Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[snowball]

Either in this thread, or possibly one in uk.railway people were questioning why the old tunnel needed filling with concrete only to be bored out again.

The amount of offset between the new and old bores amply demonstrates that, without a uniform fill to dig at, keeping the boring machine on line would be an impossible task.

I think it more likely that the concrete infill is to stop the tunnel collapsing while it's being enlarged - particularly important as trains are using the other bore. I don't see why steering should be a particular problem. It's not like drilling a hole in the wall at home. Though the machine is circular it isn't rotary like the Crossrail ones. There are two cutting heads are controlled by two operators - one for the top half of the face and one for the bottom - and they can cut where they think fit. The machine is moved forward by computer-controlled jacks pushing on the last ring of concrete lining segments (or, at the beginning, on a special structure at the tunnel mouth). If it starts to veer to one side, the jacks on that side push harder to correct it.

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A NR press release repeats the Bolton News item about the naming of the machine at Farnworth and has further info:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co...ficially-named

The Twitter feed has a couple of new pics:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Oldham Chronicle:

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/93035/tunnel-vision

AN Oldham engineering firm has built a huge machine to widen a Greater Manchester railway tunnel as part of a £1billion regional investment programme.

Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) has designed and made the machine, to widen the 270-metre Farnworth Tunnel near Bolton as part of the electrification of regional train services.

The work is part of Network Rail’s Northern Hub programme to boost infrastructure, stations, journey times and capacity.

The Derker Street business is the only firm in the UK which designs and manufactures such specialist tunnelling machines. The machines can dig, drill and slice at the front, remove spoil with a rear conveyor and line the new tunnel with reinforced concrete.

Farnworth Tunnel is one of the UK’s widest railway tunnelling projects. Currently trains use two narrow tunnels, but after the project’s completion they will share a single, nine metre wide tunnel.

Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) managing director Geoff Clarke said: “Once everything has been assembled, we will test the machine and then disassemble it for delivery on wagons.

“The whole process lasts about two weeks. The sections have to be delivered to Bolton in sequence on 10 abnormal load wagons. They will then be assembled on-site at Bolton.

“Everyone gets a buzz to work on an exciting project like this.”

 

[LDECRexile]

Yesterday evening Joe Callaghan kindly sent a film clip which I will load onto the Combined Volume shortly.

With it he included this note:

'...going off the number of low loaders attending the site today all the parts of the machine should now be on site. A new crane was called in but left the site this afternoon after unloading the trucks.'

Thank you Joe

Now added to Joe's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and to the retitled Combined Volume here:

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

Thanks once again Joe

Joe has now sent shots he took today showing the beginnings of the new northbound platform.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe.

As for electrification per se, I've now received this update from someone at the coalface:

....more foundations have been installed this week and by tomorrow there should be a total of fifteen completed filling in gaps between Adlington and Chorley

...very excited for Farnworth!

I really appreciate things like this from the sharp end, thank you.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Photos from Bolton News...
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news...ompetition_to_name_huge_train_tunnel_machine/

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

 

[Darren R]

Photos from Bolton News...
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news...ompetition_to_name_huge_train_tunnel_machine/

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

Well at least we now have an answer to why the TBM has been given such a silly name! From the article:

Rail chiefs decided their boring machine sounded a bit dull — and so they challenged youngsters at local primary schools to come up with a better name.

The winning entry links back to the area's history with 10-year-old Paris Bate's great-grandfather owning farmland on the site of the tunnel.

The 10-year-old St Gregory’s pupil, who won a visit to the tunnel to see the machine up close, was chosen from more than 80 entries.

She said: "My great-grandad had used to have stables there and Fillie was what he called a female horse, so I thought that was a good idea."

Although I'm guessing that her great-grandad would have known what a female horse is called and how to spell it.

 

[PDG1949]

[/QUOTE] Although I'm guessing that her great-grandad would have known what a female horse is called and how to spell it. [/QUOTE]

Neigh lad....
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Although I'm guessing that her great-grandad would have known what a female horse is called and how to spell it.

Neigh lad......

 

[snowball]

Nobody has linked the Twitter feed since Wednesday. It has new pictures since then:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP

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Fillie now looking pretty much assembled, with weirdly hand-like tool:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP

 

[LDECRexile]

Ladybridge was demolished this morning.

It will be replaced by a single span structure, due to be craned in next weekend..

Photos later.

Joe has kindly sent some more photos of Fillie's parts arriving, but I'm afraid it will be tomorrow before I can get them on and likewise my stuff form Ladybridge.

Joe added this note:

Hi Dave , it's now 22.20 Friday night, another massive part for the TBM has just arrived, too dark for pictures. Looks like the second part of the rear frame of the Machine. The part with the steps.. 11 on the drawing..... Joe

Thank you Joe

 

[thealexweb]

Glad you're mending thealexweb, maybe we'll meet at the Ladybridge demolition a week tomorrow?

Dave

I am sorry that I have only just seen this, I am all well now thank you and I did pop down to near the bridge today. My Dad and I took some photos from the Ladybridge estate. Feel free to add them to the album. The lads did such a great job making the worksite safe and inaccessible to the public they had to scale their way out themselves XD

 

[LDECRexile]

I am sorry that I have only just seen this, I am all well now thank you and I did pop down to near the bridge today. My Dad and I took some photos from the Ladybridge estate. Feel free to add them to the album. The lads did such a great job making the worksite safe and inaccessible to the public they had to scale their way out themselves XD

I'm very glad you're mended; welcome back.

I'll definitely use your shots, thanks.

I was there from 06:05 until my second battery ran out shortly before 13:00, so I've built myself a mountain of material to climb. Hey ho, it was spectacular stuff and won't happen again.

Maybe our paths will cross next Saturday when they crane in the new span?

I've received a very welcome message from 'Wrinkley'. I've tried to reply but it says you've either elected not to receive correspondence or don't have permission, so I'm stuck. All you need to do is to sign up to the forum, you can even give false details if you are concerned about security. It costs nowt and you don't get showered with spam. I've found it completely harmless and beneficial. Once signed up you can correspond privately to any other signed up user.

I hope you will.

I've now added the shots of more Fillie's fillets arriving at Farnworth which Joe Callaghan sent yesterday. They're on Joe's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe.

 

[snowball]

Saturday morning's picture from the Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP/status/624980103890604033/photo/1

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm delighted that Wrinkley has taken the plunge and sent some photos of Ladybridge for publication.

He has sent two he took on Wednesday, which I have added to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157654034635234

He sent others, which he took yesterday, I will weave them in among my own, which I am processing today.

Wrinkley's Wednesday shots are now in the Combined Volume as Series 4650.

I've also added my own first dollop from early yesterday morning, before bashing began.

They can all be found in the Combined Volume here:

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

Warm welcome Wrinkley!

 

[snowball]

I'm delighted that Wrinkley has taken the plunge and sent some photos of Ladybridge for publication.

Not the same person as me! Different spelling too. (I use "wrinkly" as a name on SABRE and Skyscrapercity. I would have used it here too but it was already taken when I registered.)

Excellent pictures, like all in your collections.

 

[LDECRexile]

Not the same person as me! Different spelling too. (I use "wrinkly" as a name on SABRE and Skyscrapercity. I would have used it here too but it was already taken when I registered.)

Excellent pictures, like all in your collections.

Thank you for your kind remarks. I very much value the excellent, varied research you share. All good teams bring different skills together, a side comprising only fast bowlers wouldn't win very often.

flickr has chewed its way through this weekend's material, it takes ages to load films, but it can be left to get on with a batch, so it's not arduous.

thealexweb's shots seen above have gone on, as well as three batches from Wrinkley, plus my own.

thealexweb's can be seen in his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157652232138430

Wrinkley's can be seen in his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157654034635234

The whole lot can be seen in the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you thealexweb and Wrinkley.

Updated Bridgeoscope below, does anyone have any info on replacing the level crossings?

 

[snowball]

Several new pictures have been added to the Twitter page in the last few days:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP

They seem to be a few days behind the schedule that was posted, which had the start of digging on the 22nd.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

A bit more mast base progress to report.
The single base on the Down west of Chorley has a mate on the other side.
Also on the Up side are signs of more new bases in between Chorley and Adlington, maybe 6-ish since I last counted, totalling 53.
Orangemen were busy tidying them up after the concrete went in.

At Moses Gate, the Up platform seems to have most of its foundations in.
The single track now wiggles away from the Down platform at Farnworth and then back again, but I didn't see what the platform looked like.
The Up platform was having drainage installed and still looks a bit of a mess.

I can't remember if I've posted this before, but the marks for future masts on platforms at Chorley/Buckshaw Parkway suggest they will have the prefix CH.

 

[snowball]

The single track now wiggles away from the Down platform at Farnworth and then back again

I assume the track there has not been altered since the pictures of the last couple of weeks such as this one?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/19938547092/in/album-72157651953947345/

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I assume the track there has not been altered since the pictures of the last couple of weeks such as this one?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/19938547092/in/album-72157651953947345/

That's the one.
Presumably they will do the same at Moses Gate after they have finished building the basic Up platform there.
Nothing much else to see around Farnworth from a train because of the barriers and cement plant blocking the view.
Some giant cranes at work high up.
The blockade is over half-way through now, timewise (12 weeks gone, 10 to go).

 

[LDECRexile]

1. Joe Callaghan has kindly sent two photos from Farnworth which he took today.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe.


2. For reasons I haven't yet fathomed, this weekend's images 4672i, 4672w and 4676e loaded as visible to me only, despite being among substantial batches of similar stuff.

I've fixed them and they're now visible to all.


3. Joe and I are beginning to worry that the Farnworth job is getting behind. Can anyone give us any comfort on this, eg is there slack which might be taken up?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

3. Joe and I are beginning to worry that the Farnworth job is getting behind. Can anyone give us any comfort on this, eg is there slack which might be taken up?

I assume this is in particular reference to the rebore. Originally boring was supposed to have started a few days ago and the TBM Fillie has not even cranked up yet. All I can say is, I would be horrified if NR had not left in some wiggle room. I really would welcome the opinion of Joseph Locke. Personally , provided Fillie starts boring in the next few days, I will be happy.

 

[snowball]

Presumably they will do the same at Moses Gate after they have finished building the basic Up platform there.

I imagine that when the time comes they'll introduce a slew at the Bolton end of Moses Gate and remove the one at the Bolton end of Farnworth, so trains will be running on the relaid up line through and between the two stations, and they'll be able to relay the down line and rebuild Moses Gate down platform.

If MG up platform could have been rebuilt faster they could have avoided the need for a slew at the Bolton end of Farnworth.

Like LDECR I'm a bit worried about slippage.

As I've said before I'm puzzled why Cemetery Road bridge replacement is not planned to happen yet. This would seem a excellent time for it. Maybe some workers gone to Darwen?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Like LDECR I'm a bit worried about the schedule.

Preston -Manchester was supposed to be end of 2016 with Blackpool Feb 2017. I suppose it would not be disaster (though highly embarrasing) if the whole project was completed by Feb 2017 -with full timetable electric May 2017.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Preston -Manchester was supposed to be end of 2016 with Blackpool Feb 2017. I suppose it would not be disaster (though highly embarrasing) if the whole project was completed by Feb 2017 -with full timetable electric May 2017.

I think the immediate concern is the Farnworth blockade timetable.
It would be good for NR to finish on time as seems to have happened with the Winchburgh tunnel works in Scotland.

The wider electrification project is of course a major concern.
Manchester-Preston might be close to time but Blackpool and Stalybridge are supposed to be finished in much the same time.
There is also more upgrade work to come on the Bolton route.

 

[LDECRexile]

Now here's something to lift your spirits.

Joe has sent me two more shots, taken a while ago.

If these don't make you smile then you must be made of wood.

As always, I've put them in Joe's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and in the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe, these are simply wonderful.

 

[Darren R]

As I've said before I'm puzzled why Cemetery Road bridge replacement is not planned to happen yet. This would seem a excellent time for it. Maybe some workers gone to Darwen?

I don't think that there is any connection with the works at Darwen: they appear to be different contractors. I've only seen Volker and CAN Ltd working at Darwen. In any case, only two bridges needed replacing in Darwen, and as best as I can see that part of the work is already complete.

 

[CAF397]

With Moses Gate and Farnworth getting rebuilt, are there any plans to rebuild Kearsley and Clifton? They've just been abandoned, I figured it would have been easier to have also done them whilst the line is closed at evenings and weekends.

 

[LDECRexile]

With Moses Gate and Farnworth getting rebuilt, are there any plans to rebuild Kearsley and Clifton? They've just been abandoned, I figured it would have been easier to have also done them whilst the line is closed at evenings and weekends.

I've never heard anyone talk of rebuilding Clifton or Kearsley. Farnworth has had to be rebuilt because of the track realignment. I'm not sure why Moses Gate has been rebuilt, maybe someone can explain? As far as I can see Kearsley and Clifton don't have to be rebuilt for track speed or alignment or to conform to modern standards.


A correspondent has told me that:

1. Chorley Road Skew Bridge will close for two weekends, one in September and one in October, for finishing off work.
2. Grimeford Lane bridge duly shut yesterday for the postponed rebuilding.
3. Some finishing off at Blackrod is imminent, after which the temporary bridges will be removed.

 

[wrinkley]

I believe Moses Gate is being rebuilt to match new track alignment, both horizontally and vertically. The track is being lowered to give clearance under the adjacent road bridge and I have read that the two tracks were too close to each other.

 

[snowball]

From page 88 of this thread:

Why is the work at Moses Gate being carried out because I didn't know there was any need to slew the track there.

I think the tracks are being lowered to give electrification clearance under Bolton Road bridge, and it would seem that this requires complete demolition and reconstruction of the platforms.

The eagle-eyed of you with long memories will remember that when the Moses Gate crossover and traps went in there was a 30mph TSR that stayed on until the bi-di operation stated; this was because the tracks through Moses Gate were not at a standard interval (too close together) and a "wiggle" had to happen between the crossover (which has a standard interval, to allow it to be recovered and re-used) and the platform. The platform heights were also badly wrong, so the with the track lowering as well the time was right to sort it all out.

 

[LDECRexile]

From page 88 of this thread:

Well remembered and reminded.

Thank you to both Wrinklies!

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I imagine that when the time comes they'll introduce a slew at the Bolton end of Moses Gate and remove the one at the Bolton end of Farnworth, so trains will be running on the relaid up line through and between the two stations, and they'll be able to relay the down line and rebuild Moses Gate down platform.

If MG up platform could have been rebuilt faster they could have avoided the need for a slew at the Bolton end of Farnworth.

Like LDECR I'm a bit worried about slippage.

As I've said before I'm puzzled why Cemetery Road bridge replacement is not planned to happen yet. This would seem a excellent time for it. Maybe some workers gone to Darwen?

There is no such stage , the Farnworth programme is OK as far as I know, Cemetery road bridge deck will only take a few days to do so there's no rush and Buckingham Group are involved in this and in Darwen. However the tunnelling at Farnworth is a subcontractor of Murphys (who are in turn a subcontractor to Buckingham) and Buckingham's work at Darwen will finish this week.

Preston -Manchester was supposed to be end of 2016 with Blackpool Feb 2017. I suppose it would not be disaster (though highly embarrasing) if the whole project was completed by Feb 2017 -with full timetable electric May 2017.

Sadly can't confirm or deny, but if you ever played "Travel Mastermind" then you've got the right years and right months, but not in the right combinations with the projects....)

I don't think that there is any connection with the works at Darwen: they appear to be different contractors. I've only seen Volker and CAN Ltd working at Darwen. In any case, only two bridges needed replacing in Darwen, and as best as I can see that part of the work is already complete.

Two bridges and several retaining walls, I understand.

Got any pictures?

Buckingham Group are involved in Farnworth and in Darwen and their work at Darwen is nearly done.

With Moses Gate and Farnworth getting rebuilt, are there any plans to rebuild Kearsley and Clifton? They've just been abandoned, I figured it would have been easier to have also done them whilst the line is closed at evenings and weekends.

Neither of these places is being rebuilt as there are no significant track alterations planned through them (and Clifton hardly has any footfall).