MML Electrification: progress updates

[Geogregor]

Why dig 2 holes or 2 Piles and erect 2 masts when you can do it in one?

Good question. Yet, separate piles, masts and cantilevers for each track are widespread and preferred system around the world.
Maybe because such masts and cantilevers don't have to be so massive and two separate structures offer better resilience if there is mechanical fault on one of the lines?

 

[edwin_m]

I think single track cantilevers are still preferred on double track sections - see the western part of GWML and the various northwestern schemes. However MML appears to be treated as four-track even in the Wymington area where the pairs of tracks diverge.

 

[Chris125]

They are using single track cantilevers on the double track to Corby, but overall they are clearly trying to simplify the metalwork as far as possible - a complete contrast to the endless variations of boom, mast and cantilever on the GWML which must have made installation a logistical nightmare.

 

[InTheEastMids]

http://harboroughfm.co.uk/hope-for-electrification/

"Network Rail has been asked by the Department For Transport to draw up detailed plans for overhead cables to be installed north from Kettering."

I don't know the source for this, however it may be helpful that the local MP previously served as special advisor to Theresa May.

 

[38Cto15E]

When is the substation due to be completed ? assuming not too much interference from the local residents
Also what other substations are located south to St Pancras?
TIA

 

[The Ham]

When is the substation due to be completed ? assuming not too much interference from the local residents
Also what other substations are located south to St Pancras?
TIA

As I understand it isn't the substation due to be somewhere along the line where it runs parallel to Braybrooke Road, which means that there's not a lot of local residents to object.

 

[tasky]

http://harboroughfm.co.uk/hope-for-electrification/

"Network Rail has been asked by the Department For Transport to draw up detailed plans for overhead cables to be installed north from Kettering."

I don't know the source for this, however it may be helpful that the local MP previously served as special advisor to Theresa May.

Had a hunch it would be the local MP, checked written answers, and so it seems:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/...s/written-question/Commons/2019-02-18/222764/

Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the electrification of the Midland Main line to Market Harborough.
A: Network Rail has been instructed to design an extension of electrification infrastructure from Kettering to Market Harborough station, as part of the Midland Main Line enhancements programme.

The Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) extension to Market Harborough will enable a new connection to a power supply at Braybrooke. At Outline Business Case stage in March 2018 this was determined to be the best value for money option for making the power supply connection. In line with normal practice, this will be tested again when the overall Midland Main Line programme Key Output 1a, of which Market Harborough electrification is a constituent part, is assessed at Full Business Case stage.

So basically, it sounds like it's coming to Market Harborough because they're building the transformer there, they'll have to run lines from it anyway, so they may as well be down the railway.

So that's an extra 10 miles or so of electrification.

 

[londonmidland]

May as well extend it to Leicester at this rate

 

[GRALISTAIR]

May as well extend it to Leicester at this rate

ssshhhh thats next

 

[Kettledrum]

So basically, it sounds like it's coming to Market Harborough because they're building the transformer there, they'll have to run lines from it anyway, so they may as well be down the railway.

So that's an extra 10 miles or so of electrification.

.....and it's only 16 miles from Market Harborough to Leicester.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Leicester always struck me as the more logical place to end the wires pending sense and extension to Leeds, including the Radford line and the Erewash Valley of course.

 

[Gareth]

Mmh, dunno. Always been a fan of Sheffield myself.

 

[Class 170101]

Why you wouldn't extend OLE as far as Wigston Jn given the line will have to be blocked to trains as far as that junction anyway.

Leicester always struck me as the more logical place to end the wires pending sense and extension to Leeds, including the Radford line and the Erewash Valley of course.

Unfortunately Leicester presents a problem there isn't much room to lower track or raise bridges at Leicester South. Buildings above and a large sewer below or something like that.

 

[a_c_skinner]

It seemed part of the plan originally. Alas the railway culture or probably costing culture means the default is always the conservative.

Edit: Yes I know the cost benefit differs if you are not going on beyond Leicester at the moment.

 

[Bald Rick]

Had a hunch it would be the local MP, checked written answers, and so it seems:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/...s/written-question/Commons/2019-02-18/222764/



So basically, it sounds like it's coming to Market Harborough because they're building the transformer there, they'll have to run lines from it anyway, so they may as well be down the railway.

So that's an extra 10 miles or so of electrification.

Can’t believe it’s taken 12 months for someone to ask the question in Parliament, and for the news to get out! It was trailed on this forum 8 months ago too.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Why you wouldn't extend OLE as far as Wigston Jn given the line will have to be blocked to trains as far as that junction anyway.

Wigston Jnc is a logical place to go to for now because of the proposed Leicester Capacity Scheme.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Wigston Junction to Baybrooke could be done possibly a couple of years later than the extension to Market Harborough after the work at Leicester is completed

Wigston Junction to Clay Cross and Nottingham could be done by the time HS2 is complete.

 

[gingertom]

Wigston Junction to Baybrooke could be done possibly a couple of years later than the extension to Market Harborough after the work at Leicester is completed

Wigston Junction to Clay Cross and Nottingham could be done by the time HS2 is complete.

could we be seeing the beginnings of a rolling programme here?

 

[LowLevel]

What we see is the useless minister and MP attempting to make good news out of something that was going to happen anyway. When your incompetence has lead to having a feeder station 10 miles from where you've curtailed the wiring you are always going to end up filling in the gap as otherwise you have to have a 10 mile long 25kv cable. You may as well just be done with it.

Leicester is a different ball game as others have mentioned - the A6 London Road at the south end of the station is a significant barrier to electrification that will cost some big money to sort.

 

[Flying Phil]

"Rolling Electrification", who would have thought that could be a good idea.....
Also, if the A6 road overbridge is the problem at Leicester Station, can they not have a "non live" wire with reduced clearance - after all they are using Bi-Modes so they could not get stuck in the short dead section - or am I missing something?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

could we be seeing the beginnings of a rolling programme here?

Maybe. It might be easier to introduce and as the Clay Cross to Sheffield section is planned by 2033 and Sheffield to Doncaster Planned in CP6. The rest could be done stage by stage.

 

[WymoWanderer]

Work to reinstate fourth track continues to the South of Wymington, Bedfordshire.

Looking North from bridge WYM-3. Original

Looking South from Bridge WYM-3, Original

Looking North, Souldrop tunnel behind photographer. Original

Looking South at Northern entrance to Souldrop tunnel. Original

 

[gingertom]

"Rolling Electrification", who would have thought that could be a good idea.....
Also, if the A6 road overbridge is the problem at Leicester Station, can they not have a "non live" wire with reduced clearance - after all they are using Bi-Modes so they could not get stuck in the short dead section - or am I missing something?

might have noticed I'm Scottish
Yes the A6 bridge does look challenging if it's too low for clearance. Conductor bar and roof insulation maybe? I'm sure though that the highly paid civil engineering consultants will come up with a plan.

 

[a_c_skinner]

HS2 as planned builds a lot of railway from Toton to Chesterfield. The Erewash Valley must be tempting and only a few minutes slower, surely? Especially if that route is going to be worked on as part of the MML project, long delayed.

Or are there a lot of marginal seats in South Yorkshire?

 

[38Cto15E]

Is there not a case to re-install Up and Down passing loops for freight trains (similar to Harlington) between Mkt Harborough and Desborough before electrification is installed? Freight trains are taking roughly 24 minutes at present to go from Kettering North to Kilby Bridge on the fast/main line.

 

[Grumbler]

HS2 as planned builds a lot of railway from Toton to Chesterfield. The Erewash Valley must be tempting and only a few minutes slower, surely? Especially if that route is going to be worked on as part of the MML project, long delayed.

Or are there a lot of marginal seats in South Yorkshire?

Do you really think HS2 will get that far?

 

[WymoWanderer]

As I understand it isn't the substation due to be somewhere along the line where it runs parallel to Braybrooke Road, which means that there's not a lot of local residents to object.

Presumably it will be located somewhere near here where the power lines cross the MML.

Confirmed... found the planning application for the substation which has the location and the plans.
https://www.kettering.gov.uk/planningApplication/127932

 

[edwin_m]

Is there not a case to re-install Up and Down passing loops for freight trains (similar to Harlington) between Mkt Harborough and Desborough before electrification is installed? Freight trains are taking roughly 24 minutes at present to go from Kettering North to Kilby Bridge on the fast/main line.

It may be that the time lost speeding up from a stop in the loop would be greater than if the freight was allowed to run through. Going by comments on here the loop at Harlington has hardly been used. The Modern Railways article says that there will be 3TPH freight paths but the Corby line will have capacity to take all of them. So the only freight that would benefit from running through Market Harborough is anything to/from Nuneaton, and even that could loop back through Leicester.

 

[Class 170101]

So the only freight that would benefit from running through Market Harborough is anything to/from Nuneaton, and even that could loop back through Leicester.

Trains via the Coalville Line would have to run via Market Harborough too. No access via Leicester as the junction only faces south.

 

[whhistle]

Unfortunately Leicester presents a problem there isn't much room to lower track or raise bridges at Leicester South. Buildings above and a large sewer below or something like that.

Or the fact you'd have to lower the whole station to get under London Road...
I can see this being a sticking point and have said it for years.

The news report suggested Market Harborough would be 2023.
By that time, it may well be decided extending it to Sheffield/Nottingham will be on the cards.
Unfortunately I can also see Bi-modes being procured by then too, which means if and when the OHL is extended, the MML may get yet another new set of (pure electric) trains.

I wonder if joined up thinking would then transfer the what-would-be ex-MML bi-modes to Cross Country.