Reading Area (Stage J) Xmas 2013 Signalling Changes

[whole diary]

[insider]

Not sure if this info is anywhere else???

Over the Xmas period the following significant changes to Signalling / Pway will be taking place between Reading and Southcote Jcn.

This is a summary only of the major points that I have been given by a driver.

The starting signals from Platforms 1 & 2 will be changed to LED Type (2 head / 4 aspect)

5 Brand New signals being installed over Hodsall Road Lane Bridge (36m36ch) > this is near the point work to the old Upper Depot. There will be 2 signals on up and 2 on down on a gantry. And one new signal from the exit of the Upper Depot (which is staying as a tamper siding)

The Down Westbury line is becoming bi-directional between Station and Reading West >>> As a result there will be a new main aspect signal (with a theatre box) on the Down Westbury Platform at Reading West replacing the current ground position light.

A new signal breaking the current long section between Southcote Jcn and down towards Theale (to increase capacity)

A new Junction Indicator on the signal on the Up Westbury Line Platform at Reading West and theatre box.

Both the signals on the London end of Reading West Station will have the ability to route onto the new Festival Lines when they are built / finished in 2015!!

Trains coming from the West Curve (normally freight / but some passenger during engineering or disruption)towards Southcote will now be able to run via the Up Westbury Line platform then cross back onto the down after the station.

All signals will be 4 aspect LED type (2heads) and will be prefixed Txxxx. All areas will also be Axle Counters vice Track Circuits.


Anyone has any questions I have all the "official" maps but can't post them on here, but will do my best to translate.

[Network SouthEast]

As an aside, there is a signal (TR379) affectionately known by drivers as Nelson's Hat because it resembles the hat worn by Admiral Lord Nelson. This signal is being abolished in the forthcoming changes.

Away from the scope of this work, but last Easter a pair of signals came in to service at the end of Kennet Bridge loop, and these are nicknamed Mickey Mouse (the taller signal) and Minnie Mouse on account of their appearance, so named signals will still live on in the Reading area!

[R.Langley]

The Down Westbury line is becoming bi-directional between Station and Reading West >>> As a result there will be a new main aspect signal (with a theatre box) on the Down Westbury Platform at Reading West replacing the current ground position light.

With regards to this, will there be an Up Westbury to Down Westbury crossover south of Reading West, for trains to run through the Down Westbury Platform at Reading West? Or is the Down Westbury being made bi-directional for reversals from the Down Westbury Platform?

If that makes any sense.

[bobm]

As an aside, there is a signal (TR379) affectionately known by drivers as Nelson's Hat because it resembles the hat worn by Admiral Lord Nelson. This signal is being abolished in the forthcoming changes.

At least they have got rid of (T)R36 on the approach to Platform 7.  A few times I was waiting when a train in the platform developed a problem and the train I wanted was trapped at the signal outside the station with nowhere to go!

And for those who haven't seen "Nelson's Hat" - here is its impressive array 


(Picture taken from Danny Scroggins' impressive website of signalling related photos)

[paul7575]

Both the signals on the London end of Reading West Station will have the ability to route onto the new Festival Lines...

'Feeder lines' surely?

Paul

[insider]

The Down Westbury line is becoming bi-directional between Station and Reading West >>> As a result there will be a new main aspect signal (with a theatre box) on the Down Westbury Platform at Reading West replacing the current ground position light.

With regards to this, will there be an Up Westbury to Down Westbury crossover south of Reading West, for trains to run through the Down Westbury Platform at Reading West? Or is the Down Westbury being made bi-directional for reversals from the Down Westbury Platform?

If that makes any sense.

South of Reading West is not changing, with reference to track layout. So yes only the Down Platform is becoming bi-directional for reversing movements. But in 2015 this will be more useful as the signal will route onto the new flyover.

[paul7575]

South of Reading West is not changing, with reference to track layout. So yes only the Down Platform is becoming bi-directional for reversing movements. But in 2015 this will be more useful as the signal will route onto the new flyover.

How so?  Don't you mean it will route onto the feeder lines - hence through the underpass?

Paul

[Network SouthEast]

Both the signals on the London end of Reading West Station will have the ability to route onto the new Festival Lines...

'Feeder lines' surely?

Paul

They are going to be called the Festival Lines.

[eightf48544]

There is also a lot of signalling work being done over Xmas between iver and Southall. Which I believe will include a new Trailing Crossover between Donw Main and Up Mian to allow Heathrow Expresses to use  the Down Heatrow line wrong road. The Down Main is currently bi-directionally signalled between Hayes and Southall East. The new cross over means any HEX running wrong road will gain the Up Main before Southall West thus considerably reducing the time it occupies the Down Main.

[paul7575]

'Feeder lines' surely?

Paul

They are going to be called the Festival Lines.

No they aren't.  The Festival Line (singular) is the bi-directional route to be used mainly by XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services to get from P3, P7 and P8 to the relief side.   It goes through an underpass adjacent to that which will takes the West Curve under the main viaduct.   It goes through a massive a concrete box, (the one previously shown being built in webcam06/02) which is called the 'Festival Line box'.

The new East Curve, consists of two lines from just north of Oxford Rd Jn, that pass through the unsurprisingly named 'Feeder Lines box'.  They are the 'Up Reading Feeder Main' line (the right hand line of two looking towards the station, that is mainly for trains heading to P11;  and the 'Down Reading Feeder Relief' line (the left hand line looking towards the station), which is a continuation of the P12 down relief loop.

This nomenclature is used throughout the planning drawings, and has been referred to regularly on the main Reading Station thread over many months.   More recently it was described this way in the Network Change Notice that supports the Stage J works, available on Network Rail's website here:

SUMMARY OF WORKS
By way of a brief summary the main changes that will take place as part of the Stage J Works are:
Re-modelling of Oxford Road Junction and installation and renewal of a number of point ends to support the future introduction of the new Up Reading Feeder Main Line and Down Reading Feeder Relief Line...

etc etc.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/network%20code/network%20change/current%20proposals/reading%20redevelopment/variations%20to%20stage%20j/ncn%20g1%202013%20rsar%20003%20stage%20j.pdf

The remainder of the linked NCN gives the overall description of the work package already mentioned in this thread.

Paul

[paul7575]

There is also a lot of signalling work being done over Xmas between iver and Southall. Which I believe will include a new Trailing Crossover between Donw Main and Up Mian to allow Heathrow Expresses to use  the Down Heatrow line wrong road. The Down Main is currently bi-directionally signalled between Hayes and Southall East. The new cross over means any HEX running wrong road will gain the Up Main before Southall West thus considerably reducing the time it occupies the Down Main.

Wasn't this already subject of a separate thread here:  http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13221.0

Paul

[SandTEngineer]

Here is the Oxford Road Junction layout being referred to:


Image (c)2013 SandT Engineer

[Network SouthEast]

No they aren't.  The Festival Line (singular) is the bi-directional route to be used mainly by XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services to get from P3, P7 and P8 to the relief side.   It goes through an underpass adjacent to that which will takes the West Curve under the main viaduct.   It goes through a massive a concrete box, (the one previously shown being built in webcam06/02) which is called the 'Festival Line box'.

I think there may be a misunderstanding.

The signalling changes that insider is referring to is to route a train to the Festival line (i.e. from Reading West station to Reading station platforms 12-15. From Christmas two PRIs are being installed on the Up Westbury, to be associated with new signal T2802. T2802 will be capable of routing trains towards Reading station straight on (as now), with just a main aspect and also number 0 PRI indications. Route number 2 and main aspect (and also number two PRI) will route trains around the existing down Reading West curve. Route number 1/PRI 1 will be out of use ready for when the Festival line comes in to play. My mistake for thinking the Fesitval line was two track though, I stand corrected on that one.

[paul7575]

I think there may be a misunderstanding.

The signalling changes that insider is referring to is to route a train to the Festival line (i.e. from Reading West station to Reading station platforms 12-15.

Well I'm still sure you are wrong, and it is only you who is misunderstanding.  The route you are describing (i.e. Reading West to P12-15) is known as the Down Reading Feeder Relief.  The Festival line is not involved in that routing. Did you read the linked Network Change Notice?

Paul

[Network SouthEast]

No - I read the Train Driver briefing notes. No doubt when the Feeder lines are commissioned there'll be a correction briefed out by then.