Chiltern 172s and related Evergreen 3 enhancements

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Only one, as I understand it - the exhaust system.....
Chiltern's 172s massively delayed - a *start* on them isn't likely until the middle of next year....

Meanwhile though, it's generally considered that the Evergreen 3 main line work has slipped until at least May 2011, so that does give a bit of a breathing space for the Chiltern 172s.

I'd be surprised if they weren't planned to be built ahead of LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise)'s units though - reasoning being that from Bombardier's point of view, it would be better to build the entire LO/Chiltern batches together, and then the LM order, which is, I believe, all gangwayed units?

Paul

_{Subject heading edited to reflect the splitting off of this topic from the original discussion on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 150/1 units. i_b}

[ChrisB]

Possibly, as Chitern have only ordered 4 units.

A lot of the EVergreen 3 work will be complete by December - connection to Moor Street included - so Moor Street terminators will feature in the Dec10 TT. The Aynho Juntion crossover and, I think, Northolt Junction layout will be done in 2011, and the full new TT will come in for May 2011 - with the use of more loco & coaches to free up 172 cover.

[paul7575]

... Northolt Junction layout will be done in 2011, and the full new TT will come in for May 2011 - with the use of more loco & coaches to free up 172 cover.

Read a report that the Northolt Jn alterations have just this week been approved by the local planners in Hillingdon, and work is expected to start now and take 'about 8 months'; so March 11 at the earliest?  I think that must be the key that unlocks the main line speed increases towards London?

[ChrisB]

No one can understand why they needed Planning permission, not even those at Chiltern & Network Rail. But legal opinion was that they did.....

[Btline]

Probs because they'll be extra trains running on higher levels, resulting in more sight, light and noise pollution for local residents. And the trains will be going at 100 mph (or near that).

I hope they quadruple track the area between the junction and West Ruslip (3 tracks at the mo) so that there is a big enough loop for the stoppers to be overtaken by the expresses (plus a margin for some delays)

I also really wish they'd put back in the fast lines at Gerrards Cross and Beconsfield etc; I was stuck behind a stopper once all the way to Princes Risborough - could have overtaken it if BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) hadn't ripped up the loop lines. (of course, the person really responsible was the bright spark at Marylebone signal box who let a stopper out of just before several expresses!)

Talking of a diff junction: Does anybody know whether the flyover at Aynho will be retained for flexibility? I'm assuming that this junction's remodelling will have to start soon - quite a large project!

[ChrisB]

Aynho is in for January start, I understand....

I'm also hearing rumours of a weeks blockade too....

[Btline]

Aynho is in for January start, I understand....

I'm also hearing rumours of a weeks blockade too....

That'll just be to connect both ends up, I suppose. Why a week?

[paul7575]

I hope they quadruple track the area between the junction and West Ruslip (3 tracks at the mo) so that there is a big enough loop for the stoppers to be overtaken by the expresses (plus a margin for some delays)

They get the effect of a four track railway for overtaking purposes, because the existing down main track will become a down loop including the platform at South Ruislip, and the existing Up Loop through West Ruislip already provides a platform that allows up trains to be overtaken there. 

Talking of a diff junction: Does anybody know whether the flyover at Aynho will be retained for flexibility? I'm assuming that this junction's remodelling will have to start soon - quite a large project!

Is that based on a misleading Rail magazine report that a 'crossover would be provided' at Aynho?

AFAICT^▸ (as far as I can tell) from discussions elsewhere the flyover remains the normal route, however there is also a new crossover being put in the DCL for extra flexibility (for 7 day railway single track working I believe). There was no sign of anything in that Chiltern track access application (that listed all the work sites) to suggest that the flyover route wouldn't be used.

Paul

[Btline]

I've read that a new 100 mph down line will be plonked next to the up line. The flyover route has a severe speed restriction, and Chiltern want/need as much 100 mph as poss.

[paul7575]

I've read that a new 100 mph down line will be plonked next to the up line. The flyover route has a severe speed restriction, and Chiltern want/need as much 100 mph as poss.

Not according to the track access application:  (73rd SA)

Aynho Junction

Install new turnouts at Aynho Junction on up (90 mph) and down (85 mph);
Raise line speed from 90-65-90 to 90-100 mph on the up and 100-50-40-90 to 100-90-85-90 on the down;
Upgrade 15 mph trailing crossover on the Didcot - Chester Line (DCL) to 50 mph;
Install new 7-day railway 50 mph facing crossover on DCL north of existing crossover

Paul

[Btline]

Ok, but I wouldn't want to go over that flyover at 90ish mph!

[paul7575]

Ok, but I wouldn't want to go over that flyover at 90ish mph!

I can see what you mean but at the same time I don't think the flyover itself seems to be the main limiting factor in the area, having looked up the speed details. In NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s public online sectional appendix, (which is an April 09 snapshot unfortunately) there are some indications that the main reason for slowing down is the junction point work and their approach.  In fact, trains travelling in the down direction on the reversible up line have exactly the same speed restrictions. It gets even worse for trains that can't run at sprinter speeds, because the down direction limit is then 25 mph on both lines.  In the up direction the non-sprinter speed is 35 mph up the gradient from the junction, the down line isn't bidirectionally signalled as far as I can tell.

What all that suggests is that the problems might be to do with with the embankment earthworks. It would be interesting to hear from someone on the Evergreen project!

Paul

[ChrisB]

Talking of a diff junction: Does anybody know whether the flyover at Aynho will be retained for flexibility? I'm assuming that this junction's remodelling will have to start soon - quite a large project!

Eh? It's not going anywhere. They're just putting in a flat crossover to the North of the junction....

Rail is often misleading, but not as often as Mordern Railways.....sometimes I get the impression that rail industry journos often know not of what they speak, and just (mis-)interpret press releases.....rather than talk to those on the ground.

[ChrisB]

I've read that a new 100 mph down line will be plonked next to the up line. The flyover route has a severe speed restriction, and Chiltern want/need as much 100 mph as poss.

Where was that? The misleading 'RAIL' article again?
Must learn not to accept ALL rail journos output as gospel....

[ChrisB]

Aynho is in for January start, I understand....

I'm also hearing rumours of a weeks blockade too....

That'll just be to connect both ends up, I suppose. Why a week?

To build out Bicester North up platform & straighten the kinks out of the up line, while connecting up the new down line at Northolt and alter the Neasden points so the leading line is Mainlline....