Acton Main Line to Acton Wells Jct electrification

[Harpo]

The new infrastructure will provide a full electrified diversionary route……..

No WTT traffic, just the odd diverted ECS!

I bet the freight lobby would love that level of influence and string pulling. London Gateway springs to mind here.

 

[jfowkes]

From @GRALISTAIR 's post #102 above:

It will also directly link the existing OLE infrastructure on the GWML to the rest of the electrified UK Rail network for the first time.

Is this valid? The GWML is already linked to the Crossrail OLE, which is definitely part of the "electrified UK Rail network".

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Don't shoot the messenger please! I just put in quotes per forum rules directly from the Network Rail Document.

 

[greatkingrat]

Even before Crossrail opened, there was a connection via North Pole Depot to the West London Line.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is this valid? The GWML is already linked to the Crossrail OLE, which is definitely part of the "electrified UK Rail network".

Electrically, yes, but signalling and other limitations means that only class 345s can use that link.
With the new link at Acton the GWML will be connected to the NLL and anything further east across London, for general traffic.
There will still be electric gaps to the WCML, MML and ECML networks.

 

[Class15]

Electrically, yes, but signalling and other limitations means that only class 345s can use that link.
With the new link at Acton the GWML will be connected to the NLL and anything further east across London, for general traffic.
There will still be electric gaps to the WCML, MML and ECML networks.

They can all be accessed via the NLL (minus MML) although WCML needs a reversal at Kendal Green Turnback.

 

[MikePJ]

Is it likely that GWR's 387s would use this line during future closures of the main line?

 

[Class15]

Is it likely that GWR's 387s would use this line during future closures of the main line?

Unlikely, as for some bizarre reason they’re not doing the South West sidings.

 

[The Planner]

Is it likely that GWR's 387s would use this line during future closures of the main line?

Unlkely, GWR will continue to use 800s into Euston.

 

[stuu]

There will still be electric gaps to the WCML, MML and ECML networks.

Reversing at Willesden Junction gets you to the WCML, the North London incline connects directly to the ECML. There are theoretical routes to get to the MML (admittedly unlikely to ever be used)

 

[The Planner]

Reversing at Willesden Junction gets you to the WCML, the North London incline connects directly to the ECML. There are theoretical routes to get to the MML (admittedly unlikely to ever be used)

Finding a gap at Kensal Green to get onto the City lines would be fun...

 

[Class15]

Finding a gap at Kensal Green to get onto the City lines would be fun...

You can reverse in the turnback.

 

[jfowkes]

Don't shoot the messenger please! I just put in quotes per forum rules directly from the Network Rail Document.

Oh yeah, wasn't pointing the finger at you, sorry!

Electrically, yes, but signalling and other limitations means that only class 345s can use that link.
With the new link at Acton the GWML will be connected to the NLL and anything further east across London, for general traffic.
There will still be electric gaps to the WCML, MML and ECML networks.

The NR press release thing was specifically about OLE though. Maybe I'm being picky, but I feel like I'm allowed to if it's NR.

 

[edwin_m]

The NR press release thing was specifically about OLE though. Maybe I'm being picky, but I feel like I'm allowed to if it's NR.

It was a NR press release and Crossrail central area isn't NR infrastructure, so if by "network" they meant their own network, then it was accurate.

 

[The Planner]

You can reverse in the turnback.

The reversing siding which needs a huge margin to get out of as you conflict horrendously with everything else, is only around 270m long and needs a freight train to be top and tailed? About as useful as a chocolate fireguard to be fair.

 

[Class15]

The reversing siding which needs a huge margin to get out of as you conflict horrendously with everything else, is only around 270m long and needs a freight train to be top and tailed? About as useful as a chocolate fireguard to be fair.

The question was about access to locomotives to the GW. A light engine or ECS would manage that siding easily.

 

[zwk500]

The reversing siding which needs a huge margin to get out of as you conflict horrendously with everything else, is only around 270m long and needs a freight train to be top and tailed? About as useful as a chocolate fireguard to be fair.

Electric trains could reverse at Camden Road or Caledonian Road and Barnesbury, although the margins won't be any better. That would also allow routing via Primrose hill if the westbound path via the NLL wasn't available.
If somebody was determined to run an electric freight between the GWML and WCML looks like it'd be runround at Ferme Park, or a large loop via Lea Bridge and Stratford.

 

[The Planner]

The question was about access to locomotives to the GW. A light engine or ECS would manage that siding easily.

So no use to freight at all then effectively.

 

[345 050]

Plenty of new cantilevers installed now. Does anyone know when the next set of closures will be for further works?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Good steady progress is fantastic to see. Nice and steady. No need to rush. Keep teams doing something even if not as fast as some of us ( me especially!!) would like.

 

[bnc2018]

Surprised to see that they're using the GWML style Series 1 cantilevers, instead of the stuff used on the MML. Does anyone know the reasoning for this? Did they just have some lying around from the cancelled great western bits?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well it is connecting from the GWML so it makes sense to me.

 

[td97]

Indeed, it is logical to use the same components that the local maintenance team are already familiar with. From both a training and spare parts perspective.

 

[hwl]

And lots of Series 1 / 1990s headspeans about to get replaced a bit further east around the new OOC station...

 

[nlogax]

Surprised to see that they're using the GWML style Series 1 cantilevers, instead of the stuff used on the MML. Does anyone know the reasoning for this? Did they just have some lying around from the cancelled great western bits?

Many components from Series 1 OLE were subsumed into Network Rail's UK Master Series. It's why there's a lot of F+F kit on new and refurbed stretches of electrified track well away from the GWML including up here north of the border.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well it does seem weird, but Modern Railways finally have a brief article and confirms Acton Bank is being wired. It does say that they key reason is to allow 345 stock from the Elizabeth line to move. Also says it is a key freight artery.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Well it does seem weird, but Modern Railways finally have a brief article and confirms Acton Bank is being wired. It does say that they key reason is to allow 345 stock from the Elizabeth line to move. Also says it is a key freight artery.

As Business and Operations Manager for Crossrail (1) - we planned that as far back as 1992 , along with the link via Willesden South West sidings using a coalition of operators. Of course - Crossrail 1 was cancelled by the Tories - however , time moves on.

The plan then was a link between the aborted CR branch to Aylesbury which went via Neasden Jct and the Thames Valley line - purely for stock moves and emergencies.Fabcy 25kV to Harrow , Rickmansworth and Aylesbury. It must have been a dream.

 

[Legolash2o]

Well it does seem weird, but Modern Railways finally have a brief article and confirms Acton Bank is being wired. It does say that they key reason is to allow 345 stock from the Elizabeth line to move. Also says it is a key freight artery.

Hasn't the work already started?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Hasn't the work already started?

Exactly. Yes. Quite a few months ago. Modern Railways are very late in reporting!

 

[edwin_m]

There are several sets of work going on very close together, sometimes on the same structure, which count as different projects. So what you see may not necessarily be associated with the Poplars work.