Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[DidcotPunter]

Sorry I didn't recognise you, Bobm, if I'd known you were going I would have introduced myself.

Likewise - I was near the sandwiches... 

Must have been close - I hadn't had dinner either!

[TonyK]

TSI - Technical Standards for Interoperability - EU^» (European Union - about) regulations governing the interoperability capabilities of infrastructure and rail vehicles (I think - someone can word it better than me)

You are too modest, Didcot Punter!

[4064ReadingAbbey]

Curiously enough, I went as well!

One of the other interesting things spoken about was what in the aerospace business is called an 'iron bird', that is all the power and hydraulic systems are laid out in frame to hold all the bits is the same relative positions and orientations as they would be in the final aircraft to check that they all play together.

Network Rail have done the same thing with all the power supply control and monitoring circuits to duplicate the control system between Maidenhead and Didcot. Every single sensor and switch in all the feeder stations and track sectioning cabins is duplicated in a 20 metre long test bed.

It is clear that the change in the international and national standards since the last electrifications have meant that all the control systems have had to be completely rethought. A huge programme of testing is the result.

[Electric train]

An event in Swindon by the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) "Electrification of the Great Western Mainline" 12 October 2016 - 18:30-21:30 at Swindon Collage.

http://www.theiet.org/events/local/241367.cfm?nxtId=239561

These are free events, registration for the event is simple

Thanks for the tip on this. A very interesting talk tonight and although some of it was above my head (!) I did come away having learned more about the complexities and challenges of the project.

And thanks from me too. As Bobm says it was a very interesting talk. Some parts of the presentation on the power-feeding arrangements were beyond my 1970s A-Level Physics but the slides on the challenges and testing described by Chris Wilson who is Network Rail Programme Manager for the electrification were fascinating.

There were some rather spectacular videos of testing neutral sections for the Series 1 OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") at Old Dalby (disable the APC magnets and drive a class 395 through it on full power - it draws quite an arc!) and testing the fault protection on the 25kV feeder station at Foxhall Junction Didcot (more fireworks). There were also some photos of what went wrong when they tried to energise the relief lines between Tilehurst and Milton Junction earlier this month, which resulted in a cable fire.

Some of the design problems raised included the issue of the proximity of over-bridges to level crossings on the route which require a steep change in wire height over a relatively short distance. Towey Bridge was quoted (where's that?) and I asked about Steventon where the listed bridge for the High Street is closely followed by Stocks Lane and Causeway crossings. This is apparently their "worst nightmare" as they cannot demolish the bridge and need maximum clearance on the crossings. Apparently they are having to impose a solution which does not meet current (TSI) standards - which probably explains why there is a gap in the OLE works between the end of the loop by the A34 bridge and about 1/2 mile west of Causeway crossing while they work out what to do and secure the necessary derogations.

Sorry I didn't recognise you, Bobm, if I'd known you were going I would have introduced myself.

Acronym buster:

APC - Automated Power Control - trackside magnets which activate the circuit breakers on the train so it doesn't draw current across a neutral section
TSI - Technical Standards for Interoperability - EU^» (European Union - about) regulations governing the interoperability capabilities of infrastructure and rail vehicles (I think - someone can word it better than me)

I went to this, had a could catch up with my former line manager ................ the guy giving the presentation 

No where near enough tech content for me ............. to much about bridges  only jesting.

The event was after all an IET event so tech stuff should be expected.  The main point Chris was putting across was the GW^▸ (Great Western) electrification is a major evolution from previous UK^▸ (United Kingdom) schemes even beyond that of the West Coast upgrade.  A new series of OLE equipment, new power supply system, indeed the application BSEN 61850 is being put to on the GW electrification is a world first, the aim is a very resilient electrification

[bobm]

I went to this, had a could catch up with my former line manager ................ the guy giving the presentation 

Good grief - I looked out for you.  Either you've aged beyond recognition or my eyesight has failed even more.

I think it is the latter!! 

[Electric train]

I went to this, had a could catch up with my former line manager ................ the guy giving the presentation 

Good grief - I looked out for you.  Either you've aged beyond recognition or my eyesight has failed even more.

I think it is the latter!! 

I was in my suit and not in my walking kit.  I was at the lectern before it started talking to Chris

[JayMac]

A talking lectern? 

[IndustryInsider]

Great to see the Severn Tunnel blockade finished on time after the work to install the conductor beams.  I wasn't directly involved, but the near absence of any negative press indicates to me that road replacement services and the altered train service over the past few weeks was well organised and went down well.  A couple of people, including my parents, commented to me on enjoying a trip along the scenic diversionary route through Chepstow.

One step further towards an electrified Great Western Main Line! 

[bobm]

I certainly enjoyed a couple of trips via Lydney - one with a Great Western Brunch!

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) report on the re-opening.

The Severn Tunnel has reopened after closing for six weeks for rail electrification works.
It was shut on 12 September for a £10m upgrade to make the infrastructure ready for electric trains.
This was part of the wider £2.8bn scheme to electrify the main line from London to south Wales.
Three teams of 200 engineers have worked around the clock, 24 hours a day, to complete the work.
This included installing a power rail in the tunnel roof.


 
During the tunnel closure, rail replacement buses operated between south Wales and Bristol via Gloucester, and flights took passengers from Cardiff to London City airport.
GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) managing director Mark Hopwood said: "I appreciate how disruptive this work may have been for some and I would like to thank them for your patience during the last six weeks.
"The vital work will modernise the railway between south Wales and London which, once complete, will enable us to deliver more frequent services, more seats, and to reduce journey times."
Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, said: "I recognise the closure of the tunnel has been a challenge for many of us here, but it's clear the benefits will vastly outweigh this short period."

[IndustryInsider]

And here's the official NR^» (Network Rail - home page) press release:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/severn-tunnel-reopens-to-passengers-as-iconic-milestone-to-prepare-south-wales-mainline-for-electrification-is-completed

[Chris from Nailsea]

I certainly enjoyed a couple of trips via Lydney - one with a Great Western Brunch!

I'm rather impressed that my colleague bobm apparently restrained himself so much as to enjoy just one Great Western Brunch. 

[Tim]

Great to see the Severn Tunnel blockade finished on time after the work to install the conductor beams.  I wasn't directly involved, but the near absence of any negative press indicates to me that road replacement services and the altered train service over the past few weeks was well organised and went down well.  A couple of people, including my parents, commented to me on enjoying a trip along the scenic diversionary route through Chepstow.

One step further towards an electrified Great Western Main Line! 

The road replacements I did were great.  Frequent direct coaches made the experience pretty good.  The only downside is that the fact that Newport to Parkway was go quick on the coach kind of highlighted that the normal trains are not exactly fast. 

[stuving]

There are portals exactly like that (same crossbar section anyway) further along towards Pangbourne supporting normal Series 1 off those vertical tubes.

Paul

And as of last week Series 1 insulator arms (short SICs*) are appearing just outside Reading station too. Only the mains are being done at the moment, apart from a few of those vertical drop tubes inside the station.

The SICs always attach to the drop tubes by clamp bolts, unlike the long ones which attach to the masts at factory-made fixing points. I'm not sure if there are any non-Series 1 masts for single track arms at Reading - there are a few stanchions with no obvious purpose, so maybe we'll see later.

* Furrer + Frey use the term Single Insulator Cantilever both for the arm that mounts on the vertical dropper tube and the similar thing bolted on the end of a steel section that attaches to a mast to equip a single track.

[Rhydgaled]

Is there more work to do in overnight/weekend closures before the conductor rail in the tunnel can be energised or is it ready to be switched on for testing of electric trains already? Obviously the only electric trains able to reach the tunnel for testing would be bi-mode ones, because as far as I know there are no wires connecting to it on either side yet.

In other (rather belated) electrification news, I noticed the other day that Cardiff council granted listed building consent for the OHLE at Cardiff Central a while ago, sadly without forcing Network Rail to design something subtle like they are doing with Sydney Gardens. Why Network Rail thought apparently the same huge reinforced OHLE needed for 140mph running further east would be suitable for running through Cardiff Central I don't know, but that appears to be what they are planning. Perhaps even more seriously, the listed building consent application suggests that platforms 7 and 8 aren't being wired (platform 6 might not be either). I know the ValleyLines project is meant to be happening at a later date, but it seems to me (as a layman) that it would be eaiser to do all the knitting over pointwork around the station at once. The only thing I can think of is that Network Rail are expecting either cancelation of the valleys wires with the loss of EU^» (European Union - about) funding or freight off the Vale Of Glamorgan to remain diesel worked, thus allowing tram-trains on the valleys and <25kv electrification through platforms 6-8.

[Electric train]

Is there more work to do in overnight/weekend closures before the conductor rail in the tunnel can be energised or is it ready to be switched on for testing of electric trains already? Obviously the only electric trains able to reach the tunnel for testing would be bi-mode ones, because as far as I know there are no wires connecting to it on either side yet.

Its conductor beam, conductor rail is a lot closer to the ground and is only rated to 750V dc.

There will still need to be the wire runs to meet up with the Seven Tunnels conductor beam, and then there will be section proving

In other (rather belated) electrification news, I noticed the other day that Cardiff council granted listed building consent for the OHLE at Cardiff Central a while ago, sadly without forcing Network Rail to design something subtle like they are doing with Sydney Gardens. Why Network Rail thought apparently the same huge reinforced OHLE needed for 140mph running further east would be suitable for running through Cardiff Central I don't know, but that appears to be what they are planning. Perhaps even more seriously, the listed building consent application suggests that platforms 7 and 8 aren't being wired (platform 6 might not be either). I know the ValleyLines project is meant to be happening at a later date, but it seems to me (as a layman) that it would be eaiser to do all the knitting over pointwork around the station at once. The only thing I can think of is that Network Rail are expecting either cancelation of the valleys wires with the loss of EU^» (European Union - about) funding or freight off the Vale Of Glamorgan to remain diesel worked, thus allowing tram-trains on the valleys and <25kv electrification through platforms 6-8.

The reason for using the same equipment everywhere and limiting different type of structures to only a few special locations is cost and also to keep the range of components to a minimum.

Possibly the reason why the 6, 7 & 8 are not being altered by GWEP^▸ (Great Western Electrification Program) is they don't have the funding, the valley lines are still questionably if they will get funding especially as one of the funding sources will dry up in 2019 or so