Work on Okehampton Line: progress updates

[Devonman2014]

https://www.devonnewscentre.info/de...ine-set-to-reopen-for-first-time-in-50-years/

Now that the green light has been received and investigations have been completed, Network Rail engineers will start immediately to undertake a range of works including drainage, fencing and earthworks, and will lay over 11 miles of track, replace 24,000 concrete sleepers and install nearly 29,000 tonnes of ballast before running test trains on the track ahead of fully reopening the railway to passengers.

Maybe if interest and gives a drone shot of the yard at Okehampton.

Apologies if linked already...

 

[Brush 4]

What is the rule for clearance between adjacent lines? How far apart do they have to be now? Why can't the track itself be retained but, clipped out of use from the reconnected Bude bay? It will be needed sooner or later.

 

[REVUpminster]

What is the rule for clearance between adjacent lines? How far apart do they have to be now? Why can't the track itself be retained but, clipped out of use from the reconnected Bude bay? It will be needed sooner or later.

A cigarette paper seems adequate clearance!!!

 

[24Grange]

Don't know, But it must have had clearance for the GWR sunday service to use platform 3, to run in along side the Meldon train in Platform 2 - its not like expresses are going to be running through the station at 60mph + swaying all over the place with the kinetic envelope. The Unit will be either slowing to a stop , or accelerating to start. And the LSWR must have built it for trains to pass anyway ?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Could it be more to do with the possibility of Dartmoor staff being lineside? For example if their staff are coupling up or oiling they'd be on or close to the NR running line. Would the Crediton signaller grant line blocks for such circumstances?

 

[21C101]

Could it be more to do with the possibility of Dartmoor staff being lineside? For example if their staff are coupling up or oiling they'd be on or close to the NR running line. Would the Crediton signaller grant line blocks for such circumstances?

Who knows, but applying the principles in CDM regulations, using the Bude Bay looks a good idea as it eliminates the hazard altogether.

It would also allow the down line to be a run round loop for railtours etc.

 

[Brush 4]

It would also allow the down line to be a run round loop for railtours etc.

That at least implies that the track won't be lifted.

 

[21C101]

That at least implies that the track won't be lifted.

Purely speculation on my part. If it is lifted it wont be too difficult to take an angle grinder to the platform edge to put it back.

I suspect the concern is as much that it is a siding connected to the Meldon side of the signalling section break as anything else.

 

[REVUpminster]

On another site the carriages have been moved to renew the track in platform 3 and do gauging tests against the track in platform 2 is up to modern standards.

If it is I think they should renew that track as well for any future heritage line that might take on the railway.

 

[Devonman2014]

On another site the carriages have been moved to renew the track in platform 3 and do gauging tests against the track in platform 2 is up to modern standards.

If it is I think they should renew that track as well for any future heritage line that might take on the railway.

Was told yesterday The stock in Okehampton Stn that was the polar express stock was shifted out to Meldon late last week.

Don’t know what did the shunt or exactly when as there was a 08 and 31 down oke Stn.

 

[Alex27]

Looks like the 08 did the work (Or both?)
(Not my picture)

 

[bishdunster]

Complete with "not to be moved" board ???????

 

[Devonman2014]

Looks like the 08 did the work (Or both?)
(Not my picture)

Would assume they would have had to carry out a track survey and a comprehensive risk assessment.

Wonder where the driver came from - would loved to have seen that on the move !
Class 08,31 and load 9 after not moving for a couple of years.

 

[Brush 4]

Can't find a way of uploading so, a photo instead...... When does CP7 commence? Upgrading for daily paths for freight is interesting. if the mentions of HS2 ballast supplies from Meldon Quarry are true then, perhaps this is it.

 

[swt_passenger]

CP7 commences 1 Apr 2024 - if they’re still doing CPs by then...

 

[24Grange]

Interesting. Thanks for posting, I see that the map shows no works beyond Okehampton Station (Although they seem to have cleared ivy off the big bridge just past the military sidings ?) . I think it also shows relaying ( in brown?- not to clear) around Yeoford and Credition in "year 2 of the project"?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Interesting. Thanks for posting, I see that the map shows no works beyond Okehampton Station (Although they seem to have cleared ivy off the big bridge just past the military sidings ?) . I think it also shows relaying ( in brown?- not to clear) around Yeoford and Credition in "year 2 of the project"?

Can’t fully make it out on the image but it looks like at least some re-sleepering may take place for roughly half the distance beyond the station towards Meldon.

 

[Horizon22]

Can’t fully make it out on the image but it looks like at least some re-sleepering may take place for roughly half the distance beyond the station towards Meldon.

The same image from presumably a different source in better quality. Includes refurbishment of the line towards the quarry too.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Thanks for that, much clearer to see!

 

[Brush 4]

That would seem to suggest along with the daily freight path, that Meldon ballast trains will restart at some point, unless it is for the Heritage service, which seems unlikely.

 

[Devonman2014]

Can’t fully make it out on the image but it looks like at least some re-sleepering may take place for roughly half the distance beyond the station towards Meldon.

gg t

That will be re-sleepering up to the NR limit MP 198 or 199 (can’t remember which) and is property of Meldon quarry (aggregate industries) beyond.

 

[Ash Bridge]

gg t

That will be re-sleepering up to the NR limit MP 198 or 199 (can’t remember which) and is property of Meldon quarry (aggregate industries) beyond.

Ah I see, thanks for advising!

 

[MarkRedon]

https://www.networkrailconsulting.c...twork-rail-launches-new-ultrasonic-test-unit/

UTU test is therefore resumably ultrasonic test unit. This suggests later work on the Meldon Quarry extension, perhaps linked to freight extension a little later than the hourly passenger service?

 

[Amlag]

Was told yesterday The stock in Okehampton Stn that was the polar express stock was shifted out to Meldon late last week.
Don’t know what did the shunt or exactly when as there was a 08 and 31 down oke Stn.

For the record all the stock was moved from Okehampton to Meldon Quarry yard on Mon 22/3/21 as follows :-
First move was the 08 LD about 0830 from Oketon to MQ to move some stock around there, then ran
LD back to Okehampton.
Second move about 1230 was the 08 Hauling to MQ, at walking pace, stock that had been in the Bude Bay for several years; BSO, GUV, Mk3 Sleeper, CCT, MK 3 Sleeper and Ferry Van with the 31 attached on the rear idling and acting as an emergency brake.
Third move was the 31 and 08 light back to Okehampton to attach the 11 coaches in the down plat 2 ( there since Christmas eve 2019 ) and then at about 1530 depart to MQ.
Traincrew were provided by RMS/Independant Rail believed to now be a subsidiary company of Proviso Holdings with a registered address in Chesterfield.
The cl 31 and the GUV were noted on 24/3 positioned at MQ ready for loading onto lorries, with a suggested destination of Norfolk CC owned Vauxhall Carriage sdgs, Great Yarmouth where Eastern Rail Services (another subsidiary of Proviso holdings) has recently moved other stock to.

 

[Brush 4]

That means the Bude bay had to be reconnected to the main line. For some reason the bay was relaid, stock moved in then the pointwork was removed again, about 10 years ago roughly. It was removed again after this move......

 

[REVUpminster]

For the record all the stock was moved from Okehampton to Meldon Quarry yard on Mon 22/3/21 as follows :-
First move was the 08 LD about 0830 from Oketon to MQ to move some stock around there, then ran
LD back to Okehampton.
Second move about 1230 was the 08 Hauling to MQ, at walking pace, stock that had been in the Bude Bay for several years; BSO, GUV, Mk3 Sleeper, CCT, MK 3 Sleeper and Ferry Van with the 31 attached on the rear idling and acting as an emergency brake.
Third move was the 31 and 08 light back to Okehampton to attach the 11 coaches in the down plat 2 ( there since Christmas eve 2019 ) and then at about 1530 depart to MQ.
Traincrew were provided by RMS/Independant Rail believed to now be a subsidiary company of Proviso Holdings with a registered address in Chesterfield.
The cl 31 and the GUV were noted on 24/3 positioned at MQ ready for loading onto lorries, with a suggested destination of Norfolk CC owned Vauxhall Carriage sdgs, Great Yarmouth where Eastern Rail Services (another subsidiary of Proviso holdings) has recently moved other stock to.

I appreciate the news but I had to look up some of the abbreviations and terms used. When I write SPV I always use the full name- Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle

 

[PHILIPE]

I appreciate the news but I had to look up some of the abbreviations and terms used. When I write SPV I always use the full name- Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle

Agree with you. Here is an extract from Forum Rules:-

Accessible

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Perhaps AMLAG was unaware

 

[Devonman2014]

Today had to go through the area and found the following.

Penstone
The new bridge is getting ready to be installed with a crane on site and steel lifting frame in place ready for big lift.
A forklift was moving hundreds of dumpy bags of new ballast in preparation for laying on the new bridge deck.
The level crossing is now closed and gangs of network rail staff on site installing new clips (look temporary).

North Tawton Stn
Nothings changed here except a radio / telecoms van on site with a raise - lower antenna testing radio signals along the route. The aerial raises to 60 foot apparently!!

 

[Cowley]

Today had to go through the area and found the following.

Penstone
The new bridge is getting ready to be installed with a crane on site and steel lifting frame in place ready for big lift.
A forklift was moving hundreds of dumpy bags of new ballast in preparation for laying on the new bridge deck.
The level crossing is now closed and gangs of network rail staff on site installing new clips (look temporary).

North Tawton Stn
Nothings changed here except a radio / telecoms van on site with a raise - lower antenna testing radio signals along the route. The aerial raises to 60 foot apparently!!

60’! Blimey.
Thanks for the update @Devonman2014.

 

[Devonman2014]

Following on from previously post

Sampford Courtenay Stn
No change here except a number of porta cabin sheds, toilets and storage units have appeared, 2 being on the platform!

Okehampton Stn
A lot of works happening here, ainscough crane on site moving sleepers around, a 2nd main base Stn radio van on site (other one was at north Tawton) and geological unit on the tracks testing the ground.
Major change is the station car park is now closed and being used for contractors vehicles only - don’t know if this is a permanent or temporary change.

Indeed from what I understand there is no additional infrastructure in the pipeline currently for this project just the linespeed improvements to make use of the existing crossing point at Crediton.

Correct - just tack renewals , reballasting etc - there is 100% no new track infrastructure.