Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[Jonty]

Understand that Paul - just seems odd that the 3 main platforms will all deal with down traffic. Would have been better IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) for 8/9 to be split.

Won't there also be conflicts for the fast up trains getting back onto the fast up line or are they also remodelling all the lines east of the station?

[Southern Stag]

Understand that Paul - just seems odd that the 3 main platforms will all deal with down traffic.

When the station has been rebuilt Platforms 7/8/9 won't be the only main platforms any more. The main platform will probably be 8/9/10/11. 8 and 9 will handle the bulk of the fast services from London and 10 and 11 the bulk of the fast services to London, so they'll be the new main platforms.

[paul7575]

Understand that Paul - just seems odd that the 3 main platforms will all deal with down traffic. Would have been better IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) for 8/9 to be split.

Won't there also be conflicts for the fast up trains getting back onto the fast up line or are they also remodelling all the lines east of the station?

As the last post has explained, there won't be just 3 main platforms.  The overall track layout changes mean that there will be 4 platforms on the mains, with P7 also a down platform but basically dedicated to down trains from Paddington heading towards Newbury/Westbury. 

So by next April the down fast will run through P9 and the up fast through P10.  P8 will be a loop off the down fast, and P11 a loop off the up fast; and yes, the position of all the lines east of the station will have to be seriously altered, because the fast line alignment will need to be a smooth curve approaching the gap between P9 and P10.  I expect the track slew will have to start somewhere around Kennet Bridge, or further east, and of course the reliefs will also have to move right over to the north of the formation as well, because they have to line up with P12-P15.

Probably a good idea to have a look at the drawings on page 55 of this thread if you haven't already, they basically cover most of the east end changes, but bear in mind the west end changes that take place in 2013-15 will be even more complex and are not yet shown.

Paul

[Zoe]

The 'swing link problem' is not solved, LSL^‡(resolve) bogies are still not allowed on the DC^▸ (Direct Current) network.  The issue of running up the mainlines into Waterloo was a basic matter of gauging limitations through stations such as Wimbledon and Clapham Junction, and the suitability of the platforms on the main side at Waterloo.  Primarily, HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power cars were not allowed into any of the platforms on the main line side, so there was no point in sending the HSTs up that side of the route.  The crossovers in the Vauxhall area that allow moves from the up main into platforms 17-19 (the platforms used last time) cause too many conflicts with other services so are rarely used in the weekday timetable.

So has anything actually changed since 2010 or will the HSTs still be leaving the main line at Byfleet Junction?

[paul7575]

The 'swing link problem' is not solved, LSL^‡(resolve) bogies are still not allowed on the DC^▸ (Direct Current) network.  The issue of running up the mainlines into Waterloo was a basic matter of gauging limitations through stations such as Wimbledon and Clapham Junction, and the suitability of the platforms on the main side at Waterloo.  Primarily, HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power cars were not allowed into any of the platforms on the main line side, so there was no point in sending the HSTs up that side of the route.  The crossovers in the Vauxhall area that allow moves from the up main into platforms 17-19 (the platforms used last time) cause too many conflicts with other services so are rarely used in the weekday timetable.

So has anything actually changed since 2010 or will the HSTs still be leaving the main line at Byfleet Junction?

All we have to go on is what was said by Industry Insider in post #639.  What I was emphasising is that the previous (2010) routeing via Byfleet, Virginia Water and the Windsor lines was not due to the type of swing links on the bogies, the presence of long swing link (LSL) bogies still bars a Mk3 coach set from the entire DC electrified area.
 
Once you have your HST set made up of short swing link (SSL^▸ (Short Swing Link bogies (125))) bogied vehicles, it can then go on the DC network - but it is still subject to normal gauging restrictions.  This is believed to be a power car specific problem,  caused by equipment such as the crew access ladders.  Many platforms in the area, especially at Waterloo's main line side, have vertical faces with much reduced clearance below the copings, hence the speed restrictions through certain stations last time.

I've had a look on NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s public website and there is no mention there of any recent route clearance for HSTs on the direct route to Waterloo - which of course doesn't mean nothing has happened.

Paul

[Zoe]

On the subject of Reading, is there any plan to grade separate Westbury Line Junction to allow trains from the Up Westbury to avoid conflicting with the Down Main?

[paul7575]

On the subject of Reading, is there any plan to grade separate Westbury Line Junction to allow trains from the Up Westbury to avoid conflicting with the Down Main?

Yes - it is shown on the attachment to my earlier post #216 way back when.  Trains from the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) will be able to reach P10 or P11 via the new underpass (the leftmost line shown in purple).  The west end grade separation does a lot more than just the western curve freight route.
 
Paul

[paul7575]

Tower crane being assembled west of the transfer deck this afternoon, difficult to see where exactly but it looks as though it is located on the site of the P12/P13 island?

Paul

[pfneeves]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the canopy for Platforms 1 & 2 was supposed to be removed by the end of October. As there does not seem to be any evidence of this work starting yet it does not look as though this is going to be completed by the end of the month which is of course is tomorrow. So does anyone know when this is actually going to start?

[paul7575]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the canopy for Platforms 1 & 2 was supposed to be removed by the end of October. As there does not seem to be any evidence of this work starting yet it does not look as though this is going to be completed by the end of the month which is of course is tomorrow. So does anyone know when this is actually going to start?

Some associated work has started I think - all those additional bracing supports on the P3/P7 side put in recently are there so that the P1/P2 canopy can be removed without the other canopy collapsing - you'll notice they are joined over the P2/P3 tracks?

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Tower crane being assembled west of the transfer deck this afternoon, difficult to see where exactly but it looks as though it is located on the site of the P12/P13 island?

I saw a bit of blurb about this crane.  You have the location correct and it will have the ability to reach all the way over to Platform 1 with an 80m jib.  It will be in situ until March 2013.

[IndustryInsider]

Blanked off signals have now started to be attached to 'Gantry 1' - the furthest east of the new gantries.  Also, it's nice to see that some seating has now been provided on Platforms 4/5/6.

[paul7575]

Ballast is being levelled between new platforms 13 and 14 at the moment.

They seem to be making reasonable progress with the block paving on the P12/13 island now.  Yesterday afternoon they spent a good few hours 'repositioning by a couple of inches' what they'd already laid in the middle section between the canopy and the escape stairs.  This can be seen on the relevant webcam over the afternoon period.

Measure twice cut once is the old saying...

Paul

[pbc2520]

They seem to be making reasonable progress with the block paving on the P12/13 island now.  Yesterday afternoon they spent a good few hours 'repositioning by a couple of inches' what they'd already laid in the middle section between the canopy and the escape stairs.  This can be seen on the relevant webcam over the afternoon period.

Measure twice cut once is the old saying...

Whilst stuck at home with a cold, I noticed that little episode.  Glad to see there's some quality control.  Part of me wondered whether that was intentional - get the bricks down quickly to make sure they don't sink, then shuffle into position.

Well, what an exciting day that was...

[ellendune]

Those of you who use platforms 1 and 2 may wish to take an umbrella in future.  Parts of the canopy roof are now missing!