Great Western Electrification Progress

[3973EXL]

Reading West, additional steelwork gone up south of the station.

 

[Mintona]

The trackwork at western end of Cardiff Station is basically unchanged from what I can see from the recent re-signalling, the reason that they needed so many points and crossings is that is was not bi-directional, now it is, it needs a good simplification, I am sure most of them are not needed as the crossing of trains can now be done at the Eastern end of Cardiff. It is going to be a nightmare to wire up when they get around to it.

It’s really not that complicated. It works much better than it did before, you certainly spend less time waiting outside for a platform to become available. I’m not sure what you mean about the crossing of trains now being done at the eastern end, as that is exactly the scenario what the new layout has created that wasn’t available before. I doubt it will be more complicated to wire than somewhere like Reading.

 

[jimm]

The trackwork at western end of Cardiff Station is basically unchanged from what I can see from the recent re-signalling, the reason that they needed so many points and crossings is that is was not bi-directional, now it is, it needs a good simplification, I am sure most of them are not needed as the crossing of trains can now be done at the Eastern end of Cardiff. It is going to be a nightmare to wire up when they get around to it.

So you're sure, are you? Do you design track and signalling layouts for a living?

Network Rail doesn't install expensive pointwork and signals just because it can - that kit is there for a reason.

I would echo Mintona's remark about getting into a platform much faster - I haven't been on a single train that was held outside the station on recent visits to Cardiff, which used to be almost guaranteed in the past.

And I can think of one or two places where installation of overhead wires was/would be a lot more of a challenge than Cardiff.

 

[76020]

So you're sure, are you? Do you design track and signalling layouts for a living?

Network Rail doesn't install expensive pointwork and signals just because it can - that kit is there for a reason.

I would echo Mintona's remark about getting into a platform much faster - I haven't been on a single train that was held outside the station on recent visits to Cardiff, which used to be almost guaranteed in the past.

And I can think of one or two places where installation of overhead wires was/would be a lot more of a challenge than Cardiff.

No I do not work for Network Rail or design signalling layouts etc, the point I am trying to make is that the points and track work at western end of Cardiff station has been left untouched, there are many diamond crossings for example, now that there is bi-directional running through the station area, trains do not have to cross at the western end of the station to access the up main and relief lines at the eastern end.
The eastern end of Cardiff was completely redone and all the old point work was removed.
I do take your point that the re signalling has improved the flow of trains, but I still say it will not be easy to wire the western end, it will depend how much wiring will be needed as the electric trains will go no further than Cardiff station itself, they may do something simple just to hook it up to the new sub station at Canton.

 

[JN114]

No I do not work for Network Rail or design signalling layouts etc, the point I am trying to make is that the points and track work at western end of Cardiff station has been left untouched, there are many diamond crossings for example, now that there is bi-directional running through the station area, trains do not have to cross at the western end of the station to access the up main and relief lines at the eastern end.
The eastern end of Cardiff was completely redone and all the old point work was removed.
I do take your point that the re signalling has improved the flow of trains, but I still say it will not be easy to wire the western end, it will depend how much wiring will be needed as the electric trains will go no further than Cardiff station itself, they may do something simple just to hook it up to the new sub station at Canton.

The problem is, while the layout at the east end has changed; the timetable hasn’t changed to take advantage. At least 5 trains per hour arrive from the Newport direction; shunt out to the West End and then back into the station to depart back East. Taking a typical hour on a weekday:

XX19 arrival from Taunton shunts for the XX00 departure to Taunton (41 mins)

XX21 arrival from London Paddington shunts for the XX55 departure to London Paddington (44 mins)

XX26 arrival from Nottingham shunts for the XX45 departure to Nottingham (19 mins)

XX37 arrival from Ebbw Vale Town shunts for the XX34 departure to Ebbw Vale Town (53 mins)

XX42 arrival from Portsmouth shunts for the XX30 departure to Portsmouth (48 mins)

On top of that the following through trains operate on the mainline side, same typical hour on a weekday:

XX48 arr XX05 dep West Wales - North West

XX08 arr XX12 dep Cheltenham - Maesteg

XX13 arr XX18 dep Cheltenham - Maesteg

XX22 arr XX26 dep Swansea - London Paddington

XX37 arr XX40 dep North West - West Wales

XX47 arr XX50 London Paddington - Swansea

So the need to crossover is there to keep all those trains running without getting in each other’s way. The retiming exercise to get all of that to work and have reasonable dwell times for terminating services is extreme. They’re all diamonds and slips because of the need to cross all lines between the station and Canton depot.

 

[Phil G]

Second earth wire gone up just east of Chippenham at Langley Burrel. Nice to see work being done on this now almost forgotten branch with the push to Cardiff.

 

[EveningStar]

Travelled to Swansea yesterday and returned today. Being a very rare visitor to South Wales, I am not familiar with this route and wondering if somebody can answer a question (my apologies if I overlooked the answer in this thread) about the routing of services to avoid the electrification engineering work between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. My impression is that to avoid the electrification works, we took a separate route from Bishton to East Usk, which looking at my copy of Quail suggests the Llanwern service line. Is my impression correct or have I just assumed this from the separated section of down relief before Bishton? The return today I think was along the relief line and certainly over the Bishton Flyover, which makes me think that I am confusing myself about the service line in use for diversionary purposes. Can anybody enlighten me please?

 

[oglord]

Travelled to Swansea yesterday and returned today. Being a very rare visitor to South Wales, I am not familiar with this route and wondering if somebody can answer a question (my apologies if I overlooked the answer in this thread) about the routing of services to avoid the electrification engineering work between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. My impression is that to avoid the electrification works, we took a separate route from Bishton to East Usk, which looking at my copy of Quail suggests the Llanwern service line. Is my impression correct or have I just assumed this from the separated section of down relief before Bishton? The return today I think was along the relief line and certainly over the Bishton Flyover, which makes me think that I am confusing myself about the service line in use for diversionary purposes. Can anybody enlighten me please?

It is just the relief lines. Passenger trains are never routed into the Llanwern steelworks. For one thing, there is no passenger signalling there!

 

[EveningStar]

It is just the relief lines. Passenger trains are never routed into the Llanwern steelworks. For one thing, there is no passenger signalling there!

That is clear and thank you for the confirmation. Will teach me to do my homework before venturing somewhere largely unknown and to pay attention when I get there!

 

[D1009]

Travelled to Swansea yesterday and returned today. Being a very rare visitor to South Wales, I am not familiar with this route and wondering if somebody can answer a question (my apologies if I overlooked the answer in this thread) about the routing of services to avoid the electrification engineering work between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. My impression is that to avoid the electrification works, we took a separate route from Bishton to East Usk, which looking at my copy of Quail suggests the Llanwern service line. Is my impression correct or have I just assumed this from the separated section of down relief before Bishton? The return today I think was along the relief line and certainly over the Bishton Flyover, which makes me think that I am confusing myself about the service line in use for diversionary purposes. Can anybody enlighten me please?

If you've never been on the Down Relief before, it's a bit deceptive when you veer away from the main lines to pass to the left of the flyover, because you don't see the rest of the 4 track formation for some time.

 

[EveningStar]

If you've never been on the Down Relief before, it's a bit deceptive when you veer away from the main lines to pass to the left of the flyover, because you don't see the rest of the 4 track formation for some time.

That is what confused me ... very deceptive indeed.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

If you've never been on the Down Relief before, it's a bit deceptive when you veer away from the main lines to pass to the left of the flyover, because you don't see the rest of the 4 track formation for some time.

I’m not sure you can ‘veer’ at the gentle 40mph linespeed! Only one thing more boring than passing Llanwern steelworks - passing it on the Reliefs.

 

[JN114]

I’m not sure you can ‘veer’ at the gentle 40mph linespeed! Only one thing more boring than passing Llanwern steelworks - passing it on the Reliefs.

I dunno, you could “pass” it on the Goods at 10mph....

 

[edwin_m]

The problem is, while the layout at the east end has changed; the timetable hasn’t changed to take advantage. At least 5 trains per hour arrive from the Newport direction; shunt out to the West End and then back into the station to depart back East. Taking a typical hour on a weekday:

[5 trains]

On top of that the following through trains operate on the mainline side, same typical hour on a weekday:

[6 more trains]

So the need to crossover is there to keep all those trains running without getting in each other’s way. The retiming exercise to get all of that to work and have reasonable dwell times for terminating services is extreme. They’re all diamonds and slips because of the need to cross all lines between the station and Canton depot.

All these trains need to be handled at five* through platforms, and some of them need long turnaround times for service robustness and because of other things constraining their times elsewhere on their routes. So it's inevitable in any future timetable that a fair number of trains will still shunt out of the station and return just before departure. The east end crossovers give more flexibility to turn back trains with short turnarounds (it wouldn't be too surprising if the XC Nottingham reversed in the platform) and also means if a train is late it can arrive in its departure platform or depart from its arrival platform without needing time to shunt.

*Or possibly only four, depending on whether platform 4 ends up as being a Valley Lines platform - we don't yet know whether the winning Metro proposal needs it.

 

[veryoldbear]

News from sunny Steventon. They have installed some comedy frills along the parapets of the bridge to stop people poking the OLE with umbrellas. Stocks lane crossing will now be shut for a few days with restricted access via Causeway crossing (no pedestrians and shuttle bus) while they get on with the serious work of getting the wires up.

 

[Stewart2887]

Level crossing at Stocks lane been shut several times recently; barriers down and signs saying "operational incident". Plus the water works in Castle Street, must be grim to live there right now.

 

[D1009]

News from sunny Steventon. They have installed some comedy frills along the parapets of the bridge to stop people poking the OLE with umbrellas. Stocks lane crossing will now be shut for a few days with restricted access via Causeway crossing (no pedestrians and shuttle bus) while they get on with the serious work of getting the wires up.

Shuttle Bus??

 

[veryoldbear]

Yup, that's what NR inform us (the residents). I would assume its something to do with lengths of catenary and conductor etc being laid out, trip hazards, risk assessment and all that good stuff. Fortunately we live the right side of the tracks

 

[D1009]

Yup, that's what NR inform us (the residents). I would assume its something to do with lengths of catenary and conductor etc being laid out, trip hazards, risk assessment and all that good stuff. Fortunately we live the right side of the tracks

So have I read your post correctly, that Stocks Lane crossing is closed, road traffic can use Causeway crossing, but no pedestrians who have to travel by shuttle bus? That must be unique.

 

[veryoldbear]

Well, here y'go ....

 

[reddragon]

Rail replacement bus service yes, but pedestrian replacement bus service . . .

 

[Dai Corner]

That has

Rail replacement bus service yes, but pedestrian replacement bus service . . .

Does it run literally from one side of the tracks to the other? If so it must be the shortest bus journey ever.

 

[3973EXL]

News from sunny Steventon. They have installed some comedy frills along the parapets of the bridge to stop people poking the OLE with umbrellas. Stocks lane crossing will now be shut for a few days with restricted access via Causeway crossing (no pedestrians and shuttle bus) while they get on with the serious work of getting the wires up.

Yup, that's what NR inform us (the residents). I would assume its something to do with lengths of catenary and conductor etc being laid out, trip hazards, risk assessment and all that good stuff. Fortunately we live the right side of the tracks

Wires are already up.

Milton - Wantage Road to be energised WEF 10:00 Saturday 26th May.

Special arrangements are probably for energised and subsequent testing due to the circumstances at this location.

 

[DidcotDickie]

As 3973EXL says, the wires are already up. With the section to Wantage Road due to go live there will be much section testing and proving taking place. While this is going on they won't want pedestrians walking under the OLE. They can't close both crossings so I guess the arrangements are acceptable from a H&S perspective with road traffic restricted to The Causeway crossing.

 

[3973EXL]

Reading West

Looks like all the piles for the overhead masts are now in.

These two on the down side, London end, were just blue marks last week.


Two new piles country side of the up platform. On the down side opposite there are also 2 new piles.
They are behind the down platform and fence. You can just see them under the platform.

The existing 2 piles country end of the up platform.


Other piles on site are for the replacement footbridge. Looks like there are piles still to go in on the down side.
Two views of the down side and two of the up side.


Work coming Up.
https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering
Blocks
2/6 PM & 3/6 Reading to Basin/Newbury
4/6 to 7/6 Theale to Newbury
9/6 PM & 10/6 Reading to Basin/Newbury

 

[Stewart2887]

Wires are already up.



Special arrangements are probably for energised and subsequent testing due to the circumstances at this location.

Did the power get switched on? Did the shuttle bus run?

 

[59CosG95]

GWML Electrification: State of Play, week beginning 28/5/2018 - a bumper post-finals update from yours truly
All mileages given from Paddington, except where noted.
Paddington to Wantage Rd - LIVE

• All main line tracks wired within the M25.
• 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).
• With Effect From 10:00, 26/5/18, the current *live* wires end at Wantage Road (60m 22ch).

Small Points

• ATF wires in operation from Maidenhead to Didcot; Kensal Green to Maidenhead currently only using return conductors but will be AT-ready in the near future.
  • 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.
• On May 20th, all lines between Paddington and H&H were closed until 0800; further details of the work undertaken would be appreciated.
• Twyford platform extensions almost finished.
• 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.

Wantage Rd - Swindon - Wootton Bassett Jct: due to go live 7th of June 2018
All steelwork (including SPS) looks to be complete around Milton Junction, the last unwired section between the main Steventon-Swindon wires & the existing live section.
A note on Steventon: Wires up over the Level Crossings & under the High St Bridge (aka the "Brunel Bridge"); however, the bridge may well be demolished in CP6. The discussion continues.
Another note on the OLE west of Didcot - live wires are now as far as Wantage Road. They will reach as far as Wootton Bassett in June, testing with IETs will occur in July, and entry of IETs in AC passenger service occurs in September.

Steventon-Uffington-Swindon

• In the Steventon area (between MP55 3/4 and MP57 1/4), all wires over the Mains are up, with wires now extending eastwards to the existing live section at Milton Jct.
• *That* bridge at Steventon might need temporary parapet work, to protect the general public from stray currents after live wires extend to Swindon.
• The Down Steventon Goods Loop (DSGL; 55m 19ch to 56m 32ch) remains unwired at the western end.
• Wires over the Mains continue to approx MP72 1/4, where a small gap just east of Bourton X-overs remain only on the DM (the UM now being done). Both Bourton & Uffington X-overs wired.
• West of Bourton the DM wires resume, continuing to the western end of Swindon Station (see below).
  • The USGL at Stratton (Swindon Up Goods Loop) is also wired.
  • East of County Rd underbridge, the USR (Up Swindon Reception) & DSG (Down Swindon Goods) are also wired; on the USR, both wires are up to the east of the NR training centre, catenary only west of there.

Swindon Station (77m 23ch)

• Wires (both Catenary & Contact) up through P4 (Down Main), the through Road (Up Main), P3 (the Up Relief) and P1 (the Up Swindon Passenger Loop/USPL); the wires on the Mains continue past the Tensorex drums at the western end of the station. A registration arm is missing over the DM, and the UM only has a catenary wire going east to the existing wires at Rushey Platt.
• The Catenary wire on the USR runs through P3 and onwards to the Up Relief (UR), opposite the old Swindon 'B' PSB. The UR is then fully wired west of there to the existing wires at Rushey Platt (78m 36ch). A length of contact wire has gone up through P3, but the dropper arms have not yet been fixed to it. The wires on P1 are connected to the Swindon Recp via the Cocklebury Recp, but not at the direct connection immediately off the platform.
• The SPS over P1 has 2 arms in places; of these pairs, only one of each appears to be attached to the wires.
• P2 has now gained its catenary wire, along with the overrun stretches through Swindon Jct (77m 36ch) and onto the Golden Valley Line (i.e. the Down & Up Kemble Lines).
• The gaggle of tall masts at the Bristol end of the Main lines now have cables over them; this must be for ATF purposes.

Swindon-Wootton Bassett Jct

• Wires on both DM & UM resume around 77m 60ch (i.e. MP 77 3/4); these continue to MP96, just west of Hullavington (see below).
• Wootton Bassett Jct (83m 07ch), including the Up Wootton Bassett Goods Loop (UWBGL), is fully wired.

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.

• In the Down Cess just west of Wootton Bassett Jct, a lot of SPS is stored on pallets, ready to be installed.
• 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.
• Langley Burrell (east of Chippenham)
  • In the Crossing Rd area, all TTC-bearing masts appear to be up with their booms on. These masts have extended east towards Christian Malford too.
  • 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.
  • Single run of earth wire on the Up side between Langley Burrell & Christian Malford, now accompanied by a second run in Langley Burrell itself.
  • Masts also up (with booms) south of Langley Burrell to Cocklebury Lane Bridge (the new western limit of wiring on the route); SPS starting to appear on the thinner uprights.
  • The "termination" twin-track portal (plus inclined bracing arms) has now gone up west of Cocklebury Lane; this will eventually carry a group of Tensorex drums.

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 (MP 83 1/2) to around MP96, just west of (and including) Hullavington Loops & crossovers.
  • All masts, most SPS and earth wires now up through Acton Turville and Badminton.
  • Retaining walls drilled & bars inserted, ready to fix masts, at the eastern portals of Alderton Tunnel (97m 34ch) and Chipping Sodbury Tunnel.
  • O/H Conductor rail installed in Chipping Sodbury Tunnel (101m 06ch to 103m 48ch).
• Progress as well around Chipping Sodbury/Old Sodbury:
  • most (if not all) masts up, many with booms attached. West of the Frome Valley Walkway bridge (1st bridge west of the tunnel), two substantial portals have gone up at each end of the neutral section; the westernmost of the two has some SPS up on it. Both will eventually bear Tensorex drums.
  • SPS now up on all masts between the west portal of C.S. Tunnel and the Frome Valley Walkway bridge.
  • SPS up over all 3 lines west of Badminton Rd Bridge (3rd bridge west of the Tunnel); the Down Badminton (DB), the Up Badminton (UB) & Chipping Sodbury Goods Loop (CSGL).
  • Earth wires are now up through Old Sodbury (just west of C.S. Tunnel).
• Wires have now reached the footbridge at Yate (just east of Westerleigh Jct), and extend east to the compound at Wapley. The wires over the Down lin eextend further east still.
• From Westerleigh Jct to Bristol Parkway; fewer than 20 bases are mastless now. Most 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.
• Majority of 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

• 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, 16/6/18 to 6/7/18; 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.
• Masts, booms and SPS up through Patchway. When the conductor rail is being installed (16/6 to 6/7), wires will also be strung up through Patchway.
  • Cattybrook Brickworks Bridge closed as of 18/3/18.
• At Pilning, piling and masts appearing towards both Cattybrook & Severn Tunnel (https://flic.kr/p/26twWMw), Platform 2 now closed. SPS going up on some portals and masts too.

Approx. 70% masts now up between BPW and Severn Tunnel.

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 1 between Undy (Church Rd) and the M4 viaduct; over the mains just east of the "white house".
  • About 3 west of "the ramp" bridge at Magor; 2 on the Down side, 1 on the Up side, along with 1 east of the bridge (on the Up Side). Another can be found on the Up Side, west of the W End/Main Rd footbridge.
  • 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).
• 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

• P2 & P3 Canopies all cut back; P1 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.
• Some concrete bases in between stn & tunnels, perhaps for portals.
• 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. 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.
• 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.

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.

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 will be under a big possession for wiring.
• 30/6 to 1/7: Bristol Parkway - Swindon;
• 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

• Within Reading West, all 8 piles for OLE masts are now in; 2 more on the Up Side and 4 more on the Down side.
• 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.
• From Reading West to Southcote Jct, perhaps 75% (up from 60%) of masts at best up.
  • Immediately south of Reading West, 4 masts are in on the Up side; the closest one to the station has a TTC boom, and the furthest one (just north of Tilehurst Rd Bridge) is part of a portal boom (which will bear Tensorex drums) with an equivalent mast on the Down side. It can be assumed that the 2 in the middle will also bear TTC booms.
  • Between Tilehurst Rd Bridge and the A4 (Bath Road) Bridge, 4 slender masts (presumably for 2 "slender portals") have gone up to the south of Tilehurst Rd Bridge. One such "slender portal" is up just north of the A4 bridge. Between the "slender portals"/"slender portals-in-waiting", 5 TTC masts are in on the Up side (one of which has a boom), along with a thick mast on the Down side and a tall, thin mast on the Up side (presumably for power supply purposes).
  • Just short of Southcote Jct (37m 62ch), a cluster of about 6 masts (5 on the Down side, one on the Up) are are up, with 4 additional masts on the Up (Reading) side parallel to the junction.
  • Long-standing mast at Southcote Jct by the Up line from Newbury has recently had a support added.

Southcote Junction - Theale - Wigmore Lane LC

• From Southcote Jct past Calcot Mill FP crossing to Theale, the remaining masts, portals & cantilevers to be erected are all down to single figures.
• First SPS up in west of Southcote is around MP 38 1/2; SPS is still missing by the pointwork east of Theale & in a couple of other locations. 1 mast still needs to go up on the Up side, just east of the M4 bridge.
• During the May blockade, the main lines (Down Westbury/Up Westbury) were wired from east of Theale station, joining the pre-existing section near Wigmore Lane; the Up Westbury has a gap between Wigmore Lane & the western end of Theale. This gap excepted, wires are now continuous to just east of Kennet Viaduct (nr Newbury Racecourse).
• (The next structure east of the eastern limit of B&H wires is currently missing a portal.)
• In Theale Goods Loop, the Earth (AT) wire has now been hung. No catenary/contact wires yet.
• Platform extension works now underway at Theale.
• From Theale to Wigmore Lane, at the western end of Theale Goods Loop (42m 8ch), SPS is largely complete on the Mains, but the Loop still has some left to put up.

Wigmore Lane LC - Aldermaston - Midgham - Thatcham - Newbury Racecourse

• The platform extensions at Aldermaston and Thatcham are structurally complete; finishing works (e.g. levelling, fencing etc.) are all that remains to be done.
  • A short wire run from just east of Racecourse to just east of the overbridge linking the RC to Hambridge Lane has appeared on the Up line; there is still a gap between this section and the main wired "Theale to Thatcham Section" over Kennet Viaduct.
  • RC east X-overs still need wiring.
  • Earth wires and all SPS now up in Racecourse, with the SPS heading west to just short of Newbury (53m 06ch); this was attached during the 3rd (May) blockade. (moved from section below)
  Newbury Racecourse (excl.) - Newbury Town
  • At a glance, all heavy steelwork looks to be up between Newbury's stations. The first SPS east of Newbury has appeared on a portal approximately opposite the "Mole" warehouse; most SPS is up east of there. 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.
  • At Newbury, the new footbridge is now open (not the lifts yet); piling also taking place within the station, on the platforms. About 4 masts behind P1, along with a handful behind P2/P3 have also sprouted. At least 3 masts left to install. 2 masts are up between the footbridges (closest to the new one), and have gained a portal boom - the first within the station.
  • The old footbridge is now in the process of being removed. Canopies have been cut back during the 2nd (April) Blockade to facilitate this.
  • Between the western end of the platforms at Newbury, & Bartholomew St Bridge (at the western throat of the station), all the masts have had portal booms affixed. (It can be assumed that the portal booms will extend throughout the station.)
  • West of Bartholomew St Bridge, the uprights (no booms or SPS) extend past Rockingham Rd Bridge (about 200m west of the station) to roughly MP53 1/2; seems to be only one mast missing (the pile is, however, in).
  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: PM 2/6 thru 3/6, Reading-Newbury/Basingstoke; 4/6 thru 7/6, Theale-Newbury; PM 9/6 thru 10/6, Reading-Newbury/Basingstoke.
  • 9/7 to 12/7,
  • 16/7 to 5/8,
  • 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 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 (7/7 to 22/7); 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)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That is what I call the mother of all updates. Thank you. Please let us know when you get your exam results btw

 

[jyte]

Whoot he's back!

Congrats on finishing, another fantastic update as ever.

 

[Phil G]

Further update to just east of Chippenham at langley Burrel to Christian malford, the second earth wire has extended beyond Langley Burrel towards Christian malford. There is now a catenary wire and contact wire at Christian malford heading towards Langley Burrel. This is only about 5 miles from the new end of wiring east of Chippenham so I am wondering if this will now go live at the same time as Swindon to Bristol parkway.