Acton Main Line to Acton Wells Jct electrification

[GRALISTAIR]

I will be travelling past the Poplars Lines on this coming Friday, I am really busy for the rest of Friday and also all day Saturday, so I will post an update this coming Sunday.

Great. Thank you very much. I look forward to it.

 

[76020]

I found a bit of spare time tonight so here is an update. I travelled on a Paddington to Cardiff train today 15/08/2025, apart from the junction with the North London Line, I had a good view of the Poplars lines. From what I saw all the masts and support arms are in, also there is a single return wire from somewhere around Action West Junction (GWML) to about half way up the incline which goes to Action Main Line Junction (NLL). There is no other wiring at present.

 

[Legolash2o]

Is this line electrified now? It shows as AC in the Sectional Appendix.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Shouldn't there be a neutral section though?

 

[zwk500]

Is this line electrified now? It shows as AC in the Sectional Appendix.

Table GW103-009 States only DM, UM, DR, UR, and ADUL electrified, plus an overrun at Acton West towards Acton Yard, so explicitly not the Poplars on that diagram

Table GW130-001 also does not state that either DP or UP are electrified, which given the GW Sectional Appendix does for electrified lines on every other page I've checked, suggests it is not yet live. Presumably Didcot is noted as the ECR for the AC electrification either because that's the ECR that will be controlling it when electrified, or because on the presence of OLE at Acton Main Line.

I also can't seen any ORR authorisation for placing in service or anything in the PON published on the NR Website about it changing. Could easily have missed something on those though.

 

[Horizon22]

That sectional appendix table hasn't been updated since April/May. The Weekly Operating Notice (WON) would also list new live electrification sites.

 

[The Chimaera]

On my last visit to the Poplars, around two weeks ago the wiring seemed complete except for the connection at Acton West Jn. Though I’m not sure if the other end at Acton Wells was connected either, it was too dark. The contact wire had been installed since my previous trip.

 

[zwk500]

On my last visit to the Poplars, around two weeks ago the wiring seemed complete except for the connection at Acton West Jn. Though I’m not sure if the other end at Acton Wells was connected either, it was too dark. The contact wire had been installed since my previous trip.

The tie-ins will be the hardest part. I expect there's a lot of less-visible work yet to do, especially with 2 ECRs involved.

According to the September 2025 Edition of the Enhancements Delivery Plan, the Poplars electrification is expected to enter service in July 26

For future reference the EDP updates are on this page

 

[800301]

Is this line electrified now? It shows as AC in the Sectional Appendix.

3rd of November it will be live but only the bit on Acton bank to Acton wells Jn, there is a neutral section at the bottom of the hill just before Western Avenue overbridge

 

[reddragon]

I just looked on AIVR.

Last video was 9th September & shows just eastbound / up line as wired up but not connected to the NLL or GWML at either end.

At lot may have happened since then.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

According to the September 2025 Edition of the Enhancements Delivery Plan…….
For future reference the EDP updates are on this page

Bookmarked. Thanks.

 

[Legolash2o]

Awesome, thanks all.

I shall leave it marked as "Under Construction" on the maps.

 

[Horizon22]

The line is to be considered electrified and live from November 3rd, but as stated this is just the small section of the Up & Down Poplar lines and to the neural section

 

[fgwrich]

Interestingly, and apologies if mentioned in the 99 thread, 99001 did briefly pan up during its test run last week but then continued to depart on diesel. Possible test of the OHLE whilst in the area?

 

[Class15]

Interestingly, and apologies if mentioned in the 99 thread, 99001 did briefly pan up during its test run last week but then continued to depart on diesel. Possible test of the OHLE whilst in the area?

This video is by forum member @BRX - who posted about it in the 99 thread.

 

[59CosG95]

The line is to be considered electrified and live from November 3rd, but as stated this is just the small section of the Up & Down Poplar lines and to the neural section

Weirdly enough, I've been CC'd into an email on my works account stating the structures.
Both lines will be LIVE as far west as structure JW/01/15; the Up Poplar from WG/10/10, the Down Poplar from WG/10/12. This area will be controlled by Rugby ECR; the area to be controlled by Didcot seems to not yet be finished.

 

[Elecman]

Weirdly enough, I've been CC'd into an email on my works account stating the structures.
Both lines will be LIVE as far west as structure JW/01/15; the Up Poplar from WG/10/10, the Down Poplar from WG/10/12. This area will be controlled by Rugby ECR; the area to be controlled by Didcot seems to not yet be finished.

Is Structure JW/01/15 the location of the neutral section then ?

 

[59CosG95]

Is Structure JW/01/15 the location of the neutral section then ?

Must be.

 

[Legolash2o]

Although currently tagged as under construction. Have I tagged the right sections please?

I'm not sure where those structures are.

 

[hwl]

Although currently tagged as under construction. Have I tagged the sections please?

I'm not sure where those structures are.

View attachment 191493

View attachment 191494

yes

 

[mr_moo]

The first section was succesfully energised last night (I'm sat with the project lead today!)
More to come of course but a great start.

 

[zwk500]

The first section was succesfully energised last night (I'm sat with the project lead today!)
More to come of course but a great start.

Excellent news. I presume this means that for actual services there's basically no change, but certainly better than nothing!

 

[edwin_m]

Excellent news. I presume this means that for actual services there's basically no change, but certainly better than nothing!

There will be another energisation from the neutral section down to the GWML, but these just mean that everyone needs to treat the line as live. A further Entry into Service process needs to be completed before electric trains can actually operate.

 

[mr_moo]

Excellent news. I presume this means that for actual services there's basically no change, but certainly better than nothing!

Absolutely, it's not in a place to take trains yet by a decent margin, but it's certainly good progress.

 

[WAO]

I'm curious to know where the neutral section has been chosen to be sited as there's quite a climb and freights would not want to be gapped at either end.

WAO

 

[59CosG95]

I'm curious to know where the neutral section has been chosen to be sited as there's quite a climb and freights would not want to be gapped at either end.

WAO

The neutral section is at the top of the incline.

 

[edwin_m]

A neutral section is essential somewhere along the newly wired section, as the wiring each end is fed from completely different places. Trying to make wider changes to put it somewhere else would reduce operational flexibility as well as costing a lot.

 

[WAO]

The neutral section is at the top of the incline.

Does that mean that an electrically hauled East bound freight, with its heavy load still on the rising incline, will lose power when still working hard and running at perhaps 10mph on a curve? I know it's meant for 345 transfers but....

Bring on the batteries.

WAO

 

[edwin_m]

Does that mean that an electrically hauled East bound freight, with its heavy load still on the rising incline, will lose power when still working hard and running at perhaps 10mph on a curve? I know it's meant for 345 transfers but....

Bring on the batteries.

WAO

Electric freight is only a future possibility and as I mentioned above, putting the neutral section somewhere else would have caused problems for no immediate benefit. There are no electrified freight terminals accessible via the electrified part of the GWML, and until that changed any electric freight would have to have a battery or an auxiliary diesel anyway.

 

[reddragon]

Just looked on AIVR. 29/11/2005.

This is now connected at Acton Wells Jc and the crossover on the UP side of Acton Main Line. Theoretically through trains could now operate.
It is not connected on the down side end of Acton ML via the freight sidings as the cables just end before the underpass over junction.