Market Harborough Station Upgrade

[Flying Phil]

I have just been to the public meeting and the latest timeline is .......28 May - 3rd June 2019 Extended rail closure to tie new lines to existing so the platforms etc should be mostly finished by then. The new footbridge and lifts brought into service Summer 2019. New extended car park and platform access fully opened Dec 2019.
I asked about the Bowden Curve, North of the Great Bowden bridge and it was believed to be still on the plan to be straightened but confirmation will be e-mailed to me later next week along with the status of the small siding by the Southbound platform.
The verticals for the Little Bowden footbridge are due to go in this or next weekend (subject to weather conditions) and the actual decking craned into place in November, when there is a line closure.
As we know, there is no provision for wires to Mkt Hbro in this financial Control Period (CP5)...... but in CP6??

 

[38Cto15E]

Thanks for keeping the board up to date on Market Harborough and it's upgrade Phil.

 

[InTheEastMids]

The verticals for the Little Bowden footbridge are due to go in this or next weekend (subject to weather conditions) and the actual decking craned into place in November, when there is a line closure.

And as if by magic, part of the steps on the western side have been installed.

10 day closure of the Rockingham Road Bridge in November, if I read the sign correctly today. That'll be popular.

 

[Flying Phil]

Yes that road closure is from the 9th to 19th of November. The short siding to the South of the platform has been disconnected and the associated cross-over has been taken up so it is a lot quieter at night!

 

[Flying Phil]

Meanwhile the concrete foundations for the new Southbound platform are being poured.

 

[Flying Phil]

To the North the steel piles are being driven in along the embankment so that the North bound line can be straightened as much as possible.

 

[Flying Phil]

Re post #151 - I have received an e-mail confirming that the curve at Great Bowden is NOT being re-aligned as it is "not in scope". The Harborough siding is being removed and the new siding at Knighton (near Leicester) gives that capacity for storage.
My faith in the public consultation has been reinforced!

 

[Meerkat]

Apologies if I missed it further up the thread but how much of an effect does descoping the Great Bowden curve have speed and time wise?
I assumed they would want to get rid of the flyover bridge before electrification makes changes harder/more expensive...

 

[Senex]

Apologies if I missed it further up the thread but how much of an effect does descoping the Great Bowden curve have speed and time wise?
I assumed they would want to get rid of the flyover bridge before electrification makes changes harder/more expensive...

It presumably means that whatever the final speed decided on for the curve south of the station is will carry on until north of the flyover bridge instead of going up to 110 immediately north of the platforms — the 85 on the curve on the bridge was, I believe, only achieved under exceptional curving rules in the mid-1980s, so that's not going to go any higher.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Most of the footbridge at Little Bowden was installed last night.

 

[Flying Phil]

The piling work to the North of the station has been completed and the ground is being prepared for the trackbed.
There is an HST in the background showing the existing platform alignment, as a Southbound HST slows for the station.
On that platform, the view North, showing the new platform foundation work.

 

[Flying Phil]

Most of the footbridge at Little Bowden was installed last night.

Here is the new footbridge (also mentioned in post#145). There is still a flight of stairs to be put in on the other side and groundworks to complete. They expect to finish and have it open the week before Christmas. The neighbours are not happy about the size and effect on their views! Also, with only steps, access is difficult for buggies and wheelchair users.

 

[Flying Phil]

Most of the concrete has been poured for the two new platforms and a lot of the existing Northbound platform has been boarded off so I expect work will start on the alterations to the existing platform soon. Not a lot of change to the section around the Great Bowden bridge. The road bridge South of the station is now closed to road traffic as they are repairing and re-pointing weak brickwork in the arch and parapets.
As a point of interest, the platform sign for the 11.15 to Nottingham says that "Bicycles are not permitted"...That is the first time I have seen that on the MML, and have no idea why.....

 

[jfowkes]

As a point of interest, the platform sign for the 11.15 to Nottingham says that "Bicycles are not permitted"...That is the first time I have seen that on the MML, and have no idea why.....

Pretty sure this will be one of the ex-Grand Central 2+6 HSTs which don't have bike spaces?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What's that huge new building on the left of the picture?

 

[jfowkes]

What's that huge new building on the left of the picture?

According to Google Maps, it appears to be "Fosters Traditional Foods" and "Sheriffs Foods".

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Oh yes... I see that now.

I was worried for a moment that we had lost the view of St Mary in Arden* from the station!



*That's the ruined church in the field to the west of the line; it's rather more historical and important than it looks, so it's always nice to be able to glance over from the train and see it...

 

[Flying Phil]

There is more prep work going on by the Great Bowden Bridge to the North of the station.
The old platform and waiting room behind the new wood walls are being removed. The new platform sides are being put on the new foundations, this is starting at the far (North) end.
Pictures to follow...... when the weather improves!

 

[Flying Phil]

This is where the old platform 1 waiting room was! I think it will be the base of the new footbridge/lift between the new platforms.

 

[Flying Phil]

Progress is being maintained on installing the new platform edges, the yellow loader in the centre of the picture is between the two new platforms where the tracks will be running.

Other news is that the new footbridge opening is delayed because a new Public "Right of Way" has not yet been approved.....apparently a delayed application by NR.....

 

[Flying Phil]

Some more of the new platform edging sections have been put in place, some more concrete foundation has been poured and more of the area behind the boarded off section has been prepared.
I have also been up to the Great Bowden bridge and ballast has been laid and levelled for the new Northbound track, from the new station to the short length of new track beside the main line North of the bridge.
I presume the track itself might be put in over the Christmas holiday, as there is a closure program for a few days. It won't be connected to the main line though. It also looks like there may be a cross-over in place just North of the new platforms but it is just where you cannot see it from either end!?!

 

[Flying Phil]

There are now sleepers in place all along the line of the new Northbound track from the new platforms to the section North of the Great Bowden bridge. I assume the rail will be put in place over Christmas.

Meanwhile on the platform you can see along the length of the new Northbound platform edges (to the left of the two diggers)

 

[Flying Phil]

No change North of the Station ie no rails yet on the sleepers. They are preparing to lay the foundation concrete for the mid section of the Northbound platform and have prepared the ground for much of the South end.

They cannot do the middle section as it is the access for the Southbound platform work.

Re the Little Bowden Footbridge which has been built South of the station - it appears complete, but is still not yet in use.

 

[InTheEastMids]

A minor update to the scheme in the December 2018 Enhancement Delivery plan sees GRIP6 authorisation for public use slip from March to June 2019. No great surprise because short of closing the railway for the next 2 months there's no way that they'd have the new platforms and track ready on 10 weeks

 

[Flying Phil]

A minor update to the scheme in the December 2018 Enhancement Delivery plan sees GRIP6 authorisation for public use slip from March to June 2019. No great surprise because short of closing the railway for the next 2 months there's no way that they'd have the new platforms and track ready on 10 weeks

Hi ITEM in my post #151 the information was a line closure at the end of May to allow track joining and I think they are still expecting to have most of the platforms ready for that.

 

[Flying Phil]

There are now sleepers in place for the new Southbound track, which will eventually be joined to the existing Southbound track.

Meanwhile they have been putting piles in place for the lifts and footbridge in the middle distance. In the foreground they are starting putting the concrete foundations for the Northbound platform.

 

[Kettledrum]

Seeing the four tracks has got me thinking: How far in each direction do the four tracks go?

 

[Flying Phil]

Seeing the four tracks has got me thinking: How far in each direction do the four tracks go?

The present four tracks just are where they show in the picture. The two tracks on the left are the present main line and will be taken up when the two new tracks go through the new platforms. The old formation will then mostly be covered by an extension to the new car park.

 

[Kettledrum]

That makes sense. So am I right in thinking (in simple terms) that the MML has 4 tracks until Kettering, and then two tracks between Kettering and Leicester and then 4 tracks from Leicester to East Midlands Parkway?

 

[Senex]

That makes sense. So am I right in thinking (in simple terms) that the MML has 4 tracks until Kettering, and then two tracks between Kettering and Leicester and then 4 tracks from Leicester to East Midlands Parkway?

It used to be four tracks from London to Glendon North Jn. It's now four from Kentish Town to Sharnbrook Jn, then three to Kettering South Jn, the third track between Harrowden Jn and Kettering Soth Jn having been put back a few years ago. Kettering South Jn to Kettering Station Jn was always left as four, but it was three from there to Corby until the recent restoration. And Sharnbrook Jn to Kettering South Jn is being restored to four at the moment. It was four paired by use northwards from Wigston North Jn through Trent and the Erewash Valley to Tapton Jn prior ro re-signalling, but now it's three from Leicester Station South Jn to Syston North Jn and the four northwards, but no longer right up the Erewash Valley.