MML Electrification: progress updates

[richieb1971]

There were, I believe, track renewals at Radwell.

This was filmed the other day (2 days ago). The ballast doesn't look new and its still jointed track. Saying that though, Radwell to some people means up to 1 mile south of this location.

 

[59CosG95]

View attachment 82286

This was filmed the other day (2 days ago). The ballast doesn't look new and its still jointed track. Saying that though, Radwell to some people means up to 1 mile south of this location.

A post on LinkedIn confirmed the work as taking place on the Down Fast only.

 

[WymoWanderer]

Had a wander up to the Irchester substation (in Wymington, North Bedfordshire) and noticed two of the isolators are now connected which presumably confirms the power is running up to Irchester as previously mentioned by others.

The ground is too wet for me to wander to the isolators on the train lines. When the conditions improve I'll go and have a look.

Lots of staff activity at the substation today btw.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Good lord you can see why with all that kit why substations and grid connections are amongst the most expensive parts of an electrification scheme.

 

[59CosG95]

News from LinkedIn regarding Braybrooke... https://www.linkedin.com/posts/whit...trification-activity-6702164766112178177-jPHy

Project Win - Braybrooke ATFS design works

We are very happy to announce the award by SPL POWERLINES UK HOLDING LIMITED to WCS of the civil and electrical design of Braybrooke ATFS substation, HV cable routes and DNO supply on the Midland Mainline Electrification project. Working closely with National Grid and Network Rail, the Auto-Transformer Feeder Station will provide electrical intake to the railway from the grid and facilitate electrification to Market Harborough as part of the Key Output 1a design deliverables.

We are looking forward to being part of this exciting project!

 

[WAO]

This seems to commit to electrification at least to MH. If an extension lead to Glendon Jn were an option, then Braybrooke would only be a GSP not an ATFS.

WAO

 

[59CosG95]

This seems to commit to electrification at least to MH. If an extension lead to Glendon Jn were an option, then Braybrooke would only be a GSP not an ATFS.

WAO

IMO, it also seems to clarify that, at the very least, work to AT-upgrade the route north of Borehamwood ATFS hasn't been given the proverbial mothballs.

 

[railneighbour]

According to a notice pinned to a fence on a bridge just south of Kettering station, the overhead wires around Kettering are now live. It was originally planned for overnight tonight/tomorrow morning (22nd/23rd)

 

[Legolash2o]

According to a Twitter post. Bedford to Corby is now live.

I can't copy the tweet at the minute.

 

[londonmidland]

According to a Twitter post. Bedford to Corby is now live.

I can't copy the tweet at the minute.

The said tweet you’re referring to is available to view here.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

According to a Twitter post. Bedford to Corby is now live.

I can't copy the tweet at the minute.

I'm told the 'No electric trains past this point' signage has been ceremoniously removed at the north end of Bedford station.

 

[59CosG95]

I'm told the 'No electric trains past this point' signage has been ceremoniously removed at the north end of Bedford station.

It has indeed; the tweet linked by @londonmidland has images of the sign being removed.

Another post stating the wires are now live to Corby & Kettering, from the MMLE Construction Engineering Manager (CEM). https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simo...-through-to-activity-6703418023476285440-MOIi

 

[adamedwards]

So when are the 91s running under power? Good news and good progress.

 

[Meerkat]

The said tweet you’re referring to is available to view here.

Just look at the difference between the chap in the first photo and the chaps in the second one!
A good example of how cost inflation did buy positives such as the protection of the workers.
Have you seen the British Transport Film of them working on the OLE in the 60’s - ladders leaned on the wires and scaled in office shoes!?

 

[John Webb]

Just look at the difference between the chap in the first photo and the chaps in the second one!
A good example of how cost inflation did buy positives such as the protection of the workers.
Have you seen the British Transport Film of them working on the OLE in the 60’s - ladders leaned on the wires and scaled in office shoes!?

These could well have been safety shoes. When I first needed to wear such footwear in the early 1970s there was a very limited range available compared to the last 30 years and it was office-style shoes I was given. (I still buy safety shoes, despite being retired for over 20 years, cheaper, harder-wearing and the wider width due to the toecaps suits my feet much more!)

NAPSBURY: Drove past here on Saturday - no noticeable works so far next to the North Orbital trading estate.

 

[edwin_m]

These could well have been safety shoes. When I first needed to wear such footwear in the early 1970s there was a very limited range available compared to the last 30 years and it was office-style shoes I was given. (I still buy safety shoes, despite being retired for over 20 years, cheaper, harder-wearing and the wider width due to the toecaps suits my feet much more!)

NAPSBURY: Drove past here on Saturday - no noticeable works so far next to the North Orbital trading estate.

I think (safety) boots are now required for track walking as with shoes it's very easy to twist an ankle on the uneven surface.

 

[Ploughman]

I have worn safety shoes daily for the last 30 years in work or not, but on track they get changed to boots.
As for 1960s's antics with ladders leaning on the OLE that still occured in the 90's and later.
Recall one night I spotted some Tree cutters using the OLE as a way to get to some awkward trees.
The wire had only been strung the night before.

 

[eMeS]

... Recall one night I spotted some Tree cutters using the OLE as a way to get to some awkward trees. The wire had only been strung the night before.

Is that a form of pre-tensioning?

 

[Bald Rick]

Is that a form of pre-tensioning?

It could be called tree-pensioning!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Looking forward to a day out in the morning to have a look at progress.

(the end game is a gentleman's luncheon , being retired , at the Brunswick in Derby)

 

[Bald Rick]

Looking forward to a day out in the morning to have a look at progress.

(the end game is a gentleman's luncheon , being retired , at the Brunswick in Derby)

Enjoy!

 

[59CosG95]

Looking forward to a day out in the morning to have a look at progress.

(the end game is a gentleman's luncheon , being retired , at the Brunswick in Derby)

Well, tomorrow's heavy rain and strong winds should put the radial loads of the catenary & contact to the test - fully expecting a dewirement over on the ECML!

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Well, tomorrow's heavy rain and strong winds should put the radial loads of the catenary & contact to the test - fully expecting a dewirement over on the ECML!

Fetch your stepladder, Granville.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Well, tomorrow's heavy rain and strong winds should put the radial loads of the catenary & contact to the test - fully expecting a dewirement over on the ECML!

Or some vegetation incidents at least .....

 

[59CosG95]

Spent some time today looking at the Key Outputs again for the MML Upgrade. Taken from the Economic Case presented to the DfT in 2016 (pre-Grayling).
Key Output 1 - delivered by Dec 2019

• electrification from Bedford to Kettering / Corby (done)
• capacity enhancement schemes between Bedford-Kettering (4th track Sharnbrook - Kettering) and Kettering-Corby (2nd track restoration & linespeed upgrade) which facilitate a 6th LDHS path (both done AIUI)
• Derby Station remodelling (done)
• PJIF (Passenger Journey Improvement Fund) linespeed works at Market Harborough (done), Leicester South Junction (unknown) and Derby North (done?).

Key Output 2 - delivered by Dec 2023

• completion of electrification between Kettering and Sheffield/Nottingham
• adjustments to OLE between London St Pancras and Bedford to enable operation of electric traction at 125mph.

The reason I bring this up is that the main steelwork supplier for the project (L'boro'-based Adey Steel Group) said this on LinkedIn:

There are rightly many posts this week celebrating the successful completion of the Midland Mainline L2C project. It has been a privilege for Adey Steel Group to support the teams at SPL POWERLINES UK HOLDING LIMITED and Network Rail over the past 2 years, working collaboratively for collective success. We have provided over 5,000 tonnes of OLE structures to the project and we look forward to continuing to support on KO1A and KO2 as the electrification program moves north.

AIUI, K01A is the extension to Market Harborough.

 

[ohgoditsjames]

Now let’s get the wires all the way to Sheffield please!

 

[edwin_m]

AIUI, K01A is the extension to Market Harborough.

Unfortunately in marketing speak "looking forward to" tends to mean "hope you will want us to do" and doesn't indicate it's actually going to happen. If it is agreed then I imagine there will be much fanfare from the DfT and they'll get the local MPs out of their backwoods, in the hope that we've all forgotten it's un-cancelling something the same party cancelled a few years ago.

 

[HowardGWR]

It could be called tree-pensioning!

That is really rather good. Take a bow.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Enjoy!

Very impressive and the OLE fits so much better into the landscape than those on the GWML , looks as if the stabling sidings need some more work. Carnage south of SAC this morning , but got there and back safely - even on 2 HST's for some of the way....

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Unfortunately in marketing speak "looking forward to" tends to mean "hope you will want us to do" and doesn't indicate it's actually going to happen. If it is agreed then I imagine there will be much fanfare from the DfT and they'll get the local MPs out of their backwoods, in the hope that we've all forgotten it's un-cancelling something the same party cancelled a few years ago.

There will be additional steelwork installed south of Bedford as part of the upgrade to enable 125mph electric operation