MML Electrification: progress updates

[WAO]

Somewhere on here recently, it was concluded that the feeder will be just south of Chesterfield station.

Post #3233 of 25/11/19 refers. (also 3838 and 4452)

Precisely where the line-side switches will be sited isn't stated.

WAO

 

[hwl]

Post #3233 of 25/11/19 refers. (also 3838 and 4452)

Precisely where the line-side switches will be sited isn't stated.

WAO

Some overruns will need to be provided round the other 2 bits of the Triangle at Dore including switches for the longer term hence there will need quite a bit of survey activity there.

 

[snowball]

Wasn't there an announcement three of four years ago, well after electrification from Kettering to Nottingham and Sheffield had been dropped, that the government had commissioned HS2 Ltd (as distinct from Network Rail) to do early stages investigation or design work for electrification from Clay Cross to Sheffield, as it would be a necessary part of the link from HS2 Phase 2b to Sheffield?

 

[hwl]

Wasn't there an announcement three of four years ago, well after electrification from Kettering to Nottingham and Sheffield had been dropped, that the government had commissioned HS2 Ltd (as distinct from Network Rail) to do early stages investigation or design work for electrification from Clay Cross to Sheffield, as it would be a necessary part of the link from HS2 Phase 2b to Sheffield?

Certainly HS2 paying not sure if they were doing though.

 

[59CosG95]

Bit of demob-related work here: https://www.networkrailmediacentre....ect-wildlife-following-major-railway-upgrades
The compound used by NR & Amey off Finedon Station Rd (actually Furnace Lane) has been returned to nature and converted to a specific habitat for great crested newts, birds, butterflies & bees. Real green thinking there, especially as the spoil has gone to local businesses and (AIUI) the Braybrooke compound - nothing to landfill!

Been a while since the last update on the Sectioning & Feeding plans for the MML (both KO1 & KO1a, based off the Major Feeding Diagram) but here it is.

Existing (pre-works): Black
New (KO1): Red
To be removed (KO1): Green
Other Projects: Light Blue
New (KO1a): Brown
Future Scope: Purple

Kilometres from St. Pancras.

Current AT Feeding Area

• Kentish Town SATS (2.8km); installed as part of Thameslink Programme.
• Legacy Grahame Park FS (13.5km) replaced by Grahame Park SATS; part of Thameslink Programme. Can still feed south of OHNS from 132kV grid (DNO).
• Borehamwood ATFS (21.7km); installed as part of Thameslink Programme. Connected to Elstree Grid (400kV).

Current RC/BT Feeding Area

• Radlett (Track Sectioning) Cabin (24.3km); TSC to be replaced by Radlett Station TSS (24.3km) as VCBs not viable point of isolation.
• Napsbury TSC (30.0km); to be sited on Up side of MML. Possibly off the N Orbital Commercial Park? Future scope for ATs.
• Sandridge Road (St Albans) MPTSC (34.2km) - existing. Fate unknown.
• East Hyde MPTSC (42.6km); to be sited on Down side of MML. Compound established off Cooters End Ln in 2017, but only now being filled with materials. Assumed to replace Sandridge Rd MPTSC. (Compound getting overgrown again.) Future scope for ATs.
• Luton Hoo TSC (46.1km) - existing. Fate unknown.
• Leagrave SATS - no idea where it’s planned to be. Possibly SE of the station? Assumed to replace the one at Luton Airport Pkwy. Possibly descoped? (Compound getting overgrown again.)
• Long Meadow Farm (Chalton) ATFS (56.2km), replaces Sundon FS (57.1km on 132kV circuit). Old FS still in use. Future scope for ATs. Connected to Sundon Grid (400kV).
• Ampthill TSC (67.3km); upgrade with new ASG building complete. Old Ampthill TSC now decommissioned and removed.
  • Originally proposed as Ampthill SATS, but ATs possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV busbar permanently earthed.​
• Elstow TSS (76.624km) added over the Slow lines only. Located north of the stone terminal.
• Bedford TSC (79.8km); upgrade with new ASG building complete. Old Bedford TSC (79.76km) now decommissioned and removed.
  • Originally proposed as Bedford ATS, but AT possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV Busbar permanently earthed.​
  • Future scope to cater for Marston Vale line if wired.​
  • No bus-section provision made as Bedford TSC would become an ATS if MML goes full AT.​

Current Boosterless Classic Feeding Area

• Bedford North TSS (80.79km) added, originally over the Slow lines only. All lines covered.
• Sharnbrook MPTSC (91.0km); complete.
  • Originally proposed as Sharnbrook MPATS, but ATs possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV Busbar permanently earthed.​
• Irchester (Wymington) TSC (98.3km); complete.
  • Originally proposed as Irchester SATS, but ATs possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV Busbar permanently earthed.​
• Harrowden TSC (109.7km); complete.
  • Originally proposed as Harrowden ATS, but AT possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV Busbar permanently earthed.​
  • No bus-section provision made as Harrowden TSC would become an ATS if MML goes full AT.​
• Kettering North TSC (119.9km); complete.
  • Originally proposed as Kettering North SATS, but ATs possible to be added in future scope.​
  • -25kV Busbar permanently earthed.​
• Braybrooke ATFS (131km). To feed in classic originally, with AT scope possible in future. To be fed from new National Grid connection at Market Harborough.
  • Construction work ongoing.

KO1A Electrification to end south of Bridge 28F ~134km.
Hendon Lines Electrification originally part of GW scope (Acton Yard to Hendon via Dudding Hill). Carlton Rd Jn - Junction Rd Jn (GOBLIN) originally part of GOBLIN Electrification scope. Both descoped.

As mentioned before for KO1a: 6 overbridges are to be altered, Napsbury & East Hyde are definitely happening, UKMS125 OLE going up between Kettering & Mkt H'boro, and Borehamwood to Bedford will be de-boostered.

 

[Verulamius]

HM Treasury published its infrastructure pipeline list on 13 September.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1016758/National_Infrastructure_and_Construction_Pipeline_2021.xlsx

Line 435 of the spreadsheet has an entry for North of Market Harborough electrification.

 

[gingertom]

HM Treasury published its infrastructure pipeline list on 13 September.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1016758/National_Infrastructure_and_Construction_Pipeline_2021.xlsx

Line 435 of the spreadsheet has an entry for North of Market Harborough electrification.

says it is dependent on "Completion of Project Speed". Didn't have time to search for this, anyone know what project speed is all about? I could take a guess though.

 

[John Webb]

Have been driving in and out of St Albans recently and have not seen any significant work going on in the Napsbury area so far. Whole line was closed over this weekend and there were on-track machines at work on the Fasts south of St Albans and in the station. Station operations were in connection with the new footbridge works; not clear what the work to the south was for.

 

[Bald Rick]

Have been driving in and out of St Albans recently and have not seen any significant work going on in the Napsbury area so far. Whole line was closed over this weekend and there were on-track machines at work on the Fasts south of St Albans and in the station. Station operations were in connection with the new footbridge works; not clear what the work to the south was for.

Rail defect removal. Quite a few bits of new rail sections on the fasts.

 

[nlogax]

says it is dependent on "Completion of Project Speed". Didn't have time to search for this, anyone know what project speed is all about? I could take a guess though.

Network Rail's plan to cut project delivery red tape and reduce overheads (figuratively, definitely not literally)

 

[snowball]

Network Rail's plan to cut project delivery red tape and reduce overheads (figuratively, definitely not literally)

It's not solely a Network Rail project or only a railways project. It applies to other infrastructure projects too. It was announced by Johnson last year.

 

[InTheEastMids]

HM Treasury published its infrastructure pipeline list on 13 September.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1016758/National_Infrastructure_and_Construction_Pipeline_2021.xlsx
Line 435 of the spreadsheet has an entry for North of Market Harborough electrification.

"North of Market Harborough" is budgeted for £1.45Bn. Anybody know what that is in £/km?

The spend profile makes it look like boots on the ground in second half of 23/24 with the bulk of delivery in 24/25, 25/26 and perhaps being largely complete by the end of 26/27

Also relevant to this thread is Line 390 in the for MML KO1 & 1a (electrification to Corby & Market Harborough) - appears to complete in 24/25, with a final £38m, so that perhaps suggests Summer 2024 for completion.

 

[hwl]

"North of Market Harborough" is budgeted for £1.45Bn. Anybody know what that is in £/km?

The spend profile makes it look like boots on the ground in second half of 23/24 with the bulk of delivery in 24/25, 25/26 and perhaps being largely complete by the end of 26/27

Also relevant to this thread is Line 390 in the for MML KO1 & 1a (electrification to Corby & Market Harborough) - appears to complete in 24/25, with a final £38m, so that perhaps suggests Summer 2024 for completion.

The minimum route stkm north of Market Harborough is around 455km* (minimal over runs) but then there is depot and siding track distances to include as well.

So a high end back of the envelope /stkm estimate would be £3.2/stkm, the reality is that it will be lower as the stkm will be higher and it includes a large risk premium so £2.3/stkm is more realistic.


*Average # tracks along route is 2.9

 

[Aictos]

Rail defect removal. Quite a few bits of new rail sections on the fasts.

That's rail grinding yes? I understand the principle but how does it actually work?

 

[WAO]

HM Treasury published its infrastructure pipeline list on 13 September.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1016758/National_Infrastructure_and_Construction_Pipeline_2021.xlsx

Line 435 of the spreadsheet has an entry for North of Market Harborough electrification.

The full text contained in column I of the document is:

"Electrification of MML from Market Harborough to Nottingham and Sheffield"

Not the only hurdle, but a very big one overcome.

Here's to the first 87 hauled Mark 3a set into the Midland Station!

WAO

 

[Bald Rick]

That's rail grinding yes? I understand the principle but how does it actually work?

In this case, it was cutting out short sections of rail (about 10 metres) and welding in new.

However, in this case the grinder then followed on later. It’s fairly simple - it works in the same way that you might see a knife sharpened on a stone wheel. Just there’s lots of stone wheels, configured in a manner that leaves the rail with the ideal profile in cross section.

The grinding does two things - firstly it does remove a mm or two of metal where necessary to remove minor cracks and other defects. Second, the process of grinding effectively heat treats the rail surface which itself can resolve some minor defects under the surface.

 

[Aictos]

In this case, it was cutting out short sections of rail (about 10 metres) and welding in new.

However, in this case the grinder then followed on later. It’s fairly simple - it works in the same way that you might see a knife sharpened on a stone wheel. Just there’s lots of stone wheels, configured in a manner that leaves the rail with the ideal profile in cross section.

The grinding does two things - firstly it does remove a mm or two of metal where necessary to remove minor cracks and other defects. Second, the process of grinding effectively heat treats the rail surface which itself can resolve some minor defects under the surface.

Thank you, I know they're busy this week on various sections of the Midland but appreciate you explaining how the process works without being too complicated!

 

[westcoaster]

Lots of Pilling works happening and piles left lineside, between the M25 and Harper Lane Redland stone terminal. Both in the Down fast cess and up slow cess.

might be for the Napsbury Tsc as mentioned in the list of work above.

 

[59CosG95]

Lots of Pilling works happening and piles left lineside, between the M25 and Harper Lane Redland stone terminal. Both in the Down fast cess and up slow cess.

might be for the Napsbury Tsc as mentioned in the list of work above.

It's more likely part of the works listed here:

Working for Powerlines Group on the OLE Cubed and Wire Runs project over the weekend, we carried out a successful triple shift on the railway.

Ensuring safe delivery of works, we installed 12 spliced CHS piles which will accommodate new portal structures as part of the project.

#rail #engineering

Personally, my suspicion is that overlap areas are being prioritised first, as they have a higher risk of pantograph hookover; Van Elle also specified 'portal structures' .
The first picture looks to be in the area between the M25 & Harper Lane terminal, as you say (IIRC just north of the Beningfield Drive O/B), while the RRV is egressing from the RRAP south of the old St Albans Signal Box in the second picture.

 

[Bald Rick]

Lots of Pilling works happening and piles left lineside, between the M25 and Harper Lane Redland stone terminal. Both in the Down fast cess and up slow cess.

might be for the Napsbury Tsc as mentioned in the list of work above.

It’s not for Napsbury, but to improve OLE reliability in a few places where the masts are ‘less stable’. There’s also new cantilevers going in near Kentish Town.

 

[WestRiding]

Just a quick question, is the MML electrification now going to reach Sheffield? Sure I saw something in the railway press a few months back, but cannot find anything definite.

 

[59CosG95]

It’s not for Napsbury, but to improve OLE reliability in a few places where the masts are ‘less stable’. There’s also new cantilevers going in near Kentish Town.

Ahh, I see - I think the Hertford Loop had similar work not too long ago. SPL were/are doing that too I believe.
And, re Kentish Town, are the 'new' cantilevers entirely new structures, or existing structures with a new cantilever frame (or similar) on?

 

[snowball]

Just a quick question, is the MML electrification now going to reach Sheffield? Sure I saw something in the railway press a few months back, but cannot find anything definite.

That's because there has still been no formal announcement, just a number of straws in the wind, the latest of which is the news that the Treasury seems to be scheduling the spending of the money.

Expect an announcement on or about budget day, 27 October.

 

[Bald Rick]

Ahh, I see - I think the Hertford Loop had similar work not too long ago. SPL were/are doing that too I believe.
And, re Kentish Town, are the 'new' cantilevers entirely new structures, or existing structures with a new cantilever frame (or similar) on?

My bad wording. New structures. In this case it’s in connection with the work to replace the slab track on the fast lines there.

 

[westcoaster]

It's more likely part of the works listed here:


Personally, my suspicion is that overlap areas are being prioritised first, as they have a higher risk of pantograph hookover; Van Elle also specified 'portal structures' .
The first picture looks to be in the area between the M25 & Harper Lane terminal, as you say (IIRC just north of the Beningfield Drive O/B), while the RRV is egressing from the RRAP south of the old St Albans Signal Box in the second picture.

looked as I drove by today, these piles are just south of the 17 mile post.

 

[59CosG95]

My bad wording. New structures. In this case it’s in connection with the work to replace the slab track on the fast lines there.

No worries! Looks like the new ones are in the 10-foot between the Up Fast and the Up&Dn Slow; I'd imagine that structure replacement on the Dn Fast would require more work, being as the masts are drilled into the retaining wall.

 

[Mikey C]

That's because there has still been no formal announcement, just a number of straws in the wind, the latest of which is the news that the Treasury seems to be scheduling the spending of the money.

Expect an announcement on or about budget day, 27 October.

Too many red wall seats at stake for it not to happen!

 

[zwk500]

Too many red wall seats at stake for it not to happen!

*Not to be announced. Very different.

 

[Mikey C]

*Not to be announced. Very different.

It still has to happen though. If the next election in 23/24 happens, and it all looks like a PR stunt, with no action or committed expenditure, it could be really bad electorally across many seats in the North

 

[zwk500]

It still has to happen though. If the next election in 23/24 happens, and it all looks like a PR stunt, with no action or committed expenditure, it could be really bad electorally across many seats in the North

I won't hold my breath. Its easier to find a scapegoat than complete a project. This is true for politicians of every stripe.