Acton Main Line to Acton Wells Jct electrification

[WiredUp]

Well it does seem weird, but Modern Railways finally have a brief article and confirms Acton Bank is being wired. It does say that they key reason is to allow 345 stock from the Elizabeth line to move. Also says it is a key freight artery.

Their theory why the SW Sidings are not being electrified is wrong and the remit is simply to electrify the Poplars.

There are several sets of work going on very close together, sometimes on the same structure, which count as different projects. So what you see may not necessarily be associated with the Poplars work.

Three projects plus a future one imminently.

 

[3973EXL]

Pictures from 6/3 9/3
Up/Dn Poplars from Acton Wells to E side of A40 bridge.


From GWML looking up to the N London Line at Acton Wells. Run off from the NLL previously wired.
Not very clear but you can see a new mast on the Poplars (left side above yellow fence behind tree).

Looking East - Acton Wells just round the curve.

More views looking East. Last view of mast on the east side of the A40 bridge.

West side of A40 bridge to Horn Lane bridge.


Mast west side of A40.


Looking West to the crossover before relief line junction.
Mast bases present.


Two masts in the area of the crossover from the Down to Up for trains to access Acton Yard.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Wow what a fantastic set of action photos. Thanks for posting.

 

[3973EXL]

Acton Mainline



Acton ML station from Horn Lane - Dn Poplar Up Poplar then Acton yard receptions 1 2 & 3 with head shunt.


Platform view east to Horn Lane bridge.


Adjacent Acton Mainline station - East to West

Acton West

At Acton West, existing electrification extends from the Relief Lines and terminates before the point work into Acton Yard on the north side of the Dive under.


Some views west to east.


Appears to be a gap passed the centre of the yard until just before the station.

 

[RDWRER]

Have just watched the latest PWI presentation on the Overground "West London Orbital" which suggested SW Sidings would be electrified for that scheme to stable the new trains. Makes sense then that Network Rail would rather wait and have TfL pay for that than include it along with the Poplars now.

 

[londonmidland]

I’m not sure if this is the right thread to ask this in but are there any plans/is the Dudding Hill line to the Midland Mainline being electrified too?

 

[D365]

I’m not sure if this is the right thread to ask this in but are there any plans/is the Dudding Hill line to the Midland Mainline being electrified too?

The previous postings explain that the proposed ”West London Orbital”, which is the restoration of passenger service to the Dudding Hill line, will include overhead electrification.

 

[edwin_m]

Have just watched the latest PWI presentation on the Overground "West London Orbital" which suggested SW Sidings would be electrified for that scheme to stable the new trains. Makes sense then that Network Rail would rather wait and have TfL pay for that than include it along with the Poplars now.

To take a less cynical viewpoint, the WLO scheme might require some re-modelling of the SW Sidings for their new purpose, which would best be done before any electrification. There would be little synergy with the Poplars scheme, and the purpose of that scheme (to allow turnbacks and depot access during Old Oak Common blockades) doesn't require any work on the SW Sidings. So it's not a good use of public money to electrify them right now.

 

[Class 170101]

The Poplars are being wired for the Elizabeth Line as they will have difficulties in getting to their maintenance depot during times of HS2 construction.

 

[a good off]

To take a less cynical viewpoint, the WLO scheme might require some re-modelling of the SW Sidings for their new purpose, which would best be done before any electrification. There would be little synergy with the Poplars scheme, and the purpose of that scheme (to allow turnbacks and depot access during Old Oak Common blockades) doesn't require any work on the SW Sidings. So it's not a good use of public money to electrify them right now.

Electrifying SW Sidings would allow through AC running via Primrose Hill from Anglia and the ECML to the GWML. A no brainer to me. If the Conn line from Canal Wharf was done too then it would provide full interegional AC flexibility.

 

[Class15]

Electrifying SW Sidings would allow through AC running via Primrose Hill from Anglia and the ECML to the GWML. A no brainer to me. If the Conn line from Canal Wharf was done too then it would provide full interegional AC flexibility.

You can already get AC running via Willesden Junction and Gospel Oak. Why would you need the SW sidings?

 

[a good off]

When the route via Gospel Oak isn’t available or the driver doesn’t sign, we divert via Primrose Hill. Why wouldn’t I need SWS electrified on that basis?

 

[Class15]

When the route via Gospel Oak isn’t available or the driver doesn’t sign, we divert via Primrose Hill. Why wouldn’t I need SWS electrified on that basis?

Which drivers that work trains between the GWML and NLL don’t sign the Gospel Oak route?

There are, to put it bluntly, far bigger priorities for the rail freight sector (I’m looking at you London Gateway) than a diversionary route.

 

[a good off]

My point is, if it *was* electrified, (a tiny, minute infill scheme) it would provide excellent operational flexibility for not much cost and pain and provide AC opportunities to the freight or non passenger operators that currently don’t exist.

 

[zwk500]

My point is, if it *was* electrified, (a tiny, minute infill scheme) it would provide excellent operational flexibility for not much cost and pain and provide AC opportunities to the freight or non passenger operators that currently don’t exist.

While it would be extremely helpful (as would the link from Acton Wells to Willesden No. 7 Jn), it would appear to be a reasonably complex job given the constrained location, junction layouts at either end, sidings connections, electrical supply and control boundaries, and frequent need to hold trains on the connection waiting paths forward. Would be lovely if they did end up getting it done at some point, especially if it could include the SW Goods to Mitre Bridge Jn as well.

However I can absolutely see it getting repeatedly pushed down the ladder especially as multi-mode freight locos come into service. It does appear to have been looked at - there's this document from Frazer Nash that seems to have been some early feasibility for it, but notes it got shelved due to the Hendy Review.

 

[Class 170101]

Electrifying SW Sidings would allow through AC running via Primrose Hill from Anglia and the ECML to the GWML. A no brainer to me. If the Conn line from Canal Wharf was done too then it would provide full interegional AC flexibility.

TfL are looking at this route for electrification in connection with the Hounslow to Cricklewood / Hendon via Dudding Hill capacity improvement scheme as part of extra stabling requirements.

See attached You Tube Video

 

[sad1e]

TfL are looking at this route for electrification in connection with the Hounslow to Cricklewood / Hendon via Dudding Hill capacity improvement scheme as part of extra stabling requirements.

See attached You Tube Video

Silkstream junction might be a massive pain for electrification. I'm not sure if the bridge over the MML fasts has enough space for ohle gantries. It would be very disruptive to close the MML fasts for however long it has to take to build a new overbridge.

 

[Class15]

Silkstream junction might be a massive pain for electrification. I'm not sure if the bridge over the MML fasts has enough space for ohle gantries. It would be very disruptive to close the MML fasts for however long it has to take to build a new overbridge.

And you know what else is massive? (If you know, you know!)

Why is Silkstream Junction relevant to West London Orbital? It’s beyond the proposed terminus of Hendon.

 

[sad1e]

And you know what else is massive? (If you know, you know!)

Why is Silkstream Junction relevant to West London Orbital? It’s beyond the proposed terminus of Hendon.

Silkstream junction connects the Hendon lines to the MML slows so it would be operationally convenient to electrify it for ecs moves and freight. It would be a bit of a waste to electricify all of the Hendon's but not give it an electricified link to the MML northbound.

 

[Bald Rick]

Silkstream junction connects the Hendon lines to the MML slows so it would be operationally convenient to electrify it for ecs moves and freight. It would be a bit of a waste to electricify all of the Hendon's but not give it an electricified link to the MML northbound.

ECS won’t need to use it. And there would be little if any electric freight that could use it without further electrification north of Wigston. It would be a bit of a waste spending a lot of money on that bridge if it needs doing (which I don’t know if it does) only for the wires not to be used.

 

[Class 170101]

ECS won’t need to use it. And there would be little if any electric freight that could use it without further electrification north of Wigston.

Nevermind the missing bit between MML and T&H, so not going to see much electric Freight.

 

[hwl]

Nevermind the missing bit between MML and T&H, so not going to see much electric Freight.

And the freight would mostly be aggregate/cement tanks etc. as the gauge clearance is pretty poor on the southern MML several limiting containers.

 

[Horizon22]

I believe the block this Easter weekend is getting through a significant chunk of the work required.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I believe the block this Easter weekend is getting through a significant chunk of the work required.

That’s both great news and good strategy and common sense .