Bristol Temple Meads - eastern approach remodelling

[IanXC]

Problem is a similar thing happened with the London Waterloo Blockade.

To what "problem" do you refer?

I think you may wish to clarify whether you are alleging a major irregularity has taken place - which I have seen nothing to suggest is the case.

 

[Ianno87]

Problem is a similar thing happened with the London Waterloo Blockade.

That overran by about an hour or two on the Monday morning.

 

[Class 170101]

To what "problem" do you refer?

I think you may wish to clarify whether you are alleging a major irregularity has taken place - which I have seen nothing to suggest is the case.

That overran by about an hour or two on the Monday morning.

The possession might have overrun by an hour or so but the Sunday before the Monday of re-opening only had the International Platforms open all day I don't think that was part of the plan?

 

[Ianno87]

The possession might have overrun by an hour or so but the Sunday before the Monday of re-opening only had the International Platforms open all day I don't think that was part of the plan?

What actual problems did that cause?

 

[Class 170101]

What actual problems did that cause?

Train Plan on the hoof rather than a proper planned one and all the consequences that fell from that

 

[Ianno87]

Train Plan on the hoof rather than a proper planned one and all the consequences that fell from that

OK, what level of delays and cancellations were there?

 

[peter166]

Anyone know why the re-modelling work has had to continue beyond the scheduled finish time?
What is the likelihood of the disruption continuing into tomorrow?

The phase of the summer upgrade work at Bristol Temple Meads that was due to finish at the end of Friday 13 August hasn't finished on time. As a result, there will be changes to the planned services in the Bristol area today (Sunday)

Great Western Railway:

Great Western Railway are advising customers travelling in the Bristol area NOT to travel today. All train and bus services around Bristol are expected to be extremely busy

 

[Annetts key]

The overrun is because the signalling alterations and the safety and functional testing of the signalling are taking significantly longer than planned.

Before the signalling can be tested, all other work must have been completed.

And until the testing is completed, no part of the any of the lines that were closed can be reopened.

So either earlier works took longer than expected, hence delaying the signalling work. Or the time frame for the signalling work was underestimated.

In terms of train plan, if they had enough resources, they could have continued to use the plan that they were using earlier in the month.

But a lack of train crew is not helping.

 

[MarkyT]

The overrun is because the signalling alterations and the safety and functional testing of the signalling are taking significantly longer than planned.

Before the signalling can be tested, all other work must have been completed.

And until the testing is completed, no part of the any of the lines that were closed can be reopened.

So either earlier works took longer than expected, hence delaying the signalling work. Or the time frame for the signalling work was underestimated.

In terms of train plan, if they had enough resources, they could have continued to use the plan that they were using earlier in the month.

But a lack of train crew is not helping.

Signalling is always last to complete for these reasons, so they get the heat and pressure when work is overrunning, even if they couldn't start final tests and commissioning when they should have. Also working hours start to run out whether or not people are doing useful work, and there may not be a spare shift waiting on standby to take over. I wonder if any COVID-related absences have affected resource availability too.

 

[Dai Corner]

Signalling is always last to complete for these reasons, so they get the heat and pressure when work is overrunning, even if they couldn't start final tests and commissioning when they should have. Also working hours start to run out whether or not people are doing useful work, and there may not be a spare shift waiting on standby to take over. I wonder if any COVID-related absences have affected resource availability too.

I've heard that there aren't many people qualified to test and sign off large signalling projects like this.

 

[Bald Rick]

There is a limited pool, but even a large project like this would use, at most, about a third of the available resource. And there’s not much going on elsewhere that needs them at present.

 

[Annetts key]

Also keep in mind that everything signalling wise is either being altered (axle counter head positions, wiring, lineside cable allocations) or being completed renewed (all points and most of the signals).

Hence every one of those grey coloured cabinets that you can see lineside has had to be rewired. As I understand it, there has been some difficultly with some of this work.

The safety and functional testing cannot start until these works are completed and any snagging issues (problems discovered during or after the alterations or during testing) are sorted so that testing can continue.

With a big project like this, there was bound to a real likelihood of problems.

And yes there are a limited number of qualified staff to do this work. And if problems occur, there may not be enough on duty the following shift. Or the following day.

Edit: 17:35
Apparently it is now possible to run some through trains via Bristol Temple Meads. CrossCountry are now altering the systems to show this.

 

[Class 170101]

OK, what level of delays and cancellations were there?

The service was decimated on that Sunday. What are you trying to prove?

 

[43 302]

Can anyone confirm if the SPM services are happening ahain from the 31st to Sept 3rd? GWR site seems to suggest that they aren't.

 

[Annetts key]

So to give people an idea of how much work is involved with the Bristol East Junction Renewal project (BEJR), here is some background information.

The layout that existed immediately prior to this project was the layout that had survived largely unchanged since the relaying that took place in 1970. Yes there have been some minor alterations. Such as the fixed diamond crossing and points being removed that used to exist to enable better access to Kingsland Road sidings. The removal of the In Road and the Out Road for the former Bath Road Diesel depot. Replaced with new track for the reopening of platform 15 to passenger traffic, plus the In/Out Road siding. And various minor alterations to the track for platform 1 in connection with the lengthening of the platform plus further alterations to the high level sidings (which were originally an access to HST stabling sidings) and the Barton Hill Sidings line.

The first significant part of the physical works of the BEJR project took place in April and May of last year. Work has been continuing ever since then. By the time the project completes in September, 58 sets of points or diamond crossings will have been removed. 50 new points will have been provide complete with new point operating equipment provided for all the power operated points. A lot of the plain line sections in the area will have been renewed or refurbished. The old 1970 east signal gantry will have been removed and a new larger signal gantry (OHL ready) provided, with ten new signals. Most of the signals at the London/Filton end of the platforms at Temple Meads are also being renewed, some in new positions. Nearly all of the axle counter equipment is affected (train detection), either needing to be removed and refitted, moved/relocated, or new/additional equipment for new axle counter sections added.

Due to the amount of signalling changes, substantial rewiring of the lineside equipment cubicles is required.

Some of the preparation work included providing a new 11kV substation and new lineside 11kV cabling to replace the existing electrical distribution system. Demolition of the last part of the building which was part of the old Bristol East Junction signal box. Plus demolition of the building that housed the old 11kV substation.

The life expired track and points for Kingsland Road sidings has also been removed and replaced with new track and points.

I'm attaching a overview plan of the old layout and a overview plan of the new layout.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Axle counter problems at Bristol East Junction caused a few delays this morning.
e.g. looking at Cross Country- 1V44 06:11 Leeds to Plymouth took over an hour to get between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads.

 

[Annetts key]

For Bristol East, as I understand it, two axle counter sections, one point problem so far today have caused problems. Yesterday I believe there was a signal failure, and a points problem.

 

[swt_passenger]

Does this project involve any signalling re-control at all? Apologies if I’ve missed any previous info in a quick scan of the thread.

 

[Annetts key]

Does this project involve any signalling re-control at all? Apologies if I’ve missed any previous info in a quick scan of the thread.

Before the project started, control had already been moved to TVSC at Didcot (*). The new layout including all the new signalling is controlled from TVSC.

(*) Before electrification could proceed, the existing signalling system had to be replaced, as it was not compatible with OHL electrification. And yes I know the OHL has not reached Temple Meads yet…

 

[swt_passenger]

Before the project started, control had already been moved to TVSC at Didcot (*). The new layout including all the new signalling is controlled from TVSC.

(*) Before electrification could proceed, the existing signalling system had to be replaced, as it was not compatible with OHL electrification. And yes I know the OHL has not reached Temple Meads yet…

Ok and thanks for explaining.

 

[edwin_m]

I assumed the strategy would be similar to Reading - re-lock and re-control the existing layout and later change it piecemeal, taking advantage of the ability to change data-driven signalling systems with less difficulty than hard-wired ones. However it seems that after the first part the layout has been changed in a "big bang", unlike Reading where it dragged on over a period of years. Were the lineside cabinets able to be positioned in places that weren't affected by the track layout, so that only parts of them needed re-wiring rather than moving the whole thing?

 

[Annetts key]

Were the lineside cabinets able to be positioned in places that weren't affected by the track layout, so that only parts of them needed re-wiring rather than moving the whole thing?

All those on the down side were definitely clear, as the alignment of the Down Main / Platform 15 line is not moving much (if anything).

I’m fairly sure those on the up side were also deliberately positioned so that they were clear of the intended changes. Certainly the cabinets near Temple Meads station are definitely clear. But I’ve not seen the whole area since the weekend though.

This project has been through various changes and discussions for at least six or seven years. So it was well known about before the re-control to TVSC. Indeed, it’s intentional for it to have happened after the re-control to TVSC. As it was not deemed a good idea to try to alter the previous signalling system if it was only going to be in operation for a couple of years.

 

[Brissle Girl]

I assumed the strategy would be similar to Reading - re-lock and re-control the existing layout and later change it piecemeal, taking advantage of the ability to change data-driven signalling systems with less difficulty than hard-wired ones. However it seems that after the first part the layout has been changed in a "big bang", unlike Reading where it dragged on over a period of years. Were the lineside cabinets able to be positioned in places that weren't affected by the track layout, so that only parts of them needed re-wiring rather than moving the whole thing?

The big difference with Reading is that the amount of heavy infrastructure changes with the latter were very substantial, including many new platforms, a full rebuild of the station at platform level, and grade separation, most notably west of the station. It even included a depot being relocated to a new site.

In contrast, at Bristol East, it’s more or less confined to replacing the layout within the existing footprint of the junction. So one intense period of activity is able to complete the majority of the work in a way that would never have been possible at Reading.

 

[davetheguard]

The Orange Army were very evident when I visited Bristol Temple Meads this morning. The view is looking towards Bristol Parkway/Bath.

Lot of work going on to the overall roof too.

 

[Phillipimo]

Bristol Temple Meads is open again, work seems to have finished on time.
NR have posted some pictures of the shiny new trackwork, looks great!

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1433381105030385666

 

[anthony263]

Bristol Temple Meads is open again, work seems to have finished on time.
NR have posted some pictures of the shiny new trackwork, looks great!

View attachment 102178

View attachment 102179

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1433381105030385666

Just need some overhead wires

 

[Yindee8191]

Just need some overhead wires

In theory the last major obstacle is gone now - no excuses for not authorising it anymore.

 

[Annetts key]

Unfortunately that nice new signal gantry may not be fully compatible. Apparently they had to guess, as the OHL design has not been completed yet…

 

[The exile]

Unfortunately that nice new signal gantry may not be fully compatible. Apparently they had to guess, as the OHL design has not been completed yet…

I sincerely hope that’s a joke!

 

[Annetts key]

I sincerely hope that’s a joke!

I’m not joking