Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[martyjon]

Text of yesterdays mailshot from Network Rail ;

I am writing to let you know that we will be continuing our work to electrify the line between London and Cardiff over the Christmas period. This will include installing overhead line equipment from Winterbourne to Chipping Sodbury.

The installation of masts and booms is a relatively quiet process; however, some noise may be created from the on track machines that will be used to lift the masts into place. We recognise construction work can be disruptive to our neighbours and we will make every effort to minimise any unnecessary or avoidable noise. 

The work will take place over the following dates and times:     

Saturday 23 December during the night between 22:00- 08:00
Monday 25 December during the day between 08:00 – 22:00
Tuesday 26 December during the day between 08:00 – 22:00

Hope all personnel involved have a good Chistmas dinner on Sunday 24 December.

[Bmblbzzz]

I've noticed quite a lot of masts already up between Winterbourne and Chipping Sodbury.

[martyjon]

Whilst out today I passed through the two road underbridges at Westerleigh Junction and noted that 'dangly bits' have appeared on some of the gantries and booms at this location so I would think that the work notified to us living close to the GW^▸ (Great Western) SW line as taking place over the Christmas period will be the stringing up of the overhead kniting.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Network Rail update https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/great-western-mainline/west-berkshire/ suggests there will be some progress on the upper reaches of the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) over the coming weekend, and on Christmas Day and Boxing Day also :-)

[ellendune]

It would appear that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) or their contractors are storing OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") gantries on the old Wroughton airfield.  For the most part this is fine, but the long ones....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/174647835905162/permalink/1706594262710504

[lbraine]

Seen here (towards the end of the slide show) : http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/15792846.PICTURES__Rail_engineers_work_through_Christmas_to_fix_signals/#gallery1

Clearly some 'footings' for the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") being sunk at/around Oxford this Christmas period.

Good to see seem some joined up Network Rail thinking - taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the track renewals.

[stuving]

Clearly some 'footings' for the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") being sunk at/around Oxford this Christmas period.

Good to see seem some joined up Network Rail thinking - taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the track renewals.

I suspect not - that site is north of the north end of the northern sidings, so while the wires might be tied off there they are more likely to stop a bit further south. I reckon it's for a signal gantry, which for one thing would explain the caption given to the pictures!

There was another four-track gantry put up a couple of years ago about 300 m to the south. That only appears to have one signal on it, so maybe it's the preferred method of supporting signals these days, and another one might well be needed so close. 

[ChrisB]

Contingency for 4-tracking Oxford - Didcot?

[IndustryInsider]

Clearly some 'footings' for the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") being sunk at/around Oxford this Christmas period.

Good to see seem some joined up Network Rail thinking - taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the track renewals.

I suspect not - that site is north of the north end of the northern sidings, so while the wires might be tied off there they are more likely to stop a bit further south. I reckon it's for a signal gantry, which for one thing would explain the caption given to the pictures!

There was another four-track gantry put up a couple of years ago about 300 m to the south. That only appears to have one signal on it, so maybe it's the preferred method of supporting signals these days, and another one might well be needed so close. 

That’s absolutely right, stuving.  That looks like the foundations for the gantry that will support signals OD2391/3/5/7 which will protect movements towards Oxford North Junction.  The other gantry currently has OX135 and OX19 attached to it (OX135 is attached to the side of it), but will eventually have four signals OD2374/6/78/80, the last two being renumbered from the current 19 and 135 signals and protect movements towards Oxford station.

With all lines becoming bi-directionally signalled in the Oxford area, there’s quite a few additional signals needed and gantries seem to be flavour of the month.  I can see the advantages in terms of cabling and maintenance, though I would have thought installation costs would be more expensive?

[eightf48544]

Isn't today the day that the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) have to sign off Maidenhead to Tilehurst electrification to enable the Local TV  Didcot to Padd service to be 387s and IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to run with pans up to Milton. from 2/3 Jan?

[ChrisB]

It was signed last Friday.

[IndustryInsider]

IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) will change over east of Didcot rather than west at Milton, except for London bound trains stopping at Didcot which will be able to change at the platform.

[Electric train]

IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) will change over east of Didcot rather than west at Milton, except for London bound trains stopping at Didcot which will be able to change at the platform.

If the DN IET get it wrong there will be a nice collection did-embodied Pans in the Milton area and a few smashed up Tensorex units (these are the wire tensioning devices)

[IndustryInsider]

That’s the reason ALL westbound trains will change from electric to diesel at Moreton Cutting before getting to Didcot whether stopping or not.  A signal berth triggered GSM-R^▸ (Global System for Mobile communications - Railway.) message will further remind drivers.  I’ll still be expecting someone to forget...

[Electric train]

That’s the reason ALL westbound trains will change from electric to diesel at Moreton Cutting before getting to Didcot whether stopping or not.  A signal berth triggered GSM-R^▸ (Global System for Mobile communications - Railway.) message will further remind drivers.  I’ll still be expecting someone to forget...

Saltwood Tunnel in Kent was an effective Pad remove device when the Eurostars used the XTD route to Waterloo 

Much the same as Blackfriars station canopy did for the 319s and perhaps the 700s (not had one yet)