Reading improvements milestones

[LexyBoy]

They’re certainly making pretty quick work of it all. It seems like a pretty short distance from the station to the eastern diveunder; any idea what sort of gradient it will be?

Also, looking at this image, I was wondering what the function of the link from the main lines to the western diveunder is?

 

[IrishDave]

Also, looking at this image, I was wondering what the function of the link from the main lines to the western diveunder is?

That's the Reading Festival Chord, formerly known as the Cross-Country Chord, which provides grade separated access between the relief lines and platforms 3 and 7. It's designed to be used by XC trains between Birmingham and Southampton/Bournemouth which reverse at Reading; using this chord (which will be a bi-directional single track) they can run on the relief lines between Didcot and Reading, thus avoiding flat crossing moves either at Reading or Didcot. (It may well be used by fast Paddington-Oxford trains as well.)

 

[swt_passenger]

They’re certainly making pretty quick work of it all. It seems like a pretty short distance from the station to the eastern diveunder; any idea what sort of gradient it will be?

Also, looking at this image, I was wondering what the function of the link from the main lines to the western diveunder is?

The maximum gradients are about 1 in 80. The eastern dive under route is less than a couple of metres below adjacent ground level, most of the height separation is due to the flyover rising.

If I've understood which link you mean in your question correctly it's what is now known as the 'Festival line'. It's a single track bidirectional route with the main purpose being to allow XC services to get from the reliefs to P3 and P7 without a flat crossing over the up and down main.

PS, if you follow the link to the future track layout in post #141, it's the route with the light blue colour.

 

[LexyBoy]

Thanks - I'd forgotten about XC, was wondering what freight would be on the mains from London! Good to have another look at that plan too, it's hard to keep in mind what the final track layout will be when it's changing so frequently - I can see that the Festival line (why the name?) is needed as there's no other access to P3/7 from the main line.

 

[JamesRowden]

I expect the Cross Country services to use the northern relief platforms at Reading (which will have grade separated access to Reading West) and for them to run along the relief lines between Didcot and Reading to reduce the quantity of path crossing at Didcot. I believe that the grade separated connection from platforms 3,7,8 to the relief lines towards Didcot will primarily be used by the Oxford stoppers to allow them to run non-stop (or to just stop at either Slough or Maidenhead) between Reading and Paddington. I expect this since the London and South East RUS recommended 16tph between Reading and Paddington during the peak (on the fast lines) with 6tph being Thames Valley services. By deduction I think that these will be:

• (Milton Keynes-)Oxford-Paddington (fast) (1tph)
• Oxford-Paddington (stopper) (2tph)
• Westbury-Paddington (fast) (1tph)
• Newbury-Paddington (stopper) (2tph)

Although it is quite possible that the stoppers will only run fast to Paddington during the peak.

With regards to freight, there is presesntly a 1tpd service from Kent to Newbury via the Windsor lines (passing through platform 7). The dive under to the west will allow freight services from the Windsor lines to access the reliefs to Oxford without crossing mainline paths (although the dive under that reopened to the east of the station already allows this).

 

[swt_passenger]

I expect the Cross Country services to use the northern relief platforms at Reading (which will have grade separated access to Reading West) and for them to run along the relief lines between Didcot and Reading to reduce the quantity of path crossing at Didcot.

I've been told the exact opposite by a NR planner, in conversation at Reading. He told me that the only XC trains that will normally use P13/14 will be the terminating trains on the Reading/Newcastle route (just as now) .

All other XC services to/from the south coast will normally use P3, P7 or P8. (As far as my various drawings show there is no route from P9 to the Festival line by the way.)

That is after all what that track diagram colour coding implies...

 

[JamesRowden]

I've been told the exact opposite by a NR planner, in conversation at Reading. He told me that the only XC trains that will normally use P13/14 will be the terminating trains on the Reading/Newcastle route (just as now) .

All other XC services to/from the south coast will normally use P3, P7 or P8.

Is platform 3 being extended? If not, what if it is decided that Cross Country services to/from the South Coast need to be 8-car EMUs/Voyagers (north of Reading) during the peak?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know that they could use the platforms that they presently use (not platform 3) but will the extra services in the future make that a problem relibility wise.

 

[IrishDave]

Is platform 3 being extended? If not, what if it is decided that Cross Country services to/from the South Coast need to be 8-car EMUs/Voyagers (north of Reading) during the peak?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know that they could use the platforms that they presently use (not platform 3) but will the extra services in the future make that a problem relibility wise.

I think platform 3 might be being extended to take a 5-car Voyager (I've a feeling it could only hold a 4-car). Nonetheless, if they need longer trains they can use platform 7, which is otherwise only planned to be used by through trains from Paddington to Newbury/Westbury, which amount to all of about three an hour even in the evening peak. There should be room to fit a couple of XC services in 7 if needs be. (All the other down trains, to Bristol/Swansea/Cheltenham/etc can use platforms 8 and 9.)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I expect the Cross Country services to use the northern relief platforms at Reading (which will have grade separated access to Reading West) and for them to run along the relief lines between Didcot and Reading to reduce the quantity of path crossing at Didcot.

The whole point of the Reading Festival Chord is so the XC services can use 3/7/8 and still use the relief lines from Reading West Junction. Otherwise why build it?

Also, the signalling makes it a pain to reverse trains in platforms 13/14 - the signalling was optimised to allow consecutive calls in the same direction, not trains reversing in the platform (from either direction). In order to allow for consecutive trains calling in quick succession - which results in e.g. a train departing towards Didcot from platform 12 while another arrives from Paddington in platform 13 - they had to put in the platform entry signals (like at East Croydon or London Bridge) to avoid the overlaps going over the pointwork at the far end of the station.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is platform 3 being extended? If not, what if it is decided that Cross Country services to/from the South Coast need to be 8-car EMUs/Voyagers (north of Reading) during the peak?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know that they could use the platforms that they presently use (not platform 3) but will the extra services in the future make that a problem relibility wise.

P3 was about 125m long and could take a 5 car Voyager already, the extension was put in shortly after they entered service, but none of the west end bays can be extended any further.

If XC run a longer train then they'll just have to do what they have always done, reverse it in a through platform. Any of P7,8,10-15 would be able to reverse a pair of Voyagers, routes to/from all those platforms are possible.

 

[Y186520]

A short report in Rail technology magazine about the viaduct piling coming to a conclusion. 20,000 metres of pile has gone into the ground using re-bar
and pumped concrete.


http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/reading-viaduct-piling-success

 

[JamesRowden]

The whole point of the Reading Festival Chord is so the XC services can use 3/7/8 and still use the relief lines from Reading West Junction. Otherwise why build it?

To allow fast services from Paddington to become Oxford stoppers at Reading in order to give the stations between Oxford and Reading a fast through service from London.

Can you come up with six alternative peak Thames Valley services that the RUS would have been refering to?

 

[HowardGWR]

I sometimes look at the webcams for the station and since the big effort, the surroundings of the station on both sides just look a big mess.

Anyone know why apparently work has stalled?

 

[swt_passenger]

I sometimes look at the webcams for the station and since the big effort, the surroundings of the station on both sides just look a big mess.

Anyone know why apparently work has stalled?

The work at the front alongside the boarded up shops is outside the NR worksite boundary, and not part of the station project. I think it has been subject to very late re-design, as plans for demolition of the tower nearest the station was abandoned after work started. That may have meant the planning process has had to be restarted - hence the ground works looking as though they are in slow-motion...

On the north side, I think NR only have temporary ownership of the various ex-Royal Mail buildings, and they will be demolished later, once NR have moved out. I do believe the area immediately outside the new north entrance and in line with the subway, is to be an open space.

 

[BananaRepublic]

......I do believe the area immediately outside the new north entrance and in line with the subway, is to be an open space.

See this Link to see what is planned for the first phase outside the northern entrance. A later phase will depend on the plans for the redevelopment of the former PO site.

 

[HowardGWR]

Anyone know why access to the Lobstervision webcams is now denied?

 

[dysonsphere]

Anyone know why access to the Lobstervision webcams is now denied?

Having looked at their web site im amazed we could see then in the first place. Looks like they are into selling services to big companys for site managment.

http://www.lobsterpictures.tv/services

See that link explains better.

 

[BananaRepublic]

Anyone know why access to the Lobstervision webcams is now denied?

Someone (Mr.X) contacted NR's PR dept. to inform them that their latest press release (last week) about Reading was a bit out of date.

The press release was celebrating the beginning of the lifting into place and installation of the first spanning beams on the new viaduct.

The person contacting NR (Mr. X) informed the press office that the first beams went up several weeks ago and that work was well progressed with 8 or more bridge spans completed so far (n.b. there are 7 beams per span).

Apparently the PR office said he was wrong, that there wasn't a mistake and that work had only just started.

Mr. X told them they were mistaken and directed them to the LobsterVision webcams, both live and archive, to see for themselves.

The Reading webcams went to password access only later that day.

Whether taking them out of public view was a result of discovering that the open access shouldn't have been available in the first place, or the act of an embarrassed and spiteful PR man, is open to debate.
Regardless, a very useful and interesting window on the Reading project has been closed off to many people who have been following it for nearly 2 years.

Bu**er !!!!

 

[HowardGWR]

Someone (Mr.X) contacted NR's PR dept. to inform them that their latest press release (last week) about Reading was a bit out of date.

The press release was celebrating the beginning of the lifting into place and installation of the first spanning beams on the new viaduct.

The person contacting NR (Mr. X) informed the press office that the first beams went up several weeks ago and that work was well progressed with 8 or more bridge spans completed so far (n.b. there are 7 beams per span).

Apparently the PR office said he was wrong, that there wasn't a mistake and that work had only just started.

Mr. X told them they were mistaken and directed them to the LobsterVision webcams, both live and archive, to see for themselves.

The Reading webcams went to password access only later that day.

Whether taking them out of public view was a result of discovering that the open access shouldn't have been available in the first place, or the act of an embarrassed and spiteful PR man, is open to debate.
Regardless, a very useful and interesting window on the Reading project has been closed off to many people who have been following it for nearly 2 years.

Bu**er !!!!

Well your last comment is appropriate as that is what their decision has meant in terms of PR with rail supporters and enthusiasts. An own goal if true.

I too wondered about the silly sounding press release, all is explained.

 

[Ironside]

Someone (Mr.X) contacted NR's PR dept. to inform them that their latest press release (last week) about Reading was a bit out of date.

The press release was celebrating the beginning of the lifting into place and installation of the first spanning beams on the new viaduct.

The person contacting NR (Mr. X) informed the press office that the first beams went up several weeks ago and that work was well progressed with 8 or more bridge spans completed so far (n.b. there are 7 beams per span).

Apparently the PR office said he was wrong, that there wasn't a mistake and that work had only just started.

Mr. X told them they were mistaken and directed them to the LobsterVision webcams, both live and archive, to see for themselves.

The Reading webcams went to password access only later that day.

Whether taking them out of public view was a result of discovering that the open access shouldn't have been available in the first place, or the act of an embarrassed and spiteful PR man, is open to debate.
Regardless, a very useful and interesting window on the Reading project has been closed off to many people who have been following it for nearly 2 years.

Bu**er !!!!

That's a shame, i used to enjoy watching that.

 

[BrownE]

Well your last comment is appropriate as that is what their decision has meant in terms of PR with rail supporters and enthusiasts. An own goal if true.

I too wondered about the silly sounding press release, all is explained.

See the words direct from Paul's mouth here.

Or just read:

I made the big mistake yesterday of emailing the NR PR department and quoting the webcams as evidence that his recent news about the viaduct was about 6 weeks late. The worrying thing is he might have ordered? the webcams to be made private.

Apologies to all if that's caused the loss the webcams permanently - although not much is going on in the station nowadays the viaduct cams were quite interesting...

Paul

 

[Ironside]

An article in the rail engineer suggests that the the flyover will be structurally complete this summer with trains able to use it as of January 2015.

http://www.therailengineer.com/2014/03/28/last-piece-jigsaw/

 

[D1009]

An article in the rail engineer suggests that the the flyover will be structurally complete this summer with trains able to use it as of January 2015.

http://www.therailengineer.com/2014/03/28/last-piece-jigsaw/

Good news. Hopefully the current restrictions on pathing of special trains through Reading station can be removed then.

 

[Ironside]

Good news. Hopefully the current restrictions on pathing of special trains through Reading station can be removed then.

I imagine we must be getting close to that point.

Local MP Rob Wilson states on his website that platform 10 is now open and just 7,8 and 9 to finish off.

http://www.robwilsonmp.com/news/re-opens-reading-station’s-platform-10

 

[Buttsy]

Good news. Hopefully the current restrictions on pathing of special trains through Reading station can be removed then.

I'm not sure that will help as once the mains are open, there is work to do on the reliefs and generally a fair bit of signalling and trackwork to improve.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I'm not sure that will help as once the mains are open, there is work to do on the reliefs and generally a fair bit of signalling and trackwork to improve.

And electrification, potential gauge enhancement works blah blah blah. Lots of work to do on GWML.

 

[swt_passenger]

Local MP Rob Wilson states on his website that platform 10 is now open and just 7,8 and 9 to finish off.

http://www.robwilsonmp.com/news/re-opens-reading-station’s-platform-10

That's just reporting the 'ceremonial' opening, it has been in full use by trains since the 10th of March...

 

[Ironside]

That's just reporting the 'ceremonial' opening, it has been in full use by trains since the 10th of March...

Thanks for putting that straight, I was a little nervous quoting directly from an MP's own website.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks for putting that straight, I was a little nervous quoting directly from an MP's own website.

Yes - I'm surprised that particular MP isn't claiming responsibility for the whole Reading project, he's already got his seat on the top deck of the Crossrail bandwagon, as though it was his personal achievement...

 

[Kite159]

Now that Reading station has passed into Network Rail management, how long until the toilets are made chargeable?

It's amazing how Reading has changed in the pass few years. Less of a walk from P1/2 to the exit now (although does any service use P3?)

 

[David Goddard]

Isn't P3 still closed for rebuilding? Prior to the works it was only used by a handful of XC trains each day. As per earlier posts would expect it to see regular use for Voyagers again when it reopens.