Great Western Electrification Progress

[59CosG95]

In other news, work's finally started to get P1 & P2 wired at Paddington. https://twitter.com/BTPPaddington/status/804980420139950080

 

[fgwrich]

When's Reading due for completion?

No idea I'm afraid, the answer should be somewhere within this thread - or at least within the next year to allow the Didcot - Padd 387s to start running.

In other news, work's finally started to get P1 & P2 wired at Paddington. https://twitter.com/BTPPaddington/status/804980420139950080

I believe this work also involves either raising or the replacement of the footbridge as well. I'm not sure why when wires can already fit under the rest of the bridge though.

 

[Class 170101]

I think East Coast would be delighted to receive a dozen brand new trains early in exchange for HSTs. Gives them a chance to be ready for all electric 800s in 2018/19. Hardly likely to dislocate their business plan when they are converting to 800s anyway.

Eventually, however the leasing costs of the IEPs will be more expensive than the HSTs / 91s so they might not be as willing as you imagine to swap from HSTs / 91s to IEP.

 

[jyte]

In other news, work's finally started to get P1 & P2 wired at Paddington. https://twitter.com/BTPPaddington/status/804980420139950080

I walked along P1 a week ago and was wondering when the wiring works would start.

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they the only un-electrified platforms now? Why weren't they electrified when all the others were?

 

[fgwrich]

I walked along P1 a week ago and was wondering when the wiring works would start.

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they the only un-electrified platforms now? Why weren't they electrified when all the others were?

Probably down to a case of no real need. The first round of OHLE was installed for HEX who have their own dedicated platforms, so it was probably seen as not necessary at the time. IIRC, the Suburban platforms were only done for HEC's arrival?

 

[jyte]

Probably down to a case of no real need. The first round of OHLE was installed for HEX who have their own dedicated platforms, so it was probably seen as not necessary at the time. IIRC, the Suburban platforms were only done for HEC's arrival?

Okay....

It just seems to be one of those 'on a shoestring' things...

 

[QueensCurve]

Which reminds me...

That puts a new slant on things.

 

[D1009]

When's Reading due for completion?

I believe it's Dec 2017, which is when the class 387 service to Didcot starts running.

 

[gsnedders]

Okay....

It just seems to be one of those 'on a shoestring' things...

Remember the HEx works were done at BAA's expense, who obviously had no interest in it. The HEC works excluding only P1 and P2 is slightly more surprising.

 

[MarkLong]

Why the NR can deliver nearly all London Project on time but not other part of UK?

 

[superkev]

Watching some YouTube videos of pileing each one looked to take less than 5 min. On that basis they could probably be half way across the Irish sea. Very puzzling.
Admittably all the videos where of a hammer or auger fastened to an excavator rather than the HOPS factory train.
K

 

[jyte]

Why the NR can deliver nearly all London Project on time but not other part of UK?

Sorry? I don't really understand.

 

[59CosG95]

Sorry? I don't really understand.

MarkLong appears to be questioning why every Network Rail project in London seems to be running to time, but no projects anywhere else in the country are. He clearly hasn't seen Norton Bridge, Banbury or the Hinksey flood alleviation.

In all seriousness though, it's a question of scale. Most of the projects in and around London have been relatively small (Crossrail excepted).

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Between the buffer stops at Paddington and where the Heathrow branch leaves the GWML, was all the existing OLE equipment (including masts) kept or has it been replaced as part of the overall GWML electrification?

 

[jyte]

MarkLong appears to be questioning why every Network Rail project in London seems to be running to time, but no projects anywhere else in the country are. He clearly hasn't seen Norton Bridge, Banbury or the Hinksey flood alleviation.

In all seriousness though, it's a question of scale. Most of the projects in and around London have been relatively small (Crossrail excepted).

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

Besides I was under the impression that only the 'new' bits of Crossrail (the tunnels) are running to time, and NR is struggling to deliver the OHLE upgrade to Shenfield on time... we know about the GWML problems already.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Between the buffer stops at Paddington and where the Heathrow branch leaves the GWML, was all the existing OLE equipment (including masts) kept or has it been replaced as part of the overall GWML electrification?

As I understand it, almost all of it will be kept with the exception of some large "at risk" headspans that will be converted to portals.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Between the buffer stops at Paddington and where the Heathrow branch leaves the GWML, was all the existing OLE equipment (including masts) kept or has it been replaced as part of the overall GWML electrification?

I think the answer is that it has been/is being selectively upgraded.
There is extensive new OHLE kit for Crossrail and IEP (to reach depots and upgrade the power supply etc).
The new underpass at Acton changed all the OHLE in the area.
The rebuild of Airport Jn likewise changed a lot in the Hayes area.
The main line catenary is also being upgraded for 125mph (possibly 140mph, don't know).
Some headspan installations have been replaced by portals.
If you run past Kensal Green/Old Oak Common you will see vast new OHLE installations at the lineside.
But I expect some of the original HEx project stuff is unchanged, say Ealing-Hayes.

 

[jyte]

On an unrelated note what do people think the government's decision to give TOC's maintenance powers will do to the GWML upgrade?

Oxford reached sooner or later?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

On an unrelated note what do people think the government's decision to give TOC's maintenance powers will do to the GWML upgrade?
Oxford reached sooner or later?

If it's tied to franchise replacement, that's not till April 2019 for ICGW (if GWR doesn't get an extension).
I think they will start with somewhere a bit simpler than the GW route.

 

[coppercapped]

On an unrelated note what do people think the government's decision to give TOC's maintenance powers will do to the GWML upgrade?

Oxford reached sooner or later?

It's a proposal at the moment, not a decision.

And you've misunderstood what is being proposed.

 

[jyte]

It's a proposal at the moment, not a decision.

And you've misunderstood what is being proposed.

Sorry, my understanding from the BBC today was that the DaFT had decided to move forward with the proposals.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Sorry, my understanding from the BBC today was that the DaFT had decided to move forward with the proposals.

The information on that matter that we have so far is simply the contents of a speech to be given to a right wing think tank. That is not the same as a proposal being brought to Parliament. It's quite possible that nothing happens beyond speechifying.

 

[jyte]

The information on that matter that we have so far is simply the contents of a speech to be given to a right wing think tank. That is not the same as a proposal being brought to Parliament. It's quite possible that nothing happens beyond speechifying.

You just made day better, thank you.

 

[MarkLong]

MarkLong appears to be questioning why every Network Rail project in London seems to be running to time, but no projects anywhere else in the country are. He clearly hasn't seen Norton Bridge, Banbury or the Hinksey flood alleviation.

In all seriousness though, it's a question of scale. Most of the projects in and around London have been relatively small (Crossrail excepted).

Sorry, I mean electrification program, The Gospel Oak to Barking electrification appears to be delivered on time. But other part of UK's electrification suffers from delay. Scotland's EGIP for 5 months, Northern's Liverpool-Manchester for at least 3 months, and GWML for years...

 

[jyte]

Sorry, I mean electrification program, The Gospel Oak to Barking electrification appears to be delivered on time. But other part of UK's electrification suffers from delay. Scotland's EGIP for 5 months, Northern's Liverpool-Manchester for at least 3 months, and GWML for years...

This is my understanding. Firstly, Gospel Oak to Barking is getting a lot of TfL funding so is less likely to be delayed due to spending reviews.

Secondly, I was actually under the impression that Gospel Oak - Barking is running running about 6 months behind schedule, despite a complete line closure for over 6 months.

 

[MarkLong]

This is my understanding. Firstly, Gospel Oak to Barking is getting a lot of TfL funding so is less likely to be delayed due to spending reviews.

Secondly, I was actually under the impression that Gospel Oak - Barking is running running about 6 months behind schedule, despite a complete line closure for over 6 months.

Thanks for point out my mistakes, but then NR can not deliver any electrification project on time.... so sad.

 

[Domh245]

GOBLIN is a fairly simple electrification - low speed, relatively few engineering challenges, recently upgraded, and fairly short. A lot of the other projects that have overrun haven't exactly been similar in difficulty to GOBLIN.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

GOBLIN is a fairly simple electrification - low speed, relatively few engineering challenges, recently upgraded, and fairly short. A lot of the other projects that have overrun haven't exactly been similar in difficulty to GOBLIN.

I wouldn't say that.
Per mile, it's probably one of the most complex lines to electrify, with all the different structures, many elevated, and the connections to multiple main lines.
And closing the line for months to lower a long section of track (to avoid traffic chaos raising the bridges) seems to have been a big (and expensive) job.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I wouldn't say that.
Per mile, it's probably one of the most complex lines to electrify, with all the different structures, many elevated, and the connections to multiple main lines.
And closing the line for months to lower a long section of track (to avoid traffic chaos raising the bridges) seems to have been a big (and expensive) job.

And because of those connections, neutral sections galore.

 

[hwl]

GOBLIN is a fairly simple electrification - low speed, relatively few engineering challenges, recently upgraded, and fairly short. A lot of the other projects that have overrun haven't exactly been similar in difficulty to GOBLIN.

Really? Massive engineering challenges on a challenges per mile basis. Still lots of issue to be dealt with even after the blockades (such as under-bridge deck replacements* on the most eastern section to improve speed limits from 20 /30mph)

Most of the piles (76% by total mast numbers) were installed before the 8month blockade which is mostly for civils work such as track lowering, bridge rebuilds and embankments /retaining wall works. The non pile bases are mostly being done during the blockade which is comparitively high number of non piled bases.

The GOBlin cost per mile is roughly the same as the current increased (Nov '16) GW electrification cost per mile...
4 new Bridge decks*, 6 strengthened* another 16 modified, 4 sections of track lowering including a 1.7km stretch 50cm lower through a station (to avoid even more bridge works). All platforms rebuilt or lenghtened. Lots of slab track on the lowered sections. Moving sewers and storm drains underneath the tracks...

But only 28 single track miles.

*more under-bridges post blockade during more weekend closures.

There is very good reason it wasn't done sooner.

 

[Class 170101]

Sorry, I mean electrification program, The Gospel Oak to Barking electrification appears to be delivered on time. But other part of UK's electrification suffers from delay. Scotland's EGIP for 5 months, Northern's Liverpool-Manchester for at least 3 months, and GWML for years...

I'll believe it when I see regarding the GOB being on time.