Yes, compared to Kegworth, the Braybrooke feeder has the slight advantage of existing
Or to be more precise, headspan replacements. Would be rather surprising if they were being renewed.Another OLE125 update - 50% (99) of the planned headspan renewals between Luton and Bedford have been done thus far.
SPL POWERLINES UK on LinkedIn: #luton #bedford
Great update from Helen Butcher on the OLE 125 Compatibility Project. SPL POWERLINES UK have successfully completed 50% of the headspan replacement works…www.linkedin.com
Presumably component change to deal with the increased tension in the catenary.
If you look at the pictures in the LinkedIn post quoted, you’ll see that the headspan design is being replaced by a more sturdy portal design (which looks like a goalpost, due to the addition of the long horizontal beam above all four tracks).
Indeed but thats only at one location theres a lot more than 99 headspans between Mill Hill and Bedford so are these being installed for anchoring the wire runs?
IIRC the Portal installation is a separate, condition-based scope of works for the headspans which aren't as long for this world as others.
To think that the worry was that the 810s would be in service way before the headspan work had been done...Another OLE125 update - 50% (99) of the planned headspan renewals between Luton and Bedford have been done thus far.
SPL POWERLINES UK on LinkedIn: #luton #bedford
Great update from Helen Butcher on the OLE 125 Compatibility Project. SPL POWERLINES UK have successfully completed 50% of the headspan replacement works…
There's still the renewals between Cricklewood and Luton...
"With brand new con-tact wire and cat-e-nary,
So well before the 810s enter service.
Looking at a map I can see why shutting that bridge for any more than a weekend might cause absolute chaos!
An issue which NWR are surely going to be aware of, and have factored into their planning.
To be fair, it’s the type of local issue that you expect a good MP to deal with and represent their constituents in dealing with a big corporate entity doing something that will affect them.
Exactly. Especially as you could be sure his political opponents would be talking about it and asking why he wasn't doing more, presumably to equal cynical criticism ...
Yes, he is doing his job. NWR haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory with the two rural bridges further south - the Newton Lane one still not open. The idea that NWR will be carefully planning the Spion Kop bridge works to minimise disruption would be met with great skepticism in the locality.
Is this where they were trialling some moveable OLE?
Not exactly - that was undertaken in one of the sidings proper, with no physical connection to the conventional OLE.
Out of interest, do you know what the results of that trial are? Particularly is it considered suitable for further rollout on freight terminals? I think the Azuma depots (or at least one of them) also have a moveable OLE section for access to the roof.
I haven't heard any more since the trial - IIRC all the Azuma Depots, along with Temple Mills, are so equipped.
It was an innovate UK funded trial largely promoted by F+F and GBRf then went and ordered the 99s somewhat removing this issue directly for them.
Most likely something to do with a crossover overrun or future proofing.