Alstom submit plans for Halebank, Widnes site!

[Harbornite]

The bulk of the delay in the Class 458/5 program was unexpected corrosion rectification. The Class 180 units can only be rot free if the painting and protection package used is considerably better, otherwise they'll be as bad as the Arriva Class 175s.

Oh I see, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[childwallblues]

Equipment has been moved on site and earthworks have started.

 

[shadowman]

OT so deleted

 

[8A Rail]

Equipment has been moved on site and earthworks have started.

Along with no access to the road bridge that goes over the line either which will prevent getting any image off the bridge including this one :-

So the next time this location is accessible it will be all change in the foreground and on the right.

 

[childwallblues]

Along with no access to the road bridge that goes over the line either which will prevent getting any image off the bridge including this one :-

So the next time this location is accessible it will be all change in the foreground and on the right.

That's the price you pay for security.

 

[Mikey C]

Have Alstom bid for any recent contracts?

After CAF's recent success, we now have Stadler winning orders in the UK, so it's not as if the market is closed off to anyone other than the "main 3 suppliers", Bombardier, Siemens and Hitachi.

 

[Hazlehead]

They will be painted in grey with black roof's similar to recent IEP with Vinyls applied initially simple Virgin logos at each end and then more vinyls when new West Coast franchise begins

 

[WatcherZero]

Have Alstom bid for any recent contracts?

After CAF's recent success, we now have Stadler winning orders in the UK, so it's not as if the market is closed off to anyone other than the "main 3 suppliers", Bombardier, Siemens and Hitachi.

They were reportedly certain to get a contract for 125mph EMU for Anglia before the Brexit vote and award was delayed, it looks like Stadler or Bombardier then nipped them possibly due to currency fluctuations.

 

[childwallblues]

Went past the site yesterday. A bank of earth has now been created adjacent to the railway line.

 

[8A Rail]

Last week I viewed the site, concrete base already down for the large transit shed along with various earth mounds all around the place which I'm sure will disappear in due course. The access road to the site is completely fenced off with security gates near to the Newstead Road roundabout.

I was also advised "Phase One" of the site is scheduled for completion in May next year in connection with the first Pendolino's to be repainted etc. "Phase Two and Three" will depend on various future factors in the rail industry.

 

[childwallblues]

I passed the site yesterday. A large crane was erecting steelwork for a shed of some sort.

 

[8A Rail]

I passed the site yesterday. A large crane was erecting steelwork for a shed of some sort.

Upright steel girders in place for the rear of the long 2 road shed - part of Phase 1 and 1A. See my original post on this thread were there is a link to the plans:- https://webapp.halton.gov.uk/PlanningApps/1500549FULEIA/PLAN_Figure 2.1 - Proposed Site Layout.pdf

 

[childwallblues]

Upright steel girders in place for the rear of the long 2 road shed - part of Phase 1 and 1A. See my original post on this thread were there is a link to the plans:- https://webapp.halton.gov.uk/PlanningApps/1500549FULEIA/PLAN_Figure 2.1 - Proposed Site Layout.pdf

Thanks Doug

I am travelling past the site twice more in the next week so I will report on further progress.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks Doug

I am travelling past the site twice more in the next week so I will report on further progress.

Contractors were working on the shed when I passed on Saturday. On my return yesterday about another 20 metres of steelwork had been erected.

 

[8A Rail]

Further update, some of the roof girders seem to be in place now too.

For reference "Childwall Blues", I work in Speke and travel via (mostly) via the Knowsley Expressway / Jaguar Road, so I always look over from the roundabout to see latest progress, occasionally going into Newstead Road to have a static look.

 

[childwallblues]

Further update, some of the roof girders seem to be in place now too.

For reference "Childwall Blues", I work in Speke and travel via (mostly) via the Knowsley Expressway / Jaguar Road, so I always look over from the roundabout to see latest progress, occasionally going into Newstead Road to have a static look.

I normally travel south by train once a fortnight but am passing again tomorrow morning.

 

[Signal Head]

Some photos from today

 

[childwallblues]

Some photos from today

Photo 4 is a good close up view.
I went past on Friday morning whilst on the 0700 LIV-EUS. It was still dark but light enough to see the outline. There is quite a bit of both the roof and sides now on.

 

[childwallblues]

Has anybody an update on what is happening here?

 

[8A Rail]

Yes, the building is vitually complete from the outside, now working inside with some electricity already on, i.e. some lighting now up. Windows now in place in and around the 1st flooring "training" area which is at the back end of the shed. This particular area is for new "apprentices" which Alstom are taking on from September this year - currently proposed total about 60 apprentices. There will be three roads inside the shed, two roads for 9 car sets (or a split 11 car set) and one road for a 11 car set. From now on, any work on the site will now be out of view (inside the shed) other than any rail and road laying that needs to be done.

 

[driver_m]

Looks a lot different now despite the Xmas break. The three end doors can be made out with almost all cladding on, there is a gap in the cladding at the middle of the main shed and the majority of work seems to be on the the admin section where the offices are going. There should be more progress this week.

 

[childwallblues]

Thank you both for the updates. I have not been past since November but will be next Tuesday.

 

[childwallblues]

Travelling past the site on Tuesday there is now a hardstanding between the depot building and the shed. Not much happening yet between Ditton Yard and the shed.

 

[childwallblues]

Travelling past on Tuesday a start has been made on the groundworks for the connection to Ditton Yard

 

[childwallblues]

Travelling past on Tuesday morning there were a number of track panels on site, and track laying had started on the connection into Ditton Yard.

 

[Signal Head]

The view earlier today.

Not my photo, this is from a webcam I have been made aware of.
I don't think it would be a good idea to post the address here though, sorry.

 

[8A Rail]

The view earlier today.
Not my photo, this is from a webcam I have been made aware of.
I don't think it would be a good idea to post the address here though, sorry.

Thank you for posting the image and yes fully understand not posting the webcam link either. Is it possible as the work progresses with the track, if you could post further images as and when?

 

[Signal Head]

Thank you for posting the image and yes fully understand not posting the webcam link either. Is it possible as the work progresses with the track, if you could post further images as and when?

Certainly, Doug. Some images from the webcam appear to have been posted on Alstom's Twitter feed a while back as well.

 

[8A Rail]

Certainly, Doug. Some images from the webcam appear to have been posted on Alstom's Twitter feed a while back as well.

Thank you. I did forget to say please too. Sorry. Look forward to more.

 

[childwallblues]

Do we have an opening date for the depot?

 

[8A Rail]

Do we have an opening date for the depot?

The original date was May. However, for all we know it is open, but currently not excepting trains for obvious reasons. Remember, it is just not soley to repaint the Pendolino's, it is also a training facility, hence taking on upto 60 apprentices too (understand September start for them?). Currently, Newstead Road Bridge still has security access by the roundabout so preventing access to the public road. I would assume when Depot fully operational that would be gone.