GRALISTAIR
Established Member
It really is getting exciting. With that done all can focus on Euxton to Manchester.
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Blackpool - Manchester Electrification
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RailUK Forums
I see that NR are still installing bum freezer seats - pity. At least these under the canopy won't be wet, as well, when it rains.
Thanks for all your photos and those of colleagues.
edwin_m
Veteran Member
"No wires beyond the signal" may actually mean "suitable for electric trains to run up to the signal but not beyond". So the first mast beyond the signal will locate the wires above the track before the signal, and after that the wires will dive off to one side to terminate on another mast - possibly the next one visible on that shot, although I don't see any sign of a backstay.
themiller
Established Member
Just a suggestion, but could there be another mast to plant where the black plastic sheet is to take the end of the wire run? It looks like there's a foundation to the left of it (stud bolts just sticking up) if you zoom in.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Post #6447, which is from a very strong source, explicitly says no wires beyond the signal, hence no gap after the current most northerly base, which is more or less opposite the end of the coffee bar. Please look to the left of the train here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/40634074042/in/album-72157661069863633/
Posts #6450, #6453 and #6454 state or imply that there is to be a wire over the P1 line beyond the signal, for whatever purpose - trailing off, giving overlap or whatever.
If #6447 is as it reads, then what is the purpose of the mast north of the bridge just beyond the signal, standing next to the Platform 1 line? (and the possible base beyond that as pointed out in #6454?)
If #6450, #6453 and #6454 are onto something, then how will the wire get from the "Coffee Bar" mast-to-be to the mast just beyond the signal? This question arises because to my lay eyes 1. the distance is long and 2. there is a heck of a curve, which would seem to take a straight wire up against the bridge side.
As always, I ask out of naivete and puzzlement.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/40634074042/in/album-72157661069863633/
Posts #6450, #6453 and #6454 state or imply that there is to be a wire over the P1 line beyond the signal, for whatever purpose - trailing off, giving overlap or whatever.
If #6447 is as it reads, then what is the purpose of the mast north of the bridge just beyond the signal, standing next to the Platform 1 line? (and the possible base beyond that as pointed out in #6454?)
If #6450, #6453 and #6454 are onto something, then how will the wire get from the "Coffee Bar" mast-to-be to the mast just beyond the signal? This question arises because to my lay eyes 1. the distance is long and 2. there is a heck of a curve, which would seem to take a straight wire up against the bridge side.
As always, I ask out of naivete and puzzlement.
59CosG95
Established Member
It could be that the mast that's bagged over (as stated in #6454) won't be the only fixture for OLE; I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't drill a cantilever in the retaining wall behind the sign in picture 9680k. That would keep the wires in alignment.
Thus, the sign would only imply that electric trains couldn't run north from P1 at this stage, with the overrun being provided in case of a braking fault and a unit becoming stranded.
Of course, Joseph_Locke knows better than I do with regards to this specific project, so I'm willing to be corrected here.
Re. the missing mast, is it possible that the wires will be attached to the underside of Trinity Street bridge?
LDECRexile
Established Member
Yesterday I reported that "5 TTCs in place between the station footbridge and Rawson St, Farnworth, making that section look fully masted. Rawson St to Balustraded bridge baseless as far as I could see." Wrinkley has pointed out that I'm back to front, I should have written "5 TTCs in place between Rawson St and the Balustraded bridge in Farnworth, making that section look fully masted. but from the station footbridge to Rawson St remains baseless as far as I could see." Apologies.
Wrinkley has been out and about today. He sent this report to accompany his photos:
"Kearsley to the tunnel, no change as far as masts are concerned since my last photos.
Still a gap just north of the balustraded bridge.
Still bases with no masts between Bolton station and Newport Street. Two on the P4 line and one on the P3 line.
Nothing between Newport Street and the next bridge,
The second big base just before Great Moor Street Bridge is complete. There is a small pile at the side of the up line next to these bases, which would seem to be redundant
A second small base between Great Moor Street and Moor Lane.
Apart from the bases on the Wigan line I can’t see any real change between the golf course bridge at Lostock and Dean Clough since before Carillion went down.
No sign of the car park closing at Lostock when the substation unit are brought in."
I've added the photos to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157654034635234
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you Wrinkley.
Wrinkley has been out and about today. He sent this report to accompany his photos:
"Kearsley to the tunnel, no change as far as masts are concerned since my last photos.
Still a gap just north of the balustraded bridge.
Still bases with no masts between Bolton station and Newport Street. Two on the P4 line and one on the P3 line.
Nothing between Newport Street and the next bridge,
The second big base just before Great Moor Street Bridge is complete. There is a small pile at the side of the up line next to these bases, which would seem to be redundant
A second small base between Great Moor Street and Moor Lane.
Apart from the bases on the Wigan line I can’t see any real change between the golf course bridge at Lostock and Dean Clough since before Carillion went down.
No sign of the car park closing at Lostock when the substation unit are brought in."
I've added the photos to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157654034635234
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you Wrinkley.
Joseph_Locke
Established Member
Mr Locke feasts on humble pie - there will be stovepipes and bridge arms three to conduct the ... conductor under the bridge and northwards. Apologies for any confusion, the design changes when you're not looking.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
Twitter feed updated with wiring work Preston-Blackpool - https://twitter.com/TheGNRP
LDECRexile
Established Member
Bad news.
I believe a road-rail wiring vehicle has crashed into a field somewhere between Kirkham and Wesham and Blackpool North.
The saving grace is that the driver is OK and no-one is injured.
I have no further info at this stage, such as what implications, if any, this has for the timeliness of the project.
I believe a road-rail wiring vehicle has crashed into a field somewhere between Kirkham and Wesham and Blackpool North.
The saving grace is that the driver is OK and no-one is injured.
I have no further info at this stage, such as what implications, if any, this has for the timeliness of the project.
Last edited:
LDECRexile
Established Member
The vehicle is being retrieved tonight; if possible it will be repaired and put to work for tomorrow's and Sunday's shifts.
A second saving grace is if the vehicle is beyond speedy repair, then the wheels-free week will give a chance to get a replacement without too much loss of time.
Good luck to all concerned.
A second saving grace is if the vehicle is beyond speedy repair, then the wheels-free week will give a chance to get a replacement without too much loss of time.
Good luck to all concerned.
LDECRexile
Established Member
1. Reg has kindly sent more shots of steel round the Blackburn lines at Bolton, plus one of danglification in the Burnden area.
I've added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you Reg.
2. Readers are reminded to keep an eye on the albums linked to the very first photo in the Combined Volume. "Blackpoolbeach" for example frequently adds quality shots of electrification work in the Blackpool area.
3. Thank you Joseph Locke for clarifying the current state of play on the Blackburn lines at Bolton.
I've added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you Reg.
2. Readers are reminded to keep an eye on the albums linked to the very first photo in the Combined Volume. "Blackpoolbeach" for example frequently adds quality shots of electrification work in the Blackpool area.
3. Thank you Joseph Locke for clarifying the current state of play on the Blackburn lines at Bolton.
LDECRexile
Established Member
I have shared all I know and will continue to do so if and when I hear more.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Is this "baseless speculation"?
No, Wrinkley's photos show it to be baseless fact, in fact as bassless as a girl's school choir. This recalls the Oxford University Philosophy question "Is this a question?" to which the answer "No, this in an answer" won a Starred First.
Class 170101
On Moderation
- Joined
- 1 Mar 2014
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- 8,661
Keep your beady eyes glued on those pesky architects we don't need any more screw ups
LDECRexile
Established Member
ALX400 has kindly sent photos of progress at the bespoke megabase at Blackrod station.
I've added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you ALX.
I've added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352
and to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633
Thank you ALX.
SodTheDrummer
Member
Some Blackpool area pictures that have appeared on the Twitter feed in the last few days:
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972863193268793344
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972432838997037056
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972130584180023296
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972863193268793344
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972432838997037056
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/972130584180023296
edwin_m
Veteran Member
"Bespoke megabase" sounds like the lair of a Bond villain. Perhaps Blofeld is hiding out in one of those abandoned mineworkings, pressing a button that triggers a flow of sand somewhere new just when NR think they have go on top of things...
Stroking a white station cat.
YorkshireBear
Established Member
- Joined
- 23 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 9,661
There is still some bases without steelwork around Windsor Bridge Junction.
From the Twitter feed, a picture of the foundation for the electrical thingy at Lostock:
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/973136523267903488
https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/973136523267903488
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
Looks fairly substantial judging by the rebar cage etc. Just as it should be for a substation. All good progress
LDECRexile
Established Member
I have been told that the road-rail vehicle accident I reported in posts #6464 and #6465 did not take place on railway land. No damage to the railway occurred. No-one was hurt.
I have no further information on this incident or the vehicle or the implications for the project, if any. If and when I learn more I will pass it on.
I have no further information on this incident or the vehicle or the implications for the project, if any. If and when I learn more I will pass it on.
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