OLE masts appear at Market Harborough

IN PREPARATION for the electrification of the Midland Main Line route from Kettering North Junction to Market Harborough, the first overhead masts have been installed at Market Harborough station and at Little Bowden.

Further south at Braybrooke, construction of a new substation for the additional power supply needed for East Midlands Railway’s Class 810 ‘Aurora’ units is underway, while lineside vegetation has been cut back ahead of wiring taking place. The electrification is due for completion by December 2023.

At Market Harborough station, Network Rail plans to demolish the existing platform facilities and build a new toilet block, which will include an accessible toilet and baby changing facility, as well as a waiting room with a drinking fountain. This work should finish by May 2022.

CHRIS MILNER Right: Two of the newly installed masts on the south side of Market Harborough station, where EMR ‘Meridian’ No. 222003 slows to make the station call on February 1 with the 13.35 St PancrasNottingham service.