MML Electrification: progress updates

[Domh245]

From an operational point of view, Leicester would be a sensible place to end the wires as every train (bar freight) stops there, but the problem is that there isn't any sort of convenient excuse to go that far. Market Harborough is near the site of the feeder station, and so a case could be made to electrify properly to it, but Leicester would just be for operational convenience and environmental benefits, and if you were doing it for those reasons then you might as well go to Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield!

 

[59CosG95]

From an operational point of view, Leicester would be a sensible place to end the wires as every train (bar freight) stops there, but the problem is that there isn't any sort of convenient excuse to go that far. Market Harborough is near the site of the feeder station, and so a case could be made to electrify properly to it, but Leicester would just be for operational convenience and environmental benefits, and if you were doing it for those reasons then you might as well go to Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield!

Plus, it's a lot more complex a location to electrify, as you have to consider all the freight yards/sidings, the myriad of junctions south of Leicester (e.g. Wigston, which I understand is due for renewal/upgrading soon anyhow) to boot.

 

[Domh245]

Plus, it's a lot more complex a location to electrify, as you have to consider all the freight yards/sidings, the myriad of junctions south of Leicester (e.g. Wigston, which I understand is due for renewal/upgrading soon anyhow) to boot.

It doesn't have to be - there is little danger of there being any electric freight along the MML for a while, so there would be no need to wire up the yards and sidings, and for Wigston you could get away with just wiring the Up and Down Fasts + the crossovers. If you were desperately trying to get the wires to Leicester in the current climate, you would have to cut it back to the bare essentials for running passenger services, so it would just be the 2 tracks between Market Harborough and Leicester (you could probably make an argument to even just wire the 2 central platforms - unless the Birmingham - Stanstead service goes bi-mode which is a possibility but a way off yet). You could even try to avoid wiring the few crossovers between and around the two stations - they are really only used by passenger services for emergencies and engineering works (and whilst the northern stretches of the MML remain unwired the trains will still be bi-modes so can use that to cross) if you were trying to do it to a budget.

 

[londonmidland]

^Platforms 1, 2, 3 & 4 are used by a mix of XC and EMT services at Leicester, so you couldn't get away with wiring just the middle platforms if that was an option.

 

[Domh245]

^Platforms 1, 2, 3 & 4 are used by a mix of XC and EMT services at Leicester, so you couldn't get away with wiring just the middle platforms if that was an option.

All of the Southbound Intercity services are booked to use platform 3, and whilst platforms 1 and 2 are both used by Northbound Intercity services, but there doesn't seem to be any operational reason why they use both platforms rather than just the one, so that could be changed if the will was there. As I mentioned, there is a chance of XC getting bi-modes to do the Birmingham - Stanstead work (or it being changed into the next EMT franchise), but until that is known, there isn't a need for the platforms that they primarily use (1&4) to be wired. The EMT local service has next to no chance of becoming a bi-mode, and so wiring it's platform (4) is also rather pointless.

Like I said, the case I was making above was for the absolute bare minimum to enable electric services to Leicester for some level of operational convenience, at the expense of convenience in contingencies and other abnormal situations. If you have to alter a few things to make it work, so be it, if you've decided that wires to Leicester is that important. Of course, you could always just stop them at Market Harborough or Kettering!

 

[mr_jrt]

I recall reading about proposals to widen/restore to 4 tracks from Syston Junction down to Wigston Junction, and a follow-on proposal to then widen to 4 tracks from Leicester down to Kettering. Would it not make sense to wait from at least the former project to complete before wiring Leicester, if not the latter?

 

[Domh245]

I recall reading about proposals to widen/restore to 4 tracks from Syston Junction down to Wigston Junction, and a follow-on proposal to then widen to 4 tracks from Leicester down to Kettering. Would it not make sense to wait from at least the former project to complete before wiring Leicester, if not the latter?

Not really. If you were wiring to Leicester and no further, it doesn't really matter if they reinstate the 4th track between Syston & Wigston because the northern approach is already 4 tracked, and the station inaccessible from the slow line from the south, but most importantly, the wiring would stop shortly after the platform ramps at the north end. You wouldn't need to take it further because you only need to get the trains to stop at Leicester before switching power supply

Similarly Wigston to Kettering 4 tracking would on what the new track pair is - would they build it as a new passenger line, in which case waiting before electrifying makes sense, or if it is simply a slow pair of tracks that'll be used by freight only, there isn't much point, unless of course the construction will likely result in having to move the installed OLE support structures or if they repurpose some of the lines to make it an US UF DF DS layout rather than US DS UF DF.

Of course, it also depends on if you think there is any chance of those 4 tracking schemes actually occurring - I'm sceptical.

 

[contractador]

If I remember well, Bi modes can switch on the move anyway. If so is there much operational convenience in going to Leicester?

 

[InOban]

Nice green regenerative braking ?

 

[jyte]

Better acceleration southbound out of Leicester?

 

[furnessvale]

If I remember well, Bi modes can switch on the move anyway. If so is there much operational convenience in going to Leicester?

As good as switching on the move is liable to be, I would have thought that switching at a location where you can overtake a train in trouble is a good policy, where achievable at reasonable cost.

 

[londonmidland]

Better acceleration southbound out of Leicester?

Yes, 40mph out of P3 on the up line vice 15mph. Also not far from clearing the station it raises to 50mph, then 60mph and then up to 80mph I think it is at Wigston Jn.

 

[edwin_m]

That bridge at the south end of Leicester platforms look challenging - I don't suppose the recent remodelling just to the south lowered the tracks at all? It and the footbridge may cause difficulties with the standard on overhead clearance at platforms.

 

[whhistle]

... so there would be no need to wire up the yards and sidings, and for Wigston you could get away with just wiring the Up and Down Fasts + the crossovers.

And that's the problem with railways.
People trying to do stuff on the cheap so it ends up being messy instead of doing things properly to start with.

It would also be confusing if trains needed to use platform 4, or the slow line sapproaching Leicester but couldn't because they were electric. I can understand the yard and sidings but there would be no point in electrifying 3 out of 4 platforms - the overall cost would be marginal.

That bridge at the south end of Leicester platforms look challenging. It and the footbridge may cause difficulties with the standard on overhead clearance at platforms.

This was mentioned a few years ago.
There's NO chance of raising the station entrance/concourse/London Road junction, so it must be the track that gets lowered, if it's required.
On the northern side of the station there's a fairly busy yellow bridge that again looks to be too small for wires.

 

[richieb1971]

When I said Leicester I meant south of the station bridge. I am pretty sure the government and network rail does not want to disrupt the station itself. If the transition can be done on the fly, doing it as you leave Leicester from the other side of the south bridge is probably a good idea.

 

[richieb1971]

The trains will be bi mode since nothing terminates at Leicester. It makes no difference if electrify one, two, three or four platforms.

 

[Senex]

Yes, 40mph out of P3 on the up line vice 15mph. Also not far from clearing the station it raises to 50mph, then 60mph and then up to 80mph I think it is at Wigston Jn.

Has the work on the down line been finished yet, or is the 20 TSR still in force? And has anyone seen a photo of the new layout (best taken from the New Walk overbridge) anywhere?

 

[richieb1971]

Milton Ernest has Gantries up on both sides now (25/5/18)

 

[richieb1971]

This is looking north at Sharnbrook Junction. You can make out some gantries in the distance.

The up/down slow is rather rusty looking now. Hasn't seen any trains since early April. On a busy freight period, you can get 2 or 3 freight queuing for the fast line at Sharnbrook.

 

[Class 170101]

I would have thought the biggest impediment to wiring to Leicester would be between Licester and Licester South Jn can wires fit under the tunnels here?

To be honest I might be tempted to have a blockade between Kettering North and Leicester South and just wire it up in one go. NR seem unable to manage the wiring any other way.

 

[richieb1971]

Several bridges have been rebuilt north of Bedford - I guess that's preliminary works rather than part of the actual electrification.

NX, MK - do you mean MH?

There are 3 or 4 between Bedford and Wellingborough that haven't been done.

From south to north -

Bromham Road - North of Bedford station
Earwig Lane near Oakley
The A45 road south of Wellingborough
The B571 country road south of Wellingborough station that has some sort of pipeline in parallel.


The 1st is going to take place after Ford End Road bridge south of Bedford station is finished. Lots of kinks need ironing out on the specification of the Bromham road bridge since the borough wants NR to do a wider specification so that cyclists are catered for. Dft wants the cheapest option.

Earwig lane is a bit tough, because its a farm access road with no other entrances possible as the farm is surrounded by water. Therefore a temporary bridge fit for a heavy tractor would need to be put in place over the railway, or perhaps more likely a barge type bridge over the river/streams would be more appropriate. Although this would require the farmer to go quite a ways around for a while.

The a45 would probably close one direction at a time.

The B571 should be rebuilt to a wider specification as it only accommodates one way traffic via a traffic light system.


I would also hazard a guess the south Souldrop bridge on the fasts is too low. The bridge is brand new but it looks way too low to me. Its a tight squeeze however you look at it. (its the arch nearest the slope). Perhaps more ground work is needed to lower the track.

 

[snowball]

There are 3 or 4 between Bedford and Wellingborough that haven't been done.

From south to north -

Bromham Road - North of Bedford station

...

The 1st is going to take place after Ford End Road bridge south of Bedford station is finished. Lots of kinks need ironing out on the specification of the Bromham road bridge since the borough wants NR to do a wider specification so that cyclists are catered for. Dft wants the cheapest option.

There was a press release about Bromham Road bridge last week. Apparently it needs its own T&W Order!

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...-second-public-consultation-event-in-bedford/

As part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade, Network Rail is proposing to reconstruct Bromham Road Bridge to allow all the railway lines through Bedford to be electrified.


The formal public consultation that supports the Transport & Works Act Order application for the reconstruction work began on 10 April 2018 when the online portal allowing feedback to be shared went live and was followed by a well-attended public consultation event in Bedford on 20 April.

Following feedback from the community, a further public event takes place on Thursday 24 May between 14:00-20:00 at The Park Inn Hotel, 2 St Mary’s St, Bedford MK42 0AR.

The consultation process concludes on 31 May 2018 when the online portal will close.

Since the first meeting, Network Rail has revised the temporary land requirements for the reconstruction work. Whilst some car parking at the station will still be necessary to accommodate the crane that will be used to lift sections of the bridge into place, the overall amount of the car park required has been substantially reduced. This has been achieved by minimising the size of the work site and making greater use of the existing compound near Ford End Road Bridge.

Network Rail has also confirmed that the width of the bridge deck will be increased by around 600mm which could allow more space for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the bridge.

Spencer Gibbens, principal programme sponsor for the Midland Main Line Upgrade, said: “We’d like to thank residents and businesses for their feedback so far as part of the consultation. Once complete, the Midland Main Line Upgrade will result in a better railway for the millions of people who use it every year. We’ve planned the upgrade of Bromham Road Bridge to keep disruption to a minimum, though we do apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result.”

For those unable to attend the consultation meeting, the feedback form online can be completed – visit Network Rail’s dedicated consultation portal at: consultations.networkrail.co.uk/communications/bromham-road-bridge

 

[richieb1971]

There was a press release about Bromham Road bridge last week. Apparently it needs its own T&W Order!

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...-second-public-consultation-event-in-bedford/

Thank you for this information. At least the cyclists were heard. Our mayor fought hard for this. Along with modernizing Bedford railway station, telling NR to crack on with EWR and especially to complain about the debacle of EMT/Thameslink transitioning of schedules and paths.

 

[The Ham]

There was a press release about Bromham Road bridge last week. Apparently it needs its own T&W Order!

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...-second-public-consultation-event-in-bedford/

Due to the way that bridges work that extra 600mm to provide for pedestrians/cyclists wouldn't have cost a lot more. In that bridges have a weak point towards the edges and so you can't run traffic on this area, it's why some bridges in the middle of nowhere have massive wide "footways" as it's cheaper to do that than have the running lanes closer to the edge (note brick/stone arch bridges work differently and so often are very narrow).

 

[InTheEastMids]

Of course, it also depends on if you think there is any chance of those 4 tracking schemes actually occurring - I'm sceptical.

The bit from Wigston to Leicester is a possible CP6 scheme along with a flyover at Wigston. Although discussed in some NR kite-flying publication a few years ago, I agree Wigston to Kettering 4-tracking is a pipe dream, expensive and probably never pay for itself in a post-HS2 world. There's the potential to add dynamic passing loops in at least 3 locations in that area to boost capacity at a fraction of the cost.

Popping up briefly to say that this month's Modern Railways issue states that the proposed scope of wiring could go as far north as Market Harborough.
From the article on page 8:

Obviously somebody high-up from NR reading this forum, as evidenced by them exploring the kinds of options I outlined in my Post #1546

I'll assume my consultancy cheque's in the post, shall I?

 

[59CosG95]

The dread finals are finally over, so, as promised - here's the newest update!

MML Wiring Progressometer 2.0 (30th May 2018)
Mileages are from St. Pancras.

Bedford (49m 65ch) - Wellingborough (65m 09ch)

• Work underway (since 19/2) on Ford End Road Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/gBj4QfKex5K2); should finish Aug '18.
• At Bromham, between the A6 (Great Ouse Way) & Lower Farm Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/rSPFrDAZQ362), 13 Twin Track Cantilevers/TTCs (with booms) are up over the Slow Lines, and about 6/7 over the Fast Lines. This includes the Box Girder bridge over the river Great Ouse.
• A single TTC mast has now gone up north of Lower Farm Rd, adjacent to the Down Fast.
• At Oakley, on the site of the old station (just south of Highfield Rd Bridge), to piles are in adjacent to the Down Fast.
• 2 piles are in just south of Oakley Viaduct (https://goo.gl/maps/r5oXUSSPSAo); one next to the DF, another next to the US. These seem to have been in for a while.
• Lots of TTCs also up over both pairs of lines around Milton Ernest (between Radwell Rd & East End; https://goo.gl/maps/V5afGGQEZiE2).
• Between Radwell Rd & New Rd, a TTC mast has been placed between the Up Fast & Down Slow, as the embankment adjacent to the Up Slow had to be replaced with a gabion retaining wall.
• About 6 TTCs are up immediately to the north of Radwell Viaduct, over the Slow lines (https://goo.gl/maps/r5oXUSSPSAo); 3 more TTCs are up accompanying them over the Fast lines (positioned between the pairs of lines). Another 2 are now up over the Slows south of the viaduct. Masts for a possible "2 Capital Pi's" portal boom (i.e. |T|) are up at the southern end of the viaduct.
• Roughly 3 or 4 piles (now with boomless TTC masts) are in next to the Down Fast, and another 4 (3 of which have boomed TTC masts) next to the Up Slow just north of Moor End Lane, Radwell (https://goo.gl/maps/cmgWsgyYAo62). South of Moor End Lane (but north of the next bridge to the south), about 5 TTC masts are up (2 of which have booms) adjacent to the Up Slow, with a similar number in adjacent to the Down Fast. South of that bridge, another 2 piles have masts (possibly w/ booms).
• 2 parallel piles are in place (no masts) adjacent to the Fast lines at Radwell; possibly for a portal frame?
• Between Wymington (https://goo.gl/maps/apZ6wwj9StR2) and Wellingboro', intensive 4-tracking is underway, with the SLow Lines still closed. Near the Google Maps link posted for Wymington, the car park used for the 4-tracking works is due to house a National Grid substation for the electrification. Link to application to Beds Council: http://www.publicaccess.bedford.gov...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ONBIS8CUMMJ00
• Nothing up regarding piles/masts in the Wymington area on the Slows at this stage; piles are however goin gin around the Fasts.
• Mast-wise, not much up around Kangaroo Spinney (https://goo.gl/maps/K8C8gkgvNaD2), Irchester (https://goo.gl/maps/SxEfjQV71Ly), Souldrop (https://goo.gl/maps/DYdb2rWw8BL2) or Sharnbrook Jct (https://goo.gl/maps/umEb3T9ftD62) at this point, but about 4 or so masts are now up beside the Up Slow, just north of Park Ln, Sharnbrook (https://goo.gl/maps/df2As431FDr).
• Station Rd Bridge, Irchester (see above link) is closed from 9/4 to 22/11 to allow reconstruction for OLE.

Wellingborough (65m 09ch) - Kettering (72m 01ch)

• Extensive 4-tracking laid (except at points where existing infrastructure has to be moved).
• 1 or 2 piles have gone in around Isham; not much progress elsewhere.

Kettering (72m 01ch) - Glendon Jct (74m 00ch) - Corby (79m 40ch)

• Piling going on to the north of Kettering station. A few signal gantries from the BR days have been (or are due to be) removed. Unclear of progress with piling/masts towards Corby, or on the Main line north of Glendon Junction; I assume some wires will go this way to be used as overruns.
• 2nd track now in operation, and linespeed raised to 90mph where it was previously 60mph.

North of Glendon Jct (74m 00ch)

• Braybrooke Substation approved. To be located here: (https://goo.gl/maps/fuy1uZeDjdQ2).
• The extent of wiring towards Market Harboro' has not yet been decided; it might be Braybrooke, it might not be as far as Braybrooke, it may even go to Market Harboro' itself (which is unlikely).
  It may run in a trench like the situation planned for Thingley-Chippenham on the GWEP, from Braybrooke to Glendon.

Any updates would be greatly appreciated.

 

[eMeS]

Excellent summary! Good luck with your finals - been there, been stressed etc.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks for the update - hope the Finals went well.

 

[WymoWanderer]

Went for a little walk to the south of Wymington this morning.
No further track seems to have been installed on the slow lines but it looks like the space is being used for road vehicle access down to the tunnel.

In the first picture you can see the work going on at the Souldrop/Wymington tunnel. Presumably preparations for electrification and reinstatement of the second slow track.

In the second picture you can see piles in place either side for the fast line at Wymington.

Original picture links:
First
Second

 

[59CosG95]

New update for the list; been a bit of a "Slow News" week these past few days. Here's hoping some more progress is made this week!

MML Wiring Progressometer 3.0 (4th June 2018)
Mileages are from St. Pancras.

Bedford (49m 65ch) - Wellingborough (65m 09ch)

• Work underway (since 19/2) on Ford End Road Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/gBj4QfKex5K2); should finish Aug '18.
• At Bromham, between the A6 (Great Ouse Way) & Lower Farm Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/rSPFrDAZQ362), 13 Twin Track Cantilevers/TTCs (with booms) are up over the Slow Lines, and about 6/7 over the Fast Lines. This includes the Box Girder bridge over the river Great Ouse.
• A single TTC mast has now gone up north of Lower Farm Rd, adjacent to the Down Fast.
• At Oakley, on the site of the old station (just south of Highfield Rd Bridge), two (not "to") piles are in adjacent to the Down Fast.
• 2 piles are in just south of Oakley Viaduct (https://goo.gl/maps/r5oXUSSPSAo); one next to the DF, another next to the US. These seem to have been in for a while.
• Lots of TTCs also up over both pairs of lines around Milton Ernest (between Radwell Rd & East End; https://goo.gl/maps/V5afGGQEZiE2).
• Between Radwell Rd & New Rd, a TTC mast has been placed between the Up Fast & Down Slow, as the embankment adjacent to the Up Slow had to be replaced with a gabion retaining wall.
• About 6 TTCs are up immediately to the north of Radwell Viaduct, over the Slow lines (https://goo.gl/maps/r5oXUSSPSAo); 3 more TTCs are up accompanying them over the Fast lines (positioned between the pairs of lines). Another 2 are now up over the Slows south of the viaduct. Masts for a possible "2 Capital Pi's" portal boom (i.e. |T|) are up at the southern end of the viaduct.
• Roughly 3 or 4 piles (now with boomless TTC masts) are in next to the Down Fast, and another 4 (3 of which have boomed TTC masts) next to the Up Slow just north of Moor End Lane, Radwell (https://goo.gl/maps/cmgWsgyYAo62). South of Moor End Lane (but north of the next bridge to the south), about 5 TTC masts are up (2 of which have booms) adjacent to the Up Slow, with a similar number in adjacent to the Down Fast. South of that bridge, another 2 piles have masts (possibly w/ booms).
• 2 parallel piles are in place (no masts) adjacent to the Fast lines at Radwell; possibly for a portal frame?
• Between Wymington (https://goo.gl/maps/apZ6wwj9StR2) and Wellingboro', intensive 4-tracking is underway, with the SLow Lines still closed. Near the Google Maps link posted for Wymington, the car park used for the 4-tracking works is due to house a National Grid substation for the electrification. Link to application to Beds Council: http://www.publicaccess.bedford.gov...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ONBIS8CUMMJ00
• Nothing up regarding piles/masts in the Wymington area on the Slows at this stage; piles are however going in around the Fasts.
• Mast-wise, not much up around Kangaroo Spinney (https://goo.gl/maps/K8C8gkgvNaD2), Irchester (https://goo.gl/maps/SxEfjQV71Ly), Souldrop (https://goo.gl/maps/DYdb2rWw8BL2) or Sharnbrook Jct (https://goo.gl/maps/umEb3T9ftD62) at this point, but about 4 or so masts are now up beside the Up Slow, just north of Park Ln, Sharnbrook (https://goo.gl/maps/df2As431FDr).
• Station Rd Bridge, Irchester (see above link) is closed from 9/4 to 22/11 to allow reconstruction for OLE.

Wellingborough (65m 09ch) - Kettering (72m 01ch)

• Extensive 4-tracking laid (except at points where existing infrastructure has to be moved).
• 1 or 2 piles have gone in around Isham; not much progress elsewhere.

Kettering (72m 01ch) - Glendon Jct (74m 00ch) - Corby (79m 40ch)

• Piling going on to the north of Kettering station. A few signal gantries from the BR days have been (or are due to be) removed. Unclear of progress with piling/masts towards Corby, or on the Main line north of Glendon Junction; I assume some wires will go this way to be used as overruns.
• 2nd track now in operation, and linespeed raised to 90mph where it was previously 60mph.

North of Glendon Jct (74m 00ch)

• Braybrooke Substation approved. To be located here: (https://goo.gl/maps/fuy1uZeDjdQ2).
• The extent of wiring towards Market Harboro' has not yet been decided; it might be Braybrooke, it might not be as far as Braybrooke, it may even go to Market Harboro' itself (which is unlikely).
  It may run in a trench like the situation planned for Thingley-Chippenham on the GWEP, from Braybrooke to Glendon.

Any updates would be greatly appreciated.