Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[BBM]

Wiring now appears to be complete at the east end of Sonning Cutting where I took a couple of photos today:

Energisation of the Maidenhead - Reading OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") is due in August 17, with I believe through Paddington - Reading electrics locals in the September timetable.

I must emphasise the OLE in its present state is dangerous to approach or touch

Before energisation can take place I'm guessing that the parapets of Butts Hill Bridge (the one in my lower photo, apologies for the slight sun glare) will need to be raised. They're currently the same as in this Google Street View from last year:

https://goo.gl/maps/nHtSKeRFMM72

However I can't find any mention anywhere of the intention to carry out such work. Closing the road would be a major headache as apart from it being on a bus route there's no suitable diversion route for traffic. (Duffield Road bridge from where I took the photos is single lane with traffic lights). Presumably though somebody's going to have to do something very soon.

[Adelante_CCT]

with I believe through Paddington - Reading electrics locals in the September timetable.

So soon? I was led to believe (through unofficial sources mind) that services would start on Jan 2nd, which would include running through to Didcot.

Of course September, or any sooner than January would be a nice bonus 

[Electric train]

Wiring now appears to be complete at the east end of Sonning Cutting where I took a couple of photos today:

Energisation of the Maidenhead - Reading OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") is due in August 17, with I believe through Paddington - Reading electrics locals in the September timetable.

I must emphasise the OLE in its present state is dangerous to approach or touch

Before energisation can take place I'm guessing that the parapets of Butts Hill Bridge (the one in my lower photo, apologies for the slight sun glare) will need to be raised. They're currently the same as in this Google Street View from last year:

https://goo.gl/maps/nHtSKeRFMM72

However I can't find any mention anywhere of the intention to carry out such work. Closing the road would be a major headache as apart from it being on a bus route there's no suitable diversion route for traffic. (Duffield Road bridge from where I took the photos is single lane with traffic lights). Presumably though somebody's going to have to do something very soon.

To raise the parapets on that style of bridge is not to difficult, the use of wire mesh screen which could be done at night with a single carriageway closure using traffic lights.   

[ChrisB]

with I believe through Paddington - Reading electrics locals in the September timetable.

So soon? I was led to believe (through unofficial sources mind) that services would start on Jan 2nd, which would include running through to Didcot.

That's what I understand too....

[Noggin]

with I believe through Paddington - Reading electrics locals in the September timetable.

So soon? I was led to believe (through unofficial sources mind) that services would start on Jan 2nd, which would include running through to Didcot.

That's what I understand too....

Given the complexity of the Reading station layout and the need to prove it all, not to mention training drivers and staff, I'd be very surprised if there were only a month between energisation and planned introduction into public service. Six months sounds more like it, perhaps the plan is to allow ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) runs from September (with the fallback position being that loco haulage will continue if there are any issues with the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")).

The Hendy dates for infrastructure authorisation were:

    Maidenhead to Didcot: December 2017
    Didcot to Wootton Bassett Junction: December 2018
    Wootton Bassett Junction to Bristol Parkway: December 2018
    Reading to Newbury: December 2018
    Bristol Parkway to Cardiff: December 2018
    Didcot to Oxford: June 2019
    Wootton Bassett Junction to Bristol Temple Meads: February 2019-April 2020
    Filton Bank: Early CP6^▸ (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024)

Obviously Oxford and Bristol have been postponed since then, but the rest would seem achievable given the current rates of progress. 
 

[IndustryInsider]

Obviously Oxford and Bristol have been postponed since then, but the rest would seem achievable given the current rates of progress. 

I think all of those December 2018 dates will be very difficult but just about possible to achieve as long as recent rapid progress continues.  The December 2017 date out to Didcot Parkway looks like being achieved with time to spare.

[ChrisB]

Of course, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) couldn't start electric services to Didcot several days/weeks after wires-live (Jan 2nd announced, I believe?) - training etc will be necessary. So definitely need to be finished well before.

[paul7575]

The timetable book E1 (May 21 onward version) shows a number of stopping services that change from DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) to EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) operation from July, the majority are split at Maidenhead, with a DMU leg added for Maidenhead to Reading.

ISTM that those particular services fit in with an early extension as far as Reading if infrastructure becomes available between say September and January. If it doesn't happen there'd be no need to alter the timetable again.

Paul

[johoare]

With apologies if this is already in this thread somewhere but I couldn't easily find it if so but if all goes according to plan it looks (from realtime trains) as if the following new services will be running from Monday as EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit):

Maidenhead to Paddington (morning rush hour)

6.25 non-stop arriving at 06.56
6.56  stopping service arriving at 07.46
7.33  non-stop arriving at 08.06
7.41  non-stop arriving at 8.21
8.42  stopping at Taplow, Slough and Southall arriving at 9.22
9.07 stopping service arriving at 9.49


Paddington to Maidenhead (Evening services)

16.09  stopping at just Slough arriving at 16.42
16.42  non-stop arriving at 17.13
17.14  stopping service arriving at 18.05
17.42  stopping at Slough and Burnham arriving at 18.14
18.42  stopping at Slough arriving at 19.14
19.12  stopping service arriving at 19.53
19.36  non-stop arriving at 20.00

Some are replacing existing services and some appear to be new. The increase in capacity will make a big difference to the overcrowding (I hope)

[ChrisB]

Spottable in the printed timetable with electric flashes above each column

[Boppy]

I was hoping to try one of these new services running as an EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit).

Today I managed to make the 16.09 from Paddington. Unfortunately it was a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)!

[paul7575]

I was hoping to try one of these new services running as an EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit).

Today I managed to make the 16.09 from Paddington. Unfortunately it was a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)!

The timetable changes this weekend coming up though...   

[Boppy]

Doh.

I had it in my head it changed start of this week (sorry I'm clearly not keeping up!)

Next week it is! Thanks.

[Chris from Nailsea]

 

May I commend my colleague's excellent post at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5066.msg213946#msg213946 for details.

CfN. 

[Adelante_CCT]

6.25 non-stop arriving at 06.56

I see throughout next week this departs at 06:28, with the following, 2P11 06:29 off Maidenhead departing at 06:32 instead

As things stand it is booked for 06:25 from the 30th onwards...