South of Bedford Upgrade
We’re upgrading overhead line equipment (OLE) from Hendon to Luton South and Luton North to Bedford, enabling trains to run at speeds up to 125mph.
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Project update
Construction on this project was completed earlier this year.
The upgrade will allow EMRs bi-mode trains to run electrically up to 125mph from London St Pancras to Bedford, saving on diesel, reducing noise pollution and ensuring bi-mode trains run more efficiently. This will also further improve the resilience and performance on the line for trains coming in and out of London.
To complete the full electric service on the Midland Main Line the existing power supply and wires South of Bedford required upgrading to match the requirements of the new trains and capability of the existing track, increasing electric traction line speed from 100mph up to 125mph in places.
Below is recap of what was achieved:
🕗 allowing new bi-mode trains to deliver the same journey times as diesel, no timetable changes are currently proposed
🌳 being better for the environment
💵 more efficient to run (less costly) than diesel trains
🛤️ improving resilience on the line in the first 50 miles especially and helping to improve performance for passengers
In total we delivered:
✅ 401 headspans replaced
✅ 108 wire runs upgraded
✅ 209 balance weight anchor upgrades
✅ 100’s more components like sleeper edge insulation/bridge arms and so on.
✅ 636,618 total hours worked on the project (by lead contractor SPL)
✅ 40 total miles covered by work
✅ 30 machines on average per shift working during possessions
Thank you for your patience while this essential work was taking place.
Why is the work needed?
Electric trains are better for the environment than diesel trains, and they’re quieter for both those on board the train and those living close to the railway.
The Midland Main Line south of Bedford is already electrified, but some overhead line equipment (OLE) for electric and bi-mode trains is outdated and needs replacing.
Trains on this part of the line are currently only able to travel at a maximum speed of 100mph, even though the speed limit is usually 125mph. Our upgrades will mean that trains are able to travel at up to 125mph from south of Bedford to London St Pancras.
We will be adding more weight to the wires so there is more tension and better contact between the wire and the pantograph. This means the wires will ‘bounce’ less when the trains are travelling, meaning trains can travel at faster speeds more easily.
Get in touch
If you have any additional questions or concerns, visit our contact us page or telephone our 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41