Quagmire

They'll all get a fairly thin new concrete top with the bearings for the new decks included.

Correct. On the strengthening detail the pier will be encapsulated to strengthen it up to the top of the taper at the end.

I have it as down for additional reinforcement and the top being removed. The new deck design is incompatible with the top being retained. Each of the "capped" piers will be getting a new top with a suitable bearings (the bearings being one of the main drivers for all this work). The new deck designs here are very different the old one.

The nearest 2 are retained and getting reinforced (expanded) lower down (to level with the top of the taper on the ends). The top still needs to come of the closest one (e.g. so it looks like the one behind)

A big thanks to David on keeping us all updated over the last 9 months and now a well deserved rest. It has significantly raised the bar vs others who have been monitoring projects elsewhere.

Re-opening apparently Monday 5th September (first full week of SE services after London Bridge blockade on the Cannon Street side)

Temporary fish plates, the welding kit can be seen in this photo ready for action: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89921297@N07/28441560944/

Track is incredibly flexible, not a problem. Far easier to construct straight then adjust.

Depends when they start and how many staff they have on site but I suspect they will be looking to get most of it done (or all to not an undue haste required on this job) today then take the equipment off first thing Friday for the the weekend somewhere else. Big guess as to whether they are aiming for 1 or 2 day job but you will be able to better guess for what you can see. The 16 PEMS to 8 LEMS suggest they are looking to progress fairly rapidly and the work rate is limited by the LEM usage and moving the temp track which should be roughly the same if the track panels are 1/3 of the assembled lengths. Any sign of rail tensioning equipment?

The photos where posted while I was previously typing... I reckon they will use the temporary track to carry the first track panel which will then be slewed on to the cliff side. The temporary track will then be lifted and attached to the end of the first laid panel and while this is happening the second panel will be run along the cliff side track including the newly laid panel then slewed on to the seaside track. The 3rd panel will then go along the 1st laid panel and the temporary track and be slewed on to the seaside alignment next to the second panel. Temporary track then attached to the end of panel 3 and panel 4 (the second cliff side one) will move along the seaside line and be slewed across. Panel 5 will be another cliff side on that goes down panel 2&3 and temporary track before being slewed to the cliff side. This will mean the 2 panels with the used wood sleepers could end up just by the tunnel as previously speculated by others and minimised the temporary track relaying too. Suggested sequence: Dover - 2 - 3 - 6 - Tunnel Dover - 1 - 4 - 5 - Tunnel Starting with: Dover - temp - - - Tunnel Dover - 1 - - - Tunnel Dover - 2 - 3 - - Tunnel Dover - 1 - temp - - Tunnel Dover - 2 - 3 - temp - Tunnel Dover - 1 - 4 - 5 - Tunnel

We'll see what happens but I suspect as there are 16 PEMS but only 8 LEMS (unless they bring more) with 8 LEMS being about right for 1/3 of that length so I suspect we will see 6 separate lifts which also helps limit the length of temporary track underneath. It might be most sensible to alternate the laying of panels between the lines thus allowing temporary track to be moved further up.

Looks like 16 PEMS (lift and slew units) and 8 LEMS (under track motorised trolleys to move along the track) from David's photos and probably the Geismar (manufacturer) owned ones not the COLAS owned ones used in Oxford over the last fortnight (link to Photo posted about 10 pages back) so probably the lot used at Banbury during the blockade??? http://www.geismar.com/en/27-laying-renewal Old video of PEMS / LEMS in action:

But David's photos show they have been cut into panels (approximately the same length as a 66 conveniently along side in the photos so 20m/60' panels?) and have then been temporarily joined with clamp type fish plates. Also didn't some of David recent (last couple of days) show lifting eye attachments being trial fitted to the rails on those panels.

I reckon they will probably lay 1 tracks worth of ballast and move 1 track in with gantry etc then deliver the ballast and everything else for the second track from the adjacent first track. The first will take while but the second would be very quick, this also allows vehicle access along the second track bed for while longer. Still can under stand why something like the Balfour new track train isn't being used especially mid week during daylight hours! I suspect someone may have got bit excited when suggesting September and might now be regretting it. They really need all the concrete finished this week.

Assemble then chop it into 20m + lengths then use a Kirow Crane to lift each section in? There are loads of options for the second track for example this bit of kit (top photo): http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/video-and-pictures-railway-passengers-and-neighbours-thanked-for-their-patience-after-easter-engineering-work-in-london-and-sussex