Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[GRALISTAIR]

Would I be correct in thinking that Booster Transformers aren't used on the sections converted to Autotransformer system?

That is my understanding yes. I will trawl through the sticky and post an exact reference later.

 

[Whistler40145]

That is my understanding yes. I will trawl through the sticky and post an exact reference later.

Much appreciated

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That is my understanding yes. I will trawl through the sticky and post an exact reference later.

Much appreciated

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/OLE/

The whole thing is worth a read but pages 40-47 are particularly relevant.

 

[Greybeard33]

I travelled from Kearsley to Vic today. It is worrying that there is still no sign of National Grid preparing to raise or bury any of the transmission lines that hang low over the railway. Does anyone know how long this work is likely to take once they get started?

I guess the pile driver cannot safely work under the live HV wires.

 

[LDECRexile]

Wrinkley has kindly sent photos of the first Platform 5 tracks and a new mast.

I've added them to his album here:

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

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Wrinkley

 

[Elecman]

Would I be correct in thinking that Booster Transformers aren't used on the sections converted to Autotransformer system?

Correct

 

[LDECRexile]

Reg has kindly sent a photo of progress south of Platform 5-to-be.

I've added it to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Reg.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm now away until Sunday evening.

Please send photos as usual, I'll add them thereafter.

Dave

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well I did the run from the airport to Preston station and then got a taxi home so I also went down Tom Benson Way with the camera at ready. I have sent about 8 shots to Dave. Long story short there are not just masts on TB Way but they mainly have cantilevers too. Definite progress. Massive progress MAN to PRE. Huge amount of new track sleepers etc at Bolton and orangemen everywhere. Many many new bases and piles since my last trip July 1st. They really are cracking on. Many masts have cantilevers and some large insulators at the top so definitely auto transformer. To me the eye opener was Euxton - there is wire up. It is loosely pinned to the gantries but I would say half a mile of wire. I also noticed on the WCML a new base and mast presumably where they tie the two schemes together on the crossover. Great news

 

[1978NWUK]

Well I did the run from the airport to Preston station and then got a taxi home so I also went down Tom Benson Way with the camera at ready. I have sent about 8 shots to Dave. Long story short there are not just masts on TB Way but they mainly have cantilevers too. Definite progress. Massive progress MAN to PRE. Huge amount of new track sleepers etc at Bolton and orangemen everywhere. Many many new bases and piles since my last trip July 1st. They really are cracking on. Many masts have cantilevers and some large insulators at the top so definitely auto transformer. To me the eye opener was Euxton - there is wire up. It is loosely pinned to the gantries but I would say half a mile of wire. I also noticed on the WCML a new base and mast presumably where they tie the two schemes together on the crossover. Great news

Correct, and progress indeed!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So could not resist and managed to get away for 1 hour. There are masts with cantilevers on Tom Benson Way. There are masts with some cantilevered at Darkinson Lane. The real news is all and I mean all the piles/bases are in place at Salwick station . Great progress. I have sent photos to Dave so after his family weekend you may see them as soon as Monday.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Well I did the run from the airport to Preston station and then got a taxi home so I also went down Tom Benson Way with the camera at ready. I have sent about 8 shots to Dave. Long story short there are not just masts on TB Way but they mainly have cantilevers too. Definite progress. Massive progress MAN to PRE. Huge amount of new track sleepers etc at Bolton and orangemen everywhere. Many many new bases and piles since my last trip July 1st. They really are cracking on. Many masts have cantilevers and some large insulators at the top so definitely auto transformer. To me the eye opener was Euxton - there is wire up. It is loosely pinned to the gantries but I would say half a mile of wire. I also noticed on the WCML a new base and mast presumably where they tie the two schemes together on the crossover. Great news

Great news indeed. Dec '17 may still be on at that rate I'll probably take a trip along the line the Tuesday or Wednesday after the Bank Holiday weekend when it'll be reopen just before my GM Traincard expires

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Great news indeed. Dec '17 may still be on at that rate I'll probably take a trip along the line the Tuesday or Wednesday after the Bank Holiday weekend when it'll be reopen just before my GM Traincard expires

Aren't GM Traincards only valid up to Blackrod?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Ok just been to Fylde Jct - the progress -- a big fat zero
Tulketh Brow one new piled base
Treales Carr Lane - quite a few piles in - photos sent to Dave

 

[LDECRexile]

Gralistair and Bill Morton have kindly sent photos for publication.

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

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651259517065

and Bill's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157650900509369

and both sets to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Bill and thank you Graham.

 

[LDECRexile]

reg kindly sent a photo of Bolton he took this morning.

I had a detour that way, too.

I've added Reg's shot to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863

and our collected shots to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Reg

 

[Ianno87]

RE: Bolton August blockade.

Is the whole new layout commissioned by the end of the blockade? I'm booked to pass through on 30th August and hoping to give the new Platform 5 a test ride...

(Have searched the thread for an answer to the above, but can't find it...)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Absolutely excellent set of photos Dave. Showing the progress in the Bolton area nicely

 

[thealexweb]

Does anyone know why the new footbridge only crosses the track of Platform 5? Are there any plans for it to go over to Platforms 1-3?

 

[edwin_m]

Does anyone know why the new footbridge only crosses the track of Platform 5? Are there any plans for it to go over to Platforms 1-3?

This was discussed way back, probably on this thread somewhere. With Platform 5 being new it has to be risk-assessed and the conclusion must have been that it needed an emergency exit. Platforms 1-3, despite probably being busier, are still in their previous condition so benefit from "grandfather rights". I think it follows that the new footbridge won't be useable except in emergency.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

This was discussed way back, probably on this thread somewhere. With Platform 5 being new it has to be risk-assessed and the conclusion must have been that it needed an emergency exit. Platforms 1-3, despite probably being busier, are still in their previous condition so benefit from "grandfather rights". I think it follows that the new footbridge won't be useable except in emergency.

Cunningly, it is all positioned so that it can extended over to P1/2/3 later, should the need arise, but you answer is correct in all other respects.

 

[edwin_m]

Cunningly, it is all positioned so that it can extended over to P1/2/3 later, should the need arise, but you answer is correct in all other respects.

I seem to remember you were either uncertain or deliberately cagey on that point when it was discussed before, but I'm glad to hear that provision has been made for extension if needed.

 

[PDG1949]

Ordsall Chord Bridge - the wiggle is in !

https://mobile.twitter.com/hashtag/ordsallchord?lang=en

 

[driver9000]

Platforms 1 and 2 at Blackpool North are now abandoned and disconnected.

 

[driver9000]

RE: Bolton August blockade.

Is the whole new layout commissioned by the end of the blockade? I'm booked to pass through on 30th August and hoping to give the new Platform 5 a test ride...

(Have searched the thread for an answer to the above, but can't find it...)

From the briefing we have been given on the new layout it all opens on 27 August. Whether anything will be using 5 with any degree of certainty remains to be be seen.

 

[snowball]

The fourth platform at Manchester Airport remained unused for many months after it was apparently finished.

 

[Ianno87]

From the briefing we have been given on the new layout it all opens on 27 August. Whether anything will be using 5 with any degree of certainty remains to be be seen.

Thanks - I'll refrain from raising hopes too highly!

 

[LDECRexile]

Reg has kindly sent four more shots from yesterday's excitement at Bolton.

I've woven them in as 7880n, 7876z2, 7874z and 7874y2.

I'm now on with today's material.

Thank you Reg

 

[LDECRexile]

Wrinkley and I were both out and about today.

I've added his shots to his album here:

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

and all our efforts to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Wrinkley.

We're off to Wales tomorrow, so I'm likely to be erratic on handling material. Please send it as usual and normal service will be resumed by the weekend.

 

[snowball]

Surprised to see the apparent use of headspans in 7912i-k. I thought they were out of favour except for special locations such as Rainhill. And on mere double track too, where it's not obvious why pairs of single track cantilevers couldn't have been used.