diesel or electric Trains?

Question

In england what type of power do the long distance passenger trains use, electric or diesel? or both, if so which is more common, if its electric how do you supply the power to the train all the time

Answer 1

Both systems are used. The main East and West Coast lines from London to Leeds and Edinburgh and to Birmingham Manchester/Liverpool Glasgow respectively (and one of the lines between the two Scottish cities) are electrified on the overhead principal - (power is drawn from the National Grid). Locos/units are supplied with a pantograph for current collection. Lines into East Anglia are also electrified via the overhead. Services north of Edinburgh/Glasgow use diesel power - necessitating diesel trains from London to Aberdeen and Inverness. Lines to the west and to Wales use diesel power as do cross country lines from the North-east and North-West to the South and South-West. Lines in the South East and South - as far as Bournemouth and Poole - are electrified, but on the third rail system where power is collected by 'shoes' on the underside of the bogies.. Virtually all passenger trains both diesel and electric powered are now multiple units, including the High Speed Trains and the new Pendolino electric units on the West Coast line. The only loco hauled trains are those on the East Coast - on the electrified parts - but even they look at first glance like a multiple unit. The Channel Tunnel Eurostar line is electrified, again on the overhead principal.