Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Bullfield WEst]

On Friday evening I spotted this very well equipped tracked vehicle fenced in between the lines at Bolton station. Not sure of it's use.

 

[snowball]

A version of what later became the M55 was in the Road Plan for Lancashire of 1949 but I don't know how close it got to the town centre or what route it followed as it got close. I suspect that as Lankyline says it took advantage of the closure after the closure had happened.

 

[Geeves]

Im sure plenty of people today would much have preferred Central to still be open but of course the council thought they knew best! Another fine mess we were left with.

In regards to the mystery equipment if you look closely you should be able to make out a piling device which is folded horizontally, so a miniature tracked pile driver for the bases which will be on the former through lines away from the station roof.

 

[edwin_m]

Looking at the Blackpool layout someone posted a couple of pages back, I think only the middle platforms are intended for frequent use. The approach tracks for the ones either side are less than optimum and if it is anything like to scale will result in quite long reoccupation times. So I suspect the main Northern service will use the central pair and the others will be for longer turnarounds like the expected London services or specials.

 

[Ploughman]

On Friday evening I spotted this very well equipped tracked vehicle fenced in between the lines at Bolton station. Not sure of it's use.
[url]https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenward/29216327021/in/dateposted-public*********[/url][/QUOTE]

Is it a drill rig rather than a pile driver.
Thinking of something like doing core samples for Soil Mechanics.

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Is it a drill rig rather than a pile driver.
Thinking of something like doing core samples for Soil Mechanics.

I wondered that - wouldn't they want to get the track work through Bolton sorted before installing piles/bases?

 

[LDECRexile]

Both ALX400 and Lankyline have sent photos of work at Chorley.

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

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352

and Lankyline's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157670913554790

and both sets to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

It's great to have people sending material, thank you.

Lankyline ended his accompanying note with "My favourite, craning the roller compactor into the subway hole and the crane driver can’t see a thing !" Boy, have I stood in awe watching similar over the last couple of years, a controller directing goodness knows how much weight and value of clobber by finger signals, landing on a sixpence* - real skill in action.

Thank you ALX and LL.

*sixpence, aka "A Tanner" = obsolete coin about the size of a 5p piece

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is it a drill rig rather than a pile driver.
Thinking of something like doing core samples for Soil Mechanics.

It's still there today, a Bohrtechnik machine.
All working fine at Chorley today, but the track is still jointed, so not in its final state.

More piles have gone in between Lostock and Blackrod, stretches already with concrete bases.
I counted 22 on the Up and for the first time 9 on the Down.
The rate is still too low to finish by Dec 2017.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's still there today, a Bohrtechnik machine.
All working fine at Chorley today, but the track is still jointed, so not in its final state.

More piles have gone in between Lostock and Blackrod, stretches already with concrete bases.
I counted 22 on the Up and for the first time 9 on the Down.
The rate is still too low to finish by Dec 2017.

Still it is progress and Dave will definitely need to dust off his progressometer

 

[Ploughman]

Both ALX400 and Lankyline have sent photos of work at Chorley.

*sixpence, aka "A Tanner" = obsolete coin about the size of a 5p piece

And worth 2 1/2p

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm delighted that new contributor roversfan2001 has sent two photos he took at Chorley earlier today.

I've created an album for him here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157670010023923

and I've added them to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Welcome aboard roversfan2001!

Great news on the new piles, I am using Brillo on the Progressometer as we speak.

Paul, fancy a jaunt next Tuesday? I've got family commitments until then.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I

Paul, fancy a jaunt next Tuesday? I've got family commitments until then.

I am getting the train from Preston - Manchester airport that day. As soon as I know the train I am on I will let you know just in case it is possible to meet.

 

[PDG1949]

Paul, fancy a jaunt next Tuesday? I've got family commitments until then.

Yes, Dave, at the moment I should be OK; may have some local pics on unfinished bridgeworks Liverpool/Manchester/Wigan thread, so Ill be in touch anyway.

Great news on the new piles, I am using Brillo on the Progressometer as we speak.

Wouldn't Anusol be a bit more comfortable ??

 

[deltic08]

All working fine at Chorley today, but the track is still jointed, so not in its final state.

Have I missed something or is the second subway still to be completed at Chorley?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Have I missed something or is the second subway still to be completed at Chorley?

Chapel Street was re-decked weeks ago, this is the station subway now done. There are still works to do to: the platform edge beams over the subway and the alignment (I hope the bump on the Up line settles ....)

 

[snowball]

Press release on Chorley:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...ork-at-chorley-station-work-completed-on-time

Network Rail has thanked neighbours and passengers for their patience and understanding after work to replace a subway and alter track at Chorley station was carried out over the bank holiday weekend.

The work is part of Network Rail’s £1bn+ Northern Programmes investment which will allow electric trains to travel through the station helping to deliver better, more frequent services across the north of England from December 2017.

A special timelapse video shows the level and complexity of work that was carried out at the station over the bank holiday. Engineers worked round the clock to deliver the programme of work on time and with minimal disruption to passengers and local residents. A subway roof was replaced and upgrade work to platforms and the track completed which will enable overhead power lines to be installed in the area.

Noel Connolly, head of programme management for Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience. The upgrade and wider investment will result in a better, more reliable railway that will serve passengers for many decades to come.

“I’d also like to thank local residents for their understanding as well. I appreciate that the work we carried out near to their homes was at times extremely noisy. However I hope that the local community will experience the benefits that an enhanced railway will bring to help boost the economy across the north of England.”

There is more information on the project at Chorley at www.networkrail.co.uk/chorley

They mention a video. Perhaps they mean the one on the NP Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/networkrailnp

 

[Lankyline]

Couple of class 70 s on spoil trains at Chorley today, having seen these up close for the first time it has to be the ugliest looking diesel loco ever made !

 

[childwallblues]

Couple of class 70 s on spoil trains at Chorley today, having seen these up close for the first time it has to be the ugliest looking diesel loco ever made !

Efficiency not looks!

 

[LeylandLen]

Had a look at Chorley station lunchtime today , Sunday , but could not see any sign of work being done.Even tho the contractors have weekend possession.Yes work is coming along nicely from what I could see.

 

[Lankyline]

Efficiency not looks!

Helps if it's not designed by Lego

 

[childwallblues]

Helps if it's not designed by Lego

They have not been christened uglies by enthusiasts for nothing.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

More piles have gone in between Lostock and Blackrod, stretches already with concrete bases.
I counted 22 on the Up and for the first time 9 on the Down.
The rate is still too low to finish by Dec 2017.

The new tubular piles are being installed only where a) BB got the concrete ones in the wrong place b) where the design has changed due to the change in /1210 and c) there weren't any.

By far and away the majority are for reason c), then a) then b).

I see no programme issues beyond those associated with the timing of the Bolton Blockade.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I see no programme issues beyond those associated with the timing of the Bolton Blockade.

That is reassuring Mr Locke. I did a return run yesterday Preston to Deansgate but was with the wife. Even so I noticed some progress and Chorley is definitely coming on nicely

 

[LDECRexile]

Earlier today Paul and I did our first jaunt along bits of the line for what seems like years.

The best news by a mile is that the overbridge near the site of Agecroft North Junction is being demolished; not rebuilt, demolished.

Our earlier photos of and from it are here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157673415529226

Talking to my first on-site Orangeman for ages the site is being cleared, welders are due in this coming weekend to cut it into manageable but safe and stable chunks, then the following Saturday it will be lifted out overnight.

We went to the Ordsall Chord site, lots of action there and the Middlewood Locks site which is now barriered to the public.

Clifton, Bridge 14, Moses Gate and Lever St footbridge no visible action, but we went over Orlando St bridge out of devilment, it withstood the strain. Then on to Ladybridge which has settled in nicely and someone gets a Gold Star from us for painting over graffiti. Someone else gets another for the smashing landscaping they've done where the worksite was. No electrification work visible though.

I'm off to London in the morning, back Saturday, so no photos until I'm back I'm afraid.

 

[42626]

The new tubular piles are being installed only where a) BB got the concrete ones in the wrong place b) where the design has changed due to the change in /1210 and c) there weren't any.

Is this the noise we can hear in the middle of the night?

 

[ALX400]

Sure is they are progressing along the line well

 

[LDECRexile]

As promised, here are selected photos which Paul and I took on Tuesday last.

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

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649792560381

and our joint efforts to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

 

[Darren R]

Interesting photographs, as always, LDECRexile. My commute these days takes me in the opposite direction, so I don't get to see how work is progressing around Manchester.

However, Point of Order regarding the captions to photographs 5980k and 5980i taken at Clifton Junction.

Remarking on the cluster of lineside lights, you say this:

Beyond the southern platform end are the remains of sidings associated with the long-dead Clifton Junction, covered in greenery. Intriguingly, the array of lights aver them remain in place, glassless, but standing proud.

However, I am pretty sure those lights are fairly new, and Google Street View seems to confirm this if you look at the 2008 view. (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.5226265,-2.314623,3a,35.4y,153.56h,87.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLvZQHdti20F8sLm_DgEoTw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

Are they electrification related? Can anyone shed any light () on the subject?

 

[Elecman]

No they are an anti theft deterrent and were installed circa 2009/2010

 

[Geeves]

Those are actually CCTV cameras installed when we were at the height of the cable theft problems . They are motion activated an there also lights too. Edit beaten by a minute ha.