First day of public service

I am pleased to report that the new chord was successfully commissioned  today.  First Capital Connect ran three trains today, all Moorgate to Letchworth Services.  The first was the 1252 followed by the 1352 and the 1452.  This pattern will be repeated tomorrow.  This is a great achievement to bring the project to completion ahead of the original schedule and under budget, a rare thing with major engineering projects. Congratulations to the Hitchin Alliance comprised of Network Rail and Hochtief.  Also to Mabey Bridge, Volker Rail and all the other subcontractors.

I was on the first train along with a number of people from the Hitchin Alliance.   No other train apart from the tracklayer and ballast trains had run over the chord so this really was the first proper train to use it.  There was some trepidation as to whether the new platform starter signal would work showing the path onto the viaduct.  However it duly lit up as the train approached much to the relief of those present.  We all crowded onto the train much to the bemusement of those already on it.  I heard one passenger say that there are normally only about 6 passengers on it.

The driver made an announcement that this was the very first service to use the chord and that we would would head towards Arlesey before leaving the down slow at Hitchin North Junction..  I have to report that the ride was very smooth but it felt slightly strange to actually be on a train after so long watching the construction.  After coming off the viaduct the train slowed and then came to a halt at the signal protecting Hitchin East Junction.  There was some concern amongst the Network Rail contingent but we were held to allow the Kings Lynn service to pass on the original Cambridge line.  I half thought that they arranged this so they could get off at their site offices!  Then the general consensus was that this was a good thing as it proved the signalling was working correctly and that the new chord was proving its worth in letting a faster service pass. Anyway the signal changed and we set off again joining the existing line and heading into Letchworth.

Most people who were on the train then caught the next one back to Hitchin.  I will put up some pictures tonight.  Some are not great as it is hard to take shots from the train through the window.  I also managed to catch the 1452 service coming off the viaduct.

First picture shows the new signal indicating that the path will be across the other three lines and onto the Cambridge branch.  The Cambridge service can be seen waiting  in the mirror below.

 The Cambridge train departs and takes the original route.

 The next train was a Peterborough service.  The indicator didn't show anything because the train was remaining on the down slow.  There was also a right hand diagonal that would have indicated a crossover to the down fast.  The assembled group are mainly from the Hitchin Alliance.

 Our train is announced.  It was 5 minutes late in the end.

The indicator shows the path onto the viaduct. There was general jubilation at this point!

 Our train approaches.  It stops and we all pile on.  No going back now!

 We move onto the viaduct and pass the scrapyard.

 Then pass the ongoing drainage works.  We are actually on the last section of viaduct to be lifted in last October.

This is where the mountain of spoil was stored during the construction work.  The former trackbed of the Bedford line follows the fence line and then heads into the slight gap in the trees.

 Crossing over the East Coast main line.  Icknield Way bridge can be seen centre right.

 Now on the embankment we pass the quarry where the chalk came from. A digger was at work on the reinstatement work.

 Moving on we can see the main site compound.  Those not on the train were looking out of the windows with some relief I am guessing.

 We slow for the red signal.  Lovely display of poppies here.  Apparently they spent most of last week planting them!  I managed to get a window open at this point so it improved the quality a bit.

 Here is the reason for the red signal.  The Kings Lynn service on the original line.

 Now moving out of sight as it passes Hitchin East Junction.

 We get a yellow signal and move off slowly.  The gap in the poppies is the temporary access road up the embankment

 Looking back at the chord from Hitchin East Junction.

Finally two pictures of the 1452 service at the east end of the viaduct. I just managed to get there about thirty seconds before it arrived.

Now moving on to the embankment. 

 Here is a three car unit moving onto the higher ground before crossing the ECML

Trees now in leaf are obscuring the view a bit unfortunately. I will endeavour to get some more shots from different locations over the next few days.