Lovely news - across all lines?The wires are as far as Undy @14:00hrs.
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.Hopefully they'll be electrified too - albeit in this control period. Henley & Windsor should be simple enough - Marlow is still a nightmare.
Not sure if all roads complete.Lovely news - across all lines?
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.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 ?
East of Reading.
Butts Hill Rd bridge Sonning Cutting has ad the parapet cladding painted.
View attachment 61988 View attachment 61987
Maybe they're hoping to accidentally cause damage to it, meaning they're forced to rebuild it. :PWork 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.
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?
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.
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.
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...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.
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.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.
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 believeI 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.
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.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?
Am I reading this right? TfW are just taking the Valley lines from Network Rail without paying anything for them?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.
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.Am I reading this right? TfW are just taking the Valley lines from Network Rail without paying anything for them?
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.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.
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.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.
Reading the latest issue of Modern Railways, NR have apparently provided passive provision for P6/7 to receive wires at a later date.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.