Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Phlip]

That is something that bugs me. By May TPX will have 8 spare 185s so rather than lengthen Bolton's remaining services to six coaches they are starting up new routes. Why are experimenting with new routes when they cant handle demand for their current services

It's not a new route. It's an amendment to existing routes and service patterns to introduce an additional hourly service intended to increase capacity. The changes for the new service won't require 8 additional units (probably a net increase of 4 units - as the Newcastle to Airport service is being cut back to York) and some will be used elsewhere (likely Manchester to Hull and the North West). Users of the North Transpennine routes are as deserving of relief from overcrowding as users of the North West routes.

 

[YorkshireBear]

But First TPE services starting from Manchester Airport will still pass through Manchester Piccadilly. I am aware that the Manchester Airport to Newcastle service will become a Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle service, but I am unaware of further First TPE services that will give up using Manchester Airport, much as certain forum members wish were that case.

Never mentioned Manchester Airport. 2 services Vic only 2 services Pic only 2 service Vic, Pic and Airport. All i meant is that it is a gradual change in timetable with changes made every two years. 2014 2016 2018.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Never mentioned Manchester Airport. 2 services Vic only 2 services Pic only 2 service Vic, Pic and Airport. All I meant is that it is a gradual change in timetable with changes made every two years. 2014 2016 2018.

If you look at my posting # 355, you will find that I was responding to a comment made in a posting that stated...."It is also the start of preparing for the almost complete transfer of TPE to Victoria"

Two people can view the same posting, yet come to different answers..:roll:

 

[YorkshireBear]

There is a talk by the Permanent Way Institution in Leeds tomorrow on the Preston-Blackpool line upgrades including electrification if anyone is interested.

https://www.thepwi.org/calendar/event/view?id=149

 

[Leylandlad]

There is a talk by the Permanent Way Institution in Leeds tomorrow on the Preston-Blackpool line upgrades including electrification if anyone is interested.

https://www.thepwi.org/calendar/event/view?id=149

Thanks YB.

I would have gone had it been in Preston or even Blackpool...

 

[YorkshireBear]

It was original done at the Manchester section of PWI. It is being done at short notice as a late replacement at Leeds section.

 

[Leylandlad]

It was original done at the Manchester section of PWI. It is being done at short notice as a late replacement at Leeds section.

Shame I missed it originally.

Makes you realise there's a lot more to electrification than just sticking the poles in the ground and slinging up the wires.

 

[swissrailpassion]

Is it open to the public? Or is it members only?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Is it open to the public? Or is it members only?

None members welcome.

Have to say it is not entirely about the electrification but the general upgrade of the line but i think it should all be considered as one upgrade anyway.

Be interesting to learn about what else is going on alongside the electrification as i believe quite a bit is planned. Cant claim to know exact details of presentation as it replaced another talk very late but it is being done by a Civil Engineering firm (well one of their engineers!).

 

[Thomas6187]

A continuous Blockage is planned between Chorley and Euxton Junction, from Saturday 19th July-Sunday 31st August. This will allow slab track to be put down and clearance work to be done through the Chorley Tunnel and Flying Arches.

Early plans include a Shuttle between Chorley and Manchester Victoria and TPE to divert via Wigan NW

 

[Leylandlad]

A continuous Blockage is planned between Chorley and Euxton Junction, from Saturday 19th July-Sunday 31st August. This will allow slab track to be put down and clearance work to be done through the Chorley Tunnel and Flying Arches.

Early plans include a Shuttle between Chorley and Manchester Victoria and TPE to divert via Wigan NW

A pain for those affected, but total possession is nearly always more efficient than weekend closures and it's the school holidays.

When is the Farnworth tunnel work scheduled?

 

[Class 170101]

According to RAIL 745 the Up Farnworth tunnel will be closed for 20 weeks from Easter 2015. Its to be wident to take both electrified tracks with speeds upto 100mph. During this time the Down tunnel will be used in both directions with capacity for three trains per hour in each direction, with signalling and track modifications.

 

[snowball]

A curiosity ... although Farnworth Tunnel seems to be always known by that name in railway circles, it's shown on OS maps as Clammerclough Tunnel (or Clamourclough on 19th century ones).

 

[Nym]

According to RAIL 745 the Up Farnworth tunnel will be closed for 20 weeks from Easter 2015. Its to be wident to take both electrified tracks with speeds upto 100mph. During this time the Down tunnel will be used in both directions with capacity for three trains per hour in each direction, with signalling and track modifications.

Isn't that was I was saying years ago about what they'd need to do at Farnworth Tunnels?

 

[snowball]

If both tracks are to be realigned through one enlarged bore at Farnworth, some platform realignment will presumably be required at the adjacent station.

Picture of tunnel and station from Wikipedia

 

[PhilipW]

I wonder if the single bore tunnel at Farnworth will be kept as an unelectrified loop line for freight or deisels. It could come in useful.

 

[Nym]

I wonder if the single bore tunnel at Farnworth will be kept as an unelectrified loop line for freight or deisels. It could come in useful.

When we have the loops between Moses Gate and Bolton anyway, and there is currently no scheduled freight, I don't see the value in it personally.

 

[Class 170101]

If both tracks are to be realigned through one enlarged bore at Farnworth, some platform realignment will presumably be required at the adjacent station.

Picture of tunnel and station from Wikipedia

I wonder if the single bore tunnel at Farnworth will be kept as an unelectrified loop line for freight or deisels. It could come in useful.

I am not sure you would be able to use the down tunnel as a diesel only loop especially if the platform needs to be re-aligned, I would guess it would block the tunnel at this end (see picture link above). I would be interested to see a train just arriving through it to see how tight to the loading gauge it actually is.

 

[edwin_m]

I am not sure you would be able to use the down tunnel as a diesel only loop especially if the platform needs to be re-aligned, I would guess it would block the tunnel at this end (see picture link above). I would be interested to see a train just arriving through it to see how tight to the loading gauge it actually is.

I agree. And the closeness of the two bores makes it very difficult to enlarge the larger one without affecting the other. Google tells me they are listed too!

 

[snowball]

The bottom picture on this page (two-thirds of the way down the page) shows a train emerging from the narrower bore.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I am not sure you would be able to use the down tunnel as a diesel only loop especially if the platform needs to be re-aligned, I would guess it would block the tunnel at this end (see picture link above). I would be interested to see a train just arriving through it to see how tight to the loading gauge it actually is.

W9. It's tiny; about 4.5m diameter. And yes, there will be all sorts of things in the way, besides it being very short for a loop (400m, rather that the target for new loops of 775m (about 1.1km long overall).

 

[Whistler40145]

With regards to the Chorley to Euxton Junction blockade, will the Chorley to Manchester Victoria shuttle require any Wrong Line Working between Lostock Junction & Chorley?

 

[driver9000]

With regards to the Chorley to Euxton Junction blockade, will the Chorley to Manchester Victoria shuttle require any Wrong Line Working between Lostock Junction & Chorley?

They will more than likely reverse trains Down to Up over Friday Street ground frame like they do normally when trains are terminated at Chorley.

 

[snowball]

NR press release on bridge closures

Work will start next month to rebuild a number of bridges in Chorley and Bolton as part of a £400m electrification programme to provide a better railway across the north of England.

Bridges at Harpers Lane, Chorley; Railway Road, Adlington; and Lostock Lane, Bolton, will be rebuilt to allow overhead electricity lines to run underneath to power trains from December 2016.

This work will improve rail connections between Manchester and Preston via Bolton, delivering a more reliable, efficient and greener railway.

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...n-project-enters-Chorley-and-Bolton-206d.aspx

 

[Lankyline]

NR press release on bridge closures



http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...n-project-enters-Chorley-and-Bolton-206d.aspx

Just an update Harpers Lane in Chorley has been now been closed for said bridge work

 

[Howardh]

Just an update Harpers Lane in Chorley has been now been closed for said bridge work

Lostock's now open, after being closed - is it going to be closed again??

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Noting the title of this thread, we were visiting Poulton-le-Fylde yesterday and noted work being carried out over a large road overbridge in the area. Is this work part of the advance works for the future electrification of the line ?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Noting the title of this thread, we were visiting Poulton-le-Fylde yesterday and noted work being carried out over a large road overbridge in the area. Is this work part of the advance works for the future electrification of the line ?

Yes, but I made a mistake/assumption, I thought that had been completed. I know it is mainly complete at Kirkham and Wesham but thought Poulton-le Fylde was all done. I do know that all work currently is civil engineering enabling works such as the bridges, followed by the resignalling, removal of boxes and then the masts and catenary last - as usual.

 

[Sheepy1209]

Noting the title of this thread, we were visiting Poulton-le-Fylde yesterday and noted work being carried out over a large road overbridge in the area. Is this work part of the advance works for the future electrification of the line ?

Nasty incident there a couple of weeks ago - worker seriously injured when he hit a live cable. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/man-fights-for-life-after-blast-1-6590172

 

[Train_Juane]

Are the Edinburgh-Manchester trains planned to revert to via Bolton once the electrification of that line is complete? Currently going via Wigan and sharp turn left at Newton le Willows. About the same time for me from Lancaster but it's very frustrating trundling along at what seems to be about 10mph and we go from the west coast mainline onto the chat moss route. Why so slow and will it be speeded up anytime soon?