Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

The massive structures seen at some existing stations when electrification has terminated in bay platforms are often completely over-engineered.  Possibly because they are effectively independent  and free standing and have been added in with minimal change to existing canopies etc.

In this case I'd expect something more lightweight which could easily be integral with something yet to be fitted, such as the west end girders of the higher overall roof?

Paul

Electrification structures and components are to a standard range of designs from the foundations to the wire, this often results in larger structures than a Civil Engineer would design however it does mean the design process is quicker and simpler. 

I am not an OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") engineer as a rough idea the "Goal Posts" often seen at bay platforms etc do have a wire terminal load the wire is tensioned typically by balance weights of 0.75 Tonnes through a pulley system of 3:1 so a wire tension of about 2.25 Tonnes there can be radial loading as well given the wire terminating hight there can be quite a lot of turning motion at the base also the terminating structures want to well clear of any over run through stop blocks .............

Plus us electrification engineers like to make a statement 

[paul7575]

If (as I understand it) the lines into P1/2/3 are all effectively 'slow speed short sidings' off the down Westbury, can't they just use a lighter OHLE construction generally in the three bays, a bit like that in the new depot?  (Is it known as trolley wiring or something like that?)

It seems standardisation might be the enemy of aesthetics...

Paul

[stuving]

If you look at the elevations and sections (planning documents 12-00577-FUL), you find that the wiggle in the canopy for platforms 1 & 2 takes it down from the same height as platform 3 (and 7-15) to a metre or so lower. The OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") conductor wire is roughly level with the top of the higher canopies, and the catenary (which is what needs something solid to fix to) is higher still. So the terminating support is going to be above the whole canopy.

My recollection of these things (which may not be of current British practice) is that they avoid putting weights in stations, and usually fix that end and tension form the other end. How high it has to go I am not sure; there seem to be plenty of solid supports that should mean the catenary does not need to curve up very far. No doubt there is indeed a cunning plan.

[Electric train]

If (as I understand it) the lines into P1/2/3 are all effectively 'slow speed short sidings' off the down Westbury, can't they just use a lighter OHLE construction generally in the three bays, a bit like that in the new depot?  (Is it known as trolley wiring or something like that?)

It seems standardisation might be the enemy of aesthetics...

Paul

It all depends on how the wire runs work out, I'm convinced its more art than science.  Even trolley wires are under tension.

My current project is using conductor beam now that is interesting stuff .............  apparently 

[paul7575]

It all depends on how the wire runs work out, I'm convinced its more art than science.  Even trolley wires are under tension.

My current project is using conductor beam now that is interesting stuff .............  apparently 

I've just read an article about the beam system Balfour Beatty have used at St Pancras LL and in the Kings Cross tunnels on the Thameslink project.

In the June edition of the online Rail Engineer magazine here:  http://www.therailengineer.com/print-archive/

Paul 

[Electric train]

It all depends on how the wire runs work out, I'm convinced its more art than science.  Even trolley wires are under tension.

My current project is using conductor beam now that is interesting stuff .............  apparently 

I've just read an article about the beam system Balfour Beatty have used at St Pancras LL and in the Kings Cross tunnels on the Thameslink project.

In the June edition of the online Rail Engineer magazine here:  http://www.therailengineer.com/print-archive/

Paul 

That's the stuff, the inner core area used 80mm beam the project I am involved in, which is part of TLP, will use 115mm beam.

There is talk of using it in GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) tunnels the only problem is none of the GWML tunnels have slab track which a requirement for 200kph (125 mph)

[paul7575]

That's the stuff, the inner core area used 80mm beam the project I am involved in, which is part of TLP, will use 115mm beam.

Would that possibly be the Canal Tunnels then, given the lack of other obvious or likely candidate areas?

Hadn't realise that above a certain speed you'd need slab track under a beam conductor in a tunnel, but presumably that's because you can no longer alter the position of the beam easily to follow any slight track movement?

Paul

[Electric train]

That's the stuff, the inner core area used 80mm beam the project I am involved in, which is part of TLP, will use 115mm beam.

Would that possibly be the Canal Tunnels then, given the lack of other obvious or likely candidate areas?

Hadn't realise that above a certain speed you'd need slab track under a beam conductor in a tunnel, but presumably that's because you can no longer alter the position of the beam easily to follow any slight track movement?

Paul

Canal Tunnels is the one, the fit out is in full swing and will be substantially complete early next year.

Conductor beam is very unforgiving, it dose not move (or very little) so the slightest shift in track geometry cause a problem

[paul7575]

Couple of observations today:

Platform 8/9 west end retail space is now occupied by WH Smith.  Unfortunately, having removed the covering from the windows facing along the platform, all passengers waiting in the area between the escalators and the building can see is the back of all the shelves and stuff. Anyone arriving down the escalators wouldn't even know there was a shop there...   (I appreciate it may be a work in progress.)

Around 1200 an ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) left platform 13B or 14B, (not quite sure, I was on P7 at the time), and headed into the new stabling sidings.  Realtimetrains and opentraintimes show no details though, so I was wondering if this was some sort of trial?

Paul

[Oxman]

There were three sets on the new depot this evening, in the West end sidings.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, the sidings and depot are now in use - as stated in my post a couple of pages back a staged transfer from old to new is taking place from Friday 21st June up to full commissioning on Sunday 14th July.  This should allow procedures to be fine tuned before drivers start arriving en-masse for their sets in the morning.  Hopefully all will go smoothly, though changing from a depot where most sets are stabled on different sidings, to a depot where there is lots more space but a limited number of sidings will involve changes in the way things work.  I expect there to be the odd problem!

[eightf48544]

That's the stuff, the inner core area used 80mm beam the project I am involved in, which is part of TLP, will use 115mm beam.

The low Level at Berlin HBF uses beam. Not sure if it's slab track but it's relatively low speed as everything stops. However, they don't seem to go in for defensive driving so appeoches can be quite fast.

[TonyK]

Hopefully all will go smoothly, though changing from a depot where most sets are stabled on different sidings, to a depot where there is lots more space but a limited number of sidings will involve changes in the way things work.  I expect there to be the odd problem!

I can help with this one. Our office car park works to a similar constraint.

[bobm]

Cyclists officially banned from Reading Station subway

From Get Reading

An order banning cycling in the newly renovated Reading Station subway has been passed by Reading Borough Council.

Eleven people objected to the proposed traffic regulation order, saying the subway would create a safer alternative to cycling on Vastern Road.

But the council says the subway is too low for cyclists to use.

The traffic regulation order was discussed at a meeting of the council^s traffic management sub-committee on Thursday, June 13.

An Earley resident wrote to the council saying: ^If the council prohibits cycling through the subway this would be a lamentable failure to fully grasp this opportunity to enhance the town^s sustainable transport infrastructure.^

Another objector said: ^I live in Caversham and have to contend with the Vastern roundabout every day.

^This is a horrible place to cycle. I want to be able to cycle the one mile to town with my family safely.

^I do not want to encounter a cycling dismount sign after millions have been spent on transport redevelopment.^

However, a report to the sub-committee said the existing subway was the only viable option to re-providing a pedestrian route across the station, following the loss of the old pedestrian bridge, and it was too low for cyclists.

It said the national standard minimum height for a shared cycle/pedestrian subway was 2.7m and the minimum height of the station subway was only 2.23m.

The report by traffic officer Cris Butler said: ^There is no deviation from the current standard that will allow cycling through the subway now or at any time in the future.

^However, there is nothing to prevent a cyclist from dismounting and pushing a bike through the subway, therefore travelling at the same safe speed as a pedestrian.^

Councillor Tony Page, chairman of the sub-committee, said: ^The whole environment either side of the tunnel will be pedestrian friendly, which is another reason we should ask the cyclists to dismount and wheel their bikes through the subway.^

The sub-commitee voted to approve the banning order with no public inquiry.

[Electric train]

Cyclists officially banned from Reading Station subway

From Get Reading

An order banning cycling in the newly renovated Reading Station subway has been passed by Reading Borough Council.

Eleven people objected to the proposed traffic regulation order, saying the subway would create a safer alternative to cycling on Vastern Road.

But the council says the subway is too low for cyclists to use.

The traffic regulation order was discussed at a meeting of the council^s traffic management sub-committee on Thursday, June 13.

An Earley resident wrote to the council saying: ^If the council prohibits cycling through the subway this would be a lamentable failure to fully grasp this opportunity to enhance the town^s sustainable transport infrastructure.^

Another objector said: ^I live in Caversham and have to contend with the Vastern roundabout every day.

^This is a horrible place to cycle. I want to be able to cycle the one mile to town with my family safely.

^I do not want to encounter a cycling dismount sign after millions have been spent on transport redevelopment.^

However, a report to the sub-committee said the existing subway was the only viable option to re-providing a pedestrian route across the station, following the loss of the old pedestrian bridge, and it was too low for cyclists.

It said the national standard minimum height for a shared cycle/pedestrian subway was 2.7m and the minimum height of the station subway was only 2.23m.

The report by traffic officer Cris Butler said: ^There is no deviation from the current standard that will allow cycling through the subway now or at any time in the future.

^However, there is nothing to prevent a cyclist from dismounting and pushing a bike through the subway, therefore travelling at the same safe speed as a pedestrian.^

Councillor Tony Page, chairman of the sub-committee, said: ^The whole environment either side of the tunnel will be pedestrian friendly, which is another reason we should ask the cyclists to dismount and wheel their bikes through the subway.^

The sub-commitee voted to approve the banning order with no public inquiry.

Good cyclists are after able to get off and walk, they are a danger to pedestrians especially in a subway like this.
We had a work college hospitalised this week while crossing on "green man" and a speeding cyclist jumped a red light came round a conner and bowled her over; I accept not all cyclists are irresponsible its just I've not come across many that are considerate to pedestrians