Bolton>Manchester electrification schedule/alternatives?

[Howardh]

My local station (Lostock) is about to be affected by the works from there to Preston - so clearly it won't be long before the Man/BON line starts to be closed down.

Can anyone provide dates as to when this will happen and for how long?

Has it been decided to close the whole line down (and run buses), or simply work nights and weekends, or even keep one track running (one way/two way?) with a reduced service??

My preference would be the overnight and weekend closures, but if that wasn't possible then I'd hope they could keep one line running so you only have to do the bus journey once.

*Wonders* will trains be able to start from Bolton and go to Southport via Wigan, so we can change at Wigan?

Anyhow - thanks for the info if anyone knows!

 

[WatcherZero]

First lot.

Over the next 5 years Network Rail is working with their partners to deliver over £1bn of investment, which will enable faster, more frequent services to run across the north of England. Part of this investment is to electrify the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Preston via Chorley.

In addition to tunnel work at Chorley, several road bridges in the Chorley area will be rebuilt and it is planned to reinstate the Grade II listed 'Chorley Flying Arches' which were removed in the summer of 2008.

As a result of this, the line between Chorley and Leyland will be closed from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August 2014

Once work has been completed, this will enable quieter, cleaner electric trains to be introduced and an increase in passengers seats and faster journey times.

First TransPennine Express

Services between Manchester Piccadilly / Oxford Road and Blackpool North / Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere are diverted between Bolton and Preston and will not call at Horwich Parkway, Chorley and Buckshaw Parkway.

On Saturdays and Sundays, passengers should use Northern Rail replacement buses between Bolton and Preston

Midweek, buses will run between Bolton and Preston calling at Horwich Parkway and Chorley only. Passengers to / from Buckshaw Parkway should use Northern Rail replacement buses.

Northern Rail

On Saturdays and Sundays, buses replace trains between Bolton and Preston.

Midweek, buses replace trains between Chorley and Preston.

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[Howardh]

Reads like the Bolton-Manchester closure is still some time off?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The work on the reinstatement of the Chorley Flying Arches will be an interesting project in that period.

It does not seem as long as six years ago that each item of stonework in these were carefully logged and taken away.

 

[itsjamierawr]

So which way is TPE diverting from Bolton to Preston? Via Westhoughton then somehow Wigan NW?

 

[Class 170101]

So which way is TPE diverting from Bolton to Preston? Via Westhoughton then somehow Wigan NW?

Same route as 1N76 22:29 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North via Crows Nest Jn. TPE already sign this route.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Via Westhoughton then somehow Wigan NW?

Yes, there's a connection just south of North Western allowing trains from p1/2/3 there access to Hindley and beyond and vice versa. As mentioned above 1tpd does this already, as do a couple of peak time Northern services.

 

[Howardh]

Will the Bolton/Westhoughton/Wigan line ever be electrified? I would doubt it! But it would be a handy diversion route in the future, but hardly worth £m's just for that!!

 

[Class 170101]

The government announced this last year I believe and it will be wired around 2016.

 

[30907]

First lot.

Not quite. According to the quote, Northern will run as far north as Chorley SX.

 

[WatcherZero]

He asked when the Bolton line would be shut down and for how long.

 

[Dunc108]

Not quite. According to the quote, Northern will run as far north as Chorley SX.

What Northern services are running to Chorley? Man Vic/Hazel Groves??

 

[MidnightFlyer]

They run to Man Vic, all stations to Bolton then Salford Crescent / Central. Start and end early though, something like 06xx-20xx.

 

[30907]

He asked when the Bolton line would be shut down and for how long.

Misunderstood your original reply, sorry. Ignore mine.

 

[Dunc108]

They run to Man Vic, all stations to Bolton then Salford Crescent / Central. Start and end early though, something like 06xx-20xx.

I take it all Man Vic services to Chorley will be strengthened if it's only operating hourly, specially given the passenger volumes on this stretch?

 

[MartinsR]

I take it all Man Vic services to Chorley will be strengthened if it's only operating hourly, specially given the passenger volumes on this stretch?

I do hope so. Like you said its a very busy line even more so in the 6 weeks school holidays.

 

[thealexweb]

I do hope so. Like you said its a very busy line even more so in the 6 weeks school holidays.

Northern Rail told the Bolton News it will be strengthened to four cars. Will this be enough, short answer no. Hence the extra buses they are laying on. Six cars would be do nicely.