Crossrail progress- Class 66 in the tunnels!

[jopsuk]

The Crossrail twitter account has posted pictures of the concrete slab pouring train in action

Our giant concreting train is busy working its way through #Crossrail's tunnels pouring the new concrete track slab

Wasn't sure if this was of Infrastructure interest or Rolling Stock!

 

[ainsworth74]

As one of the people on Twitter asked what do they do about the exhaust fumes from the 66? Plus is this the first proper locomotive or indeed train in the tunnels?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

As one of the people on Twitter asked what do they do about the exhaust fumes from the 66? Plus is this the first proper locomotive or indeed train in the tunnels?

Normal ventilation will take care of the exhaust fumes.

 

[theageofthetra]

See these trains quite a lot at the Plumstead portal. When they are in the tunnels do they turn on any sort of special smoke extraction equipment that would be used in a fire or equipment specially in place during the construction phase?

 

[EssexGonzo]

And what is it concreting? The rail bed and tunnel walls already seem to be well covered.

 

[DarloRich]

And what is it concreting? The rail bed and tunnel walls already seem to be well covered.

slab track
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As one of the people on Twitter asked what do they do about the exhaust fumes from the 66? Plus is this the first proper locomotive or indeed train in the tunnels?

It might pong for a little while but the natural ventilation current should take the exhaust away. I didn't see the fan wagon in the consist of the train so they cant need forced ventilation.

 

[QueensCurve]

See these trains quite a lot at the Plumstead portal. When they are in the tunnels do they turn on any sort of special smoke extraction equipment that would be used in a fire or equipment specially in place during the construction phase?

A question regarding the Plumstead portal: is the existing down line being moved north of the portal to provide a grade-separated junction?

 

[mr_jrt]

A question regarding the Plumstead portal: is the existing down line being moved north of the portal to provide a grade-separated junction?

I don't believe so, the plans were unfortunately changed so the Crossrail tracks are now to be paired by use.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

A question regarding the Plumstead portal: is the existing down line being moved north of the portal to provide a grade-separated junction?

No it's not. There is a line that goes round north of the portal (which I'm guessing is what you're asking about) but it looks to me like that's just a siding/the current means to get access to the CR tracks so that works trains can get on them.

 

[swt_passenger]

No it's not. There is a line that goes round north of the portal (which I'm guessing is what you're asking about) but it looks to me like that's just a siding/the current means to get access to the CR tracks so that works trains can get on them.

Eventually it becomes an infrastructure maintenance and stabling yard for Crossrail. The stabling is an addition to the original plan, there has been a separate TWA order for it since the Crossrail Act.

I think because of the orientation of the site it will all be accessed from a trailing connection off the Crossrail down line into a head shunt round the north side of the portal, with a further reversal into the various sidings.

 

[Lurpi]

slab track
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It might pong for a little while but the natural ventilation current should take the exhaust away. I didn't see the fan wagon in the consist of the train so they cant need forced ventilation.

Can someone clarify for us lay people? Is it that the track on which the Class 66 running is a Crossrail asset, and the concrete is being poured around it? Or is that track only temporary?

In Winchburgh tunnel earlier this year, I believe the slab got done first, with the track being laid later. (see here, for example)

 

[jopsuk]

I think the 66 is at the "portal" end of the train, pushing the equipment in? The tracks it and the train are shown on look very much like the permanent ones, there's a bit of the temporary narrow gauge track shown in the fourth picture