Portsmouth Direct line signalling

[ewsclass]

Hi All,
I haven't seen a thread about this yet so thought I would start one, does anyone have any information on the new interlocking and control going into the Farncombe to Petersfield resignalling scheme? This seems like quite a major scheme considering 3 very historic boxes are being decomissioned (Farnbome IFS, Haslemere Lever Frame and Petersfield Lever Frame) and also the first signalling to be located in the Basingstoke ROC if I am not mistaken.

Thanks!

 

[zwk500]

It's not the first signalling to go into BROC - the West of England Line is already there. Not sure what the very first line to go in was.

 

[ewsclass]

It's not the first signalling to go into BROC - the West of England Line is already there. Not sure what the very first line to go in was.

Is that not still in the Basingstoke ASC? https://photos.signalling.org/index?/category/31-west_of_england_panel

 

[JN114]

The former Strawberry Hill / Twickenham / Shepperton section of Feltham ASC was the first, and to date only workstation in Basingstoke ROC

The West of England Line is in the ASC adjacent to the main panel, as is the Dorset Coast panel.

 

[ewsclass]

The former Strawberry Hill / Twickenham / Shepperton section of Feltham ASC was the first, and to date only workstation in Basingstoke ROC

The West of England Line is in the ASC adjacent to the main panel, as is the Dorset Coast panel.

Seeing as Basingstoke and Woking are SSI, do you think a recontrol is in the pipeline to BROC?

 

[JN114]

Seeing as Basingstoke and Woking are SSI, do you think a recontrol is in the pipeline to BROC?

There’s a lot of investment gone into those panels which are nowhere near life expired.

I think the likes of Eastleigh, Feltham, Wimbledon, Salisbury and the smaller boxes are more likely to go first - and indeed that seems to be how things are playing out with the next stage(s) of Feltham going in there later this year in theory.

Being SSI BE/WK are relatively easy to recontrol to the ROC, but even Basingstoke Mainline panel is only 15 years old this year - there’s older less reliable equipment that would be higher up the priority list.

 

[D6130]

Petersfield Lever Frame

Pedant alert: Petersfield box is also an IFS (Individual Function Switch) installation, dating from 1974. The small remaining section of the old lever frame only controls the crossover points. It was originally planned to have an Integra 'Domino' NX (Entrance-Exit) panel - manufactured under licence in the UK by Henry Williams Ltd - but problems caused by the miners' strike and the resulting three day week led to the order being cancelled, as the panel couldn't be delivered in time for the resignalling date, so the SR signalling workshops at Wimbledon put together a small IFS panel which was mounted on the existing block shelf. Somewhere I have photographs of it taken in about 1976-77, but I can't put my hands on it at the moment.

 

[ewsclass]

Pedant alert: Petersfield box is also an IFS (Individual Function Switch) installation, dating from 1974. The small remaining section of the old lever frame only controls the crossover points. It was originally planned to have an Integra 'Domino' NX (Entrance-Exit) panel - manufactured under licence in the UK by Henry Williams Ltd - but problems caused by the miners' strike and the resulting three day week led to the order being cancelled, as the panel couldn't be delivered in time for the resignalling date, so the SR signalling workshops at Wimbledon put together a small IFS panel which was mounted on the existing block shelf. Somewhere I have photographs of it taken in about 1976-77, but I can't put my hands on it at the moment.

Interesting thanks for the info

 

[pdeaves]

The former Strawberry Hill / Twickenham / Shepperton section of Feltham ASC was the first, and to date only workstation in Basingstoke ROC

The West of England Line is in the ASC adjacent to the main panel, as is the Dorset Coast panel.

I believe "was the first..." is still "will be the first..." Feltham is still operational but will transfer.

 

[MarkyT]

I believe "was the first..." is still "will be the first..." Feltham is still operational but will transfer.

...incrementally, as the 1970s remote relay interlockings and lineside equipment are renewed.

 

[pompeyfan]

I believe "was the first..." is still "will be the first..." Feltham is still operational but will transfer.

BROC definitely signal trains, as has been mentioned the Shepperton line (and I believe all signals plated BEF) are there.

Back to the original topic, NR has produced quite an informative video, and I believe BBC South are running a feature on their lunchtime and evening news.

https://twitter.com/networkrailwssx/status/1491694175947001856?s=21

 

[Colin1501]

As part of this project, the line was closed between Guildford and Petersfield from 12th to 20th February, with bus substitution. I've just taken a ride from Petersfield to Guildford and back, and apart from the erection of some temporary trackside safety barriers at a number of locations, I couldn't see any sign of any physical work having been carried out. I appreciate that not all work is visible, but with a complete shutdown of the train service for nine days, you would have thought there would be something to see on the ground, such as some new signal bases or cable troughing. Interestingly, there were a lot of guys out this morning tree cutting reasonably close to the line, with trains running. Does anyone know what was done during this blockade?

 

[pompeyfan]

A lot of the blockade included prep and survey work, I believe work was also undertaken at numerous level crossings too. Unless you were to travel in a cab I think you would struggle to see much difference.

 

[DelW]

As part of this project, the line was closed between Guildford and Petersfield from 12th to 20th February, with bus substitution. I've just taken a ride from Petersfield to Guildford and back, and apart from the erection of some temporary trackside safety barriers at a number of locations, I couldn't see any sign of any physical work having been carried out. I appreciate that not all work is visible, but with a complete shutdown of the train service for nine days, you would have thought there would be something to see on the ground, such as some new signal bases or cable troughing. Interestingly, there were a lot of guys out this morning tree cutting reasonably close to the line, with trains running. Does anyone know what was done during this blockade?

Other work piggy-backed on the resignalling closure. Last week at Godalming the down platform was full of scaffolding propping the canopy, with work taking place to the roof above. All had disappeared again by Monday 21st, with nothing visibly different, but presumably now more watertight and/or stronger.

 

[TSG]

Under track and under road cable routes built, ground investigation work for later structures. None of which is easily visible of course.

 

[Colin1501]

Thanks for replies above - I now understand better what was done.

 

[DelW]

Lots of two-tone horns audible south of Milford earlier today, suggesting work is being carried out on weekdays as well.