geoff

Work continues on the Midland Mainline electrification with much of the wiring completed. The sub-station, as I call it at Glendon South now has a name. The outdoor switch gear appears to have been connected to the indoor gear. There is all sorts of kit appearing at the track level, in particular these orange cables and trackside device. Does anyone know what they are for please. Thanks. Geoff

That may well be the case but a section has been removed from the canopies at the northern end of both platforms 2&3 and platform 4 for examination or discussion about how they can be altered to accommodate the necessary clearances for the 25kv catenary. That work was undertaken in December 2017 and involves all the interested parties, NR, English Heritage or some other preservation body and presumably the local council or whoever controls the listing of buildings. As far as I am aware both Kettering and Wellingborough stations are listed and the canopies are included in the listing.

Platforms 1&2 at Kettering. Electrification mast erected through the listed canopy on platform 1 at Kettering. DR74501 running as 6J38 11:00 BEDFORD ENGINEERS SDGS - 16:14 DONCASTER D.C.E SDGS. running 23 minutes early at 12:28 on 09/10/2019 cruises through platform 4 at Kettering. Train InformationTrain Running & Realtime Information Runs on 09/10/2019 VSTP schedule runs WO from 09/10/2019 - 09/10/2019 Operated by Volker Rail Civil Engineers Diesel Electric Multiple Unit Timed to run at 134mph09/10/2019 09:00 Train Activated Train ID - 62657V2I09 (Masked ID 657V) Some photographs taken on Wednesday 9 October 2019 to show the current state of the electrification project at Kettering station. I have not heard of any announcement about dealing with the canopies to provide a safe working clearance for the wires.. Geoff

One from Wednesday 11th September 2019, taken at Harrowden Junction just north of Wellingborough on the Midland Main Line. Geoff D1944, 'Craftsman' rolls through the crossovers at Harrowden Junction running as 0Z56 11:57 ACTON MAIN LINE - 16:50 CREWE H.S. running on 11/09/2019 [refresh] [close] [alert] Train Information Train Running & Realtime Information Runs on 11/09/2019 STP schedule runs WO from 11/09/2019 - 11/09/2019 Operated by Locomotive Services Light Locomotive Diesel Locomotive Timed to run at 75mph 11/09/2019 08:23 Train Activated Train ID - 730Z561J11 (Masked ID 097U) 11/09/2019 16:38 UNSCHEDULED report received at CREWE

Pete, would you be able to make the trip from Leicester to Kettering? If so I can certainly check the loco over for you and if you bring the z(Z)21 and its router and your iPad along with the instruction booklet perhaps we can get that sorted too. Geoff

I popped out on Monday to see how far the wires had reached. Geoff IMG_6466 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Oakley (Harpurs Brook) Viaduct with the new catenary suports and wires. IMG_6468 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The temporary end of the wiring just beyond the Newton Road bridge near the site of Geddington Station.

Here is a link to a site which describes the fitting of a stay alive to a version 3.5 decoder. This is the standard decoder. I have not found a description for fitting one to a v3.5 micro though. Geoff http://www.sbs4dcc.com/tutorialstipstricks/esuloksound52400v35keepalive.html

A blustery Saturday morning with the sun dodging the clouds made for challenging photography just north of Kettering. Geoff IMG_6413 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 1Z35 06:41 EALING BROADWAY - 14:05 YORK running on 09/03/2019 Train InformationTrain Running & Realtime Information Runs on 09/03/2019 STP schedule runs SO from 09/03/2019 - 09/03/2019 Operated by WCRC Unadvertised Express Passenger Service Diesel Locomotive Timing Load - 715 tonnes Timed to run at 60mph First & Standard Seating09/03/2019 01:10 Train Activated Train ID - 731Z351609 KETTERING09:1309:12(-1)09:3409:42(+8)1SStops to take up passengers Stops for watering of coaches KETTERING NORTH JUNCTION09:3709:46(+9) (4)6233 Duchess of Sutherland accelerates through Glendon cutting with the Railway Touring Company's "The Yorkshireman" 9 minutes late after an extended water stop in Kettering where the train arrived on time. 0950 Saturday 9th March 2019 . IMG_6415 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr IMG_6416 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr IMG_6417 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr (4)6233 Duchess of Sutherland leans into the curve onto the Manton line at Glendon South with the Railway Touring Company's "The Yorkshireman" 9 minutes late after an extended water stop in Kettering where the train arrived on time. 0950 Saturday 9th March 2019 .

Jack, try this link. Geoff Fiddlestick Yard, 'Sin City, USA

From Kettering South junction there are several places where the existing signalling installations are in the alignment of the future up slow. These along with the scaffolding at Wellingborough are all preventing the completion of the track laying. Some are single masts some are cabinets and at least one, in the Ise Valley between Isham and Harrowden Junction, is a signal bridge. Geoff

I agree that once the scaffolding has been removed there will be clearance for the up slow to continue through the bridge and into the station and then onto Bedford. I just thought it strange that the new track has been slewed away from the normal alignment at the existing Mill Road bridge. Geoff

Here is a photo of the new over bridge just north of Wellingborough station. The bridge looks now to be complete but the scaffold remains much as it is in the photo and is blocking the alignment of the new up slow.The photo was taken in May 2017 not long after the main girders were lifted in to position. Geoff IMG_4299 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new road bridge to give access to the development to the east of the line blocks the view of Wellingborough Station from the Mill Road bridge.

Here are a couple of photos showing the slow line platforms at Wellingborough. Geoff 45049 6O85 up slow Wellingborough station 15:04 14/8/75 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 45 049 Up coal Wellingborough station slow line. 15:04 14/8/75 f3.5 1/500 135mm IMG_2673 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

Thank you for your kind words Dava. The remaining roundhouse has been in use as a warehouse in the past but I do not know what the future holds for it though. Geoff

The fourth platform on the up slow side is still there. I do not recall the Northampton push pull using a bay on the up slow, indeed I think it only ever used the down slow platform, but I stand to be corrected on that. I am not aware of any paintwork at the south end of the station. The new up slow cannot yet pass under the new road bridge for Stanton Cross as there is scaffolding still in place blocking the alignment. There was some time ago an advert for the Stanton Cross development featuring a new station building on the up slow side with an extended footbridge and strangely a Virgin Pendolino I believe. Geoff

A new year and a new junction. This is the last day of the blockades and 'normal' service resumes tomorrow, Wednesday 2 January 2019. It is a little disappointing to see the new up slow looks not to be going further on for a while. Whether that is down to the continuing work on the new bridge across the line to the Stanton Gate development or whether it is because the slow line platforms have to be rebuilt or something else I do not know. Geoff fullsizeoutput_545f by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new junctions at Wellingborough North between the fast lines and the down slow. fullsizeoutput_545e by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The current end of the new up slow serving as a head shunt for the Finedon Road Sidings exit road. fullsizeoutput_545c by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The juntion between what will become the up Slow and the down slow eventually with a new 'traffic light' signal to control it. In the distance, just in front of Mill Road bridge, is the new buffer stop on the end of the new up slow which has been slewed away from the current active slow line. this suggests that the up slow is not going further in the immediate future and this part is forming a head shunt for the exit road from Finedon Road Sidings. fullsizeoutput_545b by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Both slow lines almost ready although what will be the up slow is set to be the exit road from Finedon Road Sidings for the time being. The old exit road has been slewed across to the left. fullsizeoutput_545a by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Finedon Road Sidings, ( Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf ) have been connected to the new up slow it would seem. Just one picture from the work south of Wellingborough Station where the line crosses the Irthlingborough Road near the former Morris Motors foundry site. fullsizeoutput_5444 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Work is on hold over the New Year at the Irthlingborough Road ( Morris Motors ) bridge Wellingborough.

More pictures of the work at Wellingborough North Junction on Boxing Day and Friday 28 December 2018. Geoff fullsizeoutput_5423 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Day three, 26 December 2018. and work is still in progress on the mainlines. fullsizeoutput_5407 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Day three, Boxing Day, and work on the point mechanisms continues as the line is prepared for service on the following day Thursday 27 December 2018. fullsizeoutput_5436 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new Wellingborough North Junction. work is still in progress to reconnect the slow line and the Finedon Road Sidings release road. fullsizeoutput_5412 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new Wellingborough North Junction. work is still in progress to reconnect the slow line and the Finedon Road Sidings release road. fullsizeoutput_5431 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 222022 cruises through the new junctions at Wellingborough North with 1B31 1012 Nottingham to St Pancras International on time at 1108 on Friday 28 December 2018. fullsizeoutput_5424 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new Wellingborough North Junction. work is still in progress to reconnect the slow line and the Finedon Road Sidings release road which has been slewed across and needs aligning.The first panel of the new Up Slow has been set out. A limited service is running on the fast lines. fullsizeoutput_5425 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The new Wellingborough North Junction. work is still in progress to reconnect the slow line and the Finedon Road Sidings release road. fullsizeoutput_5426 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Rolling stock and loco trapped in Finedon Road Sidings, Wellingborough Up TC Gbrf.

[/url]fullsizeoutput_53ff by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Day 1, Monday 24 December 2018, of the work to remodel Wellingborough North Junction in preparation for the new Up Slow line. The release road from Wellingborough Up TC, Finedon Road Sidings has already been slewed across here. 9N9B3375 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Day 1, Monday 24 December 2018, this longer shot shows the old Up Main to Up/Down slow connection and the remains of the connection to the Finedon Road Sidings release road. The signal bridge is probably in the way of the new Up Slow as are all of the ecisting signals between here and Kettering. 9N9B3407 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Slewing the track of the release road from Finedon Road Sidings. 9N9B3421 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Finedon Road sidings. 9N9B3426 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 66614, 1916 POPPY 2016, waiting on the Up Fast at Harrowden Junction to leave the possession with a spoil train. 9N9B3430 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Another train waiting on the Up Fast just north of Harrowden Junction to continue into the possession. Geoff

There is major track renewing and remodelling at Wellingborough North Junction. Geoff

Thank you Sir TophamHatt. Geoff

Some photos of class 66s at work on the Midland Mainline north of Kettering earlier this month, on the section which is not scheduled for electrification as far as we know, ie Kettering to Leicester. Geoff fullsizeoutput_5397 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 66621 attacks the climb to Desborough out of the Rushton cutting with 6M91 11:13 THEALE LAFARGE FHH - 17:49 HOPE (EARLES SIDINGS) FHH on time at 1526 on Wednesday 12 December 2018. fullsizeoutput_539c by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 66771 rolls down the gradient from Desborough towards Rushton with the 1320 Bardon Hill Gbrf to Crawley New Yard (Gbrf) on time at 1515 on Wednesday 12 December 2018. fullsizeoutput_5396 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 66736 Wolverhampton Wanderers powers out of the Rushton cutting under the Pipewell Road bridge in the gathering gloom on time at 1632 on Wednesday 12 December 2018 with 6M54 12:18 COLNBROOK LAFARGE GBRF - 16:43 BARDON HILL GBRF. fullsizeoutput_53b4 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 66761, Wensleydale Railway Association 25 Years 1990-2015 (Named at Leeming Bar railway station by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak) brings the 6H10 11:55 WELLINGBOROUGH UP TC GBRF - 15:29 PEAK FOREST CEMEX GBRF past mile post 75 at Glendon North just 3 minutes late at 1228 on Monday 17th December 2018.

A trip up to Glendon earlier this week gave me a chance to take a snap of the work on the sub-station being constructed just south of Glendon South Junction (as was ). The contractor on site said this was to feed into to overheads at this point but he didn't know where the indeed was coming from. He also said he understood there was still a site to do at Braybrooke which is where the 400/274 kv grid line crosses the railway a couple of miles south of Market Harborough. Geoff fullsizeoutput_53b5 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Formwork for the base of the sub-station at Glendon ready to receive concrete. The Kettering to Corby 33kv tower line keeps watch from the hedgerow.

fullsizeoutput_534d by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr A very smart 56103 bowls through Glendon North on its way to Leicester L.I.P. running as 0Z56 1100 Willesden Dc Rail Sidings to Leicester L.I.P., right time at 1356 on Monday 12 November 2018. Geoff

Not strictly to do with the electrification although it shows the problems for photography posed by the infrastructure even before it is completed. 66715 Valour rounds the curve from Glendon South towards the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge with 6E89 10:16 WELLINGBOROUGH UP TC GBRF - 18:00 RYLSTONE TILCON (GBRF) 3 minutes early at 1041 on Thursday 15th November 2018. However, there is news since I discovered earlier this week that work has started on the substation to feed into the system at Glendon. The site was cleared right at the beginning of the work on the line and now contractors are constructing the foundations for the substation a short distance north of the Glendon Road over bridge. Although the site is directly adjacent to a 33kv line I doubt that will be used. The nearest 132kv line is about 400m away near the road bridge or the 275/400kv line at Braybrooke, a few miles away, could be used but it would be a long run of cable. Geoff

Thank you Brian, that was the information I was looking for. Nevertheless, and even though I will not be using TTS decoders because of that limitation, thank you for the work you have done to help users have greater access to them. Geoff