Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Correct. I presume it was some sort of BR penny pinching.

However turnaround would only be possible here if the timetable allowed the train to stand on one of the main lines for its turnaround time without blocking any other trains.

At the present time, the Blackpool North to York services pass through Accrington, but when everyone finally gets their act together and rolling stock is finally sourced, there will also be the Blackburn - Copy Pit Line - Manchester Victoria services also using this line through Accrington station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I presume they could not turn back here at Accrington as it looks to be controlled by a ground frame ?. (This looks like extremely grotty track to me, but I know nothing.) See photo : Accrington 158

I know that pictorial images can give misleading foreshortening, but that "70" limit sign shown in the "Accrington 158" link submitted seems to be quite a high limit on such line curvature pictured in this image.

 

[driver9000]

I know that pictorial images can give misleading foreshortening, but that "70" limit sign shown in the "Accrington 158" link submitted seems to be quite a high limit on such line curvature pictured in this image.

The curvature isn't that sharp in reality. A 10mph PSR applies through the station with the 70mph PSR commencing just off the platform end in the Up direction so no train would be going through those curves that fast anyway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The facing crossover nearest the camera is controlled by the emergency ground frame; the trailing crossover is signalled and controlled from Preston PSB. (Dunnow why they did it that way though!)

(Sorry - slightly off-topic!)

The powered trailing crossover is a hangover from when there were Goods loops between Accrington and Church.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've followed Liverpool-Manchester electrification for a while and aim to have a look at Manchester-Blackpool in the New Year.

Can anyone please suggest any particularly interesting sites along the route, especially between Manchester Victoria and Preston?

With thanks in anticipation.

Dave

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I've followed Liverpool-Manchester electrification for a while and aim to have a look at Manchester-Blackpool in the New Year.
Can anyone please suggest any particularly interesting sites along the route, especially between Manchester Victoria and Preston?
With thanks in anticipation.
Dave

I'd be interested in where they are going to put the main depot for the work.
Phase 1/2 was run from Edge Hill with a couple of out-bases (eg Kenyon and more recently at Salford near the Hope St sidings).
I can't see Edge Hill being used for later phases, so a new depot will be needed, maybe at Preston? to cover Salford Crescent-Preston-Blackpool.
The Salford site I imagine will continue to complete the work around Victoria/Salford Crescent/Ordsall Lane (and new curve), maybe extending east to Stalybridge.
Or perhaps they will set up somewhere like Guide Bridge for the east Manchester work, to continue eastwards with TP.

I'm not that familiar with the structures on the L&Y routes, but the tunnels should be interesting (Chorley and Farnworth).
They will no doubt be sectioning the work between the major junctions, with diversions where feasible on the alternative routes.
They have only done one side of the Ordsall triangle so far, so there will be some awkward blockades as they do the two legs through Salford Crescent (and the new curve).
So the interesting times are set to continue, I think!

 

[Whistler40145]

I'm sure there's sufficient sidings at Preston to use as a depot, easy access to Manchester & Blackpool lines.

 

[Class 170101]

I'm not that familiar with the structures on the L&Y routes, but the tunnels should be interesting (Chorley and Farnworth).
They will no doubt be sectioning the work between the major junctions, with diversions where feasible on the alternative routes.
They have only done one side of the Ordsall triangle so far, so there will be some awkward blockades as they do the two legs through Salford Crescent (and the new curve).
So the interesting times are set to continue, I think!

I believe I posted this elsewhere on this board but in summary
Monday to Thursday nights will see services diverted between Bolton and Preston via Wigan North Western from around 21:00 as I recall.
Farnworth tunnel is being done during an extended blockade of the line.

 

[snowball]

Farnworth tunnel is being done during an extended blockade of the line.

I'm sure I've read that there will be single-line two-way running through the narrower bore while the wider bore is enlarged to accommodate two electrified tracks. I think it said there will be four trains an hour - presumably that means four each way.

Edit: somebody has just started a specific thread on Farnworth Tunnel in the general subforum. I've suggested that it be moved here.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I'm sure there's sufficient sidings at Preston to use as a depot, easy access to Manchester & Blackpool lines.

Indeed - and surely at Manhester end could use Newton Heath?

 

[Whistler40145]

At the Preston end, sidings exist just north of Platform 6, already used by the electrification team.

 

[Elecman]

Depends which sidings at Preston you are referring to, Chritian Road has the NR DU depot and tortuous access by road, Corporation Steet has the E&P depot but good access to the adjacent sidings, Croft Strret is awful access by road and no road access along the sidings, Butler street has no access and no sidings (except the platform 7 road)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
They could use Blackpool Enfield Road CS during the main line blockage but road access is again awful to the actual depot and it's in a built up area on one side

 

[Whistler40145]

There doesn't seem to be anywhere around Preston station which is suitable, you're quite right about Enfield Road C.S. at Blackpool, but sidings exist just to the North of Kirkham & Wesham station, albeit on the South Fylde line or the sidings which were part of the Blackpool Central line, currently overgrown.

 

[Elecman]

Yes there is the Kirkham DU sidings with reasonable road access, the old Central Line / what was latterly Kirkham Tip and the road access isn't too bad even though it's off a county lane and the trackway down to the sidings would require lots of widening and clearance the track itself from Kirkham would require extensive repairs

 

[Class 170101]

I'm sure I've read that there will be single-line two-way running through the narrower bore while the wider bore is enlarged to accommodate two electrified tracks. I think it said there will be four trains an hour - presumably that means four each way.

Edit: somebody has just started a specific thread on Farnworth Tunnel in the general subforum. I've suggested that it be moved here.

Thanks much better explained.

 

[chorleyjeff]

At the present time, the Blackpool North to York services pass through Accrington, but when everyone finally gets their act together and rolling stock is finally sourced, there will also be the Blackburn - Copy Pit Line - Manchester Victoria services also using this line through Accrington station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


.

And Blackpool South to Colne
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd be interested in where they are going to put the main depot for the work.
Phase 1/2 was run from Edge Hill with a couple of out-bases (eg Kenyon and more recently at Salford near the Hope St sidings).
I can't see Edge Hill being used for later phases, so a new depot will be needed, maybe at Preston? to cover Salford Crescent-Preston-Blackpool.
The Salford site I imagine will continue to complete the work around Victoria/Salford Crescent/Ordsall Lane (and new curve), maybe extending east to Stalybridge.
Or perhaps they will set up somewhere like Guide Bridge for the east Manchester work, to continue eastwards with TP.

I'm not that familiar with the structures on the L&Y routes, but the tunnels should be interesting (Chorley and Farnworth).
They will no doubt be sectioning the work between the major junctions, with diversions where feasible on the alternative routes.
They have only done one side of the Ordsall triangle so far, so there will be some awkward blockades as they do the two legs through Salford Crescent (and the new curve).
So the interesting times are set to continue, I think

Chorley tunnel done with the arches?
What about Farmington engineers sidings?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Chorley tunnel done with the arches?

Both completed early in September.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What about Farmington engineers sidings?

Are these the ones in Farrington that you mean ?

 

[Elecman]

The Lancashire a Enterprise sidings at Farrington Downsidemay be a better option rather than the Upside a Engineers sidings as they would have better storage and road access.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Both completed early in September.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Are these the ones in Farrington that you mean ?

Or Farington even.

The Chorley arches are back in place, and the track in the tunnel lowered, but no electrification work was done.
There will have to be more blocks to get the wires up.

 

[Geeves]

I believe the arches were put back with either the bolts, or some small amount of metal work installed that will mean its quicker when the rest of the OHLE finally arrives

 

[Whistler40145]

I think there's some metalwork installed with the arches at a different level than before.

 

[Geeves]

Thats what I read too Tim, the quote was "The arches and tunnels are wires ready" when the time arrives.

 

[snowball]

I think there's some metalwork installed with the arches at a different level than before.

There's certainly metalwork in the sense that the stone arches now sit on top of steel arches!

http://www.globalrailnews.com/blog/2014/08/21/chorley-flying-arches-return/

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/31977

Whether there are also fitments ready to support the wires I don't know.

 

[edwin_m]

Rail Engineer magazine had a detailed article about the flying arches a couple of months ago, which I think talked about the provision for wiring them. Unfortunately I don't keep my copies and the site is "down for maintenance" at the moment (I wonder if it has overrun?).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Or Farington even.

Some of the railway in the early days was referred to as Farrington. In fact when the North Union Railway opened its station on 31st October 1838, it was known as Farrington station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Rail Engineer magazine had a detailed article about the flying arches a couple of months ago, which I think talked about the provision for wiring them. Unfortunately I don't keep my copies and the site is "down for maintenance" at the moment (I wonder if it has overrun?).

It was the October 2014 issue to which you allude and pp.12-18 carried an article headed "Amalfi in Lancashire. The front page of that issue also carried a large-plate picture of the Chorley flying arches.

 

[edwin_m]

It was the October 2014 issue to which you allude and pp.12-18 carried an article headed "Amalfi in Lancashire. The front page of that issue also carried a large-plate picture of the Chorley flying arches.

Thanks. As I recall it mentioned that the bricks were now resting on curved steel I-beams. The bottom flange of one of those would be a good place to attach a bracket like those we saw up thread, attached to the roof at Victoria.

 

[snowball]

Thanks. As I recall it mentioned that the bricks were now resting on curved steel I-beams.

If you click either of the two links in my post #531 above you can see pictures of them. I chose those two pages almost at random from several found by Google.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

If you click either of the two links in my post #531 above you can see pictures of them. I chose those two pages almost at random from several found by Google.

Yes thanks

QUOTE "Instead permanent steel arches have been installed which provide the option of being used to mount the new overhead line equipment; the original masonry sits on top of these, only fulfilling an aesthetic role."QUOTE

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Good news folks. Work on the Bolton route has started.
There is a run of new concrete mast bases on the north side of the line between Salford Central and Salford Crescent.
This is the first tangible sign of electrification work on Phase 3 or whatever it is called.

 

[DJH1971]

Good news folks. Work on the Bolton route has started.
There is a run of new concrete mast bases on the north side of the line between Salford Central and Salford Crescent.
This is the first tangible sign of electrification work on Phase 3 or whatever it is called.

Yet more great news!

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Good news folks. Work on the Bolton route has started.
There is a run of new concrete mast bases on the north side of the line between Salford Central and Salford Crescent.
This is the first tangible sign of electrification work on Phase 3 or whatever it is called.

This (Windsor Bridge Sth to Euxton via Bolton) is Phase 4. And the next bit they do will be towards the Euxton Junction end.

Blackpool Preston is Phase 3, Vic to Stalyvegas is Phase 5. Windermere Branch is 6 anf Lostock - Wigan NW is Phase 7.

Phase 1 was more or less finished last year and Phase 2 is the current (over-running) work around Huyton, St Helens and Victoria. They won't all start and finish in numerical order ...

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This (Windsor Bridge Sth to Euxton via Bolton) is Phase 4. And the next bit they do will be towards the Euxton Junction end.
Blackpool Preston is Phase 3, Vic to Stalyvegas is Phase 5. Windermere Branch is 6 anf Lostock - Wigan NW is Phase 7.
Phase 1 was more or less finished last year and Phase 2 is the current (over-running) work around Huyton, St Helens and Victoria. They won't all start and finish in numerical order ...

Yes I didn't have the up-to-date list with me.
Where does that put the Salford Crescent-Salford Central/Orsdall Lane spurs then?
It would make sense to do the whole triangle at the same time.
At least they get to tick the "project started" box in 2014.