Great Western Electrification Progress

[LNW-GW Joint]

Make that the entire GWML project. If they do Bath it better be bloody well aesthetically pleasing.

It's more than aesthetics, it's about basic costs.
NR doesn't seem to have changed the design of the GW OHLE at all during the project.
So we can expect to see expensive Series 1 on 100mph routes around Bristol and Oxford (it's already going up between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff).

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's more than aesthetics, it's about basic costs.
NR doesn't seem to have changed the design of the GW OHLE at all during the project.
So we can expect to see expensive Series 1 on 100mph routes around Bristol and Oxford (it's already going up between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff).

Well that is crazy. On the other hand it is more future proof the way it has been done - possibly?

 

[59CosG95]

Well that is crazy. On the other hand it is more future proof the way it has been done - possibly?

I suspect the devil is in the detail of the contracts for the OLE; IIRC Amey were made to use Series 1 for the initial specified route, with Bath being the exception (aesthetically designed F+F cantilevers being used in the more sensitive areas).
It also made business sense to order the steelwork for the route in bulk, as they assumed the HOPS plant would all work according to plan.
Amey have since reverted to conventional installation, but the S1 steelwork wasn't going anywhere.
Since the MML and Manc-Preston routes were "conventional" in installation methods, they seem to be using more regularly-shaped uprights and cantilevers.
That's my take on why S1 is everywhere on the specified electrified GWML, though what I've said may be tantamount to congenital insanity.

 

[PaulHarding150]

Network Rail cannot give a precise date for when work will end on the electrification of the south Wales mainline.

The £2.8bn project is aimed at speeding up journeys between London and Cardiff.

But a report by the Office of Rail and Roads "raised concerns" about when the work will start.

Network Rail could not give a date but it would deliver the project "as quickly as possible in 2019".

Transport expert Prof Stuart Cole said a lack of clarity had resulted from poor planning and changing policy.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-south-east-wales-44797425

The phrase Piss Poor Planning springs to mind.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Network Rail cannot give a precise date for when work will end on the electrification of the south Wales mainline.

The £2.8bn project is aimed at speeding up journeys between London and Cardiff.

But a report by the Office of Rail and Roads "raised concerns" about when the work will start.

Network Rail could not give a date but it would deliver the project "as quickly as possible in 2019".

Transport expert Prof Stuart Cole said a lack of clarity had resulted from poor planning and changing policy.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-south-east-wales-44797425

The phrase Piss Poor Planning springs to mind.

Apparently Mark Hopwood has been telling staff June / July 2019!
When was the original date supposed to be?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Apparently Mark Hopwood has been telling staff June / July 2019!
When was the original date supposed to be?

March 2017 (Bristol, Oxford and Newbury were December 2016).

 

[D1009]

Apparently Mark Hopwood has been telling staff June / July 2019!

Wouldn't that be the result of the postponement of timetable changes announced by Sir Peter Hendy earlier this week? GWR was one of the eight TOCs involved. The electrification could well be complete, but the timetable will stay the same.

 

[PaulHarding150]

Apparently Mark Hopwood has been telling staff June / July 2019!
When was the original date supposed to be?

Here’s an email from GWR:

Dear xxx

You may have seen Monday’s media release by the Rail Delivery Group, confirming that timetable changes for December 18 have been postponed. This includes GWR timetable plans.

This is very disappointing news for customers. However, it is important that everyone is confident in the industry’s ability to deliver on timetable improvements as important as these, and although the delivery of trains and crew remains on track, it is clear from Network Rail’s recent review that there is some nervousness about the ability of the industry to deliver the new timetable in December 2018.

Given that position, we understand why Andrew Haines, new CEO of Network Rail, has recommended holding off key aspects of the December 2018 timetable change to protect day to day journeys for customers.

Changes to track layout and depot access in December will mean the current GWR timetable cannot simply be extended, and some work to re-write timetables will be needed. We will be working with Network Rail to make sure both our planning team, and theirs, have the support and resource required to ensure a smooth transition for some changes in December, with a view to May 2019 for the main timetable recast.

While timetable changes are pushed back, we will continue to deliver the improvements promised customers from early 2019, like the continued roll out of the Intercity Express Trains – which are more reliable and have around 20% more seats than the High Speed Trains they replace. However, it is the timetable change that brings faster journeys and frequency improvements and it is these additional benefits that will be delayed.

The announcement comes just after the Office of Road and Rail confirmed that electrification to Cardiff would also be delayed. Our new Intercity Express Trains have already delivered more than 500,000 additional seats between South Wales and London and we will add more and more seats as we continue to introduce trains on an almost-weekly basis throughout the rest of the year. As Network Rail has acknowledged, it is important for them to complete this work as soon as possible in 2019, while minimising disruption to customers, and we will continue to work with them and other industry partners to help them achieve that, so that we can maximise the benefits of the new South Wales to London timetable next year.

We will be keeping in close contact with Network Rail and will keep you updated as things progress.

Best wishes

 

[HowardGWR]

It's this constant harping on about hundreds of thousands of extra seats, totally meaningless to a customer, which I find so strange in these communications. All the TOC's do it. At least, this statistic means very little to me and makes me wonder whether the majority would think 'oh great!'.

If they just said 'your present trains have x seats and now they will have 54 more' or some such, (which they do, kind of) I could relate better to that. The problem with the new IET is that if folk think they are less comfortable than the HST ones, it doesn't really make for a great improvement in the customer's mind, does it?
Edit: sorry this is not electrification, off topic.

 

[deltic08]

It's this constant harping on about hundreds of thousands of extra seats, totally meaningless to a customer, which I find so strange in these communications. All the TOC's do it. At least, this statistic means very little to me and makes me wonder whether the majority would think 'oh great!'.

If they just said 'your present trains have x seats and now they will have 54 more' or some such, (which they do, kind of) I could relate better to that. The problem with the new IET is that if folk think they are less comfortable than the HST ones, it doesn't really make for a great improvement in the customer's mind, does it?
Edit: sorry this is not electrification, off topic.

It is meaningless if all the seats on every train are not filled such as Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester, Hereford, Oxford and probably Swansea. It is just for commuters from Swindon, Didcot and Reading. The trains run half empty until Swindon because the average punter can't afford the outrageous turn up and go fares.
This is off topic, but the last time I travelled with my mother from Lydney Town (no longer there) in Gloucestershire to Workington Main (now the only station in Workington) in Cumberland in 1962, the turn up and go fare was £2-18 shillings or £2-90 pence in new money for both of us combined. We didn't hesitate or find out how much before travelling because we knew it was affordable. Can't say that to-day.

 

[gallafent]

in 1962, the turn up and go fare was £2-18 shillings or £2-90 pence in new money for both of us combined.

According to a random RPI data set I found, £2.90 in 1962 equates to £59.74 in 2017 when indexed against RPI. Travelling tomorrow the full anytime single fare from Lydney to Workington for two people is a somewhat eye-watering £283 (or £186.80 with a Two Together Railcard, so £216.80 if you just buy the railcard on the day and ignore any future savings, obviously the sensible option!). That's only around a 3.5x multiple including buying the railcard, or 3x if you already have one (the second trip onwards . Advance singles (for Saturday) down as low as £60.60 for two people for the return trip. Still not ideal, clearly, but I thought the comparison was quite interesting.

 

[deltic08]

According to a random RPI data set I found, £2.90 in 1962 equates to £59.74 in 2017 when indexed against RPI. Travelling tomorrow the full anytime single fare from Lydney to Workington for two people is a somewhat eye-watering £283 (or £186.80 with a Two Together Railcard, so £216.80 if you just buy the railcard on the day and ignore any future savings, obviously the sensible option!). That's only around a 3.5x multiple including buying the railcard, or 3x if you already have one (the second trip onwards . Advance singles (for Saturday) down as low as £60.60 for two people for the return trip. Still not ideal, clearly, but I thought the comparison was quite interesting.

That is interesting. Thank you for taking the trouble to work it out. In 1962 I was only 14 and qualified for half fare. What I am emphasising is that it was a turn up and go fare, no booking three months in advance for the cheapest fare and then having to go on that date. Not so flexible. If we decided the day before travelling to go we could still go for the same price.

 

[D1009]

Interesting but not particularly relevant. In 1962 and probably the following 20 years Government policy was that the country needed investment in the roads and motorways rather than following the policies of European countries which was to invest in both road and rail. I'm sure someone could come up with a comparison of the cost in today's money of WCML electrification between 1959? and 1974 with that of the current GW electrification, but we live in a different world these days, and some of the additional costs have to be borne by the fare payer.

 

[59CosG95]

As interesting as the ongoing debate of the proportional split of rail fares between tax-payers and fare-payers is, it has very little to do with the progress of the wiring.

On that note, a Flickr photo I saw today can confirm that both catenary and contact wires are now in position over the Up (Eastbound) line at Winterbourne.

 

[Unclepete]

Hi All,
Looks like the final metalwork has now gone in at Newbury Station.

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1017510808979419142

Also, SPS now fixed to underside of A339 bridge at the eastern end. Will grab some photos tomorrow.

 

[ArchieWoodbine]

the Intercity Express Trains – which are more reliable

You couldn't make it up!

 

[3973EXL]

B&H update after latest block.

Another wire run has gone up on the down between Southcote & Theale. There are now two consecutive runs on the up & down, slightly staggered to one another.

There are no Cat/Contact wires up yet from Racecourse to the west of Newbury.

Passing shot of overhead power lines near M4 bridge. You can just see the short mast recently installed.


Thatcham and Aldermaston platform extensions.


Registration arms under the A339 at Newbury. Similar ones under the M4 bridge at Theale.


East of the A339 bridge, there appears to be a mast base. Looks like it would be linked by a portal to a mast on the up side which also has a registration arm for the bay.


Newbury canopy work, facing boards removed and canopy cut back.

 

[3973EXL]

Newbury station westwards, all steelwork looks complete.

 

[Mag_seven]

March 2017 (Bristol, Oxford and Newbury were December 2016).

Then Hendy changed the Bristol - Cardiff date to Dec 2018. Now they appear to be going to miss that as well!

 

[dp21]

You couldn't make it up!

No, you couldn't, because it's factually accurate

 

[59CosG95]

There've been a few driver training runs to/from Swindon lately with IETs; could such a run with one using the OLE be imminent?

 

[deltic08]

Interesting but not particularly relevant. In 1962 and probably the following 20 years Government policy was that the country needed investment in the roads and motorways rather than following the policies of European countries which was to invest in both road and rail. I'm sure someone could come up with a comparison of the cost in today's money of WCML electrification between 1959? and 1974 with that of the current GW electrification, but we live in a different world these days, and some of the additional costs have to be borne by the fare payer.

The Liverpool/Manchester/Birmingham-Euston electrification was £36m and Weaver Junction-Glasgow was £54.6m. Southern end route improvement cost £38m but couldn't find a route improvement cost for the northern end.

 

[D1009]

The Liverpool/Manchester/Birmingham-Euston electrification was £36m and Weaver Junction-Glasgow was £54.6m. Southern end route improvement cost £38m but couldn't find a route improvement cost for the northern end.

But did that include compensation for delays and disruption as a result of the infrastructure improvement? Obviously not as nobody needed to be compensated under a nationalised railway. The world has changed, making such comparisons totally irrelevant.

 

[snowball]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/splott-road-bridge-reopens-following-reconstruction/

Engineers have completed the reconstruction of Splott Road bridge in Cardiff, as work to modernise the South Wales Mainline continues. The bridge, which connects Adamstown with Splott, was rebuilt in two phases to help maintain traffic flow and pedestrian access – minimising disruption to the local community.


The 118-year-old bridge needed to be raised to give clearance for the equipment needed to power trains running on electricity. In an innovative feat of engineering, it was demolished and rebuilt in two halves, reducing the period of full closure from an anticipated 12 months to two three-week phases. Splott residents and businesses now have the benefit of a brand-new bridge, built to withstand modern traffic flows, with wider footpaths to improve accessibility.

Gareth Yates, project manager for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “We are delighted that this milestone in the modernisation of the South Wales Mainline is complete. We would like to thank passengers and residents for their patience during the upgrade work.”

History was unearthed during the bridge’s reconstruction, when Network Rail contractors delivering the second phase of upgrade work in February found a handwritten note inside one of its pillars. The note, dated from 1899, lists the local businesses which supplied the materials used to build the bridge and is now on display at the Cardiff Story Museum.

The work forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan for Wales, to enable GWR’s new fleet of Intercity Express Trains to run between London and Cardiff on electricity, improving journeys for passengers and creating a quieter environment for lineside neighbours.

Comparing the picture at the top of the press release with Streetview

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4...4!1swqx-xwwhKJ9lqB8yWMr2Dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

they appear to have narrowed the carriaeway on the bridge and widened the footpaths.

 

[PaulHarding150]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/splott-road-bridge-reopens-following-reconstruction/



Comparing the picture at the top of the press release with Streetview

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4...4!1swqx-xwwhKJ9lqB8yWMr2Dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

they appear to have narrowed the carriaeway on the bridge and widened the footpaths.

It's been narrowed where a zebra crossing has been put in.

I think it's still wide enough for two way traffic and parking on each side. It really is a wide bridge.

 

[Non Multi]

Is this train anything to do with electrification testing? There was a scheduled train run back and forth between London (or West London) and Swindon for several nights last week.

eg. 11/7/18 - 633V 2336 Swindon Cocklebury to Swindon Cocklebury

 

[59CosG95]

GWML Electrification: State of Play, week beginning 16/7/18.
All mileages given from Paddington, except where noted.
Paddington to Wootton Bassett Jct - LIVE

• All main line tracks wired as far as Wootton Bassett Jct, and are to be considered "live" as such. Wires towards Bristol Parkway continue to around MP97, around Alderton (see below).
• TTCs have replaced/been replacing headspans at various locations within London - locations include Westway (beneath the A40), Acton Main Line, Ealing B'way, W. Ealing, Southall, H&H.
• Everything wired at Reading (bar P4-6 which were never in the plan). Includes the TCD & the curves, down to Reading West (see B&H section).
• West of Didcot Parkway, all lines are wired & live heading towards Swindon.
• Everything wired at Swindon; P1-4, and the Through Road. Switchgear at the Bristol end of P1-4 is now live.

Small Points

• ATF wires in operation from Maidenhead to Wootton Bassett; Kensal Green to Maidenhead currently only using return conductors but will be AT-ready in the near future. Some AT wires up along this stretch now; whether they are live remains to be seen.
  • In preparation for the Elizabeth Line running to Maidenhead, Hayes & Harlington to Maidenhead was closed off over the Early May Bank Holiday (5/5 to 7/5); this included renewals of S&C at West Drayton & Slough West Jct, alongside HOPS work at Langley. Paddington to H&H was also closed on May 6th, and encompassed final OLE works for Crossrail, alongside (presumably) ATF installation, finishing of Platform Extensions, lift shaft installation, passenger footbridge installation, and ticket hall foundation installation.
• Parapet Work ongoing at Southbury Lane Bridge, Ruscombe.
• Twyford platform extensions almost finished; the Up Main is the last remaining one to be done.
• Parapet Work has yet to commence on Butts Hill Rd Bridge, Woodley.
• Few masts and cantilevers now up on the Didcot Avoiding Line, which finish at Appleford; Appleford LC being the limit of wires for the time being.
• Oxford Lines west of Didcot Pkwy wired as far as the loco fuelling sdg; Down Oxford as far as 53m31ch, Up Oxford as far as 53m42ch. Didcot avoiding lines have sprouted masts (4 portals, 2 TTCs), with a wire pair over the Down Didcot Avoider.
• A note on Steventon: Wires up under the High St Bridge (aka the "Brunel Bridge"); however, the bridge may well be demolished in CP6. It *MIGHT* need temporary parapet work to protect passers-by from stray currents; the discussion continues.
• Both Bourton & Uffington crossovers wired.
• Overruns through Swindon Jct (77m 36ch) onto the Golden Valley Line have also been wired.
• Another note on the OLE to Wootton Bassett - testing with IETs will occur in July, and entry of IETs in AC passenger service occurs in September.

The "Main Line"; Wootton Bassett Jct - Chippenham (Cocklebury Lane Bridge)
Until further notice, the 25kV transmission wires will run in a trough from Cocklebury Lane Bridge (just east of Chippenham) to Thingley Jct. Large steelwork is expected to remain in situ until wiring is authorised west of Thingley, but some specific items may be poached if required elsewhere (and duplicates aren't stored at RAF Wroughton). Details given in the "Postponements" section.

• Track lowering and drainage work at Dauntsey completed.
• Nr Tockenham Wick, pretty much all the masts are up, TTCs, STCs and portals alike; most have SPS fitted now.
• All masts (at first glance) appear to be up at Dauntsey Bank (87m ish), with the majority of SPS fitted. Earth wires have also reached the area; extending over both lines.
• All earth wires are now up between Wootton Bassett Jct & Cocklebury Lane Overbridge.[/COLOR]
• Over Sutton Ln Bridge, Kellaways (between Christian Malford & Langley Burrell), catenary & contact wires have been erected over the Up Line; these extend eastwards as far as the eye can see. They have not reached Dauntsey Bank or Wootton Bassett yet, to my knowledge.
• Langley Burrell (east of Chippenham)
  • Most STCs here have their SPS up, folded out of the way; these masts also have ATF wire brackets fixed at the top. Again, these have now extended towards Christian Malford, and beyond towards Dauntsey Bank.
  • Some of the thicker STC masts, which have TTC-style tubular booms fitted, aren't yet dressed with SPS. The TTC "Tensorex" portals at Langley Burrell don't yet bear the Tensorex drums which will eventually go up there.
  • Works compound established at Langley Green L.C.
  • The "termination" twin-track portal west of Cocklebury Lane now carries Tensorex drums & SPS.
  • Another catenary/contact wire pair appear to be up over the Down Line as far as Langley Burrell.

Chippenham (Cocklebury Lane Bridge) - Thingley Jct

• No piles in Chippenham station, nor any masts affixed to the viaduct.
• All piles in and majority of masts (and cantilevers) up from the western end of the viaduct to Thingley Junction (where the feeder station will be). About 14 masts are up in the vicinity of Thingley Feeder Stn, 2 of which have TTC booms affixed. Another has an STC boom.
  • Piles continue westwards to the next bridge.
  • Piles also in (and have been for over a year) at Ashley (beyond Box Tunnel).

Thingley Jct - Bath
No wiring for the foreseeable future, but overbridges between Thingley Jct & Corsham have all had clearance works, along with Box Tunnel (track lowering) and Sydney Gardens (track lowering).
Bath to Bristol
Piles in, particularly around Saltford. Not due to see use for a while after the wiring delay. Track lowered through Bath Spa, Oldfield Park & Keynsham in readiness for future wiring.

South Wales Main Line (Wootton Bassett Jct-Bristol Parkway-Severn Tunnel-Newport-Cardiff)

Wootton Bassett Jct - Bristol Parkway; apparently set to go live in September 2018.

• 11 odd miles worth of wires up from Wootton Bassett Jct to around MP97, in the Alderton Tunnel (97m 34ch) area. The Down Badminton (DB) now finishes west of the tunnel (around MP97 3/4) whilst the Up Badminton (UB) finished around MP97 1/4.
• All masts, most SPS and earth wires now up through Acton Turville and Badminton; multiple wired sections are now up in this area too, with a short section on the DB and a longer (approx. 1 mile) section on the UB.
• Retaining wall fixtures completed at the eastern portal of Alderton Tunnel.
• O/H Conductor rail installed in Chipping Sodbury Tunnel (101m 06ch to 103m 48ch); wires now connected to both rails at both ends, now the eastern portal retaining wall brackets are complete.
• Progress as well around Chipping Sodbury/Old Sodbury:
  • Catenary & contact wires (over both lines) now up between the west portal of C.S. Tunnel and the westernmost "tension portal" mentioned above (along with Earth wires). Wires on the DB carry on to around MP104; a gap is then present for the points for the CSGL before resuming and continuing to around MP107 (see below).
  • Chipping Sodbury Goods Loop (CSGL) is fully wired; the UB & DB are partially wired parallel to the loop.
• The wires from Chipping Sodbury have now connected with those around Yate/Wapley, and extend west to around MP107, just short of Westerleigh Jct itself (107m 14ch). One ATF wire contines westwards over the junction for a short distance.
• From Westerleigh Jct to Bristol Parkway, all structures are up as far as approx. MP110, in Winterbourne Cutting. SPS is concentrated at the Westerleigh end; the central part between there still needs masts, unbelievably.
  • A run of masts (all boomed) has sprouted on the curve towards Cheltenham Spa. SPS is starting to go up on the curve, the remainder is in the cess awaiting fitment.
• Earth Wire (on the Down side) now accompanies the SPS up on the STCs and TTCs to the west & east of "The Dramway" footbridge nr Ram Hill (Coalpit Heath); a pair of single masts which seem to be destined for a portal boom can be found just east of the bridge (https://flic.kr/p/23WGyV5).
• Huckford Viaduct has had bespoke mast fittings applied.
• The "Blue Viaduct" over the M4 just east of BPW now has SPS up on the masts along it.
• Winterbourne Viaduct is currently mastless.
• BPW Platforms extensions complete.
  • TTCs up over all platforms as of 20/3, along with the Down Bristol Goods Loop (opposite P1).
  • Portal now up at the eastern end over all lines through the station. Nothing more up further east on the approach though.
  • A number of masts & booms are up on the line towards Filton Abbey Wood, between Stoke Gifford Jct No.1 (111m 79ch) and Filton Jct No.1 (113m 01ch); these end just short of Filton Jct 1 and will presumably act as an overrun until electrification continues into Temple Meads.
• Filton Bank bridge works (mileages all from Temple Meads):
  • Easton Rd Overbridge (1m 18ch) completely rebuilt.
  • Narroways Footbridge (2m 12ch) replaced.
  • Ashley Hill Footbridge (3m 11ch) replaced.
  • Bonnington Walk Overbridge (3m 62ch) - parapets raised.
  • Footbridge south of Filton Abbey Wood (4m 18ch) will need work if wiring is to occur.

Bristol Parkway - Pilning

• The Patchway/Severn Tunnel Blockade is now complete.
• 2 boomed masts are up at the Welsh end of Bristol Parkway, and a concrete foundation awaiting a mast can be seen next to them.https://flic.kr/p/245kEME
• Stoke Gifford IEP Depot all wired.
• Patchway Tunnels conductor rail to be installed during the Blockade; in the gap between the "old" tunnels (westbound track), all the bases appear to be in, and the cutting retained with mesh. Track-lowering and drainage work to be undertaken in the "old" tunnel (on the Cardiff-bound line) in the same time period. Trackbed lowering now complete; only finishing works left.
• Brackets for conductor rail now up at the Pilning End of the Old Tunnel.
• Masts, booms and SPS up through Patchway. During the Blockade, wires will also be strung up through Patchway.
  • Cattybrook Brickworks Bridge closed as of 18/3/18.
• At Pilning, during the Summer Tunnels blockade, all portals and masts have now been erected, and wires have gone up - does anyone know the extent of said wires?

Severn Tunnel - Newport

• Severn Tunnel Conductor rail in place .
• All bridge rebuilding complete from Severn Tunnel Jct (149m 14ch) to Bishton Flyover (152m 30ch).
• Masts beginning to go up between Severn Tunnel Jct & Bishton Flyover, as of 3/4/18. These include:
  • At least 11 between Undy (Playing Fields Footbridge) and the M4 viaduct over the mains; one just east of the "white house" has a TTC boom. It can be assumed that its 8 comrades will be similarly adorned. Another mast over the Reliefs west of the "white house" has now gained a TTC boom with 1 SPS assembly; it has a twin over the Mains.
  • Another 3 masts (two for a portal boom, one a TTC with boom up) have appeared east of "the ramp" bridge at Magor; these join the sole TTC on the Up side by the bridge. Another can be found on the Up Side, west of the W End/Main Rd footbridge. Another 3 are west of "the ramp" bridge; 2 on the Down side, 1 on the Up side.
  • Masts (with SPS fitted) up between Bishton Flyover (including over it) and Llanwern West Jct (156m 20ch). 5 masts are currently up on the curve down from the flyover at its eastern end.
• Plenty piles are in around the Bishton LC (153m 01ch) to Llanwern Works East Connection (153m 05ch) area; further west towards Llanwern Works West Connection/Llanwern West Junction (156m 03ch to 156m 20ch), masts are going up at the double. Portal structures/TTCs etc. are up just east of the utility bridge between the Llanwern Connections, and to the west. SPS has gone up too on lots of them; not easy to find exact numbers though.
• Some masts have sprouted near Lliswerry pond.
• 6-track portals, probably TGBUs (aka Thumpin' Great Big-Uns) going up aroung East Usk Yard (approx. MP157 1/2).
• Between the Maindee Jcts (157m 74ch to 158m 16ch), a cluster of piles is in beside the Down Relief; these are complemented by masted piles on the Main side (adjacent to the Up Main).
• Caerleon Rd Overbridge to be refurbished in 2 phases - 20/7 to 30/11, and then January ‘19 to March ‘19. Not sure what impact on wiring this will have.
• Some SPS has now gone up between Maindee West & Maindee East; between Maindee West Maindee North Jct (41m 03ch from the former Rotherwas Jct, just south of Hereford; the ELR for the southern part of the Marches Line), masts with TTCs on are also going up (as overruns) over the Marches Line; the termination mast & associated TTC are just north of signal "NT 1559".
• Fixings for masts have now been installed on the Usk Bridge.

Newport

• P1 Canopies all cut back; P2 & P3 canopies still in progress.
• Masts and portals now appearing at the western end of the station, some with SPS attached. More started to appear in mid-April; additionally, two at the Cardiff end & two through the P1 canopy on the weekend of April 28th/29th.
• 4-track portal now up over the southern 4 tracks, just east of the new station footbridge.
• Two six-track portals have now gone up over the western throat of the station, just short of a 4-track portal (uprights of) & a TTC (with SPS) adjacent to Clytha Park Rd.
• Old stn footbridge still in situ.

Newport - Cardiff

• Around 6 piles are in adjacent to the Up Main between Ebbw Jct (160m 07ch) and Gaer Jct (159m 32ch); these will probably take masts for portal booms. One such boom appears to have gone in! Currently unknown if Alexandra Dock Jct Yard will be electrified.
• A sole mast is up immediately behind the signal gantry adjacent to the Up Main at Ebbw Jct.
• Over 100 masts from Ebbw Jct to Marshfield (163m 60ch). Booms & SPS starting to appear in the area too.
• Green Lane Bridge, nr Marshfield (164m 57ch) reopened to traffic after reconstruction. Masts (with SPS) up around here too.
• Some of the masts near Duffryn have SPS affixed.
• Lots of masts (with booms, SPS & ATF brackets) now up near Mardy Rd Bridge, Rumney.
• Two TTCs, one on each side of the tracks, have been erected by the bridge at Rhymney River Bridge Jct (167m 61ch).
• About 4 or 5 portals have been erected just west of Pengam Jct (168m 40ch); 5 masts are up on the Up side east of Rover Lane bridge, complemented by 2 on the Down side. Some of the portals now have booms, and bear SPS.
• A handful of masts are also up around Long Dyke Jct (169m 35ch); some have now gained TTC booms and SPS as well.
• Splott Rd Bridge upgrade work now complete.

Cardiff Central

• Re-signalling completed. Platform 0 now open. 3 masts now up over P0/1 with TTC booms.
• Piling underway at the extreme ends of P1/2 & P3/4 for future masts. One can assume portals will bridge the gap between P2 & P3, over the Through lines.
• Canopy cut-back work now underway on P2.

Swansea IEP Depot

• New IEP Depot at Maliphant Sidings, Swansea now complete; all steelwork up but no wires.

GWML/SWML Blockades:

• 14/4 & 15/4 - Swindon; done.
• 26/5 to 28/5 - Swindon; done.
• 23/4 to 25/5 (exc. weekends): Complete; Swansea-Padd services are now leaving/arriving at Swansea as per their booked times again.
• 30/4 to 18/5 (exc. weekends): Complete; Cardiff-Pompey & Cardiff-Taunton services working as normal.
• 16/6 to 6/7: Bristol Parkway - Severn Tunnel Jct is now complete.
• 30/6 to 1/7: Bristol Parkway - Swindon; done. What went on here?
• 6/7 to 3/12: Reduced capacity between Newport & Cardiff Central while electrification progresses; assume only 1 pair of lines open at a time.
• 15/9 to 6/10, and 13/10 to 14/10: Bristol Parkway blockaded to allow OLE to be installed within the station. RRBs in operation between Yate & Filton Abbey Wood, and between Swindon & Newport.
• 24/12/18 to 1/1/19: Bristol Parkway - Newport will be blockaded again for more OLE works.
• More Blockades will follow; details as they become available.

Berks & Hants Line (Reading-Newbury)
Reading-Newbury set to go live from December 2018; electric trains in service from January 2019.
Reading West - Southcote Junction - Theale

• Only missing large steelwork appears to be just east of the A339 at Newbury.
• Within Reading West, piles for the new footbridge (under Murphy's remit) are now mostly in, awaiting final driving. About 3 still need to go in on the Down side.These have been effectively mothballed until a solution to the footbridge conundrum can be found.
• Between the existing live wires at Reading West and MP38 1/4, through Southcote Junction (37m 62ch), all large steelwork & SPS is now up. Some SPS may still be missing around Southcote.
• Just north of the A4 (Bath Rd Bridge), the first earth wire (on the Up side) has gone in, running as far as MP38 1/4.
• Two TTC cantilever booms have gone up on the Basingstoke Line (on the Up side).
• From MP38 1/4, the Up line is fully wired to around MP40.
• Two short wire runs are also in place from MP39 westwards on the Down line; the second ends just before the M4 bridge.
• The mast just east of the M4 bridge on the Up side has now been erected; this is shorter due to 400kV National Grid cables being in close proximity.
• The M4 overbridge now has brackets/"stovepipes" fitted over both lines; those over the DW have registration arms fitted.

Theale - Aldermaston - Midgham - Thatcham - Newbury Racecourse

• Wires over the main lines (DW/UW) begin just east of Theale station, and are now continuous to just east of Kennet Viaduct (nr Newbury Racecourse); approximately at MP 51 1/4. The gap on the UW west of Theale has been wired.
• In Theale Goods Loop, the Earth (AT) wire has now been hung, and catenary/contact wires have now gone up westwards from MP 41 1/2, including over the pointwork at the Newbury end.
• Platform extension works now underway at Theale.
• West of Theale, only two masts (in Newbury Station) and 3 cantilevers/booms (one east of Newbury, two within the station).
• The platform extensions at Aldermaston and Thatcham are structurally complete; finishing works (e.g. levelling, fencing etc.) are all that remains to be done.
• After the gap over Kennet Viaduct, wires over all lines (Mains, crossovers and the DPL) resume at about MP51 3/4, and run to just east of Newbury Racecourse station.
• Earth wires and all SPS now up in Racecourse, with the SPS heading west to Newbury.

Newbury Racecourse (excl.) - Newbury Town (53m 06ch)

• Between Newbury's stations, only one portal boom needs to go up, at Boundary Rd Bridge. SPS is now all up east of the A339 bridge. A gaggle of taller masts (presumably for another ATF feeder station) can be seen opposite the Sainsbury's.
• The electrical substation/PSU at Boundary Rd looks roughly 80% complete.
• SPS now installed in their brackets beneath the A339 bridge at the eastern end of Newbury, over all lines. Another mast base has been cut into a retaining wall east of the A339 on the Down side; it is expected that the upright for it will take a portal boom linking an extant mast on the Up side.
• At Newbury, the new footbridge is now open (not the lifts yet). The old footbridge has now been removed; this was undertaken during the first June blockade. The canopy has now been completely cut back, and all the facing boards are removed.
• From Newbury westwards to the limit of wiring, including Newbury station itself, all steelwork looks complete. The termination masts also have their Tensorex drums fitted.

Proposed Limit of Wiring: 53m 51ch.
Gives ample room to reverse even a 12-car 387 formation.
Immunised signalling continues to about MP55 1/2.

B&H Blockades:

• 12/3 to 15/3; done.
• 23/4 to 26/4; done.
• 14/5 to 17/5; done.
• 2/6 to 10/6; done.
• 9/7 to 12/7; done.
• 16/7 to 5/8; underway.
• 28/8 to 30/8,
• 8/10 to 11/10,
• 19/11 to 22/11.

Project Postponements

• Thames Valley Branches: Windsor & Henley deferred to CP6. Marlow removed from scope of current programme. The first few yards of each branch (bar the Henley Branch) have been wired as an overrun.
• Southcote Jct to Basingstoke has also been deferred to CP6.
• Appleford LC to Oxford paused, pending track realignment and resignalling of Oxford (6/7 to 23/7); if CP6 accounts allow for wiring to be extended to Oxford, it would be very likely to happen.
• Catenary & Contact wires between Chippenham (Cocklebury Lane Overbridge) & Thingley Jct have been deferred until (presumably) CP6; presumably this will wait until Bath-Bristol resignalling is complete. All Large steelwork to remain, unless required elsewhere.
• Bristol Temple Meads to Bath & Bristol Parkway paused, dependent on Bristol resignalling (Taunton-Parkway over Easter 2018; Temple Meads to Both in October 2018), track remodelling and Filton Bank 4-tracking (to be completed by December 2018).
• Bristol Temple Meads' "Midland Shed" to be reopened in CP6, after Bristol resignalling is complete and the PSB is demolished.

As always, do let me know if I've missed anything!
(apologies to anyone who saw it in a state of source code chaos too)

 

[3973EXL]

GWML Electrification: State of Play

Berks & Hants Line (Reading-Newbury)
Reading-Newbury set to go live from December 2018; electric trains in service from January 2019.
Reading West - Southcote Junction - Theale

• At a guess, less than 10 masts still need to go up, mainly in patches around Theale and Newbury.
• Within Reading West, piles for the new footbridge (under Murphy's remit) are now mostly in, awaiting final driving. About 3 still need to go in on the Down side.These have been effectively mothballed until a solution to the footbridge conundrum can be found.
• Between the existing live wires at Reading West and MP38 1/4, through Southcote Junction (37m 62ch), all large steelwork & SPS is now up. Some SPS may still be missing around Southcote.
• Just north of the A4 (Bath Rd Bridge), the first earth wire (on the Up side) has gone in, running as far as MP38 1/4.
• Two TTC cantilever booms have gone up on the Basingstoke Line (on the Up side).
• From MP38 1/4, the Up line has two wires (possibly catenary & contact?) running west to around MP40.
• A short wire run is also in place from MP39 westwards on the Down line. Another run is up further east (or west) of this one.
• The mast just east of the M4 bridge on the Up side has now been erected; this is shorter due to 400kV National Grid cables being in close proximity. A mast is also missing around the pointwork east of Theale.
• The M4 overbridge now has brackets/"stovepipes" fitted over both lines; those over the DW have registration arms fitted.

Theale - Aldermaston - Midgham - Thatcham - Newbury Racecourse

• Wires over the main lines (DW/UW) begin just east of Theale station, and are now continuous to just east of Kennet Viaduct (nr Newbury Racecourse); approximately at MP 51 1/4. The gap on the UW west of Theale has been wired.
• In Theale Goods Loop, the Earth (AT) wire has now been hung, and catenary/contact wires have now gone up westwards from MP 41 1/2, including over the pointwork at the Newbury end.
• Platform extension works now underway at Theale.
• West of Theale, only two masts (in Newbury Station) and 3 cantilevers/booms (one east of Newbury, two within the station).
• The platform extensions at Aldermaston and Thatcham are structurally complete; finishing works (e.g. levelling, fencing etc.) are all that remains to be done.
• After the gap over Kennet Viaduct, wires over all lines (Mains, crossovers and the DPL) resume at about MP51 3/4, and run to just east of Newbury Racecourse station.
• Earth wires and all SPS now up in Racecourse, with the SPS heading west to Newbury.

Newbury Racecourse (excl.) - Newbury Town (53m 06ch)

• Between Newbury's stations, only one portal boom needs to go up, at Boundary Rd Bridge. SPS is now all up east of the A339 bridge. A gaggle of taller masts (presumably for another ATF feeder station) can be seen opposite the Sainsbury's.
• The electrical substation/PSU at Boundary Rd looks roughly 80% complete.
• SPS now installed in their brackets beneath the A339 bridge at the eastern end of Newbury, over all lines. Another mast base has been cut into a retaining wall east of the A339 on the Down side; it is expected that the upright for it will take a portal boom linking an extant mast on the Up side.
• At Newbury, the new footbridge is now open (not the lifts yet). The old footbridge has now been removed; this was undertaken during the first June blockade. The canopy has now been completely cut back, and all the facing boards are removed.
• From Newbury westwards to the limit of wiring, including Newbury station itself, all steelwork looks complete. The termination masts also have their Tensorex drums fitted.

Appears only missing large steelwork, one mast & portal, by A339 bridge Newbury.

Up line fully wired MP38 1/4 to MP40
Down line fully wired from MP39 for two wires runs west, finishes west of the M4 bridge.

 

[59CosG95]

Appears only missing large steelwork, one mast & portal, by A339 bridge Newbury.

Up line fully wired MP38 1/4 to MP40
Down line fully wired from MP39 for two wires runs west, finishes before M4 bridge.

Thanks for the updates @3973EXL; the post is now amended!

 

[3973EXL]

Catch up with the platform extensions at Twyford;


Bridge parapet work at Southbury Lane;

slow progress with what looks like a near total rebuild.