East-West Rail (EWR): Oxford-Bletchley construction progress

[stuu]

Just for the sake of clarity, will HS2 run below or above East-West Rail?

Hs2 will run under the bridge in the first photo

 

[hwl]

It should be noted that this is not the 'Aylesbury Link' as in the spur from EWR to the existing (but currently lifted) line from Aylesbury to Claydon to enable trains to run from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes, but merely the reinstatement of the freight-only route to the household waste facility at Calvert.

Which would leave a conveniently small gap of ~1.75miles between the waste plant and EWR? Thus minimising the scope of work that EWR would have to do/fund?

 

[BrianW]

IIUC (!) the (a?) local MP received 'undertakings' from HS2/the rail minister (Huw Merriman) that the construction of EWR over HS2 would be 'expedited'. I imagine that the early operation of EWR services between Bicester and Bletchley (before the General Election?) would be important?

 

[swt_passenger]

IIUC (!) the (a?) local MP received 'undertakings' from HS2/the rail minister (Huw Merriman) that the construction of EWR over HS2 would be 'expedited'. I imagine that the early operation of EWR services between Bicester and Bletchley (before the General Election?) would be important?

There’s only a few hundred yards of plain track to lay and connect, there’s continuous track either side of the gap, ie to Bletchley and Bicester. They could do that gap in a week.

I think “expediting“ is just so much spin. They’re only a few weeks behind previously published schedules, and as we know from recent discussions they’ve got as far as the signalling in the vicinity being powered up.

On the other hand, I’d have thought opening before the election is all but impossible, and no one is expecting that.

 

[hwl]

There’s only a few hundred yards of plain track to lay and connect, there’s continuous track either side of the gap, ie to Bletchley and Bicester. They could do that gap in a week.

I think “expediting“ is just so much spin. They’re only a few weeks behind previously published schedules, and as we know from recent discussions they’ve got as far as the signalling in the vicinity being powered up.

Hand over was meant to be June/July but plenty of slack in the programme from the planned Dec 2024 opening.

On the other hand, I’d have thought opening before the election is all but impossible, and no one is expecting that.

It's a manifesto commitment, if they move the election sooner than December 2024 then that is government's problem.

 

[12LDA28C]

Which would leave a conveniently small gap of ~1.75miles between the waste plant and EWR? Thus minimising the scope of work that EWR would have to do/fund?

Not even that far I would say. But of course the Aylesbury spur has not been confirmed yet despite widespread local support.

 

[swt_passenger]

In the 4th picture, the tracks are quite wobbly, how do they fix that?

Following up your earlier question, the third picture in post #1378 helpfully shows the track construction machine (NTC) that I mentioned in my previous reply. As you can see it’s working away from the camera viewpoint, with the “wobbly” rails in the distance dropped some time ago, the blue and white machine is at the front of the consist, and the sleepers are waiting to be carried forward along the train.

 

[Fazaar1889]

Below

Hs2 will run under the bridge in the first photo

Thanks guys.

Following up your earlier question, the third picture in post #1378 helpfully shows the track construction machine (NTC) that I mentioned in my previous reply. As you can see it’s working away from the camera viewpoint, with the “wobbly” rails in the distance dropped some time ago, the blue and white machine is at the front of the consist, and the sleepers are waiting to be carried forward along the train.

Oh that's cool! Thanks!

On the latest satellite imagery on Google Earth Pro, there is a 2nd bridge (pic 1) just to the west of the HS2/EWR bridge, what is that for? When comparing it to the UK Rail Map, there isn't a railway there (pic 2). Google says there is something but not what is is (pic 2)

 

[Snapper]

For those interested in E-W rail and the work around Calvert. I had an official site visit a couple of weeks ago. You can find pictures of the E-W works here;

East-West rail

25th June 2021: This is a new gallery which is dedicated to the reopening and construction of the old 'Varsity line' or East-West rail as it's now known.

paulbigland.zenfolio.com

- and the HS2 works here:

Building High Speed 2

Now that construction of High Speed 2 has started I thought it time to open a gallery dedicated to the project. So, here it is. Like my gallery on Hs1 I'm starting off by looking at the areas which will be transformed by the line. Like Hs2 this gallery will be years in the making, so it'll be...

paulbigland.zenfolio.com

 

[AeM]

Great

For those interested in E-W rail and the work around Calvert. I had an official site visit a couple of weeks ago. You can find pictures of the E-W works here;

East-West rail

25th June 2021: This is a new gallery which is dedicated to the reopening and construction of the old 'Varsity line' or East-West rail as it's now known.

paulbigland.zenfolio.com

- and the HS2 works here:

Building High Speed 2

Now that construction of High Speed 2 has started I thought it time to open a gallery dedicated to the project. So, here it is. Like my gallery on Hs1 I'm starting off by looking at the areas which will be transformed by the line. Like Hs2 this gallery will be years in the making, so it'll be...

paulbigland.zenfolio.com

Great pics, thanks Paul.

 

[TiddlyPom]

The 'HS2 / EWR Integration Area' has now been fully handed over to EWR, to complete all works in that section.

View attachment 148362

What are the white plates on the sleepers between the rails leading under the 66 in the foreground?

 

[bnc2018]

On the latest satellite imagery on Google Earth Pro, there is a 2nd bridge (pic 1) just to the west of the HS2/EWR bridge, what is that for? When comparing it to the UK Rail Map, there isn't a railway there (pic 2). Google says there is something but not what is is (pic 2)

View attachment 148378

View attachment 148379

It's an underbridge for the road you can see in the centre. It used to run over the railway but as EWR has had to be lifted up to go over HS2, the road has been moved to underneath.

 

[3973EXL]

What are the white plates on the sleepers between the rails leading under the 66 in the foreground?

They are the plates used to bolt together the concrete bearers of the Modular S&C delivered on the tilting wagons.

New track and points at Doncaster previously installed, Network Rail

Information for journalists, press, bloggers and the media about Network Rail. Contact the press office to receive news, updates, press releases, videos, pictures, and factsheets, and to arrange interviews, filming and photography

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Photo show plates as delivered to site on S&C panel. Fixing position can be seen on the bearer end.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's an underbridge for the road you can see in the centre. It used to run over the railway but as EWR has had to be lifted up to go over HS2, the road has been moved to underneath.

To add to the above explanation as well as being lowered the road has been diverted about 40m to the west, from a point just north of EWR it is still on a temporary alignment, it will eventually continue onto a big new bridge over HS2, but that’s not strictly an EWR matter. See image in post #1259 of what’s been done just north of the new road bridge.

I also annotated a picture back in early October, in post #1250, it’s a video capture looking to the east that shows the road still going over the original bridge a few weeks before demolition.

 

[TiddlyPom]

They are the plates used to bolt together the concrete bearers of the Modular S&C delivered on the tilting wagons.

New track and points at Doncaster previously installed, Network Rail

Information for journalists, press, bloggers and the media about Network Rail. Contact the press office to receive news, updates, press releases, videos, pictures, and factsheets, and to arrange interviews, filming and photography

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Photo show plates as delivered to site on S&C panel. Fixing position can be seen on the bearer end.

Ah, I see, thanks.

 

[swt_passenger]

Ah, I see, thanks.

There’s a good clear picture of an installed crossover in post #1180, shows the typical extent of the bearer connectors at a crossover, with no rolling stock to get in the way…

 

[chris2]

A question about the Aylesbury chord from EWR…it appears from the photos of the area from Paul’s archive that the earthworks are there for the chord but no switches are being installed, so presumably there won’t be any track laid for it at this stage.

Presumably this is because the link isn’t confirmed, but then, the earthworks have been done and that would have cost money to do so I’m wondering why not put in the switches and enough track to remove the need to have to disrupt EWR in future when it comes time to building it? Presumably they’re doing it this way because it’s the cheaper option, but is there much in it? Any other reasons why you wouldn’t put the switches in now?

 

[12LDA28C]

A question about the Aylesbury chord from EWR…it appears from the photos of the area from Paul’s archive that the earthworks are there for the chord but no switches are being installed, so presumably there won’t be any track laid for it at this stage.

Presumably this is because the link isn’t confirmed, but then, the earthworks have been done and that would have cost money to do so I’m wondering why not put in the switches and enough track to remove the need to have to disrupt EWR in future when it comes time to building it? Presumably they’re doing it this way because it’s the cheaper option, but is there much in it? Any other reasons why you wouldn’t put the switches in now?

I believe it was agreed that the earthworks would be done as a preparation in case the chord gets approved in the future which some commentators seem to think is more likely than not. However, laying switches and track at this stage would certainly be jumping the gun somewhat. Similarly, HS2 will be relaying the pre-existing but currently lifted line between Calvert and Quainton at 90mph capability in anticipation of the chord being agreed at some point.

 

[Dr A.Johnston]

Tomorrow should reach the milestone of the East and West parts of EWR joined together, rails have been pulled and the track laying machine is in position. I wonder how much press coverage this will generate.

Some pictures from Jim Scott (one of the drivers on the scheme) - Reposted from Jim Scott @colasgrid from X












Thanks JIm - Great Pictures

 

[swt_passenger]

Possibly a daft question, but if, (as I believe), the first photo in the previous post is the NTC arriving top and tailed from Bicester, how do they get the leading loco out of the way? I don’t think there are any intermediate crossovers?

Ah, I have the answer. There IS a temporary crossover just east of Bicester Road (Launton) at the Bicester end, [1] and the lead loco is taken off with the transit wagon from the front end of the NTC, and moves to the rear of the consist there. Then the NTC is propelled at a slow walking pace for the 5 or 6 miles to the worksite. So presumably the NTC is very limited in speed in the configuration in the second photo, where the front end is running using the single axle.

[1] The third photo in post #801 shows the temporary crossing.

 

[richieb1971]

Ballast seems in short supply look how low the track is compared to the standing water!!

 

[DarloRich]

Ballast seems in short supply look how low the track is compared to the standing water!!

someone with more track experience will know more but that doesn't look finished/profiled!

 

[swt_passenger]

Ballast seems in short supply look how low the track is compared to the standing water!!

I think that’s a temporary road/rail access point near Launton village, it’s probably not draining off the tarmac surface, but nothing to worry about.

 

[rower40]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that a track-laying train should have a "Gromit" cuddly-toy on the front?

 

[fgwrich]

And… They’ve done it!

Excellent Photos courtesy of Phil Marsh as always.

@Marshrail

CONGRATULATIONS! The East West Rail Alliance
@VolkerRailUK @Laing_ORourke @atkinsrealis @networkrail have joined the Down Bletchley track at Calvert this lunchtime with the balfourbeatty NTC. 13 June the NTC was there laying track!
@LordPeterHendy @RailDeliveryGrp @railindustry

https://twitter.com/marshrail/status/1734946741596610778?s=46

 

[swt_passenger]

And… They’ve done it!

Excellent Photos courtesy of Phil Marsh as always.

https://twitter.com/marshrail/status/1734946741596610778?s=46

Excellent. Possibly only another day’s work to do the up line, so I wonder if the NTC machine itself will just stay on site while they bring in another load of sleepers?

 

[zwk500]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that a track-laying train should have a "Gromit" cuddly-toy on the front?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Maybe they should call it "Wallace!"

And… They’ve done it!

Excellent Photos courtesy of Phil Marsh as always.

https://twitter.com/marshrail/status/1734946741596610778?s=46

Slightly off-topic, but I love the 90s retro livery on the 66.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I am so impressed at tbe transformation of the line.

In the 1980s and very early 1990s, I saw the ARC Whatley-Wolverton services on the route (mostly 56s, but I have a photo of one ARC mustard liveried 59/1 taking the service past Bicester Town).
And I travelled Aylesbury-Calvert-Bletchley-MK, on an NSE "Christmas Shopping Special" 108+115 trip back in 1992.

March 2020, Swanbourne was looking very sorry for itself; the station site was cleared totally, only a few months later. Visiting the site today, I am delighted to see the old line "re-born". Well done to all involved.

 

[oversteer]

After many years of driving past the line, today was the first time I saw this signal lit up. I had to stop and take a photo to mark the occasion

Location same as previous post.