Ashford International P3

[FlippyFF]

Whats going on with the Eurostar platforms? A metal fence has been erected dividing platforms 3 & 4, seems only 4 is in use.


Simon

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Resignalling work; it's so they can work while keeping the international zone sterile.

 

[FlippyFF]

Thanks. So the orange army shouldn't be seen on Platform 4?

Simon

 

[MarkyT]

Resignalling work; it's so they can work while keeping the international zone sterile.

Is this the work to provide KVB or ETCS train protection for the routes through the international platforms, so the class 374s can call?

Do they need to do any platform edge alterations for this as well?

 

[InOban]

I take it that this for the installation of ECTS or whatever is needed to permit the Velaro to access Ashford?

 

[contrad!ction]

Is this the work to provide KVB or ETCS train protection for the routes through the international platforms, so the class 374s can call?

Do they need to do any platform edge alterations for this as well?

KVB.

The balises themselves were installed around the station/chords over Christmas, this is the final installation and testing for (apparently) an Easter commissioning date.

I think the line through P3/P4 was raised a while ago so the platform clearance issues were sorted.

 

[flash]

Its to sort out gauging issues... the work done several years ago was not sufficient. They are moving the coping stones back, by cutting the paving bricks in half and will also turn the tactile slabs as well. Quality workmanship at its best.

The KVB installation should have been done Christmas day / Boxing day, with the balises installed and covered over, testing to take place before E320s are planned to stop in Ashford from the Spring

 

[Geogregor]

Its to sort out gauging issues... the work done several years ago was not sufficient. They are moving the coping stones back, by cutting the paving bricks in half and will also turn the tactile slabs as well. Quality workmanship at its best.

The KVB installation should have been done Christmas day / Boxing day, with the balises installed and covered over, testing to take place before E320s are planned to stop in Ashford from the Spring

Yes, that's precisely what it is:
https://www.networkrailmediacentre....tional-platforms-for-new-international-trains

Work has begun to prepare Ashford International’s high-speed platforms for new international trains, including e320 Eurostar trains, which will safeguard direct high-speed international services from Ashford.

Network Rail is already installing new signalling equipment to allow Eurostar’s e320 trains - and potentially any other operator’s next generation high speed trains - to access the station. Now the firm’s engineers are updating the international platforms to match European-width trains.

The work is part of a £10m project being delivered by Network Rail and backed by Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council, with funding coming from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund.

Network Rail’s senior commercial scheme sponsor, Mark Ellerby, said: “When Ashford International was rebuilt in the 1990s, the platforms used by international trains were not built to full European standards, because the Eurostars of that era ran on normal GB tracks.

“The work we are doing with new signalling equipment and the platforms will future-proof the town’s station and preserve its status as part of Europe’s high speed network – one of only four stations in the country to have that honour....

 

[Maurice3000]

The e320 has been fairly common in Eurostar service for a while now, surely they already stop at Ashford International?

Is this to allow them to call at additional platforms or have I just completely missed that they don't call at Ashford International?

 

[GW43125]

The e320 has been fairly common in Eurostar service for a while now, surely they already stop at Ashford International?

Is this to allow them to call at additional platforms or have I just completely missed that they don't call at Ashford International?

They just don't stop yet. The current signalling system is AWS/TPWS, which the 374s can't pick up.

 

[InOban]

They have not been calling at Ashford International for the reasons given above.

 

[MarkyT]

Eurostar trains on HS1 need to have low speed KVB active before transitioning to the high speed TVM430 control system. Just as at many French major stations, St Pancras International is conventionally signalled and equipped with KVB, because movements in the area are too slow to control effectively using the TVM430 equipment. There are special passive balises in KVB that mark the transition areas and help achieve the switchover to and from TVM430. I suspected they would use KVB through Ashford rather than ETCS which would be a more 'novel' and expensive interface to conventional UK signalling, and would require the trains to switch to ETCS and back for the short distance through the station. However on board such a modern train as the e320s I suspect the various legacy systems will be emulated by a native ETCS computer and HMI, adapted as neccessary using appropriate additional hard and software interface modules generically known known as STMs (specific transmission modules). The KVB balises themselves are very similar in basic technology and appearance to the standard Eurobalises, and in fact I believe they can be read by the same on board antenna as Eurobalises, so long as the onboard systems are configured to be able to emulate KVB, which of course the e320s must be for working at St Pancras, going to the depot near Stratford, and running in various locations throughout France.

 

[Medicy]

The first Class 374 test train called at Ashford last night, link to NR tweet here.

If you're looking at our Twitter feed at 0200 you deserve an exclusive! More on this tomorrow... #Ashford

 

[theageofthetra]

The first Class 374 test train called at Ashford last night, link to NR tweet here.

Called at Westernhanger as well according to their social media.

 

[KingJ]

Called at Westernhanger as well according to their social media.

Now that I couldn't quite figure out - the e320s don't have 3rd rail shoes and Westenhanger station doesn't have overheads right?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Was there a pair of the Krupps diesels on it to move it about?

 

[Kite159]

Called at Westernhanger as well according to their social media.

Or used the crossovers at Westernhanger on the CTRL?

I can't imagine a 374 would have fitted at Westernhanger station

 

[theageofthetra]

Or used the crossovers at Westernhanger on the CTRL?

I can't imagine a 374 would have fitted at Westernhanger station

I was thinking that- perhaps that is what they meant. There's a pic on their twitter if anyone can confirm the location.

 

[paul1609]

The pictures are all at Ashford international. I imagine if you wanted to test the signalling in to and out of Ashford the obvious turnaround at the country end is the crossovers at Westenhanger.

 

[FlippyFF]

Ashford platform 4 back in use this morning.

Simon.

 

[FlippyFF]

It seems the class 374 is currently unable to call at Ashford.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/no-date-for-new-eurostar-trains-183003/

There's an embedded video in the URL above, the bit about the new signalling starts around the 1:00 mark - before that they're discussing the possibility of Maidstone East losing it's HS1 service.

I overheard a Southeastern driver say the other week that since the new signalling has been introduced for the Eurostars that the class 395s have had to depart Ashford slower than normal as the new signalling was causing an emergency brake application if they went at normal line speed.

Anyone know anymore?

Simon

 

[Cletus]

Services from the south now slow down a long way outside Ashford than in the past.

Not sure if that’s of any relevance to this thread though?

 

[KingJ]

Eurostar have a bit more information on the impact of Ashford's signalling on their services here. Some services that were booked to call at Ashford are now skipping, with passengers needing to double back to/from Ebbsfleet at Eurostar's expense.

I'm supposed to be travelling back on one of the listed services, and when I called Eurostar to reschedule a different but strike-cancelled service, they confirmed that would be the case.