MML Electrification: is it going to be completed?

[edwin_m]

The gate line could probably be moved as well pushing the queues, lifts and escalators further back into the original trainshed. I cannot visualise how much room there currently is before the edge of the original trainshed is in the way.

Looking at aerial mapping, an extended Platform 1 would be outside the west wall of the original shed, and I doubt if 2 could be extended either.

 

[Trainman40083]

The gate line could probably be moved as well pushing the queues, lifts and escalators further back into the original trainshed. I cannot visualise how much room there currently is before the edge of the original trainshed is in the way.

I think the down escalators are about in line with the old train shed.

 

[Zomboid]

It's all academic because they've decided on 5x23m units, but who's to say that the entire supporting structure under the concourse was built to take trains?

 

[LTJ87]

Network Rail have just put out a press release about forthcoming weekend engineering works on the MML confirming works between Wigston and East Midlands Parkway:

Passengers advised of rail improvement work affecting Midland Main Line journeys over several weekends

A range of rail improvement projects will be carried out during a series of weekend engineering work affecting London journeys on the Midland Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

There will also be progress made on the new phase of Midland Main Line electrification, between Wigston in Leicestershire and East Midlands Parkway, which will allow East Midlands Railway (EMR) to introduce its new greener fleet of bi-mode trains.

One aspect of this will be Network Rail physically lowering sections of track to accommodate overhead line equipment without the need to demolish and rebuild bridges. The benefits of this method include it being less disruption, for example because road closures are not required, and the costs being a fraction of a new bridge.

 

[Trainman40083]

Network Rail have just put out a press release about forthcoming weekend engineering works on the MML confirming works between Wigston and East Midlands Parkway:

Passengers advised of rail improvement work affecting Midland Main Line journeys over several weekends

A range of rail improvement projects will be carried out during a series of weekend engineering work affecting London journeys on the Midland Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Didn't they lower the track and alter bridges, years ago before the project was cancelled some years ago?

 

[londonmidland]

Didn't they lower the track and alter bridges, years ago before the project was cancelled some years ago?

I believe this will be at the Blaby Road bridge, at Wigston South Jn.

 

[Trainman40083]

I believe this will be at the Blaby Road bridge, at Wigston South Jn.

Leicester station will be interesting when the time comes

 

[duffield]

Although the Network Rail document refers to electrification between Wigston South and East Midlands Parkway, the fact that they are using the Corby diversion means any works will be confined to south of Leicester station. So (putting aside the non-electrification works) is this purely about track lowering for Blaby road bridge, or are other electrification works south of Leicester planned during these six weekends?

 

[InTheEastMids]

Leicester station will be interesting when the time comes

Christmas 2026 for clearance work, based on an engineering access statement on Network Rail's website.

If it doesn't get cancelled or deferred tomorrow.

 

[QSK19]

Network Rail have just put out a press release about forthcoming weekend engineering works on the MML confirming works between Wigston and East Midlands Parkway:

Passengers advised of rail improvement work affecting Midland Main Line journeys over several weekends

A range of rail improvement projects will be carried out during a series of weekend engineering work affecting London journeys on the Midland Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Very interesting if Network Rail have jumped the gun here. If so, I could imagine them getting a Lindsay Hoyle style ticking off* for leaking this before the official announcement tomorrow

(*NB whenever Hoyle has ticked off this government and the previous one for violating section 9.1 of the ministerial code)

 

[76020]

It looks like there will be a announcement tomorrow from Rachel Reeves about more MML electrification. According to the Network Rail website, posted on 09/06/2025,
"There will also be progress made on the new phase of Midland Main Line electrification, between Wigston in Leicestershire and East Midlands Parkway, which will allow East Midlands Railway (EMR) to introduce its new greener fleet of bi-mode trains.", this is phases, RS2 and RS3
Please see this link

Passengers advised of rail improvement work affecting Midland Main Line journeys over several weekends

A range of rail improvement projects will be carried out during a series of weekend engineering work affecting London journeys on the Midland Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2025 ==

Other work will include upgrading track and signals.
This will start on w/e 21-22/06/2025 and then every weekend until 26-27/07/2025.
All MML trains will not call at Market Harborough during this time, they will be diverted via Corby.

 

[QSK19]

It looks like there will be a announcement tomorrow from Rachel Reeves about more MML electrification. According to the Network Rail website, posted on 09/06/2025,
"There will also be progress made on the new phase of Midland Main Line electrification, between Wigston in Leicestershire and East Midlands Parkway, which will allow East Midlands Railway (EMR) to introduce its new greener fleet of bi-mode trains.", this is phase RS3
Please see this link

Passengers advised of rail improvement work affecting Midland Main Line journeys over several weekends

A range of rail improvement projects will be carried out during a series of weekend engineering work affecting London journeys on the Midland Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2025 ==

Other work will include upgrading track and signals.
This will start on w/e 21-22/06/2025 and then every weekend until 26-27/07/2025.
All MML trains will not call at Market Harborough during this time, they will be diverted via Corby.

And presumably RS2 as well given that the article states between Wigston and EMD, not Syston to EMD. If this is right, then they’ve clearly found a concrete solution for the London Road bridge.

 

[InTheEastMids]

And presumably RS2 as well given that the article states between Wigston and EMD, not Syston to EMD. If this is right, then they’ve clearly found a concrete solution for the London Road bridge.

Well, per their engineering possession statements, they are planning a 16 day blockade in late 2026. So you'd like to think that they weren't just crossing their fingers and hoping something turns up!

 

[londonmidland]

Other work will include upgrading track and signals.

I wonder what upgrades will be made to the signalling system? All the signals have been upgraded to LED as far as I’m aware.

I assume upgrading to four aspect signalling is not within scope of this project?

 

[QSK19]

Well, per their engineering possession statements, they are planning a 16 day blockade in late 2026. So you'd like to think that they weren't just crossing their fingers and hoping something turns up!

Indeed one would hope not! Mind you, not much surprises me these days!

 

[Trainman40083]

I wonder what upgrades will be made to the signalling system? All the signals have been upgraded to LED as far as I’m aware.

I assume upgrading to four aspect signalling is not within scope of this project?

I'd say a move to digital signalling is more likely when they have ECML sorted south of Peterborough

 

[76020]

And presumably RS2 as well given that the article states between Wigston and EMD, not Syston to EMD. If this is right, then they’ve clearly found a concrete solution for the London Road bridge.

Sorry my mistake, it is RS2 and RS3.

 

[DDB]

I wonder what upgrades will be made to the signalling system? All the signals have been upgraded to LED as far as I’m aware.

I assume upgrading to four aspect signalling is not within scope of this project?

Could just be maintaince taking advantage of the line being closed or anything that needs to be done to make sure the signals aren't affected by the overhead line and its voltage

 

[Nottingham59]

Although the Network Rail document refers to electrification between Wigston South and East Midlands Parkway, the fact that they are using the Corby diversion means any works will be confined to south of Leicester station. So (putting aside the non-electrification works) is this purely about track lowering for Blaby road bridge, or are other electrification works south of Leicester planned during these six weekends?

North of Syston there are four tracks, with the slow lines nearly empty at weekends.. The older overbridges generally have two separate arches, with good separation between the fasts and slows. So I guess they could work on track lowering on that section too.

 

[Trainman40083]

North of Syston there are four tracks, with the slow lines nearly empty at weekends.. The older overbridges generally have two separate arches, with good separation between the fasts and slows. So I guess they could work on track lowering on that section too.

Yes, possibly just the Leicester to Nottingham stopper on the slow at weekends. Maybe engineering trains going back to Toton.

 

[Nottingham59]

Yes, possibly just the Leicester to Nottingham stopper on the slow at weekends. Maybe engineering trains going back to Toton.

Which raises the interesting question of whether the Syston-Trent section will see the electrification of all four tracks or just two? With bimode 810s and class 99 or 93 the only likely traction for some time, four tracks would look like overkill.

 

[QSK19]

Which raises the interesting question of whether the Syston-Trent section will see the electrification of all four tracks or just two?

I must say that question has crossed my mind too! Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s left at just 2 given how budgets are being hit (and hardly like pure EMUs are going to be gracing the EMR Regional fleet any time soon!).

Having said that, one of the pegs at Loughborough station was next to the slows (opposite platform 3); so presumably one wouldn’t have been placed there if just the fasts are planned to be wired?

 

[Brubulus]

I must say that question has crossed my mind too! Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s left at just 2 given how budgets are being hit (and hardly like pure EMUs are going to be gracing the EMR Regional fleet any time soon!).

Having said that, one of the pegs at Loughborough station was next to the slows (opposite platform 3); so presumably one wouldn’t have been placed there if just the fasts are planned to be wired?

The additional cost brought on by wiring the slows is likely to be a small part of the total cost. As BR projects showed, it'll be much more expensive to do them later.

 

[duffield]

The additional cost brought on by wiring the slows is likely to be a small part of the total cost. As BR projects showed, it'll be much more expensive to do them later.

Also wiring the slows would allow what will from December be the self-contained Leicester/Nottingham shuttle to run on the OHLE using some suitable hand-me-down surplus EMUs (I think we've been told on these forums a few times that there is such a surplus).

 

[QSK19]

Also wiring the slows would allow what will from December be the self-contained Leicester/Nottingham shuttle to run on the OHLE using some suitable hand-me-down surplus EMUs (I think we've been told on these forums a few times that there is such a surplus).

Yep, presuming RS5 gets approved - NR’s post from earlier today would imply that it’s RS2 and RS3 for now.

If the wires go only as far as EMD, I’m sure we users of that route would settle for 755s if GA had a couple spare

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Well, per their engineering possession statements, they are planning a 16 day blockade in late 2026. So you'd like to think that they weren't just crossing their fingers and hoping something turns up!

big chunks of access will be found in the EAS (Engineering Access Statements) whether a project is authorised or not as you have to plan several years ahead. If no funding is forthcoming it will they will be removed.

 

[duffield]

The transport part of the chancellor's speech has come and gone, with no mention of MML electrification.

I hope that's not a bad sign. I think there's another infrastructure announcement due in a week or two, maybe it will be in that. Or maybe its it's in the press briefings, despite not being in the speech?

 

[LTJ87]

There’s no mention of the MML in the main document:

Spending Review 2025 (HTML)

www.gov.uk

Transport is critical to the delivery of the growth mission. Over Phase 2 of the SR, the government will increase transport capital investment to give people across the country greater access to jobs, education, training and public services.

The government is investing in transport in city regions across England, pivoting new investment towards the country’s cities and surrounding towns and addressing historic underinvestment in the North and Midlands, while giving local areas more control over how this investment is spent. This includes:

• Providing £15.6 billion in total by 2031-32 for the elected mayors of some of England’s largest city regions via the Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements, supporting them to invest in their local transport priorities, including zero emission buses, trams and local rail. This will more than double real terms city region transport spending per year by 2029-30, compared to 2024-25;
• Investing £2.3 billion in the Local Transport Grant over Phase 2 for local transport improvements including bus lanes, cycleways and congestion improvement measures in places outside of those areas receiving TCR settlements. This will deliver a fourfold increase in funding in 2029-30 compared to 2024-25; and,
• Providing the largest multi-year settlement for London in over a decade, with £2.2 billion of funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 for Transport for London’s capital renewals programme.

Furthermore, through this SR, the government will fund key, growth-driving major projects that will improve connectivity between cities and towns, including:

• The Transpennine Route Upgrade, for which the government will provide £3.5 billion. This will reduce the journey time for commuters travelling between Manchester and Leeds by a quarter; and,
• Allocating £2.5 billion to progress the delivery of East West Rail, supporting housing developments and unlocking the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor

 

[QSK19]

Looks like SPL could very well be taking down their Loughborough compound - not a good omen…

The only hope seemingly is learning from the previous farce and getting on with it quietly.

 

[swt_passenger]

I do wonder if Leicester station area will be done after the section around Syston....Is there not an idea that grade separation will be needed at Wigston. Will OHLE be a problem on tunnel approach to Leicester (in terms of clearance)?

Grade separation is an idea that’s been confirmed as not happening, it’s somewhere in the closed MML wiring thread. It’s also been regularly stated that there are no issues with wiring through Leicester, this has also been discussed a few times in the previous thread.