MML Electrification: progress updates

[Trainben]

Yes, Kettering to Wigston.

 

[PJM]

Check out post #7045 by Edvid. Likely to be summer, but that gives a three month window, if on time. The section next to the Braybrooke supply still does not have catenary but this maybe a safety measure. Everything else as far as I know is in place except around the Co-op, Desborough last time I looked a few weeks ago.,

 

[Edvid]

Does anyone know how close we are to the wires being energised? All looks complete driving along the A6 but not sure about the other sections.

Energisation from Kettering North to Wigston may be at least two months away (as PJM has also mentioned above).

There's a gap where the Braybrooke cross-track feeders will be connected, and filling it is still dependent on Three Arches Bridge being dealt with first; the next weekend possession through Market Harborough is on 18/19 May. In addition (some of these may be sorted already) there's a gap to fill in Desborough, autotransformers to install at Wigston and the other cross-track feeders to connect.

 

[Trainben]

Okay, thanks both for the information, sounds quite close to completion now which is good to hear.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Okay, thanks both for the information, sounds quite close to completion now which is good to hear.

From very steady progress on this section it does seem to have bogged down to get it completed and energised. Mind no rush as the 810's remain moribund.

 

[PJM]

James Garthwaite has published this picture of 810004 at Newton Aycliffe, so, slowly slowly.

​

 

[vic-rijrode]

James Garthwaite has published this picture of 810004 at Newton Aycliffe, so, slowly slowly.​

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View attachment 156179​

Love the colour - Improved Engine Red?

 

[PJM]

Catenary gap now filled through Desborough.

 

[DJH1971]

Any more news of anything North of Wigston?

 

[snowball]

Sorry, this is not an answer to the immediately previous post, where I suspect there is nothing!

Meanwhile, a press release:

Changes to train services as major upgrades continue on Midland Main Line

Network Rail, East Midlands Railway (EMR), and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) are encouraging passengers to check their journey before travelling as major engineering work to upgrade the Midland Main Line continues throughout April and May.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail, East Midlands Railway (EMR), and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) are encouraging passengers to check their journey before travelling as major engineering work to upgrade the Midland Main Line continues throughout April and May.

Engineers will be working across upcoming weekends to upgrade existing overhead line equipment south of Bedford and to continue installing new overhead wires between Kettering and Wigston as part of the multi-million-pound Midland Main Line Upgrade.

The work will mean EMR’s new fleet of greener bi-mode trains will be able to operate at 125mph and will mean faster, quieter, and more reliable journeys for passengers travelling between the East Midlands and London.

To upgrade existing equipment, Network Rail teams will be working overnight between Bedford and Luton on Sundays throughout April and May. Rail replacement services between the stations will operate from 00.05 to 08.05 on 21 April and on the 5, 12, and 19 May.

Throughout this coming weekend, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April, maintenance to improve reliability will be taking place on the Thameslink lines through central London.

The work means there will be no cross-London Thameslink services running between St Pancras and London Bridge or Sutton/Wimbledon. Passengers should use London Underground or London Buses to cross central London.

Additionally, on Sunday morning before around 9am, buses will replace Thameslink trains between West Hampstead Thameslink and St Pancras International. Thameslink services will not call at Kentish Town all that day.

On the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May, engineers will be continuing to install new overhead line equipment between Kettering and Wigston.

A reduced train service between Sheffield / Nottingham and London St Pancras will divert around the closure with rail replacement bus services operating for passengers travelling between Leicester, Market Harborough, and Kettering.

At the same time, Network Rail teams will also be installing new switches and crossings, the specialist equipment used by trains to cross from one track to another, between Radlett and Cricklewood. A reduced train service will operate in the area throughout the weekend.

Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or through their train operator.

 

[Edvid]

The South of Bedford Upgrade (OLE125 etc, estimated to finish in late 2025) now has its own page:

South of Bedford Upgrade - Network Rail

We are upgrading the overhead line equipment (OLE) from Hendon to Luton South and Luton North to Bedford to allow trains to run at up to 125mph. Work on this project began in September 2023 and should be completed by late 2025. What work is taking place? The project will be done in two phases, …...

www.networkrail.co.uk

There's also a page for the Agar Grove bridge replacement, which requires a 9-day possession in December 2024:

Agar Grove bridge replacement - Network Rail

We are replacing Agar Grove bridge in 2024 to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the bridge.

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[PJM]

New bridge in Kibworth opened.

New Rail Bridge Opens In Kibworth

A new footbridge has opened over the railway in Kibworth. It has been constructed off School Road by Network Rail during the past six months and replaces a previous bridge, which was demolished because it was too low to accommodate wires for the electrification of the tracks. Villagers have be

harboroughfm.co.uk

 

[Meerkat]

New bridge in Kibworth opened.

New Rail Bridge Opens In Kibworth

A new footbridge has opened over the railway in Kibworth. It has been constructed off School Road by Network Rail during the past six months and replaces a previous bridge, which was demolished because it was too low to accommodate wires for the electrification of the tracks. Villagers have be

harboroughfm.co.uk

What sort of parapets are to be fitted - it isn’t up to standards over wires like that is it?

 

[swt_passenger]

What sort of parapets are to be fitted - it isn’t up to standards over wires like that is it?

The short audio section in the linked report suggests that there are still ‘finishing touches to the sides’. I’d expect a lightweight sheet metal cladding?

 

[Flying Phil]

Two days ago there was still a wiring gap at the Braybrooke supply point and the Three Arches bridge was still across the MML.

 

[Grumpy Git]

In 2012 it was announced that electrification to Leicester and Derby would be "complete by 2023", is this ever going to get done, or has it been scrapped?

 

[snowball]

In 2012 it was announced that electrification to Leicester and Derby would be "complete by 2023", is this ever going to get done, or has it been scrapped?

It was scrapped, and is being reinstated, bit by bit.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It was scrapped, and is being reinstated, bit by bit.

Grayling may not take 100% of the blame but he had a substantial say in the vast pruning of the scheme.

 

[Iskra]

Grayling may not take 100% of the blame but he had a substantial say in the vast pruning of the scheme.

In fairness, in the intervening time period technology has progressed to a point where full electrification isn’t strictly necessary anymore.

 

[mr_jrt]

In fairness, in the intervening time period technology has progressed to a point where full electrification isn’t strictly necessary anymore.

I mean, it kinda still is. It's vastly cheaper opex and more energy efficient to have the wires up properly than to have to maintain batteries and secondary diesel provision. Capex however is another story...

 

[snowball]

As far as I know the only suggestion that incomplete electrification will be used is from one or two people in this forum.

 

[Western Sunset]

Could the section beneath London Road bridge in Leicester just not be energised?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Could the section beneath London Road bridge in Leicester just not be energised?

See post 7094 to 7108. And much earlier is post 3271 and 3272.

 

[Iskra]

I mean, it kinda still is. It's vastly cheaper opex and more energy efficient to have the wires up properly than to have to maintain batteries and secondary diesel provision. Capex however is another story...

I agree, and I’d still want it done, but a viable service can be provided around gaps now and you’d expect that as time and technology develops, the inefficiency gap between full electrification and partial will decrease.

 

[Bald Rick]

I mean, it kinda still is. It's vastly cheaper opex and more energy efficient to have the wires up properly than to have to maintain batteries and secondary diesel provision. Capex however is another story...

for diesel hybrids, yes they are more expensive to operate and less efficient than straight electric, but that is arguable for battery electric hybrids. The latter are certainly not ‘vastly’ more expensive to operate, and are arguably more efficient.

 

[hwl]

I mean, it kinda still is. It's vastly cheaper opex and more energy efficient to have the wires up properly than to have to maintain batteries and secondary diesel provision. Capex however is another story...

Agreed but that doesn't stop people having cunning plans without looking at the case by case detail

The main electrical but not loading gauge (i.e. the pan fits through) clearance issues are:
a) lightening fault conditions this requires ~15-20x the clearance of the normal OHLE operating voltage clearance - extra clearance requirement can largely be mitigated with surge arrestors
b) the geometry of the underside of bridge decks etc especially if conducting - sharp edges and corners make breakdown easier due to field enhancement. Very insulating paint that also reduces corner radii can help here (in addition to a) )
c) use rigid (fibre glass) support arms with close mast (or wall mounting) spacing

all pretty cheap overall