Great Western Electrification Progress

[stj]

The wires are as far as Undy @14:00hrs.

 

[59CosG95]

The wires are as far as Undy @14:00hrs.

Lovely news - across all lines?

 

[Non Multi]

Hopefully they'll be electrified too - albeit in this control period. Henley & Windsor should be simple enough - Marlow is still a nightmare.

I'm not sure Bourne End is a nightmare; (from the cl230 thread discussion) IIRC First Group people think that 3x20m units are feasible on the branch... Plenty of 3x20m AC EMUs around.

 

[stj]

Lovely news - across all lines?

Not sure if all roads complete.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Going back a bit and having travelled into Paddington a number of times recently ,I notice that the up loop which goes behind Iver station is wired but the track is not in very good condition and hardly used. What is the purpose of this loop and if it is for freight trains,or Crossrail trains when the service is fully operational ,will the track be fettled up beforehand ?

 

[swt_passenger]

Going back a bit and having travelled into Paddington a number of times recently ,I notice that the up loop which goes behind Iver station is wired but the track is not in very good condition and hardly used. What is the purpose of this loop and if it is for freight trains,or Crossrail trains when the service is fully operational ,will the track be fettled up beforehand ?

The early Crossrail track diagrams I have (that were downloaded from ORR website about 5 years ago) showed the up relief taking over the existing up loop and the present up relief line then becoming a bidirectional line suitable for looping freight in either direction.

At that time it seemed likely there’d have been up GW and Crossrail trains using the “5th line” all the way to West Drayton, where Crossrail would have been reversing part of their service in a central platform; but obviously that method of working will have been revised in the light of western extensions and timetable changes.

Haven’t seen any recent confirmation of what is now planned at Iver, it might just be intended as an up freight loop still.

 

[3973EXL]

Reading to Didcot Platform Extensions

Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring and Cholsey are still advertised front 7 of 8 cars.
Looking at the work today, the situation is as follows;
Tilehurst looks complete but barriered off.
Pangbourne complete and in use.
Goring more or less complete and barriered off.
Cholsey complete and in use.

Didcot platforms 2 & 3 extensions not yet in use.
2
3

 

[3973EXL]

Some bits and pieces from Reading West down the B&H.

Cables at Reading West have been re-routed, so the temporary bridge is coming down.

Less of the footbridge remains.

New stairs no yet in use.


Tilehurst Road bridge parapet still not complete.

Electrification compounds are being cleared and the ground made good.
Burghfield Road completed.
Padworth Lane just fencing to be removed.
Froulds Lane earthworks ongoing.

Newbury Racecourse Platforms 1 & 2. Operational area of these platforms is unchanged, so doors on only the first 3 cars open. DPL Platform 3 is open for its full length.

Theale station is supposed to be having platform access works, but this was not part of the electrification project. Grant money from another local project that could not be agreed.
May Bank holiday bridge work between Newbury and Kintbury is west of where the wires end.
River bridge between A34 & Hamstead LC.

East of Reading.
Butts Hill Rd bridge Sonning Cutting has had the parapet cladding painted.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

East of Reading.
Butts Hill Rd bridge Sonning Cutting has ad the parapet cladding painted.
View attachment 61988 View attachment 61987

I know it costs money - but this is where I would put a positive spin on road closures / bridge raising etc. Wouldn't it be lovely if the bridge and been raised and widened and a pedestrian footpath/cycle way or what ever put in - loads of benefits

 

[stj]

Looks like wires stop at the eastern end of Undy Village and not gone past the Vets.Will the power go on in sections or only when completed to Cardiff?

 

[Stewart2887]

Work started today on Steventon bridge. Not bridge renewal-installing new electric cables under the road surface. I stopped to ask the civil engineer what was going on-and he said the bridge was definitely not being demolished-planning refused. Work will take seven days-oh joy for us bridge users!

I was amazed that they are able to dig a deep trench in the bridge with trains passing underneath, especially given the concerns of the condition of the bridge.

 

[article17_gdpr]

Work started today on Steventon bridge. Not bridge renewal-installing new electric cables under the road surface. I stopped to ask the civil engineer what was going on-and he said the bridge was definitely not being demolished-planning refused. Work will take seven days-oh joy for us bridge users!

I was amazed that they are able to dig a deep trench in the bridge with trains passing underneath, especially given the concerns of the condition of the bridge.

Maybe they're hoping to accidentally cause damage to it, meaning they're forced to rebuild it. :P

 

[Linda.smith]

Looks like wires stop at the eastern end of Undy Village and not gone past the Vets.Will the power go on in sections or only when completed to Cardiff?

This is because of the gaps that still exist at Undy and Magor, where they were piling on friday of last week.

 

[JN114]

The early Crossrail track diagrams I have (that were downloaded from ORR website about 5 years ago) showed the up relief taking over the existing up loop and the present up relief line then becoming a bidirectional line suitable for looping freight in either direction.

At that time it seemed likely there’d have been up GW and Crossrail trains using the “5th line” all the way to West Drayton, where Crossrail would have been reversing part of their service in a central platform; but obviously that method of working will have been revised in the light of western extensions and timetable changes.

Haven’t seen any recent confirmation of what is now planned at Iver, it might just be intended as an up freight loop still.

The section between Iver and West Drayton West is signed out of use until further notice. The ultimate plan still sees it upgraded as a passenger line; along with 5th platforms at Iver and West Drayton. West Drayton Platform 5 is progressing well, I'm not sure they've even started on Iver yet.

The OHLE betrays the future upgrade - the wires for the "loop" diverge off the Up relief a bit closer to Langley for a future much-faster turnout that is yet to be installed.

 

[JN114]

Work started today on Steventon bridge. Not bridge renewal-installing new electric cables under the road surface. I stopped to ask the civil engineer what was going on-and he said the bridge was definitely not being demolished-planning refused. Work will take seven days-oh joy for us bridge users!

I was amazed that they are able to dig a deep trench in the bridge with trains passing underneath, especially given the concerns of the condition of the bridge.

The appeal into the planning decision isn't until Autumn IIRC. None of the heritage organisations are supporting the parish council's refusal; it appears the refusal was on the grounds of "because we can".

 

[swt_passenger]

The section between Iver and West Drayton West is signed out of use until further notice. The ultimate plan still sees it upgraded as a passenger line; along with 5th platforms at Iver and West Drayton. West Drayton Platform 5 is progressing well, I'm not sure they've even started on Iver yet.

The OHLE betrays the future upgrade - the wires for the "loop" diverge off the Up relief a bit closer to Langley for a future much-faster turnout that is yet to be installed.

Thanks for the update, seems to still be a work in progress then. I looked up the drawing I’ve got stored on the PC earlier, and it actually dates from as long ago as 2007 - good thing I didn’t try to sound too specific in the earlier reply...

 

[59CosG95]

GWML Electrification: State of Play, as of week commencing 23/4/19.
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. From Wootton Bassett Jct, 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.
• 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 from Tilehurst to Didcot Parkway.
  • Tilehurst - visually complete but barriered off.
  • Pangbourne - complete and in use. Still advertised as being 7 coaches long.
  • Goring & Streatley - visually complete but barriered off.
  • Cholsey - complete and in use. Still advertised as being 7 coaches long.
  • Didcot Parkway (P2 & P3) - visually complete but barriered off.
• 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 appeal to demolish the bridge is due to occur in the autumn (of 2019). 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) - LIVE
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 LIVE,signed off for passenger use, and in service from Wootton Bassett Jct to Christian Malford (93m 31ch) as of 0700 on 21/04/2019 (Easter Sunday).
• Catenary, contact & Earth wires are up over/adj. to both lines from Cocklebury Lane to Wootton Bassett Jct.
• Limit of AT Feeding: the Auto-Transformer at Christian Malford.

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

• Stoke Gifford IET Depot all wired and energised.
• Patchway Tunnels conductor rail installed.
• Wires extend westwards from Filton Jct through Patchway and Pilning (across all lines) to the Severn Tunnel (on BOTH lines).
• Limit of Live Wires on the Tunnel Lines is due to extend from Stoke Gifford Jct to Patchway Jct (112m 68ch) as of 0220 on 12/5/19.
• Cattybrook Brickworks Bridge closed since 18/3/18.

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

• Severn Tunnel Conductor rail in place.
• Wires are now up over all lines (both Tunnel Lines, both Main Lines & the Down Relief) at STJ Station; this also includes the overruns on the mains towards Chepstow. Wires continue westwards to Undy (not as far as the vets).
• The Up Tunnel Loop between STJ & the Tunnel is fully wired.
• Ground trunking currently being installed at STJ in preparation for the electrical feed.
• Feeder cables now hang from both the eastern set and western set of Switchgear Masts.
• Masts going up between the M4 Bridge & Bishton Flyover. These include:
  • Between Undy (Church Rd Bridge) and the M4 viaduct; these are mainly TTCs but also include an MPA Portal. Looks pretty much wire-ready.
  • 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.
  • 4 TTCs are up west of "the ramp" bridge; at least 3 bear SPS. West of these, 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.
  • Around the aforementioned doomed signal gantry, another MPA Portal and a 3-track portal have gone up, as well as more 4-track Portals & TTCs - the gap is closing!
  • 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.
  • This area of Magor (the site of the old station) still has a few gaps.
  • 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.
  • Over Bishton LC, ALL wires (2 Earths, 2 ATFs, and 4 C&C pairs) are now up. This continues past LLanwern Steelworks on all lines, with the Up Main (and perhaps Down Main) now wired as far as Somerton Rd Bridge.
• 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. The AEW on the Up side now continues to past Lliswerry Pond, where Bird Flight Deflectors have been installed.
• 6-track portals, probably 'Vierendeels', going up around 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 - 20/7/18 to 30/11/18 (done), and then January ‘19 to March ‘19 (done?).
• 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".
• The gap between the Maindee Triangle (Caerleon Rd Bridge) & East Usk Yard (Somerton Rd Bridge) is closing, with the erection of a number of back-to-back non-Series 1 TTCs in East Usk Yard.
• Fixings for masts have now been installed on the Usk Bridge; the first masts and booms for 4 track portals went in on 17/2/19, with the rest following over the weekend of 13-14/4/19. A Tensorex portal is up immediately east of the bridge. Two booms and 1 mast remain to be installed at the western end.

Newport

• All canopies now cut back.
• Bar 1 mast and at least 1 boom, all steelwork in Newport is complete.
• At least 90% of the SPS is up too.

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.
• Almost all steelwork up from Ebbw Jct to Long Dyke Jct (169m 35ch) east of Cardiff Central; most SPS is now up too.
• ATF wire installed on the Up Main between Lighthouse Rd & New Dairy Farm bridges. In the Up direction, the Earth Wire is in place until just before the bridge over the Ebbw River.
• Wires up across all 4 tracks between Pengam Jct (168m 40ch) & Wentloog FLT (in the Rumney area) - lengths of these are all unknown.
• About 4 or 5 portals have been erected just west of Pengam Jct; 5 masts are up on the Up side east of Rover Lane bridge, complemented by 2 on the Down side.
• 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.
• At Long Dyke Jct, all masts are up, and the ATF wire is now up over the Relief Lines.
• In the Pellet St area, a Mid Point Anchor Portal Boom has now gone up.
• 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 the London End Anchor Portal, a TTC for the P4 line has also been erected. Another TTC mast for P4 appears to have gone up at the country end.
• Another TTC mast for P2 & the Up Through Line has gone up at the Country End of the station.
• 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. A number of these now appear to have masts on them, as seen from a westward-facing shot from Central. Portals next?
• Brickwork Sidings to be increased in length (and electrified) to accommodate GWR Class 387s; the first masts and cantilevers have now gone up, with around 2 boomed TTCs and 2 STCs in position.
• 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. SPS, such as Insulators, Switchgear and Cantilevers have all been taken down, leaving only bare masts/booms in situ.

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, and 10/2/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central; both done.
• 17/2/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work over the Usk Bridge at Newport; done.
• 31/3/19: Newport to Bridgend blockaded (inc. Cardiff Central) for electrification work AT Cardiff Central; done.
• 19/4/19 to 22/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel Junction area; done.
• 27/4/19 to 28/4/19: Bristol Parkway to Newport blockaded for electrification work in the Severn Tunnel.
• 9/6/19: Details to follow.
• 16/6/19: Details to follow.
• 27/7/19 to 28/7/19: Details to follow.
• 25/8/19: Details to follow.
• 8/9/19: Details to follow.
• 14/9/19 to 15/9/19: Details to follow.
• 22/9/19: Details to follow.
• 29/9/19: Details to follow.
• 6/10/19: Details to follow.
• 13/10/19: Details to follow.
• 20/10/19: Details to follow.
• Details of any further blockades will be added as they are made available.

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

• Wires from Oxford Rd Jct are LIVE to the limits of electrification (53m 42ch on the Newbury Lines, 38m 07ch on the Basingstoke Lines) since 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.
• New stairs from Reading West's Down platform to Oxford Rd have been installed (but not yet operational)- work is ongoing for a permanent footbridge replacement.
• Murphy's have installed the cable duct beneath the London end of Reading West's platforms, meaning the temporary cable bridge is now being taken down.
• The "OFF" Theatre Indicator on the Down platform is now on its dedicated mast, rather than being attached to the old footbridge.
• Parapet work on Tilehurst Rd Overbridge has been completed, on the southern side. Completion of the northern side continues; last advertised closure came the weekend of 30th/31st of March, but the northern parapet has yet to be finished. Mountings look complete, however.
• Platforms extended at Reading West, Theale, Aldermaston and Thatcham.
• Newbury's new footbridge is now open; the lifts are now in service as of 19/4/19.
• 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 at least CP6. The first few yards of the Windsor branch (Not the Henley Branch) have been wired as an overrun.
  • Marlow removed from scope of current programme. The first few yards of the branch have been wired as an overrun.
  • Southcote Jct to Basingstoke deferred to at least CP6. The first few yards of the Basingstoke Lines have been wired as an overrun.
• 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 at least some point in CP6. All Large steelwork to remain, unless required elsewhere.
  
• Bristol Temple Meads to Bath & Bristol Parkway paused, dependent on Bristol resignalling:
  • Taunton-Bristol Parkway completed over Easter 2018;
  • Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa completed in November 2018;
  • The WSM stretch from Flax Bourton Tunnel to Cogload Jct remains outstanding;
  • Track remodelling of Bristol East Jct remains outstanding;
  • Filton Bank 4-tracking completed Autumn 2018.
• Bristol Temple Meads' "Midland Shed" to be reopened in CP6 at the earliest, 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).

 

[Envoy]

I see that the masts and horizontal beams have now been inserted on platform 4 at Cardiff Central. Surely, it would have made sense for the horizontal beams to have been long enough to also cover the neighbouring Platform 6 as it is the intention to have the south Wales Valleys lines electrified to 25Kv? So, it looks like that when the local lines are electrified that money will be wasted having to put masts up on Platform 6 instead of just using those now in place on Platform 4.

 

[PaulHarding150]

I see that the masts and horizontal beams have now been inserted on platform 4 at Cardiff Central. Surely, it would have made sense for the horizontal beams to have been long enough to also cover the neighbouring Platform 6 as it is the intention to have the south Wales Valleys lines electrified to 25Kv? So, it looks like that when the local lines are electrified that money will be wasted having to put masts up on Platform 6 instead of just using those now in place on Platform 4.

You’d think so wouldn’t you? It’s really depressing the lack of communication and joined up work between the two governments and/or Network Rail

I was impressed this morning (first time in a month or so I’ve taken a train from Central) how many extra masts and cantilevers have appeared.

There also seems to be the foundations of a mast on the paving by M&S to help reach part of Platform 0.

In unrelated electrification news the refurbishment of the clock on the station roof has been completed and is looking smart.

 

[59CosG95]

I see that the masts and horizontal beams have now been inserted on platform 4 at Cardiff Central. Surely, it would have made sense for the horizontal beams to have been long enough to also cover the neighbouring Platform 6 as it is the intention to have the south Wales Valleys lines electrified to 25Kv? So, it looks like that when the local lines are electrified that money will be wasted having to put masts up on Platform 6 instead of just using those now in place on Platform 4.

I agree, the lack of provision for the Valley Lines is depressing, but the WA never stipulated that it wanted wires over P6/7 as part of the GW programme - I think they wanted to do it themselves, especially after the overrunning costs and late-running of GWEP.

 

[Linda smith]

I agree, the lack of provision for the Valley Lines is depressing, but the WA never stipulated that it wanted wires over P6/7 as part of the GW programme - I think they wanted to do it themselves, especially after the overrunning costs and late-running of GWEP.

This may well be side issue with transport for Wales running things in the Cardiff area. I also believe that the electrification of the Cardiff valley lines has been talked about at part of the south Wales region metro plans. Which also includes the ebbw valley line having a 2nd road added north of risca, and a new spur to abertillery. All of which are due for electrification on that project I believe

 

[Nick Ashwell]

The Ebbw Valley line isn't currently set for electrification, only the core Valleys lines (that is those running through Queen St).

Why WAG didn't make things easier for themselves I don't know, does anyone know of the same electrification team is doing the Valleys when they finish the SWML or is it a different group?

 

[article17_gdpr]

The Ebbw Valley line isn't currently set for electrification, only the core Valleys lines (that is those running through Queen St).

Why WAG didn't make things easier for themselves I don't know, does anyone know of the same electrification team is doing the Valleys when they finish the SWML or is it a different group?

It's an entirely different group, as far as I'm aware. This seems to be true from discussions in the south Wales metro thread. The Ebbw Vale line was scoped to be electrified originally, however, that will remain Network rail property as it has to run partially on the South Wales mainline, same with Maesteg. Because of this they're not electrifying it yet.

 

[deltic08]

It's an entirely different group, as far as I'm aware. This seems to be true from discussions in the south Wales metro thread. The Ebbw Vale line was scoped to be electrified originally, however, that will remain Network rail property as it has to run partially on the South Wales mainline, same with Maesteg. Because of this they're not electrifying it yet.

Am I reading this right? TfW are just taking the Valley lines from Network Rail without paying anything for them?

 

[article17_gdpr]

Am I reading this right? TfW are just taking the Valley lines from Network Rail without paying anything for them?

Well it's Transport for Wales rather than the rail TOC. So it's the Welsh government being given it by the UK government. At that scale money is less important, it's probably being paid for in some form.

 

[edwin_m]

Network Rail are being relieved of the maintenance liabilities - so arguably they should be paying TfW!

 

[deltic08]

Well it's Transport for Wales rather than the rail TOC. So it's the Welsh government being given it by the UK government. At that scale money is less important, it's probably being paid for in some form.

But it is yet more disintegration of the National system. I thought the mess caused to our railways since privatisation would have been a lesson to us all without this as well.

 

[CapitalStar378]

But it is yet more disintegration of the National system. I thought the mess caused to our railways since privatisation would have been a lesson to us all without this as well.

The core Valley lines will be owned, maintained and run by TfW/Keolis Amey Wales which is very much like having a nationalised railway. Of course the rest of the Wales & Borders system will be run by TfW/KAW and owned by Network Rail, although it's similar to the TfL/LO model. It's all good progress away from the broken franchise system.

 

[article17_gdpr]

But it is yet more disintegration of the National system. I thought the mess caused to our railways since privatisation would have been a lesson to us all without this as well.

Going a little off topic.. but I'm all for local lines,which branch off the main network and only have one contact point like the valley lines mainly do, being handed over to local authorities to manage and maintain should they so wish. As long as they can get that handover smooth. It allows them to do a lot more with the system like light rail.

Getting back on topic I agree it is rather silly to not even have the long boom over both tracks so that at least platform 6 has some steel work ready.
I also noticed there seems to be no provisions for electrifying the freight line between platform 2 and 3, am I right in saying that other places do? Like the line behind platform 1 at Swindon. Bit of a missed opportunity really.

 

[59CosG95]

Going a little off topic.. but I'm all for local lines,which branch off the main network and only have one contact point like the valley lines mainly do, being handed over to local authorities to manage and maintain should they so wish. As long as they can get that handover smooth. It allows them to do a lot more with the system like light rail.

Getting back on topic I agree it is rather silly to not even have the long boom over both tracks so that at least platform 6 has some steel work ready.
I also noticed there seems to be no provisions for electrifying the freight line between platform 2 and 3, am I right in saying that other places do? Like the line behind platform 1 at Swindon. Bit of a missed opportunity really.

Reading the latest issue of Modern Railways, NR have apparently provided passive provision for P6/7 to receive wires at a later date.