MML Electrification: progress updates

[Helvellyn]

Not seen it mentioned but at the weekend the old platform 4 brickwork at Wellingborough was demolished and removed. Not sure if extra clearance is required to reinstate the fourth track or it is just easier to build the platform from scratch.

Also looks like a site office and compound for the Wellingborough works is going up beyond where the reinstated platform 4 will be.

 

[swt_passenger]

Not seen it mentioned but at the weekend the old platform 4 brickwork at Wellingborough was demolished and removed. Not sure if extra clearance is required to reinstate the fourth track or it is just easier to build the platform from scratch.

It’s highly likely it is being moved back. The planning drawings mentioned a few weeks ago showed P4 is completely new construction. There’s also a fairly significant amount of widening out to realigned tracks on the south end of P3 as well.

 

[grumpyoldman01]

It would be a massive spend, and potentially conflicting with proposed Leicester remodelling work to add signal overlaps and perhaps a new platform - though none of that is approved yet as far as I know.

I guess it depends upon what is meant by "massive".

In post 2914, I mentioned that Ian Walmsley had reported that, at the recent IMechE Conference, it had been reported that the Cardiff Intersection Bridge solution could be used at Leicester; in the RIA Electrification Cost Challenge report, it records that these works cost less than GBP1m.

 

[grumpyoldman01]

Is it correct to presume that the OHLE being installed on the MML will be able to cope with 2x5-car EMUs running at 125mph on a regular basis, irrespective of the daily frequency of the multiple EMU unit trains using the route?

 

[59CosG95]

Is it correct to presume that the OHLE being installed on the MML will be able to cope with 2x5-car EMUs running at 125mph on a regular basis, irrespective of the daily frequency of the multiple EMU unit trains using the route?

Yes. From what I can see, the new OLE is independently tensioned catenary & contact wires. The existing Mk3b OLE south of Bedford uses equalising plates (i.e. 1 set of balance weights tensions both wires), which means both are at the same tension (11kN for Mk3b). The new UKMS wiring uses 12kN in the catenary, and 15kN in the contact - the same as on the WCML (where UK1 equipment is installed) and on the GWML.

The greater tension means that multiple pantographs will be able to run without a significant risk of the front pan's carbon-contact interface oscillation compromising the rear pan's current collection.
The lower tension south of Bedford means that 125mph operation with multiple pans is out of the question unless they are sufficiently spaced - this was also partly the reason why 12-car 319s were restricted to 75mph (while 700s, 377s and 387s could do 100mph). The 319s were mainly fitted with heavier Stone Faiveley AMBR pans, which caused more oscillation than the lighter, aerofoil-equipped Brecknell Willis HS pans fitted to the Electrostars & Desiro Citys.

 

[59CosG95]

Rumours are circulating that Wellingborough Up Yard is due to receive some upgrades as part of the electrification work. These, allegedly, are:

• A new connection to the Slow Lines at the northern end of the yard
• Electrification of the first two (i.e. westernmost) sidings in the yard, which will be used by Network Rail

I hope this means that electrically hauled freight might make an appearance on the MML! It does, of course, play into the hands of bi-modal locos, as the main freight routes from the MML south of Wellingborough are unelectrified (Marston Vale, Dudding Hill, the Tottenham Curve (to the GOBLIN)).

 

[Roast Veg]

What are the major flows into and out of that yard? Do they pass through enough electrified railway to make it worthwhile?

 

[59CosG95]

What are the major flows into and out of that yard? Do they pass through enough electrified railway to make it worthwhile?

GBRf currently operate all flows from the yard, which mainly come from quarries (Cliffe Hill, Mountsorrel, Rylstone, Tunstead, Whatley), thence supplying railheads at Elstow (Bedford), Luton Crescent Rd, Radlett Lafarge, Cricklewood, Ferme Park (Hornsey - ECML) and Acton Yard (GWML).

Currently, the lack of wires on those routes mentioned above would make an AC-only loco pointless, but the non-wired distances are probably short enough to warrant a bi-modal loco hauling freight over those routes in the short term, as well as shunting within the terminals if OLE can't be accommodated.

However, NR may have different plans for the yard if they take it over - what they are remains to be seen.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Electrification of the first two (i.e. westernmost) sidings in the yard, which will be used by Network Rail

This is consistent with my observation in Post 2806 that additional hardware has been attached to the outside of (I think) the 4-track portals here.

 

[philjo]

Presumably this could also be used for planned or emergency stabling/turnback for EMUs - either the Corby services or Thameslink.

 

[edwin_m]

I can't see anything being done for freight, so I assume it's stabling for overnights or emergencies. I believe the yard is currently in a temporary state and what is now its headshunt becomes the Up Slow.

 

[Class 170101]

NR orginally planned to wire the link between the T&H and MML but it was shelved on gounds of cost.

 

[59CosG95]

NR orginally planned to wire the link between the T&H and MML but it was shelved on gounds of cost.

Before, or at the same time as the wires north of Kettering were shelved in 2017?

 

[Class 170101]

Before, or at the same time as the wires north of Kettering were shelved in 2017?

Before Kettering. The costs of the T&H job went up.

 

[swt_passenger]

Before Kettering. The costs of the T&H job went up.

It seems to have been pulled during 2015. You’ll possibly recall it was discussed a few times in the Goblin wiring thread, eventually I found that it’s last official mention was in the Jan 2015 CP5 delivery plan, then it had disappeared when the plans restarted after the Hendy review.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Sorry to ask but what is the T&H?

 

[swt_passenger]

Sorry to ask but what is the T&H?

Tottenham and Hampstead. It’s the posh name for what we call Gospel Oak to Barking, (Goblin)...

 

[Bald Rick]

Tottenham and Hampstead. It’s the posh name for what we call Gospel Oak to Barking, (Goblin)...

It’s the correct name! (well, Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway is the correct name, but T&H will suffice).

 

[westcoaster]

Back from a week's holiday here is the current state of play at Wellingborough.

 

[Jozhua]

Hi all! Found a petition asking for government to electrify all UK rail:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/259903

Wether it is a realistic goal, would be worth signing to show people we care about rail electrification on both the MML and in the rest of the country.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Hi all! Found a petition asking for government to electrify all UK rail:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/259903

Wether it is a realistic goal, would we worth signing to show people we care about rail electrification on both the MML and in the rest of the country.

and the chances of this happening are..... 0

 

[DogsOnTrains]

It’s highly likely it is being moved back. The planning drawings mentioned a few weeks ago showed P4 is completely new construction. There’s also a fairly significant amount of widening out to realigned tracks on the south end of P3 as well.

How long will the new platforms 3+4 be at Wellingborough? 12 car train long?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

How long will the new platforms 3+4 be at Wellingborough? 12 car train long?

250 metres? (I mean the Class 360's are 20.34 metres per carriage and that times 12 is 244 metres.

 

[londonmidland]

I can’t give a specific location but between Kettering and Wellingborough, the signals in the way of the fourth track are being replaced with new overhead signal gantries, which are being erected.

 

[59CosG95]

I can’t give a specific location but between Kettering and Wellingborough, the signals in the way of the fourth track are being replaced with new overhead signal gantries, which are being erected.

Would that be Harrowden Junction, by any chance? There's definitely an extant gantry that needs a-choppin'.

 

[Jozhua]

and the chances of this happening are..... 0

Fully aware of this fact, but some pressure on the DaFT to actually fufill some electrification projects would be useful!

 

[WymoWanderer]

Been away for a couple of weeks and a bit of progress around Wymington, North Bedfordshire.

• Wires are now up on the fast lines as far as I could see to the South of the village. To the North of the village the wires end where the deviation starts.
• New signal / telecom cabinets installed on the fast line
• Local power distribution lines running over the fast lines have been removed and presumably buried
• Notification of temporary closure of the footbridge over the slow lines just at the Northern entrance of the Sharnbrook tunnel. Work is schedled for 2 months for waterproofing and parapet height raising.
• New works depot located near said footbridge

Now disused power line mast following cable burial.

New comms / signalling cabinets

Start of OHLE wires on fast lines

Close up of OHLE wires

Fast lines looking South toward Souldrop

Fast lines looking North toward Irchester

Footbridge temporary closure

More OHLE

 

[59CosG95]

Been away for a couple of weeks and a bit of progress around Wymington, North Bedfordshire.

• Wires are now up on the fast lines as far as I could see to the South of the village. To the North of the village the wires end where the deviation starts.
• New signal / telecom cabinets installed on the fast line
• Local power distribution lines running over the fast lines have been removed and presumably buried
• Notification of temporary closure of the footbridge over the slow lines just at the Northern entrance of the Sharnbrook tunnel. Work is schedled for 2 months for waterproofing and parapet height raising.
• New works depot located near said footbridge

Now disused power line mast following cable burial.

New comms / signalling cabinets

Start of OHLE wires on fast lines

Close up of OHLE wires

Fast lines looking South toward Souldrop

Fast lines looking North toward Irchester

Footbridge temporary closure

More OHLE

Lovely set of shots there! Looks like the Fasts are now wired all the way from Souldrop to the Irchester end of the Deviation.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Lovely set of shots there!.

I concur - thanks

 

[Bald Rick]

Fully aware of this fact, but some pressure on the DaFT to actually fufill some electrification projects would be useful!

You misunderstand how government works.

Firstly, they won’t even be aware of it until it has 10k signatures.
Secondly, even if it gets past that number, it will land on the desk of a middling official in the DfT who will very quickly provide a short reply explaining why such a proposal is completely impractical and unaffordable, and that the Department carefully considers cases for electrification put to it.

It would cause precisely no pressure on the DfT at all.