Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[absolutelymilk]

I did a run today Preston-Manchester and took a few hundred photos (not particularly good quality, but making up for it with the quantity!) and a long video. I don't know how/where to upload multiple photos, would be happy to email them over to someone who could put them up?

I echo previous comments that Preston to just north of Bolton has had very good progress and looks ready for wiring, I wouldn't be surprised if they started before Christmas. Once you get close to Bolton, its a different picture though, with long gaps without even bases it seems.

 

[Railrover700]

The Blackpool line is a hive of activity today. Lots of work in and around Kirkham, and electrification team busy at St. Mark's Road. Salwick signal box still intact.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/albums/72157679909475566

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Blackpool line is a hive of activity today. Lots of work in and around Kirkham, and electrification team busy at St, Mark's Road. Salwick signal box still intact.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/albums/72157679909475566

Very impressive, especially considering the weather.
So now there's more wiring on the Blackpool line than via Bolton!

 

[Elecman]

Salwick is Monday I think. Been reported 100% bases completed, 70% all steelwork complete between Preston and Blackpool

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The Blackpool line is a hive of activity today. Lots of work in and around Kirkham, and electrification team busy at St. Mark's Road. Salwick signal box still intact.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/albums/72157679909475566

Oh my lord Dave aka LDECRexile will be pleased. Great shots amazing photos thanks for posting

 

[driver_m]

I'd posted earlier this month that it was supposed to be getting energised to Salwick on the 27th (forgot where) but was told it was wrong information and it was only a few hundred years down from Fylde junction. Having looked at the pics though, could 25kv to Salwick be right? Getting on with it aren't they...

 

[Elecman]

There would be no point energising to Salwick. It’s energisation to the Neutral Section once it’s all tied into the existing WCML knitting. Is extra switchgear required in the existing Preston TSC or are they just adding on a new TSS there?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There would be no point energising to Salwick. It’s energisation to the Neutral Section once it’s all tied into the existing WCML knitting. Is extra switchgear required in the existing Preston TSC or are they just adding on a new TSS there?

Having thought long and hard about it you are correct there is no point energizing to Salwick. Energizing to the neutral section at Fylde Jct area makes total sense. After that no live wires so they can crack on and finish everything off. There is even no point if wires were ready, energizing all the way to the TSS at Kirkham. It will be interesting to see if Preston gets new switchgear. I do not know.

 

[driver9000]

I'd posted earlier this month that it was supposed to be getting energised to Salwick on the 27th (forgot where) but was told it was wrong information and it was only a few hundred years down from Fylde junction. Having looked at the pics though, could 25kv to Salwick be right? Getting on with it aren't they...

The "flash notice" warning of the energisation of the OLE clearly states that the live section will end 714 metres from Fylde Junction. It's not being energised to Salwick.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The "flash notice" warning of the energisation of the OLE clearly states that the live section will end 714 metres from Fylde Junction. It's not being energised to Salwick.

So somewhere on St Marks - almost Tulketh Viaduct

 

[driver_m]

Fair call. I don't sign Blackpool route, so I've no idea where the neutral is. Makes obvious sense of that's the case.

 

[Jonny]

Having thought long and hard about it you are correct there is no point energizing to Salwick. Energizing to the neutral section at Fylde Jct area makes total sense. After that no live wires so they can crack on and finish everything off. There is even no point if wires were ready energizing all the way to the TSS at Kirkham. It will be interesting to see if Preston gets new switchgear. I do not know.

So, at the risk of stating the obvious to those in the know, it is to somewhere along the Blackpool-Preston line but still within the settlement of Preston?

 

[Karl]

So, at the risk of stating the obvious to those in the know, it is to somewhere along the Blackpool-Preston line but still within the settlement of Preston?

Yes, it's just a short stretch, about a quarter of a mile from the main WCML.

 

[snowball]

it was only a few hundred years down from Fylde junction.

I hope it won't take that long.

 

[Class 170101]

I would like to think they will liven up as far as Kirkham by late January for restoration of Blackpool South services otherwise isn't there a risk of the wires being nicked?

 

[Railrover700]

I presume the plan for the remodelling at Kirkham has changed slightly based on this from last year (see page 11).
http://www.travelwatch-northwest.org.uk/NWelectrification_0616.pdf
The points shown in image 3799
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/
don't appear in the original layout. Does this mean up Blackpool South trains will routinely use the new main up platform, as opposed to the original layout where they would not be able to access it and would be using one of the other bi-directional platforms?

 

[LDECRexile]

I did a run today Preston-Manchester and took a few hundred photos (not particularly good quality, but making up for it with the quantity!) and a long video. I don't know how/where to upload multiple photos, would be happy to email them over to someone who could put them up?

I echo previous comments that Preston to just north of Bolton has had very good progress and looks ready for wiring, I wouldn't be surprised if they started before Christmas. Once you get close to Bolton, its a different picture though, with long gaps without even bases it seems.

I've started a "conversation" with you which gives my email address. I look forward to your images.

You recently asked for a list of "gaps", which I supplied and others corroborated. Were you able to see any which had been plugged?

Welcome!

Dave

 

[LDECRexile]

The Blackpool line is a hive of activity today. Lots of work in and around Kirkham, and electrification team busy at St. Mark's Road. Salwick signal box still intact.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/albums/72157679909475566

Fab progress, fab photos.

Thank you.

Dave

 

[El Blanco]

I presume the plan for the remodelling at Kirkham has changed slightly based on this from last year (see page 11).
http://www.travelwatch-northwest.org.uk/NWelectrification_0616.pdf
The points shown in image 3799
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/
don't appear in the original layout. Does this mean up Blackpool South trains will routinely use the new main up platform, as opposed to the original layout where they would not be able to access it and would be using one of the other bi-directional platforms?

Something else - assuming green on the document means removal - is that it looks like some sort of sidings will be implemented on the site of the ones that have been removed. You can see the pointwork in some of the pictures - images 3800 and 3821. Looks like they are only accessible from the Blackpool direction.

 

[Railrover700]

Something else - assuming green on the document means removal - is that it looks like some sort of sidings will be implemented on the site of the ones that have been removed. You can see the pointwork in some of the pictures - images 3800 and 3821. Looks like they are only accessible from the Blackpool direction.

Yes it does look like this, accessible from the down Blackpool South line by the new single set of points. Images 3802 and 3821 show just a short length of track and, I think, a buffer stop waiting to be installed.

 

[Geeves]

I wonder if they extended the budget and installed two sets of cross overs meaning you can access every platform from every direction at Kirkham (to and from Blackpool S) or they just moved the cross over from the Preston side to the the Blackpool side? Obviously if they have this means the Blackpool s trains heading in that direction and using the platform 1? will only be able to access it in that direction or presumably reverse there and go back to to Blackpool S if they need to. The small siding is probably a handy store for tampers, they have a few on the WCML here and there.

As another thought by moving the points to the Blackpool side this means the platforms no longer need to be Bi directional at all which is a bit of a blow for flexibility but obviously makes the project a couple of hundred thousand cheaper.

 

[Malay States]

I presume the plan for the remodelling at Kirkham has changed slightly based on this from last year (see page 11).
http://www.travelwatch-northwest.org.uk/NWelectrification_0616.pdf
The points shown in image 3799
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147506051@N02/sets/72157679909475566/
don't appear in the original layout. Does this mean up Blackpool South trains will routinely use the new main up platform, as opposed to the original layout where they would not be able to access it and would be using one of the other bi-directional platforms?

Up trains from Blackpool South will have to cross the layout and use the new up platform. Unless there is a down to up crossover on the Preston side of Kirkham ( I don't know for certain, but I don't think there will be, although it isn't possible to see at present as there is no height to see it from), there will be no other way up South trains can get onto the up line to Preston.
If in the new timetable, the first up train of the day is formed of empty stock from Blackpool North, the empty stock will reverse at the up platform at Kirkham then run 'wrong line' to access to single line to Lytham.

As an aside, I can't see that the bridges at Squires Gate Lane and Harrowside will be complete by January 29th, so will we see services terminating at St Annes? Harrowside bridge is being repaired by 'hydro-demolition',
which means the rotten concrete is removed by very high pressure water jet, which must be a fun job, or not. They have a hot room to dry the suits and possibly the workers - you often see them hanging out to air (only the suits).

 

[Elecman]

I would like to think they will liven up as far as Kirkham by late January for restoration of Blackpool South services otherwise isn't there a risk of the wires being nicked?

No they will do all the wire runs to Blackpool,North before energisation and testing. The wiring runs will be a fairly quick exercise

 

[Railrover700]

Up trains from Blackpool South will have to cross the layout and use the new up platform. Unless there is a down to up crossover on the Preston side of Kirkham ( I don't know for certain, but I don't think there will be, although it isn't possible to see at present as there is no height to see it from), there will be no other way up South trains can get onto the up line to Preston.
If in the new timetable, the first up train of the day is formed of empty stock from Blackpool North, the empty stock will reverse at the up platform at Kirkham then run 'wrong line' to access to single line to Lytham.

As an aside, I can't see that the bridges at Squires Gate Lane and Harrowside will be complete by January 29th, so will we see services terminating at St Annes? Harrowside bridge is being repaired by 'hydro-demolition',
which means the rotten concrete is removed by very high pressure water jet, which must be a fun job, or not. They have a hot room to dry the suits and possibly the workers - you often see them hanging out to air (only the suits).

Thanks for the reply. I think the empty stock is more likely to be coming from Blackburn in the new timetable.

 

[PDG1949]

Fairly newish 'Manchester Trains' thread on SSC

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=2019509&page=6

 

[absolutelymilk]

I've started a "conversation" with you which gives my email address. I look forward to your images.

You recently asked for a list of "gaps", which I supplied and others corroborated. Were you able to see any which had been plugged?

Welcome!

Dave

I've uploaded the four videos to YouTube, see here

(and click on my username to see the other videos)
I'm not sure which order the videos are in, perhaps someone more familiar with the area might know?

I'm having trouble with the sheer size of the photos file, as it's too big to send even when zipped. I'm uploading them to dropbox and will send the link over when it's done.

 

[LDECRexile]

I toured Southport-Bolton-Salford Crescent-Man Vic-Oxford Road-Bolton-Southport by train today.

I was pleased to cross the Ordsall Chord, but have to observe that we left Man Vic on time then were held at signals just before the new bridge while at least two trains crossed our path, making us late. An early symptom of overload?

Anyway, back to "our" line.

I was pleased to see progress:

1. One new slab base under construction west of Bullfield Tunnel
2. The slab base former east of Bullfield tunnel now contains curing concrete.
3. I think more bases are now in place between Bolton station and the new footbridge to the bus station.
4. Definitely a new base opposite Bolton Platform 1, near the Platform 2 bufferstop.
5. New mast up which will serve Bolton Platform 3.
6. Possible new mast and base between Squeeze Belly Entry footbridge and Farnworth station
7. Two masts up between Farnworth station and the tunnel.
8. Possible new bases on northbound side between Farnworth tunnel and Kearsley, if so, that "gap" is closed.
9. I think a sprinkling of new bases and/or masts between Kearsley and Clifton.
10. Definitely three scrapes, any or all of which might be bases, I couldn't see, on the southbound side between Cock Robin bridge and Pendleton Old. If bases then that "gap" is closed.

a. Still some unclarity between Moses Gate and Farnworth
b. still no bases Salford Crescent Platform 2

The day was misty, handful of photos this evening.

I will enjoy a day Preston-Blackpool with Gralistair on 29th, otherwise family commitments mean today was my last jaunt south of Preston in 2017.

I will welcome and process photos from other people, however.

Have good Christmases.

Dave

 

[LDECRexile]

I've uploaded the four videos to YouTube, see here

(and click on my username to see the other videos)
I'm not sure which order the videos are in, perhaps someone more familiar with the area might know?

I'm having trouble with the sheer size of the photos file, as it's too big to send even when zipped. I'm uploading them to dropbox and will send the link over when it's done.

Oh dear, it sounds as if you're trying to send me zillions of photos. I suggest you pick those which show something significant.

When I go for a big sesh I generally end up publishing about 6%. That's an average, not a rule.

I look forward to your material.

Dave

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Had a look east of Victoria today (in the fog).
Two full portals are up at the east end of the Victoria East Jn crossovers, plus a few more uprights nearby.
But quite a gap from there to the other installed bases near Rochdale Road bridge.

No new wiring Salford-Euxton Jn but saying that, some masts do have coils of wire attached, ready to attach to the linear wires when they appear.
Euxton Jn itself is still only half wired.

 

[snowball]

The Twitter feed has this picture of "the first illuminated signal at Salwick", which also seems to show also an earth/return wire. Is this the first wire between Manchester and Blackpool that's more than half a mile from previous-generation wires?

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/942750025129562112