MML Electrification: progress updates

[eastwestdivide]

I've just had a peek at the Google Satellite view of Manston Junction shows the crossover near the tunnel & the single lead junction still in place.

Then again, how often are the images updated?

Google doesn't show the North Doncaster Chord (Joan Croft flyover) or any of its construction works either, and that's been in use since 2014. So "not as often as you'd like" is the answer!

 

[Ploughman]

It took 8 years for my works van to disappear from outside my house after I retired.

 

[Domh245]

The google map images for Nottingham appear to date from 2007!

 

[TheBigD]

Deleted

 

[cogload]

I think its a cultural difference.

In Britain the law is supreme and is to be obeyed above all.
In much of continental europe it is really not.

Really? I was under the impression that legal theory had Parliament as supreme in the UK, whilst on continental Europe countries take a more dualist approach. So the German Basic law is guarded jealously by the German Constitutional Court and woe betide any politician who tries to override it.

 

[cogload]

Given a couple of years Brexit will have kicked in. We will have left the EC and make our own rules again.

Now that will save lots of cash and unnecessary work.

No. It will increase the cost if the UK starts to deviate from a set of common standards which pushes up the unit cost price.

 

[HSTEd]

Really? I was under the impression that legal theory had Parliament as supreme in the UK, whilst on continental Europe countries take a more dualist approach. So the German Basic law is guarded jealously by the German Constitutional Court and woe betide any politician who tries to override it.

I mean in that the law as written is obeyed to the letter.
There seems to be far more cultural willingness to bend the rules in much of Europe

 

[jyte]

Can we get this thread back on topic please...

 

[InTheEastMids]

Can we get this thread back on topic please...

OK. There have been a couple of big weekend shutdowns between Leicester and Bedford recently. Was this electrification related?

I mean in that the law as written is obeyed to the letter.
There seems to be far more cultural willingness to bend the rules in much of Europe

People should be careful not to confuse law breaking and failure to enforce laws, with the process of transposition whereby EU directives -the agreements between EU governments to act together - are converted into law by each member state.

 

[richieb1971]

Been a couple of big weekend shutdowns between Leicester and Bedford recently. Was this electrification related?

Don't know for sure but the 4th tracking between has been gathering pace in recent weeks. Sharnbrook to Wellingborough seems to be moving along nicely. No evidence of OHLE though.

 

[Mugby]

I presume the intention is to restore quadruple tracks through to Kettering North (or Glendon South!)

I read somewhere that the 75 miles or so from St. Pancras was once the longest stretch of quadruple track in the world.
I wonder if this will once again be the case?

 

[DanTrain]

I presume the intention is to restore quadruple tracks through to Kettering North (or Glendon South!)

I read somewhere that the 75 miles or so from St. Pancras was once the longest stretch of quadruple track in the world.
I wonder if this will once again be the case?

Indeed, I always thought St Pancras - Bedford was the longest continuous 4-track in the UK, although I'd have thought the WCML might have something to say about that.

 

[Domh245]

Indeed, I always thought St Pancras - Bedford was the longest continuous 4-track in the UK, although I'd have thought the WCML might have something to say about that.

I've just checked Railmiles, and the MML beats the WCML by a few chains. 56mi 22ch from Euston to Hanslope Junction (where the 4 track WCML splits off from the Northampton Loop), whilst St Pancras to Sharnbrook Junction (4 tracks to 3) is 56mi 39ch

 

[snowball]

I've just checked Railmiles, and the MML beats the WCML by a few chains. 56mi 22ch from Euston to Hanslope Junction (where the 4 track WCML splits off from the Northampton Loop), whilst St Pancras to Sharnbrook Junction (4 tracks to 3) is 56mi 39ch

However the geographical split of the Euston lines is not until Roade, so if the junction were to be moved back from Hanslope to Roade, and the the WCML would be the clear winner.

Of course that's pretending 4-tracking north of Sharnbrook doesn't happen.

 

[Mugby]

I was under the impression that the quadruple track on the Midland was regarded as St. Pancras to Glendon in it's entirety.

I wasn't aware that the Sharnbrook deviation for the Goods lines (as they were) negated the claim?

 

[snowball]

This press release claims to include a video but I don't see one.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/video-landmark-step-on-midland-main-line-upgrade-takes-place/

VIDEO: Landmark step on Midland Main Line Upgrade takes place

Network Rail reached a significant milestone in work to upgrade the line between London and Corby as overhead line masts for electrification were installed on the route for the first time in over 40 years.

The improvements being delivered will enable fast, comfortable and green services, with more seats.

The work is part of the biggest upgrade of the Midland Main Line since it was completed in 1870, which will see improvements up and down the route and an investment of over £1billion. This latest milestone saw 40 masts erected on a section of the line between Kettering and Corby in just a few days. When the work is complete, it will benefit both passengers and lineside neighbours.

The new structures will hold the overhead line equipment that will carry 25,000-volts needed to power new trains on the route and were installed by engineers who had to carefully align and then secure the five metre masts onto cylindrical, steel piles which were installed earlier this year.

This landmark step builds on upgrades that have already taken place on this part of the Midland Main Line. This includes raising and strengthening bridges and installing 10,000 yards of fencing to maintain a safe distance from electrified wires, as well as installing new track and signalling between Kettering and Corby to increase capacity for both passenger and freight services.

The Midland Main Line Upgrade also includes installing new track south of Kettering; resignalling, track and platform construction and line speed improvements in Derby; capacity and line speed improvements between Bedford and Market Harborough; and longer platforms and a more accessible station at Market Harborough. From 2020, passengers will benefit smoother journeys, more seats and a modern and reliable railway. Those living near the railway will also benefit from reduced noise and emisisons with the introduction of a modern fleet of trains.

Rob McIntosh, route managing director at Network Rail, said: “Reaching this landmark step on the upgrade of the Midland Main Line has real significance. It brings us a step closer to transforming rail travel for passengers in the East Midlands region as well as those travelling through it.

“Coupled with our projects elsewhere on the route, this upgrade will bring real, meaningful benefits to the communities and economies our railway serves.”

Jake Kelly, Managing Director at East Midlands Trains, added: “We are working closely with Network Rail along the length of the Midland Main Line to deliver benefits for customers as swiftly as possible.

“It is therefore great news to see the first new masts going up and we will continue to work together to deliver the improvements and investment across the region.”

 

[Mordac]

This press release claims to include a video but I don't see one.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/video-landmark-step-on-midland-main-line-upgrade-takes-place/

Here:

 

[jyte]

Whoot!

Wonder if the project's more visible elements will start picking up more steam now.

 

[snowball]

Anyone know where the first masts are?

 

[A0]

Anyone know where the first masts are?

Between Kettering and Corby according to the release above.

My guess would be in the Oakley area where it runs parallel to the A43.

 

[HowardGWR]

Very odd how the NR video drew the map from Corby to Kettering, as if is was so that trains had to reverse at Kettering to proceed towards Bedford.

 

[Hophead]

I note that one of the subtitles referred to work continuing till 2020. I was under the impression that electric trains would be running in December 2019 (though I would not regard myself a fount of all Network Rail knowledge). Does anybody have a better idea of the anticipated completion?

 

[Bald Rick]

I've just checked Railmiles, and the MML beats the WCML by a few chains. 56mi 22ch from Euston to Hanslope Junction (where the 4 track WCML splits off from the Northampton Loop), whilst St Pancras to Sharnbrook Junction (4 tracks to 3) is 56mi 39ch

Except, of course, the MML doesn't have 4 running lines out of St Pancras (high level) until Dock Rd Junction at 0m 76c.

 

[InTheEastMids]

I note that one of the subtitles referred to work continuing till 2020. I was under the impression that electric trains would be running in December 2019 (though I would not regard myself a fount of all Network Rail knowledge). Does anybody have a better idea of the anticipated completion?

This is a conspiracy vs cockup type argument. Did they simply get the dates wrong /misinterpretation e.g. electric trains running from 01/01/2020, or has the project slipped and they've just unofficially announced it.

Given NR's record on electrification, you've got to suspect that it's the last of these, and the project timescales have slipped again.

 

[hwl]

This is a conspiracy vs cockup type argument. Did they simply get the dates wrong /misinterpretation e.g. electric trains running from 01/01/2020, or has the project slipped and they've just unofficially announced it.

Given NR's record on electrification, you've got to suspect that it's the last of these, and the project timescales have slipped again.

NatGrid can't get the substation work finished till 2020 so work will continue to 2020 even after some electric trains are running.

 

[Flying Phil]

I presume the intention is to restore quadruple tracks through to Kettering North (or Glendon South!)

I read somewhere that the 75 miles or so from St. Pancras was once the longest stretch of quadruple track in the world.
I wonder if this will once again be the case?

I thought that the track was actually quadruple from Leicester to St Pancras back in the 1960's?

 

[edwin_m]

I thought that the track was actually quadruple from Leicester to St Pancras back in the 1960's?

It's never been quadruple between Glendon and the southern edge of Leicester, although I think there were some loops that no longer exist and another line ran alongside at Market Harbororough but the two were pretty much separate operationally. The line via Corby provided an alternative for some north-south trains, including a quicker route into Nottingham via what is now the Old Dalby test track.

 

[A0]

It's never been quadruple between Glendon and the southern edge of Leicester, although I think there were some loops that no longer exist and another line ran alongside at Market Harbororough but the two were pretty much separate operationally. The line via Corby provided an alternative for some north-south trains, including a quicker route into Nottingham via what is now the Old Dalby test track.

It also allowed through trains to pass Nottingham without a reversal - because they came in from the east and therefore could continue to Sheffield and beyond without reversing. Whereas all MML traffic to / from Nottingham comes from the west.

 

[edwin_m]

It also allowed through trains to pass Nottingham without a reversal - because they came in from the east and therefore could continue to Sheffield and beyond without reversing. Whereas all MML traffic to / from Nottingham comes from the west.

Yes - and the mileposts through Nottingham run "backwards" to this day.

 

[InTheEastMids]

https://www.facebook.com/NetworkRai...4Dk1oSBtANIOKQE-cPstnmgolvbdvPT-4pM_Q&fref=nf

Looks like 3 weeks of piling activity coming up, hopefully this means acceleration of progress...