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.