Crewe Resignalling (Crewe South & Basford Hall)

[8stewartt]

Morning,

There doesn’t appear to be a thread for this so thought I’d start one.

A lot of work starting to take place on site now. Location bases being installed at the minute. UTX (under track crossings for cables). Holes have been sunk for new gantries and marking of signal positions has started to take place.

commissioning due august 2023 onto 2 workstations. Crewe South & Independent Lines. Crewe south fringing with IL, Stafford, and Crewe SCC. Crewe South will eventually take half the station, south junction and Alsager branch to Kidsgrove.

 

[Watershed]

Morning,

There doesn’t appear to be a thread for this so thought I’d start one.

A lot of work starting to take place on site now. Location bases being installed at the minute. UTX (under track crossings for cables). Holes have been sunk for new gantries and marking of signal positions has started to take place.

commissioning due august 2023 onto 2 workstations. Crewe South & Independent Lines. Crewe south fringing with IL, Stafford, and Crewe SCC. Crewe South will eventually take half the station, south junction and Alsager branch to Kidsgrove.

Where is it being resignalled to? Rugby ROC?

 

[The Planner]

Where is it being resignalled to? Rugby ROC?

Manchester.

 

[sonic2009]

So guess this will require a few small shutdowns of Crewe station?

 

[Mag_seven]

What boxes are closing?

 

[snowball]

Hope it's compatible with HS2.

 

[8stewartt]

At this stage will see the closure of Basford Hall Junction, Sorting Sidings North and Salop Goods Junction.

The independent lines are being bought up to passenger standards so when they do the station in 24/25 they can divert passengers via the yard (as they did in 1985 at the previous remodelling).

I did find the schedule of closures I’ll try and find it again. Would be good if anyone has any plans

 

[sonic2009]

At this stage will see the closure of Basford Hall Junction, Sorting Sidings North and Salop Goods Junction.

The independent lines are being bought up to passenger standards so when they do the station in 24/25 they can divert passengers via the yard (as they did in 1985 at the previous remodelling).

I did find the schedule of closures I’ll try and find it again. Would be good if anyone has any plans

So running non-stop on the independent lines - are there any plans for temporary platforms whilst the station is being done - and will agree if any plans are available to be able to see them?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Hope it's compatible with HS2.

Why?

 

[snowball]

Why?

Because it's bad to spend millions on something and then promptly undo it.

 

[CW2]

Hope it's compatible with HS2.

It is. The timing of the resignalling coincides very neatly with the requirement for HS2 phase 2A to arrive at Crewe. There is a joint project team working on this. It involves significant alterations to the junctions south of Crewe, and also the reinstatement of the bays at the north and south end of platform 12, so services from Chester/North Wales and Shrewsbury/South Wales can arrive depart conflict free with the main lines.

As I understand it, the plans for permanent platforms on the Independent Lines have been scrapped, but I don't know if some temporary platforms may be erected for use during stage works.

It's all a few years off yet, but I'm anticipating some significant blockades and disruption.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Because it's bad to spend millions on something and then promptly undo it.

But isn't Crewe being tunnelled under? I was under the impression they were adding extra tracks to just short of Basford Hall (currently moving utilities around Chorlton/Newcastle Road) and then going under.

 

[CW2]

But isn't Crewe being tunnelled under? I was under the impression they were adding extra tracks to just short of Basford Hall (currently moving utilities around Chorlton/Newcastle Road) and then going under.

The "going under" Crewe comes at the end, i.e. Phase 2B of HS2 when it extends to Manchester. It has to work with Phase 2A, when it all comes through Crewe on the flat. In other words, the HS2 Phase 2A services arrive at Crewe station after remodelling / resignalling, but before the tunnel is constructed to allow services to run directly north avoiding Crewe station.

 

[8stewartt]

But isn't Crewe being tunnelled under? I was under the impression they were adding extra tracks to just short of Basford Hall (currently moving utilities around Chorlton/Newcastle Road) and then going under.

The tunnel under Crewe is HS2 Phase 2B. Phase 2A will see a pair of lines join just south of the current BH junction.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Why?

Because it might have to be redone otherwise.
Presumably it enables the Lichfield-Crewe HS2 plan with 400m platforms and grade separation of the route south of Crewe.
I imagine this is just the precursor to the eventual design for the Crewe area after HS2 goes through in its tunnel when the new Manchester line is built.
But the rethink of Golborne puts the northern side back in the melting pot to a degree.

 

[bengley]

I presume this will include some line speed improvements on the independents? It's an absolute arse crawling through there at 10mph, even 20 would be much better.

 

[8stewartt]

I presume this will include some line speed improvements on the independents? It's an absolute arse crawling through there at 10mph, even 20 would be much better.

It’s being investigate. The signalling will be designed for 20, but the final line speed has not been finalised from what I’ve read. Due to Crewe being on clay ground, the drainage is poor, which is why BH floods so easily. If they can install a better drainage system then the speed will be increased to 20. Watch this space I guess, but I agree, a 103SLU liner through there at 10 is painful!

 

[Watershed]

I presume this will include some line speed improvements on the independents? It's an absolute arse crawling through there at 10mph, even 20 would be much better.

I did see a speed increase mentioned in a previous presentation on the subject of Crewe resignalling. It's a complex issue, not aided by the poor soil makeup, but an increase is potentially on the cards.

 

[snowball]

I did see a speed increase mentioned in a previous presentation on the subject of Crewe resignalling. It's a complex issue, not aided by the poor soil makeup, but an increase is potentially on the cards.

I think 20 was mentioned in a presentation I saw on here.

 

[The Planner]

So guess this will require a few small shutdowns of Crewe station?

Yep, not necessarily small either.

Hope it's compatible with HS2.

Yes

At this stage will see the closure of Basford Hall Junction, Sorting Sidings North and Salop Goods Junction.

The independent lines are being bought up to passenger standards so when they do the station in 24/25 they can divert passengers via the yard (as they did in 1985 at the previous remodelling).

I did find the schedule of closures I’ll try and find it again. Would be good if anyone has any plans

Station wont be 24.

So running non-stop on the independent lines - are there any plans for temporary platforms whilst the station is being done - and will agree if any plans are available to be able to see them?

No platforms

It’s being investigate. The signalling will be designed for 20, but the final line speed has not been finalised from what I’ve read. Due to Crewe being on clay ground, the drainage is poor, which is why BH floods so easily. If they can install a better drainage system then the speed will be increased to 20. Watch this space I guess, but I agree, a 103SLU liner through there at 10 is painful!

Drainage is getting done but even that doesnt mean you'll move from the 15 at the south end and 10 at the north.

 

[Dixie]

There's a quite comprehensive IRSE webinar on this topic at: https://vimeo.com/502110052