Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[snowball]

Brilloiant pictures, many thanks!

 

[LDECRexile]

Thank you very much for the kind remark and the info on the lights/cameras/actions at Clifton. More interesting than an interesting thing. I've amended the captions accordingly.

I hope to go along the line by rail this week and be unable to keep up with counting bases.

 

[Trackman]

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.

I've seen them in action! They used to be monitored at Manchester ICC at Piccadilly on the top floor at Square One. I think they recorded all the time. yes, specifically installed for trespassers/cable theft.
I popped up one lunch-time with a friend and asked about a recent cable theft at Kearsley (a few years back), he then showed me the CCTV PC.

 

[Inox]

We're they working up by buckshaw last night? Could hear tap tapping in the early hours... Driving steel piles?

 

[Buck Shaw]

Was just about to post that Inox, it certainly sounded like it!!

I am just glad that "visible" progress finally seems to be being made around here.

 

[Chrisyd]

The following link is to the plans for the Canopy extension and additional footbridge required for Platform 4 & 5 at Bolton.
https://www.planningpa.bolton.gov.u...ctiveTab=relatedCases&keyVal=PROPLPI_108693_1

Just one question - why does Platform 4 and 5 get an additional footbridge but the island Platform (1, 2 and 3) seemingly does not, presumably this is not a requirement from an evacuation perspective?

 

[WatcherZero]

New development means upping to newer safety standard, old one has grandfather safety approval.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Just one question - why does Platform 4 and 5 get an additional footbridge but the island Platform (1, 2 and 3) seemingly does not, presumably this is not a requirement from an evacuation perspective?

Adding 5 potential doubles the evacuation numbers on the staircase, whereas there are no such changes to 1/2/3 island. You'll notice that the P5 GA has an area marked as passive provision for platform extension - this has also been factored into the decision about need a secondary means of escape (along with as many other cost-neutral future-proofing features as possible).

 

[edwin_m]

Adding 5 potential doubles the evacuation numbers on the staircase, whereas there are no such changes to 1/2/3 island. You'll notice that the P5 GA has an area marked as passive provision for platform extension - this has also been factored into the decision about need a secondary means of escape (along with as many other cost-neutral future-proofing features as possible).

Also escape from the existing P4 would become much more dangerous with a new track on the back of it.

Does the bridge design allow for another span to be added later as an evacuation route from the existing island?

 

[adsteamfan]

I see that Network Rail have renamed Trinity Street Bridge to Orlando Street on the location plan.

 

[Inox]

Was just about to post that Inox, it certainly sounded like it!!

I am just glad that "visible" progress finally seems to be being made around here.

yeah. Didn't bother looking on the way on or way out today to see what was done, but it seemed like it was going on for a while.

I could hear it the other side of Main Street....

 

[Buck Shaw]

yeah. Didn't bother looking on the way on or way out today to see what was done, but it seemed like it was going on for a while.

I could hear it the other side of Main Street....

Hopefully they got done what they needed to. The Mrs was moaning this morning about it keeping her awake for hours :roll: while I was snoring away

[edit] Just found out they are piling every night this week. Although maybe not tonight with the thunder and lightning??

 

[PDG1949]

Brilloiant pictures, many thanks!

Ta muchly

That's why we included some taken in the scrublands....

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

We're they working up by buckshaw last night? Could hear tap tapping in the early hours... Driving steel piles?

There appear to be 4 new piles on the Down to the west of Buckshaw Parkway, in "virgin territory" (ie no previous concrete bases).
A couple of new piles have also appeared between Blackrod and Adlington on the Up, not far from the 5 test masts which have been in for 8 months now.
I didn't spot any other changes.
The stack of piles on the lineside at Agecroft doesn't seem to have been disturbed for a couple of weeks.

The new concrete platform wall at Chorley looks to be complete now.
The tracked boring machine which was parked between P3/4 at Bolton has moved on.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Also escape from the existing P4 would become much more dangerous with a new track on the back of it.

Does the bridge design allow for another span to be added later as an evacuation route from the existing island?

Can't possibly comment on that. Or future provision of lifts. Nope, not me.

 

[Inox]

There appear to be 4 new piles on the Down to the west of Buckshaw Parkway, in "virgin territory" (ie no previous concrete bases).
A couple of new piles have also appeared between Blackrod and Adlington on the Up, not far from the 5 test masts which have been in for 8 months now.
I didn't spot any other changes.
The stack of piles on the lineside at Agecroft doesn't seem to have been disturbed for a couple of weeks.

The new concrete platform wall at Chorley looks to be complete now.
The tracked boring machine which was parked between P3/4 at Bolton has moved on.

yeah, Don't think the boring machine was there on saturday. cheers

 

[Bullfield WEst]

yeah, Don't think the boring machine was there on saturday. cheers

The Boring machine was moved to the Car Park end just off Platform 4 about a week ago. Don't know if it has moved on.

 

[rebmcr]

The Boring machine was moved to the Car Park end just off Platform 4 about a week ago. Don't know if it has moved on.

I think it's quite interesting actually.

 

[snowball]

I think it's quite interesting actually.

I won't repeat the famous Yellow Pages entry.

 

[PDG1949]

I think it's quite interesting actually.

...and if you thought that was boring, try this...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dull,_Perth_and_Kinross

 

[Inox]

May have missed it, but is there work between Bolton and the Crescent this weekend? Buses between Bolton and Vic, et al.

It's been buses between Preston and Bolton then trains all the way in, thus far.

 

[PDG1949]

May have missed it, but is there work between Bolton and the Crescent this weekend? Buses between Bolton and Vic, et al.

It's been buses between Preston and Bolton then trains all the way in, thus far.

Its probably because they're taking out Park House bridge near Agecroft North Junction

See

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

5984 sequence

 

[Trackman]

Bolton station plans - is P1 going to be electrified with a curve towards Lostock?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Bolton station plans - is P1 going to be electrified with a curve towards Lostock?

Electrified as is.

 

[Darren R]

Its probably because they're taking out Park House bridge near Agecroft North Junction

See

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

5984 sequence

NRE says there is also work going on between Bolton and Hindley, resulting in bus replacements/diversions for all services through Bolton both this weekend and next. Dunnow what they're doing though! (Although there is what I assume to be a Tamper heading back from Bolton to Blackburn on Sunday.)

Bolton station plans - is P1 going to be electrified with a curve towards Lostock?

Electrified as is.

So will that make it easier when it comes to extending the wires up the bank to Blackburn?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

NRE says there is also work going on between Bolton and Hindley, resulting in bus replacements/diversions for all services through Bolton both this weekend and next. Dunnow what they're doing though! (Although there is what I assume to be a Tamper heading back from Bolton to Blackburn on Sunday.)

So will that make it easier when it comes to extending the wires up the bank to Blackburn?

Track lowering under Mayor Street bridge, Bolton, for electrification.

As to the second, no, because someone still needs to work out how to get the wires under Trinity Street bridge ... phase 4 isn't trying. Platform 5 provides the additional platform face without having to demolish the footbridge stairs (and GSMR mast) to re-instate the link from Up to P1.

 

[LDECRexile]

ALX400 has kindly sent a shot of finishing off work at Chorley yesterday evening. I've added it to his album here:

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

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

You may not know that the very first photo in the Combined Volume - number 9998m Salford - is rather special. If you click on it then scroll down you will see that there are three "Comments".

The first is headed "Ordsall Chord, Salford/Manchester"

The second is headed "Ridgeway (Ridgway) Bridge, near Blackrod"

The third is headed "Ladybridge, Bolton"

These "Comments" all link (with permission, of course) to smashing albums created, built and maintained by other people - Chris Davis, Ian Fitter and The Real Mad Haggis respectively.

Chris, Ian and Haggis add or alter the albums as they see fit. Ian's hasn't changed for a while, it could change this afternoon, next Friday or never. Haggis has added three "then" shots since I last looked and Chris adds one every week, giving a timelapse.

To access the albums click on the links shown in the Comment's texts.

I really appreciate the way Chris, Ian and Haggis have generously given us access to their work. I would be tickled pink if anyone else wished to follow suit. All anyone need do is send me the green light and a link to their album, that's it, full stop, done once then forget.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Now for something completely different:

Whilst trawling t'internet for tit-bits for use in Wikipedia I stumbled across this:

http://www.lymmobservatory.net/railways/sbdiagrams/sbdiagrams.htm

It includes diagrams from "our" line, such as Bullfield West...

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Passing Farnworth tunnel work site just off the A666 today (i was on the road, not the rail), there seemed to be a bit of activity, few vans and other equipment - couldn't see the company names - is this site being used for a base for electrification teams does anyone know?

 

[Mordac]

New press release out. Changes afoot:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-before-they-travel-as-railway-upgrade-begins

Passengers between Preston and Blackpool urged to check before they travel as railway upgrade begins

Monday 26 Sep 2016

Work to electrify the railway between Preston and Blackpool will begin next month.

The upgrade, part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, will provide passengers with better, more reliable journeys and is part of a £1bn+ Northern Programmes investment to enable electric trains to operate on this line of route.

Passengers are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel as the work means changes to early morning and late evening services between Preston and Blackpool, from 3 October 2016. These changes will be in place until May 2018.

In the mornings bus replacement services will be in operation until the 05.39 train from Blackpool (Tuesday – Friday).

In the evenings bus replacement services will be in operation after the 22.45 train from Blackpool and the 22.19 train service from Preston (Monday – Thursday).

From Tuesday 4 October a rail replacement service from Blackpool North – Preston will be in place for the 05:21 Blackpool North – London Euston service every Tuesday – Friday until Friday, 9 December 2016.
The rail replacement service will depart from Blackpool North at 04:57, calling at Poulton-Le-Fylde and Kirkham & Wesham before arriving into Preston at 05:52.
The 06:00 service from Preston will arrive into London Euston at 08:34 – the same time as the direct Blackpool service is scheduled to arrive.
The 16:33 London Euston – Blackpool North service will operate as normal.

Alison Rowley, programme manager for Network Rail said: “We are working closely with Northern and Virgin Trains to minimise the disruption to passengers and raise awareness of these changes to morning and evening train services between Preston and Blackpool.

“There is never a good time to affect journeys but we have planned the work to affect the least amount of passengers for the shortest amount of time. This is essential work and I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their understanding.

“The upgrade and wider investment will result in a better and more reliable railway that will serve passengers for many decades to come and help boost the economy across the north of England.”

Sharon Keith, Regional Director for Northern said: “This essential upgrade of the route between Preston and Blackpool is key to help us develop better journeys for our customers. Our advice is to remind customers to check before they travel and we’d like to thank customers in advance for their patience while we work together to improve services.”

Phil Bearpark, Executive Director of Operations & Projects at Virgin Trains on the West Coast, said: “From October 2016, Network Rail is carrying out work to upgrade the railway between Blackpool and Preston. Virgin Trains customers who are travelling from Blackpool to Preston on the early morning service are advised to check for information on the National Rail website when planning their journey. We have worked closely with Network Rail and industry partners to ensure alternative travel arrangements are in place and to keep disruption to a minimum, whilst work takes place.”

Over the course of the upgrade until the electrified railway opens in May 2018, over seven miles of railway track will be replaced and improvements to the track layout and signalling equipment be made to increase the reliability of the railway in and out of Blackpool. Blackpool North and Kirkham and Wesham stations will be remodelled meaning that major platform work needs to take place. Simplified track and platform layouts along the route will allow trains to run more efficiently, reducing delays and providing better passenger journeys.

Further closures on the route will be required in 2017, including a series of weekend closures early next year. More details around these closures will be communicated later in the year.

For more information and to plan your journey, please check www.nationalrail.co.uk

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

3 new piled bases are in at Chorley, on the Down line in the cutting just east of the tunnel.
At the station, about 80% of the P1 platform face now has its edging stones.
P2 has also be quietly rebuilt without needing closure.