Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[ironstone11]

I'm glad 5044i2q has landed.

I've re-reloaded 5044j as 5044jq2, could someone please confirm it's visible (or not.)

Yes, thanks I can confirm 5044j being present as 5044jq2.

Thanks once again for a fantastic effort.

 

[LDECRexile]

Yes, thanks I can confirm 5044j being present as 5044jq2.

Thanks once again for a fantastic effort.

Phew!

Thank you.

Joe has sent me this, which might be of interest, to travel or to view:

http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/winter-cumbrian-mountain-express-23-01-16
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Wrinkley has been back to Orlando Street and to the library.

I've added the fruits of his labours to his album here:

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

Thank you Wrinkley.

Joe has had his Alfred Hitchcock hat on and edited several scenes from last Friday into one narrative film. The fine result is in 5020z which replaces 5020u, w, x & y

I've added it to his album here:

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

Thank you Joe.

I've reflected all these in the Combined Volume and also rationalised 5044jq2 to 5044j and 5044i2q to 5044i, here:

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

I have added an extra check when I publish additions and changes whereby I review albums as Joe Public before hitting GO.
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Joe Callaghan has received this Tweet from Network Rail:

Hi Joe, we're over quarter of the way through the tunnel now. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing Joe.

 

[Ploughman]

With regard to the Steam special.
What are the chances of it not being allowed due to not being gauged?

 

[LDECRexile]

Joe Callaghan has kindly sent a film showing progress at Farnworth since the weekend.

I've added it, with four stills grabbed from it, to Joe's album here:

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

and added them to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe

 

[Joseph_Locke]

With regard to the Steam special.
What are the chances of it not being allowed due to not being gauged?

Nil. If it will fit through the other platforms on the route it will easy fit through Farnworth and the tunnel.

Whether the new tunnel is open by then is the question :roll:

 

[thealexweb]

Nil. If it will fit through the other platforms on the route it will easy fit through Farnworth and the tunnel.

Whether the new tunnel is open by then is the question :roll:

First Transpennine Express seem so confident the tunnel will open on weekends that they seem to want to terminate some of their Liverpool expresses in Blackpool North XD

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2301254#post2301254

 

[AM9]

So if it does run it will be the new tunnel's 'smoke christening'.

 

[Thomas6187]

First Transpennine Express seem so confident the tunnel will open on weekends that they seem to want to terminate some of their Liverpool expresses in Blackpool North XD

All the work outside the tunnel, i.e. the trackwork and platforms, should be completed by October, so weekend train running should as normal. However only a limited train service can run because of the single line.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

So if it does run it will be the new tunnel's 'smoke christening'.

Now that's a photo opportunity that I am sure will attract a few fans ...

 

[snowball]

So if it does run it will be the new tunnel's 'smoke christening'.

More likely to be through the narrow, formerly down bore, if it will fit.

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I too can now see 5044i and j.

Apologies for the delay in confirming this - I've been otherwise occupied for most of the last couple of days.

Many thanks to LDECR and his collaborators.

 

[QueensCurve]

Any information on the Blackpool to Preston part of Blackpool to Manchester?

 

[snowball]

Any information on the Blackpool to Preston part of Blackpool to Manchester?

I believe all the bridges have been done. As for when we'll see masts, no idea.

 

[LeylandLen]

Any information on the Blackpool to Preston part of Blackpool to Manchester?

I believe Network Rail need to close Blackpool N station to rebuild it and do associated track work / sidings etc which will take a few months . I thought it was to be done this winter after Xmas/New Year but not aware of any early publicity or plans.

 

[LDECRexile]

Wrinkley has just sent this about Orlando St Bridge

I’ve just been down there, the crane that was there has gone but has not been replaced by anything bigger yet. Few people on site and no one close enough to talk to.

It probably needs a bigger crane for the reach/weight as I can now see that the inner and outer walls for each side are in one piece, i.e. there will be two lifts and it will be at least the same weight as Farnworth. they may bring a crane in overnight - it came in at 5.00 am at Ladybridge – but it will take longer to set up. I will check first thing tomorrow

We've got company coming this weekend, so I'm out of it.

Wrinkley has a family wedding so he'll scarcely be able to visit.

I hope others of our intrepid band of photographers will be able to step in.

It should be a good show.

If people send me material I'll be able to get cracking on it from Monday midday.

Have fun

Dave

 

[LeylandLen]

Seems that TPE are routing most Man Airport TO Blackpool services for w/c 5/10/2015 via Bolton Chorley and southbound returns via WCML and Wigan N/W

 

[snowball]

I believe Network Rail need to close Blackpool N station to rebuild it and do associated track work / sidings etc which will take a few months . I thought it was to be done this winter after Xmas/New Year but not aware of any early publicity or plans.

I thought that was 2017.

 

[Jonny]

I believe Network Rail need to close Blackpool N station to rebuild it and do associated track work / sidings etc which will take a few months . I thought it was to be done this winter after Xmas/New Year but not aware of any early publicity or plans.

I seem to recall hearing reading winter 2016/7 on this forum, possibly also subject to slippage. As that is Blackpool's "low" season, it is probably the least disruptive.

 

[LDECRexile]

News from Wrinkley, whio managed an early morning trip to Orlando St bridge before his wedding commitments kicked in.

1. The beams will be craned in next weekend
2. The four big new concrete cill blocks will be craned in this weekend
2.1 The pair on one side were craned in this morning, Wrinkley filmed one of the lifts
2.2 The pair on the other side aren't yet on site and the crane doesn't look to be in the right place for that lift, so he surmises that they will arrive and the crane be moved tonight
2.3 He surmises that they will be lifted into place tomorrow morning.

I agree with his assessment.

Great stuff Wrinkley ,thanks for sharing.

 

[QueensCurve]

I believe all the bridges have been done. As for when we'll see masts, no idea.

Basically nothing then. My understanding is the route needs resignallng/remodelling so it will be bogged down in the general malaise/delays to signalling projects.
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I thought that was 2017.

Originally scheduled for May 2016 - showing the slippage on what was arguably an undemanding project programme.

 

[snowball]

In the case of Preston-Blackpool I thought the so-far-announced slippage, i.e. to spring 2017, was entirely due to the growth in scope, i.e. the proposals for track alteration and resignalling.

 

[Whistler40145]

I thought that too.

 

[Class 170101]

Seems that TPE are routing most Man Airport TO Blackpool services for w/c 5/10/2015 via Bolton Chorley and southbound returns via WCML and Wigan N/W

I have had a look at Realtime trains this morning for the 5 October the following TPE services are running via Bolton (see attached)
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...5/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=TP

I would suggest there appear to be minimal changes from currently and all other services are being routed via Wigan NW. (Unless the data is still being updated by NR).

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I believe Network Rail need to close Blackpool N station to rebuild it and do associated track work / sidings etc which will take a few months . I thought it was to be done this winter after Xmas/New Year but not aware of any early publicity or plans.

I thought that was 2017.

I seem to recall hearing reading winter 2016/7 on this forum, possibly also subject to slippage. As that is Blackpool's "low" season, it is probably the least disruptive.

Basically nothing then. My understanding is the route needs resignallng/remodelling so it will be bogged down in the general malaise/delays to signalling projects.
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Originally scheduled for May 2016 - showing the slippage on what was arguably an undemanding project programme.

In the case of Preston-Blackpool I thought the so-far-announced slippage, i.e. to spring 2017, was entirely due to the growth in scope, i.e. the proposals for track alteration and resignalling.

I thought that too.

Phase 4 (Salford to Euxton) is delayed due the Balfour Beatty fiasco and the scope of signalling data design for Bolton.

Phases 3 (Blackpool) and 5 (Stalybridge) are delayed due the Balfour Beatty fiasco and general design delays.

 

[Darren R]

Phase 4 (Salford to Euxton) is delayed due to .... the scope of signalling data design for Bolton.

I am intrigued by that; are you in a position to elaborate? (You can tell us - we won't tell anyone! )

 

[LDECRexile]

I've received this from Wrinkley:

rerlando St Bridge

A bigger crane is on site on the west side, on the station car park. They have lifted in two cill beams on to the west side abutment. There are two more to go in on the east side, but I couldn’t se them anywhere.

There is a new hard standing on the east side near the bridge which can be accessed from the retail park, I don’t know if they can access it by crossing the tracks. They may have to move the crane to this area to lift the other cills as I was told that they weigh approx. 50 tons each and it’s a long reach from where it is now. If they have to go through the retail park with the crane and the cills, they may not move it until tonight or early tomorrow, but that’s only my guess.

The engineer told me that the bridge will be lifted in next Friday night/Saturday morning, she will email the times to me later. It will be a 1000 ton capacity crane as I was told by another orangeman that the two lifts are about 100 tons each.

There’s also another small bridge to replace over the roadway behind the retail park, it’s on the general arrangement drawing that Bolton MBC have. Orlando Street runs over both bridges.

re: Farnworth Tunnel

She also works on the tunnel, they are making good progress, as they are now in clay and the expect good ground under St Peter’s Way. They have some professional photos from the tunnel and we may be able to get copies, but I think we would have to get permission to publish them.

Great stuff Wrinkley, thanks for sharing.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I am intrigued by that; are you in a position to elaborate? (You can tell us - we won't tell anyone! )

And, sadly, intrigued you shall remain.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

I called at the Footbridge at 4:10pm today to see the "Lack Of" Orlando Bridge. I have 2 photos which can be used by anyone for any reason on my Flickr page. Higher res images if required.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/21542102076/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/20947170143/in/dateposted-public/

Hope the links work.

 

[LDECRexile]

I called at the Footbridge at 4:10pm today to see the "Lack Of" Orlando Bridge. I have 2 photos which can be used by anyone for any reason on my Flickr page. Higher res images if required.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/21542102076/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/20947170143/in/dateposted-public/

Hope the links work.

Smashing, thank you.

I've downloaded them and will strive to put them in the Combined Volume tomorrow pm.

Welcome aboard

Dave
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I've received very welcome material from Bullfield West, Wrinkley and through Wrinkley, Network Rail.

I have created an album for Bullfield West and put his shots of Orlando Street bridge into it here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157658887703492

Thank you Mr West (please may I call you Bullfield?), welcome aboard.

I've added Wrinkley's own material to his album here:

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

Thank you Wrinkley

I've added the Network Rail shots, courtesy of an engineer who works at both Orlando Street and Farnworth Tunnel, to Fillie's album here:

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

Thank you Wrinkley, Orangelady and Network Rail

and I've wanged the lot into the Combined Volume here:

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

I hope people can chip in in like style next weekend when I'll be in Germany.

Thanks to all.

Dave

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Absolutely outstanding Dave -enjoy Germany - flying, driving or training?

 

[LDECRexile]

Thanks Graham, but I'm only the conduit on this occasion.

We fly to Frankfurt then train from there.

Hope it won't be too long before we meet again.

Kind regards

Dave