SOUTH AND WEST WALES SECTION NEWSLETTER December 2020

Dear Member

Our next meeting of the 2020-1 season will be screened at 17.15 next Monday when Tim Kendell will discuss Tram Train which in the context of Cardiff Valley Line developments should be a local topic of interest to members. Tim is Chairman of the Croydon section and a Fellow of the PWI. By way of introduction Tim joined BR as a Civil Engineer and then the SRA and later the Department for Transport where he became involved in Light Rail and Tram- train developments. Tram-train is currently operational between Sheffield and Rotherham using stock illustrated below showing a tram-train at the Cathedral Tram stop in Sheffield. Tram-Train Tim Kendell DfT (Railway Group) retired 1715hrs Monday 14th December Internet via ‘Go to Meeting’ platform details below Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/861048973 You can also dial in using your phone. (For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.) United Kingdom: +44 330 221 0088 - One-touch: tel:+443302210088,,861048973# (Please check with your phone provider to ensure this number is included in your minutes allowance. The PWI is unable to reimburse any call costs incurred). Access Code: 861-048-973 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/861048973 Section News Update on October presentation. For those members who missed or wish to revisit the October meeting ‘Infrastructure Asset Transfer for South Wales Metro by Colin Brading the internet link is as follows https://youtu.be/FkPs_GMYTEo. ’ Members should note that there was a technical glitch in the recording and there is a gap in the presentation between 4.34 and 7.21. Members should manually skip during the time when communication was lost. In the fullness of time it is hoped that the presentation will be edited and added to the suite of PWI video’s on the Technical Hub. New Members Please join me in welcoming new members to the section Huw Jones, Fellow: Bam Nuttall, Newport James Wales, Student: Network Rail, Cardiff Matthew Oliver, Student: Network Rail, Swansea Julian Leak, Member: Tata Steel, Port Talbot Karl Gilmore, Fellow: Transport for Wales, Cardiff Colin Berry, Member: Quinn Infastructure, Llantrisant Cameron Llewellyn, Apprentice: Network Rail, Cardiff Derek McNeill, Member: High Motive, Cardiff Future meetings 2020-21 January 11th 17.15hrs: Train-Track Recording. Kevin Hope February 15th 17.15hrs: (Date change to the 3rd Monday in February) Conwy do it again? Alex Hinchelwood March 8th 17:15hrs (On Line) Permanent Way on the Isle of Man, Jeremy Reece April 12th 17.15hrs Drainage at Cowley Bridge Junction Exeter Mark Howells Meetings to be held ‘On line’ or/and as circumstances permit at Network Rail Offices CF10 5ZA SOUTH AND WEST WALES SECTION NEWSLETTER December 2020

Notes of last meeting 9th Nov 2020 On line on the day: 54 Cardiff Intersection Bridge Part 2 Very reduced Electrical Clearances - Phil Holbourn – YouTube Presentation available to view on PWI Technical Hub/Videos or (Control +Click) on the link above. Phil continued the installation of the overhead line under the Intersection bridge bringing the Cardiff Valley lines network to Cardiff Central Station from Cardiff Queen Street. Part 1 (14th October 2019) explained that reconstruction of the bridge to improve clearances was discounted and an alternative of a slab track lower and reconstruction of the feeder canal to Cardiff Bute Dock was proposed. Just before the planned occupation for the major works the job was re-evaluated and it was considered feasible to have very reduced electrical clearances which would not require the disruption of slab tracking. In a comprehensive rationale of how the OLE was installed Phil described how using earthed sections was not feasible due to slow speeds and vertical alignment in a station approach. Phil explained the components that made up the minimum wire height of 4165mm and where this might be reduced for the intersection bridge. The rationale examined the components to the minimum clearances involved. The track construction depth, the kinematic envelope of the rolling stock, the minimum clearances for 25kv energised OLE and the bridge repairs required before an insulating coating was applied to the bridge. He explained how the track construction depth was reduced to an absolute minimum of 415mm against a usual minimum of 680 whilst still maintaining mechanised maintenance by OTMs and with the use of glanding rails on timber sleepers to mitigate critical rail temperature considerations. Nothing seems to be to standard dimensions when investigated as Phil explained during his talk. Locomotives could be non standard due to roof mounted horns or the pantographs of dead electric locomotives could infringe the minimum clearances and steam locomotives may predate the present standards. All these factors needed investigation and risk assessment. Phil gave a detailed account of bridge repairs and prior to vapour cleaning and application of a unique insulating material to the intersection bridges and the tests for effectiveness with other considerations of trough deck weephole drainage systems to prevent water pouring as a continuous stream onto the OLE and the means to prevent bird strikes by covering the wire. Bridge deflections under loaded freight trains were analysed as part of determination of the minimum clearance between bridge and wire.

After listeners were given opportunity for Q & A to the speaker Phil Donbavand gave a vote of thanks to the Phillip Holbourn for a very informative talk which helped to explain the ballast depth in the area.

Regards Andrew Wilson, Section Secretary South and West Wales, The Permanent Way Institution, Waunglyncath, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire SA18 2UP. E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07974 809639