Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[LeylandLen]

1Q01 2328 Preston to Blackpool North is shown as class 390 on RTT tonight.

Followed by 1Q03 AND 1Q04 in the early hours of tomorrow. Hopefully, might see a picture of the 390 at BPN, if only an un-official one !?

 

[59CosG95]

Followed by 1Q03 AND 1Q04 in the early hours of tomorrow. Hopefully, might see a picture of the 390 at BPN, if only an un-official one !?

You missed 1Q02 between 1Q01 & 1Q03

 

[Elecman]

The short circuit testing went ok last night so the Pendo is cleared to run tonight

 

[PDG1949]

Realtime Trains is now showing 'Test' at the bottom of 'schedule information' for Pendo 1Q01 - 1Q04 runs.

 

[LOL The Irony]

It passed Fylde Jct half a minute early

 

[LOL The Irony]

It's currently 2 minutes late Kirkham

 

[LOL The Irony]

It arrived 4 minutes late into Blackpool

 

[AM9]

Open Train Times maps shows it sitting at the platform at BPN with a path set to go.

 

[LOL The Irony]

It left 10 late

 

[Starmill]

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/996167865496719360?s=19

GNRP Twitter

390 152

 

[GRALISTAIR]

This is not RTT -it is RTU - Real Time Updates - outstanding guys -thanks.

 

[Railrover700]

I have added a couple of videos of the pendolino test runs. One shows the first test run accelerating away from Fylde Junction, and the second the return journey through Salwick.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/albums/72157679909475566

 

[jTrain]

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/996167865496719360?s=19

GNRP Twitter

390 152

It's great to see some positive news. I hope the direct London service launch with the new timetable goes smoothly.

 

[LDECRexile]

Last night I had the privilege and pleasure of being invited to Blackpool North to photograph the test trains and to enjoy the buzz.

John Evans was on the trains. John has kindly sent photos of the event, which I've added to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651706566841

I've added both of our contributions to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Warm congratulations to all concerned.

 

[DJH1971]

Looks like a success then despite so fears a train would not be tested in time for the new timetable.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I wonder when NWSparks aka Phil Wieland will update his map on his website and show Preston to Blackpool as green?

 

[The_Engineer]

I wonder when NWSparks aka Phil Wieland will update his map on his website and show Preston to Blackpool as green?

Perhaps when the ORR issues a certificate that allows for electric passenger trains to run? We are assured, though, that this will be THIS WEEK provided nothing showed up to prevent such on last night's runs.

 

[John Boy]

Two bases have been installed at Salford crescent.

 

[Foggycorner]

there is also a third steel tube at the Bolton end of the platform in the trees that looks like is unfinished due to 1 ran out of time or 2 hit an problem (buried wall or other part of the building that used to be there)

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Two bases have been installed at Salford crescent.

Ah, the missing bases for P2 wires...

 

[Ploughman]

Is the testing limited to one unit?
Can they get all useful data from that?
As 2 units under power would be more realistic surely?

 

[nodrogchannel]

NODROG has kindly agreed to allow me to create a link between his YouTube Channel and the Combined Volume (CV), which I have now done.

To access it and the other flickr albums which are linked to the CV please go into the CV (below) and click on the very first image, look down the screen to the Comments, all of which contain links to people's work. NODROG's, being the latest, is the last one. The CV is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you NODROG. Any further material you add to your channel will automatically be added to the link, needing no extra effort on your part or mine.

Your most welcome.

 

[nodrogchannel]

NODROG has kindly agreed to allow me to create a link between his YouTube Channel and the Combined Volume (CV), which I have now done.

To access it and the other flickr albums which are linked to the CV please go into the CV (below) and click on the very first image, look down the screen to the Comments, all of which contain links to people's work. NODROG's, being the latest, is the last one. The CV is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you NODROG. Any further material you add to your channel will automatically be added to the link, needing no extra effort on your part or mine.

Great photos! I see I'm on a few! (May I use them for personal use?) Many thanks.

 

[nodrogchannel]

It was purely human stupidity that led me to spell it as Nogrod!

I'll forgive you!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is the testing limited to one unit?
Can they get all useful data from that?
As 2 units under power would be more realistic surely?

The first section of NW wiring (Castlefield-Golborne Jn) was tested with 2x390s, pulling away from Eccles in opposite directions.
I think that was the second test, the first one being a single 390.
One difference is that Preston-Blackpool North is not ATF fitted.

 

[The_Engineer]

Is the testing limited to one unit?
Can they get all useful data from that?
As 2 units under power would be more realistic surely?

The testing done with the Class 390 is what is usually done by the MENTOR test car - which is looking at pantograph interface with the wire. Power draw is not tested by MENTOR as it is a passive vehicle, rather it measures supply characteristics and pantograph upforce (conductor wire forces).

 

[kaiser62]

The testing done with the Class 390 is what is usually done by the MENTOR test car - which is looking at pantograph interface with the wire. Power draw is not tested by MENTOR as it is a passive vehicle, rather it measures supply characteristics and pantograph upforce (conductor wire forces).

What happened to the old mobile load bank....was a redundant 83 I think? Is it no longer deemed necessary to test in that manner. Seemed to make sense as Mentor is passive as you mention.

 

[The_Engineer]

What happened to the old mobile load bank....was a redundant 83 I think?

Yes, it was Class 84 (84.009 - ADB968021) and was a static load bank which could be hauled along an electrified line to give a load to the overhead.

Later, many load tests were done using two Class 90s, one motoring and the other in dynamic brake.

Latterly there were a pair of Class 86s (86.901 and 86.902) that did this function, their redesign (2004) was done by a good friend and colleague of mine! The 86s could move under their own power. These were withdrawn in 2016 I think...

If you're interested see http://www.traintesting.com/Loadbank.htm

 

[nw-sparks]

Perhaps when the ORR issues a certificate that allows for electric passenger trains to run? We are assured, though, that this will be THIS WEEK provided nothing showed up to prevent such on last night's runs.

Or it could be when he gets round to it.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Our boy Nodrog has uploaded