Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[L+Y]

A query on the Bolton remodelling works. I think I've read somewhere that the platform 5 reinstatement is to facilitate easier overtaking, and wondered, will this be coupled with electrifying and bringing all four tracks into regular use on the short four-track section between Bolton and Moses Gate?

As an aside, how frequently are all four tracks used? I used to commute between Preston and Manchester via Bolton, and only once do I recall seeing a train on either the outermost Up or Down line.

 

[Geeves]

Im sure both loops at Bolton are currently showing OOU.

 

[Moonshot]

Im sure both loops at Bolton are currently showing OOU.

We do use these loops ( I work for Northern ) from time to time, in fact the other month I was on an empties which traversed both loops in one go for some sort of integrity test.

There have been numerous occassions over the last few years when a Northern service has found itself in one of these to allow a TPE to overtake.

 

[LDECRexile]

Taking Ann for an appointment in Bury gave me the opportunity to induct her into the mysteries of scrapes and bases on our circumnavigatory return.

I managed to wangle a location not used before here, which coincidentally included the loops mentioned just upthread.

Good news here I reckon:

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

 

[Trackman]

We do use these loops ( I work for Northern ) from time to time, in fact the other month I was on an empties which traversed both loops in one go for some sort of integrity test.

There have been numerous occassions over the last few years when a Northern service has found itself in one of these to allow a TPE to overtake.

Freight layover too, depending on the timing.
In the early the 90's the Queen stopped on the down line for breakfast! (booked).

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Taking Ann for an appointment in Bury gave me the opportunity to induct her into the mysteries of scrapes and bases on our circumnavigatory return.

I managed to wangle a location not used before here, which coincidentally included the loops mentioned just upthread.

Good news here I reckon:

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

Great shots Dave - do you know if they're planning on renewing any of the track that's on old timber bearers? i.e the loops and the bit near Orlando St bridge?

 

[fflint]

Please can any of our on the spot reporters say how the availability of the 319,s is at present. I haven't seen anything about them since they started, when they had a few teething problems.

 

[PDG1949]

Please can any of our on the spot reporters say how the availability of the 319,s is at present. I haven't seen anything about them since they started, when they had a few teething problems.

Dave, LDECRexile, recently posted a shot of two 319 arrivals at Allerton Depot awaiting new livery

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/32402945981/in/album-72157648494725811/

 

[Ploughman]

Please can any of our on the spot reporters say how the availability of the 319,s is at present. I haven't seen anything about them since they started, when they had a few teething problems.

Is it a case of "No news is good news?"

 

[DJH1971]

Dave, LDECRexile, recently posted a shot of two 319 arrivals at Allerton Depot awaiting new livery

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/32402945981/in/album-72157648494725811/

And they're still doing nothing after a couple of months.

 

[childwallblues]

And they're still doing nothing after a couple of months.

I understand that 319219 departed Allerton yesterday for Wolverton.

 

[DJH1971]

I understand that 319219 departed Allerton yesterday for Wolverton.

For refurbishment possibly?

 

[PDG1949]

I understand that 319219 departed Allerton yesterday for Wolverton.

Strange; I always thought that the scheme was Wolverton first to do the electro-mechanicals and then Allerton for the cosmetics..

 

[childwallblues]

Strange; I always thought that the scheme was Wolverton first to do the electro-mechanicals and then Allerton for the cosmetics..

Could it be availability of space at Wolverton?

 

[snowball]

This information is taken from Northern's consultation on the December 2017 timetable change as linked by ainsworth74 in this new thread in the Allocations, Diagrams and Timetables subforum:

Between November 2017 and March 2018 the route to Blackpool North is closed with replacement road transport provided. This is to undertake electrification works on the route.

The block is in two phases:

1. From 11/11/2017 to 26/01/2018 there will be no train services from either
Blackpool North or Blackpool South through to Preston.

2. From 27/01/2018 to 25/03/2018 a train service will operate from Blackpool
South to Preston. The line between Blackpool North and Kirkham and Wesham will remain blocked.

From 26/03/2018 the full route will be re-opened, but will only be available for
diesel services.

For the period between 11th November 2017 and 19th May 2018, through services to Manchester Airport will not operate.

From 20/05/2018 the route will be energised and will be served by electric trains, enabling the restoration of through services to Liverpool and Manchester.

 

[thealexweb]

It looks like we have our first official confirmation that the revised deadline of December 2017 will not be met. May 2018 is the date Northern are working too. Is this really realistic considering how much there is to do? See the below slide from a Northern consultation presentation.

http://www.eavb.co.uk/ARN1217.pdf

 

[snowball]

It looks like we have our first official confirmation that the revised deadline of December 2017 will not be met. May 2018 is the date Northern are working too. Is this really realistic considering how much there is to do? See the below slide from a Northern consultation presentation

But on the three previous pages they refer to electric trains between Manchester and Preston via Bolton from December 2017, and improvements elsewhere that presumably depend on DMUs cascaded from that route.

 

[thealexweb]

But on page 5 they refer to electric trains between Manchester and Preston via Bolton from December 2017.

I know I read that as well. While it does seem conflicting I don't think the May 2018 date will have been put there by mistake.

 

[snowball]

I know I read that as well. While it does seem conflicting I don't think the May 2018 date will have been put there by mistake.

I've now edited #3707 to reflect the fact that it's not just one page but three pages that say December.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This information is taken from Northern's consultation on the December 2017 timetable change as linked by ainsworth74 in this new thread in the Allocations, Diagrams and Timetables subforum:

That's 19 weeks of no service from Blackpool North.
It seems a long period for what seems a relatively modest upgrade.
It would not seem very hard to remodel BPN in two halves, as has happened in much busier stations in the past.
Kirkham will be messy and needs a blockade but isn't all that complex.
If they were rebuilding the formation for higher speeds I could understand it, but just to operate the existing 75mph trundle?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Kirkham will be messy and needs a blockade but isn't all that complex.

What was described to me an LDECRExile aka Dave between xmas and new year by Orangemen, was complete lift of tracks, redo layout, build new platforms, reballast, new track, remove signal boxes and new signaling - and that was Kirkham. Combine Blackpool North and I assume finish off piling, installing metal work, cantilever danglies, wires etc - I can see that taking a fair while.

 

[Ploughman]

Especially if the platforms are being realigned.

 

[edwin_m]

According to Wikipedia the Nottingham blockade in 2013 was 10 weeks. Similar size station at 6-7 platforms but only one major length of platform to be re-built.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

According to Wikipedia the Nottingham blockade in 2013 was 10 weeks. Similar size station at 6-7 platforms but only one major length of platform to be re-built.

Indeed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_station


However Nottingham happened right in the middle of Summer. Blackpool/Kirkham/Blackpool South were not allowed then nor later because of Illuminations so they are doing it middle of winter so I am sure extra contingency has been factored in. Your workforce will also be split as Kirkham will be going along at the same time as Blackpool plus resignalling of south line and electrification - none of this happened in Nottingham.

 

[Elecman]

There can't be much resignalling of the South line it doesn't have any except for the junction at Kirkham and Moss Side Level Crossing

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There can't be much resignalling of the South line it doesn't have any except for the junction at Kirkham and Moss Side Level Crossing

That indeed should be one of the simplest parts of the scheme - one would think.

 

[Chrism20]

Blackpool Gazette have been out with Northerns driver team manager.

You can see it’s really happening,” says Garry, as he guides the train the last few hundred metres into Blackpool.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...-on-track-to-a-21st-century-railway-1-8361971

 

[LDECRexile]

Thanks to all who have contributed evidence as well as opinion to this recent info.

I may be misreading one or two comments, but I can't see anything inconsistent between Manchester-Preston being electrified from December 2017 and Preston-Blackpool being closed for chunks of time in Spring 2018 and electrified from May 2018.

 

[wrinkley]

Thanks to all who have contributed evidence as well as opinion to this recent info.

I may be misreading one or two comments, but I can't see anything inconsistent between Manchester-Preston being electrified from December 2017 and Preston-Blackpool being closed for chunks of time in Spring 2018 and electrified from May 2018.

That's the way that I read it also Dave.

 

[AngelicUpstart]

Was happy, and somewhat surprised, to see during a trip yesterday that there are a whole load of what look like piles have been laid out beside the Up line between Salwick and Lea and a few more were at the Preston End of Tom Benson Way. The gate off Tulketh Brow seems to be being used as an access point for them as there were more there.