MML Electrification: progress updates

[PJM]

Stove pipes have appeared on the cantilevers in Little Bowden, Market Harborough.
Looking north by the footbridge...


.....south.

 

[59CosG95]

Stove pipes have appeared on the cantilevers in Little Bowden, Market Harborough.
Looking north by the footbridge...
View attachment 119242

.....south.
View attachment 119243

Looks good! I think the stovepipes here are mainly for the Earth Wire on the UM side; the ones carrying the actual cantilevers look to be square in section.

 

[swt_passenger]

Looks good! I think the stovepipes here are mainly for the Earth Wire on the UM side; the ones carrying the actual cantilevers look to be square in section.

Just occurred to me, is the choice between round and square to deal with preventing rotation of the stove pipe and the components directly fixed to it?

 

[59CosG95]

Just occurred to me, is the choice between round and square to deal with preventing rotation of the stove pipe and the components directly fixed to it?

Possibly - although the allocation of the pipes varies from route to route.
The WCML has cylindrical stovepipes on all its modernised runs (i.e. UK1 equipped).
More recently, the ECML nr Werrington Jn used square stovepipes for everything.

 

[swt_passenger]

Possibly - although the allocation of the pipes varies from route to route.
The WCML has cylindrical stovepipes on all its modernised runs (i.e. UK1 equipped).
More recently, the ECML nr Werrington Jn used square stovepipes for everything.

Oh well, I suppose it was worth asking but the railway always seems to complicate the answer…

 

[zwk500]

Oh well, I suppose it was worth asking but the railway always seems to complicate the answer…

Just the nature of different designs and suppliers, I suspect.

 

[59CosG95]

Taken from LinkedIn the other day; at Rushton (bridge SPC3-42) most of the cantilevers looking east (towards Kettering) have now been fitted to the stovepipes.

 

[ABB125]

Taken from LinkedIn the other day; at Rushton (bridge SPC3-42) most of the cantilevers looking east (towards Kettering) have now been fitted to the stovepipes.View attachment 119258

Is a third wire of some sort being installed on the far right of the cantilevers?

 

[59CosG95]

Is a third wire of some sort being installed on the far right of the cantilevers?

Yep, that'll be the earth wire. There should be clamps for a second earth wire to the left of them too.

 

[ABB125]

Yep, that'll be the earth wire. There should be clamps for a second earth wire to the left of them too.

I can't see any but I'll take your word for it!
This bit isn't autotransformer is it?

 

[59CosG95]

I can't see any but I'll take your word for it!
This bit isn't autotransformer is it?

AIUI this bit of the MML will have auto-transformer feeding in use, but these are likely to come into play later down the line. Most of the single track masts have the additional height on them to fix ATF insulators above the cantilevers; an 800mm gap between the ATF (if bare) and main conductors is mandated by NR. I've certainly seen no ATF insulators installed yet, but that doesn't mean that they won't be.

As for the EW clamps, the UM ones are directly on the masts and are a little harder to spot - but they are there.

 

[ABB125]

AIUI this bit of the MML will have auto-transformer feeding in use, but these are likely to come into play later down the line. Most of the single track masts have the additional height on them to fix ATF insulators above the cantilevers; an 800mm gap between the ATF (if bare) and main conductors is mandated by NR. I've certainly seen no ATF insulators installed yet, but that doesn't mean that they won't be.

As for the EW clamps, the UM ones are directly on the masts and are a little harder to spot - but they are there.

Ah ok, thanks

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

That being said, I've had a look on Kettering Borough Council's website, and the following applications should be of interest to people on here:

• NK/2021/0633 - Bridge SPC3/42 (Rushton) - shows details of new bridge reconstructed in place of existing.
• NK/2021/0748 - Bridge SPC3/39, Harborough Rd (B576) - shows details of bridge parapet alterations to facilitate electrification.
• NK/2021/0745 - Bridge SPC3/40, Pipewell Rd - shows details of bridge parapet alterations to facilitate electrification.
• NK/2021/0775 - Bridge SPC3/34 (Three Arch Bridge), Braybrooke - shows details of bridge parapet alterations to facilitate electrification.
• NK/2022/0389 - Bridge SPC3/35 (Newtons Bridge), Braybrooke - shows details of new bridge installed to south of existing, and removal of existing bridge
• NK/2022/0407 - Bridge SPC3/42 (Rushton) - shows details of revised approach on Up Main side following bridge reconstruction

(no such joy yet on the Harborough District Council Website btw)

Surprised this isn't permitted development so no need to notify but helps us keep abreast of what the plans are.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Surprised this isn't permitted development so no need to notify but helps us keep abreast of what the plans are.

Assuming the Newtons Bridge submission is representative of the others, they will be mostly/wholly under permitted development

The application (and I presume the others) are basically NR evidencing to the LPA that they fall within NR's permitted development rights and ensure the LPA have been given the information needed to assess and challenge that, if it were felt this were contested

The application covering letter that sets this out, as what I think they are saying is that replacing the bridge with something similar size/scale are PD, but doing something that was materially different in terms of location, size, scale and visual impact on the landscape would need a full planning application. I hadn't really thought too much about all this, but it makes sense since permitted development doesn't mean development without consultation or restriction.

Noticed in the drawings that the design retains provision for a third track on the up side (I guess it's possible in the next 120 years or whatever the design life of the bridge!)

 

[Chris.P]

Contact wires are in place either side of Bridge SPC3/37F - A6 Desborough Bypass. Stops short of Bridge SPC3/37 - Chaters to the north. Not sure how far they stretch south towards the Desborough Gap.

 

[59CosG95]

Contact wires are in place either side of Bridge SPC3/37F - A6 Desborough Bypass. Stops short of Bridge SPC3/37 - Chaters to the north. Not sure how far they stretch south towards the Desborough Gap.

Spicy!

They don't reach Bridge SPC3/38 - Judges; that I can confirm.

View north from SPC3/38:


View south:


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2022 ==

Meanwhile at Braybrooke Compound...

1) 3-4 Cantilevers are sitting on a frame, ready for attachment. Judging by the differing sizes of the clamps for the catenary (aka Castles), they must be for an overlap.


2) Various trough sections, both concrete and walkable GRP, have been stored at the Mkt Hboro end of the compound.


3) As per Point 2.


4) Bits of ducting & drainage catchpits/cable jointing bays are also on site.

 

[zwk500]

They don't reach Bridge SPC3/38 - Judges; that I can confirm.

Apologies for having not quite kept up, but could somebody answer the following questions please?

Exactly how far north has now been fully funded and committed? Of this, are all the masts up or are some sections still waiting for big steelwork/piles? And how much wiring still requires to be fitted?
Separately, have invitations to tender for the contracts for any later sections been issued by DfT/NR?

 

[snowball]

Apologies for having not quite kept up, but could somebody answer the following questions please?

Exactly how far north has now been fully funded and committed?

Wigston South Junction.

Of this, are all the masts up or are some sections still waiting for big steelwork/piles? And how much wiring still requires to be fitted?

Others will correct me, but a lot done as far as Market Harborough, very little north of there

Separately, have invitations to tender for the contracts for any later sections been issued by DfT/NR?

No, though there has been some preliminary contractor engagement.

 

[zwk500]

Wigston South Junction.

Have contracts been signed/work begun on this section? Sorry, I'm just a little confused by references to the Desborough Gap, implying work has started north of MH when I thought the Wigston Section had only been approved but not contracts issued. I took my eye off this project for a bit and am just catching up now!

 

[59CosG95]

View from Braybrooke Bridleway Bridge (SPC3/35AA):

Looking west - not much change in the mast/pile situation but work to replace Newtons Bridge (SPC3/35) in the distance is evident.

Looking east - looks like all cantilever stovepipes are in, along with all EW clamps and pipes (at least as far as the overlap at bridge SPC3/37). Several TTCs didn't have their EW pipes in, but this has been resolved now.

The only TTC without both EW clamps is the one nearest bridge 35AA - namely SPC3/129.381/UM, which currently lacks a DM stovepipe for the EW.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2022 ==

Lastly, an update on the embankment east of Rushton (generally the Station Rd U/B (SPC3/45) area).
Cantilevers are going in from just before the overlap to the MPA portal.

 

[Nottingham59]

Have contracts been signed/work begun on this section? Sorry, I'm just a little confused by references to the Desborough Gap, implying work has started north of MH when I thought the Wigston Section had only been approved but not contracts issued. I took my eye off this project for a bit and am just catching up now!

AIUI, the section to Wigston South is now a live project. The presentation referred to in this post shows what was said at the public meetings.

The presentation (in PDF form) from the recent 'NR + public' meetings at places north of Mkt Harboro' has been published on NR's website.

It also gives locations of work compounds and substations (compounds in yellow, substations in pink):

• One at East Langton (where there'll also be a substation; East Langton ATS if memory serves),
• One at Kibworth Harcourt (Wistow Rd; no substation), and
• One at South Wigston (either side of Blaby Rd Overbridge; compound to the north, substation (South Wigston SATS) to the south).

Timescales are also given for the next phases of the work:

• Ground Trial Holes: started 15/7/22, planned to run to 29/10/22;
• Compound Setup & Road Rail Access Point (RRAP) install: started 15/7/22, planned to run to 27/10/22;
• Vegetation Management: started 15/7/22, planned to run to 6/6/23;
• Piling: planned to run from October 2022 to August 2023;
• Steel installation (assuming main steel & small part steel): planned to run from November 2022 to September 2023;
• Wiring: planned to run from January 2023 to December 2023; and
• Adjustments & Assurance: planned to run from February 2023 to January 2024.

Midland Main Line Upgrade - Network Rail

We’ve started the biggest programme of improvements to the line since its completion in 1870.

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

AIUI, the section to Wigston South is now a live project. The presentation referred to in this post shows what was said at the public meetings.

Midland Main Line Upgrade - Network Rail

We’ve started the biggest programme of improvements to the line since its completion in 1870.

www.networkrail.co.uk

Aha! Much obliged, 18 July would tie quite nicely with me being rather distracted at the time! (I know I posted around then, but I wasn't paying as much attention as I might like!)

 

[PJM]

The missing cantilever by the footbridge in Little Bowden, Market Harborough has appeared with two stove pipes. One smaller than the other?

 

[swt_passenger]

The missing cantilever by the footbridge in Little Bowden, Market Harborough has appeared with two stove pipes. One smaller than the other?
View attachment 120026

That’s one stove pipe on the left for an overhead line, but another will be fitted for the other track. The smaller tube on the right is to carry another wire, I think it’s an aerial earth wire that was mentioned earlier.

But if you check out the earlier photos in post #5630 you’ll see some with the 3 stovepipes fitted. The 4th photo probably shows it best.

 

[PJM]

That’s one stove pipe on the left for an overhead line, but another will be fitted for the other track. The smaller tube on the right is to carry another wire, I think it’s an aerial earth wire that was mentioned earlier.

But if you check out the earlier photos in post #5630 you’ll see some with the 3 stovepipes fitted. The 4th photo probably shows it best.

Thank you, interesting.

 

[StRicardo]

This may not be the right place - I apologise.
Once the electrification is completed to Leicester what will be the effect on the timetable/service?
For example will Market Harborough have an improved service - faster more frequent trains?

 

[John R]

This may not be the right place - I apologise.
Once the electrification is completed to Leicester what will be the effect on the timetable/service?
For example will Market Harborough have an improved service - faster more frequent trains?

This is an infrastructure thread so it’s probably not the right place, but I think it’s fairly certain that there will be no change to the service, particularly as the current work will not even get as far as the station.

 

[59CosG95]

This is an infrastructure thread so it’s probably not the right place, but I think it’s fairly certain that there will be no change to the service, particularly as the current work will not even get as far as the station.

Agreed - any further timetable changes are a way off yet.

 

[Killingworth]

Agreed - any further timetable changes are a way off yet.

The reality is that Network Rail is tasked with providing the infrastructure to provide a given capacity for services. The operators must have ideas for what they might like them to be but currently they have their hands full dealing with the here and now. Like getting new rolling stock delivered, tested and into service.

I have this dream that I live long enough to board a fully electric service from Sheffield to.... anywhere (Parkgate by Tramtrain doesnt really count.). Connecting to nearest electrifurd lines at Doncaster and Leeds would have been good. To London by 2030 we're told. Dreaming on.

 

[BrianW]

This may not be the right place - I apologise.
Once the electrification is completed to Leicester what will be the effect on the timetable/service?
For example will Market Harborough have an improved service - faster more frequent trains?

St Ricardo, welcome (in case that's not been said). I think many of us have those uncertainties about 'what goes where', esp e.g those who, like me, are inclined to go off (one way or another) on some tangent or another, like we do in conversation. I'm sure that if the Moderators (for which thanks for their attentiveness and support) think it better somewhere else they will see to it, and inform, as they have with some of my 'contributions'. I encourage you to keep on putting your thoughts in ...