Great Western Electrification Progress

[II]

I wonder if the 387s will be cleared to run at 110 mph on the main-lines

They will eventually, but whether they will straight away is more difficult to answer. 110mph running is now permitted on the Reading to Didcot test section, but still limited to run at 100mph elsewhere.

 

[FGW_DID]

I wonder if the 387s will be cleared to run at 110 mph on the main-lines

Yes they are cleared, as of Monday morning.

 

[leomartin125]

Yes they are cleared, as of Monday morning.

As the driver of the 387 that visited Didcot yesterday stated, I noticed the train still had the "Max Speed 100mph/160Kmh" sticker over the original "Max Speed 110mph/177Kmh" and asked and he replied that the 387's are cleared for 110mph between Reading & Didcot, and shortly between Airport Jct and Maidenhead, with Reading on the cards too once it's complete. However they are limited to 100mph due to structual issues with the older OLE between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, something that could be changed in the future...

 

[59CosG95]

However they are limited to 100mph due to structual issues with the older OLE between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, something that could be changed in the future...

Whenever the future is, I hope for the sake of PR that it's somewhat soon. Given that the 800s aren't exactly top performers off the wires at the moment, I suspect not many of GWR's intercity travellers would want slightly reduced journey times due to the OLE over the Mains being unsuitable for 125mph!

 

[4973]

I think it's very unlikely the OLE hardware is causing any sort of issue. The much vaunted high spec should mean minimal arcing, which is the only real cause of EMC arising from the pan to wire bit. If the 800 meets standards on the less resilient OLE of the ECML then it should do on GW with no problem.

There is a possibility arising from the design of the steelwork. If something carrying AC has a right angle in it then that will act as an antenna and increase the amount of signal radiated.

This is normally only a problem at microwave frequencies but the setup there has a lot of large steelwork with right angles so the effect could be seen at lower frequencies. Add to that the fact that the spectrum of an interrupted arc has a very large high-frequency component and you have a possibility.

Yes, the steelwork should be grounded, but grounding any structure for the magnitude of currents involved is not a simple task - witness the size of the grounding straps used on platform fencing.

Low probability but not impossible.

 

[coppercapped]

Whenever the future is, I hope for the sake of PR that it's somewhat soon. Given that the 800s aren't exactly top performers off the wires at the moment, I suspect not many of GWR's intercity travellers would want slightly reduced journey times due to the OLE over the Mains being unsuitable for 125mph!

An HST, capable of 125mph, and a HEx, capable of 100mph, have start-to-pass times from Paddington to Airport junction within half a minute of each other. The HEx has the advantage of greater acceleration while HSTs are only getting into their stride by Hayes, just before the junction.

So I suspect that the 80Xs under electric power will be no slower than HSTs over the same stretch, and indeed may be a bit quicker due to their better acceleration. However, the 100mph limit set by the OHLE may well be a constraint when the time comes to accelerate the services.

 

[edwin_m]

There is a possibility arising from the design of the steelwork. If something carrying AC has a right angle in it then that will act as an antenna and increase the amount of signal radiated.

This is normally only a problem at microwave frequencies but the setup there has a lot of large steelwork with right angles so the effect could be seen at lower frequencies. Add to that the fact that the spectrum of an interrupted arc has a very large high-frequency component and you have a possibility.

Yes, the steelwork should be grounded, but grounding any structure for the magnitude of currents involved is not a simple task - witness the size of the grounding straps used on platform fencing.

Low probability but not impossible.

There will be large 50Hz currents in the rails and inductive coupling from these is likely to dwarf any effect of the steelwork. In any case it would be a major concern if any equipment was susceptible to 50Hz. The problem is likely to be some harmonic at a higher frequency that is unique to the traction package on the 800/801 units. And the bits with right angles in won't be carrying any more than a tiny induced current at 50Hz except in the case of a short circuit.

 

[3973EXL]

Maidenhead - Reading: state of play today.

Maidenhead stabling sidings - masts up, looks like they are just finishing off the SPS.
The turnback siding although wired, still has no plain line.
Wires finish at 25MP.

After a gap on all lines, they recommence at 25 3/4MP.
DR/UR only wired to around the 26 1/2MP.
UM is wired to just short of the 29MP.
DM is the same except for a gap around 26 1/4MP to 26 3/4MP.

DM/UM DR/UR Ruscombe crossovers to west of Twyford, SPS still being put up (Mains look near to finishing).

There is still one four track boom to go up, just before 30 3/4MP east of Twyford.

The UM is then wired from just east of Twyford West (between the crossover and the River Loddon viaduct) to just before Kennet Loop.
The DM is wired from east of Duffield Road bridge to Kennet Loop.
So on the Mains in Sonning Cutting, only the extreme east end of the DM is still to do.
On the Reliefs, only one wire run on the DR in the cutting. East of Duffield Road bridge to west of Butts Hill Road bridge.

Various SPS missing from Kennet Loop to east of Reading station. Main area around Kennet bridge.
Platform 9 is now wired.
Platform 12 has the catenary wire up.
3, 10 & 11 to do.

Various short wire runs going in west of the station. Didn't try to identify each, but to give some idea:

After West Main to Oxford Road Junction (passed triangle sidings).
Station towards the Feeder line.
DM on the flyover from where the feeder goes under to the west end.
Catenary wire up on the UM at the west end of the flyover.
Also some wires up for a sort distance at the east end of the flyover, didn't see which line.

Quick look at the Newbury line:
No masts from Oxford Road Jn to Southcote Jn.
Southcote Jn to Newbury just over 220 masts each side.

 

[jyte]

Maidenhead - Reading: state of play today.

Maidenhead stabling sidings - masts up, looks like they are just finishing off the SPS.
The turnback siding although wired, still has no plain line.
Wires finish at 25MP.

After a gap on all lines, they recommence at 25 3/4MP.
DR/UR only wired to around the 26 1/2MP.
UM is wired to just short of the 29MP.
DM is the same except for a gap around 26 1/4MP to 26 3/4MP.

DM/UM DR/UR Ruscombe crossovers to west of Twyford, SPS still being put up (Mains look near to finishing).

There is still one four track boom to go up, just before 30 3/4MP east of Twyford.

The UM is then wired from just east of Twyford West (between the crossover and the River Loddon viaduct) to just before Kennet Loop.
The DM is wired from east of Duffield Road bridge to Kennet Loop.
So on the Mains in Sonning Cutting, only the extreme east end of the DM is still to do.
On the Reliefs, only one wire run on the DR in the cutting. East of Duffield Road bridge to west of Butts Hill Road bridge.

Various SPS missing from Kennet Loop to east of Reading station. Main area around Kennet bridge.
Platform 9 is now wired.
Platform 12 has the catenary wire up.
3, 10 & 11 to do.

Various short wire runs going in west of the station. Didn't try to identify each, but to give some idea:

After West Main to Oxford Road Junction (passed triangle sidings).
Station towards the Feeder line.
DM on the flyover from where the feeder goes under to the west end.
Catenary wire up on the UM at the west end of the flyover.
Also some wires up for a sort distance at the east end of the flyover, didn't see which line.

Quick look at the Newbury line:
No masts from Oxford Road Jn to Southcote Jn.
Southcote Jn to Newbury just over 220 masts each side.

Oh jeez that's a lot of stuff to update!

I'm gonna release the next version on Sunday, after the energisation.

Thanks for the updates.


EDIT: When is Maidenhead-Reading due for energisation?

Dare I ask if NR will meet that target?

Also when are the IEPs starting passenger service?

 

[reddragon]

Maidenhead - Reading: state of play today.

Maidenhead stabling sidings - masts up, looks like they are just finishing off the SPS.
The turnback siding although wired, still has no plain line.
Wires finish at 25MP.

After a gap on all lines, they recommence at 25 3/4MP.
DR/UR only wired to around the 26 1/2MP.
UM is wired to just short of the 29MP.
DM is the same except for a gap around 26 1/4MP to 26 3/4MP.

DM/UM DR/UR Ruscombe crossovers to west of Twyford, SPS still being put up (Mains look near to finishing).

There is still one four track boom to go up, just before 30 3/4MP east of Twyford.

The UM is then wired from just east of Twyford West (between the crossover and the River Loddon viaduct) to just before Kennet Loop.
The DM is wired from east of Duffield Road bridge to Kennet Loop.
So on the Mains in Sonning Cutting, only the extreme east end of the DM is still to do.
On the Reliefs, only one wire run on the DR in the cutting. East of Duffield Road bridge to west of Butts Hill Road bridge.

Various SPS missing from Kennet Loop to east of Reading station. Main area around Kennet bridge.
Platform 9 is now wired.
Platform 12 has the catenary wire up.
3, 10 & 11 to do.

Various short wire runs going in west of the station. Didn't try to identify each, but to give some idea:

After West Main to Oxford Road Junction (passed triangle sidings).
Station towards the Feeder line.
DM on the flyover from where the feeder goes under to the west end.
Catenary wire up on the UM at the west end of the flyover.
Also some wires up for a sort distance at the east end of the flyover, didn't see which line.

Quick look at the Newbury line:
No masts from Oxford Road Jn to Southcote Jn.
Southcote Jn to Newbury just over 220 masts each side.

Wow, makes my efforts to record activity look rubbish!

The down wire to the B&H ends at the up end of Reading West station

 

[59CosG95]

Wow, makes my efforts to record activity look rubbish!

The down wire to the B&H ends at the up end of Reading West station

Which, IIRC, is at Oxford Rd Jct. From what I can tell, Reading West is the only part of the B&H devoid of masts; no idea if the curve going from Reading West to Tilehurst is wired.

 

[reddragon]

Which, IIRC, is at Oxford Rd Jct. From what I can tell, Reading West is the only part of the B&H devoid of masts; no idea if the curve going from Reading West to Tilehurst is wired.

It wasn't 2 days ago.

 

[59CosG95]

It wasn't 2 days ago.

Oops...by Reading West, I meant Oxford Rd Jct to Southcote Jct, going by what 3973EXL said earlier.
(Unless you mean the Reading West-Tilehurst line)

 

[jyte]

Does anyone know when the 800s are due to be introduced?

All I can find is “early 2018”.

 

[JN114]

Does anyone know when the 800s are due to be introduced?

All I can find is “early 2018”.

There is a date rumbling around internally, but not sure that it's public knowledge yet. Early Autumn 2017 would be a good ballpark - more details may be available in the Class 800 thread.

 

[DidcotDickie]

There is a date rumbling around internally, but not sure that it's public knowledge yet. Early Autumn 2017 would be a good ballpark - more details may be available in the Class 800 thread.

16th October is the date that has been quoted to me by an internal source. Initially two HST diagrams on the Padd-Bristol/S Wales route will be replaced by four 800s running as 2x2 units.

That I understand is the current plan and is subject to the usual caveats as plans can change.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Does anyone know when the 800s are due to be introduced?
All I can find is “early 2018”.

They should be running in the timetable starting in December this year, probably with infiltration into service in the previous couple of months.
How many, on which routes, and in what mode are good questions.
GWR has to release some HSTs intended for transfer to Scotrail (after modifications) by December.
Quite a few obstacles have to be resolved first, of course, not all down to Hitachi.

 

[ainsworth74]

Shall we take any further talk of the introduction of the 800s on to the GWML to the Class 800 thread? Many thanks

 

[jyte]

Shall we take any further talk of the introduction of the 800s on to the GWML to the Class 800 thread? Many thanks

Apologies!

 

[DidcotDickie]

Some more information for 'jyte'. West of Milton Junction there are now three short sections wired:-

- from 400m west of Causeway Crossing, Steventon for about 1km towards Wantage Road. Both up and down lines are wired.
- from 1km west of Wantage Road (Grove) to due south of Denchworth (just beyond the Denchworth Road overbridge). This is on the four track section between Wantage Road and Challow and so far just the down relief and down main have been wired. Looks like it's been done in the past week or so.
- from 800m west of Challow Station to immediately south of Baulking Grange farm. This is on the two track section between Challow and Swindon and, again both up and down lines are wired.

If I spot some more wiring on my travels I'll post the details here.

 

[jyte]

Some more information for 'jyte'. West of Milton Junction there are now three short sections wired:-

...

If I spot some more wiring on my travels I'll post the details here.

Many thanks and much appreciated!

Also, I doubt they'll see this but best of luck to NR engineers tonight/tomorrow for the energisation.

 

[leomartin125]

Hopefully, with all being well, Maidenhead should have live OHLE by 1300 today. This would be a big step, and could possibly mean a few driver training runs in the future, if all goes well of course.

 

[jyte]

Trains now look to be running through the area - in fact started slightly early by the looks of things.

Anyone know if the energisation was a success?

 

[4973]

Some more information for 'jyte'. West of Milton Junction there are now three short sections wired:-

- from 400m west of Causeway Crossing, Steventon for about 1km towards Wantage Road. Both up and down lines are wired.
- from 1km west of Wantage Road (Grove) to due south of Denchworth (just beyond the Denchworth Road overbridge). This is on the four track section between Wantage Road and Challow and so far just the down relief and down main have been wired. Looks like it's been done in the past week or so.
- from 800m west of Challow Station to immediately south of Baulking Grange farm. This is on the two track section between Challow and Swindon and, again both up and down lines are wired.

I'll add a little more to this. The wiring on the two-track section seems to be on single-line cantilevers, hence rather lighter posts.

There is a selection of piling going west until Swindon Station. At the station itself there is little sign of work other than the high-clearance signal gantry at the west end of the station. There has been some piling alongside the line to the BMW warehouse and there seems to be ONE base at the west end of platform 4 (not sure about this, it is on the car park side of the platform and I was looking across from Platform 3 through the supports of Platform 4). Nothing obvious further west but the piling probably wouldn't have shown up from the platform.

There are some posts up going north from Didcot N Junction although they are in irregular batches and finish between Appleford and Culham. Piling done further north.

The Didcot West curve has been piled all along but only on the London side. There are about 3 masts with cantilevers on the west end of the curve (i.e. at West Junction), but nothing on the rest and none lying on the ground.

 

[jyte]

There are some posts up going north from Didcot N Junction although they are in irregular batches and finish between Appleford and Culham. Piling done further north.

The Didcot West curve has been piled all along but only on the London side. There are about 3 masts with cantilevers on the west end of the curve (i.e. at West Junction), but nothing on the rest and none lying on the ground.

Thanks for the update.

On these two points specifically, I thought electrification north of Appleford had been 'paused'. Is this work recent?

On the second point, that's fiddly but Ill do my best!

Edit: On a next pass, can someone confirm/deny if all the steelwork is complete between Steventon and Wantage Road?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I thought electrification north of Appleford had been 'paused'. Is this work recent?

It was started a couple of years ago (before the main line had properly got under way, in fact).
All work stopped when it was realised the necessary resignalling at Oxford would not be done for several years.
The curves from the main line to Appleford have been done recently, to give an overlap for electric working.

 

[jyte]

It was started a couple of years ago (before the main line had properly got under way, in fact).
All work stopped when it was realised the necessary resignalling at Oxford would not be done for several years.
The curves from the main line to Appleford have been done recently, to give an overlap for electric working.

Are the curves wired? What's the current status of the 'Didcot Bypass' as such used by non stops to Oxford?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Are the curves wired? What's the current status of the 'Didcot Bypass' as such used by non stops to Oxford?

Haven't been past for a few weeks but I believe bases/masts/wiring are incomplete as yet, on both curves.

 

[4973]

Are the curves wired? What's the current status of the 'Didcot Bypass' as such used by non stops to Oxford?

No wires showing at Didcot North Junction, couldn't see East Junction although all 4 lines were wired at West Junction so I'd assume most of the station was.

 

[snowball]

Press release

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...-to-find-out-more-about-railway-upgrade-work/

Swindon residents invited to drop-in event to find out more about railway upgrade work

Residents living near Roman Road bridge in Swindon have been invited to a drop-in event to find out more about upcoming work to prepare the Great Western Main Line for electrification. This forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.

Network Rail is carrying out essential work to lower the track beneath the listed bridge on Ermin Street in Stratton St Margaret to accommodate the new fleet of electric trains, which will provide improved capacity and more comfortable journeys for passengers.

The bulk of the work will take place around the clock over the weekends of 27-29 May and 10-11 June 2017, and includes: removing rail and sleepers, removing spoil from the site, installing new ballast, sleepers and rails and drainage work.

Follow-up work will then take place intermittently from 18 June – 20 August.

Network Rail plans to close Ermin Street to traffic for the two core weekends of 27-29 May and 10-11 June, subject to local authority approval.

Lucy Elston, scheme project manager for the track lower, said: “The work at Roman Road is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will pave the way for electric trains and the benefits these will bring to residents and passengers. These benefits include new trains with more seats and more legroom, as well as less noise and air pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

“We would like to thank the local community for bearing with us while we carry out these improvements to Brunel’s railway.

“Everyone is welcome at our drop-in event and I’d urge anyone who has a question or wants to know more about our plans to come along.”

The event will take place on Wednesday 29 March, at Grange Junior School, Grange Drive; Stratton St Margaret; Swindon; SN3 4JY, from 4.30pm to 7.00pm.

Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand throughout the event to explain more about the work taking place and to answer any questions.

The event will also provide an update on work to install the overhead power lines at Swindon station, as part of the electrification project. Work began late last year and Network Rail’s orange army will be working on 27-29 May and 10-11 June to make further progress.

ENDS