How might the three tranches on the ECML upgrade be split up?

[WiredUp]

The budget is now confirmed by Thursday‘s announcement.

Bald Rick how do you see the three tranches on the ECML upgrade being split up; by geography, by remaining asset life, or a bit of both? I appreciate that it's semi-speculative but I'm thinking:

Tranche 1 will be Colton Junction - Darlington to tie in with TRU at the south end and the works for Darlington Remodelling at the north end

Tranche 2 KGX - Stoke Tunnel to integrate with the digital signalling roll-out (and renewals as I believe that this is the oldest section of wiring from the 80's work, in spite of recent renewals)

Tranche 3 Basically everything else in between including Newark Crossing, grade separation at Doncaster, some tinkering at Grantham (an extra platform and track?) and potentially Hambleton - Leeds electrification.

Politically Tranche 1 is an easy sell tying in with TFN's work (a PWI presentation recently on 140mph on mk3B headspans). It's an easy section to do as well in terms of the level of LX's and civils work. KGX - Stoke Tunnel probably has the best overall business case in terms of JTI to revenue increase.

I can't see another upgrade on top of PSU1 and 2 being fun either.

 

[takno]

Bald Rick how do you see the three tranches on the ECML upgrade being split up; by geography, by remaining asset life, or a bit of both? I appreciate that it's semi-speculative but I'm thinking:

Tranche 1 will be Colton Junction - Darlington to tie in with TRU at the south end and the works for Darlington Remodelling at the north end

Tranche 2 KGX - Stoke Tunnel to integrate with the digital signalling roll-out (and renewals as I believe that this is the oldest section of wiring from the 80's work, in spite of recent renewals)

Tranche 3 Basically everything else in between including Newark Crossing, grade separation at Doncaster, some tinkering at Grantham (an extra platform and track?) and potentially Hambleton - Leeds electrification.

Politically Tranche 1 is an easy sell tying in with TFN's work (a PWI presentation recently on 140mph on mk3B headspans). It's an easy section to do as well in terms of the level of LX's and civils work. KGX - Stoke Tunnel probably has the best overall business case in terms of JTI to revenue increase.

I can't see another upgrade on top of PSU1 and 2 being fun either.

My guess is that tranche 1 will be dedicated to making it impossible to use from 2022 to 2025, tranche 2 from 2026 to 2029, and tranche 3 from 2030-2034. During one of the breaks it will be unusable while East Linton station is inserted.

The actual scope is unimportant, since most of the outputs won't be achieved anyway.

 

[WiredUp]

My guess is that tranche 1 will be dedicated to making it impossible to use from 2022 to 2025, tranche 2 from 2026 to 2029, and tranche 3 from 2030-2034. During one of the breaks it will be unusable while East Linton station is inserted.

The actual scope is unimportant, since most of the outputs won't be achieved anyway.

I'm not sure, something between York - Darlington will most certainly happen. I suppose it will depend on what NR, the DfT and the various contractors and designers can devise in terms of scheduling the tranches of upgrades.

As regards East Linton I don't think it will be 'unusable' for too long, much can be constructed offline and a footbridge installed over a long possession - say Christmas time. I do share your cynicism regarding outputs though, it smacks awfully of the Railtrack ECML upgrade with the potential for the business case to evaporate and the descoping to begin. Hopefully the flat crossing at Newark will go...

 

[InOban]

I can't see why East Linton should cause any more disruption than Reston. ie virtually none.

An early poster appeared to suggest that Thursday's announcement gave the green light to everything included. Nothing is authorised, every project will have to be individually approved by the Treasury. The delay to the publication of the IRP has their fingerprints all over it. Rishi as Chancellor, not as MP for Richmond （N Yorks）. Treasury 1, PM 0.

 

[Bald Rick]

Bald Rick how do you see the three tranches on the ECML upgrade being split up;

No idea.