MML Electrification: progress updates

[snowball]

People receiving the leaflet will know where they live and where the railway is.

 

[crablab]

In the versions I've received (different NR region) they do include a map with the limits of the worksite, compound etc. marked.

This was for more extensive track replacement though.

 

[59CosG95]

A letter received through the post by Network Rail regarding the latest electrification works -

Based on a RouteView/Visivi survey this covers:

• the MML from the access point north of B582 Blaby Road (SPC4 95m 880yds approx) up to the northern edge of Welford Road Cemetery at SPC4 98m 924yds;
• The Nuneaton - Leicester line from the western edge of Wilson Rd Industrial Estate eastwards, plus All of the northwestern side of the Wigston Triangle (WNS 14m 990yds to 15m 682yds)
• The southwestern edge of the Wigston Triangle (WNS 14m 990yds to WGP 95m 814yds)

 

[John R]

So is this a strong indication that the whole of the triangle, plus the MML to immediately south of Leicester station will be wired?

 

[Edvid]

• the MML from the access point north of B582 Blaby Road (SPC4 95m 880ch approx) [...]

That's a fancy way of saying 106 miles, you realise? Does that mean the bridge is being lifted to a spot 11 miles further down?

 

[59CosG95]

So is this a strong indication that the whole of the triangle, plus the MML to immediately south of Leicester station will be wired?

I don't think it's anything immediate; this is more likely to be for design surveys to do with potential structure placement, signal sighting etc.
Similar surveys in RS3 (around Barrow-on-Soar) have already been done.

 

[snowball]

It is described as work for electrification, suggesting that electrification through Leicester will not be held back for track remodelling.

A decision to that effect was reported upthread, but I think that was before the decision that electrification from Syston northwards would come first.

 

[edwin_m]

I don't think it's anything immediate; this is more likely to be for design surveys to do with potential structure placement, signal sighting etc.
Similar surveys in RS3 (around Barrow-on-Soar) have already been done.

It is described as work for electrification, suggesting that electrification through Leicester will not be held back for track remodelling.

A decision to that effect was reported upthread, but I think that was before the decision that electrification from Syston northwards would come first.

Pure surveying work wouldn't create any nuisance to neighbours. Perhaps it's de-vegetation so they can see what they need to survey.

 

[Roast Veg]

Difficult to cram a lidar machine into a buddleia I suspect

 

[zwk500]

It is described as work for electrification, suggesting that electrification through Leicester will not be held back for track remodelling.

The mileages suggest Leicester itself won't be touched.

 

[Eskimo]

Pure surveying work wouldn't create any nuisance to neighbours. Perhaps it's de-vegetation so they can see what they need to survey.

I’d imagine so. I suspect they’ll want to future proof that stretch with four-tracking in mind so deeper surveying / de-vegetation will be required.

 

[59CosG95]

Next Blockades for RS1:
24/09/2023 (Sunday)
21-22/10/2023 (Sat & Sun)
04-05/11/2023 (Sat & Sun)

All the above are complete closures between Kettering & Leicester via Mkt H'boro.

There are also 2 closures between West Hampstead Thameslink and Bedford, on:
01/10/2023 (Sunday)
07-08/2023 (Sat & Sun)

 

[Edvid]

I take it the latter two are the first of the OLE125 blockades, then. Given the stated aim of combining those works with others (like track renewals) for efficiency reasons, I can't see why else closing 46 miles of the London-Bedford section would be required.

I think 30/09/2023 (an ASLEF strike day - i.e. no trains) is set aside for those works too.

 

[59CosG95]

I take it the latter two are the first of the OLE125 blockades, then. Given the stated aim of combining those works with others (like track renewals) for efficiency reasons, I can't see why else closing 46 miles of the London-Bedford section would be required.

I think 30/09/2023 (an ASLEF strike day - i.e. no trains) is set aside for those works too.

The only other things I can think of are Brent Cross West related works, signalling works or more OLE Sectioning reconfiguration works (although Napsbury and East Hyde are both now live).

 

[edwin_m]

Next Blockades for RS1:
24/09/2023 (Sunday)
21-22/10/2023 (Sat & Sun)
04-05/11/2023 (Sat & Sun)

All the above are complete closures between Kettering & Leicester via Mkt H'boro.

There are also 2 closures between West Hampstead Thameslink and Bedford, on:
01/10/2023 (Sunday)
07-08/2023 (Sat & Sun)

From what I can glean from the fairly confusing information on the EMR website, both EMR and Thameslink are closed south of Bedford on the 1st, 7th and 8th with recourse to buses. I'd have thought it would have been better to do those on the same days as the closures through MH, so anyone with any choice of travel date could choose one where things were running reasonably normally.

 

[Flying Phil]

To confirm that there is still a half mile mast "gap" at the Braybrooke Supply site. The piles do appear to be ready for masts to go up and there is a bit more trackside electrical supply "stuff" ready to connect to the wires.


View to the South

View to the North.

 

[Edvid]

The piles on the south side certainly look ready; those on the north side look a bit high (from a layman's POV).

Street View now has a July 2023 shot from Harborough Road, between Market H'boro station and the Braybrooke gap.

 

[PJM]

Getting there Phil!

 

[snowball]

Nice view of different parapets here - you can switch between 2009 and 2022.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

 

[Class 170101]

From what I can glean from the fairly confusing information on the EMR website, both EMR and Thameslink are closed south of Bedford on the 1st, 7th and 8th with recourse to buses. I'd have thought it would have been better to do those on the same days as the closures through MH, so anyone with any choice of travel date could choose one where things were running reasonably normally.

I hope you aren't suggesting buses frfom the suburbs of London all the way to Leicester?

In any event double blocks like that aren't popular with passengers but also operators are struggling for buses as has been discussed previously on other threads, though it has not been raised here in recent months it is still a problem.

 

[Bald Rick]

From what I can glean from the fairly confusing information on the EMR website, both EMR and Thameslink are closed south of Bedford on the 1st, 7th and 8th with recourse to buses. I'd have thought it would have been better to do those on the same days as the closures through MH, so anyone with any choice of travel date could choose one where things were running reasonably normally.

When Kettering to Leicester is closed, a limited service is sent via Corby, enabling a reasonable level of direct service and of course services from Kettering and Wellingborough to London.

Closing the whole lot at once makes the bus operation significantly greater, and also means the ECML must be fully open throughout to cater for people diverted that way.

 

[59CosG95]

When Kettering to Leicester is closed, a limited service is sent via Corby, enabling a reasonable level of direct service and of course services from Kettering and Wellingborough to London.

Closing the whole lot at once makes the bus operation significantly greater, and also means the ECML must be fully open throughout to cater for people diverted that way.

Or at least London - Doncaster.
(I will say, I'm surprised there hasn't been a bus link from Kettering/Corby to Peterborough yet in times of engineering works - they are pretty much equivalent in terms of kilometrage from London!)

 

[edwin_m]

When Kettering to Leicester is closed, a limited service is sent via Corby, enabling a reasonable level of direct service and of course services from Kettering and Wellingborough to London.

Closing the whole lot at once makes the bus operation significantly greater, and also means the ECML must be fully open throughout to cater for people diverted that way.

Been there done that, although last time it was made considerably worse by the cancellation of one of the already reduced number of trains.

I guess the ECML would have to be open any day when there is a total closure south of Bedford, so whether or not there is also a closure via Market Harborough doesn't really affect that.

 

[londonmidland]

I asked Network Rail regarding the upcoming works and what it involves and this is what their response was:

…our PM has explained that...this work involves cutting into the existing track and replacing a 60’ length of rail with a new section of rail which includes an Insulated Rail Joint. The joint provides electrical separation for signalling track circuits. The additional joints are required to provide full isolation between non-electrified sections of the railway and the electrified areas.

These works require a small group of staff to cut the existing rails, remove the section of rail, install and weld the replacement rails in place. The rails often have track circuit tail cables connected to them. These will require the rails to be drilled and the cables reattached ready for testing of the affected track circuits.

Further signalling upgrades are necessary in other locations to ensure the signalling equipment is compatible for use in electric overhead line areas.

 

[Bald Rick]

I asked Network Rail regarding the upcoming works and what it involves and this is what their response was:

yep - it’s effectively signalling ‘immunisation’ works, which have to be done 1-2km beyond the extent of the electrification.

 

[Class 170101]

Closing the whole lot at once makes the bus operation significantly greater, and also means the ECML must be fully open throughout to cater for people diverted that way.

Surely the WCML needs to be open between Stoke and London too for the west side of the MML?

 

[Bald Rick]

Surely the WCML needs to be open between Stoke and London too for the west side of the MML?

That’s not usually an issue, Sheffield passengers will find journeys via Donny quicker in journey planners, and Derby - Nottingham - Grantham - London is nit that much different to Derby - Stoke - London. Besides the WCML is rarely fully closed on ‘ordinary’ weekends.

But in any event, this is the point, having only one ‘big’ block between Leicester and London means that worst case is that EMR passengers are bussed from Bedford or Luton across to Hitchin.

 

[td97]

I asked Network Rail regarding the upcoming works and what it involves and this is what their response was:

Very impressed that you've received such a detailed, technical response there! Good on the PR and PM teams.

 

[59CosG95]

I asked Network Rail regarding the upcoming works and what it involves and this is what their response was:

If this is for the section between Bedford & West Hampstead, could this be for a potential (ha-ha) power supply upgrade to auto-transformer feeding between Bedford & Borehamwood? (Or am I speculating wildly?)

 

[Energy]

Very impressed that you've received such a detailed, technical response there! Good on the PR and PM teams.

NR tends to be very good for providing detailed PR responses, their @NetworkRailSE has a few very detailed threads.