For GN trains this was only ever theoretical, because of approach control at Cambridge station going down and at Shepreth Branch Junction going up. I think the fastest I've ever got to on GN trains is less than 70 mph. West Anglia EMUs regularly went through Shepreth Branch Junction at 90 mph with a clear road.
This will be good, the current headways on the down road are dire. I've experienced the crawl from Shepreth Branch Junction to Cambridge when following something else far too many times.
What will make the big difference is the 50 mph line speed at Shepreth Branch Junction to/from the GN, though decreased signal spacing will help too. Do we end up with 5 signal sections between Shepreth Branch Junction and Cambridge instead of the current 4?
Heading Northbound coming from Royston, CA119, near Hauxton AHB, becomes 4 aspect.
From there going north the signals are basically re-done entirely to fit the new layout.
Currently, there is CA123 - 141 - 143 - 145. CA145 is just South of Long road bridge.
In future there will be one additional signal in that section.
From Shelford, CA99, the signal just North of Shelford station, is unchanged (although Cambridge re-signalling are giving it a banner). Next after that is currently CA141 as above.
In future, there will be one additional signal for that direction too.
Signal CA145 is re-numbered (I'm not sharing the new numbers yet) and moves slighlty but not much.
Between there and Cambridge station there will be one additional signal on each of the Down Slow and Down Main. The station entry signals, CA147 and CA149 today, move right up to the S&C.
The limit of shunt and reversing boards will all move towards Cambridge as well, to allow for the additional signal block and relocated signals.
Couple of updates from today. This morning work was in full swing on the end wall for platform 2/3. By the time I was heading home this evening the wall was finished. It looks like there is a gap on the left side for some steps in future.
I think the conduit is now complete along P2/3, maybe except for around the foundations for the staircase which haven’t been poured yet. I wonder if the plan in near future is to move the signal cabling currently running through the P1/2 trackbed into the new conduit so that the trackbed can be completed.
Fantastic pictures as always neill. Thank you do much.
The gap is indeed for steps down to track in future.
The cable conduit is almost complete - we've got a few tweaks to do plus all the access chambers.
We are getting closer to building track on the East side too, so yes, that cable trough will be coming out soon. A lot of the cables have already been diverted into platform 4 actually, so there's not loads left in there to move now.