Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

Here is the layout sketch as was proposed in 2008 (as with these documents I have posted before this shows the older dive-under proposal for the flyover, but the track layout is approximately the same):

[stuving]

Ah - but that plan, keeping all the connections from the Westburies to the Mains, is no longer going to happen. It was still the plan later in 2008, after the viaduct had been chosen - this (very lo-res) picture dates from the bidders' conference. It is for the stage (about two steps further on) when the Festival Line has just been attached to a loose end of an old Main Line.

In that plan, right at the end after the Feeder Lines had been opened, all the temporary trackwork from P7-9 onto the viaduct had to be replaced with new, moving it southwards. I assume that in the new plan the trackwork that goes in there will be pretty much in its final location, as in the second picture. Remember that the final layout has no connection from P9 to the Westburies. Note also that the station end of the Festival Line (to the High Level Junction) now goes in at the same time, while it was going to be built from the west end first.

[SandTEngineer]

Well your Phase 70 seems to match my copy of Stage 10-11 which (in 2008) was programmed for post Xmas 2014.  Its obvious now, that to get the project completed a year early, that a number of planned stages have been welded together .

[SandTEngineer]

Noticed today that the Down Main track has also now been added over the new viaduct.

[lbraine]

And also today - clear signs of earth being graded up to first pilon (at cow lane) on western end of festival line.

There has been some drilling going on around there - presumably for pumping concrete to stabilise the ramp to be built

[stuving]

This rather impressive congregation of cable drums and lineside cabinets has appeared behind Reading station. I presume it is mostly needed for the viaduct and the new Feeder Lines, rather then for electrification.

[ellendune]

I don't know storing signalling equipment in what was once GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s signalling workshops! Whatever next.

[SandTEngineer]

Obviously the remaining cabinets for the Xmas to Easter works.  The ones with the yellow stripes are signalling power cabinets.

[IndustryInsider]

A large gantry, complete with three signals, has appeared on the viaduct towards the eastern end.

[lbraine]

And I noted today while passing that the 3 signals (mains and festival) on the gantry are all mounted facing the country end - controlling access to Reading station. Suggesting, at least the down main is going to be bi- directional.

Also two tampers on each new main line at country end this morning, on new viaduct track. The track looked well bedded, with noticeable camber dealing with the, now gentle, curve onto the main alignment

Earth / spoil piles are appearing along the country end of the festival line - presumably for the grading up to the new Cow Lane bridge/viaduct.

[IndustryInsider]

And I noted today while passing that the 3 signals (mains and festival) on the gantry are all mounted facing the country end - controlling access to Reading station. Suggesting, at least the down main is going to be bi- directional.

Yes, presumably bi-directional from the crossover that it supposed to be on the viaduct itself.

[eightf48544]

And I noted today while passing that the 3 signals (mains and festival) on the gantry are all mounted facing the country end - controlling access to Reading station. Suggesting, at least the down main is going to be bi- directional.

Yes, presumably bi-directional from the crossover that it supposed to be on the viaduct itself.

You presumme corectly. The crossover will be installed facing Up Main to Down Main more  or less on the crest of the flyover, with a second crossover From Down Main to the  Festival line. This will give Crosscountries two routes to and from Paltform 3. Depending on whether they are routed Mains or Reliefs to and from Didcot. If on Up Main will use crossovers on the flyovers or if on Relief will use the Festival Line. Similarly Down trains can access Down Main on the flyover or Festval Line to Down Felief

[paul7575]

Here's a pic of a tamper working on the Festival Line at the east end of the ramp this morning, thought it might help for those who haven't yet seen the gantry being discussed above...

Paul

[lordgoata]

A huge flight of stairs has appeared part way along as well now, I assume for emergency exit in case of an issue on the viaduct.

[stuving]

A huge flight of stairs has appeared part way along as well now, I assume for emergency exit in case of an issue on the viaduct.

Yes - there are to be six "steel emergency access stairs", three on each side of the viaduct.