Great Western Electrification

Project Background Great Western Electrification The UK Department for Transport has set out its commitment to install Client 25kV Electrification (OLE) along substantially more of the UK Department for Transport rail network in Britain. Location This scheme is to electrify the Great Western Main Line (GWML) Western England and Wales, UK between in the east; and and Cardiff in the west. Start Date It includes spurs north to Oxford and south-west to Newbury. 2012 Electrification of the GWML between Stockley Junction, near Heathrow, End Date and the terminus at Paddington has already been undertaken. Bristol, Newbury and Oxford: 2016 Electrification between Stockley Junction and Maidenhead will Cardiff: 2017 be undertaken as part of the project by Infrastructure Projects. Duration 48-60 months The project utilises the latest in high output OLE equipment to deliver Contract Value the extensive programme. To be finalised

Services Provided Electrification and power supply, railway performance & whole life cost analysis, feasibility design, programme management

For more information please visit www.networkrailconsulting.com Scope of Works Key Project Outputs The Great Western Mainline was construction of 50 new The infrastructure upgrades have constructed by Isambard Kingdom auto-transformer sites allowed the introduction of electric and opened in 1838. It has trains on the route which have brought structured clearance of around 160 many historic Grade 1 and 2 listed the following benefits: bridges and four long tunnels structures and is included as ‘tentative’ 20% more seats than diesel trains on the United Nations Educational, immunisation of the signalling Scientific and Cultural Organisation system along the routes electric trains are lighter than (UNESCO) list of potential World diesel and, therefore, damage the erection of 22,000 OLE structures Heritage Sites. track less wiring of over 1000km of track Network Rail are responsible for electrified lines produce 25-30% enabling the introduction of Intercity development of options to electrify less carbon than diesel lines Electrification Project (IEP) and Welsh Valley routes including Cardiff zero emission at the point of use Electrical Multiple Units (EMU) to Swansea and other routes off electric trains onto the Western and the GWML. quieter train when travelling and Wales Region. whilst waiting at stations

The main scope of works is: electric trains are cheaper to operate, require less maintenance electrification and structure and have lower energy costs. gauge clearance of routes from Maidenhead to Oxford, Newbury and Bristol by December 2016 and Cardiff by December 2017

creation of three new National Grid Bulk power supplies

For more information please visit www.networkrailconsulting.com