Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

Another good reasion to restore the Wilts and Berks and North Wilts canals to bring supplies for the factory train!

[ChrisB]

Why not simply bring them by rail?....(sorry)

[eightf48544]

Canal or rail doesn't matter both are good, but I do wonder just how much stuff will come via the M4

[bobm]

They also had a refreshment stop for all trains at Swindon - although that wasn't so popular!

[eightf48544]

I'm surprised they've not chosen Moreton Cutting as an electrification depot still seems an ideal place already flat.

[ellendune]

I thought that was where they were relocating the High Output Depot from Reading.  would there have been room for both?

[Electric train]

I'm surprised they've not chosen Moreton Cutting as an electrification depot still seems an ideal place already flat.

Swindon is better placed as it is in the middle, Brunel was a cleaver chap putting his works there, its called revolution .............. of the wheel its just coming full circle the more complex areas to do tunnels etc are in the West.  Also when the Cardiff Valley lines are done and should Bristol Exeter be considered it will be well placed

[John R]

I attended a very interesting presentation last Thursday by Tony Hegarty of NR^» (Network Rail - home page), who is in charge of the signalling part of the GW^▸ (Great Western) upgrade. Much of what he said would be familiar but the following might be of interest (in no particular order). His talk didn't cover west of the Severn Tunnel.

Resignalling to be complete by Dec 15, with the Temple Meads area last. There has been a step change in technology over the last couple of years, so even the original installations in the TV Signalling Centre are now several times larger than the latest kit. 

Swindon to Kemble Redoubling (S2K) will be completed in April 14, aligning with the transfer of Swindon East to TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about).
 
Wiring to start Jan 14 in the Didcot area, and to be complete in just over two years, with Bristol area being the latest, finishing mid 16.

New trains in timetable service Dec 16.

Filton Bank will be four tracked after the wiring is put in place (ie wires with no tracks underneath!), and will need a new viaduct over the M32.

All relief lines will be electrified (although the diagram on the floor of the room showed that most freight loops will remain unelectrified, though those at Bathampton and between Swindon and Didcot would be).

The lines into Portbury and Avonmouth will be electrified, as it's a requirement of making the route fit for european freight operators. Though he then contradicted himself by saying that NR was reluctant to do them until they had a firm commitment from users that they would use electric traction.

98 bridges etc will need replacing, although most Brunel structures are OK, it's the ones added subsequently which will go.

There has been a directive from on high regarding the use of much lighter signalling structures. So no more foundations the size of a small family car. One gantry can cost over ^1m, and this will be reduced by at least 60%.

Most signals will remain in place, given that cost of moving them and the limited time before ETRM is implemented. On that subject, apparently the problem with drivers on the Cambrian was solved by changing their shirts from white to blue!!

Hope this is of interest.   

[anthony215]

If the wires do go to Portbury, they should hurry up and get the Portishead branch re-opened and wired as well.

I wouldnt mind a service between Portishead & Bristol Parkway.

If they do wire to Avonmouth I wonder if the line to Severn beach will also be done, stupid if it isn't.

[BerkshireBugsy]

98 bridges etc will need replacing, although most Brunel structures are OK, it's the ones added subsequently which will go.

That was of great interest - particulary the paragraph above, which confirms my theory that IKB^▸ (Isambard Kingdom Brunel) did have a crystal ball after all.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Yes, indeed: thanks very much for that extremely interesting report, John R. 

I agree with BerkshireBugsy - IKB^▸ (Isambard Kingdom Brunel) did indeed build his GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) with future-proofing included! 

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks for that update, John.

98 bridges etc will need replacing, although most Brunel structures are OK, it's the ones added subsequently which will go.

Looks like some of those structures will get the treatment imminently.  I've counted 5 structures where there are civil engineering gangs present preparing for some serious works on bridges soon, two of which are Brunel structures I think.

Not sure that it's directly connected to the electrification programme, but there's the footbridge at Kennington, a minor road bridge at Lower Basildon, the western and easternmost of the four bridges at Purley, and also one of the minor road bridges at White Waltham.

The Westbury Lane bridge at Purley (the westernmost of the bridges there) has been mentioned before when there was controversy over dismantling it following local complaints.  http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5783.0   It clearly wasn't necessary for the W10 enhancements that were stated at the time - work to lower the track took place instead, but it looks like it's about to get the treatment now!

Meanwhile, there's still no sign of any work on the bridge at South Stoke, between Cholsey and Goring that has had a temporary bridge installed next to it for well over a year now and in the process mystified Paul and myself!

[Electric train]

Looks like some of those structures will get the treatment imminently.  I've counted 5 structures where there are civil engineering gangs present preparing for some serious works on bridges soon, two of which are Brunel structures I think.

Not sure that it's directly connected to the electrification programme, but there's the footbridge at Kennington, a minor road bridge at Lower Basildon, the western and easternmost of the four bridges at Purley, and also one of the minor road bridges at White Waltham.

All those bridges you have listed are being dealt with as part of the pre works for electrification.

I have been to an internal briefing recently where the program for GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) was covered and a number of other schemes nationally, I can not go into to much detail as some of it is commercially sensitive.

The GWML electrification is ramping up at a fast pace

[IndustryInsider]

All those bridges you have listed are being dealt with as part of the pre works for electrification.

Thanks for confirming that.

[anthony215]

Just seen this posted on another forum:

http://www.rail.co/2011/12/09/alstom-in-talks-to-construct-pendolinos-for-intercity-express-programme/

If they do decide to order some pendolino's then they should at least have bigger windows and a less cramped interior.

If this does prove to be the case of Alstom' pendolino's being ordered for the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) and East Coast then I hope some sense has been seen at the DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) and the wires go to Cheltenham, Swansea etc like it should have been from the start.