Crossrail construction

[rebmcr]

That sounds dangerous... was it?

Well, it did go kaboom!

 

[Sebastian O]

‘The centre door may not open on this carriadge’. Can anyone explain? Class 345

 

[Domh245]

‘The centre door may not open on this carriadge’. Can anyone explain? Class 345

Because the 345 has a centre door in the middle of the vehicle (whereas most stock only has 2 doors, nearer the bogies), on severe curves the step becomes too large to be allowable and so the central door is kept closed. As I understand it, this only applies to Paddington High Level station.

 

[coppercapped]

That sounds dangerous... was it?

According to post #39, above, the explosion was due to incorrect design - which was confirmed by Terry Morgan stating this to a TfL board meeting at the beginning of the year. A webcam video was (is?) available where this was clearly said.

I don't know whether leaving something connected which should not have been counts as 'incorrect design'. In my book that is an operational SNAFU.

 

[Jpeg]

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/art...tion-images-highlight-elizabeth-line-progress

Trains now testing between Abbey Wood and Canary Wharf. Fit out of all Platform Screen Doors is complete.

 

[absolutelymilk]

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/art...tion-images-highlight-elizabeth-line-progress

Trains now testing between Abbey a wood and Canary Wharf. Fit out of all Platform Screen Doors is complete.

Excellent news, hopefully testing will begin soon on the rest of the line.

 

[nlogax]

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/art...tion-images-highlight-elizabeth-line-progress

Trains now testing between Abbey a wood and Canary Wharf. Fit out of all Platform Screen Doors is complete.

Lovely images of the almost-complete stations on that page. Overall this looks to have been a really well done project.

 

[nlogax]

Christ on a pedalo.. within thirty seconds of receiving the last CR Open Day info email for Farringdon all the tickets have gone. Dammit

 

[Trailfinder]

They were due to turn the power on between Westbourn Park and Stepney Green on Sunday. Did they?

 

[absolutelymilk]

They were due to turn the power on between Westbourn Park and Stepney Green on Sunday. Did they?

Yes, see the above article.

 

[plcd1]

I can't see this anywhere else but the Government quietly sneaked out the annual Crossrail update today.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/annual-update-on-crossrail-2018

It has been another productive year for the Crossrail project with a number of key milestones achieved and progress made across all areas. The programme is now 93% complete and is entering the critical testing and commissioning stage.

In May as part of the second stage of the Crossrail opening strategy, TfL Rail took over operation of the former Heathrow Connect service to Heathrow Airport as well as some local services between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington. This builds on the introduction of new Class 345 trains on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield route in June 2017. Fifteen of the new trains are now in regular service.

All core track work was completed last summer, which enabled the first Elizabeth line train to make its maiden voyage through the central tunnels in February this year. The new Abbey Wood station opened to existing rail passengers, and the construction and fit-out of the other new Elizabeth Line stations continues to progress with the installation of lifts and escalators and completion of architectural finishes. The Department for Transport and Transport for London (TfL) – the joint sponsors of the project – continue to work with Crossrail Limited to ensure operational readiness in advance of the opening of the Elizabeth Line.

As reported in the update to Parliament last year, cost pressures have increased across the project. Both the department and TfL remain committed to the successful delivery of this project and have agreed an overall funding envelope for delivery of the project of £15.4 billion. This will enable the completion of the project at a cost lower than planned under the last Labour government. The anticipated cost of the project was previously estimated at £15.9 billion in 2007 and increased to £17.8 billion in 2009, before the Coalition Government took steps to bring down the costs following the June 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review.

The additional funding is being provided to both Crossrail Limited and Network Rail. £300 million is being made available to Crossrail Limited, with the Department for Transport and TfL contributing £150 million each.

Around £290 million is being provided for completion of the programme of works on the national rail network, and is being funded by the Department for Transport and Network Rail. It remains the case that over 60% of the project’s funding has been provided by Londoners and London businesses.

Further details on Crossrail Limited’s funding and finances in the period to 29 May 2018 are set out in the table below.

This year, the Crossrail project’s health and safety indicators have remained industry leading, with a strong performance demonstrated throughout the year with all the key indicators exceeding the corporate objectives for the year 2017/18.

Network Rail have also delivered a significant programme of Crossrail related surface works, successfully connecting the existing rail network with the Elizabeth Line tunnels at Pudding Mill Lane, Plumstead and Westbourne Park. They have also completed the largest and most complex signalling upgrade ever undertaken by Network Rail on the approach into Paddington on one of the busiest stretches of railway in the country.

There have been planned changes in the leadership and governance of the project as we approach the final stages of delivery. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew Wolstenholme for his work in progressing the programme and acting as a champion for Crossrail during his time as Chief Executive. He has been succeeded by Simon Wright as Chief Executive and Programme Director. Crossrail Limited’s Board has been restructured to keep the management of the programme efficient and cost effective while maintaining the people and structure necessary to deliver the railway through to full opening. As part of this, both the department and TfL have appointed new non-executive directors to the Crossrail board to provide increased scrutiny and assist in the transition of the project as it enters its final stages.

As with all projects of this nature, there have been a number of engineering and technical challenges that have already been surmounted in order to build the first new railway for a generation, and there will continue to be challenges right up until the final completion of the project.

The new railway will transform travel in, to, and across London, with the positive economic benefits being felt across the country. Its legacy will continue to support many thousands of jobs, over 1000 apprenticeships and a supply chain that is spread across the length and breadth of the UK.

During the passage of the Crossrail Bill through Parliament, a commitment was given that an annual statement would be published until the completion of the construction of Crossrail, setting out information about the project’s funding and finances.

The relevant information is as follows.

The numbers above are drawn from Crossrail Limited’s books of account and have been prepared on a consistent basis with the update provided last year. The figure for expenditure incurred includes monies already paid out in relevant period, including committed land and property expenditure where this has not yet been paid. It does not include future expenditure on construction contracts that have been awarded.

Total funding amounts provided to Crossrail Limited by the Department for Transport and TfL in relation to the construction of Crossrail to the end of the period (22 July 2008 to 29 May 2018) £11,713,723,131

Expenditure incurred (including committed land and property spend not yet paid out) by Crossrail Limited in relation to the construction of Crossrail in the period (30 May 2017 to 29 May 2018) (excluding recoverable VAT on Land and Property purchases) £1,619,238,000

Total expenditure incurred (including committed land and property spend not yet paid out) by Crossrail Limited in relation to the construction of Crossrail to the end of the period (22 July 2008 to 29 May 2018) (excluding recoverable VAT on land and property purchases) £12,506,215,837

The amounts realised by the disposal of any land or property for the purposes of the construction of Crossrail by the Secretary of State, TfL or Crossrail Limited in the period covered by the statement. £18,462,238
Published 24 July 2018

The really significant items are the extra funding to secure completion of the project. A total of £590m with nearly half of that being for Network Rail's works on its network. That gives some sense of the scale of the cost overrun issues faced on the surface works and station rebuilds in particular.

There is a lovely sense of understatement with the reference to "continuing challenges right up to the end of the project".

 

[Taunton]

The really significant items are the extra funding to secure completion of the project. A total of £590m with nearly half of that being for Network Rail's works on its network. That gives some sense of the scale of the cost overrun issues faced on the surface works and station rebuilds in particular.

I think we can legitimitely ask Network Rail how they managed to allow their bit of the works to overrun its budget so drastically compared to everybody else.

To be honest, I can't see how they have delivered £295m worth on their bit of the network overall, let alone just as an overspend. And quite a bit of their work doesn't even seem to have been started.

 

[hwl]

I think we can legitimitely ask Network Rail how they managed to allow their bit of the works to overrun its budget so drastically compared to everybody else.

To be honest, I can't see how they have delivered £295m worth on their bit of the network overall, let alone just as an overspend. And quite a bit of their work doesn't even seem to have been started.

The original spec didn't include lifts at surface stations that got added in 4 years ago without any funding attached. Crossrail was extended to Reading so Twyford Station became in scope but no extra funding.

Electrifying Paddington to Maidenhead was more than £295m million (Including new 400kV grid feeds). Then think about the new enlarged Stockley Flyover, complete OHLE Renewal on the GEML to Shenfield, Acton Dive under and then think about all the other tiny schemes like all the stations on the western side.

 

[Taunton]

Yes, but ...

Paddington (West Drayton) to Maidenhead is surely part of the GWML electrification project.

I would expect EDF to be installing the 400Kv feeds themselves at their cost as part of their deal to supply substantial amounts of current long term. That's what they do for everyone else.

The OHLE on the GEML dated from the original 1500v dc electrification in 1949 (it's gone through two voltage changes) and was life expired anyway after 65 years. That's routine repairs and renewals, not capital investment.

 

[swt_passenger]

Paddington (West Drayton) to Maidenhead is surely part of the GWML electrification project.

It has been fairly consistently described as a part of Crossrail in the various enhancement plans over the last so many years. Even in the latest (June) update the GWML electrification section by section ‘phased approach’ starts with Maidenhead to Reading.

 

[nlogax]

I always understood OHLE works from Airport Jct to Maidenhead to be a Crossrail project, and anything beyond to be 'belonging' to GWML.

 

[Taunton]

I always understood OHLE works from Airport Jct to Maidenhead to be a Crossrail project, and anything beyond to be 'belonging' to GWML.

Including the Main lines, not just the Reliefs?

 

[nlogax]

Including the Main lines, not just the Reliefs?

Mains and reliefs.

https://www.balfourbeatty.com/news/...ctrification-contract/?year=all&parentId=1247

"21 OCTOBER 2013

Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today announces it has been awarded a Crossrail contract by Network Rail for the electrification of a 12.5 mile section of the Great Western Main Line.

The contract covers the installation of new overhead line electrification equipment on all lines between Stockley Junction (near Heathrow Airport) and Maidenhead on the Crossrail West Outer section. It also includes supporting ancillary civils and power works."

 

[swt_passenger]

Including the Main lines, not just the Reliefs?

Yes, it was, the wording in the CP5 enhancement plan Crossrail project section is:
“Electrification
All four tracks of the Great Western Main Line will be electrified between Stockley and Maidenhead and new OLE structures will be fitted to the listed Maidenhead Railway Bridge.”

No idea why they had to mention Maidenhead Bridge specifically. Maybe to nip in the bud some ridiculous plan to coast across...

 

[hwl]

Yes, but ...

Paddington (West Drayton) to Maidenhead is surely part of the GWML electrification project.

No All four lines and renewal of existing (Headspan replacement on the original bit and the remaining platforms at Paddington)

It was easier to justify GWML electrification if someone else had already agreed to pay for the first bit, it made the rest look a bit cheaper.

I would expect EDF to be installing the 400Kv feeds themselves at their cost as part of their deal to supply substantial amounts of current long term. That's what they do for everyone else.

That may be the case for most domestic connections in areas with spare capacity and existing infrastructure (aka low cost areas) but that isn't the way electricity industry works for large connections especially those that need lots of new infrastructure. The new NR auto-transformer connections are now straight to Nat Grid rather than via DNO (DNO are 132KV or less). EdF sold their 3 DNOs to Hutchinson Whapoa and rebranded them as UKPN so EdF as generator and retail supplier but Nat Grid and UKPN (London) as the transmission network and DNO local respectively. Hence no room for creative financing on transmission or distribution (normally recouped by TUOS or DUOS charges on bills respectively for TNO and DNO).

The OHLE on the GEML dated from the original 1500v dc electrification in 1949 (it's gone through two voltage changes) and was life expired anyway after 65 years. That's routine repairs and renewals, not capital investment.

Agreed it is renewal but NR got it in as part of project spec.

 

[Taunton]

That may be the case for most domestic connections in areas with spare capacity and existing infrastructure (aka low cost areas) but that isn't the way electricity industry works for large connections especially those that need lots of new infrastructure.

I was thinking of the 1970s power connection to the WCML south of Lockerbie, an overland pylon route (132kv ?) which was installed by the South of Scotland Electricity Board (SSEB) to power the WCML on to Glasgow ... not really a domestic connection.

 

[Bald Rick]

Agreed it is renewal but NR got it in as part of project spec.

You’re not often wrong old boy, but the GE OLE renewal project has never been part of Crossrail. Remodelling Shenfield was, and the OLE there was done as part of that, but that’s about it.

 

[Pshambro]

Sorry if this has been asked before but what is the plan for line 6 next to the western portal -is it now permanently out of use for trains in and out of Paddington high level ?

 

[JN114]

Sorry if this has been asked before but what is the plan for line 6 next to the western portal -is it now permanently out of use for trains in and out of Paddington high level ?

Yes and No - the current (and final as far as Padd High Level) layout is as thus:



Trains usually come up 6, cross to 5 then back to 6. The “out of use” continuation of 6 becomes the Eastbound Crossrail line; and is effectively slued at the Bond Street end to join up with the tunnels. Westbound Crossrail joins line 5 at the same point.

 

[mrmartin]

Anyone got any updates? Been a while since the quarterly update has came out on crossrails site.

Are things still looking to plan? Moorgate station entrance looks totally unfinished from the ground, but may be misleading!

I heard a rumor that it may open just with abbey wood to Canary wharf to start with in December also, not sure if there is any truth in that though?

 

[hwl]

Anyone got any updates? Been a while since the quarterly update has came out on crossrails site.

Are things still looking to plan? Moorgate station entrance looks totally unfinished from the ground, but may be misleading!

I heard a rumor that it may open just with abbey wood to Canary wharf to start with in December also, not sure if there is any truth in that though?

As construction winds down, the Crossrail website is no longer actively maintained and is for "historical interest only" from this July onwards.

At least 4 Core stations have been behind schedule (lots of M+E issues).

With Moorgate the key question is does the Liverpool Street entrance look more complete so only that one opens in December?

 

[mrmartin]

Ah, I see. Bit of a shame they can't do a "final" quarterly update!

Other Liverpool Street entrance looks a lot more finished, so perhaps they are putting all the resource into finishing "one" of the entrances on stations that are problematic.

 

[Fred26]

Speaking of Liverpool Street station, will there be an open day, like there has been for other crossrail stations? I'm interested in Geoff Marshall's YouTube video, if there is.

 

[ijmad]

From what I gather, quite a lot of the core stations will look like building sites for a year or more after December because of over-site developments being built, but a lot of the stations have been built so the entrances will be fully functional while this is going on.

For example the main part of Farringdon Crossrail is going to have a big office block plonked on top of it, but you go down in to that main part from the finished National Rail ticket hall next door. Tottenham Court Road's main entrance has a big slab of concrete over the top so they can build the building around it next year without it needing to be closed.

Whitechapel and Barbican should look finished.

Not sure of the plan for Moorgate or Liverpool Street.

 

[sprunt]

Does anyone know where inside Moorgate station the access to the Crossrail platforms will be?