MML Electrification: progress updates

[sh24]

As a now regular passenger on the MML this is all very encouraging news. Great to see a low fuss, just getting on with it project. It seems like they are using smaller specialist partners to deliver solutions. Maybe a new project delivery approach to strip cost out and speed up delivery?

The track basher in me wonders if Sheet Stores-Stenson Jnc might be use for diversions at some point.

 

[duffield]

As a now regular passenger on the MML this is all very encouraging news. Great to see a low fuss, just getting on with it project. It seems like they are using smaller specialist partners to deliver solutions. Maybe a new project delivery approach to strip cost out and speed up delivery?

The track basher in me wonders if Sheet Stores-Stenson Jnc might be use for diversions at some point.

As this is veering into speculation (about which diversions *might* be used in future) I've replied on the speculative thread and linked to the relevant post:

MML Electrification - what hope of further routes being added going forward?

Worth remembering that most of the wires Cross Country trains run under are currently at electrical capacity and would be unable to take anymore trains (especially brand new 125mph sets) without upgrades to the supply and feeding equipment probably including new grid connections. The most...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Richard123]

There is also 132kV available, which is faster and cheaper.

But the contracts with National Grid will have been placed years ago - typically seven year lead time. SFC feeding unlikely considered. 400kV sites are normally committed well in advance of project development.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

i would have thought the 400kV GSP sites originate in the pre-Grayling plan. At that point it was going to be all AT which is why they're 400kV (or perhaps, one main reason)

The tea leaves are stirring again.

The appearance of the "pegs" and the award of the SPL sub-contract (#8230) suggest that a considerable stretch of the MML is firmly in the preliminary stages of being wired. Now Wigston is a boundary (MPATS), and Ratcliffe/Kegworth is the site of the next GSP/FS, Toadmoor Tunnel being c44 miles further north of Wigston, is likely to be the Northern boundary of the length fed by Ratcliffe. Thus we would logically see the next stage of the scheme (RS4/5/6) being the complete fed length to the next MPATS, just as RS1/2/3 comprised the complete fed (northern) length from Braybrooke.

I think by mileage alone you'd expect the mid-point between Kegworth and Chesterfield at around Duffield station - but someone said earlier on that it's going to be Ambergate

 

[londonmidland]

I asked Network Rail what the reason for the line blockages are for, between Leicester and Kettering, taking place on various weekends, and this is their response:

I can confirm that we hold this information, and the following explains what work is
taking place that during ‘a planned line block between Leicester and Kettering, as
well as between Leicester and Nuneaton, between late June and all of July, during
the weekends’.

There is a plan to renew the switches and crossing at Wigston North Junction.
Around the same time there are planned plain line track renewals in the Wigston
area, including lowering of the track beneath Blaby Road to facilitate any potential
electrification work at a future date.

In the Market Harborough and Kettering areas important drainage installation works
are taking place.

East Midlands services will therefore be diverted from/to Leicester via Manton
Junction to allow these works to take place; with the number of services being
reduced, however train lengths should be increased to compensate.

Additionally, Cross Country will be running bus replacement services between
Nuneaton and Leicester.

 

[swt_passenger]

I asked Network Rail what the reason for the line blockages are for, between Leicester and Kettering, taking place on various weekends, and this is their response:

“…including lowering of the track beneath Blaby Road to facilitate any potential electrification work at a future date.”

It‘s almost as if they just won’t or can’t fully admit it. As if they’re saying “We’re lowering the track just in case an electrification team show up unexpectedly…”

 

[themiller]

“…including lowering of the track beneath Blaby Road to facilitate any potential electrification work at a future date.”

It‘s almost as if they just won’t or can’t fully admit it. As if they’re saying “We’re lowering the track just in case an electrification team show up unexpectedly…”

If electrification is complete to Wigston south junction, aren’t the wires already up through this bridge?

 

[swt_passenger]

If electrification is complete to Wigston south junction, aren’t the wires already up through this bridge?

Don’t know the exact extent, sorry, but looking back at earlier posts the wiring doesn’t reach the bridge.

 

[John R]

“…including lowering of the track beneath Blaby Road to facilitate any potential electrification work at a future date.”

It‘s almost as if they just won’t or can’t fully admit it. As if they’re saying “We’re lowering the track just in case an electrification team show up unexpectedly…”

There will almost certainly be some protocol with the DfT that means they have to be very careful what is said prior to any formal announcement. That’s not really surprising tbh.

 

[londonmidland]

If electrification is complete to Wigston south junction, aren’t the wires already up through this bridge?

They stop just short of the Blaby Road bridge. There's also a very noticeable difference in the vegetation, as beyond where the electrification ends its extremely overgrown and close to the tracks.

A view of the lineside vegetation, viewed from the Balby Road overbridge.

 

[InTheEastMids]

If electrification is complete to Wigston south junction, aren’t the wires already up through this bridge?

No, the wires stop just South of the bridge - i.e. <500 m but I can't recall exactly how close.
Checked Google and there seems to be quite a burly portal about 400m South, which could be it.

It‘s almost as if they just won’t or can’t fully admit it.

My understanding from other parts of the public sector is that final investment decision needs Treasury approval, and this will formally only be issued at the Spending Review (11/06).
So yes, they can't and won't say it's authorised because it's not authorised yet.

I assume that Network Rail have been guided to expect approval, as having to stand everybody down on 12th June would be farcical, new Govt would be shooting itself in the foot, showing nothing had been learnt about infrastructure project delivery and it was unserious about decarbonising transport.

So I think what Govt wants - for maximum political impact - is rapid progress. i.e. (Re)-announce it on 11th June with A "Craig David" approach to infrastructure,
Announce it on Monday. Piling on Wednesday and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. No chilling, but an engineering possession and rail replacement buses on Sunday.

 

[eastwestdivide]

with A "Craig David" approach to infrastructure

Brilliant. Funniest thing on the forum today!

 

[John Webb]

Posted in the "Herts Advertiser" today:

EDIT (To comply with Forum Rules which I'd overlooked):
The image is a formal notification of a public enquiry under the Transport and Works act into Network Rail's need to acquire land near Wigston South Junction and right of access at Napsbury, near Radlett.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So K2W is not complete then!

 

[duffield]

Posted in the "Herts Advertiser" today:
View attachment 180003

Given that Kettering to Wigston South electrification is already complete (it's signed off for use, isn't it?), I really don't understand this at all!

 

[GraphitProjekt]

What is the significance of Bridge 34?

 

[Edvid]

Given that Kettering to Wigston South electrification is already complete (it's signed off for use, isn't it?), I really don't understand this at all!

K2W is indeed signed off. InTheEastMids has already summarised what the TWAO Order is about:

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

More details in NR10 Statement of Case if you want the full explanation.

What is the significance of Bridge 34?

It was the last bridge demolished to make room for the K2W OLE, next to Braybrooke ATFS. Network Rail are still obligated to provide a replacement unless the relevant landowners agree otherwise.

 

[duffield]

K2W is indeed signed off. InTheEastMids has already summarised what the TWAO Order is about:

More details in NR10 Statement of Case if you want the full explanation.


It was the last bridge demolished to make room for the K2W OLE, next to Braybrooke ATFS. Network Rail are still obligated to provide a replacement unless the relevant landowners agree otherwise.

Thanks, the "Statement of Case" was very helpful.

 

[Edvid]

The OLE125 project is approaching completion, per today's NR / SPL LinkedIn posts:

OLE125 Project - South of Bedford, Midland Main Line Works ✅ 392 of 401… | SPL POWERLINES UK

OLE125 Project - South of Bedford, Midland Main Line Works ✅ 392 of 401 headspans replaced ✅ 101 of 108 wire runs completed Great progress & on track for completion this summer. Well done to all teams involved

www.linkedin.com

We’re making great strides on the OLE125 upgrade south of Bedford which is now 90% done, and on track for completion this summer. This marks a major milestone in the modernisation of the Midland Main Line, and will enhance resilience across the first 50 miles of the route. [...] A special shout-out to the team for achieving 100% completion of the South of Luton core scope, a huge accomplishment!

The last full weekend closure will end on 2 June AFAICS, though fast line possessions between Harpenden Jn and [Radlett or Leagrave] Jn are scheduled for July Sundays in the relevant EAS.[1] The project is also listed in the March 2025 EDP[2] with an entry into service date of August 2025.

Incidentally the DfT has granted NR an exemption from the ENE NTSN[3] for modified Mk3b OLE on the MML; a necessity as full compliance would be required otherwise, achievable only with wholesale replacement at potentially treble the agreed level of funding. That said, "there are plans to achieve full [ENE NTSN] compliance gradually through planned future interventions", which I presume means as and when renewals are due within the usual schedule of asset maintenance. Decision letter is attached.

[1] Engineering Access Statement
[2] Enhancement Delivery Plan
[3] Energy National Technical Specification Notice

 

[Killingworth]

Surveying of places to be fully surveyed down the Sheaf Valley into Sheffield underway today. Men imply there's a long way to go yet - didn't disagree with a 2035+ completion estimate.

 

[londonmidland]

Surveying of places to be fully surveyed down the Sheaf Valley into Sheffield underway today. Men imply there's a long way to go yet - didn't disagree with a 2035+ completion estimate.

The would explain the sighting I saw of the orange army between Derby and Sheffield, with tripods and some sort of monitoring/recording device in several places along the way.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Is Grahame Park feeder station still available as a backup supply? And was it a single supply or dual supply? I found some UKPN document that shows only one 132/25kV transformer but this might mean the other supply was from elsewhere.

 

[59CosG95]

Is Grahame Park feeder station still available as a backup supply? And was it a single supply or dual supply? I found some UKPN document that shows only one 132/25kV transformer but this might mean the other supply was from elsewhere.

Yes - according to isolation documents, it's still maintained as a backup supply, for when/if the southern half of Borehamwood goes offline (for example).

 

[GraphitProjekt]

This is the diagram I'd found. (The context being there used to be a Mill Hill 132kV substation but the busbars were removed and the four 275/132 transformers that fed it now connect directly to Hendon 132 and Finchley 132 - also note LUL Neasden 132/22).
It occurred to me actually that Grahame Park might nowadays have 1 connection - but originally must have had two. I'm assuming here that the original 1983 situation was Grahame Park and Sundon each with two supplies meeting in the middle at Sandridge MPTSC.

for when/if the southern half of Borehamwood goes offline (for example).

What's the setup for a classic FS feeding an AT area? Do they just switch out the -25kV busbar at Kentish Town and all ATFs from there to Borehamwood?

 

[59CosG95]

View attachment 180376
This is the diagram I'd found. (The context being there used to be a Mill Hill 132kV substation but the busbars were removed and the four 275/132 transformers that fed it now connect directly to Hendon 132 and Finchley 132 - also note LUL Neasden 132/22).
It occurred to me actually that Grahame Park might nowadays have 1 connection - but originally must have had two. I'm assuming here that the original 1983 situation was Grahame Park and Sundon each with two supplies meeting in the middle at Sandridge MPTSC.

What's the setup for a classic FS feeding an AT area? Do they just switch out the -25kV busbar at Kentish Town and all ATFs from there to Borehamwood?

I'll have to defer to the other OLE specialists for that one!

Back to the proposed wiring - pegs have started to appear NORTH OF DERBY.

I REPEAT - NORTH OF DERBY.
I only managed to spy them on the Up side, but progress is definitely being made.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Back to the proposed wiring - pegs have started to appear NORTH OF DERBY.

I REPEAT - NORTH OF DERBY.
I only managed to spy them on the Up side, but progress is definitely being made.

Wow, wow and wow. Superb news.

 

[PJM]

I'll have to defer to the other OLE specialists for that one!

Back to the proposed wiring - pegs have started to appear NORTH OF DERBY.

I REPEAT - NORTH OF DERBY.
I only managed to spy them on the Up side, but progress is definitely being made.

Yes, another wow from me!

 

[Brubulus]

North of Derby, there's also been vegetation management taking place to the standards for electrified lines, which has caused some uproar among those seeming unaware of the scheme in the press
From https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/14/network-rail-devastated-valley-felling-100-oak-trees/

 

[WAO]

Well done NR!

Remind the complainers of the Autumn leaves delays and the accident at Salisbury Tunnel Junction in 2021.

WAO

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well done NR!

Remind the complainers of the Autumn leaves delays and the accident at Salisbury Tunnel Junction in 2021.

WAO

A big +1 from me. What on earth is it going to take? God forbid a death. Trees do not belong close to railway lines.