Recent content by Durham Ox

The removal of the disused Platform 4/5 and redundant track will commence in Jan2013 with the construction of the new car par k in its place following on. This constitutes Phase One with the remainder of the station refurbishment and new build after that.

Site works have commenced on the Manchester Regional Operating Centre (MROC) at Ashburys although there are archeological works underway which need to be completed before any construction works can commence. Currently only site clearance to enable the archeological investigations has taken place...

Tithebarn St is being reconstructed to achieve the required clearances.

Movement in Holme Tunnel is a longstanding issue. I can remember supports being installed there back in BR days c.1989. In these situations all you can do is monitor the structures until the surrounding topography stabilises itself although how long that will take is anybodys guess.

Demolition of the tunnels was considered as one of the options in the early stages and discounted due to the A666 passing over and the requirement for new bridges to carry that. The most likely option is that the inverts will be lowered to achieve the necessary clearances with the sidewalls...

& a couple more.............

Elevated photo of Castlefield taken back in March.

The remaining gantries to go up on Castlefield apart from the two over the river are more substantial structures as they are tying into existing equipment and consequently require more robust foundations than for those already erected. The bracket type fixings used so far are unsuitable and the...

The second phase of Castlefield gantry erection has now been delayed due to planning issues but should still commence around the end of this month.

The next phase of the NW electrification programme due to start is Preston to Blackpool which will get underway this September with 16no. structures to clear before wiring can start. This entails 12no. bridge deck reconstructions, 1no. demolition & 3no. track lowers. Manchester to Euxton...

More gantries will be going up over Castlefield Viaduct in August. The ones over the River Irwell and a couple at the Deansgate end werent put up in the first phase.