Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[LDECRexile]

Huyton Viaduct, Adlington featured in yesterday's photos.

Here is is in earlier times:

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW016413
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW016416
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW016417
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW016420
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW016421

...and Aggers' stations:
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW032685
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW032687
https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW032693

 

[YorkshireBear]

I thought that, but in theory you could work (by Pilotman) on the Up from Burnden to Agecroft North, but it would only be two each way per hour at the absolute maximum.

I believe that is the plan. With this time being used by Northern to try and produce a plan that puts extra capacity down the corridor.

A rare achievement in the modern railway I believe usually we just keep it all closed.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I believe that is the plan. With this time being used by Northern to try and produce a plan that puts extra capacity down the corridor.

A rare achievement in the modern railway I believe usually we just keep it all closed.

To get more you'd have to go to ticket working and flight in pairs.

 

[LDECRexile]

To get more you'd have to go to ticket working and flight in pairs.

Also use long trains? What would be possible for Bolton-Salford Cres-Salford Central-Man Vic - six carriages?

What would be possible for Bolton-Picc or Vic or Oxford Rd peak non-stop - ten carriages?

 

[YorkshireBear]

To get more you'd have to go to ticket working and flight in pairs.

I simply meant work out stock allocations to get max length trains all day through the block.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I simply meant work out stock allocations to get max length trains all day through the block.

OK

Also use long trains? What would be possible for Bolton-Salford Cres-Salford Central-Man Vic - six carriages?

What would be possible for Bolton-Picc or Vic or Oxford Rd peak non-stop - ten carriages?

Six would fit anywhere (except the Airport :cry

 

[LDECRexile]

Ann and I are going away tomorrow (Weds), back Friday pm.

I MAY be able to process photos whilst away, otherwise, I'll handle them Fri eve or Sat am.

 

[Darren R]

I believe we may be collectively over-thinking the phrase "reduced train service." Surely it just means a reduced service on the routes that would normally be running through Bolton, with diversions and/or bus replacements in place between Bolton and Manchester. The problem at Moses Gate appears to be with the state of the bridge and cutting, and as such affects both lines - not just the one nearest to the landslide.

Regarding the remodelling at Bolton, the signalling appears to be up and running and now allowing trains to/from Clitheroe to run through unhindered. I also notice (from Realtime Trains) that the Clitheroe trains were today using platform 1 at Bolton, rather than the truncated platform 3 they were using during the blockade.

Two Tampers have trundled their way through Darwen heading to Bolton in the last half hour.

 

[ALX400]

Just had a quick look at the line on my way home as its late, plenty of work going on in the Chorley area re mast installation and such like a number of work site's on the line, at Blackrod I noticed a mahoosive crane at work near the access point with wagons being unloaded, plenty of Carillion folk around, cant help but think these may be parts for the new foot crossing at Anderton Hall, surly that will need starting soon.

 

[QueensCurve]

I was struck by what appears to be the close spacing of the new signals on the Down line approaching Bolton from the south. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/35973301623/in/album-72157661069863633/) The distance between the turnout signal at Burnden Junction and the next signals on both the Down Main and the Down Passenger Loop appears to be barely more than a train's length. I presume there is a reason for this - it just struck me as unusually close together for a new signalling scheme.

Depth compression by a telephoto lens?

 

[QueensCurve]

Huyton Viaduct, Adlington featured in yesterday's photos.

Huyton viaduct would see to be a long way from Huyton.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Huyton viaduct would see to be a long way from Huyton.

Not in the least bit confusing, especially with work going on at both locations!

 

[HowardGWR]

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW032685

To we southerners, all these Lancs names are like something from a list of sports stars, notorious crimes or TV series. Is it known whether the soap character was named after this depot? Bit OT but fascinating.

 

[snowball]

To we southerners, all these Lancs names are like something from a list of sports stars, notorious crimes or TV series. Is it known whether the soap character was named after this depot? Bit OT but fascinating.

Leonard Fairclough was a real civil engineering contractor who built a lot of the country's motorways, especially but not exclusively in the NW, so it was a very convenient free advertisement when a builder in Coronation Street was given the same name.

Almost as convenient as having a Minister of Transport who was also a contractor.

 

[Hophead]

For some of us from far away (well, me at least), do the locals have any gut feel for the likely introduction of electric trains through Bolton in December? I know that there has already been mention of a February date for TPE but, naturally, Network Rail are unlikely to admit to a late completion until the day before (if previous projects are anything to go by).

As a regular consumer of the excellent Flickr photostream, there seems to me to still be a distinct lack of masts, and next to no catenary over most of the route.

I wouldn't hold anybody to a prediction but, from 250 miles away, it doesn't look like there'll be a working EMU through Bolton & Chorley this year.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I know that there has already been mention of a February date for TPE but, naturally, Network Rail are unlikely to admit to a late completion until the day before (if previous projects are anything to go by).

With the bridge collapse etc, I think the best we can hope for is an electric test train through the area - perhaps even driver training. I just can not see squadron electric service until May 2018 - I hope I am wrong.

 

[snowball]

I agree that May is a more likely completion date than December but I don't think the so-callled bridge collapse is much of a factor. (It's actually only a wing wall that's collapsed.)

Edit: no sooner do I write the above than I see this picture on the Twitter feed which shows that the collapse goes well into the abutment too:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIfeeLMXgAINd8D.jpg

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I agree that May is a more likely completion date than December but I don't think the so-callled bridge collapse is much of a factor. (It's actually only a wing wall that's collapsed.)

Edit: no sooner do I write the above than I see this picture on the Twitter feed which shows that the collapse goes well into the abutment too:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIfeeLMXgAINd8D.jpg

Yikesers - that will require a bespoke solution and which ever way you dress it up consume engineering resources. IMHO - NR are pretty good in situations like this though- Settle and Carlisle Landslip, Dawlish Seawall - Carlisle - Glasgow spring to mind.

I stick by my May 2018 electric timetable service prediction.

 

[td97]

Surely the bridge collapse can allow the work on other parts of the line to be accelerated, especially this week when there's no trains 24/7?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Surely the bridge collapse can allow the work on other parts of the line to be accelerated, especially this week when there's no trains 24/7?

Logic says you are correct -but if it has not been planned for well in advance it may not be as simple as you suggest. As an example , all the steelwork delivery from suppliers would have to have the delivery schedule altered - and engineers work patterns changed.

But overall, I would hope more gets done than originally planned -or if they were behind schedule they can at least catch up.

 

[swt_passenger]

IMHO - NR are pretty good in situations like this though- Settle and Carlisle Landslip, Dawlish Seawall - Carlisle - Glasgow spring to mind.

Isn't some of that because they just crack on and work out what the actual costs were afterwards?

 

[notlob.divad]

Very similar to the Lime Street cutting collapse the other year. Network rail where excellent when it came to cracking on with the repairs and some other works at the same time.

They where able to crack on with some of the early works for the station upgrade during the blockade. However I would suggest from my experience of project work, early stage works a-la Lime Street would be easier to accelerate like this, than works in the middle / towards the end a-la Man-Preston electrification.

 

[Chrisyd]

There is an article in the Bolton News, about how bad the replacement bus services are.

In summary usual complaints
-Not enough buses
-Not enough staff supporting
-Bus drivers being directed by passengers
-Buses stopping at stations when it is announced they are direct to Victoria etc.

Ends with a quote from an MP with a comparison to investment in trains in the South of England.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news...ty__and_sweaty__39__buses_amid_rail_shutdown/

Katie Macdonald says that her daily round trip from Bromley Cross to Manchester Victoria now takes five hours and that there are not enough buses to meet demand.


She said: "It is like being in the Third World.

"There aren't enough buses and there aren't enough staff at the station to manage what is happening.

"Yesterday, loads of people waited to get a direct bus to Victoria, but when we got on board it stopped at all of the Salford stations too — none of us were going there.

"The buses are hot, dirty, and sweaty. I can't keep doing this."

The disruption means that she is forced to get the 7.34am train from Bromley Cross to Bolton — almost an hour earlier than she would normally leave — and then take a coach to the city centre.

She is also leaving work early at 4pm, but did not arrive home until 7.15pm on Tuesday.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Work has been brought forward making use of the extra access. Most of the designs and materials were in place so they have just cracked on.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

It is like being in the Third World

No, it isn't. The third world is often plagued by wars, has little to eat, little education, poor sanitation, no running water and no means of transport beyond walking and beasts of burden.

Perspective!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

QUOTE= She said: "It is like being in the Third World.

Typical politician BS - HYPERBOLE

No, it isn't. The third world is often plagued by wars, has little to eat, little education, poor sanitation, no running water and no means of transport beyond walking and beasts of burden.
Perspective!

EXACTLY Sir

 

[IanXC]

no running water

Let's not mention water supplies shall we?

 

[ALX400]

It's just being reported that the line at Moses Gate will re open fully next Wednesday, whatever NR have been doing round the clock has clearly worked and they are happy to let trains run once again, the road above though is still looking st a six week closure, hats off to the Orange Army again

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's just being reported that the line at Moses Gate will re open fully next Wednesday, whatever NR have been doing round the clock has clearly worked and they are happy to let trains run once again, the road above though is still looking st a six week closure, hats off to the Orange Army again

Wow - great news. As has been confirmed above, the extra blockade time has also been used to reasonably good effect.

 

[snowball]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/railway-through-bolton-to-fully-reopen-next-week/

Passengers will be able to travel by train between Bolton and Manchester next week when the line reopens early after a burst water main caused major damage to a bridge.

The Moses Gate railway bridge, near Bolton, was badly damaged on 17 August when the burst pipe caused a section of it to collapse onto the railway below and created a hole in the road above.

Thanks to a carefully executed repair programme and round-the-clock working, the line is due to fully reopen on Wednesday 6 September.

The railway was originally expected to be impacted for several weeks.

Andy Morgan, senior sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We have worked round-the-clock to repair the damaged bridge so we can get passengers back onto trains as normal between Bolton and Manchester as soon as possible.

“Repairing the water-damaged bridge has been a complex engineering challenge which included rebuilding a large section of wall which supports the bridge. Thankfully we have been able to fast track some of the work so Northern can run a full train service again from Wednesday 6 September.

“We continue to work with Bolton Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and United Utilities to safely finish the repairs and I thank passengers and local people for their ongoing patience.”

Liam Sumpter, Northern regional director, said: “We look forward to welcoming customers back to Bolton on Wednesday as we restart a full train service for journeys into Manchester.

“We want to thank all of our customers for their help and understanding as we’ve worked through the challenges of the Moses Gate situation.”

Before the water main burst, the railway through the area was already closed because of upgrade work at Bolton station as part of the Great North Rail Project. The station and railway between Bolton and Manchester was due to open on Monday 28 August. The work at the station – which included remodelling of the tracks, station platforms and signalling systems – was completed on time as planned and is part of plans to upgrade and electrify the railway to provide passengers with better, more reliable trains.

The bus replacement services which are currently in operation will continue until the railway reopens on Wednesday 6 September. Customers can plan and check their journeys at www.nationalrail.co.uk or go to Twitter @northernassist or www.journeycheck.com/northern for the latest travel advice.

Work to stabilise the embankment and complete repairs to the bridge will continue at Moses Gate. Although a completion date for work to the road is yet to be confirmed it is expected reopen within the original six week estimate.