ECML Power Supply Upgrade

[GRALISTAIR]

The opening post in the thread contains a link to a press release which contains a clickable map. There are also maps in post #7.

That’s the one. I downloaded it as a JPEG and was going to post it. It is a great map and I have hard copy too to keep track.

 

[thecrofter]

Is there an overall diagram that shows where all these locations are im from the 1980's era electrification works!

The new sites are basically repeat locations of where the original sites were placed. One error in the map at #7 is that Claypool should of course read Claypole.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The new sites are basically repeat locations of where the original sites were placed. One error in the map at #7 is that Claypool should of course read Claypole.

So upgrades of existing.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I just saw this on LinkedIn

#rsw24 #powersupplyupgrade | REAL Power Supply Upgrade

Great news to be sharing during Rail Safety Week. On the evening of Saturday, 22nd June, in Chester-Le-Street, near County Durham, the REAL Alliance successfully and safely installed twin track cantilevers, the last two structures to be installed on the Power Supply Upgrade Phase Two. Al...

www.linkedin.com

On the evening of Saturday, 22nd June, in Chester-Le-Street, near County Durham, the REAL Alliance successfully and safely installed twin track cantilevers, the last two structures to be installed on the Power Supply Upgrade Phase Two.

The Power Supply Upgrade programme started Phase One in 2014 and completed in 2020. Phase Two, which the REAL Alliance began in September 2020 and is nearing completion in early 2025, is a testament to our collective team effort and dedication.

Al Pattison, Alliance Director, said: 'The successful installation of these final two structures is a great moment for the OLE team and a testament to their hard work. It’s a moment of celebration and congratulations for everyone on the Alliance to be proud of".

Why is the installation of twin-track cantilevers so newsworthy and important?

 

[zwk500]

I just saw this on LinkedIn

#rsw24 #powersupplyupgrade | REAL Power Supply Upgrade

Great news to be sharing during Rail Safety Week. On the evening of Saturday, 22nd June, in Chester-Le-Street, near County Durham, the REAL Alliance successfully and safely installed twin track cantilevers, the last two structures to be installed on the Power Supply Upgrade Phase Two. Al...

www.linkedin.com

Why is the installation of twin-track cantilevers so newsworthy and important?

Perhaps it was those particular 2 cantilevers that were newsworthy, being the last ones needed?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

OK - So they install 2 cantilevers - I still am not sure what is happening. Are the cantilevers something to do with the power feeding arrangements ? I have Chester-le-street down as a Mid Point Track Sectioning Cabinet MPTSC.

 

[59CosG95]

OK - So they install 2 cantilevers - I still am not sure what is happening. Are the cantilevers something to do with the power feeding arrangements ? I have Chester-le-street down as a Mid Point Track Sectioning Cabinet MPTSC.

AFAIK they're simply there to hold the new feeds from the replacement MPTSC. Having OLE registrations and traction power feeds on the same structures are now a "non-preferred" option.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

AFAIK they're simply there to hold the new feeds from the replacement MPTSC. Having OLE registrations and traction power feeds on the same structures are now a "non-preferred" option.

OK thank you for your as always, informed answers. It makes sense.

 

[snowball]

Could someone please remind me where things are up to on the need for some bi-mode trains to run on diesel on the ECML north of York because of power supply limitations? Namely,

1) How many trains per day does this still apply to?
2) Which sections of the route does it still apply to?
3) Is there currently active work which will address some or all of the problem?

Many thanks in advance.

One thing I do remember is that there's uncertainty over whether a proposed upgrade at Marshall Meadows has or hasn't been dropped.

 

[43095john]

Could someone please remind me where things are up to on the need for some bi-mode trains to run on diesel on the ECML north of York because of power supply limitations? Namely,

1) How many trains per day does this still apply to?
2) Which sections of the route does it still apply to?
3) Is there currently active work which will address some or all of the problem?

Many thanks in advance.

One thing I do remember is that there's uncertainty over whether a proposed upgrade at Marshall Meadows has or hasn't been dropped.

As far as I'm aware:

1) Only TPE 802s (Includes LNER 800/1s on Sundays due to increased OHLE usage)

2) Chathill to Longniddry is the only section is applies to now

3) Yes, however the new supply at Marshall Meadows will take a while to be fully online due to its remote location (IIRC they're having issues connecting it to the Grid?)

 

[swt_passenger]

As far as I'm aware:

3) Yes, however the new supply at Marshall Meadows will take a while to be fully online due to its remote location (IIRC they're having issues connecting it to the Grid?)

It’s a dual cable run DNO upgrade over about 5 km from the Berwick substation at Low Cocklaw, single phase 132 kV changing to three phase 132 kV, it basically adds the third phase cable along the existing wooden pylons.

It is the Scottish DNO operator (SPEN) responsibility, agreed with the planners in Sep 2021, I can’t see why it would have significant issues? Northumberland council planning reference is 21/03293/ELEGDO.

I have never found any mention of upgrades within the boundary of the substation, at the supply end would they use just be using 2 connections to the 3 phase system, ie they only need to connect the third?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

As far as I'm aware:

1) Only TPE 802s (Includes LNER 800/1s on Sundays due to increased OHLE usage)

does that cover for an N-1 outage?

2) Chathill to Longniddry is the only section is applies to now

Thats still a 65mile section though

3) Yes, however the new supply at Marshall Meadows will take a while to be fully online due to its remote location (IIRC they're having issues connecting it to the Grid?)

 

[snowball]

2) Chathill to Longniddry is the only section is applies to now

Thanks. Is this under balise control?

 

[InOban]

since the equipment will undoubtedly arrive by road, Marshall Meadows is anything but remote. It's at the end of a track off the A1. Far easier to access than almost any other site I can think of.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks. Is this under balise control?

There are appropriate APCO locations for the various low power sections, they’re showing on RTT, ie Longniddry and Chathill in this case, but whether they’re used or not is a different question I suppose. I think earlier in the discussion it was said trains were changing over at stations well away from the sections concerned.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

since the equipment will undoubtedly arrive by road, Marshall Meadows is anything but remote. It's at the end of a track off the A1. Far easier to access than almost any other site I can think of.

It is high on my priority list when I am home Xmas- new year for about 16 days.

 

[Watershed]

There are appropriate APCO locations for the various low power sections, they’re showing on RTT, ie Longniddry and Chathill in this case, but whether they’re used or not is a different question I suppose. I think earlier in the discussion it was said trains were changing over at stations well away from the sections concerned.

Certainly TPE services were only changing over at station calls for a long time, which meant much longer sections of diesel running than was really necessary. Believe they're now using APCO beacons though.

 

[swt_passenger]

Certainly TPE services were only changing over at station calls for a long time, which meant much longer sections of diesel running than was really necessary. Believe they're now using APCO beacons though.

Thanks for the update.

 

[59CosG95]

Updates from LinkedIn:

1. Shilbottle - the only brick-built substation on the project, has been entered into service. Further upgrades at Ulgham now completed too. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...jb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
2. Internals of Shilbottle: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...E6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
3. Stannington has also entered into service, and further upgrade works at Biggleswade have also been completed. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/volk...bm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

That still leaves Marshall Meadows (TBC what will happen), King Edward Jn, Aycliffe, Balne & Doncaster North for Phase 2, and Retford, Grantham North, Bretton/Nene, Little Barford and full completion of Coreys Mill for Phase 1.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Updates from LinkedIn:
That still leaves ------------- Balne ----.

I got a notification that Balne was complete? I will try and find link.


EDIT - Sorry - my mistake -

#cando #teamwork #collaboration #ecml | VolkerRail Ltd

It’s been non-stop for the REAL Alliance, with the arrival of three new track section cabins at Tursdale, Stannington and Balne. As with any installation close to the open line and live overhead wires, the alliance had its challenges, but using a ‘jacking down method’ for intricacy at Balne is...

www.linkedin.com

It’s been non-stop for the REAL Alliance, with the arrival of three new track section cabins at Tursdale, Stannington and Balne.

As with any installation close to the open line and live overhead wires, the alliance had its challenges, but using a ‘jacking down method’ for intricacy at Balne is a great example of how using collective knowledge and experience ensures safe and timely delivery.

Keep up the great work.

TSC delivered to site but not commissioned.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Updates from LinkedIn:

1. Shilbottle - the only brick-built substation on the project, has been entered into service. Further upgrades at Ulgham now completed too. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...jb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
2. Internals of Shilbottle: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...E6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
3. Stannington has also entered into service, and further upgrade works at Biggleswade have also been completed. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/volk...bm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

That still leaves Marshall Meadows (TBC what will happen), King Edward Jn, Aycliffe, Balne & Doncaster North for Phase 2, and Retford, Grantham North, Bretton/Nene, Little Barford and full completion of Coreys Mill for Phase 1.

So they were planning to implement the increased timetable in Dec 24 whether all this work was completed or not?

 

[59CosG95]

I got a notification that Balne was complete? I will try and find link.


EDIT - Sorry - my mistake -

#cando #teamwork #collaboration #ecml | VolkerRail Ltd

It’s been non-stop for the REAL Alliance, with the arrival of three new track section cabins at Tursdale, Stannington and Balne. As with any installation close to the open line and live overhead wires, the alliance had its challenges, but using a ‘jacking down method’ for intricacy at Balne is...

www.linkedin.com

TSC delivered to site but not commissioned.

Another post link on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...EK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Balne is proposed for EIS later this month, and Aycliffe proposed for EIS mid-September, leaving Marshall Meadows, King Ed Bridge, Doncaster North and the outstanding Phase 1 lot as the enigmas.
I'd expect Doncaster North to be a Christmas commissioning.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I'd expect Doncaster North to be a Christmas commissioning.

That would make most sense.

 

[swt_passenger]

Another post link on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/real...EK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Balne is proposed for EIS later this month, and Aycliffe proposed for EIS mid-September, leaving Marshall Meadows, King Ed Bridge, Doncaster North and the outstanding Phase 1 lot as the enigmas.
I'd expect Doncaster North to be a Christmas commissioning.

Apart from Marshall Meadows, are any of those others still causing electric service timetable restrictions?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Apart from Marshall Meadows, are any of those others still causing electric service timetable restrictions?

Well if they were trying to introduce the enhanced Dec24 timetable was holed below the waterline before it got deferred anyhow.

 

[paul1609]

Well if they were trying to introduce the enhanced Dec24 timetable was holed below the waterline before it got deferred anyhow.

is this the same timetable change that required the 4 tracking in the Peterborough area that had never actually been approved and made such a poor business case that it was unlikley ever to have been approved according to Roger Fords latest informed services?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

is this the same timetable change that required the 4 tracking in the Peterborough area that had never actually been approved and made such a poor business case that it was unlikley ever to have been approved according to Roger Fords latest informed services?

Guess so as that area as been identified as one of the unresolved constraints along the route. Mind you have to question why they've spent so much on the PS upgrade if the timetable was never deliverable. Furthermore from what I glean from this thread is that Marshall Meadows now seems to be in abeyance and this is fundamental to removing the requirement to use diesel working on some trains when the service frequency exceeds 2TPH. If that is correct its another example of the industry failing to spend taxpayers money wisely.

 

[takno]

is this the same timetable change that required the 4 tracking in the Peterborough area that had never actually been approved and made such a poor business case that it was unlikley ever to have been approved according to Roger Fords latest informed services?

Presumably the four-tracking south of Peterborough only had a poor business case because it was originally believed that the timetable could work without it. It being required for the modified timetable would change the business case quite considerably

 

[swt_passenger]

Well if they were trying to introduce the enhanced Dec24 timetable was holed below the waterline before it got deferred anyhow.

That wasn’t really what I was asking, but I might have been clearer. There have already been power restrictions on some route sections in the last few years of the current timetable, sometimes dependent on the day of the week. I was wondering if the Marshall Meadows section, ie Longniddry to Chathill, was now the only section where bimode trains would have to switch to diesel.

 

[paul1609]

Presumably the four-tracking south of Peterborough only had a poor business case because it was originally believed that the timetable could work without it. It being required for the modified timetable would change the business case quite considerably

Or that if you included the four tracking in the Peterborugh area it dragged down the business case for the whole East Coast Power Upgrade such that it should have never gone forward in its current form.
This smacks of the whole GWR Electrification project fiasco again!