15.10.18
Electrification to Bristol Parkway takes one step closer as more upgrades completed
Completion of electrification of lines on the Bristol Parkway route have taken one step closer today following further upgrades by Network Rail.
Engineers installed overhead line equipment (OLE), used to hold wires for electrification, allowing the new fleet of Greater Western Railway (GWR) trains to start running under electric power from 2019 onwards.
During the upgrades, over 65km of cable was installed, as well as more than 400 tons of steelwork. Two of the gantries erected were over 40m wide— some of the largest on the Western route.
Dan Tipper, project director for Network Rail, said: “This work has been critical to enabling us to move a step closer to electrifying the railway to Bristol Parkway, which will allow GWR to run their new bi-mode trains under electric power from 2019.
“I would like to thank residents and passengers for their patience and understanding during these works – a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”
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Image credit: Network Rail