Colchester - Clacton / Walton OHE Works

[Bringback309s]

Does anyone know what is involved with OHE works on the Clacton branch? Going on overnight at the moment. Are they being replaced or just repaired? - there's some hefty machinery involved apparently.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

The whole area is having OLE and track renewed along with resignalling. More info below:

Clacton resignalling - Network Rail

We’ve installed a new signalling system in the Clacton-on-Sea area to replace the Victorian equipment with modern technology, bringing it into the 21st century. The new computer-based signals have a replaced a system which used mechanical levers and pullies to change signals and track points to...

www.networkrail.co.uk

The new computer-based signals will replace the system which uses mechanical levers and pullies to change signals and track points to allow trains to switch between tracks. The new system will be controlled from a powered signal box at Colchester.

Alterations will also be made to the overhead line equipment and the track layout will be remodelled and updated to cater for a modern railway with powered switches and crossing controlled by the new signals.

 

[zwk500]

Is the current OLE untensioned? It's been a major focus on lines out of Liverpool Street to upgrade the OLE to keep the correct tension in hot weather.

 

[DidcotDickie]

Is the current OLE untensioned? It's been a major focus on lines out of Liverpool Street to upgrade the OLE to keep the correct tension in hot weather.

I don't think it's untensioned. The OLE from Colchester to Clacton/Walton must be amongst the oldest 25kV AC installations in the UK as I think it dates from 1959 and was used for testing the first class 302s. Perhaps the Styal line electrification predates this. It's the same design as was originally installed on the LT&S, which is tensioned, though I beleive that the LT&S OLE is inthe process of being upgraded.

 

[Class360/1]

Yes, the ohle down the Sunshine Coast line is very old, it was revolutionary at the time because it was the first rail line to be electrified at 25kvac

 

[Alfie1014]

Outside of the works at Clacton to do with resignalling, it seems to be simply replacing the insulators and some of the arms. They were doing both running lines through Wivenhoe a couple of Sundays ago, not sure if most of the original insulators are original (if so they’ve lasted 60+ years) but you can tell the difference with the new ones are mostly grey as opposed to the muddy red-brown old ones.

 

[Class 170101]

The OLE will need to be changed where the track layout beneath it is being changed.

 

[Elecman]

Outside of the works at Clacton to do with resignalling, it seems to be simply replacing the insulators and some of the arms. They were doing both running lines through Wivenhoe a couple of Sundays ago, not sure if most of the original insulators are original (if so they’ve lasted 60+ years) but you can tell the difference with the new ones are mostly grey as opposed to the muddy red-brown old ones.

The Red-Brown ones are porcelain the grey ones are Polymeric

 

[GRALISTAIR]

A background read for those interested in insulators and materials of construction:
Electrical Insulator | Insulating Material | Porcelain Glass Polymer Insulator | Electrical4U
Ceramic-Porcelain
Glass
Polymer

 

[bassmike]

That's interesting.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Works well in progress when I made an essential trip to see Grandma over the weekend. Much of the new OLE in position and track relaying in progress.

 

[Class360/1]

Works well in progress when I made an essential trip to see Grandma over the weekend. Much of the new OLE in position and track relaying in progress.

That’s good to hear, the ohe at Thorpe le soken and frinton looked in dire need of replacement when I last visited the line in December

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Works essentially complete at Clacton now and ready to be handed back ready for tomorrow morning.

Not sure if GA are going to run in a couple of trains overnight to test everything and to berth for start of service tomorrow?

 

[Class 170101]

Already handed back and trains running tonight to be in position for tomorrow morning

 

[edwin_m]

The whole area is having OLE and track renewed along with resignalling. More info below:

Clacton resignalling - Network Rail

We’ve installed a new signalling system in the Clacton-on-Sea area to replace the Victorian equipment with modern technology, bringing it into the 21st century. The new computer-based signals have a replaced a system which used mechanical levers and pullies to change signals and track points to...

www.networkrail.co.uk

The new computer-based signals will replace the system which uses mechanical levers and pullies to change signals and track points to allow trains to switch between tracks. The new system will be controlled from a powered signal box at Colchester.

Alterations will also be made to the overhead line equipment and the track layout will be remodelled and updated to cater for a modern railway with powered switches and crossing controlled by the new signals.

The signalling is pretty ancient, but pulleys would imply semaphore which I don't think still exist(ed) here. Although as it actually says "pullies", perhaps it just means the signaller had to wear a warm jumper as the box was so draughty.

 

[GB]

There was at least one shunt disc remaining and I am sure there were points that were operated by cable and pullies.

 

[LowLevel]

The signalling is pretty ancient, but pulleys would imply semaphore which I don't think still exist(ed) here. Although as it actually says "pullies", perhaps it just means the signaller had to wear a warm jumper as the box was so draughty.

There were various semaphore signals, associated with the sidings I believe.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

The signalling is pretty ancient, but pulleys would imply semaphore which I don't think still exist(ed) here. Although as it actually says "pullies", perhaps it just means the signaller had to wear a warm jumper as the box was so draughty.

Actually, there were several ground shunt signals and a semaphore controlling exit to the main line

All now gone of course

 

[snowball]

press release

More reliable services around Clacton-on-Sea following 23-days of engineering work

Network Rail has completed 23-days of intensive works in the Clacton-on-Sea area to replace the Victorian signalling system with a modern, computer-based system.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail has completed 23-days of intensive works in the Clacton-on-Sea area to replace the Victorian signalling system with a modern, computer-based system.


The new computer-based signalling system will control the movement of trains more effectively and provide better live passenger information. This has replaced a system that used mechanical pullies and levers to change signals and track points, to allow trains to switch between tracks.


Clacton signal box is due to be removed at the end of April as the new system is controlled from a powered signal box at Colchester.