MML Electrification: progress updates

[Domh245]

True I agree- but it was at MML contractor specific meeting.

I suspect on the basis of "if you screw this one up, then nothing else (big) is getting authorised and you may as well start winding down"!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I suspect on the basis of "if you screw this one up, then nothing else (big) is getting authorised and you may as well start winding down"!

I agree. There really can not be any excuses this time. And yes I know the line goes through mining areas etc.

I don't think it's an unreasonable statement to make. It's effectively saying "no blank cheque". I've been reading for several years of ways to make electrification cheaper, which seem to take a painfully long time to materialise, if they ever do.

Having said that I recognise that the problem may equally lie with the customer in terms of agreeing alternative/cheaper methods of installation.

indeed

 

[Bald Rick]

Coded message that MML electrification beyond what has already been committed to will not go ahead because those with the purse strings don’t want to dip into their pockets to install infrastructure that is fit for purpose?

no, it’s a coded message to the supply chain “help us do it for a good price and plenty more is coming; if you try and milk it now there will be no more”

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

no, it’s a coded message to the supply chain “help us do it for a good price and plenty more is coming; if you try and milk it now there will be no more”

perfectly reasonable approach but it cuts both ways when they are asking the supply chain to invest in people and plant to deliver efficiently that isn't going to be easy to recover over 20km to Syston Jcn

 

[Bald Rick]

perfectly reasonable approach but it cuts both ways when they are asking the supply chain to invest in people and plant to deliver efficiently that isn't going to be easy to recover over 20km to Syston Jcn

true - although there’s quite a lot of electrification work coming up, with Scotland, TRU and HS2 so that investment should be happening anyway.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

true - although there’s quite a lot of electrification work coming up, with Scotland, TRU and HS2 so that investment should be happening anyway.

HS2 will go to a global player but granted there are opportunities but even in Scotland where there is most desire the plans are bitty.

Anyhow at least we continue to creep forward.

 

[MarkyT]

MML is already derisked to an extent by resignalling completed at Derby and Nottingham and the rolling stock strategy. It's important that layout options around Leicester and Sheffield are firmed up urgently so these areas can be resignalled ahead of wiring work. Also, the new 100% bi-mode rolling stock is not a major time constraint as they can enter service without further modification regardless of the infrastructure state, with the ability to divert temporarily during works. Hence there will be no need to repeatedly re-schedule and reprogramme multiple parts of the scheme to suit new fleet delivery and whether some or all would be diesel equipped or not. For example, signalling data and trackside design for various stages of the Bristol area had to be reworked and rigourously retested multiple times as various parts of the scheme were changed according to DfT diktat as they first attempted to accommodate a proportion of electric-only IET units, then relented and spent hundreds of extra millions on fitting diesel generators to the entire new fleet.

 

[Bald Rick]

HS2 will go to a global player

they’ll still need the plant and trained people in this country to do it. That’s where the investment is.

 

[snowball]

but even in Scotland where there is most desire the plans are bitty.

I don't understand why you say that. There is a commitment in Scotland to a rolling programme which will continue until the entire network is decarbonised by partial electrification and battery trains, and will probably continue beyond that until all but the remotest lines are continuously electrified. I don't think any plausible political upset to the Scottish government will change that.

 

[londonmidland]

1Y61 (Class 360) appears to have crossed over to the slow lines north of Bedford, and is using them to Wellingborough.

Is this a booked move? Either way, good planning as it was running late and would’ve delayed my northbound Sheffield service. It also utilises the electrification on the slow lines, too.

 

[Bald Rick]

1Y61 (Class 360) appears to have crossed over to the slow lines north of Bedford, and is using them to Wellingborough.

Is this a booked move? Either way, good planning as it was running late and would’ve delayed my northbound Sheffield service. It also utilises the electrification on the slow lines, too.

not booked. Regulation decision In real time.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

they’ll still need the plant and trained people in this country to do it. That’s where the investment is.

or the risk in that they steal the people but guess we are 3-4 years of wiring starting

 

[apinnard]

1Y61 (Class 360) appears to have crossed over to the slow lines north of Bedford, and is using them to Wellingborough.

Is this a booked move? Either way, good planning as it was running late and would’ve delayed my northbound Sheffield service. It also utilises the electrification on the slow lines, too.

Usually booked to switch at Kettering South

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

not booked. Regulation decision In real time.

Nice to see regulation in play but largely it appears a lost art with signallers just following the plan.

My LNER train earlier bought to a stand at Woolmer Green Jcn with the Welwyn North stopper then trundling past us costing us 4mins and a load of wasted energy.

 

[Bald Rick]

Nice to see regulation in play but largely it appears a lost art with signallers just following the plan.

My LNER train earlier bought to a stand at Woolmer Green Jcn with the Welwyn North stopper then trundling past us costing us 4mins and a load of wasted energy.

bet you were early. you would only have had the same stop on Holloway bank.

 

[Mikey C]

I don't understand why you say that. There is a commitment in Scotland to a rolling programme which will continue until the entire network is decarbonised by partial electrification and battery trains, and will probably continue beyond that until all but the remotest lines are continuously electrified. I don't think any plausible political upset to the Scottish government will change that.

Those are political commitments, so no different from UK government political commitments. No politician can promise what their equivalent in 10 years time, indeed 5 years time or fewer will do, as circumstances change.

A future independent Scotland facing a financial crisis, will have to make tough financial choices, in the same way that Westminster governments have had to do when things are tough.

 

[Geezertronic]

East Hyde Photos from Sunday...
All 4 of the main switch farm masts are now in; these are F/42/08A, /08B, /09A & /09B. As can be seen, none of the 4 masts have any anti-climb spikes fitted yet.

Are the anti-climb spikes there to deter animals or humans?

 

[59CosG95]

Are the anti-climb spikes there to deter animals or humans?

Humans, mainly. (Although they'd work well against a runaway ape from Woburn, if it made it that far south )

Some earthing bars beneath ATF insulators have anti-roosting bars to stop birds landing on them, but that's another matter entirely.

 

[Ploughman]

Are there likely to be any locations where Bird Deflectors are to be fitted?

 

[Elecman]

Humans, mainly. (Although they'd work well against a runaway ape from Woburn, if it made it that far south )

Some earthing bars beneath ATF insulators have anti-roosting bars to stop birds landing on them, but that's another matter entirely.

Those aren’t anti roosting bars they are earthing combs in case the ATF feeder wires come adrift

 

[edwin_m]

Some earthing bars beneath ATF insulators have anti-roosting bars to stop birds landing on them, but that's another matter entirely.

I read that first as anti-roasting...

 

[WiredUp]

Those aren’t anti roosting bars they are earthing combs in case the ATF feeder wires come adrift

They are actually both and go by the title of 'AF Support, Anti-Roosting Earth Bar' - probably a WC/AF/079/752.... Principally they catch/entangle a stray ATF cable should the insulator fail, but due to the vertical separation to the ATF also need to prevent 'live to earth' current flow from birds. I'm not sure much OLE can serve multiple purposes but they manage it.....

 

[Flying Phil]

At Market Harborough Station, the new amenity block is nearing completion - hopefully finished by the end of the month. The old block has been completely removed ( it was cracking after the platform rebuilding and the floor level was too low with the new higher platforms).
Most of the pylons and portals are in place along the platform but there are still cantilevers to be put in at the North.


Meanwhile at the Braybrooke Supply site most of the major infrastructure seems to be in place but the Siemens 25Kv needs to be connected to the supply. There are no piles/masts trackside in this section yet.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That last shot is a nice one. It does look strange though having a grid feeder and virtually zero OHL kit in place.

 

[PJM]

At Market Harborough Station, the new amenity block is nearing completion - hopefully finished by the end of the month. The old block has been completely removed ( it was cracking after the platform rebuilding and the floor level was too low with the new higher platforms).
Most of the pylons and portals are in place along the platform but there are still cantilevers to be put in at the North.
View attachment 116424

Meanwhile at the Braybrooke Supply site most of the major infrastructure seems to be in place but the Siemens 25Kv needs to be connected to the supply. There are no piles/masts trackside in this section yet.
View attachment 116425View attachment 116426

Thanks for the pics. Flying Phil anything happening at Desborough yet?

 

[Flying Phil]

Hi PJM
Re Desborough here are pics taken on 25 May ...... I have not been recently - but I don't think much has changed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Hi PJM
Re Desborough here are picsView attachment 116435View attachment 116436 taken on 25 May ...... I have not been recently - but I don't think much has changed.

That looks like a clean run so OHLE in this stretch should not be too difficult hopefully.

 

[Flying Phil]

That looks like a clean run so OHLE in this stretch should not be too difficult hopefully.

I'm not sure about the bridge clearances - it may be that the track bed needs lowering??

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

At Market Harborough Station, the new amenity block is nearing completion - hopefully finished by the end of the month. The old block has been completely removed ( it was cracking after the platform rebuilding and the floor level was too low with the new higher platforms).
Most of the pylons and portals are in place along the platform but there are still cantilevers to be put in at the North.
View attachment 116424

Meanwhile at the Braybrooke Supply site most of the major infrastructure seems to be in place but the Siemens 25Kv needs to be connected to the supply. There are no piles/masts trackside in this section yet.
View attachment 116425View attachment 116426

Thanks for the update am enjoying seeing the progress of the grid connection. Surprised how many ancillary buildings it needs.

 

[59CosG95]

I'm not sure about the bridge clearances - it may be that the track bed needs lowering??

As I understand it that bridge does need reconstruction. The B576 only needs its parapets doing, and the one on the western outskirts, being a flat steel deck rather than a masonry arch, can be lifted with hydraulic jacks.

Both bridges at Braybrooke also require reconstruction - although they should be easier than Pipewell Rd (Desborough) as I don't belive they have any utilities.