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Blackpool - Manchester Electrification
- Thread starter GRALISTAIR
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I was told today by a friend who had spoken to the head of the signalling part of the project that the signalling was complete.
dk1
Veteran Member
Had a horrible feeling that this was going to happen when I booked Blackpool for the Grand National weekend last September. I'm now expecting RMT to call a strike on MerseyRail & Northern on Saturday 14th to add the icing to the cake 
Bertie the bus
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I haven't read through the thread to see when the last report was but the gap was still there last Monday.
Yes the signalling work station is all complete at the ROC. I had a visit and talked to the former Blackpool No 2 signaller who was settling in next to Victoria and Oxford Rd workstations, quite a change for him. All the displays were lit I can only imagine its more the fact the platforms are still an uneven death trap at some locations that might be the issue.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
I last did the run February 25th when I went home to England to see my mother etc. of course it might be the last bit they were planning to wire.
Had a horrible feeling that this was going to happen when I booked Blackpool for the Grand National weekend last September. I'm now expecting RMT to call a strike on MerseyRail & Northern on Saturday 14th to add the icing to the cake
Its so predictable that Merseytravel should have already reserved enough buses and coaches for a Liverpool Lime Street / Central to Aintree shuttle service and an Ormskirk stopping bus and in the event of a strike simply not provide a rail service on the Ormskirk line. In the event of strikes your probably better off with current rail replacement service compared with the limited trains that would otherwise run.
dk1
Veteran Member
Around 10yrs ago we got caught up in a MerseyRail strike on National day. There where plenty of shuttle buses opp Lime St Stn but it is just chaos on the way back. That year we stayed in Manchester which was straight forward. This year will be able to RR to Preston then via Crewe if need be. On way back might go for South train as after so much alcohol a toilet will be priority. Failing this it might just be a minibus back all the way & sod the expense.
randyrippley
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Sounds like they are rewiring the pylonsOn my travels around various parts of the country in the name of work, last time was near Bradford - I have seen some structures under pylon cables that look like Faraday type cages - essentially wire cages underneath the power lines - I don't know if that's what they are, but can't think of what else they would be - will try and get some pictures next time I'm over there. Wonder if that type of thing would be a cheapish workaround for where the lines are low - happy to be ridiculed by experts!
The nets are to catch the cables in case anything breaks and drops. Also to catch any men if they have to walk the cables (rare) and fall........
I haven't actually seen anyone wirewalking for years, but it used to be done to unjam the cable bobbins which reeled out one cable as another was reeled in. In recent years they've not relaced cables that way - they've simply pulled them into place using ropes with Landrovers or Unimogs. I guess the bobbins wouldn't work when single cables are replaced by two or three (which is what usually happens now)
Here's the Blackpool Gazette's article on the delayed reopening of the line
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/damaging-rail-delay-will-impact-on-tourism-says-mp-1-9068725
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/damaging-rail-delay-will-impact-on-tourism-says-mp-1-9068725
furnessvale
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Virtually unreadable link (like most local newspaper sites) thanks to adverts flashing off all over the place, but thanks anyway!
Yes, as a resident near the line we had a letter some time ago indicating this would happen. I'm just wondering if that can still hold true given the three week extension to the possession, taking us to 16th April restart to services.
Rather worryingly the company websites still show the line as re opening on March 26th and are selling tickets accordingly. There will be people booking to travel to Blackpool over Easter who will be none the wiser until they arrive at Preston!
Please could you let me know how to access the Weekly Ops Notices.
LDECRexile
Established Member
I travelled by train in both directions from Salford Crescent to Buckshaw Parkway today.
Progress visible as follows:
1. New footbridge just north of the M60: bases on southbound side curing in the sunshine, foundation work in evidence on northbound side.
2. A national grid pylon approx. 1 mile south of Kearsley station, southbound side, appeared to have been "cut off" ie wires led to it from the east, but not from it to the west over the railway. Is this progress to wards the oversail problem?
3. I could only see two bases without masts between Moses Gate and Lever St footbridge.
4. Fence has been erected on Bolton platform to prevent pedestrians falling onto the P2 bufferstop and to-be-erected terminating mast off the end of P2.
5. The presumed mast base immediately off the northern end of P1 is now revealed. It is a mast base.
6. Does the pile of rubbish opposite P5 hide a new mast base or it is just a pile of rubbish?
7. Orange on show on the ziggurat at Lostock.
8. Spotted two inclinometers in place as well as the one between P3 and P4 at Bolton.
Photos added to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Progress visible as follows:
1. New footbridge just north of the M60: bases on southbound side curing in the sunshine, foundation work in evidence on northbound side.
2. A national grid pylon approx. 1 mile south of Kearsley station, southbound side, appeared to have been "cut off" ie wires led to it from the east, but not from it to the west over the railway. Is this progress to wards the oversail problem?
3. I could only see two bases without masts between Moses Gate and Lever St footbridge.
4. Fence has been erected on Bolton platform to prevent pedestrians falling onto the P2 bufferstop and to-be-erected terminating mast off the end of P2.
5. The presumed mast base immediately off the northern end of P1 is now revealed. It is a mast base.
6. Does the pile of rubbish opposite P5 hide a new mast base or it is just a pile of rubbish?
7. Orange on show on the ziggurat at Lostock.
8. Spotted two inclinometers in place as well as the one between P3 and P4 at Bolton.
Photos added to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
I am sure that will mean full squadron electric service- not actually completion and energisation etc.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Oh dear indeed. Could you please say where it is reported or post a link?
YorkshireBear
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It is still an oh dear, that is now 3 postponements in less than 6 months.
I too had heard rumblings but nothing official so it will be interesting to see if this does indeed become official, and how locals will respond to further weekend closures (could we be looking at over a year!!!). I would certainly hope that Northern try and get money to cover loss of revenue.
A further nail in the coffin of electrification.
Err, unless you work on the railway I don't think you can. Sorry.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
This is a bit more positive
Tony Miles at the wnxx forum- generally a reliable source!
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
I registered and read the entire thread. It seems they have allowed plenty of contingency this time hence the May 2019 date for squadron electric service.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Delay = Cost = Something else cancelled to make way for it... (and that's just the Network Rail side).
Chrisyd
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I sat on the train this morning and if you were putting forward an argument for completion this May, considering the weekend closures, 4 days at Easter etc, I could have just about believed that with the Blackpool - Preston staff coming on board in late March (alright now mid April), it might be possible!!!! The idea that we are more than a year away, does not seem credible, but yet in my heart of hearts I admit it seems very credible.
So, have a couple of problems just come to light which when scoped have a completion time of a year which are causing this, or is it because it will need every weekend between now and then, with early closures Monday to Thursday until May 2019 to complete??
Whilst everyone focuses on the weekend closures, which are undoubtedly putting people off travelling to Manchester (possibly to Bolton's benefit!), since the Farnworth Tunnel works started, the last train from Manchester, Monday - Thursday has been before 10pm (currently 2124 Vic, 2146 Picc), which means anytime you are out it is a mixture of clock watching or replacement bus services....
So, have a couple of problems just come to light which when scoped have a completion time of a year which are causing this, or is it because it will need every weekend between now and then, with early closures Monday to Thursday until May 2019 to complete??
Whilst everyone focuses on the weekend closures, which are undoubtedly putting people off travelling to Manchester (possibly to Bolton's benefit!), since the Farnworth Tunnel works started, the last train from Manchester, Monday - Thursday has been before 10pm (currently 2124 Vic, 2146 Picc), which means anytime you are out it is a mixture of clock watching or replacement bus services....
Bertie the bus
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The gap at Blackpool Road, Preston has now been wired on the up but there is still a gap to the UCLAN sports centre on the down.
They appear have done precisely nothing in the last 2 weeks around Kirkham & Wesham. There is still a mast lying on the ground west of the junction and no wires to be seen. Absolutely nobody about this afternoon either. So much for Team Orange working night and day to finish the job.
They appear have done precisely nothing in the last 2 weeks around Kirkham & Wesham. There is still a mast lying on the ground west of the junction and no wires to be seen. Absolutely nobody about this afternoon either. So much for Team Orange working night and day to finish the job.
td97
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Network rail are still claiming Dec 2018 in a PR release from earlier today, detailing upcoming work as part of the GNRP over Easter
https://www.networkrailmediacentre....as-work-continues-on-great-north-rail-project
From the Twitter feed, a video clip on the Blackpool North reopening postponement:
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/976189605081960448
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/976189605081960448
Class 170101
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I notice NR put up ther project sponsor rather than the NR Route Director!
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