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MML Electrification: progress updates

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richieb1971

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I have no idea. Considering the track is intact I suspect the load wasn't evenly balanced and the wagons tipped over. I was thinking the next post after mine was going to be "deleted by moderators, already mentioned here". But it sounds like the whole episode has been kept quiet.
 
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John Webb

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Were they side-tipping to place ballast where the fourth line is being reinstated? And overdid it a bit!
 
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eMeS

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When activated, will this electrification north of Bedford change the number of trains using the route? From a videoing point of view, south of Bedford is quite busy - north of Bedford is very quiet.
 
westcoaster

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richieb1971 said:
How was Bedford chosen as the termination of OHLE? Was it a 50 mile post, the depot land for the units? The new Bedford Midland station? Or was it that the railway north of Bedford was the older bits? Isn't there some 30 years difference between going To Hitchin/KX than straight STP? I'd imagine all helped the cause but interesting to hear anything different.

I travel on the Bromham road bridge almost daily. Its open both ways now. The only difference to its original state is that a scaffolded walkway is now on the north of the bridge and the incline road from the east has its sides treated somehow, but apart from tree growth pushed back and the grassy bits removed I can't see anything significant done. I really cannot see how the bridge can be expanded for cycles and heightening the bridge will make the incline even steeper. Strangely I am not feeling the amount of congestion caused by the Ford end road bridge. But i'm sure that time will come when the road bridge is completely missing.

There are 2 areas in Bedford near the lines which are getting used for the first time in many years.

View attachment 62606

Can anyone tell me what is happening on the 2 circled areas? It may or may not be related to OHLE or EWR, just wondering.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
It looks like the circled area next to the down fast is being used for some sort of booster station, and a big cream box with Siemens on it has appeared (like the ones put in at sundon). On the bletchley line it looks like they are using that for storage of sorts.
 
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edwin_m

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eMeS said:
When activated, will this electrification north of Bedford change the number of trains using the route? From a videoing point of view, south of Bedford is quite busy - north of Bedford is very quiet.
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There will be one extra Corby train every hour.
 
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richieb1971

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westcoaster said:
It looks like the circled area next to the down fast is being used for some sort of booster station, and a big cream box with Siemens on it has appeared (like the ones put in at sundon). On the bletchley line it looks like they are using that for storage of sorts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the updates. Its about time somebody used the area around the old steam shed for something useful. Its been vacant space for the best part of 60 years.

The bit on the Bletchley line is a strange one. I wanted an expanded St Johns in there but that option is now not on the table. Also land not used for 60 years.
 
Aictos

Aictos

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Just questions if anyone has answers...

1. That bridge to the immediate north of Bedford, is that going to be replaced to enable OHL to be fitted?

2. The platform starter for Platform 4 looks like it’s going to be obstructed by the OHLE with the support metalwork for the OHL just feet in front of the signal so is it going to be resited?

3. Any idea when Platform 4 will be wired up at all?

4. Is it the plan to wire up the fast lines first THEN the slow lines?
 
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richieb1971

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The bridge north of Bedford currently has gantries on the north side of it as I can see them when I drive past. I think some gantries north of the station platform exist as well. Although I believe they are not wired.

Don't know about P4.

I assume all Platforms will be wired, but since your joining a live wire with an unused one at present, thats the hold up.
 
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WymoWanderer

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Quick update from Wymington, North Bedfordshire.
  • 2 additional masts installed to the north of Sharnbrook/Souldrop tunnel on the slow lines. A few gaps remain on the slow lines but the number of missing masts is low now.
  • New cable trunking being installed on both the fast and slow lines.
  • A replacement signal (presuambly for signal LR 13) is awaiting to be installed on the northbound fast line.
  • Fourth rail installation appears not go in to the Sharnbrook/Souldrop tunnel as observed from the Southern entrance.
  • Preparatory works for the sub-station delivery this weekend are ongoing. A wider road entrance for the crane has been created.
Replacement signal awaiting installation (original)
y4mJfNtOEclvVLjn5wLmRwED_VuOrgFnbAkeE9XnlUBn4iW0rXctBudNB8LwmqG4Gd00MQj1Cg6fZAd-iqgW8T-nX0vrq_DPWmS6c2ICp4tO7RHH0l7s1SW36qLlTUEUIAjHBDpZ_yy0AZY-6bja9fF2nWKJ5ysOAv6xEf3rojmayM_sL3Lo6fns9QmTGYbg6LKu04JmhIccZOMJKz2vjy9HQ


Cable trunking waiting to be installed (looking North on fast line) (original)
y4mtNQaVQSC88QDU2otSG32fdnq087n1x0ww0Gnjx_Lq0eUSCDz52eTHqR1nr3REmX6cyUCEyCsWeNEbfzRxVH1pHQwCpPDvaYirroxEcehXtS-ESI3C934WMpfSzMiDI6HsvX6TxmzWQ5KRJoWCsnc81uX4pipD95Ojpyqp4ERUTxMcdKP_uWtJ9ouI-Dmt4fo9SggjAeLSwepOkMQArIvTA


Sharnbrook/Souldrop Tunnel Southern entrance (looking South on slow line) (original)
y4mfE8QwxVnQT2QHZrsWFlqqtWuAC1tfp-dEMBq2Ydv-nELnY2NZUVgVWtBqdgR33i1i1IuktsHFP3gnnyi9EbcNcUlkVjDRDlBN4nMFUXMLC6_MtjoC77fiRpny_8n-EWioQ9p4NkKEYZS4Go1Ej08wFHgbZCh2pq0g4EemEb43JLr5g385pVaWkw2yPcQ5K-kKfpGWsvHrWvthFECcsxUUQ
 
Aictos

Aictos

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richieb1971 said:
The bridge north of Bedford currently has gantries on the north side of it as I can see them when I drive past. I think some gantries north of the station platform exist as well. Although I believe they are not wired.

Don't know about P4.

I assume all Platforms will be wired, but since your joining a live wire with an unused one at present, thats the hold up.
Click to expand...

Just thought I ask as the first bridge to the immediate north of Bedford doesn't look like it has the clearances for OHL but the next one in the distance does.

I did see the gantries in place for Platform 4 but with regards to the platform starter for Platform 4, the gantry in question is sited 3ft or so in front of the signal :rolleyes:

So one would hope that the signal will be resited unless that would mess around with the signal section?
 
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absolutelymilk

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What are the estimates (both officially and from posters on here) for completion dates for the electrification?
 
Aictos

Aictos

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absolutelymilk said:
What are the estimates (both officially and from posters on here) for completion dates for the electrification?
Click to expand...

I like to know that because the sooner it's completed, the sooner it would help with platform capacity at Bedford as you're not restricted to three platforms as you can then reverse north of the station into any of the three other platforms which is far better and cheaper then just rebuilding Bedford station and extending Platform 1A into a 12 car platform!
 
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31160

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Sorry im late to the party so to say. Could anybody be able to say exactly what is being wired please. I assume they arnt going to Leicester
 
Jorge Da Silva

Jorge Da Silva

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GRALISTAIR said:
All due respect that does not make sense. I thought the whole point of going to MH is that the great big grid feed just south of there would need a great big extension lead to feed Bedford -Corby. So rather than doing that wire to Harborough.
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https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/...says-midland-mainline-electrification-2608531

The Midland Main Line electrification is to be completed by 2023 as in the article above.

She said electrification to Harborough would be complete by December 2023.
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Elecman

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I wonder if that it isn’t actually required for the Corby service but having paid many £x10millions to purchase it at very long lead times it was too far advanced to cancel when MML got Graylinged, so it is going to be used, and rather than another Grayling inspired GLE, common sense has finally prevailed in DAfT so wire upto it. GLEs are not that efficient and are ruddy expensive!
 
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sharpley

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GRALISTAIR said:
All due respect that does not make sense. I thought the whole point of going to MH is that the great big grid feed just south of there would need a great big extension lead to feed Bedford -Corby. So rather than doing that wire to Harborough.
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I was under the impression that the Corby services didn't need the National Grid connection just south of MH to operate. This connection is needed for bi-mode trains originating further north, hence the time difference noted above.
 
londonmidland

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Not entirely related to the electrification but the ‘down line’ aka the north bound line through platform 2 at Leicester has finally been upgraded to (40mph?) from 15mph.
 
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edwin_m

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sharpley said:
I was under the impression that the Corby services didn't need the National Grid connection just south of MH to operate. This connection is needed for bi-mode trains originating further north, hence the time difference noted above.
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That's what the recent Modern Railways article said.
 
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furnessvale

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londonmidland said:
Wellingborough, approaching from the north, seems to have the biggest change visual wise from everywhere.

I like the ‘hexagon style’ portals they’ve used. Remind me of Leeds.
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Or to give them their correct name, castellated beams.

Interesting to cross reference to another thread on holes in 3rd rails, as this is a physical demonstration as to how little metal is actually needed in the web for a beam to still function.
 
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swt_passenger

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edwin_m said:
That's what the recent Modern Railways article said.
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I’m sure it’s also what the fairly rambling explanation of separate works for providing capability for Corby EMUs and for mainline bi-modes in the successive enhancement delivery plans means.
 
Hairy Bear

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londonmidland said:
Not entirely related to the electrification but the ‘down line’ aka the north bound line through platform 2 at Leicester has finally been upgraded to (40mph?) from 15mph.
Click to expand...
No still 15 mph thru the point work south of London road bridge then becomes 40 thru platform. But makes no difference as we are stopping anyway.
 
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edwin_m

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Hairy Bear said:
No still 15 mph thru the point work south of London road bridge then becomes 40 thru platform. But makes no difference as we are stopping anyway.
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Does this mean you no longer have to shut off power if you get to 15mph while leaving the station, while part of the train is still in the platform?
 
londonmidland

londonmidland

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Hairy Bear said:
No still 15 mph thru the point work south of London road bridge then becomes 40 thru platform. But makes no difference as we are stopping anyway.
Click to expand...

The 222 I seen this morning was definitely coming into platform 2 a lot faster than usual. Certainly noticeable as they usually crawl in.

Unfortunately didn’t get to observe any other trains come into the platform as I had to catch a train.

Yes, it (is/was) 15mph until the end of the train passed the London Road bridge and then it increases to 40mph through the platforms. However what I observed today says otherwise.
 
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