Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[snowball]

Was there any mention of Man Vic-Stalybridge? Is this still to go ahead or has it been dumped along with TP North?

We already knew before this week that it's going ahead, both because Joseph Locke has said so, and because further bridge raisings at Stalybridge are just starting. So far as the announcements are concerned, the "pause" to TP isn't mentioned, it just says it's being planned. Follow the link in my last post and click on the appropriate links:

Electrification and improvements to the North TransPennine line are being planned to deliver 6 fast trains per hour alongside shorter journey times on the Manchester-Leeds-York corridor.

Works are planned at Huddersfield Station to allow for additional capacity for eight-car trains to operate on cross-Pennine inter-urban services, and four-car trains to/from Leeds and Manchester and three-car trains between Huddersfield and Sheffield.

 

[Viscount702]

It has been confirmed that Platform 5 at Bolton will be reinstated. Do we know when this work will be done

 

[QueensCurve]

QUOTE " The machine is working on schedule — having bored out 10 metres of the 270-metre tunnel so far and is scheduled to have trains running through it on October 5"

so 10/270 = 1/27th - lets be generous 1/25th = 4% and they say that is on schedule - wow - I must have done a different kind of maths.

There was a lot of preparatory work, eg:-

• Track modification and clearance,.
• Filling the tunnel with foamed concrete
• Digging a launch pit for the TBM
• Assembling and launching the TBM

I don't know what rate of progress is expected for the tunnelling, but I am guessing it will be relatively quick.

Then after it is finished the tunnel needs to be fitted out, track modifications etc.

 

[snowball]

There was a lot of preparatory work, eg:-

• Track modification and clearance,.
• Filling the tunnel with foamed concrete
• Digging a launch pit for the TBM
• Assembling and launching the TBM

Yes but that was before the machine started digging. Nobody is counting that time in their calculations of what progress it should achieve.

I don't know what rate of progress is expected for the tunnelling, but I am guessing it will be relatively quick.

According to this article from some months ago it was expected to achieve about six metres a day:

http://www.railengineer.uk/2015/05/11/boring-boring-boring/

According to information circulated to local residents in July (see post #1310 on page 88) the intention at that time was to start digging on 22 July and finish on 8 Sep. That would require an average of 5.6m a day. For all we know there might already have been slippage by then - the original programme may have assumed an earlier start than 22 July.

Digging is believed to have actually started on the evening of 31 July. To finish by the published date of 8 Sep it would need to average 6.9m a day.

By the morning of the Minister's visit on 11 Aug it had (we believe) been digging for at least 10 days but had only achieved 10m - an average of about 1m a day.

Then after it is finished the tunnel needs to be fitted out, track modifications etc.

Of course. The line is supposed to be running a full service again from the first weekend in October.

 

[po8crg]

RTM has a confirmation that Balfour Beatty are ending their contract on the NW electrification.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

It has been confirmed that Platform 5 at Bolton will be reinstated. Do we know when this work will be done

Mid 2017 ...

 

[Viscount702]

Mid 2017 ...

Thanks Joseph

 

[snowball]

Video of site preparation, arrival and assembly of Fillie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5umXgOHnPSY

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Was there any mention of Man Vic-Stalybridge? Is this still to go ahead or has it been dumped along with TP North?

It has been reiterated several times on this thread and others that Victoria to Stalybridge is part of the North-west triangle scheme, and not part of the "looped indefinitely" TPE electrification. Without it, platforms at Victoria would become gridlocked!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

RTM has a confirmation that Balfour Beatty are ending their contract on the NW electrification.

It's still completely baffling how a contract as sole contractor in the north-west in its pocket for the next few years, should be terminated abruptly.
The project is not even being "paused" by DfT/NR.
If the project was unprofitable for Balfour Beatty, this suggests any new contract will be on worse terms (for Network Rail/DfT), and with slippage because of the changeover.
There is also the strong hint in the BB statement that cost/timescales could not be met.
I think there's more to come on this project than we have heard, and I don't think it will be positive.

 

[Viscount702]

On the question of platforms do we know when the additional platform work at Rochdale will be done

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I think there's more to come on this project than we have heard, and I don't think it will be positive.

Manchester -Preston continues - but Preston - Blackpool paused ??? :-x

 

[WatcherZero]

No, all the North West schemes proceeding unpaused.

TPE will be unpaused this Autumn after the Network Rail board submits a new action plan to the Transport Secretary by the end of August. MML electrification looks like it will be paused indefinitely though.

 

[Hophead]

Following a link in this very thread, I find that Farnworth Tunnel boring work is apparently ‘ahead of schedule’ (Rail Technology magazine) - I'll check through to verify that they really do mean the cutting into the old tunnel part, and not the just uninteresting part.

Article starts:

Network Rail is confident that its major tunnel boring work at Farnworth – an important enabler of electrification between Manchester and Preston – will be complete on time.​

and includes:

with 10m of tunnel bored, instead of the planned 9m​

 

[LDECRexile]

It's still completely baffling how a contract as sole contractor in the north-west in its pocket for the next few years, should be terminated abruptly.
The project is not even being "paused" by DfT/NR.
If the project was unprofitable for Balfour Beatty, this suggests any new contract will be on worse terms (for Network Rail/DfT), and with slippage because of the changeover.
There is also the strong hint in the BB statement that cost/timescales could not be met.
I think there's more to come on this project than we have heard, and I don't think it will be positive.

Lots more to come I fear, with recriminations, claims and counterclaims containing lots of zeroes.

The new contract is indeed likely to be worse, as you put it, but I reckon NR will strive to ensure that BB bear all losses already incurred, plus penalties for terminating early.

It's hard to say from the outside what the effect of the changeover will have, though I share your fear that it is likely to be delay, nowt physical is happening on the electrification front at the moment, for example. I talked to some NR Orangemen some weeks ago who were surveying between Kearsley and Clifton, thereby contributing to design work. If that sort of thing is carrying on anyway then that could lessen lost time.

I look from the outside at this and the other electrificaion projects such as GWML and wonder if anyone could comment whether too much faith has been pinned on various forms of electrification factory trains.

I followed the Liverpool-Manchester electrification and the only photos anyone ever submitted of BB's electrification train were when it crashed at Bryn. Otherwise I only heard of it being laid up with 'issues'. I believe the GWML one started late and works more slowly than expected. Can anyone make informed comment on either of these pieces of kit and their contribution?

More to come indeed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm not sure if this has been posted, but better twice than nonce.

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.c...2&utm_content=D&dm_i=IJS,3LO3J,INN6YI,CXT0X,1

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

More to come indeed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm not sure if this has been posted, but better twice than nonce.
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.c...2&utm_content=D&dm_i=IJS,3LO3J,INN6YI,CXT0X,1

Not seen that before. Ominous...
I think we are being softened up for project slips under the guise of "reviewing the supply chain".
Northern's problem is second-guessing the completion plan and maximising the deployment of EMUs along the way.
An extended period of splitting Blackpool trains at Preston perhaps.
I don't doubt NR's commitment to getting the job done, but not having a contractor is a bit of a handicap!

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Sadly it is precisely because of the ongoing Contractual Exchanges that you won't get much "gen" from "inside", me included.

Phases 3, 4 and 5 will suffer (additional) delay to the electrification works, but a replacement delivery contractor is lined up already and has the "con" from Monday, I believe.

 

[Geeves]

Ive been working up at Bolton Station all week. No photos but on observation today it looks as though the Soho St bridge to nowhere next to Morrisons could well be coming down this weekend. Murphys have arranged a small army on the future platform 5 site.

 

[nw-sparks]

I followed the Liverpool-Manchester electrification and the only photos anyone ever submitted of BB's electrification train were when it crashed at Bryn. Otherwise I only heard of it being laid up with 'issues'. I believe the GWML one started late and works more slowly than expected. Can anyone make informed comment on either of these pieces of kit and their contribution?

Only a nit-pick, I know, but I think the collision at Bryn was between an MPV and a couple of road-rail vehicles, not the (mythical?) electrification train.

I'm ready to be corrected but I don't think the electrification train ever made it to the Northwest?

Phil

 

[snowball]

Tony H1 (known on this forum as Geeves) has posted some Darwen doubling photos on Skyscrapercity:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=126326436&postcount=8245

This thread seems the nearest.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Only a nit-pick, I know, but I think the collision at Bryn was between an MPV and a couple of road-rail vehicles, not the (mythical?) electrification train.
I'm ready to be corrected but I don't think the electrification train ever made it to the Northwest?
Phil

I always thought the vehicle parked up during the day until recently at Edge Hill for a couple of years or so, with drums of wire ready to go, was the BB wiring train.
After the Bryn incident, which seemed from the photos to be the same vehicle, the only wiring train I remember seeing was the WCML re-wiring train during one of the final possessions at Victoria.
The WCML machine was bought by NR for WCRM around 2000 and rewired the WCML fast lines. It didn't do foundations or mast erection.
However, it shows there is wiring capability other than the BB or Amey kit.
Somewhere on this thread there is a vehicle number for the BB unit.
I thought the plan was for this also to do the Crossrail section of the GW project, but I've not seen any photos of it at work.

 

[Trackman]

I've drove through Bolton today, I saw a Skanska plot near the Army barracks (Nelson street?). I guess this is connected to the Orlando bridge works?

 

[LDECRexile]

I went bridge hopping today. Lots of progress.

1. Only Fillie's toes visible now as she burrows northwards.
2. Lots of track work Farnworth to Moses Gate inclusive, Farnworth platforms well advanced
3. Didn't see Orlando St
4. Soho St parapets down today, whole bridge to come down 29th Aug
5. Dean Clough almost done and dusted, portacabin offices have gone, car park restored to public use; invasive weed signs gone, north end gates done. The only thing I could see remaining was one handrail on the steps down from the bridge to the riverside path. Nice job.
6. Ladybridge - work taking place to link the ends of the new span to the approach footways, best seen on photos.
7. Lostock footbridge now open for public use. Some fencing remains to be completed and a bit of work on one of the northern approach paths. Nice job.
8. Grimeford Lane bridge: I was amazed to find a giant crane loading parapets onto the new span, I didn't know the old bridge had been demolished last weekend! Affable Orangeman on site reckons there's a fighting chance the bridge will reopen a month early, ie mid-October.
9. Skew bridge, road fully open to vehicles. All parapets removed, stacks of brick-like materials suggest some sort of trad built parapets are to be installed. I couldn't make out what's what to be honest. Not an Orangeman in sight.

Photos tomorrow.

Bridgeoscope below.

 

[LDECRexile]

Joe Callaghan has kindly sent some shots of progress at Farnworth.

I've added them to his album here:

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

I've also added them to the Combined Volume, along with my own from yesterday, here:

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

Thank you Joe.

 

[snowball]

Another fascinating set of pictures and videos.

I was unaware until now of Squeeze Belly Entry (4858i, 4858v etc). There's quite a contrast between the elegant stone balustrades and the tatty fences behind them. I wish a more aesthetic way could be found of meeting modern safety standards. Maybe we should keep our eyes on Sydney Gardens, Bath. It would be interesting to know the significance of the carved initials BE (surely not Belly Entry?) and the carved animal.

Notice how narrow the excavator's bucket is in 4858m etc. A consequence of Britain's restricted loading gauges!

4850n etc illustrate the continuing importance of good old-fashioned manual bashing in hi-tech 21st century demolition.

I don't understand what the mystery is supposed to be about the reconstruction at Skew Bridge (other than what was wrong with the original parapets, and why no other bridges were affected if their precast parapets were manufactured together). As I said in #1430 and #1449, the rebar seems to show that the replacement parapets will be of reinforced concrete cast in situ, and the grey bricks or blocks will be used as cladding.

 

[LDECRexile]

Another fascinating set of pictures and videos.

I was unaware until now of Squeeze Belly Entry (4858i, 4858v etc). There's quite a contrast between the elegant stone balustrades and the tatty fences behind them. I wish a more aesthetic way could be found of meeting modern safety standards. Maybe we should keep our eyes on Sydney Gardens, Bath. It would be interesting to know the significance of the carved initials BE (surely not Belly Entry?) and the carved animal.

Notice how narrow the excavator's bucket is in 4858m etc. A consequence of Britain's restricted loading gauges!

4850n etc illustrate the continuing importance of good old-fashioned manual bashing in hi-tech 21st century demolition.

I don't understand what the mystery is supposed to be about the reconstruction at Skew Bridge (other than what was wrong with the original parapets, and why no other bridges were affected if their precast parapets were manufactured together). As I said in #1430 and #1449, the rebar seems to show that the replacement parapets will be of reinforced concrete cast in situ, and the grey bricks or blocks will be used as cladding.

Thanks for the kind remark and amusing suggestion for the initials.

Please vet amended text below 4826i.

 

[Darren R]

Another fascinating set of pictures and videos.

I was unaware until now of Squeeze Belly Entry (4858i, 4858v etc). There's quite a contrast between the elegant stone balustrades and the tatty fences behind them. I wish a more aesthetic way could be found of meeting modern safety standards. Maybe we should keep our eyes on Sydney Gardens, Bath. It would be interesting to know the significance of the carved initials BE (surely not Belly Entry?) and the carved animal.

Notice how narrow the excavator's bucket is in 4858m etc. A consequence of Britain's restricted loading gauges!

If you examine the photographs carefully, the initials carved onto the bridge parapet are actually BIE or IBE. This shot shows it best:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/20608269142/in/album-72157648767927083/

At the time the ornate bridges on the stretch between Farnworth and Moses Gate were built, the line passed through the estate of Darley Hall. I'm guessing that had something to do with the ornate parapets, and possibly the carved animal as well. Benjamin Rawson seems to have been the owner of Darley Hall at the time the railway was built, so the initals are not his.

 

[PDG1949]

If you examine the photographs carefully, the initials carved onto the bridge parapet are actually BIE or IBE. This shot shows it best:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/20608269142/in/album-72157648767927083/

At the time the ornate bridges on the stretch between Farnworth and Moses Gate were built, the line passed through the estate of Darley Hall. I'm guessing that had something to do with the ornate parapets, and possibly the carved animal as well. Benjamin Rawson seems to have been the owner of Darley Hall at the time the railway was built, so the initals are not his.

I note that sometimes around that time it was the fashion for inscriptions to be done in Latin - perhaps part of this may have been the case - 'B' for Benjamin ???

 

[Philip C]

I note that sometimes around that time it was the fashion for inscriptions to be done in Latin - perhaps part of this may have been the case - 'B' for Benjamin ???

The most recent edition of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Society Magazine (No 264 - July 2015) contains a two page article entitled "That bridge at Farnworth" exploring the history of the balustraded bridge.

 

[LDECRexile]

The most recent edition of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Society Magazine (No 264 - July 2015) contains a two page article entitled "That bridge at Farnworth" exploring the history of the balustraded bridge.

That's timely, thank you.

I've set wheels in motion to buy a copy.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've had correspondence with a proven wellwisher for the project expressing increasing concern that Fillie is way behind.

Please bear in mind that normal traffic is due to resume in early October, as shown on public posters and timetables.

The prime cause for his concern can be seen in the temporary mini-album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157657384006325

4730c - The Network Rail image - shows Fillie geared up but still on dry land, so to speak. Her extreme rear appears to be the conveyor belt above the road vehicle with a white metal framework above it.

4818p - taken on 6th Aug shows her in the earth, with a large grey framework visible ahead of the Orangemen who stand at her rear.

4866g - taken 15th Aug shows her rear end still visible, though the large grey framework has disappeared. The Orangemen stand in the same general rear area as in 4818p.

Network Rail sent a tweet to the correspondent on 31st July saying they expected to start boring that night.

The expected rate is 6 metres per day, which over 15 days would be 90 metres. This would make her invisible from the Kearsley footbridge.

The original published target start date for boring was 22nd July, published target end date 8th Sept.

Orangemen he's talked to give conflicting stories or know nowt.

Can anyone allay or confirm these fears?