GraphitProjekt
Member
Hello all, I've been trying to investigate the history of electrification systems on GEML, LT&S and the Lea Valley routes. I have found pretty thorough sources for how these systems started out in 1960/1961 (and for the earlier DC system) and this includes feeder stations, TSCs and neutral sections. But the upgrading of these routes to 25kv (especially on LTS and Lea Valley lines) has been less well reported on so I'm asking for any relevant information and sources this forum might know about how those upgrades took place. Just so we're all on the same page I've included a diagrammatic and a geographic illustration for how the network stood at 1975 which is just before the first 25kv conversions took place.
The story for the GEML is clear enough but there are still many uncertainties:
Information on the present day system and the changes made when electrification was extended to Cambridge/Norwich is welcome too.
Sources I have so far consulted (though I may be missing something):
The story for the GEML is clear enough but there are still many uncertainties:
- Gidea Park to Shenfield was converted in Jan 1976 (Brook Street OHNS noted as removed in 1977)
- Shenfield to Southend Victoria AND Liverpool Street to Gidea Park was converted in Oct 1980
- Is this when Bow Junction Feeder Station was built replacing Bethnal Green FS?
- How did this affect the line to Hackney Downs and Bow Curve? Is this when Hackney Downs MPTSC was installed so that the rest of the Southbury/Enfield and Chingford lines remained 6.25kv?
- I've seen some mentions that Fenchurch Street to Bow Junction (and presumably to West Ham neutral section) went to 25kv at this time. Is this true?
- Garry Keenor's book says "Hackney [Downs?] to Chingford" was upgraded in Jan 1984. Though I've also seen November 1983 as the date with the first class 315 going there in January 1984.
- Was this actually from the Clapton area because the track connections between Chingford and Southbury routes are beyond Hackney Downs neutral section?
- Perhaps this was when the big and quite complicated MPTSC at Clapton was put in place, meaning the Chingford branch becomes fed by Northumberland Park FS on the Tottenham Hale mainline.
- Keenor's book also says "Bury Street [junction?] to Enfield Town" was converted at some point in 1984.
- Not only is this quite vague but it's unclear how could have been fed unless the 25kv was extended southwards from Cheshunt neutral section with maybe Churchbury NS removed.
- So what about the line south to Hackney through Stoke Newington
- LTS is more unclear
- The link to the GEML at Woodgrange Park was explicitly stated as upgraded to 25kv in 1988 because of a desire for electric freight traffic to Ripple Lane.
- Did this include the line to Fenchurch Street too? Or was Fenchurch Street already 25kv since 1980? What about Gas Factory feeder station, when did West Ham feeder station come about?
- What about Leigh to Shoeburyness?
- I have heard that class 317s started to be used on some LTS routes from about this time but I've not seen a picture of one all the way in Southend in the late 80s or 90s.
- Also any information on Pitsea Electrical Control Room would be appreciated. Its borders and when it ceased operation.
Information on the present day system and the changes made when electrification was extended to Cambridge/Norwich is welcome too.
Sources I have so far consulted (though I may be missing something):
- Garry Keenor, Overhead Line Electrification for Railways, 6th edition, 2021
- J.C. Gillham, The Age of the Electric Train, 1987. (This is the main source for Keenor's dates for this topic)
- John Glover, Eastern Electric, 2003.
- Ian Cowley, Anglia East, 1988.
