MML Electrification: progress updates

[edwin_m]

Isn't the point here that the masts before and after this one were already installed, the more interesting question being why? Installing one at the same time as all the other posts in the area isn't really filling a gap.

 

[Jozhua]

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”

I think this makes a lot of sense. Of course (as others have mentioned), the supply chain will be more willing to make investments in improving processes if steady checks can come. It goes both ways!

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.

I'm surprised that bi-modes actually are leading to more electrification, rather than acting as an excuse to avoid it. I guess you can do things incrementally, whilst still reaping some benefits. Once electrification is completed, future rolling stock can be acquired that is electric only.

TPEs 802s allowed Manchester-Liverpool and York-Newcastle electrification to be used from day one (avoiding diesel running under wires), while electrification is now also slowly being rolled out across the Pennines.

Even if things on MML get cut-back and reinstated, as is unfortunately common under this gov, it could help keep things moving forwards, which would be good.

 

[WAO]

I think that the answer may be, as stated in the 2009 Electrification RUS, that operating costs are much lower than on Diesel, even with bi-modes, so that every incremental mile of wiring can be justified, provided that capital costs are contained.

This seems to be so, as we hear that Wigston is to be the next objective and that a GSP is being applied for at Kegworth/Ratcliffe.

WAO

 

[59CosG95]

Abdul Khaki MAPM on LinkedIn: #siemensmobility #siemens #railway #ukmfg | 17 comments

Another (boiling) weekend and another successful delivery for the Siemens Rail Electrification team. After just over a year from Project inception to… | 17 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

The containerised substation building for Napsbury has now been delivered.

Looks like East Hyde's next!

 

[John Webb]

Abdul Khaki MAPM on LinkedIn: #siemensmobility #siemens #railway #ukmfg | 17 comments

Another (boiling) weekend and another successful delivery for the Siemens Rail Electrification team. After just over a year from Project inception to… | 17 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

The containerised substation building for Napsbury has now been delivered.

Looks like East Hyde's next!

Oh! Failed to spot that while going to/from the box at St Albans on Sunday. (Trees in full leaf make it difficult to see things from Napsbury Lane.) I'll see what I can do this weekend in the way of getting a photo or two.

 

[59CosG95]

Saw this on one.network/uk - the bridge at Rushton has been closed since Monday 2 weeks ago (and will remain so until December) to allow for reconstruction. Nothing yet for works in Desborough or Braybrooke, although the works in Braybrooke don't affect any public roads so wouldn't show up here.

(Image shows screenshot from one.network/uk of a road closure at Bridge SPC3-42, Rushton, Kettering, North Northants, running from 27 June 2022 - 5 December 2022)

 

[Jozhua]

I think that the answer may be, as stated in the 2009 Electrification RUS, that operating costs are much lower than on Diesel, even with bi-modes, so that every incremental mile of wiring can be justified, provided that capital costs are contained.

This seems to be so, as we hear that Wigston is to be the next objective and that a GSP is being applied for at Kegworth/Ratcliffe.

WAO

That's good!

And it means electrification costs can be lower, because they don't have to be completed in large segments.

Once the whole route is electrified, the bi-modes can move to other places as needed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That's good!

And it means electrification costs can be lower, because they don't have to be completed in large segments.

Once the whole route is electrified, the bi-modes can move to other places as needed.

Exactly. Have a total plan. Electrify in increments. When complete cascade the bi/tri/battery modes etc. rinse and repeat.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Exactly. Have a total plan. Electrify in increments. When complete cascade the bi/tri/battery modes etc. rinse and repeat.

This is very much my realistic hope. Assuming the Bi-Modes (80Xs) last long enough to get cascaded !. Of topic but just to clarify - obviously all those newish EMUs going for scrap these days makes me yearn for a few more new suburban bits.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Exactly. Have a total plan. Electrify in increments. When complete cascade the bi/tri/battery modes etc. rinse and repeat.

given the snails pace elecn is progressing bi modes are the only answer to allow the politicians to claim credit for when a few miles get wired up

 

[Kneedown]

The 810's will not going anywhere else in the foreseeable future. They are a bespoke length to cater for the limited platform space at St Pancras, and even when the power is switched on through to Sheffield, there will still be many non electrified diversionary routes that will require a bi-mode unit.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The 810's will not going anywhere else in the foreseeable future. They are a bespoke length to cater for the limited platform space at St Pancras, and even when the power is switched on through to Sheffield, there will still be many non electrified diversionary routes that will require a bi-mode unit.

Indeed. And without going too much into speculative territory would need rolling programme of electrification Sheffield to Donny followed by Sheffield to Leeds followed by Sheffield to York followed by Nottingham to Sheffield then the bit in the middle via Toton. Then and only then can the 810s be cascaded.

 

[Class 170101]

Indeed. And without going too much into speculative territory would need rolling programme of electrification Sheffield to Donny followed by Sheffield to Leeds followed by Sheffield to York followed by Nottingham to Sheffield then the bit in the middle via Toton. Then and only then can the 810s be cascaded.

Add Corby to Leicester to your list - a rather large bit of unelectrified line

This seems to be so, as we hear that Wigston is to be the next objective and that a GSP is being applied for at Kegworth/Ratcliffe.

WAO

GSP?

But I thought thats where a feeder station was going to be located?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Add Corby to Leicester to your list - a rather large bit of unelectrified line

forgot about that. Via Manton Jct?

GSP?

But I thought thats where a feeder station was going to be located?

GSP = Grid Supply Point aka gridfeeder

 

[Class 170101]

forgot about that. Via Manton Jct?

Aye, hopefully they would wire to the ECML whilst they were at it, but not the subject of this thread. Also wiring Leicester to Nottingham would hopefully see bi-mode units (Class 755 or similar) for Leicester to Lincoln.

GSP = Grid Supply Point aka gridfeeder

didn't think of that

 

[Nottingham59]

I don't think it's been mentioned here already, but Eastcroft depot in Nottingham has sprouted what appear to be OHLE gantries. Presumably these are to enable maintenance and testing of the 810s when they arrive?

 

[londonmidland]

I don't think it's been mentioned here already, but Eastcroft depot in Nottingham has sprouted what appear to be OHLE gantries. Presumably these are to enable maintenance and testing of the 810s when they arrive?

Are you sure these are not new overhead light gantries?

 

[Nottingham59]

Are you sure these are not new overhead light gantries?

I don't know. They might well be.

 

[londonmidland]

I don't know. They might well be.

I think they are. They're far too tall to be OLE gantries, as well as they don't look like 'normal' looking ones.

 

[59CosG95]

I don't know. They might well be.

Looks like it, but in any case, it's almost certainly in readiness for OLE.

 

[edwin_m]

Not sure why they would need test OLE in Nottingham, considering the trains are going to be based nearby in Derby. At least not until the OLE reaches there on the main line in too many years time.

 

[Western Sunset]

Yes, look like lighting gantries to me too. Does the MML electrification plan cover the carriage sdgs at Nottm, or does the OHLE finish at the east end of the station?

 

[Kneedown]

Add Corby to Leicester to your list - a rather large bit of unelectrified line

Not forgetting Chesterfield Nth to Sheffield via Beighton, and Sheet Stores to Derby via Castle Donnington and Stenson. Also Trent East and Attenboro Jcts to Trowell via Toton Centre.

 

[Flying Phil]

The Market Harborough Station utility room is getting closer to opening. Workers were busy installing the last sink units to complete the plumbing inside. There is also a short canopy at the end of the long ramp up to the platform from the station building.


I do wonder if there is sufficient clearance to pivot and lower the lighting column (with the "platform 1" sign) past the curved canopy above the entrance?...it must be close!

 

[Wolfie]

Aye, hopefully they would wire to the ECML whilst they were at it, but not the subject of this thread. Also wiring Leicester to Nottingham would hopefully see bi-mode units (Class 755 or similar) for Leicester to Lincoln.

didn't think of that

Lots of 769s potentially available by then....

 

[InOban]

The Market Harborough Station utility room is getting closer to opening. Workers were busy installing the last sink units to complete the plumbing inside. There is also a short canopy at the end of the long ramp up to the platform from the station building.
View attachment 117690

I do wonder if there is sufficient clearance to pivot and lower the lighting column (with the "platform 1" sign) past the curved canopy above the entrance?...it must be close!

The way the column is bolted down suggests that the light fitting isn't expected to need attention during its lifetime (25 years for LEDs, in theory )

 

[swt_passenger]

The way the column is bolted down suggests that the light fitting isn't expected to need attention during its lifetime (25 years for LEDs, in theory )

It’s still a standard hingeable column though. They hinge at a point about a foot off the ground, you can see the pivot. Usually they are mounted at initial installation with the floor plate at a suitable angle to avoid obstructions as they’re lowered.

 

[The Ham]

The Market Harborough Station utility room is getting closer to opening. Workers were busy installing the last sink units to complete the plumbing inside. There is also a short canopy at the end of the long ramp up to the platform from the station building.
View attachment 117690

I do wonder if there is sufficient clearance to pivot and lower the lighting column (with the "platform 1" sign) past the curved canopy above the entrance?...it must be close!

It appears that the length of the wall is 17 bricks, with a standard brick length of 215mm plus 10mm for mortar then that's 3.8m add 0.5m for the railings and you'd have 4.3m of length so work with.

Now given that you can see the other columns aren't much higher than the building (which based on brick courses would make it about 3.75m) then it's likely that the column is 5m tall.

Some of that difference could be "lost" as the hinge isn't at ground level and that the arc of the column means that at (say) 2.4m above ground level the head of the column is about (along the ground measurement) 1m closer to the base than it is at ground level.

As such chances are it'll miss, but not by much.

 

[zwk500]

As such chances are it'll miss, but not by much.

Doesn't matter by how much, as long as it's clear!

 

[QSK19]

Lots of 769s potentially available by then....

Oh don’t! But yeah, given how little the DfT regards the East Midlands and how EMR is used to getting knackered old stock, 769s wouldn’t be a surprise!