edwin_m
Veteran Member
The crossovers at Sharnbrook are probably used during engineering work on the fast lines, to reduce the length of the section where trains are diverted onto the slows.
The crossovers at Sharnbrook are probably used during engineering work on the fast lines, to reduce the length of the section where trains are diverted onto the slows.
As it's single north of Sharnbrook and double to the south, and the passenger service on the Fasts is frequent, I would expect the heavy goods to stay on the Slow(s) the whole way to/from Bedford - not least so the Down ones can wait for a route at Sharnbrook and the Up ones north of Bedford without blocking the Fasts.Yes, both that and (I presume still) to route heavy goods that would be unable to go over the top on the fasts due to traction limitations. That surely was the historical reason for having the crossovers at Sharnbrook.
But keeping non-standard crossovers there today carries a cost. Unless, as Bald Rick suggests they might be, they somehow are 'standard', although that seems unlikely to me.
I guess it's being done now because it's historically been that way, and moving the junction 2 miles or so south is just a few million investment too far.
Good lord, is that graffiti already?
Good lord, is that graffiti already?
The signals are the problem with the 4-tracking; so many obstructions are due to critical infrastructure such as the old signal gantry at Harrowden Junction. The Up side leg of said gantry is slap bang in the middle of the proposed Up Slow. There are a few signals in the way of the Up Slow's path between Sharnbrook Tunnel & Sharnbrook Jct as well.Travelled along the MML today and saw a couple of things
1. The throat of the sidings at Kettering has been laid, and a lot of ballast is being put down for the rest
2. There's some wiring been installed just South of the Wymington loop, but it's not as complete as the wiring runs around Oakley
3. There's some fairly large portals installed North of Wellingborough, and I think one of the sidings or a passing loop at Wellingborough yard will get wired
I'm a bit perplexed about how little 4-tracking seems to be happening. It really feels like little has been done for ages and there's still obstructions that haven't been moved and some areas where there's no trackbed.
The signals are the problem with the 4-tracking; so many obstructions are due to critical infrastructure such as the old signal gantry at Harrowden Junction. The Up side leg of said gantry is slap bang in the middle of the proposed Up Slow. There are a few signals in the way of the Up Slow's path between Sharnbrook Tunnel & Sharnbrook Jct as well.
I too am surprised, but I suspect that "critical" is the key word here, as I'm sure the planners for these projects have done a project critical path analysis for all the elements. There is a live railway which needs signals all the time alongside these works and so I'm sure it will all come together on time.....and hopefully on budget....as has the Market Harborough straightening.This is true but they've just moved/ replaced quite a few signals, and removed a signal gantry over the course of the Market Harborough project. Given they've had quite a few possessions, including whole weekends last summer, it's surprising to me that these critical enabling works still haven't been done.
Given signalling resources are fairly constrained probably limited to 1 job / possession so a slow and steady progression. They have also probably started with the jobs that needed the fewest pre-requisites with some of the remaining signalising task needing new duct /cables / cable routing /signalling power supplies installed first.This is true but they've just moved/ replaced quite a few signals, and removed a signal gantry over the course of the Market Harborough project. Given they've had quite a few possessions, including whole weekends last summer, it's surprising to me that these critical enabling works still haven't been done.
No the new box is at the back, with Siemens on it, the box with graffiti has been there for years.Good lord, is that graffiti already?
Just north of Corby on the branch from Kettering to Manton Jct; just north of Market Harborough on the MML.Can someone confirm where the planned electrification will finish?
Thank you. So Electric traisn will run to Corby once complete and I guess any new long distance stock will have to be Bio-mods? If any new stock is planned.Just north of Corby on the branch from Kettering to Manton Jct; just north of Market Harborough on the MML.
Yes; EMUs are planned to run Corby-London services (not sure what class), while bi-modes are in the pipeline for intercity services.Thank you. So Electric traisn will run to Corby once complete and I guess any new long distance stock will have to be Bio-mods? If any new stock is planned.
Can anybody confirm whether the Souldrop foot crossing has been closed over the railway as the footpath diversionary route was still incomplete according to Bedford Brough Council's Countryside Officer.
Thanks.I believe it has as the whistle board had been taken out.
Will the 222s go out of service then post electricfication.Yes; EMUs are planned to run Corby-London services (not sure what class), while bi-modes are in the pipeline for intercity services.
Just north of Corby on the branch from Kettering to Manton Jct; just north of Market Harborough on the MML.