Electrification Of British Railways' East Coast Main Line: Civil Engineering Works, Hitchin to Doncaster

Abstract

This Paper describes the contribution of the King's Cross office to the civil engineering design and construction activities associated with the electrification of the East Coast Main Line (ECML). It indicates the scope of the works to prepare the route between Hitchin and Doncaster for the full installation of the overhead traction equipment. Brief reference is made to the evolution of the proposals to extend the initial suburban electrification of the main line between King's Cross and Hitchin, completed in 1977. Standards and techniques for bridge reconstruction to obtain clearance, parapet raising and protection have been covered elsewhere and therefore the Paper concentrates on two particular bridges each considered of specific or unique interest. These are the replacement of an aqueduct and a scheme devised to enable three centre arches of a nine arch overbridge to be demolished and replaced by a single span capable of bridging four tracks. This latter scheme not only avoided the initially foreseen need for a complete reconstruction, involving considerable cost savings, but produced an enhancement in programming such that electric running from London to Leeds was achieved 14-months ahead of expectation.