Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

An interesting article in 'London Reconections' giving an update on the current position (too long to quote here):
https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/crossrail-cutting-fine/

Thanks for posting this link SandTEngineer;  I think this is a major project that is lacking an overall lead multi discipline Commissioning Engineering Director.

Often the focus on a project is the pouring of concrete, laying track putting signals up and OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") ............ the commissioning and integration is left often most of the project budget both in terms of £ and time has been spent so the pressure is on to just get it switched on and run trains

[SandTEngineer]

Agreed.  I'm not at all supprised the signalling integration on the Heathrow Branch is proving difficult.  Trying to get four different train protection and warning systems (AWS^▸ (Automatic Warning System); TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System); GW^▸ (Great Western) ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection); ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System)), all in a nice EMC^▸ (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) tunnel, not to interfere with each other onboard the Class 345 trains must be proving to be an almost impossible task......

[CyclingSid]

A change of topic, and apologies if it has been answered elsewhere (or is blindingly obvious to some). Presumably Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) will be used on the Elizabeth Line, out to Reading? If so would it be usable on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services?

[didcotdean]

An even more intriguing question might be whether holders of Freedom Passes and 60+ London Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) cards will be able to travel free of charge to Reading on Elizabeth Line services. These are valid across the whole TfL^» (Transport for London - about) network at present, out to the likes of Amersham.

[stuving]

A change of topic, and apologies if it has been answered elsewhere (or is blindingly obvious to some). Presumably Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) will be used on the Elizabeth Line, out to Reading? If so would it be usable on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services?

The main gateline (at least) at Reading has had some kind of touch pad added. It's covered up so you can't see any logo on it. I assume its position - below the  ticket entry slot - is dictated by the design of these gates though it looks awkward, and perhaps  less prominent.

[stuving]

Agreed.  I'm not at all supprised the signalling integration on the Heathrow Branch is proving difficult.  Trying to get four different train protection and warning systems (AWS^▸ (Automatic Warning System); TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System); GW^▸ (Great Western) ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection); ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System)), all installed in a nice EMC^▸ (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) tunnel, not to interfere with each other onboard the Class 345 trains must be proving to be an almost impossible task......

That is a little pessimistic, if only because there is no TPWS on the Heathrow lines. And certainly NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and Crossrail don't find that a scary prospect at all:

The Heathrow Airport lines lend themselves to being the first to have ETCS; it is a simple stretch of line, and has limited interfaces with other Crossrail works. Paddington to Heathrow Portals is complex, and being altered to accommodate Crossrail and IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) services. This makes for more challenging implementation, hence the requirement to have a ready Plan B.

There is absolute confidence that ETCS will be delivered in the Heathrow Tunnel area (Heathrow Portal to Heathrow Airport Terminal Stations). As this section of the route is not complex and is not being significantly modified, provision in time for planned Crossrail services is a much lower risk; the area can be modified in full separation from the operational Main Line.

That Plan B was TPWS+ (additional signals equipped with loops) for which NR/Crossrail applied to ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) for  a derogation from Regulation 6 of RSR99. that was in late 2015, but there is no sign it was granted, which may explain the current plan C.

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, I know there is no TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) in the tunnel section.  I was referring to the onboard train equipment (but didn't make that quite clear; appologies for that).

[Adelante_CCT]

Class 345 testing occurred between Paddington and Reading last night

[lordgoata]

Ah, that explains it, I thought I spotted something odd in the sidings at Maidenhead this morning

[Adelante_CCT]

A class 345 or a forum member?

[Phantom]

Class 345 testing occurred between Paddington and Reading last night

Saw the photo of it parked up at Paddington, the front of it looked like some kind of space helmet out of a Star Wars film

[ChrisB]

THere is a video I saw on twitter of it outside Maidenhead in the siding there. In daylight....It had run there in daylight.

[stuving]

A change of topic, and apologies if it has been answered elsewhere (or is blindingly obvious to some). Presumably Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) will be used on the Elizabeth Line, out to Reading? If so would it be usable on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services?

The main gateline (at least) at Reading has had some kind of touch pad added. It's covered up so you can't see any logo on it. I assume its position - below the  ticket entry slot - is dictated by the design of these gates though it looks awkward, and perhaps  less prominent.

Those thigh-level scanners are optical - so must be phone screen/QR^▸ (QR Code - Quick Response code) readers. If Oyster or other contactless readers are fitted, they will presumably go in the usual place on the top, and that might explain why these optical ones are where they are.

[stuving]

Network Rail and Crossrail have announced the completion of the third and last connection of the tunnel to the railway network at Pudding Mill Lane:

Network Rail completes major rail upgrades for the Elizabeth line
Tuesday 6th March 2018
By Network Rail Press Office

• Network Rail has successfully connected the existing rail network with the Elizabeth line tunnels at Pudding Mill Lane, Plumstead and Westbourne Park
  
• Upgrade of Gidea Park sidings completed to accommodate the full length Elizabeth line trains
• Signalling systems have been updated from Pudding Mill Lane to Shenfield to support Elizabeth line services

A series of major milestones in the Crossrail project have been reached with Network Rail completing further railway upgrades along the Elizabeth line route.

At Pudding Mill Lane where the Elizabeth line tunnels emerge and meet with the national rail infrastructure, Network Rail has completed track work to allow trains to enter and exit the new tunnels from the existing above ground railway. Alongside new track, this required new overhead power lines and signalling equipment. This means that all three Elizabeth line portals (Plumstead, Westbourne Park and Pudding Mill Lane) are now connected to the existing railway.

Further up the line, Network Rail has finished work to re-model the sidings at Gidea Park. Over the last ten weeks, teams of engineers have worked around the clock to upgrade overhead lines, signals and track to enable the sidings to accommodate the full length, 200 metre long, Elizabeth lines trains which will be stabled here. The work involved:

• The renewal of over 3.2km of track, 8,000 tonnes of new ballast and 45,000 concrete sleepers with four new longer sidings replacing five life-expired sidings
• The installation of new overhead line equipment and signals using 37 steel piles
• Building driver walkways and installing lighting and track drainage

[eightf48544]

345 029  seen at Maidenhead on 5Z43, 15:42 Maidenhead to Friars J.  on Wed 14th March.

Must be back in service have to look at RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and maybe get down to Taplow.