The Bedford collision, recovery process discussion.

[GraphitProjekt]

I'm impressed with how quick the OLE went back up, as far as I'm aware headspans have extra complications compared to to other structures. Where's the OLE depot based for MML?

Also a real poke in the eye to those dinosaurs that wang on about how "back in my day...", a reminder that the railway engineers of the 21st century are just a skilled, dedicated and hard-working as their forebears. Fantastic.

Exactly, it's great to have a story of upmost competence from the modern rail industry, especially Network Rail who are so often have a bad narrative to their name.

 

[Amos390]

Should it be full Working Timetable tomorrow then (proving the heat doesn't break anything else...)?

 

[yorkie]

Fantastic work by everyone to make this happen from a standing start and in gruelling conditions. I've said before and I'll say again that the fella fronting up for Network Rail has been tremendous with their updates. Clear and concise but still giving you plenty of information. Brilliant. Also a real poke in the eye to those dinosaurs that wang on about how "back in my day...", a reminder that the railway engineers of the 21st century are just a skilled, dedicated and hard-working as their forebears. Fantastic.

Yes, absolutely agreed, a fantastic effort from all concerned.

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Should it be full Working Timetable tomorrow then (proving the heat doesn't break anything else...)?

From the travel advice thread:

There's a full update on the Thameslink website with plans for the coming week (copied below, without the EMR bit). As the line is closed again next weekend, this means no trains between Luton and Bedford until Monday 29th at the earliest.

 

[800001]

Should it be full Working Timetable tomorrow then (proving the heat doesn't break anything else...)?

Closed for engineering work south of Bedford isn't it?

 

[liamf656]

Should it be full Working Timetable tomorrow then (proving the heat doesn't break anything else...)?

Not until Monday, as there are engineering works on Sat/Sun 27th/28th

 

[Amos390]

Not until Monday, as there are engineering works on Sat/Sun 27th/28th

Oh, fair enough, at first I would’ve thought it’d make sense for them to move forwards the engineering works whilst the line is shut anyways, but I suppose they have booked times for equipment and workmen

 

[jthjth]

Two trains worked down to St Pancras from Leicester, 1404 and 1504, then everything following is shown as only going to Bedford. Any ideas why?

 

[CR165022]

Two trains worked down to St Pancras from Leicester, 1404 and 1504, then everything following is shown as only going to Bedford. Any ideas why?

The two that went all the way to St Pancras (STP) were Very Short Term Plan (VSTP) services, so presumably they didn't expect to be able to run all the way through today, and already had the timetable in place for everything else to terminate at Bedford

 

[westcoaster]

The two that went all the way to STP were VST services, so presumably they didn't expect to be able to run all the way through today, and already had the timetable in place for everything else to terminate at Bedford

Test runs, and maybe to swap over any stranded units.

 

[liamf656]

Two trains worked down to St Pancras from Leicester, 1404 and 1504, then everything following is shown as only going to Bedford. Any ideas why?

Route proving runs. Only those two are running to London and back

 

[westcoaster]

I'm impressed with how quick the OLE went back up, as far as I'm aware headspans have extra complications compared to to other structures. Where's the OLE depot based for MML?

Bedford OHLE team based in the grain store adjacent to Jowett sidings.

It's quite impressive as they have numerous test lines, including rigid bar.

 

[jthjth]

Route proving runs. Only those two are running

So do they accept passengers? They were showing on the Leicester Live Departures.

 

[liamf656]

So do they accept passengers? They were showing on the Leicester Live Departures.

Yes they are taking passengers, but not widely advertised being the only two trains. Passengers for London for the rest of today can connect at Bedford onto Thameslink

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Bedford OHLE team based in the grain store adjacent to Jowett sidings.

It's quite impressive as they have numerous test lines, including rigid bar.

Interesting. Makes sense as Bedford is an MDU for NR East Mids, at least they're not too far away from the site. I suppose once upon a time it was destined for Derby (which I think is the only other MDU in East Mids) to have an OLE depot too

 

[Amos390]

It would appear that 810016 did not manage to make the return journey north (1Z54), presumably just an on-train issue and not as a result of the works, but not a great look so far

 

[800002]

The two that went all the way to St Pancras (STP) were Very Short Term Plan (VSTP) services, so presumably they didn't expect to be able to run all the way through today, and already had the timetable in place for everything else to terminate at Bedford

Very Short Term planning. I.e. they put the plan in place at short notice to run to STP.

Operators have strict deadlines with Network Rail capacity planning (as experienced this week with various e.ergency plans).
A for C, bid on day 1 to operate on day 3 is pretty much the latest the 'conventional' system operates to. It must also be with NR by 1000 on day A.

Anything else is VSTP, as described. Usually by 2200 the day before, until there and then as required to run on tbe day - direct to the signal centre / ROC.

Fluid situations like these can't be 'planned for' other than by the on the day / day before process.

 

[Bald Rick]

Great work by all.

 

[Annetts key]

Yes, well done to all involved in dealing with the accident, investigating it, the recovery and the repairs to the railway infrastructure. Especially given the very hot weather over the last week.

 

[westcoaster]

Interesting. Makes sense as Bedford is an MDU for NR East Mids, at least they're not too far away from the site. I suppose once upon a time it was destined for Derby (which I think is the only other MDU in East Mids) to have an OLE depot too

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Look here of the side of ford end road bridge and you can see the test area they have.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Look here of the side of ford end road bridge and you can see the test area they have.

As promised, a mock up ROC (rigid overhead conductor)!
Although, it's not visible in any streetview after 2020, instead it looks like the have a normal SI to work on

I'm surprised that there's only 2 MDUs in East Mids and that neither are especially close to London. I think there are overhead line depots in Hornsey and Romford (for East Coast and Anglia), but if something should go wrong at St Pancras, do they have to wait on a team from Bedford?

 

[westcoaster]

View attachment 206738
As promised, a mock up ROC (rigid overhead conductor)!
Although, it's not visible in any streetview after 2020, instead it looks like the have a normal SI to work on
View attachment 206739
I'm surprised that there's only 2 MDUs in East Mids and that neither are especially close to London. I think there are overhead line depots in Hornsey and Romford (for East Coast and Anglia), but if something should go wrong at St Pancras, do they have to wait on a team from Bedford?

It's still there in the second picture, but shorter and over the right hand side near the trains.

 

[Crossover]

1Z53 and 1Z59 are running south to London, to return as 1Z54 and 1Z63. Alllcated are 810016 and 810014 respectively

Presumably the units chosen were not just concoidental?

 

[Bald Rick]

I'm surprised that there's only 2 MDUs in East Mids and that neither are especially close to London. I think there are overhead line depots in Hornsey and Romford (for East Coast and Anglia), but if something should go wrong at St Pancras, do they have to wait on a team from Bedford?

Yes, although they can ask for assistance from Willesden / Hornsey

 

[liamf656]

Presumably the units chosen were not just concoidental?

013 was originally allocated rather than 014, so I highly doubt it was intentional at all

 

[Vexed]

A couple of the recovered coaches were seen on the A6 south of Derby earlier.

I saw another couple of coaches making their way north on the M1 today around Northampton. They were wrapped up so not 100% sure, but it was the same style of wrapping as what I've seen of drone photos at Elstow.

 

[442Haz]

Exceptional work from all involved, RAIB, NR, the TOCs and no doubt the public who have on the whole been understanding in this process. Well done all