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Hitchin Fly-over

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (anything else rail-oriented) > Hitchin Fly-over

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 29/08/2012 at 10:16 #35245
Stephen Fulcher
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I know there was a bit of trouble with the placement of GSMR masts and signal posts on one line in the Midlands when a well-known celebrity objected to having one visible from his house, but the railway got round it by pointing out that they were operational structures and therefore do not need planning permission.
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 15/10/2012 at 10:34 #36498
Peter Bennet
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Further update on the flyover - all bridge sections are now in place.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 15/10/2012 at 20:21 #36548
metcontrol
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... and at the Letchworth end, the embankment has been fully levelled, ballast is in place, and 5 or 6 OHLE masts have been installed over what will become the "junction."
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 15/10/2012 at 20:33 #36550
jc92
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i assume kings cross will continue to use the NX panel and simply swap tiles over to account for the new layout, and there is no plan to go to VDU for this area?
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 09:14 #36552
mfcooper
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" said:
i assume kings cross will continue to use the NX panel and simply swap tiles over to account for the new layout, and there is no plan to go to VDU for this area?
In the long term, the most recent plan I heard was that Kings Cross would move into the new Route Operating Centre they are building in Three Bridges. This would be a VDU system of some kind.

Last edited: 16/10/2012 at 09:14 by mfcooper
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 10:16 #36555
John
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" said:
i assume kings cross will continue to use the NX panel and simply swap tiles over to account for the new layout, and there is no plan to go to VDU for this area?
" said:
In the long term, the most recent plan I heard was that Kings Cross would move into the new Route Operating Centre they are building in Three Bridges. This would be a VDU system of some kind.
Kings Cross PSB will allegedly close sometime between 2018 - 2021 with control indeed passing to Three Bridges ROC.

Victoria will close in 2019 apparently, Matt.

http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php?year=2021

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 10:44 #36556
mfcooper
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" said:
Victoria will close in 2019 apparently, Matt.
We shall see...

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 16:16 #36564
ajax103
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As part of the installation of the Hertford National Integration Facility; in order to enable the provision of HNIF, conventional resignalling is required to renew the existing interlocking at Hertford North; the Gordon Hill interlocking will be recontrolled.

Both will be controlled via a new VDU control system located in Kings Cross PSB.

Provision of a new VDU workstation in Kings Cross PSB to control the Hertford Loop, with associated panel modifications made to the existing NX panel.

New West Cad workstation located on the operating floor at Kings Cross PSB. Controls the Hertford Loop from Bowes Park to Langley Junction.
Controls conventional and test signals.

Hertford Loop removed from Panels 4 and 5 of NX panel.
Local control available for the new Hertford interlocking via a new Westcad workstation located in Hitchin equipment room.


That was the intention in 2010.

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 19:15 #36580
headshot119
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" said:
As part of the installation of the Hertford National Integration Facility; in order to enable the provision of HNIF, conventional resignalling is required to renew the existing interlocking at Hertford North; the Gordon Hill interlocking will be recontrolled.

Both will be controlled via a new VDU control system located in Kings Cross PSB.

Provision of a new VDU workstation in Kings Cross PSB to control the Hertford Loop, with associated panel modifications made to the existing NX panel.

New West Cad workstation located on the operating floor at Kings Cross PSB. Controls the Hertford Loop from Bowes Park to Langley Junction.
Controls conventional and test signals.

Hertford Loop removed from Panels 4 and 5 of NX panel.
Local control available for the new Hertford interlocking via a new Westcad workstation located in Hitchin equipment room.


That was the intention in 2010.
Is one line of the Hertford loop going over to ERTMS?

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 20:06 #36581
John
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So it would seem.


Wikipedia said:
Network Rail plans to use Eversholt Rail owned unit 313121 as a test vehicle for ERTMS on the Hertford Loop,where it hopes to have the facility running by 2014 or earlier. The plan involves resignalling a 5½ mile section of the double track route to allow existing services to use only one line, freeing the other for ERTMS tests.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertford_Loop_Line

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 16/10/2012 at 20:14 #36582
John
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Some more:


Modern Railways - May 2011 said:
HNIF will run from Watton-at-Stone to Stevenage on the Hertford Loop, or, to be precise, from 21 miles 30 chains to 26 miles 20 chains. It will also take over the carriage sidings at Hertford North.

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 14:38 #36621
ajax103
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To be even more precise, the Up Hertford will be bi-directional between Molewood Junction which is just north of Molewood Tunnel and Bragbury Junction which is not far from Langley South Junction which enables trains to depart Platform 4 at Stevenage and head towards Hertford North.

Between Molewood Junction and Bragbury Junction, the Down Hertford is intended to be used as the test track with the crossovers being 50mph ones.

A lot of the work is being done though out the week which is why Network Rail contractors can be seen at work both at weekends and also in the off peak Monday to Friday - I'm not sure of any completion date BUT the works regarding Hertford North HAVE to be commissioned and signed off by Dec 31st 2012.

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 15:49 #36624
headshot119
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" said:
To be even more precise, the Up Hertford will be bi-directional between Molewood Junction which is just north of Molewood Tunnel and Bragbury Junction which is not far from Langley South Junction which enables trains to depart Platform 4 at Stevenage and head towards Hertford North.

Between Molewood Junction and Bragbury Junction, the Down Hertford is intended to be used as the test track with the crossovers being 50mph ones.

A lot of the work is being done though out the week which is why Network Rail contractors can be seen at work both at weekends and also in the off peak Monday to Friday - I'm not sure of any completion date BUT the works regarding Hertford North HAVE to be commissioned and signed off by Dec 31st 2012.
And the Cambrian was supposed to go over to ERTMS in 2008.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 18:13 #36625
GeoffM
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" said:
And the Cambrian was supposed to go over to ERTMS in 2008.
You have to remember that was the first UK installation of ERTMS so there were bound to be issues throughout - which there were. Everything from adapting UK rules and regulations to ERTMS and vice versa, to geographic issues, to the flat crossing at Cae Pawb, to the depot at Machmumble, to the massive cubicles in the 158s and the couple of locos, to the engineers' line references in miles and chains compared to km - the list goes on.

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.

SimSig Boss
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 21:21 #36631
kbarber
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" said:

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.

Not quite my understanding Geoff; my partner's nephew has just gone in there &, from what he was saying t'other day, is looking forward to being there until he retires.

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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 21:31 #36632
headshot119
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" said:
" said:
And the Cambrian was supposed to go over to ERTMS in 2008.
You have to remember that was the first UK installation of ERTMS so there were bound to be issues throughout - which there were. Everything from adapting UK rules and regulations to ERTMS and vice versa, to geographic issues, to the flat crossing at Cae Pawb, to the depot at Machmumble, to the massive cubicles in the 158s and the couple of locos, to the engineers' line references in miles and chains compared to km - the list goes on.

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.
Granted what has been done on the Cambrian is quite impressive, noting it has the worlds first ERTMS controlled terminal station.

However no doubt there are things on the Hertford line that will be new to ERTMS. Another set of units to fit out with the equipment for starters (And all the trouble shooting that causes).

" said:
" said:

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.

Not quite my understanding Geoff; my partner's nephew has just gone in there &, from what he was saying t'other day, is looking forward to being there until he retires.
I've heard both sides of it, some say Machynlleth SCC is there to stay, some fear it will move into Cardiff. Time will tell, then again Croess Newydd was only supposed to be a temporary installation although it appears to be having a reskin of the panel when the redoubling of the single line is completed.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Last edited: 17/10/2012 at 21:33 by headshot119
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 22:17 #36633
GeoffM
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" said:
" said:

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.

Not quite my understanding Geoff; my partner's nephew has just gone in there &, from what he was saying t'other day, is looking forward to being there until he retires.
The structure is temporary in nature, though temporary in railway terms can be 25 years or more! As for the signallers, that's what they said to me last year (technical visit involving the Basil Fawlty of the North West at the Royal Sportsman in Porthmadog). Whether the jobs will move to Cardiff is still questionable I think, but ultimately it will close under the Grand Plan... sometime!

SimSig Boss
Last edited: 17/10/2012 at 22:19 by GeoffM
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 17/10/2012 at 22:25 #36634
jc92
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" said:
" said:
" said:

Given the somewhat temporary nature of the signalbox structure in Machmumble, the signallers are also worried that their jobs are going to Cardiff.

Not quite my understanding Geoff; my partner's nephew has just gone in there &, from what he was saying t'other day, is looking forward to being there until he retires.
The structure is temporary in nature, though temporary in railway terms can be 25 years or more!
the "temporary" station frontage at kings cross for instance?

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 25/11/2012 at 07:24 #38086
Peter Bennet
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Network Rail and Hitchin Alliance had an open day at the flyover site yesterday and I went along. There was an exhibition of the plans and various video of the construction process etc. Then there were minibus tours of the site every 15 minutes. Unfortunately we were not allowed off to take photos but we did stop for photo opportunities through the rain swept windows - I decided not to bother.

The "Branch" point should be being installed today and the ECML point work done at Christmas. Line is expected to be complete by June/July with service staring December.

Apparently this is the first time they have done anything like this and if it went well there maybe another open day next year once it's complete.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 11/05/2013 at 14:49 #44594
Peter Bennet
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Some photos from today's open day at the Hitchin flyover. Too many to load onto this site so I've created a Flicker site. At some point I'll upload some of my box photos too.



Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
Last edited: 11/05/2013 at 15:29 by Peter Bennet
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 11/05/2013 at 16:09 #44596
Colourlight
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The Hitchin Flyover is part of an extensive (or should that be expensive) scheme to upgrade the ECML. The overall objective of the scheme is to increase line capacity for present and projected growth in both passengers and freight especially Container traffic to and from the Port of Felixestowe and other East Coast Ports. As well as the Hitchin Flyover other projects include two new Platforms at Peterborough for Services to and from East Anglia. A new Platform on the Up Fast to cater for expected future Growth. A new Goods Loop north of Peterborough, a staggered crossover for freight trains, from East Anglia to the Spalding Line, (not sure what happened to the old flyover scheme) and track and signalling improvements on the Joint Line (Peterborough to Doncaster via Spalding and Lincoln). The latter project has had a setbsck as a result of the Hatfield Subsidence and has had it,s timetable changed to cater for diverted services.
Last edited: 11/05/2013 at 16:12 by Colourlight
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 11/05/2013 at 16:17 #44599
MJD
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Many thanks for the photos Peter.
Very much appreciated.

Mike.
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 12/05/2013 at 02:53 #44648
BarryM
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Are there any aerial maps showing the construction work underway? I could not find it on Google.

Barry

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 12/05/2013 at 13:35 #44658
Razzabazza123
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And not to forget the Shaftholme(North Doncaster) Chord that's run from the Applehirst line to the Askern Branch Line making more paths for express trains on the ECML and 4 more Freight Trains an hour on the Applehirst Line and the Askern Branch Line
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Re: Hitchin Fly-over 12/05/2013 at 17:13 #44661
GeoffM
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" said:
Are there any aerial maps showing the construction work underway? I could not find it on Google.

Barry
Probably not quite what you're after but anyway: aerial plan

SimSig Boss
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