Great Western Electrification Progress

[59CosG95]

General query on the GWML electrification..the Catenary wires seem lower on the GWML than on the WCML, GEML and the ECML - is there a specific reason for this?

The WCML "system height" (that is, the separation between catenary & contact) is nominally large (1980mm compared to 1300mm on newer schemes). I think GWML usues a 1300mm separation.

 

[Thunderer]

The WCML "system height" (that is, the separation between catenary & contact) is nominally large (1980mm compared to 1300mm on newer schemes). I think GWML usues a 1300mm separation.

Great knowledge there, thanks for the reply. Is there any reason why new schemes use less separation? Health and Safety, EU directive, or is it just preference?

 

[themiller]

The WCML "system height" (that is, the separation between catenary & contact) is nominally large (1980mm compared to 1300mm on newer schemes). I think GWML usues a 1300mm separation.

Is that because WCML was designed as Compound rather than Simple Sagged?

 

[59CosG95]

Great knowledge there, thanks for the reply. Is there any reason why new schemes use less separation? Health and Safety, EU directive, or is it just preference?

I think history. The system heights on UK1 (now used across most of the southern half of the WCML) were quite large as the catenary tended to go over most portals on the Mk1 equipment installed in the 1960s.
Certainly, the large system heights on the GEML were due to the compound arrangement of the fixed-tension OLE (and heavier cables for the DC current) requiring a larger separation; I think (but I'm not certain) that the GEFF upgrades have allowed a reduction in height.

Separations were reduced to about 900mm for Mk3b electrification schemes (DfT cost measures for the ECML), but nowadays the markedly more efficient tensioning powers of the Tensorex Drums allow a 1300mm separation for modern schemes.

 

[3973EXL]

Tilehurst Rd bridge, looks like February, at least, for completion!

Current state.


Previously mentioned signs, that went up on platform ends, then were taken down, have returned smaller and in different locations. Seen on canopies at Reading West and shelters at Theale and Newbury, at least!

Also at Reading West, a few weeks ago, the access from the down platform to the Oxford Rd was repositioned. This appears to have been to allow work to start, at a guess for a permanent structure.
17/01/19
28/01/19

 

[59CosG95]

GWML Electrification: State of Play, as of 28/1/19.
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. The envelope of "live" wires continues along the South Wales Main Line to Filton Jct (inc. Bristol Parkway), and to the Limits of Wiring on the Berks & Hants line and Reading-Basingstoke Line; details are given below.
• TTCs have replaced/been replacing headspans at various locations within London - locations include Westway (beneath the A40), Acton Main Line, Ealing Broadway, and between Southall & H&H. These are part of the works for the Elizabeth Line.
• 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 (bar the goods lines north of P1, where provision is provided).

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.
• At Ealing Broadway, the staircase to P2/3 has been demolished and replacement with a new structure as part of the Crossrail works is now complete.
• Parapet Work extended upwards at Southbury Lane Bridge, Ruscombe; the wing walls remain unfinished. Original Coping stones have now been replaced.
• Platforms are being extended at Cholsey (country end), Goring & Streatley (London end), Pangbourne (country end), & Tilehurst (1 & 4 country end; 2 & 3 London end).
• Few masts and cantilevers now up on the Didcot Avoiding Line, which finish at Appleford; Appleford LC being the limit of structures for the time being.
• Oxford Lines west of Didcot Pkwy wired as far as the loco fuelling sdg; Down Oxford as far as 53m 31ch, Up Oxford as far as 53m 42ch. 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. "Temporary" parapet work to protect passers-by from stray currents now complete. Wires west of Causeway Crossing are only authorised for passenger service on 80x trains in both directions, however, 387s are allowed to run empty to/from Cocklebury sidings under AC. The discussion continues.
• Overruns through Swindon Jct (77m 36ch) onto the Golden Valley Line have also been wired.
• Swindon Cocklebury Sidings in operation for Class 387 stabling as of 2/1/19.

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.

• Both lines are to be considered LIVE (but not signed off for passenger use) from Wootton Bassett Jct to Christian Malford (93m 31ch) as of 10/2/2019.
• Catenary, contact & Earth wires are up over/adj. to both lines from Cocklebury Lane to Wootton Bassett Jct.
• ATF wires are now up from Wootton Bassett as far as the Auto-Transformer at Christian Malford. So far, this will be the western limit of AT feeding on the main line towards Bath.

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). Most TTCs have booms from beyond the viaduct to Thingley East Junction. 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.

Thingley Jct - Keynsham

• No wiring for the foreseeable future, but overbridges between Thingley Jct & Box Tunnel have all been rebuilt. Corsham Main Road Bridge needs its parapets raising. New aqueduct & footbridge at Corsham complete.
• Both Box & Middle Hill Tunnels have had track lowered.
• A new footbridge has been built at Ashley Box.
• Piles also in (and have been for over a year) at Ashley (beyond Box Tunnel) - these might well be trial piles.
• Bathampton Jct to beyond Sydney Gardens has had track lowered. A new signal gantry at Bathampton Jct was installed over Xmas 2017 but is not yet in use.
• Bath Spa platforms realigned & raised, with track also slewed.
• Track through Oldfield Park & Keynsham now lowered.
• A lot of piles are in along the embankment around Saltford and Keynsham in readiness for future wiring.

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

Wootton Bassett Jct to Filton Jct (inc. Bristol Parkway) - LIVE

• Wires from Wootton Bassett Jct to Bristol Parkway in passenger service since 30/12/18.
• All 6 through Lines at Bristol Parkway have been wired and are live.
• Live wires continue to Filton Jct & Stoke Gifford IEP Depot; Chipping Sodbury Goods Loop and the Cheltenham Curve overrun (as far as the limit of wiring) are also fully wired and live.
  • Limit of Live Wires on the Filton Lines (+ Down Bristol Parkway Relief): 112m 23ch.
  • Limit of Live Wires on the Charfield Lines (from Westerleigh Jct): 120m 59ch.
• Filton Bank bridge works (mileages all from Temple Meads):
  • Easton Rd Overbridge (1m 18ch) completely rebuilt.
  • Narroways FB (2m 12ch) & Ashley Hill FB (3m 11ch) replaced.
  • Bonnington Walk Overbridge (3m 62ch) - parapets raised.
  • FB south of Filton Abbey Wood (4m 18ch) will need work if wiring is to occur.

Filton Jct - Severn Tunnel

• The Summer 2018 Patchway/Severn Tunnel Blockade is now complete.
• Stoke Gifford IET Depot all wired - only the arrival road & sidings are energised. Some roads may also be energised, however the wheel lathe road is dead from the lathe shed to the buffer stops.
• Patchway Tunnels conductor rail installed.
• Wires extend westwards from Filton Jct through Patchway and Pilning (across all lines) to Ableton Lane Tunnel (10m 51ch to 10m 55ch; from Bristol Temple Meads); this carries the A403 over the line and is the last tunnel before the Severn Tunnel.
• Cattybrook Brickworks Bridge closed as of 18/3/18.

Severn Tunnel - Newport
Due to have IETs in AC service by next year - hopefully sooner!

• Severn Tunnel Conductor rail in place. A number of masts on both sides of the line are now up at Caldicot, just before the Western tunnel mouth; these now extend westwards towards the eastern end of the platforms at STJ.
• Virtually all masts & booms (where relevant) now in position at Severn Tunnel Junction. Cantilevers/SPS also in evidence.
• Feeder cables now hang from both the eastern set and western set of Switchgear Masts.
• All bridge rebuilding complete from Severn Tunnel Jct (149m 14ch) to Bishton Flyover (152m 30ch).
• Masts going up between Severn Tunnel Jct & Bishton Flyover. These include:
  • At least 11 between Undy (Church Rd Bridge) 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.
  • Two opposing pairs of TTC masts have gone up between Church Rd Bridge & the Playing Fields Footbridge.
  • Two large uprights have gone up between Undy Playing Fields footbridge & "the ramp" bridge at Magor on opposite sides of the line; these may well take a portal boom.
  • 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.
  • 3 of the 4 TTCs west of "the ramp" bridge (2 on the Down side, 1 on the Up side) bear SPS; a 4th TTC has been boomed on the up, opposite the more western boom on the Down side.
  • West of the 4 Magor TTCs, a Portal (due to take mid-point anchor terminations) has gone up.
  • The signal gantry at Magor (west of the West End Footbridge) has been replaced by 4 signals on posts; this should mean its removal prior to electrification is imminent. A TTC with SPS is up over the Mains there too.
  • 1 mast is up to the west of Redwick Rd Bridge (by the Down Relief), and a mast due to bear a portal is up to the east of Whitewall Footbridge (by the Up Main). A "Slim" TTC is up over the centre pair of lines just east of Redwick Rd bridge. OTP is in place for a masting operation by Redwick Rd compound.
  • One 4-track portal is up between the A4810 and the bridge over the eastern end of Bishton Flyover.
  • 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 single masts (with SPS fitted & folded) up along the Mains between the Flyover and Bishton LC. A run of Earth wire is now up on the Up side at Bishton.
• Between Bishton LC (153m 01ch) and Llanwern Golf Course, masts are around 90-95% up (all bar a few have booms and SPS), with the main gap at Llanwern Works East Connection (153m 05ch). This continues west towards Llanwern Works West Connection/Llanwern West Junction (156m 03ch to 156m 20ch). 4 masts (3 over the Mains, 1 over the Reliefs) also have booms & SPS immediately west of the LC.
• A run of Earth Wires & ATF wires have been strung up on the Relief side (adjacent to the DR) between Llanwern Works East Connection & Llanwern West Jct.
• All 4 lines are now wired past Llanwern Steelworks.
• Some masts have sprouted near Lliswerry pond.
• Piling taking place until Christmas Eve between Lliswerry & Maindee - presumed complete.
• 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

• All canopies now cut back.
• 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 now removed; 4-track portal of the "TGBU" (Thumpin' Great Big 'Un) variety has been installed in its place.
• A new portal has gone up at the east end of Newport, with all the fixings for switchgear affixed at the top. Droptubes for registration arms are also on.

Newport - Cardiff

• Plenty masts up around Gaer Jct (159m 32ch) north of Cardiff Rd Bridge (the B4237):
  • one by the Down Relief;
  • two by the Up Main (one of which is a boomed TTC with SPS);
  • three by the Gaer Jct - Park Jct Chord.
• Around 6 piles are in adjacent to the Up Main between Gaer Jct and Ebbw Jct (160m 07ch); 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.
• Lots of steelwork up immediately behind the signal gantry adjacent to the Up Main at Ebbw Jct; this includes a full portal boom and a TTC acting as an overrun mast on the Ebbw Vale branch.
• 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.
• 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).
• Wires up across all 4 tracks between Pengam Jct & Wentloog FLT - lengths of these are all unknown.
• 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; one of these has all its registration arms up.
• 1 run of C&C has gone up between Moorland Road Jct (168m 65ch) and Long Dyke Jct (169m 35ch) over the Reliefs; this is assumed to be a crossover as it crosses from one Relief line to the other.
• A handful of masts are also up around Long Dyke Jct; some have now gained TTC booms and SPS as well.
• Over the bridge over St. Mary's Street in Cardiff (just east of Central), and immediately to the west of the bridge, 5 portal booms spanning all tracks have gone up.
• Similar bespoke mast foundations are going in just east of Bute St Bridge, near the junction with the line from Queen Street.
• Splott Rd Bridge upgrade work now complete.

Cardiff Central - Platforms 0-4 to be wired

• 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.
• An Anchor Portal (of the hexagonal "TGBU" variety) has gone up over P2/3, just east of the canopies. This is the first portal over the Through Lines.
• Adjacent to that, a TTC for the P4 line has also been erected.
• Canopy cut-back work now underway (complete?) on P2.
• Brackets appear to be in place on the coping stones on the Taff Viaduct (at the western end of the station).
• Plenty piles up adjacent to Cardiff Canton.
• Brickwork Sidings to be increased in length (and electrified) to accommodate GWR Class 387s.
• Proposed Limit of Wiring: Leckwith Loop North Jct (171m 55ch) at a guess.

Swansea IEP Depot

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

GWML/SWML Blockade Works (2018):

• 6/7 to 3/12: Reduced capacity (2 lines only) for wiring work between Newport & Cardiff Ctl.
• 15/9 to 6/10, and 13/10 to 14/10: Bristol Parkway electrified.
• 27/10 to 18/11, 24-25/11, 1-2/12: Filton Bank 4-tracked.
• 11/11: Bristol TM to Bath Spa resignalled.
• December blockades at Bristol Parkway & Didcot Parkway done.
• Christmas-New Year Blockade at Severn Tunnel Jct done.

GWML/SWML Blockade Works (2019):

• 20/1/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central; done.
• 10/2/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central.
• 17/2/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work, presumably at Severn Tunnel Jct.
• 31/3/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central.
• 19/4/19 to 22/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel.
• 27/4/19 to 28/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel.
• More Blockades will follow; details as they become available.

Berks & Hants Line (Reading-Newbury) - LIVE
Electric trains in squadron service.

• Wires from Oxford Rd Jct are now LIVE to the limits of electrification (53m 42ch on the Newbury Lines, 38m 07ch on the Basingstoke Lines) as of 0650 on 21/10/18.
• Class 387s are now in service on Reading-Newbury services as of 31/12/18.
• Within Reading West, piles for the new footbridge (under Murphy's remit) are in, but have been "decapitated" (i.e. shortened) and capped until a new footbridge solution is found.
• Foot access from Reading West's Down platform to Oxford Rd has been repositioned - work might be soon beginning on a permanent footbridge replacement.
• Completion of parapet work for Tilehurst Rd overbridge is due to be in February, around the 24th. More fixings are now on the south parapet, and work has begun on adding fixings to the north parapet, behind the Heras fencing.
• Platforms extended at Reading West, Theale, Aldermaston and Thatcham.
• Newbury's new footbridge is now open - the lifts are not yet working, causing much local amusement/bemusement.
• Immunised signalling continues to about MP55 1/2. Bedwyn Turnback Siding now extended to accommodate 5-car IETs.

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; if CP6 accounts allow for wiring to be extended to Oxford, it would be very likely to happen now that Oxford has been remodelled.
• Catenary & Contact wires between Chippenham (Cocklebury Lane Overbridge) & Thingley Jct have been deferred until (presumably) CP6. 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 Bath in November 2018 - both done; the WSM stretch from Flax Bourton Tunnel to Cogload Jct remains outstanding), track remodelling and Filton Bank 4-tracking (done).
• 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).

 

[Thunderer]

I think history. The system heights on UK1 (now used across most of the southern half of the WCML) were quite large as the catenary tended to go over most portals on the Mk1 equipment installed in the 1960s.
Certainly, the large system heights on the GEML were due to the compound arrangement of the fixed-tension OLE (and heavier cables for the DC current) requiring a larger separation; I think (but I'm not certain) that the GEFF upgrades have allowed a reduction in height.

Separations were reduced to about 900mm for Mk3b electrification schemes (DfT cost measures for the ECML), but nowadays the markedly more efficient tensioning powers of the Tensorex Drums allow a 1300mm separation for modern schemes.

Thsnk you, that is a very informative and comprehensive explanation.

 

[Richard Scott]

How are masts delivered to site? Only ask as have seen two lorries in Magor tonight carrying what looked to be masts for electrification. May be wrong but seems coincidental.

 

[59CosG95]

How are masts delivered to site? Only ask as have seen two lorries in Magor tonight carrying what looked to be masts for electrification. May be wrong but seems coincidental.

Lorries/trucks tend to be the favoured method of transport for the new steelwork, yes. (The High Output Electrification Train would also have carried masts, but its role has been replaced with RRVs; this is however academic as lorries would have had to deliver the masts to a loading point (i.e. Swindon Transfer Yard) to put them on the HOPS.)
Glad to see more masts are bound for Magor!

 

[Maurice Turner]

What are the plans for the bridge carrying the Valleys Line from Cardiff to Queen Street over the main line to be electrified? The clearance seems very low.

 

[59CosG95]

What are the plans for the bridge carrying the Valleys Line from Cardiff to Queen Street over the main line to be electrified? The clearance seems very low.

If I remember correctly, the bridge is due to be coated with a non-conductive paint (as well as being earthed), to eliminate the need to comprehensively rebuild the railway there. Don't have the weblink to hand unfortunately!

 

[PaulHarding150]

If I remember correctly, the bridge is due to be coated with a non-conductive paint (as well as being earthed), to eliminate the need to comprehensively rebuild the railway there. Don't have the weblink to hand unfortunately!

If memory serves me right, that was done around the end of 2017. The bridge has also been built up with parapets.

 

[tomos dafis]

If memory serves me right, that was done around the end of 2017. The bridge has also been built up with parapets.

Yes extra metal parapets have been added recently next to the valley lines as they cross the bridge. The new parapets slope towards the main line and carry the usual yellow "danger of death" warning signs.

 

[59CosG95]

Yes extra metal parapets have been added recently next to the valley lines as they cross the bridge. The new parapets slope towards the main line and carry the usual yellow "danger of death" warning signs.

Glad that obstacle's already been dealt with! If its completion was mentioned on here, it must have been lost in the maelstrom of wailing & gnashing of teeth which occupied most of 2017 after Cardiff-Swansea got "Graylinged", along with the hubbub surrounding the completion of the wiring between Maidenhead & Reading (allowing through electric services from London to Didcot).

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Incredible. BPW-STJ is almost complete leaving about 25 miles of track almost fully masted. How can that take a year to finish off? Can they go any slower without stopping?

It took NR 4 years to wire that length between Manchester and Euxton Jn (and only 2 tracks).

 

[superkev]

It took NR 4 years to wire that length between Manchester and Euxton Jn (and only 2 tracks).

Still not working for passenger trains. Total shambles.
K

 

[Banana]

Which usually doesn't end well for a council on appeal

And costs local people a fortune in legal fees.

 

[The Ham]

And costs local people a fortune in legal fees.

Not only that, but if it was something which was obviously blocked for political reasons and not planning policy the developers can claim costs against the council.

In reality that ends up with the tax payers paying for all the work done by the developers, their planning team and their legal costs since planning was refused.

Now I know some of the professionals who will be attending the appeal (which can last for days) will be charging in excess of £100/hour for their professional services (if they use a QC, which they often do, their fees are going to be several times that amount)

Given that they will be meeting before and after processings meaning easily 10 hour days. As such a team of 5 professionals for a five day appeal is going to cost at least £25,000 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than double that) even before all the work which leads up to that point.

As such a bill for more than £100,000 for developer costs probably isn't that uncommon, even for fairly small development proposals.

In fact, I've hear tell from one client (several years ago now) that they would assume planning costs of £100,000, given the nature of their proposals (as people didn't want it near them, but never found a planning reason not to have it) this always went to appeal and they always won with costs.

 

[Bikeman78]

And costs local people a fortune in legal fees.

Another option, already suggested by various people, would be to upgrade the byway immediately south of the railway to a proper road. Then both level crossings can be closed and the problem goes away. I'm sure one or both crossings could be replaced by a footbridge or subway for pedestrians.

 

[DidcotDickie]

Another option, already suggested by various people, would be to upgrade the byway immediately south of the railway to a proper road. Then both level crossings can be closed and the problem goes away. I'm sure one or both crossings could be replaced by a footbridge or subway for pedestrians.

Er, have you been along that byway? I have several times on my cyclocross bike and I don't see how it could be turned into a viable means of access to the part of Steventon south of the railway. Apart from the difficulty in upgrading the track (which is what it is), the junction with Steventon High St south of the bridge is completely unsuitable. You would be better off building a new road up to the junction at Milton Hill with the A4130.

Agree that some alternative access with closure (to road traffic) of at least one of the crossings is a good idea but, with the GWML electrification programme having totally blown its budget, who is going to pay for all of that?

 

[HowardGWR]

The sign at each end of the byway simply says 'not suitable for HGVs'. I can't see any reason why it could not be updated. It looks like there is plenty of room to make a better junction near the bridge, if just the corner of the field were appropriated. At the other end, the road could be diverted around the south side of the barn perhaps?
What do you think?

 

[The Ham]

The sign at each end of the byway simply says 'not suitable for HGVs'. I can't see any reason why it could not be updated. It looks like there is plenty of room to make a better junction near the bridge, if just the corner of the field were appropriated. At the other end, the road could be diverted around the south side of the barn perhaps?
What do you think?

Having a quick look it looks quite narrow, so would probable need to be widened just for motor traffic. To allow for a footway as well and a safe margin before any boundary and you could be looking at a corridor width of at least 8m and depending on what you are looking to provide maybe even approaching 10m wide.

The most likely way that such a road would be provided would be allocation of those fields were allocated for housing and a link road was a requirement of the development as the junction with the High Street would need to move south to facilitate the required visibility splays.

 

[59CosG95]

GWML Electrification: State of Play, as of 4/2/19.
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. The envelope of "live" wires continues along the South Wales Main Line to Filton Jct (inc. Bristol Parkway), and to the Limits of Wiring on the Berks & Hants line and Reading-Basingstoke Line; details are given below.
• TTCs have replaced/been replacing headspans at various locations within London - locations include Westway (beneath the A40), Acton Main Line, Ealing Broadway, and between Southall & H&H. These are part of the works for the Elizabeth Line.
• 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 (bar the goods lines north of P1, where provision is provided).

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.
• At Ealing Broadway, the staircase to P2/3 has been demolished and replacement with a new structure as part of the Crossrail works is now complete.
• Parapet Work extended upwards at Southbury Lane Bridge, Ruscombe; the wing walls remain unfinished. Original Coping stones have now been replaced.
• Platforms are being extended at Cholsey (country end), Goring & Streatley (London end), Pangbourne (country end), & Tilehurst (1 & 4 country end; 2 & 3 London end).
• Few masts and cantilevers now up on the Didcot Avoiding Line, which finish at Appleford; Appleford LC being the limit of structures for the time being.
• Oxford Lines west of Didcot Pkwy wired as far as the loco fuelling sdg; Down Oxford as far as 53m 31ch, Up Oxford as far as 53m 42ch. 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. "Temporary" parapet work to protect passers-by from stray currents now complete. Wires west of Causeway Crossing are only authorised for passenger service on 80x trains in both directions, however, 387s are allowed to run empty to/from Cocklebury sidings under AC. The discussion continues.
• Overruns through Swindon Jct (77m 36ch) onto the Golden Valley Line have also been wired.
• Swindon Cocklebury Sidings in operation for Class 387 stabling as of 2/1/19.

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.

• Both lines are to be considered LIVE (but not signed off for passenger use) from Wootton Bassett Jct to Christian Malford (93m 31ch) as of 10/2/2019.
• Catenary, contact & Earth wires are up over/adj. to both lines from Cocklebury Lane to Wootton Bassett Jct.
• ATF wires are now up from Wootton Bassett as far as the Auto-Transformer at Christian Malford. So far, this will be the western limit of AT feeding on the main line towards Bath.

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). Most TTCs have booms from beyond the viaduct to Thingley East Junction. 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.

Thingley Jct - Keynsham

• No wiring for the foreseeable future, but overbridges between Thingley Jct & Box Tunnel have all been rebuilt. Corsham Main Road Bridge needs its parapets raising. New aqueduct & footbridge at Corsham complete.
• Both Box & Middle Hill Tunnels have had track lowered.
• A new footbridge has been built at Ashley Box.
• Piles also in (and have been for over a year) at Ashley (beyond Box Tunnel) - these might well be trial piles.
• Bathampton Jct to beyond Sydney Gardens has had track lowered. A new signal gantry at Bathampton Jct was installed over Xmas 2017 but is not yet in use.
• Bath Spa platforms realigned & raised, with track also slewed.
• Track through Oldfield Park & Keynsham now lowered.
• A lot of piles are in along the embankment around Saltford and Keynsham in readiness for future wiring.

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

Wootton Bassett Jct to Filton Jct (inc. Bristol Parkway) - LIVE

• Wires from Wootton Bassett Jct to Bristol Parkway in passenger service since 30/12/18.
• All 6 through Lines at Bristol Parkway have been wired and are live.
• Live wires continue to Filton Jct & Stoke Gifford IEP Depot; Chipping Sodbury Goods Loop and the Cheltenham Curve overrun (as far as the limit of wiring) are also fully wired and live.
  • Limit of Live Wires on the Filton Lines (+ Down Bristol Parkway Relief): 112m 23ch.
  • Limit of Live Wires on the Charfield Lines (from Westerleigh Jct): 120m 59ch.
• Filton Bank bridge works (mileages all from Temple Meads):
  • Easton Rd Overbridge (1m 18ch) completely rebuilt.
  • Narroways FB (2m 12ch) & Ashley Hill FB (3m 11ch) replaced.
  • Bonnington Walk Overbridge (3m 62ch) - parapets raised.
  • FB south of Filton Abbey Wood (4m 18ch) will need work if wiring is to occur.

Filton Jct - Severn Tunnel

• The Summer 2018 Patchway/Severn Tunnel Blockade is now complete.
• Stoke Gifford IET Depot all wired - only the arrival road & sidings are energised. Some roads may also be energised, however the wheel lathe road is dead from the lathe shed to the buffer stops.
• Patchway Tunnels conductor rail installed.
• Wires extend westwards from Filton Jct through Patchway and Pilning (across all lines) to Ableton Lane Tunnel (10m 51ch to 10m 55ch; from Bristol Temple Meads); this carries the A403 over the line and is the last tunnel before the Severn Tunnel.
• Cattybrook Brickworks Bridge closed as of 18/3/18.

Severn Tunnel - Newport
Due to have IETs in AC service by next year - hopefully sooner!

• Severn Tunnel Conductor rail in place. A number of masts on both sides of the line are now up at Caldicot, just before the Western tunnel mouth; these now extend westwards towards the eastern end of the platforms at STJ.
• Virtually all masts & booms (where relevant) now in position at Severn Tunnel Junction. Cantilevers/SPS also in evidence.
• Feeder cables now hang from both the eastern set and western set of Switchgear Masts.
• All bridge rebuilding complete from Severn Tunnel Jct (149m 14ch) to Bishton Flyover (152m 30ch).
• Masts going up between Severn Tunnel Jct & Bishton Flyover. These include:
  • At least 11 between Undy (Church Rd Bridge) 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.
  • Two opposing pairs of TTC masts have gone up between Church Rd Bridge & the Playing Fields Footbridge.
  • Two large uprights have gone up between Undy Playing Fields footbridge & "the ramp" bridge at Magor on opposite sides of the line; these may well take a portal boom.
  • 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.
  • 3 of the 4 TTCs west of "the ramp" bridge (2 on the Down side, 1 on the Up side) bear SPS; a 4th TTC has been boomed on the up, opposite the more western boom on the Down side.
  • West of the 4 Magor TTCs, a Portal (due to take mid-point anchor terminations) has gone up.
  • The signal gantry at Magor (west of the West End Footbridge) has been replaced by 4 signals on posts; this should mean its removal prior to electrification is imminent. A TTC with SPS is up over the Mains there too.
  • 1 mast is up to the west of Redwick Rd Bridge (by the Down Relief), and a mast due to bear a portal is up to the east of Whitewall Footbridge (by the Up Main). A "Slim" TTC is up over the centre pair of lines just east of Redwick Rd bridge. OTP is in place for a masting operation by Redwick Rd compound.
  • Plenty of TTCs (all of them, perhaps?) and a 4-track portal are up between the A4810 and the bridge over the eastern end of Bishton Flyover. Steelwork (mainly TTCs) continues to a large Tensorex Anchor Portal at the eastern end of Bishton Flyover.
  • 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 single masts (with SPS fitted & folded) up along the Mains between the Flyover and Bishton LC. A run of Earth wire is now up on the Up side at Bishton.
• Between Bishton LC (153m 01ch) and Llanwern Golf Course, masts are around 90-95% up (all bar a few have booms and SPS), with the main gap at Llanwern Works East Connection (153m 05ch). This continues west towards Llanwern Works West Connection/Llanwern West Junction (156m 03ch to 156m 20ch). 4 masts (3 over the Mains, 1 over the Reliefs) also have booms & SPS immediately west of the LC.
• A run of Earth Wires & ATF wires have been strung up on the Relief side (adjacent to the DR) between Llanwern Works East Connection & Llanwern West Jct.
• All 4 lines are now wired past Llanwern Steelworks.
• Some masts have sprouted near Lliswerry pond.
• Piling taking place until Christmas Eve between Lliswerry & Maindee - presumed complete.
• 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

• All canopies now cut back.
• About 3 portal masts have now gone p over the eastern throat of the station; to join the 2 "square-section" portal booms and single Tensorex "TGBU" boom already in the offing.
• 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 now removed; 4-track portal of the "TGBU" (Thumpin' Great Big 'Un) variety has been installed in its place.
• A new portal has gone up at the east end of Newport, with all the fixings for switchgear affixed at the top. Droptubes for registration arms are also on.

Newport - Cardiff

• Plenty masts up around Gaer Jct (159m 32ch) north of Cardiff Rd Bridge (the B4237):
  • one by the Down Relief;
  • two by the Up Main (one of which is a boomed TTC with SPS);
  • three by the Gaer Jct - Park Jct Chord.
• Around 6 piles are in adjacent to the Up Main between Gaer Jct and Ebbw Jct (160m 07ch); 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.
• Lots of steelwork up immediately behind the signal gantry adjacent to the Up Main at Ebbw Jct; this includes a full portal boom and a TTC acting as an overrun mast on the Ebbw Vale branch.
• 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.
• 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).
• Wires up across all 4 tracks between Pengam Jct & Wentloog FLT - lengths of these are all unknown.
• 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; one of these has all its registration arms up.
• 1 run of C&C has gone up between Moorland Road Jct (168m 65ch) and Long Dyke Jct (169m 35ch) over the Reliefs; this is assumed to be a crossover as it crosses from one Relief line to the other.
• A handful of masts are also up around Long Dyke Jct; some have now gained TTC booms and SPS as well.
• Just east of St. Mary's St Bridge, 2 hexagonal Tensorex Portals have been erected over all tracks.
• Over the bridge over St. Mary's Street in Cardiff (just east of Central), and immediately to the west of the bridge, 5 portal booms spanning all tracks have gone up.
• Similar bespoke mast foundations are going in just east of Bute St Bridge, near the junction with the line from Queen Street.
• Splott Rd Bridge upgrade work now complete.

Cardiff Central - Platforms 0-4 to be wired

• 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.
• An Anchor Portal (of the hexagonal "TGBU" variety) has gone up over P2/3, just east of the canopies. This is the first portal over the Through Lines.
• Adjacent to that, a TTC for the P4 line has also been erected.
• Canopy cut-back work now underway (complete?) on P2.
• Brackets appear to be in place on the coping stones on the Taff Viaduct (at the western end of the station).
• Plenty piles up adjacent to Cardiff Canton.
• Brickwork Sidings to be increased in length (and electrified) to accommodate GWR Class 387s.
• Proposed Limit of Wiring: Leckwith Loop North Jct (171m 55ch) at a guess.

Swansea IEP Depot

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

GWML/SWML Blockade Works (2018):

• 6/7 to 3/12: Reduced capacity (2 lines only) for wiring work between Newport & Cardiff Ctl.
• 15/9 to 6/10, and 13/10 to 14/10: Bristol Parkway electrified.
• 27/10 to 18/11, 24-25/11, 1-2/12: Filton Bank 4-tracked.
• 11/11: Bristol TM to Bath Spa resignalled.
• December blockades at Bristol Parkway & Didcot Parkway done.
• Christmas-New Year Blockade at Severn Tunnel Jct done.

GWML/SWML Blockade Works (2019):

• 20/1/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central; done.
• 10/2/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central.
• 17/2/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work, presumably at Severn Tunnel Jct.
• 31/3/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central.
• 19/4/19 to 22/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel.
• 27/4/19 to 28/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel.
• More Blockades will follow; details as they become available.

Berks & Hants Line (Reading-Newbury) - LIVE
Electric trains in squadron service.

• Wires from Oxford Rd Jct are now LIVE to the limits of electrification (53m 42ch on the Newbury Lines, 38m 07ch on the Basingstoke Lines) as of 0650 on 21/10/18.
• Class 387s are now in service on Reading-Newbury services as of 31/12/18.
• Within Reading West, piles for the new footbridge (under Murphy's remit) are in, but have been "decapitated" (i.e. shortened) and capped until a new footbridge solution is found.
• Foot access from Reading West's Down platform to Oxford Rd has been repositioned - work might be soon beginning on a permanent footbridge replacement.
• Completion of parapet work for Tilehurst Rd overbridge is due to be in February, around the 24th. More fixings are now on the south parapet, and work has begun on adding fixings to the north parapet, behind the Heras fencing.
• Platforms extended at Reading West, Theale, Aldermaston and Thatcham.
• Newbury's new footbridge is now open - the lifts are not yet working, causing much local amusement/bemusement.
• Immunised signalling continues to about MP55 1/2. Bedwyn Turnback Siding now extended to accommodate 5-car IETs.

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; if CP6 accounts allow for wiring to be extended to Oxford, it would be very likely to happen now that Oxford has been remodelled.
• Catenary & Contact wires between Chippenham (Cocklebury Lane Overbridge) & Thingley Jct have been deferred until (presumably) CP6. 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 Bath in November 2018 - both done; the WSM stretch from Flax Bourton Tunnel to Cogload Jct remains outstanding), track remodelling and Filton Bank 4-tracking (done).
• 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).

 

[MikePJ]

Some pics of the London end of Cardiff Central, taken from platform 2.

 

[MikePJ]

Large portal between the island platforms (2 and 3) is currently the last electrification structure.

 

[59CosG95]

Large portal between the island platforms (2 and 3) is currently the last electrification structure.View attachment 58751

What an "absolute unit" of a boom.
With reference to the "State of Play" list, this is the Tensorex Anchor Portal that I've mentioned above.
There's another blockade this weekend, so I suspect that it may gain a few hombres on Sunday.

 

[3973EXL]

Southbury Lane bridge Ruscombe, nearly finished!

 

[59CosG95]

Southbury Lane bridge Ruscombe, nearly finished!

View attachment 58832 View attachment 58833 View attachment 58834 View attachment 58835 View attachment 58836 View attachment 58837 View attachment 58838 View attachment 58839 View attachment 58840

Goodness me, that looks like quite a bespoke parapet design - little wonder it's taken so long to implement!

 

[timatheronwood]

Rode in class 80x to and from Cardiff yesterday. Question is where do they change over to diesel power? It seemed to me that the diesels were turned on at Bristol Parkway, although at speed I did not notice a change in noise levels but then again I was concentrating on documents for meetings.

 

[MikePJ]

Rode in class 80x to and from Cardiff yesterday. Question is where do they change over to diesel power? It seemed to me that the diesels were turned on at Bristol Parkway, although at speed I did not notice a change in noise levels but then again I was concentrating on documents for meetings.

I'm on one now, having travelled from Cardiff this morning. We changed to electric during the stop at Bristol Parkway. I also didn't notice the diesels come on during my outward journey on Monday, because they're *very* quiet. The changeover to electric is more noticeable because there's a slight drop in noise and vibration followed by markedly better acceleration!