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!

August Update

Sorry that it has been so long since I have done an update.  Initially after the line opened, there were only three trains a day using it with none at weekends.  This made it difficult to find opportunity while at work to take any shots.  However on returning from being away, it seems that a lot more drivers have been familiarised with the route and it is now the norm rather than the exception.  I went down this morning and three trains used the chord whilst I was there.  I also noticed a few more finishing touches had been completed since my last visit.

Bridge height plate has been installed.   Almost superfluous as it is quite a bit higher than the existing ECML bridge which is the only way in and out.  Even if a lorry loaded up in the scrapyard, it is the original bridge height that matters.  The former Bedford line bridge was actually lower than the ECML and was removed to improve access to the scrapyard.

 Information plate on the security fencing which is pretty self explanatory.

 The new bridge plate attached to the abutment of the Bedford line bridge. There is a matching one on the other side.

 Bridge height plate also installed on the east end of the viaduct for access between the two halves of the Anglian Water site.

 The 1257 departure from Hitchin to Cambridge leaves the ECML and moves onto the link to the viaduct.

 Now on the viaduct taken from the triangle of higher ground through the supports of the viaduct as it swings back towards the ECML.

 Zooming out from the same spot.

 Now about to pass over the main line

 Now on the other side.

 Nearly at the far end of the viaduct.

 I moved round the east side of the main line and waited for the 1322 departure from Hitchin.  This is a shot of the reinstated former quarry.  Once the surrounding land is ploughed you will hardly be able to see where it once was.  I haven't been really close but they appear to have done a good job.

Looking towards the accommodation bridge, the work site fence has been removed and the ground leveled up.  The beetle bank now has a good covering of vegetation.

Looking towards Ickleford and the lavender field.  Just left of centre you can just see the white top of the tepee at the foot of the hill.  There were a lot of people picking lavender today.

Right on cue, the 1322 came into view having just come off the viaduct and moving onto the embankment section as the next few pictures demonstrate.

Having passed over the accommodation bridge, it approaches Hitchin East junction

It has a green signal and joins the Cambridge branch without stopping.

Rail Engineer of the Year

I was pleased to learn that Paul Tomblin, Network Rail project engineer for the Hitchin Grade Separation project, has been nominated for the Rail Engineer Of The Year award.  Not only did Paul successfully deal with all the engineering challenges that he faced but he also engaged fully with the public by holding open days at the site.  I am grateful to him for the time he spent showing me around and letting me take photos for the blog which I would not otherwise have been able to take.  I am sure that he was really busy but he always found time not only for me but for anyone who was interested in the project.  This went far beyond what was required but contributed to a successful outcome in no small way.

If you would like to vote for him then follow this link:-

http://www.railstaffawards.com/nominees/paul_tomblin/1468.html?award_id=93

 

 

Bittern passes under the Hitchin Flyover

Something slightly different, A4 locomotive Bittern passed under the flyover on its way to York on Saturday morning as part of the Mallard 75 celebrations.  It apparently reached in excess of 90mph during the journey.

Aerial photos

Marcus Dawson has very generously shared some aerial pictures that he has taken of the work and of the first two trains to use the line.

First shot shows the whole of the viaduct.  Hitchin North Junction is to the right.  

This shot is taken from the west.  This was taken after the viaduct was completed but before the track and overheads were installed.  The mountain of spoil is still there as are the concrete pads that supported the crane.  The quarry is top left and the former Bedford line trackbed runs across the bottom.

Now at the east end of the viaduct where the embankment starts. The end of Wilbury Way is top left, one of several locations I used to take my pictures.  The haul road is at the bottom of the picture.

Same area from the other side of the embankment. A digger is working on reinstating the former sewage treatment works.

Here is a shot I hoped to be able to take at some stage.  Marcus was lucky enough to get this on the first day!  An East Coast service not held up by a Letchworth bound train or more likely vice versa.  This is the reason the line was built.

The train is now moving on to the embankment.  The settlement beds have been reinstated and the new fencing is in place.  A narrow strip wide enough for vehicle access has been left by the embankment.

This looks east towards the junction with the existing Cambridge branch.  Top centre is the temporary haul road from the quarry where all the chalk for the embankment came from.

Now approaching the left hand curve before passing over the accommodation bridge.  Hillgate is on the right, another vantage point for picture taking.

This picture shows Hitchin East Junction before commissioning.  The train is passing on the original down line.  Bottom left are the permanent access steps.  Again a big thank you to Marcus for providing these.  If anybody is interested in his work, please contact me and I will provide his contact details.