GCR Bridge Project

[fflint]

Thanks Flying Phil for taking the time to keep us up to date even though at present nothing is happening.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks fflint.
I have just received issue 170 Spring 2017 of the GCR Main Line magazine and there is a good article about the bridge and it says that all the paperwork/consents are in place. After the initial setting up of the works compound and site clearance/preparation "work moves off site. That's when the metal work is being cut and preformed concrete elements prepared." There are four possession dates fixed, the first (around now) will have "warning equipment set up ....to check if the ground moves during the work which follows. In possessions two, three and four the two bridge beams and bridge deck will be lifted into place in turn."
"All being well the bridge work will be complete in late Summer/early Autumn."

So the Bridge is still on schedule!

Also in the article, are details of the structure to be built South of the bridge where the Preci-spark car park is currently on the old embankment. The height is to be lowered and two brick/ concrete arches leading onto the first of the two ex Reading bridge spans built up, so the cars can be parked underneath.

 

[pmh_74]

I have just received issue 170 Spring 2017 of the GCR Main Line magazine and there is a good article about the bridge and it says that ... There are four possession dates fixed, the first (around now) ...

You've mis-read that. It says that the dates will be known around now, not that the first date is around now.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks pmh 74, I had paraphrased parts of the article and that section was a bit unclear. However if they are to "complete the bridgework late Summer/ early Autumn" then the abutments will need to be started soon and so this ground moving "warning equipment" will need to go in very soon I would have thought?
Anyway, I will be going past the site again this week so I will have a "look see".

 

[Flying Phil]

On my visit today the only change was that, what looked like, a mobile generator lighting tower trailer was in the middle of the worksite.
Whether that means some overnight/over the MML? work is imminent remains pure conjecture......???
As there are over 23,000 views of this thread, there is obviously a lot of interest, but I hope my updates are not causing any problems?

 

[L+Y]

I hope my updates are not causing any problems?

Not at all- thank you for them.

I seem to remember a few years ago, a chap kept a bit of a photo diary for the Bluebell Railway's extension project through a cutting: perhaps you could do something similar for the GCR bridge?

 

[Cowley]

Very much appreciate the updates Phil. It's a project close to my heart, if not close to my home.

 

[fflint]

Ditto to those above, we are always grateful to those who give their time to keep others informed.

 

[XDM]

Ditto to those above, we are always grateful to those who give their time to keep others informed.

Agreed. The bridge project is specially interesting because it combines heritage railway with modern main line. Philpott's Bluebell Imberhorne cutting site was terrific - particularly as the Bluebell management put the bare minimum or nothing about the progress on their website. It would be fantastic if somebody decided to do a Philpott on bridging the gap.

 

[reddragon]

This is how it should be done, every detail in words & pictures: -

http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/

http://broadwayextensionblog.blogspot.co.uk/

£118k left to raise, opens Easter 2018.

The Welsh Highland Railway did the same as the GWsR and both gained huge donations. A lesson to learn elsewhere?

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Hopefully the railway or somebody will be doing a video blog but in the meantime.....
The North work site seems to have had the lighting tower taken away but no further action apparent. There is now another work compound? created on Falcon Road where it leads to the Council tip - so the location of the South abutment of the Ex Reading bridge span?

 

[DarloRich]

it was announced at the GCR diesel gala by various official looking types that "all the legal paperwork" had been signed to allow the new bridge over the MML to be installed in the window agreed with NR. i noticed lots of work had been done on the abutments/ approach of the bridge over the MML

is the plan to run a single line around the existing shed thus removing the need to demolish and rebuild the MPD, workshops and storage? I assume that the need for vehicular access to the shed may be reduced by having a main line connection and perhaps the ability to deliver by road to a point beyond the "Gap"

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks for that news Darlo and glad that you enjoyed the Gala.
As discussed earlier in this thread the plan (We believe) is to have two tracks running North from Loughborough Station. They will run next to the Signal Box, then, under the unused span of the Empress Road bridge. Alongside the shed (Probably changes to the corner and side of the shed?) then curving to go over the twin track canal bridge. Twin track along the new embankment, then single track over the Ex Reading bridge spans over the road to the council tip, a couple of blue? brick arches over the Precis Spark car park (lower than now) then onto the new single span across the MML. New embankment to join the existing chord line and then onto the North!
As you realise, access to the shed will be more difficult.

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks for that news Darlo and glad that you enjoyed the Gala.
As discussed earlier in this thread the plan (We believe) is to have two tracks running North from Loughborough Station. They will run next to the Signal Box, then, under the unused span of the Empress Road bridge. Alongside the shed (Probably changes to the corner and side of the shed?) then curving to go over the twin track canal bridge. Twin track along the new embankment, then single track over the Ex Reading bridge spans over the road to the council tip, a couple of blue? brick arches over the Precis Spark car park (lower than now) then onto the new single span across the MML. New embankment to join the existing chord line and then onto the North!
As you realise, access to the shed will be more difficult.

Thanks - interesting - there should be space for that but it will lead to a very cramped shed site.

 

[Flying Phil]

On today's visit there did not seem to be much happening but on closer inspection there has been work on the North abutment site as there now is an foot access route under the MML. On the South abutment site the small building has been removed and the Preci Spark high level car park is closed to cars. There is an air of imminent action and the GCR Website has promise of news!

 

[Cowley]

Great things are afoot .
Is there a thread anywhere about plans once the two lines are joined up Phil? Not wishing to run before we can walk, but I've got a couple of questions on how the two railways may or may not be integrated etc.

 

[fgwrich]

Great things are afoot .
Is there a thread anywhere about plans once the two lines are joined up Phil? Not wishing to run before we can walk, but I've got a couple of questions on how the two railways may or may not be integrated etc.

I really do hope that on the integration front, a newer more securer depot is constructed to meet the needs of both sections of the Great Central Railway - Ruddington Fields was the subject of yet another vandal attack at the weekend with the 25, 37 & 47 all on the receiving end of tools and stones.

Great to see the groundwork finally starting, I hope you will be able to give us regular updates Flying Phil!

 

[Flying Phil]

The GCR website has been updated with news of the construction start!
I am told that the website will now have frequent updates.....but I will keep up with mine as well.
Re timetabling, I have no information but I suspect there will be some trains running from Leics to Notts and also Leics- Lbro and Notts - Lbro but time will tell.
The other huge aspect to the Gap Project is, of course, the Museum Project at Leicester North.
Whilst this is on another GCR thread, the timescale and demands on finance/manpower/management/etc will obviously impact on the Gap work. Both projects are Huge and I think that, once the bridge over the MML is completed - priority due to impending (???) electrification, then the focus will shift to the Museum due to Lottery funding timescale.
This is only my supposition, but the Museum should be bringing far more (new) customers to the railway and is designed to be self financing once set up.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I really do hope that on the integration front, a newer more securer depot is constructed to meet the needs of both sections of the Great Central Railway - Ruddington Fields was the subject of yet another vandal attack at the weekend with the 25, 37 & 47 all on the receiving end of tools and stones.

Great to see the groundwork finally starting, I hope you will be able to give us regular updates Flying Phil!

Sorry to hear about the vandal attack, sadly this seems to be a problem that is happening more often around the country.

 

[Flying Phil]

Bridge project has been in the local TV news this morning - so the momentum is building - as are the abutments hopefully.....but I will look again next week!

 

[reddragon]

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/

Good to see new on the work on the GCR website!

 

[Flying Phil]

Lots now happening on the Gap Project! There are workers installing lamp posts on the North abutment site. Over the Midland Main Line the Precis Spark car park is being lowered by excavator and the spoil is being dumped to widen the embankment beside the brook.

Thanks also to those on here who voted in the Preservation Projects Support poll to put this project in second place.

 

[Cowley]

Looking good. That looks like some proper work going on now.
Thanks for the update Phil

 

[L+Y]

Looking good. That looks like some proper work going on now.
Thanks for the update Phil

Seconded- thanks Phil!

 

[HLE]

Thanks Phil, always grateful for the updates!

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks folks.
On site today the Preci spark car park has had its concrete broken up and most of the top 1.8 m removed!

The dumper trucks have been moved to the North abutment compound and the "Lamp Post" has a strange box on top - not a lamp - CCTV??

 

[fflint]

Keep up the good work Phil, we love on the spot reporting about projects!

 

[fgwrich]

Brilliant, thanks for the update Phil. As for the thing on the post - I wonder if it'll be a webcam ala many of the NR projects and GWSRs Broadway Station?

 

[Flying Phil]

Good call on the Web Cam fgwrich - I think you are correct.
I am very pleased to say the the GCR website (link on post #81) is being regularly updated with good pics and news of progress.

 

[Flying Phil]

On today's visit the North worksite has some more spoil from the Preci spark car park and a stack of timber baulks - which are possibly to spread the load from the pile driving machinery? which are due to start very soon.

On the Preci Spark car park site, the area is being sculpted

..... and the Southern original abutment is more exposed.