ECML power supply upgraded ready for new trains

Work to upgrade the power supply on the southern half of the East Coast Main Line, in readiness for Intercity Express Programme and new Thameslink trains, has been completed by Network Rail.

The £237 million project - ECML Power Supply Upgrade Project (PSU1) - was carried out between Wood Green (London) and Bawtry (Doncaster). It means that Virgin Trains East Coast Class 800 bi-mode and ‘801’ electric multiple units can operate at full power on this section, alongside Govia Thameslink Railway Class 700 EMUs.

A new 400kV supply point was installed at Ryhall (near Stamford), while modifications to the existing supply point were carried out at Wymondley (Hitchin). Four capacity upgrades were completed (at Nene, Ferme Park, Little Barford and Welwyn), with National Grid working with the Rail Electrification Alliance (see panel) to deliver those upgrades.

Seven new sub-stations were installed (three structure-mounted outdoor switchgear and four air-insulated switchgear - ASG). Eleven sub-stations were replaced (all ASG), while five were refurbished. One at Tallington was removed. Almost 373 miles of new cabling was installed, along with 110 foundations.

NR Principal Programme Sponsor Aidan Talbott said the work complemented other NR schemes related to the trains’ introduction. These include platform extensions at Stevenage, Durham and Northallerton, all of which are complete.

Talbott said gauging work was still needed in Scotland for the new trains, and that four additional schemes had to be completed: Peterborough Down Slow; a fourth track at Woodwalton; Northern freight loops north of Northallerton; and improved traction supply in the North. He explained these were all separate to IEP schemes.

PSU1 had to be complete in time for minor timetable changes on the ECML in May 2019 that will reflect the introduction of IEP. Talbott said the major timetable change will be May 2021, when eight trains per hour run between London and Scotland.

NR Alliance Director Rod Moorcroft explained that PSU2 is needed to enable TransPennine Express Class 802s to run on the ECML north of York. He said of PSU2: “It must deliver the 2021 timetable. It was always part of the deal, and providing value for money here proves we can do PSU2. We can migrate a lot of resource to it.” He said decisions on the scope needed to be made.

Moorcroft added that the work carried out to upgrade the power supply does not negate the desire to improve the quality of electrification on the ECML.