MML Electrification: progress updates

[swt_passenger]

The likelihood of an up loop at Braybrooke was kicked firmly into the long grass by @Bald Rick in a similar discussion in this thread back in 2021.

Post #4308 reads:
“If there was any remote possibility of a loop being needed there, and the FS could have been provided without needing more non railway land, then it would have been kept clear. But there is no realistic prospect of a loop there.”

I expect there’s no need to worry about whether or not it’s physically possible.

 

[John Webb]

In the 'Public Notices' section of the Herts Advertiser published today (7th November 2024) there is a notice under the Transport and Works Act 1992 relating to Network Rail acquiring land not only between Kettering and Wigston South Junction but at Napsbury as well. The documents referred to won't be on the NR website until the 12th November. I'm wondering if the Napsbury aspect is to obtain land on the Down Fast side of the line opposite their current compound/access point/substation on the Up Slow side. It's land that's laid derelict for many years - since before I moved to the area in 1977!

 

[Bald Rick]

In the 'Public Notices' section of the Herts Advertiser published today (7th November 2024) there is a notice under the Transport and Works Act 1992 relating to Network Rail acquiring land not only between Kettering and Wigston South Junction but at Napsbury as well. The documents referred to won't be on the NR website until the 12th November. I'm wondering if the Napsbury aspect is to obtain land on the Down Fast side of the line opposite their current compound/access point/substation on the Up Slow side. It's land that's laid derelict for many years - since before I moved to the area in 1977!

That‘s really weird as I haven‘t had a copy of the Herts Ad for about a decade, but picked one up this evening in Tesco, and saw that very notice about half an hour ago! (Not knowing it would be there, either)

 

[Verulamius]

https://media.cdn.pagesuite.com/clipping/html5/1bde3d30-100d-4bdf-afa8-71a315079edd/28/20241107222152802/clipping.jpg

Copy of notice from Herts Advertiser.

It is on page 28 of the e edition freely available on the Herts Advertiser website

The Herts Advertiser

The Herts Advertiser - 07/11/2024

edition.pagesuite.com

 

[Edvid]

Thanks - just had a look for myself and it's also confirmed there won't be a replacement overbridge where Three Arches Bridge OB:34 used to be, seeing as...

[This Order] confers powers to extinguish rights over the railway at Bridge 34 in the District of North Northamptonshire, County of Northamptonshire.

And speaking of overbridges - OB:10 this time - Station Road between Wistow and Great Glen is still closed to road & pedestrian traffic (15 months past the planned reopening judging by an April 2023 Street View passby). What's the deal with that particular closure?

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks - just had a look for myself and it's also confirmed there won't be a replacement overbridge where Three Arches Bridge OB:34 used to be, seeing as...

When this was discussed back in May I thought it would be odd if it was replaced, given its original use as an accommodation bridge seemed unnecessary. It leads to the national grid compound that now has its own decent road from the local public highway. It didn’t carry a public right of way, as far as the OS map showed, so I believe this is the correct decision to be made.

 

[midland1]

Thanks - just had a look for myself and it's also confirmed there won't be a replacement overbridge where Three Arches Bridge OB:34 used to be, seeing as...


And speaking of overbridges - OB:10 this time - Station Road between Wistow and Great Glen is still closed to road & pedestrian traffic (15 months past the planned reopening judging by an April 2023 Street View passby). What's the deal with that particular closure?

I have used Station Road a number of times of late has it closed again, or do you mean Wistow Road.

 

[InTheEastMids]

I have used Station Road a number of times of late has it closed again, or do you mean Wistow Road.

Haven't been through there myself but according to the one.network used for traffic management, it looks like Station Road is closed until 29/11 (link takes you to the entry for it)

Causeway one.network

One platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.

one.network

 

[Snow1964]

New Transport and Works Act published 12 Nov 2024 for land related to Kettering to South Wigston section

Application by Network Rail for powers to:

• acquire compulsorily land and rights in land in connection with the electrification and improvement of the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction
• a right of access to that railway over a private road at Napsbury Lane in St Albans

Kettering to Wigston South Junction land rights: Transport and Works Act order

Application for land rights for the electrification and improvement of the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction.

www.gov.uk

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It seems weird as the section is already electrified.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Is it the St Albans bit that's new?

 

[InTheEastMids]

New Transport and Works Act published 12 Nov 2024 for land related to Kettering to South Wigston section

Kettering to Wigston South Junction land rights: Transport and Works Act order

Application for land rights for the electrification and improvement of the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction.

www.gov.uk

A quick inspection of a few of the sites and comparing with Google Earth imagery says this is about transferring ownership of bits of land already being used by Network Rail, e.g. to access the railway, the new bridge near Braybrooke, stuff like that and nothing to get excited about

 

[GRALISTAIR]

A quick inspection of a few of the sites and comparing with Google Earth imagery says this is about transferring ownership of bits of land already being used by Network Rail, e.g. to access the railway, the new bridge near Braybrooke, stuff like that and nothing to get excited about

So basically, legal niceties to reflect what is already happening?

 

[John Webb]

New Transport and Works Act published 12 Nov 2024 for land related to Kettering to South Wigston section

Kettering to Wigston South Junction land rights: Transport and Works Act order

Application for land rights for the electrification and improvement of the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction.

www.gov.uk

Thanks for flagging the publication and providing the link.

Is it the St Albans bit that's new?

No. The existing access point & substation area is reached via a private road at the entrance to the North Orbital Trading Estate. I expect NR wish to ensure they continue to have access.

 

[zwk500]

It seems weird as the section is already electrified.

Are the wires now live all the way to Wigston?

 

[Edvid]

Yes, though OLE use north of Kettering North (test trains aside) doesn't have ORR authorisation yet.

-----

OB:10 is also mentioned - extract from document NR06 Report Summarising Consultations Undertaken, listed with other TWAO documents on the NR MML page:

3.4 Glen Station Road Bridge (SPC3 10)

3.4.1 Affected landowners have been consulted on proposals to demolish and reconstruct Glen Station Road Bridge (SPC3 10) since October 2021. Negotiations were successful and licence agreements (signed 10th January 2023) were concluded with landowners to provide temporary compounds and access for construction activities. The bridge was demolished on 12th March 2023 and reconstruction was completed on 30th September 2023.

3.4.2 Powers are being sought to secure land for the installation and future maintenance of vehicle restraint barriers and traffic lights associated with the reconstructed bridge.

3.4.3 Discussions with landowners have been ongoing since June 2023 in relation to permanent land required for the highway improvement works described above Heads of terms have been agreed in principle, and formal acquisition is awaiting completion. However, powers of compulsory acquisition are still sought in the draft Order to provide certainty in the event that negotiations do not succeed. Highway agreements to carry out the works are in progress with Leicestershire County Council. Planning permission was granted for these highway improvement works by Harborough District Council on 31st October 2024.

3.4.4 Affected landowners and tenants received consultation letters in respect of the proposed application for the Order from Network Rail dated 10th September 2024 (see sample letter to landowners in Appendix II).

3.4.5 These letters set out what land and / or rights Network Rail is seeking to acquire under the Order, and explain that although Network Rail’s preference is to reach agreement with these stakeholders, as that had not been possible thus far, the intention was to seek powers under the Transport and Works Act 1992.

3.4.6 These letters provided stakeholders with an email address and telephone number to share their feedback on the Proposed Scheme prior to the consultation end date of 27th September 2024.

3.4.7 A response to TWAO consultation letters dated 10th September 2024 was received from one land agent, which provided additional details for a person with an interest in land, in this case a tenant. A copy of the consultation letter was sent to this tenant on 24th October 2024, with a closing date for response of 8th November 2024. No response has been received from this tenant.

 

[zwk500]

Yes, though OLE use north of Kettering North (test trains aside) doesn't have ORR authorisation yet.

Ah thanks, that probably explains how I'd missed (or forgotten) it.

 

[12LDA28C]

Are the wires now live all the way to Wigston?

Even if they are, as I understand it Class 810s have to run on diesel north of around Mill Hill Broadway as the OHLE can't supply enough current to power them.

 

[Edvid]

Power supply was upgraded for the 810s last year. At present the Mk3b OLE mechanical configuration (going back to 1982, more or less) necessitates an EMU100 differential, but works to upgrade it for 125mph usage in time for Class 810 entry into passenger service have been underway since last autumn.

 

[Bald Rick]

Even if they are, as I understand it Class 810s have to run on diesel north of around Mill Hill Broadway as the OHLE can't supply enough current to power them.

Theres more than enough juice.

 

[AM9]

Theres more than enough juice.

That's what I assumed, a 12-car class 700 draws 5MW and they are required to accelerate more often than the EMR trains to maintain headways for the throuigh express services. Isn't the diesel restriction an option if they are timetabled to exceed 100mph before the OLE dynamics improvement are completed?

 

[edwin_m]

That's what I assumed, a 12-car class 700 draws 5MW and they are required to accelerate more often than the EMR trains to maintain headways for the throuigh express services. Isn't the diesel restriction an option if they are timetabled to exceed 100mph before the OLE dynamics improvement are completed?

I think so, but someone mentioned way upthread that most of the sections where more than 100mph is possible have now had their upgrades done.

 

[12LDA28C]

Theres more than enough juice.

If that's true, why are there 'pan down' signs for 810 operation just north of MIL and 'pan up' signs just south of Kettering?

 

[dosxuk]

If that's true, why are there 'pan down' signs for 810 operation just north of MIL and 'pan up' signs just south of Kettering?

There are a miriad of potential reasons why the signs could be in place, other than there not being enough "juice". Not least the week known issues around the infrastructure being designed for 100mph usage that is still being sorted.

 

[AM9]

I think so, but someone mentioned way upthread that most of the sections where more than 100mph is possible have now had their upgrades done.

Would "more than 100mph" mean (say) 110 mph, which would be available for the EMR Connect services running between St P and Corby using upgraded class 360/1s?

 

[12LDA28C]

There are a miriad of potential reasons why the signs could be in place, other than there not being enough "juice". Not least the week known issues around the infrastructure being designed for 100mph usage that is still being sorted.

If that were the case I'd imagine there would simply be an instruction issued restricting 810s to 100mph maximum on this section.

 

[LalRattyMember]

There are a miriad of potential reasons why the signs could be in place, other than there not being enough "juice". Not least the week known issues around the infrastructure being designed for 100mph usage that is still being sorted.

I believe the answer was in Post #7387

 

[duffield]

If that were the case I'd imagine there would simply be an instruction issued restricting 810s to 100mph maximum on this section.

Then they might not fit in their path and might delay the normal passenger services. Not saying that is the reason but it's a possibility.

 

[Edvid]

If that's true, why are there 'pan down' signs for 810 operation just north of MIL and 'pan up' signs just south of Kettering?

They're for different purposes; in addition, they're both interim.

The pan up/down changeover near Kettering was designated to mark the southern limit of K2W OLE testing with the Colas test train. Those tests are now done so the signs should be removed in due course.

The pan up/down changeover between Mill Hill Broadway and the M1 overbridge is there to allow 810s to, as I see it, utilise the OLE at up to 100mph for 10-11 miles (between St Pancras and London Gateway motorway services) with minimal loss of sectional time over a ~5-mile 105/110mph stretch north of Cricklewood. Diesel operation between the services and Bedford would still be required to maintain sectional time; that said, there have only been a few days of Midland OLE usage by 810s for test purposes to date - between 8 & 11 October, if memory serves - and while the driver training runs (when they eventually start!) may have to adhere to these arrangements, the OLE125 works will probably be done before 810s carry paying passengers.

Would "more than 100mph" mean (say) 110 mph, which would be available for the EMR Connect services running between St P and Corby using upgraded class 360/1s?

Yes. The wire run retensioning will enable the 360s to operate at up to 110mph south of Bedford as well.

 

[edwin_m]

Yes. The wire run retensioning will enable the 360s to operate at up to 110mph south of Bedford as well.

Hopefully that makes the timetable a bit more reliable south of Kettering. Unless they just get stuck behind a Thameslink...