Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[stuving]

The P7 canopy along much of the length of the pub was installed overnight. It's rather more bespoke than the drop in sections that have been installed elsewhere so it's more kit than a modular build.

And now the framework of the canopy is complete, and the crane has gone. It is now clear it runs along P7 only until it stops to turn a not-quite-right angle to become the canopy fixed to the Brunel Plaza skeleton overlapping the ends of P4-6. The bit on P7 along the Brunel Plaza face is main spars only, so presumably the rest is bolted in by hand. perhaps it was too far for that crane to reach?

[stuving]

If you look, there are several sets of white marks where seats will go at the west end of P8/9, and some (but not enough) at the east end of P8/9.

Here are those marks on the west end of P8/9, in line with the seats just fitted on P10/11 ...

and here are those seats, with supports not in line with each other, or vertical come to that.

[stuving]

And now the framework of the canopy is complete, and the crane has gone. It is now clear it runs along P7 only until it stops to turn a not-quite-right angle to become the canopy fixed to the Brunel Plaza skeleton overlapping the ends of P4-6. The bit on P7 along the Brunel Plaza face is main spars only, so presumably the rest is bolted in by hand. perhaps it was too far for that crane to reach?

For canopy-lovers everywhere, this is P7 today - the pictures may be easier to follow than yesterday's words.

First, the overall view. The first of the hoops for the EFE skylight is in place now, but lots of cladding is still missing.
Next, the end - presumably short cantilevered sections go on here.
That orange thing in the compound is the cutest little crane on wheels, though it ought to be able to handle the bits to be assembled in situ. Your six year-old son would love one!

[SandTEngineer]

An interesting telephoto lens shot of the viaduct has appeared here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_iliff/13034574633/in/pool-1945836@N21/

[a-driver]

Platform 10 at Reading Station is back in use this morning (10/03/14)!

Should make an improvement to punctuality, especially in the morning peak

[mjones]

At last! Straight into platform 10 on time this morning, none of the crawling past the viaduct wondering if I'm going to make my connection!

[Boppy]

I agree.  Having 10 open will finally make a difference in regards to the London bound fast trains not having to queue up.

[stuving]

A couple of points about P8:

The extra length at the London end isn't just being kept as is while the other end is short - it's being finished as permanently about 30 m longer than P9-11.

Just where some seats will go at London end (in line with some just put in on P10/11), the paving shows signs of being lifted and relaid. I guess that was to make sure it was suitable for fixing them, e.g. replacing rubble fill with concrete.

[stuving]

Now here's a thing. Underneath the back edge of the P7 canopy, where it is fitted round the back of the 3 Guineas, there are some odd-shaped steel sections. Towards P6, they are stepped to follow the profile of the masonry band at first-floor level, so presumably are to do with weatherproofing the join. Further along toward P3, they are shaped with an extra step into the building above each window - but the masonry doesn't do that. That stonework is being cut into in several places, and no doubt that could be done here. But why make it that shape?

[paul7575]

Just where some seats will go at London end (in line with some just put in on P10/11), the paving shows signs of being lifted and relaid. I guess that was to make sure it was suitable for fixing them, e.g. replacing rubble fill with concrete.

Looking at what's happening on the islands I remembered that in the area of P8/9 between the escalators and the new 'London end' buildings, (i.e. within the previously fenced off area), they built some fairly large and deep concrete footings under the block paving - exactly where there are now seat positions marked with white paint.  Presumably the idea is that they run the block paving right over the area to get them fitted properly round the boundaries such as surface water drains, building walls etc etc, and then go back and remove small areas to fix the legs afterwards...

I also noticed the fairly random cuts and grooves in the 3G building stone work that you've mentioned - and I couldn't really see a pattern to it at all.  Will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, on a slightly different point.  Looking at the work going on in the vicinity of P4-6, I was wondering if the brickwork and concrete blocks in line with the end of the tracks will be retained in the final design.  They look quite a poor detail now - I remember we discussed the requirements for the over-run distance at the end of a bay platform with respect to the other end, P1-3 a while back but I couldn't easily find it again.   Can you remember if those concrete lumps are essential?

Paul

[stuving]

Meanwhile, on a slightly different point.  Looking at the work going on in the vicinity of P4-6, I was wondering if the brickwork and concrete blocks in line with the end of the tracks will be retained in the final design.  They look quite a poor detail now - I remember we discussed the requirements for the over-run distance at the end of a bay platform with respect to the other end, P1-3 a while back but I couldn't easily find it again.   Can you remember if those concrete lumps are essential?

Do you mean the walls at the ends of the platforms? I can see something is needed, because of the restricted space, but it could be a fence. I don't recall seeing any rules on that.

The previous post was at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=6405.msg141501#msg141501 - which gives the document references. I only remember the bit about the distance needed to a new support for overhead structures. The pillars in line with the tracks are not new, but the rules may still apply.

[Jason]

I'm not sure what this is but it's appeared in the corner at the top of the steps overlooking the south entrance.

To my untrained eye it looks like an unverted U of piping drilled through the floor tiles, a couple of hand valves and maybe an electric pump connected to some kind of electric supply box, also drilled into the floor tiling.

[paul7575]

I wonder if it's for the intended catering outlet there?  It will possibly be their water supply - could be a pressure reducer or even a miniature water meter?

I think the idea is that all the services are available via a sort of 'crawl space' under the floor of the transfer deck, so caf^s could spring up almost anywhere...   

Paul

[Jason]

I wonder if it's for the intended catering outlet there?

Good point. So it's not beer pumps then ?

[broadgage]

Looks like a water meter to me, I have installed several.

The grey box is probably an electricity supply and meter, or at least provsion for installing same.