Noel Dolphin

Coastway Will @coastwaywill.me · 31/08/2026

Please be Stadler, please be Stadler, please be Stadler etc etc

2255

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.

000