Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[metalrail]

OK, 5 months since last vids posted and loads more to see as expected...

Filton bank down side starting from BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) new Platform 1 and the new 3rd line from there to halfway around the chord to Filton North Junction, showing all the new embankment work.  Things get more exciting around 4m 40s where current track slews over from old main side to current 'relief' side. Amazing to see the 2 new lines all the way from the slew then over the long disused M32 bridge and new Stapleton Road viaduct.  From there it's 3 and a half lines thru SRD, and 3 up through LWH.  Also note the gap between the 2 sets of lines where passive provision has been made for a new Ashley Hill station

https://youtu.be/zxVJv-3xrBo

[metalrail]

Then back up Filton Bank starting from Narroways junction up to a now very electrified BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains).  Most of the 2 new lines in place from the slew upwards, with gaps where there are current signalling equipment to be moved, and the crossovers piled up which will form the new Horfield Junction between Constable Rd & Bonnington Walk.  Also a gap around the current Filton South junction which will be removed as the 4 new lines will go straight through the 4 platforms at FIT, with the new platform 4 now looking much more complete

Excuse the reflection of the seats in front and my fingers holding the camera...  ain't complaining seeing as it's such a lush day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ4dtc5ZBz4

Helps if I get the link right!

https://youtu.be/sQ4dtc5ZBz4

[metalrail]

And finally a few new pics around LWH

First showing LWH as it looks now with almost 4 tracks running thru again at long last, and also showing how much room there still is to rebuild the centre island platform and add a 4th on the opposite side (i'm dreaming again!)

[chuffed]

To paraphrase the initials of a famous Indian batsman, it looks if it will be Very Very Soon, Tracksman !

[martyjon]

And finally a few new pics around LWH
First showing LWH as it looks now with almost 4 tracks running thru again at long last, and also showing how much room there still is to rebuild the centre island platform and add a 4th on the opposite side (i'm dreaming again!)

Looks like a bit more than a little weeding is required alongside the new UP MAIN.

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks for posting those video updates METALRAIL.  Still looks a huge amount of work to do in the 6 weeks between now and commissioning on 19 November 2018.  One thing does disappointment me is the amount of lineside vegetation that could have been removed during the Bristol Parkway blockade.

[metalrail]

Got some other pics from LWH over the bridge with the new rails leading right up to Dr Days, but can't get them to upload at the minute

[metalrail]

One thing does disappointment me is the amount of lineside vegetation that could have been removed during the Bristol Parkway blockade.

Yeah I noticed that as we rounded the chord seeing as my camera was obviously fixated out the window trying to pick out all the new works, and how overgrown it seemed to be

[Noggin]

Apologies if asked before, but will the improvements be sufficient to enable a new Henbury loop service to be run, or will there need to be further works on the mainline?

[metalrail]

Apologies if asked before, but will the improvements be sufficient to enable a new Henbury loop service to be run, or will there need to be further works on the mainline?

Once the four tracking is finished and the signalling commissioned that should be it as far as the Filton Bank lines are concerned, as trains from the Henbury loop will be able to access all platforms at FIT, and also onto BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains)

The issue will be on the loop itself between FIT / BPW and SAR, getting that re-signalled for passenger train use - that's if they decide to go for the full loop option rather than just running them to Henbury and back

And also if they want to get the new Ashley Hill station built (which they've left room for with the new line alignments up the bank) which I think was also part of the Henbury loop phase of Metrowest, which i'm guessing would need some signalling changes for the new platforms there too?

[johnneyw]

Apologies if asked before, but will the improvements be sufficient to enable a new Henbury loop service to be run, or will there need to be further works on the mainline?

From my understanding, the main issue with the Henbury Loop is that the now retired head of the unelected local enterprise partnership decided that just a "spur" to Henbury was best for the likes of us. To do this they cited a load of dated stats regarding railway viability and just as questionable costings. This decision also happened to please the Port of Bristol Authority who opposed the loop. I'm not saying they had any undue influence with the now retired head of the LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about), just thought I'd add this information.

[TonyK]

From my understanding, the main issue with the Henbury Loop is that the now retired head of the unelected local enterprise partnership decided that just a "spur" to Henbury was best for the likes of us. To do this they cited a load of dated stats regarding railway viability and just as questionable costings. This decision also happened to please the Port of Bristol Authority who opposed the loop. I'm not saying they had any undue influence with the now retired head of the LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about), just thought I'd add this information.

He might have changed his tune now that he works for the company that want to build houses on the airfield. There are still plans for a deep water container terminal at Avonmouth though. In the unlikely event of that actually happening, the line would see a big increase in freight, hence the Port's opposition.

[johnneyw]

I heard the opposition from the port authority lay with the increase need to close the level crossing at the port gate should the loop materialise. Bridging the gap might cost a bit but bridges and flyovers seem all the rage with Metrobust these days and this would, after all, actually for something useful.

[metalrail]

Let's hope now with his change of tune and employment (!) the way more sensible loop option is brought back into consideration...

Meanwhile, couple more pics from yesterday at LWH, looking towards Dr Days

Thanks Grahame for sorting the upload issues 

[martyjon]

Apologies if asked before, but will the improvements be sufficient to enable a new Henbury loop service to be run, or will there need to be further works on the mainline?

Once the four tracking is finished and the signalling commissioned that should be it as far as the Filton Bank lines are concerned, as trains from the Henbury loop will be able to access all platforms at FIT, and also onto BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains)

The issue will be on the loop itself between FIT / BPW and SAR, getting that re-signalled for passenger train use - that's if they decide to go for the full loop option rather than just running them to Henbury and back

And also if they want to get the new Ashley Hill station built (which they've left room for with the new line alignments up the bank) which I think was also part of the Henbury loop phase of Metrowest, which i'm guessing would need some signalling changes for the new platforms there too?

I thought that some signalling enhancements were carried out a few years ago to allow pax services to run the loop when works in conjunction with platform 3 at FIT undertaken. Previously when pax were run on the loop a Pilotman had to be used between Avonmouth and Chittenham.