44871 + 45407 Poole to Bristol. Thurs. 24th Nov, 2016

The electrification from Chippenham to Bristol has been delayed until at least 2024. Sydney Gardens is now safe for a while. <BJ>

 

According to Network Rail, electrification of this section is now expected to be completed in control period 6 which starts in 2019 (not 2024 !). The completion date will be agreed in early 2018.

 

RYTC appear confident enough to leave the 33 behind tomorrow. Soon after the train departs from Bristol Temple Meads the locos are straight into the arduous climb of Horfield bank. Then later after a stop at Abergavenny the locos are straight into the difficult climb to Llanvihangel. I'm sure that RYTC have weighed up the risks involved and are confident that the Riley '5's will perform well. <BJ>

 

We've heard promises from Network Rail regarding the completion date and the cost of electrification for many years.

From the Telegraph on 8th November, 2016 :
''Rail minister Paul Maynard said he had deferred electrification because newer trains with more capacity can bring in the benefits expected by passengers without requiring costly and disruptive electrification works".

<BJ>

 

44871 + 45407. Romsey RT at 08:46. Diesel at rear? <BJ>

 

Yes, 47802 on the rear.

James

 

Real reason is new EU regulation on height of cables. They have gone up a few inches which means tunnels would need to be re-bored in places. That adds to the cost. Is the delay waiting for Brexit?

 

Black 5s sounded great on the ECS climb out of Swanage this morning. Heard them for quite a distance. 47 sounded to be just idling.

 

The real reason is because costs are out of control and a very expensive factory train for installing the overhead wire masts isn't installing them at anything like the number per shift required, probably because ground conditions rather than the 'tools' being used for the installation are likely to have more say on speed of work!

Steven

 

does not detract from change in EU regulations that mean tunnel floors cannot be dropped enough to accommodate clearances. Tunnels will be re-bored. Some bridges raised. Rather a costly and time consuming exercise.

 

Can you post a link to the regulation in question - I am amazed that Network Rail aren't shouting this from the roof tops as being their perfect 'get out of jail' card on this, which the are currently receiving all the blame for.

Thanks

Steven

 

Taken earlier as they stormed through Oldfield Park running 6 minutes early

 

Unless NR overlooked that it was coming in when planning and designing the scheme and thus would end up with eggy faces if they raised the issue publicly, EU regulations do not just appear overnight and there has been no mention of these problems on the schemes being completed (painfully slowly) in the NW?

 

Getting back to the subject, 44871+45407 were 14 late Poole but right time storming past us on Horseshoe Bridge, St Denys in beautiful light with the 47 just idling on the back. The Riley 5s never fail to impress.

 

Sounded good up Upton Scudamore although only one loco seemed to be working hard and the diesel was shoving, still sounded nice though. Video to come.

 

At the summit of Upton Scudamore

 

It was good to see the Black 5s powering through Oldfield Park this morning en route to Bristol. I took it for granted that the diesel on the back was giving an almighty shove considering the speed that the train was accelerating but I'm pleased to report that the diesel was just idling. Well done to the West Coast crews. <BJ>

 

44871 and 45407 approaching Eastleigh this morning, just as 444030 rolled in on a delayed Portsmouth-London service.



James

 

I bet you said a few choice words!