Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Gap between Cholsey and Goring probably relates to the Moulsford Viaduct where I believe the masts (which are custom low-impact ones) have recently been fitted, so presumably small parts and wires to follow soon.

The 'custom low-impact ones' are themselves pretty beefy and are similar to the ones installed over Gatehampton Bridge near Goring.  The principle difference being that at Gatehampton they're fitted to the outside of the structure which holds all four tracks, whereas at Moulsford there are two connected structures carrying the Main and Relief lines, so they've managed to hide the supports between the two structures, thus minimising the impact on the bridge.  IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') correctly wires have been installed over Gatehampton Bridge on the Up Relief line in the last couple of weeks.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Noticed while driving home on the A4 this evening that OHLE uprights have started to appear on the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) between Midgham and Thatcham 

Was quite surprised by that as you would think that the focus would be on the bits of the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) between Reading and Airport Jct that still need a lot of work (although there has been a lot of progress recently).

[paul7575]

Noticed while driving home on the A4 this evening that OHLE uprights have started to appear on the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) between Midgham and Thatcham 

Was quite surprised by that as you would think that the focus would be on the bits of the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) between Reading and Airport Jct that still need a lot of work (although there has been a lot of progress recently).

Separate contractors and separate plans. It must have been covered earlier in the thread, but I believe that west of Reading has been known to be happening before Maidenhead to Reading for some time now, with the latter section transferred to the Crossrail contractor in some sort of work re-allocation.

[ChrisB]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

[Noggin]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

Yes, don't get too excited though, AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) its just the date that from which NR, TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), FOCs^▸ (Freight Operating Company, or possibly 'free of charge', depending on context), contractors, emergency services etc. are supposed to consider it live and apply proper safe working procedures. That said, I'm sure that NR will be very keen to flick the switch on that date, even if only to take some photos and check the box on the spreadsheet, before turning it back off again.

As for the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury), good to hear. Possibly a case of giving the uprights crew something constructive (if you pardon the pun) to do rather than signs of the B&H programme getting into full swing, but you never know.     

[Electric train]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

Yes, don't get too excited though, AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) its just the date that from which NR, TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), FOCs^▸ (Freight Operating Company, or possibly 'free of charge', depending on context), contractors, emergency services etc. are supposed to consider it live and apply proper safe working procedures. That said, I'm sure that NR will be very keen to flick the switch on that date, even if only to take some photos and check the box on the spreadsheet, before turning it back off again.

As for the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury), good to hear. Possibly a case of giving the uprights crew something constructive (if you pardon the pun) to do rather than signs of the B&H programme getting into full swing, but you never know.     

There is a declared live date and time as Noggin said this when the new electrification come under "Rules" not only internally to the railway, the local Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Police will have been informed and briefings given if required, all local schools should have been visited and a rail safety presentation given.  Also local flying clubs should have been informed.

From when the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") is declared live it is dangerous to touch, the construction earth will have been removed and any permanent earths on any buffer zones removed, for staff to work on the OLE they will need to test and apply earths and issue safety documentation via an ECR.

Before the OLE is actually made live an number of system tests need to be done -
Section proving - this checks that all the switches, circuit breakers control the correct sections, that there are no incorrect jumpers between sections and that no construction earths or binding wire has been left
Steady current tests - this proves the protection relays are looking in the right direction (they are directional relays) also telecom will do Vl-Vt immunisation tests
Short circuit test - to check rise of earth potential is within the BSEN 510122 limits also part of the telecom Vl-Vt test

All these test are done in a possession with no other engineering work taking place, the test train for the steady current tests may be authorised to run up to 40 mph and to pass at danger all signals between two points.

What could possibly go wrong I always enjoyed being part of system testing .. 

[Cruithne3753]

Spotted one of those flashy new IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) at the Stoke Gifford depot today being slowly trundled back and forth a few times, no panto raised though.

[Bmblbzzz]

Spotted one of those flashy new IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) at the Stoke Gifford depot today being slowly trundled back and forth a few times, no panto raised though.

It's behind you! Oh no it isn't!

[Noggin]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

Has been suggested on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) that the date might now be 28th June.

[Electric train]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

Has been suggested on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) that the date might now be 28th June.

There has to be a lot of things in place, some physical like the OLHE being fit for purpose, then there is interdisciplinary reviews with the likes of signalling and Ops also all warning  sings, staff briefings complete etc before the Designated Project Engineer and Project Manager will sign off the necessary paperwork and the Program Director say yes.  There is quite a complex matrix to work through done in the usual red, green amber ranking

[Noggin]

Buried in the latest e-newsletter from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Oxford area is the following -

Electrification ^ going live!
 
 From May 28 we reach another big milestone in the Great Western Electrification Programme, as power starts to flow in the overhead wires.  Not all of the wires which are currently in place will be turned on all the time, but it^s impossible to tell by looking, so it^s important to steer clear.

Has been suggested on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) that the date might now be 28th June.

There has to be a lot of things in place, some physical like the OLHE being fit for purpose, then there is interdisciplinary reviews with the likes of signalling and Ops also all warning  sings, staff briefings complete etc before the Designated Project Engineer and Project Manager will sign off the necessary paperwork and the Program Director say yes.  There is quite a complex matrix to work through done in the usual red, green amber ranking

I'm not surprised, good luck to all concerned! Should additional stretches be more straightforward then?

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

According to the Henley Standard, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are considering new gantries through the Goring gap.  This obviously fuels expectation that something will be done to reduce the visual impact of the OHLE, which as someone mentioned earlier may create a precedent for further down the line.

http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=42176

[paul7575]

From the article:

"The new gantries could include thinner support poles and wire head spans across the track instead of solid steel girders."

I bet they don't...

Paul

[ellendune]

From the article:

"The new gantries could include thinner support poles and wire head spans across the track instead of solid steel girders."

I bet they don't...

Paul

I won't be putting any money on it either.  At least they don't mention 3rd rail. 

I am glad to see the paint option in there.  I think it would make quite a difference.  I also see that they are still looking at legal action. I am concerned that it will cost a lot of money to satisfy them. If they have so much money to pay lawyer perhaps they would like to pay the extra cost instead.   

But I suppose they don't have to worry about that, after all its only public money.  I wonder what they would want if the local council tax payers had to pay the additional cost.  I suspect most would tell the campaigners to shut up.

[Noggin]

From the article:

"The new gantries could include thinner support poles and wire head spans across the track instead of solid steel girders."

I bet they don't...

Paul

I won't be putting any money on it either.  At least they don't mention 3rd rail. 

I am glad to see the paint option in there.  I think it would make quite a difference.  I also see that they are still looking at legal action. I am concerned that it will cost a lot of money to satisfy them. If they have so much money to pay lawyer perhaps they would like to pay the extra cost instead.   

But I suppose they don't have to worry about that, after all its only public money.  I wonder what they would want if the local council tax payers had to pay the additional cost.  I suspect most would tell the campaigners to shut up.

Indeed, so this is the bit where they say:

We've considered all the options carefully:

1) We can't do headspans because they don't meet modern specs
2) We can replace with different masts for ^xxxxxxxxx, and a number of weekend closures, bear in mind this is public money and we'll be very vocal that this is to keep you happy
3) We can paint the masts for ^xxx (and perhaps you might like a donation to the village hall)
4) You can decide that on reflection you are happy with the masts and we will make some significant ongoing donations to the projects of your choice