R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Progress on the 1998 NMS
SIGNALLING We have started to upgrade signalling control equipment between
York and Berwick-upon-Tweed and have provided diverse routeing for
telecommunications to improve reliability and reduce delays. We have also
undertaken an investigation into the condition of signalling equipment between
London and Peterborough to prioritise our renewals in future years.
Points and crossings have been renewed at Birtley, Chathill, Retford,
Peterborough, Carlton and Ranskill. At the latter two, we have taken the
opportunity to lengthen the loops for larger freight trains, improving the capacity
and capability of the line. We have also renewed the points at various locations
to enhanced specification to improve reliability.
STRUCTURES We have completed repairs to King Edward Bridge at Newcastle
and at Chester-le-Street Viaduct. Repairs to Welwyn Viaduct have commenced
and a major bridge at Heck near Doncaster was totally reconstructed over
Christmas 1998. An assessment has been completed of work necessary to
upgrade the route to take larger-gauge freight traffic.
PLANT AND ELECTRICAL The point-heater programme has continued with
points at all key locations now fitted to improve reliability in cold weather.
• We have strengthened the overhead-line structures across Stilton Fen south of
Peterborough and provided a strengthened power supply at Welwyn Garden
City to improve reliability.
• We have installed remote condition monitoring of some key plant and
equipment to improve reliability and cut delays.
• New technology has been developed and installed to improve the
performance of the overhead-line network and reduce delays. In addition,
improved communication links for signalling systems have been installed at
Hitchin and power supplies have been upgraded at Digswell.
• We have started work on a new refuelling facility at York for Northern Spirit.
• Windspeed devices have been installed to improve reliability of level-crossing
barriers during storm conditions. Weather stations have been installed to help
manage better train performance on the route – including, particularly, the
overhead wires – in extreme weather.
Future plans
SIGNALLING The work between York and Berwick-upon-Tweed continues and
a renewal of signalling equipment (particularly interlockings) between London and
Peterborough begins shortly.
These will be renewed in a manner consistent with the future ECML upgra d e.
TRACK Point and crossing renewals continue at Hatfield, Hitchin, Retford,
Doncaster, Darlington and at locations between Newcastle and Berwick. At
Retford we are again taking the opportunity to lengthen the loop to improve the
line capability and capacity by handling longer freight trains. Linespeed
improvements are in hand between Hitchin and Royston. This supports the
major work on Route 15 to reduce journey times between London and
Cambridge.
STRUCTURES Work continues at Welwyn Viaduct to enable it to continue to
carry intensive traffic in this section. The major bridge over the Trent Navigation
at Newark will be completely reconstructed over the next two years, allowing
future operation at 140mph and the ability to convey heavier freight vehicles, as
well as providing the new alignment needed for later upgrade of the adjacent flat
crossing.
PLANT AND ELECTRICAL We are renewing the overhead line at Scremerston
in Northumberland where salt corrosion along the coast is affecting our
equipment. New wind monitoring systems and other performance-related
improvements will be undertaken to improve overhead-line and track
performance.
PERFORMANCE Major investments as described above, a host of smaller
schemes, and better performance management have improved reliability of the
network. Delays from signalling and infrastructure causes have reduced by 20%
on this route over the last year alone.
The work has required the development of much closer working
relationships with our suppliers, including developing new analytical techniques to
assess asset performance highlighting those areas requiring enhanced
maintenance. Following this years successes we are now finalising plans for
1999/2000 to achieve further improvements building on our recent ‘Alliances’
agreement with Balfour Beatty Rail Maintenance which will assist in driving
improvements further and faster.
Work has improved the reliability of point equipment at functions,
particularly during poor weather.
We have also conducted a high profile anti trespass campaign and worked
with the Samaritans over the alarming increase in suicides on this route.
STATIONS Station regeneration work has continued throughout the year with
most of the smaller stations in Yorkshire and the North East completed.
The first phase of refurbishment at York Station was completed on time
and work is now well advanced on reconstruction of the remaining platforms.
Work is well progressed at Newcastle to refurbish the station roof and
buildings. Further work is under way on the roof and platforms at Darlington.
Improved retail and waiting facilities, and segregation of road vehicles from
pedestrians, are being provided at Edinburgh Waverley Station.
DEPOTS At Craigentinny depot, near Edinburgh, we have installed one of the first
all-weather carriage-washing plants in Britain as part of our regeneration project.
EUROSTAR Work has been completed to enable Eurostar trains to operate
through to Edinburgh and Glasgow from London.
S TATIONS Station regeneration work continues at Newcastle, York and
Darlington, and is beginning at local stations between Finsbury Park, Royston and
Huntingdon. Provision of lifts at Berwick-upon-Tweed will be undertaken, together
with escalator connection to the Tyne & Wear Metro at Newcastle Station.
ECML UPGRADE We have started the design and feasibility work associated
with the ECML upgrade. Our analysis reveals that, in order to accommodate the
forecast growth in demand, a significant level of additional infrastructure is
required, including provision of further tracks, flyovers, viaducts, station
improvements and upgrades to power supplies, as listed on the previous page.
The total cost of the infrastructure works proposed above would be
approximately £1,000M over the next ten years, with around half of this
anticipated over the next five.
In August. we submitted an extensive report to the Franchising Director, to
be forwarded to the DETR, containing final proposals for the upgrade, and
followed up with an intensive period of continued validation with the Franchising
Director. Since then, extensive work has been undertaken in house, and with
customers, in order to develop, refine and challenge the proposals.
A full-time core team is continuing to take this upgrade project forward in
order to retain the possibility of introducing tilting trains and the immediate
capacity enhancements by 2003/04.
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