Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[LDECRexile]

I've added the remainder of the smashing material Bill Morton sent me and captioned the lot. What is especially pleasing about it is that Bill has taken a lot (not all) of shots from the same spots, over time, so you get fascinating timelines.

I've added the material to Bill's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/

and woven it into the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Thank you Bill.

I look forward to receiving more from contributors old and new.

Dave
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
ALX400 has sent four fab photos of bridge parapet sections being craned into place, which he took at Blackrod today.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651121057352/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Thank you ALX400.

 

[LDECRexile]

I had a good day out yesterday exploring bridges and foot crossings between Lostock and Salford.

I've added photos to the Combined Volume (no captions yet) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

and updated the Bridgeoscope below.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I had a good day out yesterday exploring bridges and foot crossings between Lostock and Salford.

I've added photos to the Combined Volume (no captions yet) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

and updated the Bridgeoscope below.

Cracking images - thanks to one and all.

I wonder if NR have noticed that they've missed a bit at Kearsley

 

[TheKnightWho]

I had a good day out yesterday exploring bridges and foot crossings between Lostock and Salford.

I've added photos to the Combined Volume (no captions yet) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

and updated the Bridgeoscope below.

Thanks for the update!

Just a small request - could you please hyperlink those website links at all? It'd make life much easier than having to copy and paste each one individually.

 

[snowball]

Thanks for the update!

Just a small request - could you please hyperlink those website links at all? It'd make life much easier than having to copy and paste each one individually.

They're clickable already aren't they? I've never had to copy and paste LDECR's links.

 

[TheKnightWho]

They're clickable already aren't they? I've never had to copy and paste LDECR's links.

So I'm testing it in Excel 2013 now. When I copy and paste it manually, Excel seems to pick up on the fact that it's a URL and turns it into a clickable hyperlink automatically for future use. However, that only happens if you copy and paste it the first time, which you have no choice but to do. Very strange!

 

[snowball]

Ah, you mean links inside the bridgeometer? I thought you meant the links in his posts.

I seem to remember I discovered there are two ways of clicking, one of which works. I'll have to experiment to rediscover it.

Edit: no I didn't, I remembered wrong.

 

[Darren R]

There were what NRE called "signalling problems in the Farnworth area" this morning, causing delays and cancellations (may have been track circuit failure but I'm not certain.) Was this connected to the work done over the weekend or was it just coincidence?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Another 7-odd mast bases have gone in over the past week between Lostock and Chorley (Up line).
That makes about 40% of the bases needed over the Lostock-Euxton section.

Lots of activity around Kearsley and Moses Gate, where the new switches for the single line working have gone in.
Looks like tree clearance for access to the east portal of Farnworth tunnel was in progress too.

 

[ironstone11]

Ah, you mean links inside the bridgeometer? I thought you meant the links in his posts.

I seem to remember I discovered there are two ways of clicking, one of which works. I'll have to experiment to rediscover it.

The answer, at least in OpenOffice Calc, is to add a space after the URL. This turns the cell into a hypertext link.

You can then open the link in a browser by using Ctrl left mouse click. As downloaded the file is read only, so you can't add a space without first saving the file.

So perhaps LDECRexile wouldn't mind adding the spaces at source.

 

[LDECRexile]

The answer, at least in OpenOffice Calc, is to add a space after the URL. This turns the cell into a hypertext link.

You can then open the link in a browser by using Ctrl left mouse click. As downloaded the file is read only, so you can't add a space without first saving the file.

So perhaps LDECRexile wouldn't mind adding the spaces at source.

Thank you and others for working out the question then working out the answer.

I'm happy to oblige you.

 

[LDECRexile]

Bill Morton has kindly sent five photos he took at Rawlinson Lane bridge on Sunday.

I have added them to Bill's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Can anyone please tell us what type of wagon is shown in Photo 3584g and what it is carrying?

Thank you Bill.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Can't do the wagon type but the load is the panel lifting beam(s) and lifting tackle for a Kirow rail crane - I'd guess its a Polish-built Salmon derivative.

 

[LDECRexile]

Can't do the wagon type but the load is the panel lifting beam(s) and lifting tackle for a Kirow rail crane - I'd guess its a Polish-built Salmon derivative.

Fab, thanks. I've updated the caption accordingly.

A newcomer has contacted me directly to point out that the Bridgeometer had MVE2 Bridge 25 a mile adrift at 13m 77ch instead of 14m 77ch. I reckon he's right, as the bridge is west of Lostock station.

I've corrected the data and awarded him (or her) an Eagle-eyed Newcomer Badge, which doubtless brings a blush of pride.

For my money factual contributions like photos, the prompt description of the wagon's load and this mileage are what makes this thread and its Liverpool-Manchester elder brother worth the effort.

Thanks to all who contribute in like manner.

Warm welcome to Eagle-eye.

 

[Francis]

Bill Morton has kindly sent five photos he took at Rawlinson Lane bridge on Sunday.

I have added them to Bill's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Can anyone please tell us what type of wagon is shown in Photo 3584g and what it is carrying?]

Please note, Bill's pictures 2953j and 2953i are of the mini-roundabout on the A6 at the bottom of Railway Road Adlington, not Rawlinson Lane i.e. to do with the temporary traffic lights on Railway Road while the other bridges (Rawlinson Lane, Chorley Road, Grimeford Lane) are closed.

Anyway, that's just me being pedantic. What I really wanted to say was a big thank you for all the great pictures of the work in progress. I live in Chorley but I haven't had time to go out and watch everything that's being done in the electrification works, and this forum is keeping us bang up to date with the progress of all the works - especially these photos of the bridge works. So many thanks to all those who've posted info and photos. Much appreciated. Makes you realise just how much work is involved in an electrification.

 

[LDECRexile]

Bill Morton has kindly sent five photos he took at Rawlinson Lane bridge on Sunday.

I have added them to Bill's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Can anyone please tell us what type of wagon is shown in Photo 3584g and what it is carrying?]

Please note, Bill's pictures 2953j and 2953i are of the mini-roundabout on the A6 at the bottom of Railway Road Adlington, not Rawlinson Lane i.e. to do with the temporary traffic lights on Railway Road while the other bridges (Rawlinson Lane, Chorley Road, Grimeford Lane) are closed.

Anyway, that's just me being pedantic. What I really wanted to say was a big thank you for all the great pictures of the work in progress. I live in Chorley but I haven't had time to go out and watch everything that's being done in the electrification works, and this forum is keeping us bang up to date with the progress of all the works - especially these photos of the bridge works. So many thanks to all those who've posted info and photos. Much appreciated. Makes you realise just how much work is involved in an electrification.

Thank you for your kind remarks and eye for detail. I'll ask Bill to confirm your geography, as I'm the new kid on the block.

If you do get chances to go out and about please don't forget to take your camera or mobile phone. The quality and range of coverage is related to the square of the number of photographers.

Kind regards

Dave

 

[themiller]

Can anyone please tell us what type of wagon is shown in Photo 3584g and what it is carrying?]

It looks like the two items on the left of the wagon are lifting beams. The black item at the nearest end looks to be a hydraulic ram so is probably a jack as it appears to have a base plate. This would lead me to suggest that the wagon could be a supplementary material wagon for a crane.

 

[LDECRexile]

It looks like the two items on the left of the wagon are lifting beams. The black item at the nearest end looks to be a hydraulic ram so is probably a jack as it appears to have a base plate. This would lead me to suggest that the wagon could be a supplementary material wagon for a crane.

Thank you for going to this trouble.

Your info corroborates what Joseph Locke wrote in Post #763, ie 'Can't do the wagon type but the load is the panel lifting beam(s) and lifting tackle for a Kirow rail crane - I'd guess its a Polish-built Salmon derivative.'

The more folks chip in constructive two pennorths the merrier, so thanks once again.

Dave
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I understand things should be happening this weekend at:

Phase 2:

Laser Scanning of metalwork at Cornbrook Viaduct.
Removal of redundant overhead equipment at Allerton Depot.
Trackwork between Wavertree and Earlestown, also at St Helens Central.
Platform resurfacing on some Chat Moss and Wigan branch stations
Work on switches at several points on Chat Moss.
Speed sign installations, raising parapets and platform edging at Manchester Victoria.

Phase 4

Farnworth Tunnel, installing the remaining halves of the new crossovers at Kearsley & Moses Gate.

This is as well as things such as installing bases on Phase 4.

I apologise in advance if I've misinterpreted anything I've been told in good faith.

Dave

 

[swt_passenger]

The black item at the nearest end looks to be a hydraulic ram so is probably a jack as it appears to have a base plate. This would lead me to suggest that the wagon could be a supplementary material wagon for a crane.

The device that looks like a jack supports the Kirow crane's jib when it is being hauled to/from site in a larger consist, there's a good clear photo of a Colas version here:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABMQcc989...RxiB70/s1600/DRC81612+Eastleigh+05Jul14+a.jpg

 

[snowball]

Farnworth Tunnel, installing the remaining halves of the new crossovers at Kearsley & Moses Gate.

If anyone's planning to be in the area, it may be possible to get a glimpse of the Moses Gate crossover from the cul-de-sac next to MG station. I was there last Sunday (with binoculars but no camera) and glimpsed the first half. I don't think there have been any pictures of it in the album.

There's a bungalow very near the Farnworth Station end of Farnworth tunnel that makes me wonder if it was deliberately designed to look like the mouth of a tunnel. Here's a StreetView link:

http://goo.gl/maps/iuN2y

 

[LDECRexile]

Readers will have noticed Ironstone11's constructive contributions.

He's gone one step further and made proper links out of all the co-ordinates in the Bridgeoscope. He's also filled the gaps and corrected one.

Please see the Revised Edition below.

Thank you Ironstone11.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am in England tomorrow until next Saturday for my Brother-in-laws funeral. I should be able to get to a few locations Preston-Blackpool and report progress.

 

[LDECRexile]

Please accept my condolences.

My heart goes out to your sister and your family.

Dave

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Please accept my condolences.

My heart goes out to your sister and your family.

Dave

Thanks -it is actually my wife's brother.

 

[LDECRexile]

We had a blockage today, so instead of Blackrod and trains it was brown rod and drains. Yuk.

Ironstone11 has contacted me again, making the Bridgeoscope even better, as below.

Thank you Ironstone11

Someone mentioned Farnworth Tunnel works a day or two ago.

As there is thread dedicated to that major project I don't propose to cover it in this thread or in our album, though I won't turn down any pictures anyone cares to send.

Dave

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some more progress to report on mast base installation.
The number has gone up to about 122 on each side between Lostock and Chorley (from 115 last week), making about 43% of the Lostock-Euxton section.
Most of the new ones have gone in around Adlington. There is still nothing west of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal bridge.
The count between stations north from Lostock is (averaging both tracks): 34/20/42/26.
I think you'd expect progress to be faster than this to finish in time, but it's always difficult assessing progress without knowing what is going on behind the scenes.
All the bases are of the round concrete type - no sign of any piles yet. Or masts.

 

[ALX400]

I went down to Blackrod at weekend for a quick peek at progress, Station Road bridge is coming along nicely, concrete and new service pipes installed ready on the deck, sides up just needing finishing off so it looks, further up the track towards Adlington the bridge for the Anderton crossing is up, mast base vehicles were trundling up and down from the access point at Blackrod.

I'm hearing that there has apparently been a few issues with the Bridges at Stump Lane in Chorley and Rawlinson Lane in Adlington in that they have been installed to low and need re engineering also there's a mine shaft at Skew Bridge causing issues and concerns, can anyone in the know shed any light on this ?

 

[LDECRexile]

Some more progress to report on mast base installation.
The number has gone up to about 122 on each side between Lostock and Chorley (from 115 last week), making about 43% of the Lostock-Euxton section.
Most of the new ones have gone in around Adlington. There is still nothing west of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal bridge.
The count between stations north from Lostock is (averaging both tracks): 34/20/42/26.
I think you'd expect progress to be faster than this to finish in time, but it's always difficult assessing progress without knowing what is going on behind the scenes.
All the bases are of the round concrete type - no sign of any piles yet. Or masts.

Thank you.

What do you mean by 'piles' in this context?

I've updated the Progressometer based on your new data and added new columns N and O to give numeric totals to go with the text notes on bases and masts.

 

[LDECRexile]

I went down to Blackrod at weekend for a quick peek at progress, Station Road bridge is coming along nicely, concrete and new service pipes installed ready on the deck, sides up just needing finishing off so it looks, further up the track towards Adlington the bridge for the Anderton crossing is up, mast base vehicles were trundling up and down from the access point at Blackrod.

I'm hearing that there has apparently been a few issues with the Bridges at Stump Lane in Chorley and Rawlinson Lane in Adlington in that they have been installed to low and need re engineering also there's a mine shaft at Skew Bridge causing issues and concerns, can anyone in the know shed any light on this ?

Thanks for this mixed bag of good news-bad news.

I know nowt about the bad news.

By the 'Anderton crossing' do you mean the one just visible north of Blackrod which carries an ancient footway from Blackrod to Horwich? If so, that's serious progress since Paul and I visited a couple of weeks ago when nothing at all had happened.

Any photos?

Kind regards

Dave

 

[ALX400]

Thanks for this mixed bag of good news-bad news.

I know nowt about the bad news.

By the 'Anderton crossing' do you mean the one just visible north of Blackrod which carries an ancient footway from Blackrod to Horwich? If so, that's serious progress since Paul and I visited a couple of weeks ago when nothing at all had happened.

Any photos?

Kind regards

Dave

Yes Dave that's the one can see the green walkway over the line, I only found out about the bridge situation today i'd be surprised if its true and they had been put in to low but you never know, guess we will have to wait and see may nip to get a first hand account