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Cambrian Line
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==Line upgrade== [[File:Cambrian Coast Railway - geograph.org.uk - 214756.jpg|thumb|left|A single-track stretch on the Cambrian Coast Line]] In October 2006, it was announced that [[Network Rail]] would pilot the [[European Rail Traffic Management System]] on the Cambrian Line. The ERTMS allows [[headway]]s between trains using the same track to be reduced without affecting safety, allowing a more frequent service. Should the pilot scheme be successful, the system is expected to be rolled out on some other rural routes within the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=ERTMS National implementation plan |publisher=Department for Transport |date=September 2007 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/Interopandstandards/europeanstandardisation/ertms |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080306113534/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/Interopandstandards/europeanstandardisation/ertms |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2008 |format=.pdf |access-date=15 April 2008}}</ref> The upgrade was expected to cost Β£59 million and was to be completed by December 2008,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Webster|first=Ben|date=17 October 2006 |title=Digital sensors will reduce gap between trains during rush hour|newspaper=The Times |pages=23 |url=http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article602938.ece |access-date=31 May 2009 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> but the system was only released for limited testing, between Pwllheli and Harlech, in February 2010. Three signallers from the Machynlleth signalling centre and seven drivers were trained to operate the new equipment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5009&NewsAreaID=2 |title=Pioneering rail technology gets tested in Wales |date=12 February 2010 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=13 February 2010 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929042530/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5009&NewsAreaID=2 |archive-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> [[Ansaldo STS]] were the principal contractors for the upgrade, with Thales as sub-contractors for the Telecomms and Eldin as installation subcontractors for all elements of UK infrastructure. [[SYSTRA|Systra]] was in charge of testing and commissioning the ETCS and interlocking components of the signalling system. [[File:Differential metric railway speed limit, Machynlleth 2018.jpg|thumb|left|An example of a metric speed limit sign, west of Machynlleth, installed as part of the ERTMS upgrade. It shows a differential limit with different speeds for passenger and freight trains]] Ansaldo installed ERTMS In Cab ETCS (European Train Control System) level 2, class 1, specification V2.3.0 in 2011 (as noted below). As the name suggests, the driver receives the instructions for movement on the cab display. This level does not require conventional fixed signals β therefore all the existing signals and RETB boards have been removed.<ref>[https://www.railsigns.uk/info/ertms1.html ERTMS/ETCS] ''Railsigns.uk; Retrieved 2 August 2017</ref> Additionally, the line side speed signs were made redundant β drivers are given the appropriate maximum speed on the cab display (in kilometres per hour).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Rule%20Book%20Amendments/GERT8000-AM%20ERTMS%20Iss%201.pdf |pages = 4, 5 |title = GE/RT8000/AM β ERTMS Rule Book β ERTMS Amendments module |publisher=[[Rail Safety and Standards Board]] |date=October 2009 |access-date=30 July 2012 |issue=1 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Cambrian ERTMS, [[Pwllheli]] to [[Harlech]] rehearsal, started on 13 February 2010 and completed successfully on 18 February 2010. The driver familiarisation and practical handling stage of the rehearsal provided an excellent opportunity to monitor the use of [[GSM-R]] voice in operation on this route. The first train departed Pwllheli at 08:53 in ERTMS Level 2 Operation with GSM-R voice being used as the only means of communication between the driver and the signaller. Network Rail spokeswoman Mavis Choong was unable to give a figure for how much the scheme has cost, but said Β£400m was being spent installing it across the UK network. She claimed the 14-month delay was caused by the system "being new".{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} In 2007, a new flat crossing, named "Cae Pawb Crossing", was installed at the intersection of the Cambrian Line and the [[Welsh Highland Railway]]. In October 2010, following completion of testing, the ERTMS system finally entered service between Pwllheli and Harlech and the previous Radio Electronic Token Block system was removed. On 18 March 2011, the final commissioning phase for the ERTMS system across the whole Cambrian route started, including layout alterations at Welshpool and Talerddig which would facilitate a desired increase in service frequency. At 07:20 on 26 March 2011, the New ERTMS signalling system was placed into operational use across the Cambrian Line controlled from Machynlleth, some 40 minutes ahead of the planned schedule. Two days of driver familiarisation then followed; passenger operation started on 28 March 2011. An initial assessment by the operating company was not favourable: problems with the design and installation of the in-cab displays were identified and infrastructure failures included the control system becoming "confused" by common train movements, such as changes of speed or shunting into the depot.<ref>{{Cite conference |first=Peter |last=Leppard |title=Minimising the impact on the train service when resignalling an existing route with ERTMS, using its existing rolling stock |publisher=Global Transport Forum Limited |date=3 May 2011 |location=Copenhagen, Denmark |url=http://www.signalling-train-control.com/upload/pages/Day11130_Peter_Leppard.pdf |access-date=21 May 2011 |quote=Our very simple railway has been converted into something much more complex (and expensive!). So far the results suggest we should have kept what we previously had.... Nevertheless, we are determined to make Cambrian ERTMS a success! |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325133205/http://www.signalling-train-control.com/upload/pages/Day11130_Peter_Leppard.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref> ===<span class="anchor" id="2018 Track Upgrades"></span>2018 track upgrades=== In 2018, [[Network Rail]] began upgrading {{Convert|3.7|mi}} of track at a cost of Β£7.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Β£7.25m rail upgrade works begin on Cambrian line|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-42951691|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 March 2018|date=5 February 2018}}</ref> As well as improving reliability by replacing track, [[Network Rail]] and [[Powys County Council]] installed over a mile of new road and two road over rail bridges at [[Ystrad Fawr]] and [[Rallt]]. This has closed eight level crossings and improved safety for local residents.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/completion-of-7-5m-scheme-creates-a-safer-railway-for-mid-wales/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213906/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/completion-of-7-5m-scheme-creates-a-safer-railway-for-mid-wales/ |url-status=dead |title=Completion of Β£7.5m scheme creates a safer railway for mid Wales|website=Network Rail|access-date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2018}}</ref> ===ETCS upgrade announcement 2020=== The UK Government's Transport Secretary [[Grant Shapps]] announced on 21 August 2020 that Β£3m in funding had been authorised to advance plans to upgrade signalling on the {{Convert|241|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} Cambrian line from Shrewsbury Sutton Bridge Junction to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. "The planned state-of-the-art digital signalling system will modernise the network, improving reliability of services, and supporting the introduction of a new fleet being rolled out across the network in December 2022", the minister said.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Multi-million boost from UK government for Welsh railways to level up infrastructure and improve journeys for passengers |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-boost-from-uk-government-for-welsh-railways-to-level-up-infrastructure-and-improve-journeys-for-passengers |access-date=2021-07-27 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
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