Easter update

Apologies for a lack of updates recently.  There has either not been very much visible change or I had other commitments.  I will hopefully be visiting the site again next week courtesy of Network Rail so should have some better pictures.  The tamper finished leveling and ballasting the line this week so the way is clear for the overhead line equipment to be installed.  This was necessary before the foundations for the masts could be put in because the height in relation to the track has to be correct.  This will be done next month by a rail mounted machine.  I will hopefully get some shots of it in action.  

New signalling will also be put in place soon.  There will be two on the new chord, one on the viaduct and one shortly before Hitchin East Junction to protect the existing Cambridge line.  There were some concerns that a heavy freight train held just before the junction might have difficulty starting again as this is a 1 in 89 gradient.  However Network Rail are confident that this won't happen.  Anyway the new chord should be the preferred route so there shouldn't often be anything on the existing Cambridge down.  There will be alterations to the existing signalling on the ECML on the approaches to Hitchin.  There will be two preliminary route indicators to tell drivers they are to be routed via the new chord.  One will indicate a crossover from the down fast to the down slow and the other from the down slow to the viaduct.  The crossovers at Hitchin South Junction and the one north of the station have been upgraded to allow change of line at speed (70mph).  Therefore a fast non stopping Cambridge service on the down fast can pass a stopping service waiting at Hitchin station, move to the down slow and then access the viaduct.  The gradient of the viaduct is actually steeper at 1 in 86 but there wouldn't generally be anything to stop a train routed that way.  Drivers are being trained using a video showing the route with the new signals.

For anyone interested, there will be an opportunity to walk the whole route from Stotfold Road to Hitchin North Junction on May 11th from 11.00am to 3.00pm.  This will be a circular walk returning via the Icknield Way footbridge over the ECML and back to the site compound.  Network Rail have generously facilitated this to raise money for the Garden House Hospice charity.  This is a preliminary date so I will post more information when it becomes available.

 The embankment of the former Bedford line is being re-instated as this picture shows.

 Looking north from the same spot.  The next picture shows the work better.

 The line of chalk to the left shows the edge of the embankment that was removed.  All to the right is the re-instatement.

 The mountain of spoil is much reduced on the triangle of land between the two embankments.

 The Icknield Way footbridge is visible again.

 More of the viaduct can now be seen from the Bedford line embankment now the heap has nearly gone.

A line of marker posts leading down to the River Hiz.  Work to install the settlement ponds will soon be started if planning permission is granted.

 A closer look at one of the markers.  Must make sense to the right person, I guess!

 A couple of new small ponds have recently appeared nearby.  Maybe test digs for the real thing?

 Plant now seems to be stored in the National Grid gas works.  Also a new white structure has recently appeared.  There has been some theft from the site recently so if anyone sees anything suspicious, they should report it immediately if possible.

 Looking north from the scrapyard entrance, you can see the extent of the replaced embankment.

Security fencing complete with three separate gates to access the various areas is now finished apart from what appears to be a deliberate gap at the far end.

Wire mesh has been put around the bearings of the viaduct probably to deter birds.

A concrete post and wooden rail fence has been installed around both abutments of the former Bedford line bridge in contrast to the palisade fencing elsewhere.

Fully ballasted and tamped line with the quarry behind still snow covered in places.

Another shot of one of the highest parts of the embankment.  The top ballast appears to be a lighter colour than the bottom ballast.  I believe it took 1200 tonnes to finish it.  The train that delivered it was a good test for the viaduct.

Finally a long shot of Hitchin East junction.  I can't be sure from this distance but it looks like new signalling cabinets have been installed with trunking laid along side.  I will hopefully be able to confirm this soon.

Sunday March 3rd

I am afraid there is very little to report this week. The main changes are at the Hitchin North Junction end and mainly concern fencing and access works. It does appear as if a short length of contact wire has been added to the overhead since last week.

 Palisade fencing completed apart from a small gap since last week

 Looking north towards the viaduct.

 Now looking south.  Still some more fencing to go in and presumably a gate to allow access to the steps and walkway.

Better view of the new steps.

Not quite sure what this is for but the ducts have some pull through lines so maybe power or communications

Steps and walkway leading up to the new junction.

Drainage work has advanced but still not going anywhere as the wet patch on the pad shows.

Bit hard to make out but the contact wire has been added on this short run on to the new embankment section.