Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Railrover700]

Masts are now up over Tulketh viaduct.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Masts are now up over Tulketh viaduct.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/

Oh my lord that is progress and they are fully endanglied too. Just wires needed now Fylde Jct to Salwick. Wonderful

 

[snowball]

There have been pictures of TTLs on Tulketh viaduct on the Twitter feed since Thursday:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/936182148595441665

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There have been pictures of TTLs on Tulketh viaduct on the Twitter feed since Thursday:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/936182148595441665

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP

Oops my bad had not seen those thanks for posting the reminder and links

 

[QueensCurve]

You spotters might not like the new signal heads but as an actual user who relies on these they are so much easier and clearer to see, especially when you get difficult light condictions such as low sun.

I wish they would replace more of them and quickly.

It is not a question of being a "spotter" but I am rather surprised that they are viewed as good and clear under poor light conditions. They are, alas, only coloured lights and give no indication of aspect through the position of the light in the instrument.

 

[Geeves]

I am not quite sure I follow you there QueensCurve. The indication of aspect cannot be clearer with LED signals not to mention the usual pattern to bring a train to a halt is still exactly as it was. You can see a double yellow, Yellow and the red beyond on it on some sections the signals are so bright.

Anyways coming along the M62 at Clifton can now see the metal work for OHLE quite clearly, looks to have passed under the low strung National Grid lines. I believe this was an area there was an issue with?

 

[LDECRexile]

Masts are now up over Tulketh viaduct.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/

Smashing, thank you.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This may be old news, but the route seems to have gained new speed restriction signs.
North of Bolton they say (I think) 80/MU90.
But at the same time there are adjacent TSRs which say 75.
So essentially it's no change for now, but the signs are ready for the speed increase when it comes.
Not that anything can make use of the increased speeds yet.
Presumably 185s will have to take the lower limit.
Lostock Jn appears to be 75 PSR.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

They were erected, tested and commissioned as part of the Bolton Blockade, but the TSR is on because the higher speeds aren't needed til May and not all the footbridges are up. I thought the MU started (and ended) just north of Bolton West, perhaps that's changed ...

 

[driver9000]

The first MU speed is just on the Kearsley side of Farnworth tunnel on the Down Bolton. 185s cannot run at any MU speed.

 

[John Boy]

Another trip from HID to MCO, my count on the eastern side of the track between Bolton and Salford crescent is around 144 masts up. Spotted numerous TTC coming from the western side of the track. More danglily bits up. Orange men at various points on track. Saw a group on the Chord working on an overhead gantry, repairs already???? Might try and count the TTC on my trip next week.

 

[LDECRexile]

I travelled Southport-Bolton-Salford Crescent and back today, with a sojourn at Bolton.

No signs of action on bases next to Platform 2 at Salford Crescent
No signs of action on gap between bases north of Agecroft Road bridge
No bases next to Platform 5 at Bolton
Unclear what's what between Kearsley and the first road bridge north of Farnworth station. Might be Ok, can't be sure from speeding train.

Otherwise, several welcome signs of progress:

1. Piling next to southbound track between Pendleton (Old) and Cock Robin Bridge, not clear what's what, but it could be addressing a difficult area where there is a gap between bases
2. De-veging continues between Kearsley and Agecroft Road
3. Possibly new steelwork (masts and/or booms) Agecroft Rd to Kearsley
4. three masts by southbound track south of the balustraded bridge between Farnworth and Moses Gate, none there before
5. bases next to Bolton Platform 5 line south of Orlando St bridge, some may be new, only apparent gap is near the new P4/P5 northbound junction
6. New base next to Platform 1 at Bolton, still an apparent gap opposite P2 to Orlando St bridge
7. P4 at Bolton being inspected by Orangemen with clipboard, looks nearly ready to go.
8. P5 Bolton N end being resurfaced, roof looks good
9. Concrete has been poured in one base formwork between Bolton station and Bullfield tunnel, another former seems to have been built.

In summary: welcome, unspectacular progress. In rugby - going the hard yards.

Handful of photos later.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

They were erected, tested and commissioned as part of the Bolton Blockade, but the TSR is on because the higher speeds aren't needed til May and not all the footbridges are up. I thought the MU started (and ended) just north of Bolton West, perhaps that's changed ...

There are certainly some differential speed limits now between Lostock and Chorley, though I didn't get a clear view of them.
Looks like still 75 through at least some stations.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've added the photos I took today to the Combined Volume here:

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

 

[driver9000]

There are certainly some differential speed limits now between Lostock and Chorley, though I didn't get a clear view of them.
Looks like still 75 through at least some stations.

Lostock to Chorley is 80mph on the Down to around Gillets crossing but remains 75mph on the Up. MU100 dropping to MU95 at the 75mph board. On the Up the MU100 section is interrupted by MU95 around 1 mile after Adlington to around 1 mile after Horwich.

The MU speeds between Moses Gate and Kearsley seem pretty pointless as by the time a train reaches it they will be slowing for the back for the next PSR.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

The MU speeds between Moses Gate and Kearsley seem pretty pointless as by the time a train reaches it they will be slowing for the back for the next PSR.

Chorley has been raised to 75mph from just south of the station to Euxton; it isn't possible to go any faster in any meaningful way and most trains call anyway.

See my previous post - the commissioned speeds were those that were in the Bolton interlocking - the new signs a Kearsley are temporary, awaiting commissioning of the MU to and from Agecroft.

Lostock will be 75/MU90 (down) or 75/MU100 (up) through the station and junction.

 

[superkev]

Yet another youtube video from nodrog

K

 

[Senex]

Chorley has been raised to 75mph from just south of the station to Euxton; it isn't possible to go any faster in any meaningful way and most trains call anyway.

What's the reason for the 75? Is it the radius of the curve, or is it the inability to get enough cant through the platforms even after the re-alignment?

 

[snowball]

The Twitter fed has a picture of a substation at Kirkham. I take it this is just for track sectioning at the junction and not a feed from the grid.

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/938059072540209153

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The Twitter feed has a picture of a substation at Kirkham. I take it this is just for track sectioning at the junction and not a feed from the grid.

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/938059072540209153

Has to be. It is also at perfect location in case the line to Blackpool South eventually gets electrified.

I notice in the twitter feed a person asks why we should believe the May 2018 date. I think because we are seeing so much positive news out of Preston -Blackpool that NR are extremely confident it will be done by May 2018. Now Salford -Euxton ------ that maybe a different story.

 

[childwallblues]

Well the May 2018 timetable shows the restoration of LIV-BPN services. Northern must have been guaranteed live OHL as these trains will be 319s.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Well the May 2018 timetable shows the restoration of LIV-BPN services. Northern must have been guaranteed live OHL as these trains will be 319s.

Which timetable is this?

 

[Elecman]

The Twitter fed has a picture of a substation at Kirkham. I take it this is just for track sectioning at the junction and not a feed from the grid.

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/938059072540209153

Correct it’s for Kirkham TSS a non Autotransformer section switching station. There will be another at Blackpool North

 

[LDECRexile]

Bill Morton has kindly sent a photo of Heath Charnock footbridge which is now open to the public.

I've added it to Bill's album here:

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

Wrinkley has done a bridge bash between Farnworth and Mayor Street. This includes at least six new masts in the problem area between Squeeze Belly Entry and Farnworth.

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

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

I've added both sets to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Bill and Wrinkley.

 

[Geeves]

Had two surveyors from Carillion sign in an do a full station tour while I was working up at Horwich Parkway today. They said they will be putting in the foundations (in the station area) during the Christmas shut down. Unfortunately when I questioned them they were of the opinion that the project will not finish on time but didn't specify a delay. They mentioned about the mining works down at Kearsley an hoped they wouldn't find anymore!

 

[Viscount702]

If the above comments that the wires won't be ready on Salford - Euxton by May 2018 turn out to be true then doesn't this mean the whole May timetable change is off which must have huge ramifications for the whole of the North

 

[01jg]

Hi was in a local pub next to Chorley station on Friday and notice a network rail leaflet behind the bar ... it basically said work will be carried out at weekends .. between Chorley and Blackrod from this weekend till the end of Jan .. this included masts (whats left of them) and finally wiring !... so I guess there doing like they said and completing work on certain sections of the line at a time

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Hi was in a local pub next to Chorley station on Friday and notice a network rail leaflet behind the bar ... it basically said work will be carried out at weekends .. between Chorley and Blackrod from this weekend till the end of Jan .. this included masts (whats left of them) and finally wiring !... so I guess there doing like they said and completing work on certain sections of the line at a time

Eminently sensible. No point waiting till every mast is in place and every endangliment etc before wiring is started - just do what you can and finish off the difficult bits last. BTW did the electrical cabinets that were promised get done?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There will be 3 Mega Electrical 'thingies' 1 each at Clifton, Lostock and Blackrod, however these will be Kate on in program delivery as they need to be constantly heated once on site to protect the HV gear so will be programmed to be Just In Time items.

'thingies' are HV Switching stations.

They also all have autotransformers, though only Lostock is (was? not sure) a neutral section as well, to deal with the proposed electrification to Wigan and the possibility of feeding Bolton from the Euxton end.

By the looks of things the Lostock ATS CAIS unit (autotransformer sectioning, containerised air-insulated switchgear) will probably land in the next 3-4 weeks. There is domestic power, telecoms and SCADA work to do.

This was posted on 12th October

 

[PR1Berske]

Network Rail would suffer as an organisation in its current form were May 2018 missed.