Heald Green Signalling problems?

[M60lad]

Is there an actual problem with the signalling at Heald Green at the moment only it seems to be either a daily or weekly occurance that its failing at the moment meaning for an hour or sometimes more there's no trains from Piccadilly-Airport and same in reverse, so far this week there's been problems on Airport line on 3 consecutive days (including this morning according to Twitter).

Surely if keeps continuing something needs to be done about it

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Have any of the Trafford Park container trains that use the Styal line been affected in those times?

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Cant see any issues with the signalling there on the intetnal messaging, however there are major signalling problems betwern Selby and Hull this morning

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Info just come through. A possession over-run on the Styal route caused some early morning problems but normal working redumed around 6am. Freightliners will most likely have been diverted via Stockport if there were any due.

Cable vandalism at Hessle services to and from Hull not expected to return ti normal until after 12pm.

 

[Greybeard33]

I have noticed that, for the last few weeks, container trains to/from Trafford Park have been diverted via Stockport between Slade Lane and Wilmslow, instead of the normal routing via Styal. These diversions are not VAR/STP/VSTP workings - RTT still shows the normal routing, just with "No Report" at all the timing points on the Styal line.

The freights have been causing some delays to passenger services through Stockport, particularly during the afternoon peak, since there are no timetabled paths for them.

Does anyone know the reason for the diversions? Passenger services are running normally through Styal.

 

[1D53]

Broken points at Heald Green. Passengers services not affected as they run via the Airport.

 

[Greybeard33]

Broken points at Heald Green. Passengers services not affected as they run via the Airport.

Thanks! I hope they get fixed soon.

 

[jfollows]

Broken points at Heald Green. Passengers services not affected as they run via the Airport.

Thank you, that explains things.

Last Monday, 3 April, 4L56 1317 Trafford Park Euro Term to London Gateway Db was diverted via Stockport and failed between Handforth and Wilmslow. See http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H16389/2017/04/03/advanced which erroneously records a single time at Heald Green for some reason. I wondered why some trains weren't being diverted via Styal but now it's clear. Bi-directional working through platform 3 at Wilmslow helped a bit but it appears that 4L56 had to wait for a rescue locomotive to be sent from Crewe. Took it three hours in the end between Slade Lane Junction (13:46) and Alderley Edge (16:46).

 

[Crossover]

Broken points at Heald Green. Passengers services not affected as they run via the Airport.

Apart from those that don't - looks (as one would expect) that the likes of the XC's and VT's that go that way for route retention are also going via Stockport at the moment too

 

[Jamesrob637]

Thank you, that explains things.

Last Monday, 3 April, 4L56 1317 Trafford Park Euro Term to London Gateway Db was diverted via Stockport and failed between Handforth and Wilmslow. See http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H16389/2017/04/03/advanced which erroneously records a single time at Heald Green for some reason. I wondered why some trains weren't being diverted via Styal but now it's clear. Bi-directional working through platform 3 at Wilmslow helped a bit but it appears that 4L56 had to wait for a rescue locomotive to be sent from Crewe. Took it three hours in the end between Slade Lane Junction (13:46) and Alderley Edge (16:46).

Monday was full of faults on the railway! The signal repeater, whatever that is, failed at Piccadilly also. It took me 25 minutes from Piccadilly to Levenshulme! Could have almost walked it quicker than that!

 

[jfollows]

Broken points at Heald Green. Passengers services not affected as they run via the Airport.

The points appear to have been fixed, this morning 4K18 0622 Trafford Park to Crewe Basford Hall used the Styal line: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H00323/2017/04/26/advanced

 

[Greybeard33]

The daytime container trains seem to be running via Stockport again this week.

 

[Greybeard33]

TfGM's Local Rail Service Performance Update and Station Update, dated 22 June 2017, provides some technical details regarding the on-going points issues at Heald Green:

5.3 On-going issues with points at Heald Green have resulted in multiple
repeat failures over the past 3 Periods and are subject to a Network Rail
review currently underway. Since 24 March 2017, over 2,000 minutes
delay have been attributed to this.

5.4 The junction to and from the Airport is controlled by 3 point ends.Two of
these point ends are the problem switches that operate the switch
diamond layout. This is one of only two of this type of points on the LNW
route, so is a fairly unique and challenging layout. The original issue was
a defective switch on one of the switch diamonds that necessitated the
installation of new switches and crossings for both ends. Since the initial
issue occurred in March, Network Rail has completed significant work on
site and had the points inspected by a number of teams and specialists.
Since reinstallation, variances in track gauge, geometry alignment and
temperature changes have meant that it isn’t feasible to set up the points
operating.

5.5 Manchester DU is currently working with its Safety, Technical &
Engineering and National Signals & Crossing Teams, to understand
geometry issues and complete a retrospective design to enable the track
to be installed in the correct position; until the track geometry is corrected
the points equipment cannot be set up and are currently secured in the
reverse position. They have been kept in this position during the day and
released on nights to facilitate possessions and diversions if required. NR
has had engineers on site for much of the last three months to monitor
them and try to reduce disruption if they do fail. Following its most recent
review, a plan is currently being confirmed for completing a fix for this
issue to enable a return to full operation.

https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/374/metrolink_and_rail_networks_sub-committee

This explains why it has been possible for some Trafford Park container trains to run via Heald Green at night, while they have had to be diverted via Stockport during the day.