Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

Link to an online "Evening Standard" artical http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/waste-hopper-collapses-at-paddington-station-8189268.html

Would appear it failed under its own weight ......... opps 

[The SprinterMeister]

I am speculating here but wonder if they have got the counter balancing of the loading head right, there seems to be quite a mass overhanging the wagons with very little on the opposite side. 

If you were to add counterweights to the opposite side of the mechanism you would increase the total mass of the moveable part of the plant and the load carried on the longitudenal girders supporting it. Looks as if the load on the girders (particularly on the 'loading' side) may have been a problem as it is by the looks of things.....

The spoil train appears to have stopped the whole lot crashing onto the ground fortunately.

[broadgage]

I think that it fell during or shortly after very heavy rain.
The spoil would of course become heavier due to soaking up water, and pools of water may have built up on the conveyor behind each pile of spoil.
This should of course have been allowed for in the design, but given some defect in design, material, or construction, the extra weight of the rainwater probably explains why it fell then and not before.

Does anyone know for long tunneling may continue without the conveyor ?
There is on site storage for the spoil, but I dont know how long it would take to fill up.

[IndustryInsider]

Bids for detailed design and construction of the western Crossrail stations have been invited from all the big construction players:

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/press-releases/network-rail-invites-bids-for-design-construction-crossrail-western-stations#.UG18GlGuVWg

[IndustryInsider]

One of the two TBM's is on the move again, with the other set to restart next week:

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2012/10/22/tunnelling-work-restarts-on-crossrail/

[IndustryInsider]

Here's a diagram of the Acton dive under which shows the revised track layout in a detail I've not seen before.  New lines are marked in red, whilst the old layout is marked with green dashes and unchanged lines are marked in black.

A few people I've spoken to were assuming the freight line would dive under the passenger line, but this diagram clearly shows that Acton reception sidings and goods loops have been slewed north to allow the up relief line to dive under the down goods line and up goods line (which will also link to the reception lines and all sidings).

[paul7575]

I expect apart from the lack of space in the yard to install a ramp to/from the alternative of a freight dive under, it is far better operationally to have the heavier freights staying on the level, and the passenger units able to take a run up at least from the previous station!

I hadn't appreciated that the layout would allow parallel moves in and out of the yard - it could easily have been a single lead junction based on much of what has been done over the last 20 years or more.

[grahame]

So it keeps up Crossrail clear of freight from main lines and from down relief, but down Crossrail crosses main line freight on the level - have I read that right?  And up Crossrail can continue to use the surface lines too unless there's a conflicting freight movement?

[John R]

If I've interpreted this correctly it also means that the diveunder will only be used when there is a conflicting movement coming out of the yard (and maybe going in to the yard too depending on how far the spur extends west of the dive under).

On another Crossrail topic, both the TBMs (Elizabeth and Victoria) have now set off westwards from Limmo Peninsula, and Phyllis is now under Hyde Park, so well on her way to Farringdon.

[IndustryInsider]

I expect apart from the lack of space in the yard to install a ramp to/from the alternative of a freight dive under, it is far better operationally to have the heavier freights staying on the level, and the passenger units able to take a run up at least from the previous station!

I hadn't appreciated that the layout would allow parallel moves in and out of the yard - it could easily have been a single lead junction based on much of what has been done over the last 20 years or more.

Yes, I meant to say that in the text of my original post but forgot - starting a heavy freight from an incline would be a very bad idea!  Though in terms of the parallel moves it only permits a move into the yard (from the up relief) and from the down goods loop at the same time, not trains heading into the yard and out of the yard at the same time.  That might well be what you meant, but I thought I'd clarify.  Useful though.

And up Crossrail can continue to use the surface lines too unless there's a conflicting freight movement?

Yes, I hadn't realised that until you said.  Well spotted!

[Electric train]

My guess, the normal Crossrail path will be the UR only using the UP Dive-under when a train movement is need from Goods lines

[eightf48544]

Yes, I meant to say that in the text of my original post but forgot - starting a heavy freight from an incline would be a very bad idea!  Though in terms of the parallel moves it only permits a move into the yard (from the up relief) and from the down goods loop at the same time, not trains heading into the yard and out of the yard at the same time.  That might well be what you meant, but I thought I'd clarify.  Useful though.

Interesting comment. At a recent presentation to the (RCTS) Royal Corps of Trainspotters at Maiidenhead on the Reading rebuild the gradient on the freight line from Reading West under the mainline flyover to the Up Reliefs was highlighted as  being quite severe. It was suggested,  therefore. freights would require a clear run from Reading West into the station.

[paul7575]

...Though in terms of the parallel moves it only permits a move into the yard (from the up relief) and from the down goods loop at the same time, not trains heading into the yard and out of the yard at the same time.  That might well be what you meant, but I thought I'd clarify.  Useful though.

My mistake, yes - I was considering the yard and the goods lines collectively as 'the yard'.

Regarding trains not using the diveunder unless they need to when there's a potential conflict, won't it depend on whether or not that is an accurate layout, or a schematic?  It's possible that there'll be no speed advantage either way, depending on the detailed design of the points, IYSWIM...

Paul

[Southern Stag]

So it keeps up Crossrail clear of freight from main lines and from down relief, but down Crossrail crosses main line freight on the level - have I read that right? 

The freight trains will likely be running on the the relief lines so sharing tracks with Crossrail services so there's no additional conflict because of the junction, Crossrail and freight would be sharing anyway.

[TonyK]

The Christmas period is being used to install a junction at Acton, as part of the Crossrail project.

Important information about Ealing services during Christmas

Monday 10 December

Over the Christmas period Network Rail will be installing a new junction on the tracks at Acton as part of the Crossrail project to improve rail services in the area.

As a result of the work, services between London Paddington and Greenford will stop running from 8pm on Monday 24 December 2012 (Christmas Eve) and will resume on the morning of Wednesday 2 January 2013.

The major engineering works are essential to help increase capacity and improve reliability along the Great Western main line ahead of Crossrail services beginning in 2018. The Acton works must be completed when there are no trains on the affected lines and Network Rail will be working around the clock.   

James Adeshiyan, Senior Project Interface Manager First Great Western, said:

^This upgrade is vitally important to improve our customers^ travel experiences for the future. To minimise inconvenience as much as possible, the work is being done at the least busy time of the year and arrangements have been made to enable passengers to use tickets for these services on the tube and TfL^» (Transport for London - about) buses.

^However, please plan your journey as there is the potential that these services will take you a little longer.^

No First Great Western services will be able to call at Acton Main Line, West Ealing, Hanwell, Drayton Green, Castle Bar Park, South Greenford and Greenford stations during this time. Alternative arrangements have been made to enable passengers to use tickets for these destinations on London Buses and London Underground.

When Crossrail services begin in 2018, even more trains will travel along the Great Western main line so work is needed to improve capacity in the area. The new Acton underpass ^ known as a diveunder ^ will allow freight trains to access Acton Freight Yard without crossing main line passenger tracks, helping improve rail capacity and provide a more reliable service for passengers.

For more information on how this work will affect rail journeys please visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or call 08457 000 125.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Media-centre/Important-information-about-Ealing-services-during-Christmas