Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks for that explanation, Electric Train.  Just out of interest, how many of the stages described in your previous post will be able to be done in one hit with the electrification train that's due to be delivered any time now?

[Electric train]

Thanks for that explanation, Electric Train.  Just out of interest, how many of the stages described in your previous post will be able to be done in one hit with the electrification train that's due to be delivered any time now?

That is an interesting question, the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") engineers I work with will be watching, from a distance, how it performs.  I believe the concept is the foundations where piled are done the structure (mast) is erected the small parts fitted (cast concrete foundations will be done ahead of the train).  The original plan was also run the wire as well the risk identified was a foundation failure its not easy to unrun the wire, so now the wire will be run separate with the highs and staggers done as part of that.

There is also all the bonding to be done, all of that has to be verified before the system tests are done

System test are done at the very end once the results are verified it is declared operational.

[TonyK]

According to this article, the marvelous example of the Four Sprung Duck Technique that is the High Output Plant will do the full monty, and leave the track behind it ready for action.

The train will complete foundations and stanchions and install and test the overhead line equipment as it moves. It is expected to be able to electrify an average of 1^6 km of track per night, a 'significantly higher rate' than previously achievable, while allowing adjacent tracks to remain open. NR^» (Network Rail - home page) expects this to reduce construction times, disruption and cost.

German is not my first language.

[Jason]

I took a look at the old bridge as I was leaving Reading this morning. Sections of the side have been removed adjacent to the carpark and also halfway along the closed section over one of the supports. There was a lot of debris laying on the floor, presumably pulled down from the roofspace.

On platform 7 yesterday evening I noticed a couple of the temporary roof support style girders (wrapped around with the standard issue black corrugated plastic tubing) that I don't recall seeing before and certainly not doing anything useful yet. One was at the extreme eastern end, the other roughly in line with the end of platform 6.

[paul7575]

I took a look at the old bridge as I was leaving Reading this morning. Sections of the side have been removed adjacent to the carpark and also halfway along the closed section over one of the supports. There was a lot of debris laying on the floor, presumably pulled down from the roofspace.

Some sections of the London side were removed some months ago when they fitted the temporary support leg.  That was why there was a wooden hoarding within the bridge on that side.  I think what will happen over the next few days is that anything that can lighten the weight/size of the overall structure will be removed before any 'big lift' starts.  This might include the exterior cladding, the glazing units, flooring etc.  Once they are down to the steel framework sections (and split them at the joins) they'll still be pretty large for road transport removal, perhaps they'll be cut up further in situ.

It's not as if they'd have a secondhand use on a preserved railway after all...

Paul

[Jason]

Once they are down to the steel framework sections (and split them at the joins) they'll still be pretty large for road transport removal, perhaps they'll be cut up further in situ

Yes, I was wondering if they'd do a big lift n' shift having exposed the framwork at both ends

[paul7575]

Another possibility is that there are separate sections that align with the position of the original support legs, so maybe a relatively short section immediately abutting the car park will be removable in one piece?  (Which is where the crane is working as I write this.)

Paul

[Jason]

(Which is where the crane is working as I write this.)

So it is, various red flashes from presumably a metal cutter and a few roof sections gone as of 4pm visible on Cam 1, tab 3

[SandTEngineer]

Looks like the car park connecting span has gone at 1945ish...........

[paul7575]

...and a much bigger mobile crane has arrived this morning.  Rest gone by Monday as someone else predicted?

Paul

[SandTEngineer]

...second span looks as though its ready to go about 1630ish......

[swrural]

When is that ghastly office block to go -I worked there once (1965-ish) - real cheap and nasty dump it was.   

[paul7575]

So up goes the first of the (two?) big spans just before 1830;

...and at 1840 the view is completely different!

Paul

[Electric train]

I can remember being involved in some of the work when that bridge was built

[ellendune]

...second span looks as though its ready to go about 1630ish......

Changed trains there at about 3:30 and it didn't look like much was about to happen.  Must have all happened quickly