December 2013 Round up

Some months have passed since the line was commissioned so I thought I would take a look and post an update on the (almost) completion of the works.  As far as I can see all that remains is the drainage works on Bury Mead Springs which I understand will be completed in January.  On Sunday 7th December the new timetable came into effect meaning that most trains would be routed over the viaduct.  I have certainly noticed a significant increase in the number of First Capital Connect trains passing Bury Mead Mead Road this week. Tuesday saw the third chartered special train using the flyover, the UK Railtours "Ship of the Fens" to Ely, the first being the Northern Belle on 19th October.

On Sunday I took the footpath that follows the original Cambridge line out to Stotfold Road.  I am pleased to report that this has now been reopened throughout although there was never an official signposted closure.

On approaching Hitchin East Junction I could see that the signal on the Cambridge line was showing green.  I was expecting the opposite now that this was the non-preferred route.

The public footpath is now diverted through the accommodation bridge which has sadly been graffitied.

 Looking back the other way, the bridge frames a overhead gantry on the Cambridge line.

 This is the bridge plate, "Down Cambridge Flyover 006". Shows the distance from Kings Cross to be 33miles 67 chains.  Maybe one of the last new bridge plates to show the Imperial measurements.

 Meanwhile the signal on the chord shows red.  This gate protects the permanent access road running around the chord.

 Looking across to the former quarry, a casual observer would never know it had ever been there.

 Turning to the right, the site offices and compound have been returned to farmland.

 The footpath continues along the new embankment to the existing bridge at Stotfold Road.  A small compound has been retained for Network Rail maintenance vehicles.

 The setting sun glints off the viaduct.  Again the larger haul road has been returned to farmland.

 The Hitchin East Junction sign is lit up by the low sun.

 While I waited a FCC service passed on the original line heading east, seen here just clearing the junction.  I was told that the 75 mph crossovers would be commissioned during three weekends in November.  This also involved the new preliminary route indicators.  This would allow Cambridge Ely and Kings Lynn services that were not stopping at Hitchin to overtake a stopping service and still take the flyover route.  I am wondering now whether this has happened in view of the fact that this train went the old route.  Might be just driver familiarisation (or lack of it).

 Then almost immediately I heard another train approaching.  I turned to see it coming off the viaduct.

It was held briefly waiting for the signal to change

Then accelerated again over the accommodation bridge with the setting sun behind.

 Now passing the junction.

 Tuesday 10th December saw the Ship of the Fens tour passing over the viaduct.

 It was too long to get it all in the picture! Sad to see here also graffiti on the far pier of the viaduct.

This is an aerial shot of the same train crossing the ECML courtesy of Marcus Dawson Photography.

 Seconds later the Sky HD train passed through going south.  I am sure that previously the special would have been held at Cambridge Junction until it passed.

 The special was quickly followed by an FCC train.

 And another a couple of minutes later!