Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[DidcotPunter]

This was posted on the WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) forum
https://vimeo.com/166803000

Good isn't it? I thought that the holes were pre-drilled judging by the captions, but someone on WNXX corrected me that there were just trial pits to check that no signalling cables. Apparently the crane has some kind of vibrating hammer on it. 

Twas me that posted it. Very impressive bit of kit. I've cycled past the compound at Knighton where the loading was filmed and wondered what they were doing there as I couldn't see any electrification equipment in there at the time. There's another compound nearby at Uffington but that's set back from the line.

Received the latest copy of Modern Railways this morning and there's what looks like a very interesting article on GW^▸ (Great Western) electrification written by their Technical Editor, Roger Ford. Not had the chance to read it yet but I will this evening!

[LiskeardRich]

I've just caught the 1824 at Truro and it may be delayed after Didcot Parkway due to problems with the OHL^▸ (Over-Head Line) after Didcot. What has gone wrong do we know?

It created a little amusement amongst passengers that a Diesel will be delayed by electrification problems.

[Adelante_CCT]

What has gone wrong do we know?

see here: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=14689.msg197627#msg197627

[Thatcham Crossing]

Over the last week, some masts have now appeared immediately to the west of Thatcham Crossing 

[Billhere]

Notices coming round now about the juice being on at various times between Scours Lane and Milton Junction as from the 2nd July.

Nothing specific, just the standard safety notices saying they are available for going live under supervision, and giving various safety details. Being run from the Electrical Control Room at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about).

[Thatcham Crossing]

Those masts that appeared immediately west of Thatcham (4, I think) are the only ones between there and Newbury (confirmed during a trip last evening).

Also noticed that although quite a few more piles have appeared between the 2 above stations, there is still nothing at all between Newbury Racecourse and Newbury, or at Newbury Station itself.

Time is ticking on chaps!

[Electric train]

Notices coming round now about the juice being on at various times between Scours Lane and Milton Junction as from the 2nd July.

Nothing specific, just the standard safety notices saying they are available for going live under supervision, and giving various safety details. Being run from the Electrical Control Room at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about).

The plan I believe is to commence section proving this weekend.  The Electrical Control Room at Didcot is not yet operational, the energisation is being managed form Romford ECR!

[eightf48544]

Have just done a couple of journeies to Padd and Reading from Taplow. There still appears to be a lot of masts still to erect  particualrly between Slough and Hayes and part of Maidenhead Twford and through Sonning Cutting.

[Billhere]

Notices coming round now about the juice being on at various times between Scours Lane and Milton Junction as from the 2nd July.

Nothing specific, just the standard safety notices saying they are available for going live under supervision, and giving various safety details. Being run from the Electrical Control Room at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about).

The plan I believe is to commence section proving this weekend.  The Electrical Control Room at Didcot is not yet operational, the energisation is being managed form Romford ECR!

The poster gives the contact point as the TVSC, although I still thought it was Romford as well.

[Electric train]

Notices coming round now about the juice being on at various times between Scours Lane and Milton Junction as from the 2nd July.

Nothing specific, just the standard safety notices saying they are available for going live under supervision, and giving various safety details. Being run from the Electrical Control Room at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about).

The plan I believe is to commence section proving this weekend.  The Electrical Control Room at Didcot is not yet operational, the energisation is being managed form Romford ECR!

The poster gives the contact point as the TVSC, although I still thought it was Romford as well.

TVSC is still the controlling centre, they just don't yet have the staff with the ECR competence based there yet, hence Romford which has and is also training the TVSC operators much of the training and competence assessment is experience based which takes time to build up the full team required for a 24 / 7 .  Romford is currently the ECR for Padd to Heathrow OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")   

The ECR "desk" at Romford  can have the TVSC electrification phone lines diverted to it and the operator will answer the phone according to what is in the Sectional Appendix (to the Rule Book) for the area there are covering.

[Thatcham Crossing]

A few days ago I commented, re: Newbury area electrification:

Time is ticking on chaps!

Then this has come to light in the last few days.....
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/electrification-of-the-railway-enters-next-crucial-stage-in-the-newbury-area

Work to start end of this month apparently

[Tim]

Last week, my nine year old son's school in Bath got a visit (I assume from NR^» (Network Rail - home page)/BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) about the dangers of electrified lines (he came home telling me that electricity could jump 3 meters).  All very good, but seems a bit premature.  Or is Bath being wired sooner than I thought?

[broadgage]

The school visit might have been booked some time ago, perhaps before the present degree of delay was known about.

Keeping at least 3M away from live overhead is sensible advice, but it wont actually jump that far. The top of the train is less than 3M from the over head as are the undersides of many bridges.

[TonyK]

But the train is connected to the current by the pantograph, giving a path of minimal resistance, and most bridges do not make much of an electrode, or are engineered for safety. That said, and I'm no expert on Paschen's law, it is almost certain that the arc would never cover 3m, but you won't find me taking any chances.

[Bmblbzzz]

My son's school, in Bristol, had a similar visit from BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) a few months ago. I don't think they were told 3m though! Surely the roof of a lorry or bus is less than 3m from the wires at a level crossing?