Great Western Electrification Progress

[Mordac]

To check that it's not just a hologram?

Derp, my bad, thought he said live.

 

[richieb1971]

After observing the Pangbourne area I can safely say this type of gantry setup seems more obstructive than other OHLE lines for the enthusiast.

Can we assume this type of gantry and OHLE setup is to be used elsewhere on the network or is the design chosen for a specification or location?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Can we assume this type of gantry and OHLE setup is to be used elsewhere on the network or is the design chosen for a specification or location?

It is. MML will be electrified using the same Series 1 OLE.

The Series 2 OLE being used elsewhere will be similarly robust, with portals, cantilever structures and gantries employed in place of headspans.

I know it's ruining a few vantage points, but there are some pretty spectacular viewing spots on the WCML, so when it comes to the GWML, it's just a case of digging out the old OS map, looking for public rights of way, and finding new spots.

 

[YorkshireBear]

It is. MML will be electrified using the same Series 1 OLE.

The Series 2 OLE being used elsewhere will be similarly robust, with portals, cantilever structures and gantries employed in place of headspans.

I know it's ruining a few vantage points, but there are some pretty spectacular viewing spots on the WCML, so when it comes to the GWML, it's just a case of digging out the old OS map, looking for public rights of way, and finding new spots.

Some of the 'engineering' on the series 1 is leading to slightly less massive steelwork if i understand correctly from recent Modern Railways.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Some of the 'engineering' on the series 1 is leading to slightly less massive steelwork if i understand correctly from recent Modern Railways.

Mast height decreases where portals and twin track cantilevers are used in place of headspans. Factors vary but 10ft lower isn't unusual.

The Series 1 twin track cantilever is slightly smaller than the previous twin track cantilever design of the sort used elsewhere (NW Electrification etc).

Small part steelwork is much lower profile.

 

[reddragon]

Did you touch them to check?

Ha ha ha ha!

There was a small gap until last week and I check mated that it was filled lol

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Mast height decreases where portals and twin track cantilevers are used in place of headspans. Factors vary but 10ft lower isn't unusual.
Small part steelwork is much lower profile.

I wonder why the Goring Gap crowd are not pleased with this then?

 

[HowardGWR]

I wonder why the Goring Gap crowd are not pleased with this then?

There is a separate thread for that subject.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There is a separate thread for that subject.

I am fully aware of that and do not need reminding. I made a judgment call - and thought it appropriate and in context for this thread Mr Moderator in waiting. :roll:

 

[jimm]

Several pictures taken at Wantage Road today by Martin Loader, showing a lot of steelwork in place there and towards Didcot.

http://hondawanderer.com/Recent_Additions.htm

 

[gwr4090]

Rumoured that first live testing of OLE between Tilehurst and Didcot is due on Sat 16 July using the first two Class 800 IEPs ? Any confirmation ?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Rumoured that first live testing of OLE between Tilehurst and Didcot is due on Sat 16 July using the first two Class 800 IEPs ? Any confirmation ?

I thought IEP testing was planned for the end of September?
There will be a lot of snagging to do first, and you'd expect some more basic rolling stock to be used - something old and bog-standard like a class 90.
There's a lot of very new electrical infrastructure to be tested before the wheels start roiling.
As noted before, Test Coach Mentor from Derby will test the OHLE before any commercial rolling stock is used.

 

[snowball]

Press release with video of big crane lifting Bridge Street Bridge, Newport:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-work-to-improve-rail-journeys-in-south-wales

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I thought IEP testing was planned for the end of September?
There will be a lot of snagging to do first, and you'd expect some more basic rolling stock to be used - something old and bog-standard like a class 90.
There's a lot of very new electrical infrastructure to be tested before the wheels start roiling.
As noted before, Test Coach Mentor from Derby will test the OHLE before any commercial rolling stock is used.

Top and Tailed by diesel locomotives I assume?

 

[leomartin125]

Testing could/will start this weekend, take a look at this RTT path for Saturday night:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97549/2016/07/16/advanced

That's a Class 800 testing on the live line between Reading and Didcot.

And this will be the NR test train to go with it:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35546/2016/07/16/advanced

 

[steverailer]

Testing could/will start this weekend, take a look at this RTT path for Saturday night:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97549/2016/07/16/advanced

That's a Class 800 testing on the live line between Reading and Didcot.

And this will be the NR test train to go with it:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35546/2016/07/16/advanced

This is probably being used for the OLE testing not the actual train testing.

Been a mad rush this week to get the mains ready for the test train to run. It's not been done to the final hand over registration, just enough to get it safe to run the train, then teams will be back out in the coming weeks for the final registration and installation of the missing ATF.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

This is probably being used for the OLE testing not the actual train testing.

I believe IEP is there to make use of the installed pantograph/OLE monitoring equipment, but as with everything be so tight for time, it could do other testing at the same time.

 

[FGW_DID]

Testing could/will start this weekend, take a look at this RTT path for Saturday night:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97549/2016/07/16/advanced

That's a Class 800 testing on the live line between Reading and Didcot.

And this will be the NR test train to go with it:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35546/2016/07/16/advanced

Reported on GWML Gen Yahoo group as 68001 & 68005.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

reported on gwml gen yahoo group as 68001 & 68005.

68005 + 975091 (mentor) + 72631 (plpr) + 977997 (rsc3) + 9523 + 68001

 

[FGW_DID]

IET testing on GWML as I arrived at work this morning. 800002 & looks like 800001 (plain grey with black HITACHI & Class 800 lettering) paired up on the UM over the viaduct at Reading.

A video of the pair, no sound, it was taken through the office window.

https://youtu.be/T49ZYCakwBs

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Well, did the wires get tickled overnight?
That's rather more important than which locos were on the test train.

 

[JN114]

Well, did the wires get tickled overnight?
That's rather more important than which locos were on the test train.

As I left the office after lates yesterday the NR infrastructure/projects guys in the corner were rushing around putting lots of last minute bits and pieces together, amending possessions and so forth to have it ready for testing. It all seems to have been organised very quickly, with lots of little details forgotten about until the last minute - for example there was a 1hr line block of the main lines before the possession was due to go on for someone to go in and remove earth straps, caused some delay routing everything over the reliefs.

Given the effort being made Id be surprised if there wasn't a bit of roofzap action, will find out later I guess!

 

[FGW_DID]

Post #2810 edited to add video link

 

[snowball]

Press release

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/jul/first-electric-train-runs-Great-Western-Main-Line/

A new electric train has been successfully tested on the Great Western Main Line for the first time, in a major milestone for the electrification project.

The train made two test runs between the stations, at speeds of up to 125mph, having arrived from its London depot.

Includes video clip with pantographs visibly up.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Well, hats off to NR and Hitachi for pulling it off.
I thought they would be starting with some low-key load bank or class 90 tests at low speed, not the full whack IEPs at 125mph.
So is this the "September" tests starting early, or is it some other phase of the testing?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Well, hats off to NR and Hitachi for pulling it off.
I thought they would be starting with some low-key load bank or class 90 tests at low speed, not the full whack IEPs at 125mph.
So is this the "September" tests starting early, or is it some other phase of the testing?

It appears to be (in part, at least) two pantograph testing to assess the catenary oscillation behaviour. The data from the both IEP units will be assessed, but it'll be the data from the rear unit that's of particular interest.

It's essentially IEP being used to test the catenary, rather than the start of IEP testing on electric, if that makes sense, though I'm sure no data will be wasted by either NR or Hitachi/Agility.

 

[GazK]

The interaction of a 2x5 car IEP (with 2 pans up) with series 1 OLE has already been tested extensively at 125mph at Old Dalby. This is merely the latest in a long series of tests so the risk was low.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Phlopp]

The interaction of a 2x5 car IEP (with 2 pans up) with series 1 OLE has already been tested extensively at 125mph at Old Dalby. This is merely the latest in a long series of tests so the risk was low.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Bit less Series 1 OLE at Old Dalby, of course.

It was all modelled extensively of course, it's more a case of confirming behaviour as expected.

 

[TheKnightWho]

It appears to be (in part, at least) two pantograph testing to assess the catenary oscillation behaviour. The data from the both IEP units will be assessed, but it'll be the data from the rear unit that's of particular interest.

It's essentially IEP being used to test the catenary, rather than the start of IEP testing on electric, if that makes sense, though I'm sure no data will be wasted by either NR or Hitachi/Agility.

I'm surprised they've started both at once, since it makes it more difficult to work out where the problem is if something does indeed go wrong. Scientific to only change one variable etc. etc.

On a separate note, does this mean we're likely to see more resources going back to areas other than the test section soon?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

I'm surprised they've started both at once, since it makes it more difficult to work out where the problem is if something does indeed go wrong. Scientific to only change one variable etc. etc.

They're hardly an unknown now, as has been stated, there was lots of modelling, they've been doing testing at Old Dalby for a year now, and the pantograph itself is a well known and understand quantity, long before Hitachi and IEP were even a twinkle in DfT's eye.

The worst that will happen is BW and Hitachi will end up tweaking the aerofoils ever so slightly to ensure the uplift force is as required, if they're not already spot on.