OLE update 24th April

This will be the last post for ten days as I will be away. Next post will be on 6th May.  The gantries seen laying on the embankment on Sunday have now been erected.  This happened very quickly on Monday.  Today I could see that some had also been erected at both ends of the viaduct although there were none on the middle section over the ECML.  Landscaping work was still on going whilst I was there.

East end of the viaduct with gantries in evidence

 Different style on the embankment just after the viaduct.  More still lying on the ground presumably for the middle section of the viaduct.

 Two more newly erected gantries looking towards the quarry.

 And more further round towards the junction.  There was a cluster of rail mounted machines in the distance but they were too far away to see exactly what they were.

 Now by the scrapyard, two of the new gantries on the viaduct.

 Changing the angle slightly an access platform was positioned with two workers on the far side of the viaduct.  This makes me think the next two gantries will be on the other side like the first one at this end.

 A closer look at one of the new gantries.

 A digger works on the lower ground by the viaduct.

While a bulldozer moves earth on the higher ground.  No gantries here at the moment.

Sunday 21st April

Work to install the overhead gantries is well under way.  The drainage work has advanced since last week and more site tidying up is being carried out.

The new culvert is now longer and is advancing towards the viaduct.

Looking back the other way,  the River Hiz is behind the fence where a new outfall will be constructed

Up on the triangle of higher ground, an imposter claiming to be the Flying Scotsman about to pass under the viaduct heading north.

Earth moving machinery engaged in tidying the site.

A number of marker posts have appeared presumably marking out the level of the ground when completed.

Looking from the end of Wilbury Way, a number of gantries awaiting installation.

A closer look at one with the piled mounting visible above the embankment on the other side.

More gantries spaced out around the chord.

Looking at the apex of the two lines.  One new gantry has been erected next to the cabinet.  They start on the far side then switch briefly to this side until they are past the the accommodation bridge.  Then for the rest of the embankment and viaduct they are on the far side.

Piles visible either side of the bridge.

A closer look at one. Now with the better weather the embankment is becoming greener.

Looking around towards the junction.  One of the many CCTV cameras can be seen above the bridge.
The work to install the piling and gantries has moved ahead remarkably quickly.  More later this week if there is anything worthwhile to report.

OLE work commences

Just a quick midweek update.  As expected, the work to install the overhead line equipment has started.  Yesterday I saw that the steel piles stacked up when I visited the site two weeks ago had been positioned around the chord.  Today some of those had disappeared and a rail mounted machine was working over near Hitchin East junction. 

Looking across the sewage works from Bury Mead Road, a new cabinet has been installed recently just south of Hitchin North junction. What was interesting is that all new cable used is forensically marked so it is impossible to sell.  All the scrap merchants have received training on what to look for.  A recent attempted theft was thwarted when the local scrapyard spotted Network Rail cable and called the police.  The whole work site has CCTV cameras both overt and covert monitered 24 hours a day by site security.  This is good to hear because the disruption caused and the costs involved to the rest of us by cable theft are hugely disproportionate to the value of the scrap.  Again, if anybody sees anything suspicious, report it immediately.

 The rail mounted machine can be seen working between the junction and the accommodation bridge.  Not so easy to see are the steel piles spaced out along the embankment.  A cabinet has been installed on the platform since my visit.

 Rail mounted trolley further along the embankment.

Workers at another recently installed cabinet.  Further updates will follow if there is anything worth reporting.

Hitchin Flyover Walk - Date confirmed - Now fully booked

I have learned that the Flyover walk has now been confirmed for the 11th May.  The walk will be 3.7 miles in total.  Booking is essential and the cost will be £5 which all goes to local charity.  Groups will set off every half hour from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
27th April - I have now learned that all the walk start times have been fully booked

Here is a copy of the poster advertising the opportunity.

And the joining instructions and rules.

Drainage works 14th April

After last week's visit, not so much to report this week.  It is very likely the piling and installation of the overhead line equipment will begin next week.  I will endeavour to get some pictures of this happening.  The main visible changes were at the Hitchin North Junction end relating to the drainage work.  There was however a welcome turnaround in the weather.  Last week was bitterly cold with snow flurries.  Today was shirt sleeve weather .

Looking towards the viaduct from the banks of the River Hiz.  Area now fenced off and warning signs in place. Drainage work is well under way.

 Culvert with what appears to be a debris trap.  It is quite deep but it has to nearly match the river level I guess which is just behind me.

 Could these be additional beetle banks?  They are on both sides of the culvert.  I am sure when this work is finished and landscaped, it will be an attractive addition to the conservation area.

 Tidying up of the area continues.  Still a way to go on the triangle of higher ground, though.

 Expansion gap with protection against birds perching.

 More mesh to prevent birds from nesting.  This is being installed along the whole length of the viaduct.

Last picture shows the river bridge by the new Hitchin North junction.  More ballast has appeared since my last visit.  Also the two boards that were behind the fence above the bridge have gone and are now downstream in the river.  Whoever did this was being incredibly reckless as they were trespassing by the side of a high speed railway line.  The gap in the new fence has now been closed so that will hopefully prevent any further trespass.

Site visit 4th April

I am very grateful to Network Rail for showing me around the site today on what was one of the coldest April days I have ever known.  I have nothing but admiration for the construction workers  getting on with their various tasks on the exposed embankment and viaduct.  The project remains on schedule for June commissioning in around twelve weeks.

 First picture shows the line curving round to Hitchin East Junction.  I was correct that the line of black trunking was ducting for the signalling cables that also provides a slip resistant walkway for maintenance workers in the future.  It is certainly a lot more comfortable to walk on than ballasted track.  The gap in the ducting is to allow vehicle access via a temporary ramp against the embankment.

Next picture taken from the same spot looking the other way shows the embankment swinging round towards the industrial area, track nicely level and ballasted.  Just before the accommodation bridge is a platform for signalling cabinets.

 A closer look at the cabinet platform.  The supports are driven down into the chalk embankment.  It is quite an elaborate construction for two cabinets.  Note the cable conduits beneath that match the spurs off the main trunking.

 Adjacent to this, connections to the track that allow the control room to see where the train is.  The special link this side insolates the two sections of rail.

 Drainage work here is finished and work to return the area to its original state is underway.  The fence in the centre will be the permanent boundary with enough room for a maintenance vehicle to travel around the chord.

 Here are the stanchions for the overhead line equipment.   

 And the piles that will support them.  They look really substantial but they have to be as the stability of the overhead equipment is vital due to the high voltages involved.

 Moving to the end of the viaduct, there is an interesting feature here.  An expansion joint that will allow up to 100 mm of movement.

 The track was being tensioned and welded today.  This is a joint that had just been finished adjacent to the expansion joint.

 Looking back along the embankment from the same spot.

 Another cabinet platform being assembled.

This is the walkway that runs the length of the viaduct.  It will also be used for the cable ducting and will have a lid fitted for walking on.  It is actually wider than it looks.

 Another joint being prepared.  I believe the process is called alumino thermic welding.

 One the other side that had just been finished and awaiting fettling.

 A hand operated machine that clips the rail to the chairs.

 Now a look at Hitchin North Junction. The turnout here on to the chord doesn't look too bad as it is the main line that swings away here.  Just north of here was the point where the ECML and the former Bedford line, seen on the right, parted company.  Work was continuing to build up the ballast at the side of the junction.

 The teleloader was moving ballast from the heap behind and dropping it between the two re-positioned stanchions.

 A close up of the junction shows that there is still tamping and ballasting to do here. A further delivery of ballast is required to finish the job.

 A look at the start of the viaduct, fenced off to separate the working railway from the work site.

 And the walkway also blocked to warn anyone coming that way. I am grateful to my guide for taking these last few pictures from the side of the ECML.

 Looking down at the permanent access gate.  A cabinet has been installed since Easter.

 Last picture shows the route down to the River Hiz from the viaduct for drainage.  I usually take pictures from the other side of the fence.  Preliminary clearance work has started.