Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[snowball]

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

In 5064g, taken on 19 Sep, there are 20 rings up to and including the sixth light on the left.

There are about 10 further lights in sight and the lights are about every third ring. That means about 30 further rings, or 50 rings in total.

Each ring is 1.4m so that's about 70m plus the length of Fillie, which I think we estimated as about 20m.

So they've done about 90m and are about a third of the way through.

They begin to be under the A666 when they reach half way.

Have we had a progress figure since Geeves was there on 26 Aug when they had done 45m? She's done another 45m in the 24 days from then, but that's including the unknown time she was stationary.

I suppose the most optimistic assumption is that she can do the remaining 180m at the originally planned rate of 6m a day, which would imply a breakthtough about 19 Oct.

 

[ironstone11]

In 5064g, taken on 19 Sep,

I have just done a similar excercise and reckon 16 lights are visible plus the one just inside the entrance. The lights seem to me to be at every fourth ring, so I estimate 16 x 4 x 1.4 m = 89 metres. If Fillie is 20 metres long the total length tunnelled may be around 109 metres. Leaving 161 metres to go, which at 6m per day is 27 days from 19th Sept. so it should break through on Oct. 16.

We may see the halfway point reached on the 23rd or 24th of Sep. I wonder? No doubt there will be a press release when the halfway point is reached.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

In 5064g, taken on 19 Sep, there are 20 rings up to and including the sixth light on the left.

There are about 10 further lights in sight and the lights are about every third ring. That means about 30 further rings, or 50 rings in total.

Each ring is 1.4m so that's about 70m plus the length of Fillie, which I think we estimated as about 20m.

So they've done about 90m and are about a third of the way through.

They begin to be under the A666 when they reach half way.

Have we had a progress figure since Geeves was there on 26 Aug when they had done 45m? She's done another 45m in the 24 days from then, but that's including the unknown time she was stationary.

I suppose the most optimistic assumption is that she can do the remaining 180m at the originally planned rate of 6m a day, which would imply a breakthtough about 19 Oct.

I believe the section of the tunnel with the metal reinforcements connecting the lining segments and then each ring together is the point which suffered the collapse and is under the pit that was excavated, if that's any assistance for distance measurements.

 

[ironstone11]

I believe the section of the tunnel with the metal reinforcements connecting the lining segments and then each ring together is the point which suffered the collapse and is under the pit that was excavated, if that's any assistance for distance measurements.

Yes, I noticed the straps joining the segments together and thought this was unusual and an indication of problems.

However, the CrossRail tunnels also have straps joining segments in places, so evidently not all that unusual. See 360 deg video

 

[GRALISTAIR]

We may see the halfway point reached on the 23rd or 24th of Sep. I wonder? No doubt there will be a press release when the halfway point is reached.

I would bet good money on it

 

[PDG1949]

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

Unfortunately I won't be available either because of a pre-existing commitment in St Helens Town Centre (however you already know that, Dave !)

 

[Greybeard33]

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.

TfGMC's Local Rail Service Performance and Station Issues report, dated 17 Sept 2015, includes the following:

28. North West Electrification

28.1 Phases 3, 4 & 5 have gone through Enhancement Cost Adjustment
Mechanism (ECAM) so now have funding level and scope fixed. See
Appendix H for network map with location of works.

28.2 None of these works are affected by the recent Government
announcements: all the Phases are still key parts of Network Rail’s plans
for CP5

28.3 As previously reported the North Transpennine electrification works have
been paused and further details are expected in the coming months. This
affects the planned improvement works between Stalybridge and Leeds.
Works continue as planned on North West electrification which includes
the electrification of the route between Manchester Victoria and
Stalybridge, including bridge works at Mossely Road in Tameside. We will
continue to work with Network Rail and update TfGMC as and when we
have further detail.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/tfgmc/download/downloads/id/5081/item_07_local_rail_service_performance_and_station_issues.pdf
The report is signed by Amanda White, TfGM Head of Rail.

The Appendix H "Network Rail Map" indicates that the scope of Phase 5 comprises Victoria to Stalybridge; Guide Bridge to Stalybridge; Ashburys West Jn to both Phillips Park West Jn and Baguley Fold Jn; and from Ashton Moss North Jn south towards Denton Jn, but only as far as the bridge over the Ashburys to Guide Bridge line. Presumably the last bit must be in preparation for later infill between Heaton Norris Jn and Guide Bridge?

 

[Inox]

like the photo 5064g. shows the progress past the tough spot.


kind of reminds me of Die Hard 3 with the water aquaduct.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Panoramic taken from South end of platform 3, Bolton at 12.20 Monday with Large crane missing.https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/21440134059/in/dateposted-public/

 

[LeylandLen]

I see that on Sat /Sun Oct 17th/18th TPE are running services from Blackpool N via Man Victoria.to/from Newcastle, with one running Blackpool N to Scarborough , due to engineering works in Salford Crescent area.

 

[snowball]

I see that on Sat /Sun Oct 17th/18th TPE are running services from Blackpool N via Man Victoria.to/from Newcastle, with one running Blackpool N to Scarborough , due to engineering works in Salford Crescent area.

So what route are they using instead?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I see that on Sat /Sun Oct 17th/18th TPE are running services from Blackpool N via Man Victoria.to/from Newcastle, with one running Blackpool N to Scarborough , due to engineering works in Salford Crescent area.

So what route are they using instead?

Routes via Ordsall Lane Jn appear to be closed on RTT on those dates, so merging Blackpool-Manchester and Liverpool-Newcastle services would make sense.
However, it wouldn't seem viable to run via Chorley and Bolton.
Not sure I would trust RTT on that route at the moment.
Maybe it's part of the Ordsall Chord plan, assuming a positive outcome from tomorrow's judicial review (and ignoring Fillie's problems)?

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Another enormouse Crane from Ainscough's is being erected at the south end of Bolton Station next to the missing bridge.
The 2nd (east) side of the bridge which used to go over access lines to the Goods Wharehouse still remains in place.
Photos to follow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Another enormouse Crane from Ainscough's is being erected at the south end of Bolton Station next to the missing bridge.
The 2nd (east) side of the bridge which used to go over access lines to the Goods Wharehouse still remains in place.
Photos to follow.

Here is a photo of said Crane today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/21681644836/in/dateposted-public/

Use as you wish.

 

[PDG1949]

Another enormouse Crane from Ainscough's is being erected at the south end of Bolton Station next to the missing bridge.
The 2nd (east) side of the bridge which used to go over access lines to the Goods Wharehouse still remains in place.
Photos to follow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Here is a photo of said Crane today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/21681644836/in/dateposted-public/

Use as you wish.

It just goes to show the variety of cranes used for a specific task

 

[thealexweb]

Hello everyone. Sadly I have been really busy recently, but earlier today I managed to squeeze in a quick walk down to the River Croal with my Dad. One side is complete now

Dave, feel free to add it to the album if you wish.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some notes after a run round today:
8 mast bases lie between Chorley station and tunnel on the Up side, matching the 11 on the Down.
That makes roughly 200 installed on each side west of Lostock Jn, and around Salford Crescent, or about 25% of the total needed to complete Phase 4.
Given that masts and wiring haven't started, I'd put the electrification progress overall on at 10%.
Plenty of work going on at Farnworth and Moses Gate stations, but I don't think they would have been ready for reopening on October 5 if Fillie had been on time.
There are still no platform buildings.

Balfour Beatty have dismantled their electrification depots at Edge Hill and near Salford Central.
The stockpiles of masts, booms and all the other gubbins must have gone somewhere, hopefully convenient for Phases 3-6.
The scaffolding on Sankey Viaduct has disappeared at train level, at least on the south side.
Some foundation work seems to be going on just east of Ordsall Lane Jn (south side).
Possibly some preparation for the Chord?

And while Farnworth continues as the centre of attention, I see that Frank Tyson, fast bowling scourge of the Aussies in the 50s who died yesterday, was born there.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm back from foreign climes.

Thank you to Bullfield West and thealexweb for permission to use photos published above. Thank you to Joe Callaghan, Wrinkley and Darren_R who have sent me material directly.

I'll set about wanging the material on tomorrow.

When my son and daughter-in-law took us out on Saturday they agreed to stop for ten minutes by a new railway tunnel which is being dug north of Nuremberg as part of a major quadrupling exercise. I saw this as a completely unexpected bonus.

There I was, clicking merrily away when I zoomed in on a modern sign by the tunnel's southern portal. I asked for a translation and it said they would hold a tunnel open day in September. "Oh" quoth I, "have we missed it?" "Alas, yes, came the reply, it was on 26th Sept, er, hang on, that's today!"

I had fun, they were gracious hosts.

'Them and us' photos will follow as a separate album in due course.

Wow!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've now processed the fine material kindly sent over the weekend.

I've added Bullfield West's to his album here:

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

Thank you Bullfield West

I've added Joe Callaghan's to his album here:

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

Thank you Joe

I've added the alexweb's to his album here:

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

Thank you thealexweb

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

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

Thank you Wrinkley

and I've put them all in the Combined Volume here:

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

Smashing!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've had another dose of pratting about with three of Wrinkley's films appearing to me as administrator but not to the public.

I think I've fixed it, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm they can see 5084f, c & b

Grrrr.....

 

[ironstone11]

I've had another dose of pratting about with three of Wrinkley's films appearing to me as administrator but not to the public.

I think I've fixed it, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm they can see 5084f, c & b
Grrrr.....

Yes thanks, they are all visible and playable.

 

[Inox]

interesting that the new Orlando Bridge is single span. Does anyone know the tonnage rating of it?

 

[Trackman]

Farnworth again - Had a look today, are they building a footbridge on the station?

 

[wrinkley]

interesting that the new Orlando Bridge is single span. Does anyone know the tonnage rating of it?

According to the Bolton News it will take a 44 ton lorry.

 

[furnessvale]

According to the Bolton News it will take a 44 ton lorry.

Which is to be expected of a new bridge.

Of course, the haulage industry is lobbying like mad for 62 tonners..................!

 

[LDECRexile]

Wrinkley has dropped me a line about Orlando Street bridge, as follows:

I went under the bridge on the train yesterday, most of the road deck is in, steel beams between the two walkways supporting pre-cast concrete slabs, a lot of work was done Saturday/Sunday.

 

[LDECRexile]

Bridgeoscope updated below.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Bridgeoscope updated below.

I note that between Bolton and Euxton Junction is Gillets Occupation Crossing that has an individual risk factor of "C". Has the decision yet been taken as to what is to happen to this crossing?

 

[CAF397]

I note that between Bolton and Euxton Junction is Gillets Occupation Crossing that has an individual risk factor of "C". Has the decision yet been taken as to what is to happen to this crossing?

Gillets has been closed for some months now, the crossing deck has been lifted.

Whistle boards remain for the foot crossing about 5 yards Adlington side of where the crossing was.

The foot crossing north of Adlington has also been removed, and the whistle boards removed (well on the up, the down remained for a while - I'm not sure if that has been removed).

So the only foot crossings remaining should be the footpath near where Gillets was, and the foot crossing between the M61 and Horwich, at least between Euxton and Bolton.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Farnworth again - Had a look today, are they building a footbridge on the station?

No, they aren't.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Gillets has been closed for some months now, the crossing deck has been lifted.

Whistle boards remain for the foot crossing about 5 yards Adlington side of where the crossing was.

The foot crossing north of Adlington has also been removed, and the whistle boards removed (well on the up, the down remained for a while - I'm not sure if that has been removed).

So the only foot crossings remaining should be the footpath near where Gillets was, and the foot crossing between the M61 and Horwich, at least between Euxton and Bolton.

Red Moss, will be a footbridge.

 

[AM9]

Which is to be expected of a new bridge.

Of course, the haulage industry is lobbying like mad for 62 tonners..................!

Then if the new bridge is limited to 44 tonnes, along with others, they should reduce the effectiveness of any increase in the maximum.

 

[LDECRexile]

Thanks for the updates re foot crossings north of Bolton.

Please let me know if the relevant lines in the attached are now up to date.

 

[ironstone11]

Lanes on the A666 into Bolton will be temporarily closed while engineers enlarge a train tunnel below the carriageway, Network Rail said today (29 September).

The lane closures, taking effect from this Saturday (3 October) are a precautionary measure to ensure work to enlarge the Farnworth tunnel progresses smoothly and safely.

While road-users are being advised to expect some congestion and speed restrictions, the closures will only affect one lane at a time, so traffic will keep flowing.

Full text Here

I estimate the A666 crossing as being just past the halfway point.