Kings Cross ‘uncrossed’ Layout/Remodelling - Information and Updates

[Dave_Cardboard]

Not as easy to renumber as anywhere else unfortunately. If Platform 0 was to become platform 1 then Platform 9 3/4 has to move too and that is a whole lot more difficult, and requires specific approval of the Minister (of Magic).

Surely it's just a matter of moving the entrance - I think I've a spell that does it somewhere...

 

[Mcq]

Rename 6 as 7b - then in following phase renumber 7-10 as 8-11 and then drop the b from 7?
Just a thought

 

[edwin_m]

I suppose one issue would be that you can't renumber as you go on this project; you either renumber before you start or at the end, otherwise you have two P7s in play (I think). When Leeds 1st happened, new platforms were built at both ends; the southern platforms were 16 & 17. From memory, everything was renumbered once the new P1-P8 were open and the rest were closed for work.

I don't think you'd have two P7s in service simultaneously, because the changeover in the middle of the works opens the former P6 (which would become P7 if re-numbered) at the same time as it closes the former P7. This is a total closure for a weekend so there would be two days gap between the old P7 closing and the new one re-opening. So I'm rather mystified as to why they haven't opted to re-number each half as it is re-modelled.

Not as easy to renumber as anywhere else unfortunately. If Platform 0 was to become platform 1 then Platform 9 3/4 has to move too and that is a whole lot more difficult, and requires specific approval of the Minister (of Magic).

But re-numbering would put 9 3/4 in its correct place, between 9 and 10. Or would that make it too easy for the muggles to find it?

 

[30907]

Not as easy to renumber as anywhere else unfortunately. If Platform 0 was to become platform 1 then Platform 9 3/4 has to move too and that is a whole lot more difficult, and requires specific approval of the Minister (of Magic).

No, it would then be in the correct place between 9 and 10

Sorry, for some reason I missed edwin_m's post which said the same.
@edwin_m: actually, the Muggles seem to find it without difficulty...

 

[edwin_m]

No, it would then be in the correct place between 9 and 10

Sorry, for some reason I missed edwin_m's post which said the same.
@edwin_m: actually, the Muggles seem to find it without difficulty...

It's the muggles who need to get past the great crowd of people to use the toilet who have the real problems.

 

[35B]

It's the muggles who need to get past the great crowd of people to use the toilet who have the real problems.

Never caused me any issues, even with large numbers of muppets, sorry, muggles queuing to be photographed looking like a prat.

 

[Ianno87]

Never caused me any issues, even with large numbers of muppets, sorry, muggles queuing to be photographed looking like a prat.

As long as I can still get to The Parcel Yard, I'm happy!

 

[Bikeman78]

Yes, seems so. I think the suggestion much earlier in the thread was that approach speeds might also improve very slightly, but the final line speeds weren’t available at that time. Posts in early January, (about #191), do now show there are speed increases in both directions.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2021 ==


Additional Information Thur 25th

There’s a couple of decent new aerial photos on Twitter showing the changing Kings Cross layout, and the platform 0 walls making progress. Also confirms my earlier supposition that there’s an OHLE gantry stanchion right at the corner of the signalling centre.

https://twitter.com/ECMLupgrade/status/1364955356439474185/photo/2

So I’m still quite firmly of the opinion that the “box” doesn’t actually need to come down...

The first picture shows all five double slips that will all be gone in a few months.

 

[swt_passenger]

The first picture shows all five double slips that will all be gone in a few months.

The middle crossover at the top of that photo has gone, as seen in the first photo here:

https://twitter.com/ECMLupgrade/status/1365997854444171264?s=20

I think according to comments on other Twitter posts that removal separates the two halves of the station. Will be interesting to see the situation tomorrow as they crack on...

 

[davetheguard]

As long as I can still get to The Parcel Yard, I'm happy!

I agree; that's much more of an attraction for me too!

 

[Roast Veg]

Not as easy to renumber as anywhere else unfortunately. If Platform 0 was to become platform 1 then Platform 9 3/4 has to move too and that is a whole lot more difficult, and requires specific approval of the Minister (of Magic).

I am curious as to whether this justification may have made into what might otherwise have been a very serious works meeting at NR... it's a very happy conclusion either way!

 

[59CosG95]

The middle crossover at the top of that photo has gone, as seen in the first photo here:

https://twitter.com/ECMLupgrade/status/1365997854444171264?s=20

I think according to comments on other Twitter posts that removal separates the two halves of the station. Will be interesting to see the situation tomorrow as they crack on...

In OLE removal terms, the big "A-Frame" anchor boom dating from the 1970s GN Suburban Electrification has gone, along with 2 other portal booms south of there. AFAICT there will be anchors on drop tubes in the tunnels, either fixed or with Tensorex.

 

[nlogax]

I agree; that's much more of an attraction for me too!

Agree. It’s one pub I really miss!

 

[snowball]

Last time the throat at KX was being remodelled, in 1976 or 7, when it was called "clearing the Throat", I lived in London and visited the end of platform 8 frequently to watch.

It's horrifying to think that it was 44 years ago.

 

[swt_passenger]

Last time the throat at KX was being remodelled, in 1976 or 7, when it was called "clearing the Throat", I lived in London and visited the end of platform 8 frequently to watch.

It's horrifying to think that it was 44 years ago.

I wonder if Rail Engineer magazine intentionally recycled that title in the article I linked in #261? Or coincidence...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Last time the throat at KX was being remodelled, in 1976 or 7, when it was called "clearing the Throat", I lived in London and visited the end of platform 8 frequently to watch.

It's horrifying to think that it was 44 years ago.

Did that too. 1976 (July 25th to be precise) was the date I cleared my locos for the 1st time. Where has time gone? KX was always a go to for me. i n the early 1970s all the commuter trains were Class 31 and LHCS plus the Deltics. Then remodel and electrification and HSTs - a great place but - nearly 45 years - where has time gone?

 

[Mcq]

KX anybody?
Watching the threading of trains in and out of P7-11 - it's a work of art, especially with the Thameslink trains in the mix - well done the signallers!

 

[zwk500]

KX anybody?
Watching the threading of trains in and out of P7-11 - it's a work of art, especially with the Thameslink trains in the mix - well done the signallers!

And the timetable staff!

 

[Ianno87]

And the timetable staff!

Beat me to it!

 

[Mcq]

I meant - all involved - it is very impressive!

 

[zwk500]

I meant - all involved - it is very impressive!

It's fine, it's easy to forget that just the train plan involves unit & crew diagrammers, NR & TOC timetable staff and the engineering works planners to make sure it is all deliverable without restricting the works from doing what needs be done. Then it's down to the platform and on-train staff to get the trains ready on time, and drivers and signallers to keep them moving.

 

[Mcq]

Thanks for adding all the parties involved - plus the team over the weekend who actually did the heavy work too.

 

[zwk500]

Thanks for adding all the parties involved - plus the team over the weekend who actually did the heavy work too.

Not a problem, although it's far from all!

 

[Mag_seven]

A reminder that is thread in the Infrastructure and Stations section is to provide updates about the actual construction and remodelling works at Kings Cross.

I've split off some posts about the timetable due to the works to this thread:

Kings Cross Remodelling Temporary Timetable Discussion | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)

 

[OxtedL]

Some photos that have been posted on Twitter:

Tues 2nd March: Spoil trains in platforms 1-6 @Trigg

c. Friday 5th March: Trains operating over the temporary layout @ECMLupgrade

And some from @Jay_Tee71:
Mon 1st March/Tues 2nd March, platform end demolition:

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1366408587724148742

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1366818666667536384

Tues 2nd March/Thurs 4th March, work on new layout north of Gasworks Tunnels

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1366877543756800000

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1367630472390594560/photo/3

 

[Mcq]

Many thanks for the posts for those of us that don't 'Twitter'.
Fantastic project.

 

[hwl]

A few more recent ones from Jay_tee71:

Saturday 6th March - First train in eastern bore (66)

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1368273131895480322/photo/1

Friday 5th March
P1&2 platform demolition and track removal

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1367792471607029761/photo/1

P3&4 platform demolition and track removal

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1367792471607029761/photo/2

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1367630472390594560/photo/1

P5&6 platform demolition

https://twitter.com/Jay_Tee71/status/1367630472390594560/photo/2

 

[Aictos]

Interesting photos, I do appreciate the one of the first train to use the Eastern Bore especially as I am too young to remember it being in use prior to the last remodelling of Kings Cross.

 

[Mcq]

Once again - thank you so much for posting - just terrific

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2021 ==

Can anyone explain what this piece of the jigsaw may be please?
It seems to have 4 rails fixed to the same sleepers - they may well be converging to a switch but that could be a perspective distortion.

 

[swt_passenger]

Once again - thank you so much for posting - just terrific

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2021 ==

Can anyone explain what this piece of the jigsaw may be please?
It seems to have 4 rails fixed to the same sleepers - they may well be converging to a switch but that could be a perspective distortion.

There'll be a set of points out of sight behind the workers. The middle two rails are getting closer towards the camera, with the crossing behind the camera. I think the overall length means it’s a relatively high speed crossover, and I think based on other photos it is roughly either underneath or near the HS1 overbridge, between the two sets of tunnels.