Cathays Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Cathays station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current bridge,
This Google Map shows the station and its surroundings.
Note.
- As I went through I noticed a lot of development North of the station.
- The map shows developments to the South.
- There appears to be a lot of student accommodation in the area.
All this must add up to a large increase in passenger numbers at the station.
But the biggest driver of passenger numbers, will be the trains through the station, as shown on this map.
Twelve trains per hour (tph) will go through the station, when the South Wales Metro is fully developed.
- South to Barry Island, Bridgend, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Central, Pearth and Rhoose Airport.
- North to Aberdate, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Treherbert.
Cathays station will be busy, with a very busy bridge, handling twice as many trains, as it does now!
I have been sent a map of the proposed works and facilities for the South Wales Metro. This snippet shows Cathays station.
Note.
- Cathays station is shown with a PRM-compliant bridge with step-free access from street to train.
- There is a long and a short break in the electrification to the West of the station.
Cathays station is more complicated than it first appears.
Installing The Step-Free Access
I think that space for a footbridge could be tricky.
The platforms are narrow.
Is there enough space to add lifts to the existing bridge?
It could be difficult to keep the current bridge open, whilst a new one is installed.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
It might be possible to squeeze in an asymmetric version of this bridge. Or one, where the steps went out to the side!
Electrification And Property Development To The West Of Cathays Station
To the West of Cathays station, Corbett Road crosses the railway., as this Google Map shows.
This is probably the shorter break in the electrification.
The second one could be more innovative.
This Google Map shows the railway, as it runs through Cardiff University between Cathays and Llandaf stations.
Note, what looks to be a large development site on the North side of the tracks.
Could it be that the University plans to build over the railway?
It would certainly maximise land use and perhaps make it easier for the University to construct the buildings it needs.
A New Station At Gabalfa
A new Gabalfa station is also proposed between Cathays and Llandaf stations.
Conclusion
It looks like there is a lot happening around Cathays station.
T
and there a
Oxford Splashes Out On £4bn Science Hub
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on page 8 of today’s copy of The Times.
Legal & General is investing the four billion in three related projects.
- Affordable homes for post-gradiates and staff.
- An innovation hub in Begbroke.
- An innovation quarter at Osney Mead.
Oxford is breaking out!
If I have one criticism, it is that Begbroke and Osney Mead appear badly placed for rail and bicycle access.
As some of the best innovators and researchers are short of money, this could be a mistake.
All our universities; large or small, ancient or modern, must come to the aid of the country!
Mountains, Moors And Heaths Offer £20bn In Green Benefits
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on page 2 of today’s copy of The Times.
This is the first paragraph.
Britain’s mountains, moorlands and heaths are worth £20.1 billion for their ability to absorb carbon, remove air pollution and provide recreational activities, according to the Office for National Statistics.
It certainly make you think.
If you think twenty billion pounds is a large number, then this is another two paragraphs.
Natural accounts are required by the European Union but Theresa May has also made them a feature of the 25 Year Environment Plan that she unveiled last year.
The plan is focused on “protecting and enhancing [natural landscapes and habitats] for the next generation”. It follows work by the World Bank, which has estimated the value of the world’s untouched ecosystems at $33.7 trillion (£27.2 trillion).
Surely, this means that if you burn the rain forest, you are literally burning money!
Industry Urged To Decide On Alternative Technology
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Magazine.
This is the first paragraph.
The rail industry needs to decide on the right approach to alternative technology as soon as possible, to ensure the industry can continue to reduce emissions.
Speaking to the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group, Anthony Perratt of the RSSB, outlined how there was a huge opportunity to replace ageing Sprinter trains with new units powered by alternative energy sources like batteries and hydrogen.
The Size Of The Opportunity
Sprinter trains in service of stored in the UK include.
- Class 150 – 135 x two-car, 2 x three-car
- Class 153 – 70 x one-car
- Class 155 – 7 x two-car
- Class 156 – 114 x two-car
- Class 158 – 147 x two-car, 21 x three-car
- Class 159 – 30 x three-car
These add up to 516 trains, with a total of 1035 cars.
In the Wikipedia entry for the Class 710 train, this is said.
TfL announced that it had placed a £260m order for 45 four-car Bombardier Aventra EMUs.
This works out at nearly £1,500,000 for each car of a modern train.
This means that replacement of the Sprinters, with new independently-powered trains, would be project of the order of £1.5billion.
That is a market, that would be very much desired by a train builder.
Battery, Diesel Or Hydrogen Power?
Diesel power is probably not a good idea, if it can be avoided.
The following points about hydrogen- and battery-powered trains should be noted.
- Most hydrogen-powered trains are battery-powered trains, with a hydrogen fuel-cell to recharge the batteries.
- Battery technology is improving fast.
- Systems to rapidly charge batteries will be available in a couple of years.
- Battery-powered trains can use existing electrification to charge the batteries.
- Hydrogen-powered trains may need a large tank for the hydrogen, which limits passenger capacity.
- Hydrogen-powered trains need a refuelling structure, which may be more difficult to install, than a charging system for battery trains.
I feel that innovative engineers will be able to find ways to enable battery-powered trains on routes that need independently powered trains.
Conclusion
I don’t think, that we’ll see many long-term applications of hydrogen-powered trains in the UK.
Warning As Electricity Cables Are Switched On In Manchester
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.
This is the first paragraph.
Network Rail has warned members of the public to stay off the railway as new high voltage equipment goes live on the line between Stalybridge and Manchester Victoria.
It now looks like electric the current service between Stalybridge and Wigan North Western stations can now be run more efficiently by a Class 769 train, when these enter service.
If Network Rail were to get their skates on and electrify between Bolton and Wigan North Western stations via Lostock Junction, the talybridge and Wigan North Western Route could be run by electric traction.
This electrification of the Lostock Junction route, would also allow the Wigan North Western and Alderley Edge service to be run by electric traction.
Looking at Google Maps of the route, it appears that gantries are being or have been erected.
No Progress At Syon Lane Station
I visited Syon Lane station this morning and there has been no progress on the footbridge, that Network Rail say will be installed by late summer.
Over the weekend various works were done along the line, including some conductor rail replacement.
There’s another blockade next weekend, so I’ll see what happens then!
Conclusion
The longer it goes without any visible progress, does it make it more likely, that some form of prefabricated bridge will be assembled like giant Lego?
I can’t see how, if a traditional footbridge is used, it can be built to their timescale.
Sheffield Region Transport Plan 2019 – Hope Valley Line Improvements
The improvements to the Hope Valley Line are listed under Plans in the Wikipedia entry for the line.
This is said.
Network Rail, in partnership with South Yorkshire ITA, will redouble the track between Dore Station Junction and Dore West Junction, at an estimated cost of £15 million. This costing is based on four additional vehicles in traffic to deliver the option, however, this will depend on vehicle allocation through the DfT rolling stock plan. This work will be programmed, subject to funding, in conjunction with signalling renewals in the Dore/Totley Tunnel area.
Other proposals include a loop in the Bamford area, in order to fit in an all-day (07:00–19:00) hourly Manchester–Sheffield via New Mills Central stopping service, by extending an existing Manchester–New Mills Central service. Planning permission for this was granted in February 2018.
These changes to allow three fast trains, a stopping train and freight trains each hour were also supported in a Transport for the North investment report in 2019, together with “further interventions” for the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme.
So what does that all mean?
All of the stations mentioned like Dore & Totley, Bamford are at the Sheffield end of the Hope Valley Line, where it joins the Midland Main Line.
This map, which was clipped from Wikipedia, shows the lines and the stations.
Note.
- The Midland Main Line runs South to North and West is upwards
- Dore West Junction is close to the Eastern end of Totley Tunnel.
- The Hope Valley Line is double track from Dore West Junction to the West.
- The Midland Main Line is double-track.
- Dore & Totley station is on a single-track chord, between Dore West Junction and Dore Station Junction.
- Another single-track chord connects Dore West Junction and Dore South Junction on the Midland Main Line.
I’ll now cover each part of the work in seperate sections.
Dore Junction And Dpre & Totley Station
This Google Map shows the area of Dore & Totley station and the triangular junction.
Note.
- Dore & Totley station is at the North of the map.
- The Midland Main Line goes down the Eastern side of the triangular junction.
- The Hope Valley Line goes West from Dore West Junction.
- The Midland Main Line goes South from Dore South Junction.
Network Rail’s plan would appear to do the following.
- Create a double-track between Dore Station Junction and Dore West Junction, through the Dore & Totley station.
- Add a second platform and a footbridge with lifts to the station.
Instead of a single-track line handling traffic in both directions, there will be a double-track railway with a track in each direction.
Capacity will have been increased.
In some ways Network Rail are only returning the station to how it existed in the past, so it shouldn’t be the most difficult of projects. But many of this type of project have surprises, so I’ll see it when the new station opens.
The Bamford Loop
On this page on the Friends of Dore & Totley Station web site, this is said about the Bamford Loop.
A Bamford Loop which is a place to halt frieight trains to allow passenger trains to overtake. This is east of Bamford station.
It is around a thousand metres long.
Flying my helicopter between Bamford and Heathersage stations, the track appears almost straight and adding a loop shouldn’t be that difficult.
The only problem is that there is a level crossing for a footpath at Heathersage West.
This will be replaced by a footbridge.
Benefits
The page on the Friends of Dore & Totley Station gives the main benefits of the scheme are to :-
- Increase the number of fast trains from 2 to 3 per hour
- Increase the stopping trains from 1 every 2 hours to 1 per hour
- To provide for 3 freight trains every two hours as at present.
- Allow trains of up to 6 cars to use the route
- Accommodate longer freight trains
- Improve reliability on the route
These seem to be fairly worthwhile benefits from a relatively simple scheme
Schroders Unveils Global Energy Transition Fund
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Investment Europe.
This is the first paragraph.
Schroders has launched global energy transition fund in order to harness the global shift towards a low carbon energy system and meeting growing client demand for actively-managed exposure to this fast-evolving and ground-breaking sector.
Read the rest of the article about their new fund.
I pick out this paragraph, that defines the strategy.
The strategy will not invest in companies with exposure to nuclear or fossil fuels. It will harness three significant global trends; the decarbonisation of power generation, the electrification of energy use and increased energy efficiency for its investment process.
This is the first sentence in the Wikipedia entry for Shroders.
Schroders plc is a British multinational asset management company, founded in 1804. The company employs over 5,000 people worldwide in 32 different countries around Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Headquartered in the City of London, it is traded on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
I think that launch of this global energy transition fund by one of the City of London’s most respected institutions, will eventually be one of many similsr and related funds launched by companies and institutions and that these funds will play a big part in decarbonisation of the planet.
Investment from the big boys is going green.
The Anonymous Widower 