Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[LNW-GW Joint]

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.

Indeed you are right, although this article doesn't specifically mention the Bolton & Preston: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hawkshaw
He must have been brighter than the Stephensons, Brunel and your good alter ego as he was knighted for his efforts!

Base progress:
Just checking on progress on your patch today, mast bases have extended a mile or so westwards in the last week, and now end near MP (Mile Post!) 20, west of Adlington.
Preparations extend another mile west to about MP21 just before the L&L canal bridge.
The base totals are now about 108 on each side from MP14.5, 20 more than last week.
Progress is maybe best looked at for the Lostock-Euxton section as a whole (12 miles, 19km) which I would put at 38% at 15 structures per km.

At the Salford end, there are c15 bases on each side from the south end of Salford Crescent station towards Salford Central, plus one solitary base alongside Windsor Bridge North Jn.
I could be persuaded that exploratory work has taken place around Agecroft, but nothing definite.

A big work site is taking shape south of Kearsley, no doubt for the single line remodelling.

 

[ALX400]

Has anyone noticed any bases between Preston & Blackpool yet ?, is there any length of time that new bases have to be left for before the steelwork goes up, I intend to get to Buckshaw Parkway this week to see if anything is going on at that stretch

 

[Inox]

I live in Buckshaw. Reasonably confident there's nowt going on yet.

A few 'x's marked on the station platform, but they could be anything.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Has anyone noticed any bases between Preston & Blackpool yet ?, is there any length of time that new bases have to be left for before the steelwork goes up, I intend to get to Buckshaw Parkway this week to see if anything is going on at that stretch

No - all civils on my last check -which are complete. I am assuming resignalling will take place in parallel with bases and masts etc.

 

[ALX400]

I live in Buckshaw. Reasonably confident there's nowt going on yet.

A few 'x's marked on the station platform, but they could be anything.

Ok thanx Inox saves me a trip, leave it a bit longer then, you could keep an eye on things up that end for us

 

[LDECRexile]

Paul and I went to Salford Crescent, Man Vic and Man Picc today.

Couldn't see much change at Salford Cres, though there is change in the non-railway hinterland, with building work a-plenty.

We noticed 'new' mast bases on the west side of the tracks south of the bridges at the station's southern end. I say 'new' because we simply didn't see them last time which might because they weren't there or because we missed them.

Couldn't see any new bases between Salford Crescent and Salford Central, but the bridgework was striking.

No changes evident Salford Central to Deal St Jn, inclusive.

Photos later, if any west of Deal St Jn are worth publishing.

Will update Progressometer with LNW-GW Joint's data.

The Kearsley work LNW referred to comprises at least two jobs: installing the footbridge to replace Kearsley Level Crossing and installing one or more crossovers to enable single-line working through Farnworth Tunnel. Please see photo coverage added yesterday.

Hint: when the footbridge is in place and the footpath diverted over it it should be a prime safe and legal grandstand to watch and photograph Farnworth Tunnel work.
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No - all civils on my last check -which are complete. I am assuming resignalling will take place in parallel with bases and masts etc.

Hello Graham, thought of you today when we explored Man Vic west end, as reported on the Phase 2 thread.

Do you know if the level crossings cited in the Bridgeoscope as situated between Preston and Blackpool have been or are going to be closed or replaced?

Kind regards

Dave

 

[LDECRexile]

I've updated the Progressometer by adding roughly equal numbers to each of the three sections with bases. LNW, could you please present the tallies by section as per spreadsheet, eg simply stating which stretches with totals or overall totals with a divvy, as you did last time?

As we collect the data at the lower level we can always aggregate up, but if we only present it at overall level we can't disaggregate down.

If you reckon other ways of dividing the route would be better please say, but the ones used seem easy on the eye and brain and match what worked on Phase 2.

Dave

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Paul and I went to Salford Crescent, Man Vic and Man Picc today.

Hello Graham, thought of you today when we explored Man Vic west end, as reported on the Phase 2 thread.

Do you know if the level crossings cited in the Bridgeoscope as situated between Preston and Blackpool have been or are going to be closed or replaced?

Kind regards Dave

No sorry I do not know - I made an ASSUMPTION they would as it makes no sense to do Man -Preston and not do all the way to Blackpool. I stress, this is an assumption on my part - I do not know for certain.

 

[edwin_m]

He must have been brighter than the Stephensons, Brunel and your good alter ego as he was knighted for his efforts!

So was Bouch, before his "fall". The bestowers of honours were probably about as accurate then as they are now.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

No sorry I do not know - I made an ASSUMPTION they would as it makes no sense to do Man -Preston and not do all the way to Blackpool. I stress, this is an assumption on my part - I do not know for certain.

Phase 2 is nearly done.

Phase 3 is Preston to Blackpool
Phase 4 is (Salford) Manchester to (Euxton) Preston
Phase 5 is Manchester (Victoria) to Stalybridge
Phase 6 is Windermere
Phase 7 is Lostock Jn. to Wigan NW.

Given the current status of many things unmentionable, I predict that they will start and complete in the order 4-5-3-6-7 with nothing OLE-related happening on 3, 5, 6 or 7 until later this year....

 

[LDECRexile]

No sorry I do not know - I made an ASSUMPTION they would as it makes no sense to do Man -Preston and not do all the way to Blackpool. I stress, this is an assumption on my part - I do not know for certain.

Fair enough, thanks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Phase 2 is nearly done.

Phase 3 is Preston to Blackpool
Phase 4 is (Salford) Manchester to (Euxton) Preston
Phase 5 is Manchester (Victoria) to Stalybridge
Phase 6 is Windermere
Phase 7 is Lostock Jn. to Wigan NW.

Given the current status of many things unmentionable, I predict that they will start and complete in the order 4-5-3-6-7 with nothing OLE-related happening on 3, 5, 6 or 7 until later this year....

This makes sense, thank you
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Today's photos added to the Combined Volume here:

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

 

[snowball]

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.

Thank you for this post which has massively improved my understanding of the A673 skew bridge. I no longer think that there are any beams yet to be placed. It's an extremely unusual type of bridge. I can't remember seeing any others like it. The central part is a beam and slab bridge but the triangles at each end are to be cast in situ without the use of beams. Cast-in-situ bridges are very unusual over existing railways in the first place, but this combined type makes it more unusual still.

It makes me want to go back and look at it with fresh eyes.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Given the UKs obsession with " 'elth and safety guv" , I would bet good money the level crossings on PRE-BPL will be removed.

 

[LDECRexile]

Thank you for this post which has massively improved my understanding of the A673 skew bridge. I no longer think that there are any beams yet to be placed. It's an extremely unusual type of bridge. I can't remember seeing any others like it. The central part is a beam and slab bridge but the triangles at each end are to be cast in situ without the use of beams. Cast-in-situ bridges are very unusual over existing railways in the first place, but this combined type makes it more unusual still.

It makes me want to go back and look at it with fresh eyes.

...and camera, please. The combination of your understanding, ability to pick out relevant things and powers of explanation would the tremendous.

 

[snowball]

I'll have to consider buying one.

 

[Sheepy1209]

Given the UKs obsession with " 'elth and safety guv" , I would bet good money the level crossings on PRE-BPL will be removed.

There'll be riots on the streets of Poulton if they close Carleton Crossing!

On that subject, though - currently there can be long waits here. Is it likely that resignalling and/or electric trains will affect the amount of time the crossing is closed?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There'll be riots on the streets of Poulton if they close Carleton Crossing!

On that subject, though - currently there can be long waits here. Is it likely that resignalling and/or electric trains will affect the amount of time the crossing is closed?

Or pints of Boddingtons consumed in the Thatched House

 

[snowball]

Given the UKs obsession with " 'elth and safety guv" , I would bet good money the level crossings on PRE-BPL will be removed.

Trackmaps shows several level crossings between Eccles and Newton-le-W. Have they been closed?

Looking at the OS 1:25k mapping or Google satellite view, it appears that any bridge to replace Carleton crossing would require a significant length of new road, either west of Meadow Crescent, with property demolition at its northern tie-in, or east of Blackpool Road, with demolition at its southern tie-in.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Looking at the OS 1:25k mapping or Google satellite view, it appears that any bridge to replace Carleton crossing would require a significant length of new road, either west of Meadow Crescent, with property demolition at its northern tie-in, or east of Blackpool Road, with demolition at its southern tie-in.

It aint going to happen then.

 

[CAF397]

Apparently under new standards, conveying Carleton Crossing to CCTV can not be an option due to the proximity of the crossing to a 'T' junction. There will probably be a crossing keeper here following resignalling, much like there is at Bamber Bridge, with the line controlled by signallers in Manchester.
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Some photos from a visit to Farnworth Tunnel several days ago.

Firstly, the view from Farnworth station looking at the tunnels

http://flic.kr/p/ru2EnM

Secondly, when I heard the foot crossing was closing I went to investigate it. The down side approach was very muddy down a steep embankment, I notice since that proper steps have been put in. Whilst I was there prep work for the bridge was ongoing.

http://flic.kr/p/qxffK8

 

[Sheepy1209]

Apparently under new standards, conveying Carleton Crossing to CCTV can not be an option due to the proximity of the crossing to a 'T' junction. There will probably be a crossing keeper here following resignalling, much like there is at Bamber Bridge, with the line controlled by signallers in Manchester.

Makes a lot of sense - there are long queues at the nearby junction regardless of the crossing but I don't think it's one that's prone to abuse so if local control is maintained it should be safe enough.

I've often wondered, though, whether the T junction could in some way have traffic lights installed which work with the rail crossing to optimise flow.

As snowball has pointed out, this location doesn't lend itself to construction of a bridge; more to the point, the whole road system in that area is overstretched and some sort of north-south link road would be a great help.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'll have to consider buying one.

I know for certain that this is novice proof:

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/cameras/digital_camera/ixus/ixus_230_hs/

Fabulous kit for the non-professional. It's what I use.

I'm sure you can get it on line for less than Canon prices.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Trackmaps shows several level crossings between Eccles and Newton-le-W. Have they been closed?

The one at Parkside Junction hasn't, and it's within sight of the Huskisson Memorial on a junction.

Please see https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/15630019070 and others in the 1732 series.

 

[Bevan Price]

Trackmaps shows several level crossings between Eccles and Newton-le-W. Have they been closed?

Apart from Astley, the other crossings are footpath or (farm) occupation crossings.
Barton Moss seemed to have been reduced to track access status, with a padlocked gate.
The other crossings remain open. In the past, I have heard suggestions that Astley level crossing might be replaced by a bridge, but as far as I know, it remains only an "idea". The 60 mph (rail) speed limit over this crossing must be a bit of an operating nuisance.

 

[Llama]

Actually there have been a few level crossings on the Chat Moss upgraded from footpath status to user-worked gates with telephones within the last two years - Woodside Farm, Hurst Hall Farm and Lea Green. These are shown in the up-to-date sectional appendix table A.

 

[CAF397]

Footbridge now standing north of Kearsley station

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52634865@N05/16853815295/in/photostream/

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Footbridge now standing north of Kearsley station

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52634865@N05/16853815295/in/photostream/

Great photo, incredible definition and clarity - god I love digital cameras/phones.

 

[LDECRexile]

Footbridge now standing north of Kearsley station

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52634865@N05/16853815295/in/photostream/

Smashing shot, thank you.

You may not have noticed this album, which is early days of an attempt to build a comprehensive photographic record of the Salford to Blackpool electrification project ('Phase 4'):

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

Would you be to prepared to:

1. link albums within your Salford to Blackpool photos to it, as has been done to photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/16185617993/in/set-72157648767927083

or

2. contribute your images to this album, with full recognition of your ownership and efforts, as, for example, here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/16747234276/in/set-72157648767927083

or

3. Take responsibility for building such a comprehensive record, in which case we'll breathe a sigh of relief and send our material to you?

What we're aiming for is to better the record started relatively late in the day on the Liverpool to Manchester line, which is now near completion and looks like this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/

Hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes

Dave
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have received a stunning CD from Bill Morton containing over 100 high quality photos of electrification work in the Adlington area over recent months.

It will take me a while to wang them all on, but boy, will it be worth it!

Thank you Bill.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I have received a stunning CD from Bill Morton containing over 100 high quality photos of electrification work in the Adlington area over recent months.

It will take me a while to wang them all on, but boy, will it be worth it!

Thank you Bill.

No - thanks to both of you - this is just wonderful - a historical pictorial record - god I love the internet and the digital age.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've wanged the first dollop fo Bill's photos - all of Adlington itself - onto both his album and the Combined Volume, at this stage tagged and geolocated, but uncaptioned, though they will need very little by way of captions.

As they are spread over time they are spread throughout the Combined Volume, so they may be easier to view as a whole in Bill's album, which is here:

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

I'll add more in due course.

Combined Volume is here:

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

Must rush, Grandadding calls....

 

[ALX400]

Fantastic photo's there, I will be out and about next week checking on progress see how far they have got over this weeks night closures and this weekend