Great Western Electrification Progress

[Domh245]

Good to see proper dates again against Didcot - Oxford; Bristol via Bath. I had begun to fear that they might not happen at all.

That was from a year ago, before the postponements had been announced.

 

[swt_passenger]

Good to see proper dates again against Didcot - Oxford; Bristol via Bath. I had begun to fear that they might not happen at all.

That's a quote from early 2016, and the enhancements milestones have been updated twice since, most recently in September 2016. Academic in this case, because the dates haven't changed, but the Jan 16 Hendy version is not actually new news, and probably shouldn't be quoted as the current status of anything...

 

[HowardGWR]

That's a quote from early 2016, and the enhancements milestones have been updated twice since, most recently in September 2016. Academic in this case, because the dates haven't changed, but the Jan 16 Hendy version is not actually new news, and probably shouldn't be quoted as the current status of anything...

It wasn't. It was quoted in response to a member in order to shew him/her that it was never going to be earlier than 2019 for all-electric services to Cardiff anyway.

 

[158756]

It wasn't. It was quoted in response to a member in order to shew him/her that it was never going to be earlier than 2019 for all-electric services to Cardiff anyway.

I was more interested in Maidenhead-Didcot not seeing any electric trains until CP6, which means e.g. no EMUs to Reading for at least 18 months after completion of the wires.

'First electric train' is also described as 'first public timetabled use of infrastructure', which would cover a bi-mode, so it also suggests the bi-modes won't be using the wires/ timetabled as electric until CP6.

It just seems odd that they're planning for the wires to be unused for at least 18 months. Assuming the completion milestones are worth anything.

 

[Clarence Yard]

I was more interested in Maidenhead-Didcot not seeing any electric trains until CP6, which means e.g. no EMUs to Reading for at least 18 months after completion of the wires.

'First electric train' is also described as 'first public timetabled use of infrastructure', which would cover a bi-mode, so it also suggests the bi-modes won't be using the wires/ timetabled as electric until CP6.

It just seems odd that they're planning for the wires to be unused for at least 18 months. Assuming the completion milestones are worth anything.

They're not. July 2017 for start of the Maidenhead EMU service, earlier if we are lucky. December 2017 for Didcot EMU services.

 

[QueensCurve]

It seems to be a new fashion to construct new infrastructure which is not used all the time. Apparently the new flyover at Hitchin is the same, Cambridge fast services still regularly weave slowly across the old junction instead of taking the flyover, and up fast services can still be delayed by these.

Leaving us to wonder what was the point of building it.

I read somewhere that the business case for the Hitchin Flyover was based on recovery of the original junctions.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No, you would have to squeeze the Yard S&C to achieve that, and thus reduce the standage available in the Yard.

The benefit of the arrangement as built is that freighrs into the Yard initially go "straight on" before diverging. Thus they spend less time slowing down on, and blocking, the Uo Relief.

Plus I meant that the dive under could be built (largely) off line, rather than being hemmed in (for a phase) between a relocated Up Relief and the Down Relief, making construction access more difficult.

I didn't envisage the flyover being in a different place, only it becoming the standard route.

 

[HowardGWR]

Leaving us to wonder what was the point of building it.

I read somewhere that the business case for the Hitchin Flyover was based on recovery of the original junctions.

It escapes me what this LNER line issue has to do with GWML electrification. I know there was a discussion about the Acton underpass but that isn't an electrification project either, unless I missed something..

 

[QueensCurve]

It escapes me what this LNER line issue has to do with GWML electrification. I know there was a discussion about the Acton underpass but that isn't an electrification project either, unless I missed something..

Apologies. Someone mentioned the Hitchin Flyover and I picked up on it.

 

[Nippy]

Fair point. How about the other way round though? A train regulated on the up relief whilst something passes it on the dive under.

Possibly, I haven't been in since it all changed. I will find out on Monday night.

 

[317 forever]

They're not. July 2017 for start of the Maidenhead EMU service, earlier if we are lucky. December 2017 for Didcot EMU services.

Even here, I have the nagging feeling that, as per the Hayes & Harlington shuttles, these will be peak-hours only initially. Although I currently plan to ride a 387 to Hayes this summer, I may postpone it a year of I can be sure of getting one at least to West Drayton in summer '18.

 

[swt_passenger]

Even here, I have the nagging feeling that, as per the Hayes & Harlington shuttles, these will be peak-hours only initially. Although I currently plan to ride a 387 to Hayes this summer, I may postpone it a year of I can be sure of getting one at least to West Drayton in summer '18.

The initial idea IS to run peak hour only from or to Maidenhead, it is all in the track access application, and the GWR website announcements, and was discussed a while before Christmas. Turns it it was as long ago as September, in the 387 thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=92831&page=266

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Are all the electrified routes that the 387s get used on scheduled to be 2 units coupled all the time or is it just a case of the videos of them in service probably being filmed during either the morning or evening peak?

 

[JN114]

Are all the electrified routes that the 387s get used on scheduled to be 2 units coupled all the time or is it just a case of the videos of them in service probably being filmed during either the morning or evening peak?

All 387 diagrams are currently 8 car.

Lots of electrification work taking place on multiple worksites along the B&H last night. Piling in the Towney area, structure erection further west.

 

[Thatcham Xing]

All 387 diagrams are currently 8 car.

How will that work at stations like Migdham and Aldermaston, where AFAIK no platforms extensions are planned, and currently they might stuggle to fit a single 387 - SDO?

 

[D1009]

How will that work at stations like Migdham and Aldermaston, where AFAIK no platforms extensions are planned, and currently they might stuggle to fit a single 387 - SDO?

He did state current diagrams.

 

[Thatcham Xing]

.....indeed he did, but I have also seen that Thatcham and Theale are to be extended to accomodate 8 coach trains (which neither can quite do at the moment).

 

[Nippy]

The 8 cars trains are currently running with SDO.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That's a quote from early 2016, and the enhancements milestones have been updated twice since, most recently in September 2016.

There's a new version of the CP5 milestones document on the revamped NR web site: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-con...Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-September-2016.pdf

Despite it still saying September 2016 in the link, the document itself is dated December 2016.
The GW Electrification page (p85) has a "Last Updated: December 2016" status, although many other projects still show an earlier date.

The GW sections being electrified now have a "Entry into service for part of route section for train testing" milestone, similar to the Tilehurst-Didcot section (now complete).
So EIS Testing for Didcot-Wootton Bassett is shown as Dec 2017, Wootton Bassett-Bristol Parkway-Cardiff Apr 2018, Reading-Newbury Sept 2018.
First electric train is still CP6 for all sections west of Maidenhead.
There are still no milestones for east of Maidenhead, as the Crossrail project does not mention the works west of Airport Jn until the whole project is complete to Reading in Dec 2019.

More generally, I don't know what to believe from a document that is now so disjointed and hedged about with conditions and paradoxes.
In my day we used to call it salami-slicing.

 

[swt_passenger]

There's a new version of the CP5 milestones document on the revamped NR web site: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-con...Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-September-2016.pdf

Thanks for the tip off. That's the first iteration of the milestones plan for quite a while that has been published about when due?

Will have a good look and add it to the growing record on the PC.

Odd that even where completion is in the relatively near future, e.g. Didcot Dec 2017, it still shows the passenger service not starting until CP6.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There's a new version of the CP5 milestones document on the revamped NR web site:

Despite it still saying September 2016 in the link, the document itself is dated December 2016.

Thanks - I posted this update to the sticky on January 3rd - in 2 places.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Thanks - I posted this update to the sticky on January 3rd - in 2 places.

I saw that, and since then I have been trawling the NR site for it, but it wouldn't download (I could tell it was there), in fact it locked up my browser.
NR has now revamped its web site, in the tiresome way they all do it these days, and the document is now downloadable.

PS The links you gave in your sticky don't work any more...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I saw that, and since then I have been trawling the NR site for it, but it wouldn't download (I could tell it was there), in fact it locked up my browser.
NR has now revamped its web site, in the tiresome way they all do it these days, and the document is now downloadable.

PS The links you gave in your sticky don't work any more...

Thanks for that - sticky now updated with the link repaired/updated.

 

[Taunton]

"Entry into service for part of route section for train testing" milestone.

In my day we used to call it salami-slicing.

Indeed. I know what "entry into service" means in normal English. But then we find it is only for testing, which of course can take for ever. Then we will probably find that the overhead wiring is "fully available for service", but the substations haven't been started ...

 

[deltic08]

Thanks for the tip off. That's the first iteration of the milestones plan for quite a while that has been published about when due?

Will have a good look and add it to the growing record on the PC.

Odd that even where completion is in the relatively near future, e.g. Didcot Dec 2017, it still shows the passenger service not starting until CP6.

That is what I cannot understand. Does it mean that 800s will have to run entirely on diesel from introduction in September 2017 until CP6? That is nearly two years.

 

[leomartin125]

That is what I cannot understand. Does it mean that 800s will have to run entirely on diesel from introduction in September 2017 until CP6? That is nearly two years.

That can't be right, otherwise GWR would be mugged off as lying to customers, as they stated 'improved journey times from Summer 2017 with the new IEP introduction' whereas in reality, they can only go 100mph max...

 

[JN114]

That can't be right, otherwise GWR would be mugged off as lying to customers, as they stated 'improved journey times from Summer 2017 with the new IEP introduction' whereas in reality, they can only go 100mph max...

Is 100mph max actually confirmed yet? They've done well in excess of that in pre-service testing. And yes the specification called for 100mph capable on Diesel, but 125mph capable on diesel would meet that specification.

I know discussions were taking place at one stage to uprate the engines to mitigate the impact of non-completion of electrification. Other than internet wibble and "usually reliable magazines" - has anything more been said about this?

In electrification news, HOPS train has again been at work overnight between Maidenhead and Reading (2 units) and Cardiff and Newport (1 unit)

 

[Unclepete]

How will that work at stations like Migdham and Aldermaston, where AFAIK no platforms extensions are planned, and currently they might stuggle to fit a single 387 - SDO?

I've attached a couple more shots from Aldermaston & Theale here, taken last weekend. You can see the masts in the distance, but as yet nothing happening around the stations. The open railway does have lots of masts up now, so will try to show that soon.

 

[HowardGWR]

In electrification news, HOPS train has again been at work overnight between Maidenhead and Reading (2 units) and Cardiff and Newport (1 unit)

Is there anything to see in Sonning cutting?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I've attached a couple more shots from Aldermaston & Theale here, taken last weekend. You can see the masts in the distance, but as yet nothing happening around the stations. The open railway does have lots of masts up now, so will try to show that soon.

That signal in picture 4 looks like it would be in the way of the OHL to my eye

 

[QueensCurve]

I've attached a couple more shots from Aldermaston & Theale here, taken last weekend. You can see the masts in the distance, but as yet nothing happening around the stations. The open railway does have lots of masts up now, so will try to show that soon.

Travelling from Glasgow to Stirling during the Queen St blockade it seemed that the stations were unwired while the route between them had been wired. Is this the usual practice?