Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

Switch on from Stockley Bridge to Maidenhead postponed to 5 March.

So won't be able to report until then if I am electrocuted hugging the upright on the old footbridge at Taplow or if my wi-fi is affected by induction from the energised wires.

[ChrisB]

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.) maybe causing interference on the communication network. Something is, and the 387 tests to Didcot this morning was also looking to see if the same problems occurred. If not, then the IEPs will need Hitachi to do some work on the IEPs to fix.

[onthecushions]

I've been volunteered to stand next to the old footbridge at Taplow Station to see how big a shock I get touching the metal!

I think that the technique is to take a rubber mat to stand on, put your left hand in your pocket and touch the metal guard with the back of your right hand.

Then you might come back and tell us all about it.

OTC

[Noggin]

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.) maybe causing interference on the communication network. Something is, and the 387 tests to Didcot this morning was also looking to see if the same problems occurred. If not, then the IEPs will need Hitachi to do some work on the IEPs to fix.

A usually reliable source on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) reckons that both 387s and 800s were tested on Saturday night and there were no repeats of the previous issues, so subject to data analyis and official clearance, it should be all systems go with driver training between Didcot and Reading TCD.

Hayes to Taplow was supposed to have been switched on yesterday I believe, but apparently now delayed to 5th March, though it may be that we're now supposed to consider it live to be on the safe side.

[lbraine]

Seem whilst coming through western approaches to Reading this AM on the relief lines - outside the Traincare depot : one nice shiny green EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) (class 387 8 believe)

I wonder if it was hauled (no evidence of this) or it actually made it under the wires ?

[rower40]

A usually reliable source on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) reckons that both 387s and 800s were tested on Saturday night and there were no repeats of the previous issues, so subject to data analyis and official clearance, it should be all systems go with driver training between Didcot and Reading TCD.

Hayes to Taplow was supposed to have been switched on yesterday I believe, but apparently now delayed to 5th March, though it may be that we're now supposed to consider it live to be on the safe side.

I've never known of electric trains causing interfErEnC rr5%a|ef !ds3@<  +++ NO CARRIER +++

[Adelante_CCT]

Seem whilst coming through western approaches to Reading this AM on the relief lines - outside the Traincare depot : one nice shiny green EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) (class 387 8 believe)

I wonder if it was hauled (no evidence of this) or it actually made it under the wires ?

Arrived yesterday lunchtime, impossible to make it here under the wires, unless manufactured somewhere between the depot and Didcot. A loco from Crewe picked the 387 up from Bletchley, dropped it off at Reading depot and headed back up to Crewe. In the past it has been a class 37, although I haven't bothered checking what did yesterdays run.

[lbraine]

Ahh - I didn't think it would be that route. For some reason I thought Bletchley to Reading would be via WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) and GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).

I read some where that they would be arriving at the rate of 1 set every two weeks. Reading is going to look full(er) soon.

Also - I saw the new sidings by the Plasser works outside West Ealing had 2 8 car units stabled in them already.

[Adelante_CCT]

Ahh - I didn't think it would be that route. For some reason I thought Bletchley to Reading would be via WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) and GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).

Correct, they do run that route, however the electrification work between Maidenhead and Reading depot hasn't been finished yet, also the section between Hayes and Maidenhead hasn't been switched on yet albeit due to happen in the coming weeks.

[ellendune]

Steventon Parish News for January 2017 is reporting that in the end the bridge will be rebuilt and the level crossings will stay open!

So that years of delay to end up back where they started at huge public expense. 

A decision due by May and then they still have to get permission from the District Council because it is listed. 

[Electric train]

Update towards 5th Feb when the big switch on occurs at Taplow.

The feeder wires which are above the gantries have been slung over the Relief line by Lent Rise bridge.

I've been volunteered to stand next to the old footbridge at Taplow Station to see how big a shock I get touching the metal!

Switch on from Stockley Bridge to Maidenhead postponed to 5 March.

So won't be able to report until then if I am electrocuted hugging the upright on the old footbridge at Taplow or if my wi-fi is affected by induction from the energised wires.

You wont feel a thing ..........................


However if you do you wont be around to tell any one about it 


Now let me think  how many occasions I leant against OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") and other structures during testing of OLE  ................... not enough fingers and toes so lost count


and still here to tell the tail .................... even operated OLE switches when the OLE fell off of said switch and struck the structure of the switch I was operating ................... need clean under pants after wards though 

[eightf48544]

Looks like 5th March may be on for energising around Taplow. Feeder wire now strung above Mainline gantries by house.

Have to go hug the footbridge  pillar next week.

[eightf48544]

Should I look out for sparks when they switch on on Sunday!

[stuving]

That knitting machine's been out to Reading again. Now there's a third platform with wires running through it (P8), as well as a start on some of the fiddly bits at the ends.

Platform 1 has also been done, as you can see. But I can't help feeling there's something missing here ...

[Oxonhutch]

I don't know. It looks like a robust - and hopefully plastic - stanchion