Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[LDECRexile]

I spent most of today filming Poulton 'box being demolished.

On my way home I also photographed Preese Hall's new footbridge and registration wires along a decent stretch of line on and east of Singleton Bank.

I had the good fortune to talk with an Orangeman who authorised me to say that:

1.There are just two mast bases still to install north of Preston, one at Blackpool North and one where Poulton signalbox was. This location will become available when the rubble has been cleared.
2. Carillion's Manchester-Blackpool work is close to being re-let.
3. Lostock-Wigan has been fully surveyed.
4. They are still winning with Preston-Blackpool.

I later met another Orangeman who said that work is under way on the foundations for the new footbridges which will replace foot crossings at Kirkham Tip and Poulton.

This, together with the news broadcast by others bodes well.

Photos later.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Canadian firm BGIS (Brookfield) has won a bid to take over a raft of 2500 Carillion staff and contracts, the announcement including the words "transport" and "infrastructure".
But it is unclear what that means, and might relate to facilities management rather than anything linked to NR's electrification projects.
Time will tell.
https://www.bgis.com/ca/resource_bg...es-management-contracts-in-the-united-kingdom

Under the terms of the transaction, BGIS will acquire a portfolio of UK contracts for the delivery of services in the hospital, education, justice, transport and emergency services markets.
The transaction is subject to closing conditions, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018

 

[ALX400]

I spent most of today filming Poulton 'box being demolished.

On my way home I also photographed Preese Hall's new footbridge and registration wires along a decent stretch of line on and east of Singleton Bank.

I had the good fortune to talk with an Orangeman who authorised me to say that:

1.There are just two mast bases still to install north of Preston, one at Blackpool North and one where Poulton signalbox was. This location will become available when the rubble has been cleared.
2. Carillion's Manchester-Blackpool work is close to being re-let.
3. Lostock-Wigan has been fully surveyed.
4. They are still winning with Preston-Blackpool.

I later met another Orangeman who said that work is under way on the foundations for the new footbridges which will replace foot crossings at Kirkham Tip and Poulton.

This, together with the news broadcast by others bodes well.

Photos later.

I’m beginning to think that if they actually blitz the stations and progress like it is at the moment May/June might not be so far off, I still think around July though as there’s still those issues south of Bolton

 

[snowball]

2. Carillion's Manchester-Blackpool work is close to being re-let.

As I understand it Carillion were not involved with Preston-Blackpool, so

Carillion's Manchester-Blackpool work = Carillion's Manchester-Preston work.

 

[CAF397]

I’m beginning to think that if they actually blitz the stations and progress like it is at the moment May/June might not be so far off, I still think around July though as there’s still those issues south of Bolton

There is still a worrying gap at Kearsley where the National grid power lines cross. Either side all the masts are up (or appear to be up), but where the lines cross there is a gap of 2-3 mast locations.

 

[DJH1971]

As I understand it Carillion were not involved with Preston-Blackpool, so

Carillion's Manchester-Blackpool work = Carillion's Manchester-Preston work.

My ununderstandng is that Preston to BlBlackpo is beibe carried out by Volker.

 

[YorkshireBear]

What do we think the chances are of going full circle and balfour beatty coming back

 

[GRALISTAIR]

My understanding is that Preston to Blackpool is being carried out by Volker.

Correct - if you check the photo links that Dave posts regularly - he publishes some of mine- there are numerous site photos with Volker rail splashed all over them.

 

[ALX400]

I reckon there may be a chance that once Volker have finished on the Blackpool/Preston they may come onto Preston/Manchester, hopefully anyway

 

[YorkshireBear]

Link below but Amey Rail have taken on several Carillion Rail contracts including staff. One of those being the North West Electrification.

So Amey Rail is the new contractor I guess!

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/bu...llion-network-rail-contracts/10028427.article

 

[td97]

And this is their press release - it's interesting how the project is referred to as 'electrifying the strategic railway network around Manchester' - as opposed to just saying electrifying Manchester to Preston, so there could be scope for Wigan - Lostock and Stalybridge electrification with Amey too.

https://www.amey.co.uk/media/press-...y-takes-on-key-rail-contracts-from-carillion/

 

[snowball]

There's an NR press release on it too:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/sale-secures-carillion-rail-contracts/

A significant number of Carillion’s Network Rail contracts have today been acquired by Amey Rail Limited, after the company went into liquidation last month. The successful sale provides reassurance to many in the rail industry and continuity for projects around the country.

The transfer of Network Rail contracts operated by Carillion Construction Limited to Amey Rail Limited includes projects in the East Midlands, London and North West England.

For many of the Carillion employees working on and supporting Network Rail projects, this is good news as the sale is likely to safeguard over 700 jobs and provide security for many other companies within the rail industry supply chain.

"This is a positive step for the industry, ensuring the delivery of a number of major rail projects across the country whilst safeguarding an expected 700 jobs and the wider supply chain. We look forward to working with Amey to enable a smooth transition and ensure the ongoing safe working on our sites.

We do recognise that this has been a very unsettling period for the employees of Carillion and would like to thank them for the continued commitment to the delivery of these projects. We remain focused on the transfer of remaining projects and employees to new arrangements over the coming weeks and months."
Matthew Steele, commercial director Network Rail

Network Rail continues to work closely with the Official Receiver’s special manager – PwC – to seek long-term transition arrangements for the remaining contracts and staff. Whilst this process is ongoing, the remaining contracts continue to be delivered under our arrangement with PwC to enable an orderly transition.

Last month, it was agreed that PwC will pay Carillion employees’ wages for work done on and supporting Network Rail’s contracts until after Easter and many of the construction companies smaller rail suppliers were paid the arrears they were owed to ensure the continued delivery of important projects.

 

[CdBrux]

3. Lostock-Wigan has been fully surveyed.

Does that imply a rather greater level of detail than was done for the Manchester -> Preston project at the same stage so they have a better understanding of ground conditions?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Does that imply a rather greater level of detail than was done for the Manchester -> Preston project at the same stage so they have a better understanding of ground conditions?

That is my understanding. There is no questions that area was mined extensively so one would assume ground conditions could also be dodgy.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I just noticed the twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheGNRP shows endangliment going on at Layton

 

[LDECRexile]

I had a ringside seat to film the demolition of Poulton signalbox yesterday, with a cloudless sky and the sun behind me.

I am therefore very fed up that every one of the 22 film clips I prepared refuses to load. All are short and in the house style I have used for the past four years.

I have therefore had to make do with stills, which give the idea but are a pale shadow of crashing glass, tumbling bricks and the like.

I've added them to the Combined Volume here:

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

Grrr.....

 

[GRALISTAIR]

9600c nicely shows the missing base - mast etc which can now go in as the box was in the way before.

Great shots love the Singleton - Weeton shots too. Thanks as usual Dave.

BTW- The shots are great and nicely illustrate - so do not worry about the videos.

 

[Malay States]

I had a quick chat with Murphy's foreman at Kirkham, and congratulated him on getting BPS open on time on January 29th, when I thought they would never manage it. He said it was a very close run thing, and they threw everything at it, which was apparent by the number of bodies on site in that last week. He handed it back at 17.59 on January 28th, a minute before the deadline.

The lift shafts are being built up now on to the concrete bases that were laid down before the reopening. The lifts themselves and all their mechanical and electrical bits will be built up inside the shafts, as opposed to being dropped in as a ready made kit.

My understanding is that Volker is the main contractor on Preston to Blackpool, so Murphy must be a subbie ( I didn't ask the foreman this). Corrections welcome.

 

[YorkshireBear]

They are indeed a subbie

 

[Whistler40145]

I have noticed that some wires are up over Devonshire Road Bridge towards Layton station.

Looks like the contractors are using the land of the former Devonshire Road Hospital in Blackpool to store the masts, lattice cross beams, OHLE switching equipment as per Euxton Junction, signalling cabling and the fabricated signal posts with steps and platforms, no doubt these are for each platform end at Blackpool North?

 

[42626]

There is still a worrying gap at Kearsley where the National grid power lines cross. Either side all the masts are up (or appear to be up), but where the lines cross there is a gap of 2-3 mast locations.

This document gives guidance from a REC's (Regional Electricity Company) point of view.

Table 3.8.1 - Principal Vertical Clearances to railways and Associated Structures lists the clearance distances to "Buildings, gantries or other structures on which a man might stand and to traction wires" as 4.6m for 275kV lines and 6.1m for 400kV lines. I'll look again at the insulators on these pylons, but these are at least 275kV. Additional clearance is required for Skycradle and scaffold nets when working on the grid OHL.

 

[superkev]

Only 4 weeks to go this weekend To me looking at the various YouTube progress video's of Blackpool station with unsurfaced and unlit platforms, no wires and missing steelwork it looks a bit tight.
're Blackpool isn't it a shame the greenhouse station building with its reported hostile staff seems unchanged. Aren't the new platforms having canopies?
K

 

[jonesy3001]

Looking at nodrogs youtube page it looks like the line is coming on, its just the poulton le fylde section thats missing wires and stanctions due to NR pulling down the signal box and refurbishing the station so the wires can go through the station canopy.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Just done a tour from Tulketh Viaduct to Carr Lane bridge in Treales and will be sending photos to Dave. A lot of activity on raising parapets by attaching metalwork etc. Blackpool Road Bridge for example - again photos sent to Dave. Still a completely wireless section from just after Tulketh Viaduct to UCLAN sports complex. Salwick looks splendid with raised steel parapets coated green and the pile of piles gone but a pile of endanglied instead. Certainly progress .

 

[furnessvale]

're Blackpool isn't it a shame the greenhouse station building with its reported hostile staff seems unchanged. Aren't the new platforms having canopies?
K

No need for canopies when the only time you see the platform is when you have to do a 4 minute mile to get on the train before they shut the doors!

 

[42626]

Interesting that this BBC article from yesterday about the timetable change delays states:

The track operator initially expected to complete electrification works between Manchester and Preston by 2016.

Two years on there are still 200 foundations waiting to go in to the ground.

Not sure what their source is or how accurate that is.

 

[Trackman]

'NR Man in the pub talk' says Manchester-Preston target completion date is 15th July (2018 )

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Interesting that this BBC article from yesterday about the timetable change delays states:
Not sure what their source is or how accurate that is.

I think that's old news, the 200 number was quoted when NR owned up to further delays on the project.
However we know there has been significant progress since then.

 

[LDECRexile]

200 foundations still to go in the ground sounds unduly pessimistic. The few which are missing are real so-and-sos, however. Please update the worry list below if anyone can:

1. Missing bases Salford Crescent Platform 2
2. Missing bases Pendleton Old to Cockrobin Bridge
3. Missing bases North of Agecroft Road bridge
4. Structure to be installed between Agecroft Road bridge and Clifton station? Work has started on this next to Bridge MVE1/16 off Lumns Lane.
5. Power lines oversailing between M60 and Kearsley?
6. Foot crossings either side of M60 Work has started on diverting the footpaths to meet at a new footbridge on which work has also started, steelwork expected to be lowered on by rail crane April 2018.
7. Sorted
8. Missing bases Farnworth station to Squeeze Belly Entry footbridge
9. Lever Street footbridge, demolish, replace, leave as is? New electric wires warning signs suggest the bridge is expected to survive past electrification.
10. Missing base Bolton Platform 5
11. Stalactites in Bullfield Tunnel? Reported as bedanglied throughout
12. Missing base(s) between Bullfield Tunnel and Newport Street, Bolton?
13. Big electric kit at Lostock Junction Latest intelligence says work will get cracking in March 2018
14. Incomplete footbridge Anderton Hall Lane Bridge complete but not signed off by NR, therefore not yet open.
15. Red Moss foot crossing between Horwich and M61 Work has started on a replacement footbridge
16. Missing bases on Yarrow viaduct south of Chorley? Work has started on fixings ("bases") on the outside of the structure
17. Stalactites in Chorley Tunnel? I'm losing the plot, did someone kindly report these as in place?
18. Major problem base south of Lever Street footbridge?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

17. No iirc - Bullfield and Farnworth yes- Chorley no