Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Thatcham Crossing]

Where do we stand on Reading to Newbury, which is also due to release turbos and hasn't been pushed back hard.

From my occasional observations, quite a lot of progress over the last few months, although it seems to have slowed since the beginning of November.

A lot of uprights in place from just east of Newbury Racecourse (still nothing in the area of the Newbury stations themselves) all the way to Theale, with some gaps (mainly through the stations, and between Aldermaston and Theale, where there is a down loop). Nothing east of Theale to Reading West last time I looked (a few weeks ago).

The new bridge at Ufton Nervet looks to be almost finished also.

[ChrisB]

Is this where the nimbys want different structures owing to not liking their view? NR^» (Network Rail - home page) were of the opinion they'll get a repaint after electric trains start running. They weren't prepared to scupper their timetable for them! I've not heard of a change of mind

[TaplowGreen]

Is this where the nimbys want different structures owing to not liking their view? NR^» (Network Rail - home page) were of the opinion they'll get a repaint after electric trains start running. They weren't prepared to scupper their timetable for them! I've not heard of a change of mind

..........the key phrase there is "when electric trains start running".......at the current rate it could be the next generations problem.

[DidcotPunter]

Does anyone know if there has been any progress on deciding what will happen at Steventon.  It must be on the critical path now for electrification West of Didcot?

I thought that they were going to lower the track under High Street bridge but not much has happened so far. The section west of Didcot, from Milton Junction to Uffington is nearly ready for wiring now with pretty much all the main steelwork and most of the small part steelwork in place. The exception is through Steventon where there is a gap from the A34 bridge to about 1/2 mile west of the Causeway crossing.

At the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) lecture I attended in Swindon in October, the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) project manager described Steventon as the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") engineer's "worst nightmare" in terms of designing OLE which would fit both the bridge and the two level crossings because of the difference in heights required and the proximity of Stocks Lane crossing to the High Street bridge. Since NR are unable to demolish the bridge, any solution will apparently be non-compliant in terms of contact wire height transition and subject to a greater wear rate which will need to be monitored.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Nothing east of Theale to Reading West last time I looked (a few weeks ago).

A (very) few uprights now in evidence to the east of Theale, near to the M4 underbridge, and near to the down loop between Ufton Nervet and Aldermaston.

Night-time possessions this week, so maybe more work underway.

[Kenny]

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/first-electric-wires-for-crossrail-programme-switched-on-in-thames-valley

First electric wires for Crossrail programme switched on in Thames Valley

Thames Valley rail passengers can look forward to better journeys and the introduction of new GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains in 2017 following the achievement of the latest milestone in the electrification of the railway between Heathrow junction and Maidenhead by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail programme.

After more than a year of work, the electricity has now been turned on along the first section. The remaining section will be turned on next year allowing new electric GWR trains to run between Maidenhead and London Paddington from summer 2017.

The work is part of the Crossrail programme and Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers and businesses.

To bring passengers quieter, greener and more efficient journeys, Network Rail has carried out this major infrastructure investment programme, allowing the introduction of the Elizabeth line trains and GWR’s electric trains to the Thames Valley.

Electrification to power the new trains requires the installation of overhead line equipment alongside and above the existing track. It consists of overhead wires running between supporting steel posts to distribute electricity. The steel posts are mounted on heavy duty foundations.

An 800-strong workforce has successfully installed over 1,400 piled foundations and 834 overhead line structures. More than three quarters of the wiring programme, which sees 150km of wires strung between the new equipment, has now been completed.

From summer 2017, GWR will be able to extend its electric train services to Maidenhead, which currently stop at Hayes & Harlington. When the Elizabeth line opens fully in December 2019, passengers in the Thames Valley will be able to travel on new trains right through central London without having to change at Paddington.

Matthew Steele, Network Rail Project Director, said: “This is a key milestone towards the introduction of brand new, cleaner, quieter electric trains on this very busy route into London. This electrification not only enables the introduction of the Elizabeth line but also supports the introduction of new GWR trains in 2017.

“I would like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience as we undertake this sometimes noisy construction works”.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director said: “This vital work is paving the way for quicker, greener, quieter and more reliable trains for people in the Thames Valley. Once the Elizabeth line opens fully, passengers will be able to travel right through the capital without having to change at Paddington, making it quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London and the South East.”

Edit note: Hyperlink fixed, for clarity. CfN.

[Electric train]

It does not say which section; my guess its not even as far as West Drayton, however over Christmas more will be charged up.  The IATS at Slough does not have all its connections to the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") yet and the other subsection switches are not complete.

What I suspect they have done is move the "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" West away from the complexity of Airport Junction.   The "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" is the transition from "Live" operational system under the control of an ECR (Electrical Control Room) and "construction site"  Also extending the existing OLE at Airport Jcn means that Romford (Didcot) ECR ............. Yes Didcot ECR is based in Romford SCADA^▸ (System Control And Data Acquisition,) computer put in for HEX in the 1990's can still bee used, it does not have the capacity to include Kensal Green, West Ealing, Slough and Maidenhead.  Kensal Green is the feed inform the 400kV Grid

[Noggin]

It does not say which section; my guess its not even as far as West Drayton, however over Christmas more will be charged up.  The IATS at Slough does not have all its connections to the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") yet and the other subsection switches are not complete.

What I suspect they have done is move the "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" West away from the complexity of Airport Junction.   The "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" is the transition from "Live" operational system under the control of an ECR (Electrical Control Room) and "construction site"  Also extending the existing OLE at Airport Jcn means that Romford (Didcot) ECR ............. Yes Didcot ECR is based in Romford SCADA^▸ (System Control And Data Acquisition,) computer put in for HEX in the 1990's can still bee used, it does not have the capacity to include Kensal Green, West Ealing, Slough and Maidenhead.  Kensal Green is the feed inform the 400kV Grid

Somebody on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) reckoned that it was 1.1km, which by my reckoning is just east of West Drayton station. As you say, probably just a short run between old and new OHLE which permits mechanical integration and electrical control to be extended. Probably a very big deal for the project team as it will doubtless be the cumulation of much work and allows them to start testing towards Maidenhead, but I can see why it might have been a bit underwhelming for others.

[IndustryInsider]

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow... 

[ellendune]

Any idea when Didcot ECR will be at err... Didcot

[Electric train]

It does not say which section; my guess its not even as far as West Drayton, however over Christmas more will be charged up.  The IATS at Slough does not have all its connections to the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") yet and the other subsection switches are not complete.

What I suspect they have done is move the "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" West away from the complexity of Airport Junction.   The "OLE Buffer Section" and "Permanently Earthed Sections" is the transition from "Live" operational system under the control of an ECR (Electrical Control Room) and "construction site"  Also extending the existing OLE at Airport Jcn means that Romford (Didcot) ECR ............. Yes Didcot ECR is based in Romford SCADA^▸ (System Control And Data Acquisition,) computer put in for HEX in the 1990's can still bee used, it does not have the capacity to include Kensal Green, West Ealing, Slough and Maidenhead.  Kensal Green is the feed inform the 400kV Grid

Somebody on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) reckoned that it was 1.1km, which by my reckoning is just east of West Drayton station. As you say, probably just a short run between old and new OHLE which permits mechanical integration and electrical control to be extended. Probably a very big deal for the project team as it will doubtless be the cumulation of much work and allows them to start testing towards Maidenhead, but I can see why it might have been a bit underwhelming for others.

Also there would not have been a need to publish an energisation notice as the area was technically electrified before the current project started.

Any idea when Didcot ECR will be at err... Didcot

Not sure, but it will need to be there and on the new SCADA system to allow Kensal Green, West Ealing, the new Hayes, Slough and Maidenhead to be commissioned.  Feeding from Hayes to Maidenhead is technically feasible as 4 stub end feeds but not very practical for normal operation use

The "Test Track" Didcot to Tilehurst is being done by "manning the buildings"

[TonyK]

Also there would not have been a need to publish an energisation notice as the area was technically electrified before the current project started.

No pun intended, I'm sure!
 

[Electric train]

Also there would not have been a need to publish an energisation notice as the area was technically electrified before the current project started.

No pun intended, I'm sure!
 

   Ah but the bit past Airport Jcn especially on the Relief Lines would not have had any current just volts ................ electric traction never operated under that bit of wire 

[ellendune]

Also there would not have been a need to publish an energisation notice as the area was technically electrified before the current project started.

No pun intended, I'm sure!
 

   Ah but the bit past Airport Jcn especially on the Relief Lines would not have had any current just volts ................ electric traction never operated under that bit of wire 

Thats why it needed a Current Project to give it some AMPS!

[Thatcham Crossing]

Back to some sensible updates .....my last from a few weeks ago.....

A lot of uprights in place from just east of Newbury Racecourse (still nothing in the area of the Newbury stations themselves) all the way to Theale, with some gaps (mainly through the stations, and between Aldermaston and Theale, where there is a down loop). Nothing east of Theale to Reading West last time I looked (a few weeks ago).

As of yesterday, a few uprights starting to appear between Theale and Southcote Junction. Maidenhead to Airport Junction looks nearly fully wired now (a few gaps around Slough), and some wiring up just west of Maidenhead also.

Not really electrification related, but the new overbridge at Ufton Nervet is due to open today.