Soham Doubling

[petersi]

Network rail are consulting on doubling of track around Soham
https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/ely-to-soham/ely-to-soham-rail-improvements/consult_view
if you live in the area

Stuntney Social Club, Soham Road, Stuntney, Cambs, CB7 5TL:
• Tuesday, 17th March – 10:00 to 18:00

Light House Front Hall, 13 Lynn Road, Ely Cambs, CB7 4EG:

• Wednesday, 18th March – 15:00 to 21:00

Soham Library, Clay Street, Soham, Cambs, CB7 5HJ:

• Thursday,19th March – 10:00 to 18:00

• Friday, 20th March – 10:00 to 18:00

• Saturday, 21st March – 10:00 to 13:00

I guess some people might be up set there will be no station at Soham

But does it need a station what's its population and the train service is only 2 hourly so is it any use to any one?

 

[route:oxford]

It has a population in the region of 10,000.

I could certainly see value in a new station at Soham, along with the re-instatement of the Newmarket curve providing an Ely-Soham-Newmarket-Cambridge service.

Perhaps, in the first instance, it would be a good idea to lobby Network Rail to install signalling that would permit a station to be developed at Soham.

After that, lobby the local authority to fund the building of a station.

Essentially, any rail development that encourages a modal shift around historic cities like Cambridge or Oxford should be strongly encouraged.

 

[Johnuk123]

Wisbech will get one before Soham and that is about 10 years away.

 

[bluenoxid]

It's going to be a close call but I think Soham will edge Wisbech if the route is earmarked for electrification and the funding is found (another round of the New Stations Fund perhaps).

It has a population in the region of 10,000.

I could certainly see value in a new station at Soham, along with the re-instatement of the Newmarket curve providing an Ely-Soham-Newmarket-Cambridge service.

Perhaps, in the first instance, it would be a good idea to lobby Network Rail to install signalling that would permit a station to be developed at Soham.

After that, lobby the local authority to fund the building of a station.

Essentially, any rail development that encourages a modal shift around historic cities like Cambridge or Oxford should be strongly encouraged.

I certainly agree your idea should be put forward. NR have placed the following in the conustation document

There is a proposal for a new station at Soham which is a Project that is being promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC). Although outside the scope of this Project, Network Rail and CCC are working together to ensure that these two projects are compatible.

 

[edwin_m]

It's going to be a close call but I think Soham will edge Wisbech if the route is earmarked for electrification and the funding is found (another round of the New Stations Fund perhaps).



I certainly agree your idea should be put forward. NR have placed the following in the conustation document

There is a proposal for a new station at Soham which is a Project that is being promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC). Although outside the scope of this Project, Network Rail and CCC are working together to ensure that these two projects are compatible.

Good that they are doing that - unlikely to cost anything at this stage, just ensuring they don't put a signal in the wrong place.

However Soham is difficult because the dominant market will be to Cambridge and beyond towards London. To be successful this really needs a direct service via Newmarket (assuming no prospect of restoration of the long-list route to Cambridge via Burwell). However this requires reinstatement of the connecting curve with its two junctions and probably also some capacity works via Newmarket.

The market for a new service would also be rather limited. It could continue to Ely but nobody would use it between Ely and Cambridge because the direct route would still be quicker. I doubt there is much scope for extra travel from Newmarket into Cambridge because the racing interests own all the land around Newmarket and probably don't want more housing there. So unless some major new housing project emerges at Dullingham or at a new intermediate station I do think this one is unlikely to fly.

The Todmorden Curve project is similar in scope, but the population of Burnley is seven times that of Soham.

 

[dosxuk]

The market for a new service would also be rather limited. It could continue to Ely but nobody would use it between Ely and Cambridge because the direct route would still be quicker. I doubt there is much scope for extra travel from Newmarket into Cambridge because the racing interests own all the land around Newmarket and probably don't want more housing there. So unless some major new housing project emerges at Dullingham or at a new intermediate station I do think this one is unlikely to fly.

I can see some potential in adding a second Norwich - Cambridge, going via Soham / Newmarket, calling all stations, while speeding up the existing service and extending to Stansted. Yes, there are capacity constraints all around, but if sorted, I think there would be enough passengers to make it viable.

 

[Chris Wallis]

My feeling always was that a Station in Soham would only work if the connecting curve at Newmarket was reinstated so there could be direct services into Cambridge.

I guess they could provide a 'Rush Hour' service that reverses at Ely.

Even though I live in Soham I always felt that a station at Cherry Hinton would be of greater value to the area as a whole.

The part I found most interesting ws this:

"As part of the work we also expect that we will need to close the existing line to allow us to build the new section of railway.

**This is currently expected to be a closure of around 6 months.**

We will continue to work with the train operators to publicise any closures once and ensure that alternative arrangements are put in place as required."

 

[Class 170101]

Would certianly love to know how NR plan to find all the freight capacity for this. It wasn't easy when the Bridge just south of Ely on this route was demolished around 4 years ago now. That led to a 6 month enforced closure and all freight via London.

 

[Tobbes]

I fully agree that the reinstatement of the W-N curve at Newmarket would be a good thing, and that a Soham station is a good medium term goal. The interesting question is where the region's new houses will go. If RAF Mildenhall site were to be redeveloped as a new town, then there needs to be better public transport.

It seems to me that the best way to integrate such a new town would be a new Mildenhall branch starting from Soham and then swinging NE then E to West Row (West Mildenhall) and then to a new station at Mildenhall at the NW end of the current town. This would also increase the number of trains at Soham, of course.

 

[ac6000cw]

Would certianly love to know how NR plan to find all the freight capacity for this. It wasn't easy when the Bridge just south of Ely on this route was demolished around 4 years ago now. That led to a 6 month enforced closure and all freight via London.

All freight did not go via London - quite a lot went via Newmarket and reversed at Cambridge. I live within walking distance/earshot of the line.

The passenger timetabling for the Coldhams Lane Junction - Chippenham Junction single line allows for one path per hour for another train (and in practice they managed to squeeze two freights per hour sometimes - there are intermediate block signals at Cherry Hinton which allow two trains in the same direction to follow each other between Coldhams Lane and Dullingham, but that needs very slick operation!).

 

[Chris Wallis]

I just hope they've thought through where some of those 'Haul' Roads are going to go.....especially that one between the existing track bed and the Lode to the south of the line in Soham.

The placement of that most easterly flood compensation area is going to be interesting as well.

 

[petersi]

This has been put on hold due to being more expensive after ground surveys
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/elysoham/
"From this work, we have unfortunately identified that the cost of the scheme would be more than the budget that is currently available."

 

[dk1]

This has been put on hold due to being more expensive after ground surveys
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/elysoham/
"From this work, we have unfortunately identified that the cost of the scheme would be more than the budget that is currently available."

John Smith (GBRf) not chuffed but now wants concentration to be on some doubling of the Felixstowe branch.

 

[MarkyT]

Was the proposal a complete doubling for the whole 8km or so?

The loops on the up side at Ely are not long enough to hold a full-length intermodal train clear of the single line without blocking back onto the running lines. A more modest scheme could be to double from the junction about 1.5km towards Soham, across the new river bridge which was built capable for two tracks. That could allow two long freights to be stacked awaiting single line clearance, then a number of additional block signals along the single line could allow those trains to run closely following each other through the single track. Those additional blocks could also allow extra passenger services to closely shadow a freight through the section, stopping at Soham, which could be constructed 'Penryn-style' with the double to single turnout between separate up and down platform sections on the same side of the alignment nearest the town. Thus, an expensive DDA compliant footbridge would be avoided.

The hourly service between Cambridge to Ipswich has proved popular and passenger usage at Newmarket has climbed significantly, admittedly from a low base, but there could be a case for a second hourly service from Cambridge which then branched via the reinstated junction north of Newmarket to Soham and Ely. That service along with the Ipswich trains could also call at a new Cherry Hinton station.

 

[edwin_m]

The loops on the up side at Ely are not long enough to hold a full-length intermodal train clear of the single line without blocking back onto the running lines. A more modest scheme could be to double from the junction about 1.5km towards Soham, across the new river bridge which was built capable for two tracks. That could allow two long freights to be stacked awaiting single line clearance, then a number of additional block signals along the single line could allow those trains to run closely following each other through the single track.

Exactly that was being looked at a few years ago before it was superseded by the doubling idea. It has the advantage that it forms part of an eventual doubling so most of the investment wouldn't be abortive, but in the current financial climate I doubt the dropping of the doubling will lead to this proposal being reinstated. I seem to remember the ground conditions were known at the time to be something akin to a giant sponge.

The hourly service between Cambridge to Ipswich has proved popular and passenger usage at Newmarket has climbed significantly, admittedly from a low base, but there could be a case for a second hourly service from Cambridge which then branched via the reinstated junction north of Newmarket to Soham and Ely. That service along with the Ipswich trains could also call at a new Cherry Hinton station.

I think it's unlikely because of the two new junctions required, especially if the single line constraint remains on the section between Newmarket and Soham. This service would be too slow for journeys between Cambridge and Ely, so esssentially traffic at Soham plus the secondary Newmarket-Ely flow would have to justify the new curve and the Soham station reinstatement. Cambridge-Newmarket shuttles are perhaps a more likely idea though I don't know whether they would be possible with the existing infrastructure or would give a reasonable even interval in both directions.

Making Ipswich-Ely an hourly service was also looked at a few years back but couldn't make a business case even assuming the Soham redoubling was already done (which was necessary to create the extra paths).

 

[GB]

John Smith (GBRf) not chuffed but now wants concentration to be on some doubling of the Felixstowe branch.

...something that should have been done years ago.

 

[dk1]

...something that should have been done years ago.

Was close then came the economic turndown & everything slipped. The port authority who where going to stump up the cash have until a date (around 2018 I think) to make a decision or planning lapses. Can't remember the full ins & outs. Obviously not much can be done around the viaduct Derby Road-Westerfield but much of the rest will greatly help. There are often Liners on both roads on Bacon Factory Curve whilst another simoltaniously travels into or out of the yard as I pass on the main line. See GBRf have successfully bidder for another path.

 

[ac6000cw]

...something that should have been done years ago.

I agree...

Re. paths on the Cambridge - Newmarket (single) line. The current timetable (with short turnarounds at Cambridge) seems to be designed for three paths per hour - two paths are used by the east and west-bound passenger services, so there is one path available for other trains.

 

[GB]

See GBRf have successfully bidder for another path.

yes, but you GA passenger boys (well your higher ups) not too happy about it I'm led to believe.

 

[dk1]

yes, but you GA passenger boys (well your higher ups) not too happy about it I'm led to believe.

Not me mate. I'm so against bus substitution but I was sort of for the plan to replace off-peak Scuds with a high quality frequent bus service. This would enable more freight by rail & provide a more reliable & robust service on the branch. Very controversial & hence Hutchinson Ports dropped the suggestion.

 

[Tobbes]

The Felixstowe branch can be doubled for much of its route (Spring Road viaduct notwithstanding) and it should be. But are there other enhancements - e.g., is access to the branch still a single-lead junction at Westerfield? What kind of impact does this have on capacity?

Obviously, I'd like to see the whole lot doubled and electrified, and in time if the growth at Felixstowe and the Haven ports rises as expected, to reopen Wisbech - March and potentially a Lincoln avoiding line (though on a new alignment as the old was lost, I believe) to get freight off the ECML until Doncaster.

 

[ac6000cw]

is access to the branch still a single-lead junction at Westerfield?

Yes, it is, but as it's a single line from that point to the west end of the loop at Derby Road I'm not sure what else you would expect it to be. Also I suspect the current layout allows for higher speeds to/from the branch than a double junction at the curve-away point might.

I've spent a reasonable amount of time sitting on the platform at Westerfield musing on the same issue while watching the freight trains go by

 

[dk1]

Westerfield also impacts on a new station if the junction is remodelled. The freight sector needs it so they will have to pay. No doubt another stumbling block.

 

[306024]

Re. paths on the Cambridge - Newmarket (single) line. The current timetable (with short turnarounds at Cambridge) seems to be designed for three paths per hour - two paths are used by the east and west-bound passenger services, so there is one path available for other trains.

The current timetable was designed to be resourced by three units, to connect at Ipswich with fast Norwich trains, and with reverse connections also possible at Stowmarket to and from Norwich. There was concern at the time that the short turnarounds at Cambridge would be a performance risk, but the economics obviously won the day.

Fortunately those concerns have mostly been unfounded and the service has proved so popular that 3 car 170s are diagrammed for most trains.

 

[Tobbes]

Yes, it is, but as it's a single line from that point to the west end of the loop at Derby Road I'm not sure what else you would expect it to be. Also I suspect the current layout allows for higher speeds to/from the branch than a double junction at the curve-away point might.

Interesting, I'd not thought of that. Are they proposing to double that section of the branch towards the viaduct, or is it all the Felixstowe side of the Europark?

I've spent a reasonable amount of time sitting on the platform at Westerfield musing on the same issue while watching the freight trains go by

Happy memories of 47s...!