I've been made aware that the bridge works at Grimford Lane have been put on hold and Network Rail will be re opening that road shortly, they have decided to do that particular bridge later in the year, this is due to the traffic situation which was monitored over this weekend from Friday, it does make sense as the impact on the local area has just been to much to handle, a sensible decision has been made.
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Blackpool - Manchester Electrification
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LDECRexile
Established Member
Wow! Paul and I visited the site today and Orangemen said it will be coming down this weekend, so your info must be very hot off the press.
To reinstate the bridge for road traffic will require reinstating the road surface.
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Is this deja vu, or have I seen its like before?
Paul Gaskell and I did a rail jaunt Lostock to Preston and back today, knocking the rust off our mast/base/scrape counting skills.
Are you sure your 34/18/33=88 tally is for BOTH sides, as that figure is as near as dammit what we found for the western side, with a further 30/15/24 on the eastern side
Photos later.
Dave and Paul
His words were "88 each side", which to my simple mind means 88 east and 88 west, similar to what you found.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Course it is, I'm daft.
More haste, less speed. Thanks for putting me right.
One difference between practice on Phase 2 and what we saw today was that whilst most bases were cylindrical concrete with four bolts protruding there were quite a number of cylindrical with six bolts protruding, a much higher proportion than on Phase 2.
Dave
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Does that mean that individual cantilever towers will be used more than portals? The mutual support that portals give the bases might allow less substantial base structures.
Joseph_Locke
Established Member
MP18? PN18 Shirley? Opposite PN19?
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The six bolt bases are for twin track cantilevers rather than single track cantilevers; TTCs will be for signal sighting reasons (though the signals may not be in position yet).Full portals would only be used for three or more tracks, in stations, in complex layouts and on viaducts (such as Yarrow near Chorley).
AFAIK there aren't any portal sites in the areas "based-up" so far.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
85 east, 86 west to be precise, with a few "maybes".
Quite a few were still sheeted up. Nothing at stations yet.
Edge Hill depot is still stuffed with steelwork, and the concreting vehicles were also there (minus motive power).
BB must still be using it as the base for Phase 4.
Nice to be back, but not on a cold grey miserable day like yesterday.
It's hard work counting bases through misted-up windows!
LDECRexile
Established Member
I've wanged some of yesterday's photos on in haste, as Tuesday is Grandadding day.
Will add the rest and complete texts later this evening.
Combined Volume is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Have also updated the Progressometer below.
Must go.
Will add the rest and complete texts later this evening.
Combined Volume is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Have also updated the Progressometer below.
Must go.
Yes it was only decided late yesterday, re instatement of the road was due for today Tuesday, with a view to it being re opened by Thursday, re scheduled for later in the year.
LDECRexile
Established Member
I've now completed Monday's photos and their captions.
I have added Paul's shots to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649792560381/
and added them and others to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Thank you Paul.
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Interesting as always, thank you.
I visited several sites on the line today, mainly aiming at level crossings.
Visible north of the footbridge at the northern end of Horwich Parkway are a pair of six-bolt bases directly opposite each other beside plain, straight double track through marshy ground.
Could some of the six-bolters be for stouter portals, some of which we dubbed TGBUs (Thundering Great Big 'Uns) on Liverpool to Manchester? They had more bolts than usual and appeared in poor ground in the Roby/Huyton area.
I saw the first shovel of spoil put in the holes on Grime Ford Bridge where services had been exposed, thereby starting the process of covering them over again.
Photos later and tomorrow.
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I got talking to a passer-by - 'Bill' - at Grime Ford Bridge, the upshot of which is that he has sent me a photo of the Skew Bridge being demolished, with the promise of more to follow.
I've downed tools and processed Bill's shot.
I have created his own album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/
and added the shot to the Combined Volume. Please remember that the CV is in date order, so Bill's shot is towards the beginning. The numbers go in descending order, his shot is 3163m.
The Combined Volume is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Thank you Bill and welcome on board.
I have added Paul's shots to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649792560381/
and added them and others to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Thank you Paul.
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Interesting as always, thank you.
I visited several sites on the line today, mainly aiming at level crossings.
Visible north of the footbridge at the northern end of Horwich Parkway are a pair of six-bolt bases directly opposite each other beside plain, straight double track through marshy ground.
Could some of the six-bolters be for stouter portals, some of which we dubbed TGBUs (Thundering Great Big 'Uns) on Liverpool to Manchester? They had more bolts than usual and appeared in poor ground in the Roby/Huyton area.
I saw the first shovel of spoil put in the holes on Grime Ford Bridge where services had been exposed, thereby starting the process of covering them over again.
Photos later and tomorrow.
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I got talking to a passer-by - 'Bill' - at Grime Ford Bridge, the upshot of which is that he has sent me a photo of the Skew Bridge being demolished, with the promise of more to follow.
I've downed tools and processed Bill's shot.
I have created his own album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/
and added the shot to the Combined Volume. Please remember that the CV is in date order, so Bill's shot is towards the beginning. The numbers go in descending order, his shot is 3163m.
The Combined Volume is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Thank you Bill and welcome on board.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
I recognize the chap on one of those!
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LDECRexile
Established Member
Updated Bridgeoscope below, please note the Kearsley works are due this weekend. If anyone can get along with camera, mobile, tablet or whatever....
Yesterday's photos later
Yesterday's photos later
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eMeS
Member
I'm going to get out for a peak this weekend during the possession as per, see what's going on here and there..
Enjoy it while you can.
My experience in Milton Keynes is that major works such as these reduce the visibility of the track. A series of small adjustments, and short people like myself can struggle. Bridge parapets get raised, timber post & wire boundary fences get replaced with steel fencing with barely enough room to poke a lens through. At one rail crossing overlooking a junction, the lane bridge, in a slightly quiet area, has been given prison perimeter style fencing to about 10-12 feet high. In another area from which I filmed a Thunderbird uncoupling operation during OHLE works close to Euston, the trees planted to make the bank firmer, are growing well, and that visual access has now gone. Must learn how to walk and film on stilts!
Darren R
Established Member
What's happening at Kearsley this weekend? Is the pointwork going in already?
LDECRexile
Established Member
As per the Bridgeoscope, I understand that all level crossings (LC) on Phase 2 are to be replaced by bridges or closed.
I understand that the Kearsley LC (a foot crossing) is to be replaced by a bridge and that the bridge is to be installed this weekend, but I don't know what day.
I understand that the LC will remain open until the last weekend in April, when pedestrians will be diverted over the new bridge and the LC will be closed and, presumably, closed off.
I understand that the separate job of installing at least part of the crossover will take place next weekend, once again, I don't know which day.
Any errors in this are mine.
I hope people can get out there this weekend with camera etc, as I am unlikely to get the green light to do so.
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I'm going to get out for a peak this weekend during the possession as per, see what's going on here and there..
Excellent, happy hunting
Kind regards
Dave
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I've added Thursday's photos and films to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
LDECRexile
Established Member
Helpful, thank you
Went out to Lostock this morning and a quick visit to Blackrod, usual workings going on at the bridge as expected, on the line towards Chorley teams were busy doing bases with road/rail equipment as I was driving away another concrete mixer arrived, down at Lostock from the Bridge on Lostock Lane I could see mast bases all over both sides of track towards Horwich Parkway and on the otherside towards Bolton pics to follow.
According to the engineering notices the foot crossing at Kearsley is to be closed as of today (14th March) and replaced by a footbridge when the line is handed back on Monday.
There is to be a TSR imposed at handback on Monday on the Down Bolton line through Farnworth tunnel due to engineering works (10-over-15mph). The crossovers for the bi-directional use of the Down Bolton are supposed to be installed in a blockade next weekend but will be secured out of use until required. One crossover will be installed on the Bolton side of Moses Gate station (towards Moses Gate Jn) and will be known as Farnworth North Junction. The other crossover will be installed between Farnworth tunnel and Kearsley and known as Farnworth South Jn.
There is to be a TSR imposed at handback on Monday on the Down Bolton line through Farnworth tunnel due to engineering works (10-over-15mph). The crossovers for the bi-directional use of the Down Bolton are supposed to be installed in a blockade next weekend but will be secured out of use until required. One crossover will be installed on the Bolton side of Moses Gate station (towards Moses Gate Jn) and will be known as Farnworth North Junction. The other crossover will be installed between Farnworth tunnel and Kearsley and known as Farnworth South Jn.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Very informative, interesting and helpful. Thank you.
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ALX400 has kindly sent seven photos taken in the last couple of days. I have added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651121057352/
Bill Morton has kindly sent five photos he took today at Chorley Road Skew Bridge.I have added them to his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/
I have added all twelve to the Combined Volume here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
Ian Fitter has added a link in a comment on Photo 3436m Ridgeway Bridge. This link takes us to six fine 'then' photos he took of the bridge before reconstruction started.
Thank you ALX400, Bill and Ian.
On Saturday I visited the Euxton-Chorley-Adlington area and examined several completed bridges (including the Chor aqueduct) and 3 under construction: Stump Lane, A673 Skew Bridge and Rawlinson Lane.
The old Rawlinson Lane bridge had apparently just been demolished. 5 machines (3 diggers and 2 grabs, two of them roadrailers and the others tracked) were feeding 3 tipper trucks with earth and rubble.
I was working N to S and evening was coming on so I came home, leaving the nearer bridges for another day, except to note that Grimeford Lane was still closed.
I think the bridgeometer is optimistic about Skew Bridge. The "decking" observed is not the bridge deck, it's just a layer of something like plywood, probably to protect the railway from anything dropped. Not all the beams are yet in place, and the concrete deck will follow the beams. It's a long tunnel-like bridge from the point of view of the railway, because of the high skew, and will have unused triangles of deck at each end.
The old Rawlinson Lane bridge had apparently just been demolished. 5 machines (3 diggers and 2 grabs, two of them roadrailers and the others tracked) were feeding 3 tipper trucks with earth and rubble.
I was working N to S and evening was coming on so I came home, leaving the nearer bridges for another day, except to note that Grimeford Lane was still closed.
I think the bridgeometer is optimistic about Skew Bridge. The "decking" observed is not the bridge deck, it's just a layer of something like plywood, probably to protect the railway from anything dropped. Not all the beams are yet in place, and the concrete deck will follow the beams. It's a long tunnel-like bridge from the point of view of the railway, because of the high skew, and will have unused triangles of deck at each end.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Splendid. Were you able to take any photos?
Orangemen at Grime Ford bridge on Thursday said they understood the plan is to reopen it on Tuesday.
My reference to 'decking' in the Bridgeometer is my layman's ignorance of correct terminology. By 'decking' I meant 'beams'. Is decking further material which goes on top of beams?
I wondered about more beams being needed, but can't figure out where they would go unless the piers are extended further. Can you please interpret Bill's photos taken yesterday and posted on the Combined Volume last night?
Bridgeometer updated below.
ironstone11
Member
- Joined
- 3 Jan 2013
- Messages
- 217
I think that what we see is the basis for the formwork for the decking. Temporary steel supports are being used on the left hand side to support this structure, whereas the finished abutment is being used on the right.
A huge triangular reinforced concrete slab will be cast with the long side resting on the abutment on the right.
The same being applied on the other side of the road which we cannot see.
The beams already place, further away from the camera will have a reinforced slab cast over them. (As will the beams at Blackrod.)
I don't think the bridge will be made as a box tunnel from the railway point of view, with unused triangles, although it might seem the best way to do it. Had that been the intention the abutment (pier) on the left would have been built.
The structures faced with stone on the left and right of the cutting are the bases for the bridge parapets, hence the reinforcing rods sticking out of the top. The reinforcing for the parapets on the bridge itself will be cast into the decking.
All in all, a lot of work still to do.
Hope this makes some sort of sense.
Sorry, I didn't have a camera or phone.
Some bridges have steel beams. These have flanges top and bottom, so each beam looks in cross section like a capital I including its serifs, but there are gaps between the beams. Other bridges like this one use concrete beams, which are each shaped like an inverted T. The crossbars of the Ts (at the bottom) are contiguous, but there are gaps between the beams at the top. You can't lay tarmac on thin air, so in both cases you have to span the gaps with something.
This is the deck and it's made of reinforced concrete. Its thickness is a few inches, much less than the vertical depth of the beams. So when the beams are in place you lay formwork (to hold up the underside of the deck while the concrete sets), then you lay a grid of steel reinforcing bars. This interlinks with either protruding reinforcement from the concrete beams, or in the case of steel beams, with protruding bits of steel (called shear connectors) that were welded onto the tops of the beams when the beams were made.
Then you pour the concrete for the deck. Once it has set you apply a waterproofing layer, then you lay kerbs, put the pipes and cables back on the bridge, and lay the road and footway surfacing,
LDECRexile
Established Member
Thank you both Ironstone11 and Snowball, very informative and interesting; just the job.
When I said in #677 that the deck was in place at Oldfield Road, Salford, I genuinely meant the deck, but following our recent discussion you've downgraded it to beams.
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I think that was Mile Post 18, not signal number MP18 or PN18.
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I think that was Mile Post 18, not signal number MP18 or PN18.
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LDECRexile
Established Member
OK, I've restored it to deck and updated other fields following today's jaunt, as below.
I've added a wodge of photos taken today, here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/
I'll tidy the captions in due course.
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LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Sorry I didn't realise the multiple levels of humour in Mr Locke's post.
Mile Post 18, yes.
Incidentally, I can't find out who was the engineer for the Bolton & Preston Railway.
Was it indeed Joseph Locke? I thought he was busy elsewhere on the WCML at the time.
He didn't go in for tunnels...
Joseph_Locke
Established Member
Sorry I didn't realise the multiple levels of humour in Mr Locke's post.
Mile Post 18, yes.
Incidentally, I can't find out who was the engineer for the Bolton & Preston Railway.
Was it indeed Joseph Locke? I thought he was busy elsewhere on the WCML at the time.
He didn't go in for tunnels...
I'm reasonably certain I wasn't associated with the Manchester, Bolton, Bury Canal Navigation and Railway in 1838 nor the Later Bolton & Preston in 1841 (as far as Rawlinson Bridge) Chorley later that year or to Euxton in 1843; I suspect you might want Mr J Hawkshaw esq., late of this parish.
MP18 is on the Down Fast at Heaton Chapel, south of Slade Lane Junction. That's definitely not one of mine....
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