Cambridge South new station construction progress.

[St. Paddy]

Yes I noticed that on the yellow peril.

I miss the yellow peril, we don’t get them anymore

 

[dk1]

I miss the yellow peril, we don’t get them anymore

We’ve had them sent electronically but have to pick up & sign for a paper copy too still.

 

[Jimcam]

I have been to have a look, and I am mystified, because both of the relevant signals have been moved.

On the down road coming from Shepreth CA123 is the last signal before the junction. Until Christmas Eve it was positioned on the curve and can be seen next to the 13th wagon on the right edge of this picture, which is taken from the blue footbridge that crosses the track at the old junction:

6M04 1157 Barrington Sidings, Foxton - Willesden 09-06-23

66734 passing Shepreth Branch Junction

www.flickr.com

The 30mph board is partially obscured in the picture and is next to the 6th wagon. CA123 also had a banner repeater which was before the start of the curve, Shepreth side of the Shelford Road bridge.

The new CA123 is north of the old junction and the blue footbridge, roughly opposite the old CA140 signal* on the up road that had the feathers for the branch. It still has a banner repeater which has also been moved, now it is just before the blue bridge, roughly where the GN MP55¼ is next to the 4th wagon in the picture.

The first signal after the junction is CA141 and this has also been moved. Previously it was just after Dukes No 2 crossing, there is already no trace of the exact location, but the new CA141 signal is much further north, near to GE MP53¾ and the bridge over the Nine Wells stream. To give some idea of distance GE MP53 was next to the Websters crossing which is in the bottom left hand corner of the picture, so the new CA141 is a three-quarter mile north of the old junction.

Given that the track geometry is set up for 40 mph, and both signals have been moved, what has gone wrong so that the new signals have been placed in locations where sightlines are inadequate for 40 mph running?

*not directly relevant, but CA140 is also being moved further north, the new CA140 will be roughly in line with White Hill farm nearer to the Nine Wells stream than the old junction.

Clearly expectations have been downgraded since the attached Network Rail document was produced: see third paragraph where it states "...continue through the curve without slowing down..." - so why are we now talking about slowing down to 30mph?

 

[Nodding Cat Ch]

Here's my update video for the new station and Shepreth Junction

 

[takethegame]

It has been covered before. Four tracks all the way Shepreth Branch Junction-Cambridge was in the original Cambridge South proposals but subsequently removed. But it is proposed again for East West Rail.

Wouldn't there have been a massive cost saving and far less disruption overall to do it all now, than in two separate stages? Only around 1 mile of 2 additional tracks would keep the trains separated until the new Cambridge South station.

 

[neill]

Wouldn't there have been a massive cost saving and far less disruption overall to do it all now, than in two separate stages? Only around 1 mile of 2 additional tracks would keep the trains separated until the new Cambridge South station.

Probably - but EW rail is still not approved so we would be waiting on that rather than having a station opening later this year if all goes well.

As I understand it is not just a matter of cost to consider but also environmental impact (there is a scheduled ancient monument) and justifying the compulsory purchase of land.

 

[Class 170101]

Wouldn't there have been a massive cost saving and far less disruption overall to do it all now, than in two separate stages? Only around 1 mile of 2 additional tracks would keep the trains separated until the new Cambridge South station.

I also wouldn't be sure about the layout of the four tracks Up Up Down Down or Up Down Up Down combinations between Cambridge and Shepreth Branch Jn.

 

[Magdalia]

Wouldn't there have been a massive cost saving and far less disruption overall to do it all now, than in two separate stages? Only around 1 mile of 2 additional tracks would keep the trains separated until the new Cambridge South station.

Cambridge South and East West Rail are two separate projects. Cambridge South is happening, East West Rail we won't know for a while yet.

It is important to remember the political context. Much of the planning process for Cambridge South was during the period when Johnson was Prime Minister and Schapps was Transport Secretary, with East West Rail not having the political support that it is now.

At that time, Cambridge South had to stand on its own. 4 tracks Shepreth Branch Junction-Cambridge South were descoped because they were not essential for Cambridge South.

If you are interested in the issues under consideration by East West Rail for the Shepreth Branch Junction-Cambridge South section then section 12.4 of their Technical Report is the source and it is here:

East West Rail | Consultation 2024

East West Rail's consultation will be open from 14 November 2024 until 24 January 2025. You're invited to take part in our consultation to share your feedback on our proposals.

eastwestrail.co.uk

Find out more detail about our proposals for East West Rail​

Click on the links below to find out more detail about our proposals. You can also view these in our virtual consultation room by clicking the button below.

It lists 4 factors for consideration just for that short part of the route:

A range of key environmental features and resulting impacts on other infrastructure proposals were considered in the evaluation of the options, these included: • Nine Wells Reserve on the east side and its water source (Hobson’s Brook) on the east and west sides of the WAML. • A scheduled monument on the west side, named ‘W of White Hill Farm’, approximately over 500m (546 yards) north of Shepreth Junction. • The Addenbrooke’s-Great Shelford Cycleway that currently runs on the east side of the WAML. • The proposed Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) scheme that is also planned in the same area, with part of the proposed route to run close to the existing WAML. The alternative track configuration options were appraised using the Assessment Factors to identify a preferred option. Further details on the options assessment is provided in the next section. EWR Co’s preference from this process is to provide two new tracks on the western side of the WAML from Shepreth Junction towards Addenbrooke’s Road.

Trying to do that as part of Cambridge South might have put the whole project in jeopardy.

 

[neill]

Holidays over, time for an update on site as we near the end of the Christmas/New Year closure. Lots happening including a few unexpected surprises (at least for me!):

• As expected the new layout has been installed through Cambridge South - the points are south of addenbrookes road and north of the guided busway bridge respectively. The ones to the north of the guided busway are offset from each other, the down lines being further north. It looks like some of the rails for P1/P4 have been cut out after installation leaving the line to P2/P3 running through Cambridge South. I'd speculate this relates to the signalling and track circuits. Perhaps the new signalling system isn't yet ready for the new layout? Or maybe it's all going to be put back together before Monday!
• Interestingly the layout at Cambridge station hasn't been changed which I was expecting. The temporary buffers are still in place north of the new crossover for P7/P8. (no photos of this)
• The escape bridge from P2/3 to P4 has appeared. Looks good. I hope the red internals are a temporary feature.
• Layout at Shepreth Branch Junction is as discussed above, but the drone photos make it clearer.
• Looks like some of the station building roofing has been removed - not clear if this is storm damage or intentional action by someone. It doesn't look very happy.
• Lots of solar panels on now on the station canopies.

Well done to everyone for good progress so far in very cold conditions.

Drone, phone and ProperCamera photos below for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Clearly expectations have been downgraded since the attached Network Rail document was produced: see third paragraph where it states "...continue through the curve without slowing down..." - so why are we now talking about slowing down to 30mph?

The NR news press release tells us this

Engineers also continued remodelling Shepreth Branch Junction nearby. We upgraded the track, electrified the overhead power lines and renewed the switches and crossings – or the movable track sections. This will allow us to run faster trains here in the future – increasing line speed from 30mph to 50mph.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/christmas-works-2024-a-roundup/

 

[Class 170101]

It lists 4 factors for consideration just for that short part of the route:

Trying to do that as part of Cambridge South might have put the whole project in jeopardy.

Sadly true but its so disappointing that EWR will have to come back and cause more disruption reconstructing the line between (the new) Hauxton Jn and Cambridge North and East rather than do it once as part of Cambridge Re-signalling / Cambridge South Construction and Shepreth Branch Jn Realignment. No doubt some of this work will prove to be abortive.

 

[Magdalia]

time for an update on site as we near the end of the Christmas/New Year closure.

Thanks for the pictures. The two zooms looking south from Addenbrookes Bridge towards Shepreth Branch Junction show the repositioned CA140 and CA141 signals. I think that CA143 is now at the north end of the station and CA142 at the south end of the station but can't be sure from the pictures.

Sadly true but its so disappointing that EWR will have to come back and cause more disruption reconstructing the line between (the new) Hauxton Jn and Cambridge North and East rather than do it once as part of Cambridge Re-signalling / Cambridge South Construction and Shepreth Branch Jn Realignment.

Look at the EWR Technical Report issued as part of the current consultation. If East West Rail goes ahead then there will be significant disruption building Hauxton Junction and a new platform at Cambridge. Further changes to Shepreth Branch Junction can be included without adding significantly to the disruption resulting from building Hauxton Junction and a new platform at Cambridge.

 

[cle]

I would think the Cambridge P9 project wouldn’t need full closures, being at the extremity of the station side?

Is there also a plan for a fourth at North? Doesn’t look too disruptive or tricky either.

 

[neill]

Thanks for the pictures. The two zooms looking south from Addenbrookes Bridge towards Shepreth Branch Junction show the repositioned CA140 and CA141 signals. I think that CA143 is now at the north end of the station and CA142 at the south end of the station but can't be sure from the pictures.

I went through and pulled what I can find from the higher resolution originals (and some that I didn't publish earlier). I agree CA142 at the south end of the station, probably over P2 (the telephoto perspective distortion is quite confusing).

 

[Magdalia]

I went through and pulled what I can find from the higher resolution originals (and some that I didn't publish earlier). I agree CA142 at the south end of the station, probably over P2 (the telephoto perspective distortion is quite confusing).

Thanks. The picture taken from high above the old junction shows what I think is the new banner repeater for CA123.

 

[Stephen42]

I would think the Cambridge P9 project wouldn’t need full closures, being at the extremity of the station side?

Is there also a plan for a fourth at North? Doesn’t look too disruptive or tricky either.

There's also extensions to platform 7 and 8,new footbridges and several layout changes to make best use of the new platform. Like Cambridge South expect a lot of construction to take place off line with trains running.

Christmas and Easter engineer possessions are mentioned, with the Cambridge North being turnback provision to reduce impact of Cambridge closures. The extra two tracks between the junction and Cambridge South can probably utilise those possessions adding no extra disruption than for Cambridge itself.

Having two tracks then a pair of platforms for each track is slightly more flexible for minimising headways for trains going to the same branch south of Cambridge.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Holidays over, time for an update on site as we near the end of the Christmas/New Year closure. Lots happening including a few unexpected surprises (at least for me!):

• As expected the new layout has been installed through Cambridge South - the points are south of addenbrookes road and north of the guided busway bridge respectively. The ones to the north of the guided busway are offset from each other, the down lines being further north. It looks like some of the rails for P1/P4 have been cut out after installation leaving the line to P2/P3 running through Cambridge South. I'd speculate this relates to the signalling and track circuits. Perhaps the new signalling system isn't yet ready for the new layout? Or maybe it's all going to be put back together before Monday!
• Interestingly the layout at Cambridge station hasn't been changed which I was expecting. The temporary buffers are still in place north of the new crossover for P7/P8. (no photos of this)
• The escape bridge from P2/3 to P4 has appeared. Looks good. I hope the red internals are a temporary feature.
• Layout at Shepreth Branch Junction is as discussed above, but the drone photos make it clearer.
• Looks like some of the station building roofing has been removed - not clear if this is storm damage or intentional action by someone. It doesn't look very happy.
• Lots of solar panels on now on the station canopies.

Well done to everyone for good progress so far in very cold conditions.

Drone, phone and ProperCamera photos below for your viewing pleasure.

I think Cambridge resignalling is delayed, so the resignalling of the Cambridge south area didn't happen, so all the added infrastructure is still out of use

Cambridge re-signalling - Network Rail

We're investing £194m to renew the signalling system for the Cambridge area to improve efficiency and reliability for passengers and freight users.

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[Class 170101]

I think Cambridge resignalling is delayed, so the resignalling of the Cambridge south area didn't happen, so all the added infrastructure is still out of use

Cambridge re-signalling - Network Rail

We're investing £194m to renew the signalling system for the Cambridge area to improve efficiency and reliability for passengers and freight users.

www.networkrail.co.uk

Thats Stage 2 which is Christmas 2025.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Thats Stage 2 which is Christmas 2025.

Yeah but wasn't it meant to happen this Christmas giving an early 2025 opening?

 

[Class 170101]

Yeah but wasn't it meant to happen this Christmas giving an early 2025 opening?

Postponed as Stage 1 was late - Easter 2024 I think.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Postponed as Stage 1 was late - Easter 2024 I think.

Oh okay thanks

 

[Magdalia]

Train service seems to have restarted as normal this morning.

RTT shows ecs moves for 0453 Brighton and 0550 Liverpool Street running via Royston and Audley End respectively as test runs.

 

[WesternBiker]

Train service seems to have restarted as normal this morning.

RTT shows ecs moves for 0453 Brighton and 0550 Liverpool Street running via Royston and Audley End respectively as test runs.

Indeed. I went up to London today (from Meldreth); trains arriving from Cambridge had lost a few minutes due to "speed restrictions" according to the National Rail website, which makes sense.

 

[sharpener]

I noticed today that they have still not finished at Foxton. There are temporary lights - although at 1530 ish they were green in both directions. What are they doing still and has it been delayed by the cold weather? The road surface is already much better than it was and the ride across the rail tracks much improved.

 

[St. Paddy]

Follow up work including tamping, welding and other ancillary items. As a consequence of this, the temporary speed restriction through Foxton was scheduled to be lifted early this morning.

 

[sharpener]

Follow up work including tamping, welding and other ancillary items. As a consequence of this, the temporary speed restriction through Foxton was scheduled to be lifted early this morning.

Drove over it on Tuesday for the first time since then, slowly but is nowhere near as smooth as previous renovations though and I wondered what it is like at speed. I assume is all finished so won't get any better now?

Was held up for a long time by crossing closures, is there a rule about minimum times it must be opened to road traffic before the next closure?

In detail (times from RTT):



1. Arrived (NB) just as 9S43 had just cleared crossing and barriers were lifting. But there was a long queue which had not cleared by the time

2. barriers came down again to allow 9S32 to pass and then stayed down so we all had to wait 7 mins until

3. 2C45 and 2C36 had been through. At least the last train was northbound so barriers could go up as soon as it was in the platform.

If the RTT timings are even approximately right it seems odd the barriers were lifted when there was a 2 1/4 min gap between trains but not when it was 3 mins.

With 11 trains in that single hour I am surprised I have not been caught more often by multiple trains.

What determines this, is it all automated or is it at the discretion of some signaller?

 

[iamterry]

My hunch (as a regular cyclist over the crossing) is that there is some leeway over whether or not the operator in the signal box will open the Foxton crossing for a short period to allow at least some traffic.

 

[neill]

Here are a few photos from earlier today. There is some tarmac on the access path now.

 

[TheDavibob]

A little tangential, but the satellite imagery of Cambridge on Google Maps is really up-to-date at the moment (within a few months) so there's some good views for getting to grips with the "shape" of the station. Based on the description of the current track layout in #1209 it's pre-Christmas, sadly.

 

[a good off]

How the site looked in 1988

19880317 Scan 1525A 86213 Cambridge South.

86213 'Lancashire Witch' working the 0900 KINGS LYNN - LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET passes the site of the new Cambridge South station on the 17th March 1988. At this time the train was hauled by a 47/4 between Kings Lynn and Cambridge.

flic.kr