Swindon to Kemble re-doubling - ongoing discussion and updates

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

They're redoubling it in narrow gauge - what's your problem? 

[Railfriend]

Does anyone know if the speed limit on the Swindon-Kemble section will change once the redoubling is finished?  A while ago one of the coaches on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains had screens on the back of seats and software that allowed you to track the speed of the train.  On the Swindon-Kemble section I noticed the speed hitting 120mph.  Just wondering if any existing speed limit on the single track will decrease once trains are running on two tracks.

[IndustryInsider]

On the Swindon-Kemble section I noticed the speed hitting 120mph.

That would be a GPS innacuracy!  Swindon to Kemble is a maximum of 100mph and I doubt that will raise, though journey times might reduce slightly if trains don't need to slow for crossovers at the end of the single line sections.

[quedgeley2002]

A week or so has passed since the short possession before Easter so here is a quick update on the work completed as far as can be seen from the daily commute.

At Kemble a new low speed leading cross-over has been installed between the existing lines between the station and the tunnel. The trackwork in the up direction is complete but some further work will be needed on the downside to complete this connection.

At the tunnel entrance the double to single track pointwork remains in use. The remainder of the major works were completed at Purton. Previously the single line switched from the up to the down alignment here. This has now been eliminated with the current single line now running in the up alignment all the way from Kemble to the new 'high speed' cross over set by B&Q at Moredon. Here the running line uses the crossing to gain the down alignment for the few yards to Loco Yard Junction where the existing double track section is regained. Presumably this arrangment will remain until the final work is completed to remove Loco Yard Junction and commission the new signalling.

Along the rest of the line work is concentrated on preparing the last parts of the trackbed in the down alignment. Ballast, track and sleepers are in place for about 60% of the way with ongoing works very evident along the remainder. Numerous lineside cabinets and cables are now in place in support of the new signalling.

Hopefully the project is still on course for the revised August commissioning date, we then just need to find some extra trains to enjoy the increased capacity!

 

[Sapperton Tunnel]

I finally managed to get over to Kemble on Sat 26th and Sunday 27th April for a few photos and they echo Quedgers' report:

Here is the new crossover between the Station and the Tunnel. It looks as if they will not be able to complete it until they have removed the current single to double points:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/9894073483/in/photostream


and looking from the Tunnel; the unit is 150 266:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066632844/in/photostream


At the South (Swindon) end of Kemble Tunnel moving of cables, cabinets and troughing is well under way:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14043027946/in/set-72157634881696135/



Moving on to Wick Bridge, the trackbed has been prepared towards Kemble Tunnel and sleepers have been dropped off:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/9412987229/in/set-72157634881696125/



and looking South towards Swindon:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14062705732/in/set-72157634881696125/



Next is Oaksey Bridge, looking North towards Kemble; Tamping of the Up line is in progress:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/9415811236/in/set-72157634888306802



Looking South towards Swindon:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14085971133/in/set-72157634888306802


Onwards to Minety Bridge, looking North towards Kemble. The Signals are for Minety Crossing:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/9415842062/in/set-72157634888785708/


Looking South towards Swindon from Minety Bridge:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14065942495/in/set-72157634888785708/


Then to Black Dog Bridge, on the B4696. Looking North towards Kemble and getting ready to lay the rails:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066440104/


Looking South towards Swindon, with the Sleepers dropped off and ready to position:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14042879956/in/photostream


The next site is Purton Common Crossing. Looking North towards Kemble:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14062859172/in/photostream/


and South towards Swindon. The bridge is Widham Bridge, at Purton Station and in the background is Purton Collins Lane Crossing. I did not visit the Crossing as the approach roads were blocked off.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066038915/in/photostream/


The view North from Widham Bridge (Purton Station) looking back towards Purton Common Crossing and Kemble:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14042962316/in/photostream/


and the view South towards Purton Collins Lane Crossing and Swindon:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066038915/in/photostream


At Bremhill Bridge, this is the view looking North towards Kemble; I think the width of the formation still gives off the aura of Brunel's broadgauge.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14042975646/in/photostream/


South towards Swindon:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066108295/in/photostream/


The final location is Moredon Bridge; the last overbridge before Swindon.

Looking North towards Kemble from the old bridge. On the right are ongoing embankment works and a new housing estate is on the left:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14043027946/in/photostream/


The final photo is looking South towards Swindon from the new bridge; If you have a good resolution screen you may be able to spot Reynard walking towards Swindon on the very right hand rail


https://www.flickr.com/photos/99295362@N07/14066108295/in/photostream/



All in all good progress but still quite a bit to do.

Sapperton Tunnel

[bobm]

Some cracking photos Sapperton Tunnel.  I'm looking forward to going back to Minety and Purton Collins Lane crossings once the work is finished.  However Minety will not be so easy as they have cut the bus service to Upper Minety right back since I went last year.

[patch38]

More fantastic photos ST - thanks. Love the fox on the rail. Hope he doesn't stray two pictures further west: I know a gamekeeper thereabouts who would like to meet him...

If you use the B4696 after 11pm, it's amazingly spooky when you cross Black Dog Bridge at the moment. As you are essentially in the middle of nowhere out there, it's really pitch dark with virtually no artificial light and then you come across an eerily glowing ribbon of bright white from that string of 110v work-lights as you cross the track. If I was a half-decent photographer, I'd try and get a shot of it for posterity!

[ellendune]

Love the fox on the rail.

Hasn't (s)he heard that it is dangerous to trespass on the railway?

[IndustryInsider]

To echo Bob and Patch, great photos - thanks!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Love the fox on the rail.

Hasn't (s)he heard that it is dangerous to trespass on the railway?

Any such advice will probably be brushed off. 

[TonyK]

Any such advice will probably be brushed off. 

Boom, Boom!

Excellent set of pictures, ST! Not sure how good the resolution is on my tap-lop. Is that a mouse or a vole that the fox is carrying?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Is that a mouse or a vole that the fox is carrying?

Or possibly a young trout (see another topic) ... ? 

[TonyK]

Or possibly a young trout (see another topic) ... ? 

Come now, CfN, it isn't wet enough for that. Although it may rain 'ard soon...

[ellendune]

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=12821.msg154812#msg154812

Network Rail has announced a delay in the closure of Swindon Panel and the transfer of control to Didcot.  It was originally going to be the August Bank Holiday weekend but will now be Christmas this year or Easter 2015.

Does the further delay in closure of Swindon panel affect the implementation of the double track?

[Railfriend]

I'm afraid so, Ellendune.  The two projects have always been linked, as many posters here have pointed out.  Easter 2015 does now look possible for both.  There have been so many delays on Swindon-Kemble that this is no surprise.