A digest of the main changes on Network Rail, London Underground and Northern Ireland Railways infrastructure during December 2019 and the first few days of January 2020; compiled by Martyn Brailsford of the Branch Line Society (www.branchline.uk).
December, as usual, sees a glut of work due to the Christmas shutdown. This year has seen the re-quadrupling of the Midland main line between Sharnbrook and Kettering, the closure of Motherwell PSB (recontrol to West of Scotland SC) and another smaller recontrol in the Lewes area. Electrification has finally reached Cardiff and new stations have opened in the Warrington and Glasgow areas. A significant number of platform extensions have opened in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester whilst work continues on new infrastructure such as Werrington grade separation, Stevenage platform 5 and the Barking Riverside project.
ANGLIA
Ripple Lane area (2:4A)
As part of the Barking Riverside project, work has commenced at Ripple Lane. Initially the current Down Goods line has been de-wired and new point work has been installed, but not commissioned, at the remodelled western end of Ripple Lane West Yard.
EAST MIDLANDS
Sharnbrook Junction to Kettering (4:9D/10A)
A new four…
