MML Electrification: progress updates

[38Cto15E]

Is the electrification of the Leicester Gap not urgent because Hitatchi are developing a Battery powered 802 which may later benefit the 810 Aurora's.
A 810 Mk2 variant could travel from St Pancras to Wigston South Jct on overhead power then swap from that to battery power until Syston then Overhead until East Midlands Parkway.?
This would overcome the what do we do with Wigston-Syston section and also the London Road bridge at Leicester Station.
After EMP I don't know what the plans are.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Is the electrification of the Leicester Gap not urgent because Hitatchi are developing a Battery powered 802 which may later benefit the 810 Aurora's.
A 810 Mk2 variant could travel from St Pancras to Wigston South Jct on overhead power then swap from that to battery power until Syston then Overhead until East Midlands Parkway.?
This would overcome the what do we do with Wigston-Syston section and also the London Road bridge at Leicester Station.
After EMP I don't know what the plans are.

I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it's now been said many times here, by people that do seem to know what they're talking about, that techniques employed elsewhere for restricted clearances mean London Road is not as big an issue as some people believe it is.

The only other things I've seen relate to the planned reconstruction of the B582 Spion Kop bridge at Blaby, as NR are talking about closing it for 4 months next year and of course that is not going down well (and I agree this seems like a long time for what's quite a busy road). The local MP raise a question, but the reply was so non-committal that it could be taken to mean anything you like.

 

[swt_passenger]

I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it's now been said many times here, by people that do seem to know what they're talking about, that techniques employed elsewhere for restricted clearances mean London Road is not as big an issue as some people believe it is.

Yes, it has. We discussed this very point back in April, that every time someone posts news that electrification through Leicester is possible, after a few weeks or months go by someone rehashes all the original doubts again.

It’s this post that had the quote from Modern Railways:

MML Electrification: progress updates

Nevermind the increased track wear due to the increased weight of lugging a diesel engine and gen set around 100% of time. Sure. And a battery EMU with a diesel range extender only needs a tiny diesel engine (about the size and weight used in a family car), as it can run at full power for the...

www.railforums.co.uk

The following discussion over a couple of dozen posts or so discusses the point that it can and will be electrified.

 

[The exile]

Yes, it has. We discussed this very point back in April, that every time someone posts news that electrification through Leicester is possible, after a few weeks or months go by someone rehashes all the original doubts

Is it not the case that a major rebuild / re-modelling is on the cards for the Leicester area which, given the availability of bi-modes, may mean it makes sense to leave a gap for the time being?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is it not the case that a major rebuild / re-modelling is on the cards for the Leicester area which, given the availability of bi-modes, may mean it makes sense to leave a gap for the time being?

Post #7184 suggests the design is complete. Which I take to mean at some stage there eventually won‘t be a gap. But how that fits into the calendar of events I don't think anyone here knows.

 

[The exile]

Post #7184 suggests the design is complete. Which I take to mean at some stage there eventually won‘t be a gap. But how that fits into the calendar of events I don't think anyone here knows.

What I meant was that, like at Oxford, there is little point in spending £millions electrifying a load of trackwork that you’re about to rip up and remodel - might as well wait until the remodelling is done or, shock horror, do it at the same time.

 

[Bald Rick]

Is it not the case that a major rebuild / re-modelling is on the cards for the Leicester area which, given the availability of bi-modes, may mean it makes sense to leave a gap for the time being?

It’s not the case, no.

 

[CdBrux]

It’s not the case, no.

not now or never was?

 

[Bald Rick]

not now or never was?

Well that depends on your defintion of ‘planned’. It has been looked at, but not taken further at this stage.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Is it not the case that a major rebuild / re-modelling is on the cards for the Leicester area which, given the availability of bi-modes, may mean it makes sense to leave a gap for the time being?

It’s not the case, no.

There's lots of different things over time in the public domain which can cause understandable confusion:

- Leicester station revamp (this is the only one that's actually happening), though it's to do with passenger facilities and urban realm, not more trains
(https://news.leicester.gov.uk/news-...-leicester-s-railway-station-revamp-revealed/)
- Midlands Connect proposals that would see additional trains through/from Leicester towards Nuneaton
(https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/about-us/projects/midlands-engine-rail/coventry-leicester-nottingham/)
- the strategic advice document from 2020
(https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blo...tern/Leicester Area Strategic Advice 2021.pdf)
- The scheme below that appeared in CP5 documents. Notice that even in 2016, design work wasn't going to start until CP6, and quite a lot has happened since then




Should probably just keep this post and trot it out every few months when there are questions about this topic.

 

[CdBrux]

Well that depends on your defintion of ‘planned’. It has been looked at, but not taken further at this stage.

was what I was meaning, thanks

 

[38Cto15E]

Sorry for bringing this subject around again, what set me off was reading in Railway Magazine that Hitachi had a Class 802 which was being tested with batteries.

 

[PJM]

The test train was out and about again today. 1Q02 at Market Harborough heading back to Leicester LIP, at quite some speed. Pantograph down at this point.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Wow, what a great action shot. Thanks for posting.

 

[Flying Phil]

Nice pic PJM.

 

[Nottingham59]

I see that the MML Electrification project has made it onto the front page of today Wikipedia.

Did you know ....

• ... that although the electrification of the Midland Main Line was designated as a high priority in 1981, work to electrify the northern part of the line did not begin until more than 30 years later?

 

[td97]

A really interesting account of technical development of longer OLE span lengths

Today was our last Test Train Day but perhaps the most important for the industry.

Last night (Sat night!) we created the largest OLE Span in the country, #95m. We then spent today (Sunday day) testing how it would perform, a requirement for Network Rails UKMS125 ISV system requirements.

What have we done ?
SPL Designed & Installed a #95m span, a 33% increase from testing the industry did verifying revision 1 of UKMS125.

It’s the single largest span (I believe!) in the UK using agnostic material suppliers.

We’ve been working with our many partners, our amazing client project team and Network Rails’ Technical Authority to simulate, design, install and measure how the OLE will behave for the maximum span allocable in UKMS125.

What does this mean?
It means future projects will not have to test the OLE associated to span lengths. Projects are free to install span lengths up to #95m without having further discussions if the system needs to be tested / validated. We’ve done this now.

It means that our industry can install less structures meaning less cost, bettering an existing UK system that works and performs.

Conclusion
It’s a good final chapter for the Project Electra and Midland MainLine Electrification team that something so expensive can be used to help decarbonise and reduce cost.
Its part of a bigger industry picture I’m proud to be part of and collaborate within it’s circles.

It’s hard to do amazing things, but it’s very satisfying when patience, vision, belligerence and drive pay off.

SPL created the largest OLE span in UKMS125 | Simon Skinner C.Eng FIET FRailEI posted on the topic | LinkedIn

Today was our last Test Train Day but perhaps the most important for the industry. Last night (Sat night!) we created the largest OLE Span in the country, #95m. We then spent today (Sunday day) testing how it would perform, a requirement for Network Rails UKMS125 ISV system requirements...

www.linkedin.com

 

[blueberry11]

I don't really pay attention to the did you know (DYK) section of the Wikipedia. But nevertheless, it was so funny and interesting reading what is on there. Additionally, it was crazy that 40 years ago, they planned to electrify the MML, but only went up to Bedford.

 

[59CosG95]

A really interesting account of technical development of longer OLE span lengths

SPL created the largest OLE span in UKMS125 | Simon Skinner C.Eng FIET FRailEI posted on the topic | LinkedIn

Today was our last Test Train Day but perhaps the most important for the industry. Last night (Sat night!) we created the largest OLE Span in the country, #95m. We then spent today (Sunday day) testing how it would perform, a requirement for Network Rails UKMS125 ISV system requirements...

www.linkedin.com

That looks like it's between Sharnbrook Summit and Irchester, based on the fact that it's double-track UKMS without ATF.

Now we have an explanation as to why the Project Electra rake went south of Kettering!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Additionally, it was crazy that 40 years ago, they planned to electrify the MML, but only went up to Bedford.

The priority then was to electrify NSE commuter services from London termini, hence Royston (GN) and Bedford (Mid), with the GN eventually extended to Cambridge and Peterborough.
Next was ECML all the way to Edinburgh (and across to Carstairs on the WCML).
Then the Channel Tunnel routes came in and the complex WLL and NLL (re) wiring happened, plus Heathrow Express from Paddington.
The MML never really got a look in at that time, and was happy enough with HSTs cascaded from the ECML.

"Planned to electrify".
The government 2012 HLOS "planned" the Electric Spine, of which the MML wiring was part.
Most of that sank without trace, as NR could not deliver (time and cost). Corby was retained, and eventually extended to Mkt Harborough/Wigston.
EWR, and other key parts of the spine, will open without wires (and Didcot-Oxford still awaits them).
Conversion of 3rd rail to OHLE from Basingstoke to Southampton died as well...

 

[Nottingham59]

A really interesting account of technical development of longer OLE span lengths

SPL created the largest OLE span in UKMS125 | Simon Skinner C.Eng FIET FRailEI posted on the topic | LinkedIn

Today was our last Test Train Day but perhaps the most important for the industry. Last night (Sat night!) we created the largest OLE Span in the country, #95m. We then spent today (Sunday day) testing how it would perform, a requirement for Network Rails UKMS125 ISV system requirements...

www.linkedin.com

Does this mean that 95m standard span lengths are now possible using the existing OHLE components? Though it might be churlish to ask, why didn't the industry establish this before wiring all the way to Wigston with shorter spans?

 

[59CosG95]

Does this mean that 95m standard span lengths are now possible using the existing OHLE components? Though it might be churlish to ask, why didn't the industry establish this before wiring all the way to Wigston with shorter spans?

Design specs, most likely. I'd suspect most of the span lengths were designed to the older standards for KO1 & KO1a, before managing to get to 75m span lengths for RS1 on the straight sections. These were presumably approved for construction (AFC) before the 95m design change came through.

But yes, 95m span lengths are now possible without having to seek special dispensations, as long as the tension in the OLE is 125mph-compatible to reduce sag.
Edit: the above was incorrect as 95m spans are also possible on 100mph UKMS. The common factor is that the system height has to increase.

 

[londonmidland]

I noticed that the recently installed Series 2 single track cantilever has been ‘put to the side’ and replaced with a more traditional style of STC, whilst passing it this morning? If it’s due to be replaced, then that’s an incredibly short lifespan since it was first installed.

A photograph showing a recently installed single track cantilever next to an existing one on the Midland Mainline.

 

[Edvid]

Can't remember the last time it rained that heavily in Bedfordshire. The Environment Agency rain gauge at Flitwick recorded >120mm of rainfall over 24 hours!

Diagrams below copied from the LinkedIn thread, marking the structures shown in the video.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I don't really pay attention to the did you know (DYK) section of the Wikipedia. But nevertheless, it was so funny and interesting reading what is on there. Additionally, it was crazy that 40 years ago, they planned to electrify the MML, but only went up to Bedford.

Rather misleading. The St Pancras/ Moorgate-Bedford electrification was authorised in 1976 and basically completed in 1982 (although actual electric services didn’t take off until 1983 because of disputes about driver-only operation). So the project was done and dusted and the construction and project teams disbanded over 40 years ago. I worked on the project for a while.

There was never any serious plan (or funding) to wire north of Bedford at that time.

 

[John R]

Rather misleading. The St Pancras/ Moorgate-Bedford electrification was authorised in 1976 and basically completed in 1982 (although actual electric services didn’t take off until 1983 because of disputes about driver-only operation). So the project was done and dusted and the construction and project teams disbanded over 40 years ago. I worked on the project for a while.

There was never any serious plan (or funding) to wire north of Bedford at that time.

That is my recollection too.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Sep 2024 ==

But yes, 95m span lengths are now possible without having to seek special dispensations, as long as the tension in the OLE is 125mph-compatible to reduce sag.

Given few of the lines yet to be electrified are 125mph compatible, will the extra cost of making the tension suitable for that speed outweigh the benefit of the longer spans?

 

[edwin_m]

I noticed that the recently installed Series 2 single track cantilever has been ‘put to the side’ and replaced with a more traditional style of STC, whilst passing it this morning? If it’s due to be replaced, then that’s an incredibly short lifespan since it was first installed.



View attachment 166075

This photo is also in the link from #7522. So I think erecting these extra supports is part of the creation of the 95m span. I am however also a bit confused about why they are of a different type - are they saying that any future 95m spans will have to use these ones?

 

[InTheEastMids]

That looks like it's between Sharnbrook Summit and Irchester, based on the fact that it's double-track UKMS without ATF.

Now we have an explanation as to why the Project Electra rake went south of Kettering!

One of the LinkedIn photos shows a lat/long which is near Podington Road bridge, Wymington

 

[59CosG95]

This photo is also in the link from #7522. So I think erecting these extra supports is part of the creation of the 95m span. I am however also a bit confused about why they are of a different type - are they saying that any future 95m spans will have to use these ones?

I think it was most likely a material availability and budget choice; the cantilevers used elsewhere on the MML were probably out of stock in the depots or allocated to the Wigan-Bolton or Scottish projects, while the cantilevers used in this trial (UKMS-R1, developed for Mk1 replacement on the Anglia route) were probably more readily available and can easily be diverted (back?) to there following the end of the trial.
EDIT: a closer look at the cross-section shows that the "system height" (the gap between catenary and contact wires at the cantilever) had to be set to 1.9m, to allow the minimum dropper* height for a span of this length to be maintained at the midspan. Normally on the MML the system height is 1.3m, with the catenary at 6.0m above the rail, and the contact at 4.7m. These two new cantilevers had to set the catenary height at 6.6m while the contact was unchanged - something that the Bonomi cantilevers used on the MML currently can't achieve.
The 2 cantilevers used were from UKMS-R1 (used on the Anglia route at the moment to replace old Mark 1 cantilevers) and fit Mark 1 OLE's much larger system height.

The UKMS-R1 cantilevers look like UK1 (as used on the WCML Route Modernisation) but use registration arms identical to Series 1, and are in fact made by the same company behind the Series 1 design (Furrer+Frey, who now have premises in Nottingham, as it happens).
*dropper: the vertical wires supporting the contact wire from the catenary wire in between cantilevers.

EDIT 2: as it turns out, the only design ranges at present that can achieve the required system heights necessary to support 95m spans are UKMS-R1, which goes up to 1.98m, and Siemens' SICAT SA (as used on TRU East). The SICAT cantilevers can reach a whopping 2.0m separation between catenary and contact!

 

[hwl]

Design specs, most likely. I'd suspect most of the span lengths were designed to the older standards for KO1 & KO1a, before managing to get to 75m span lengths for RS1 on the straight sections. These were presumably approved for construction (AFC) before the 95m design change came through.

But yes, 95m span lengths are now possible without having to seek special dispensations, as long as the tension in the OLE is 125mph-compatible to reduce sag.

75m - 95m range will need pretty straight track but still plenty of benefit if 85m can be achieved on bigger schemes.

Potential for the mast count to be reduced by 1 in 4 at the very best in the right circumstances but at least 1 in 8 fewer should be easily achievable.