AFTER reading countless articles concerning incredibly late arrivals and delays on the electrified East Coast Main Line over recent months, it seems that a large proportion are caused by power line problems.

Although it is now too late to retrieve the situation, please could someone who has the technical knowledge advise me why the simple solution of third rail electrification was not originally thought of and adopted, just like that on the Southern region?

This would surely have made a massive saving in costs. No bridges to alter, no overhead power lines to get damaged or blow down in extreme wind and surely a drastic reduction of the chance of vandalism, as no-one in their right mind would go near electrified track.

Also, if the motive power used was able to be dual power, ie able to switch from electric to diesel, then, in the event of a power problem, the locos could simply be switched on to the alternative power source and continue the journey.

Finally, third rail is a vast improvement visually - no horrible overhead masts to assault the eye.

C Broadribb,

Gay Meadows,

Stockton-on-the-Forest,

York.

Updated: 09:59 Saturday, August 18, 2001