Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Muenchener]

It's here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.8867272,-2.7485728,262m/data=!3m1!1e3

The location is referred to as 'Garstang & Catterall' in railway documents.

and streetview

Gotcha. Thanks both. Ray Lane is close to the site of the old Garstang and Catterall station. Remember seeing one of Alan Peglar's Scotsman tours at the, then closed station, back in the day when I were a lad...

 

[superkev]

Now that Blackpool Manchester is hopefully finished at last I would like to think the extensively trained personnel and even more expensive plant is employed somwhere else and not on the scrap line. Dont live in hopes though.
K

 

[CdBrux]

My sources (note plural) say that a price has been submitted for Lostock - Wigan. So in theory there will be that and hopefully Miles Platting area to Stalybridge and bits

Do they mention on what basis the costs are made, is it the actual cost of Salford to Preston?

 

[Ken H]

so its not actually complete, they have just made it fed from existing feeder stations. I suspect its as complete as Preston-Blackpool was when they got trains to blackpool N again.

 

[59CosG95]

so its not actually complete, they have just made it fed from existing feeder stations. I suspect its as complete as Preston-Blackpool was when they got trains to blackpool N again.

Indeed - the juice is on, but the amount of current is like a standpipe tap compared to a hydroelectric dam.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Juice is on.

Testing taking place all week.

Great news indeed. Is there a RTT link to the test runs?

 

[PN27]

Great news indeed. Is there a RTT link to the test runs?

Nothing showing at present.

 

[Elecman]

Just out of interest do you know where the feeder is in Catterall? I only ask as I was brought up in the area and Catterall doesn't exactly abutt the WCML unless it's on Stubbins Lane. Just curious...

Off Ray Lane where it passes under the railway

 

[Muenchener]

Off Ray Lane where it passes under the railway

Many thanks. Left the area in '72 hence the lack of local currency...

 

[td97]

Great to hear it's been switched on!

I would like to think the extensively trained personnel and even more expensive plant is employed somwhere else and not on the scrap line. Dont live in hopes though.

There is more on the horizon. And yes, north of Watford.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Do they mention on what basis the costs are made, is it the actual cost of Salford to Preston?

My understanding is the costing is more realistic incorporating lessons learned - e.g. Lostock Wigan is still in an old mining area etc. A little less disruption as you still have Salford Crescent via Atherton to Wigan etc

 

[td97]

Pendolino test paths now in!

Thursday 13th December
5Q01 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q02 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q03 0234 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q04 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

Friday 14th December
5Q05 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q06 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q07 0223 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q08 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

 

[DJH1971]

Pendolino test paths now in!

Thursday 13th December
5Q01 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q02 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q03 0234 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q04 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

Friday 14th December
5Q05 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q06 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q07 0223 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q08 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

Fingers truly crossed!

 

[td97]

Also worth bearing in mind that the overweight Pendolinos cannot take advantage of MU or SP speed limits. There's still a similar predicament on the Blackpool line where the train with the highest speed capability actually runs slower than a 319 over some sections

 

[Whistler40145]

Pendolino test paths now in!

Thursday 13th December
5Q01 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q02 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q03 0234 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q04 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

Friday 14th December
5Q05 0005 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q06 0120 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston
5Q07 0223 Preston to Manchester Piccadilly
5Q08 0327 Manchester Piccadilly to Preston

Any reason why they’re timed as a Voyager and not a Pendolino?

 

[Ianno87]

Any reason why they’re timed as a Voyager and not a Pendolino?

Voyager timings exist historically, Pendolino ones don't (yet).

 

[Whistler40145]

Voyager timings exist historically, Pendolino ones don't (yet).

Thanks for your reply

 

[SansHache]

Voyager timings exist historically, Pendolino ones don't (yet).

Note the timings are indicative only as the speed and power draw will be incremented progressively during the test programme.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Any forum members driving to anywhere along the line to see these or are we not that insane?

 

[42626]

Any forum members driving to anywhere along the line to see these or are we not that insane?

I might walk round to Blackrod Station

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

One of RTT's glories is that you can follow it all from your armchair.

 

[jonesy3001]

is it going to be the same pendolino that they tested on the blackpool line with 390152?

 

[Whistler40145]

is it going to be the same pendolino that they tested on the blackpool line with 390152?

Presumably the Pendolino used will be one that has arrived from London Euston

 

[jonesy3001]

Presumably the Pendolino used will be one that has arrived from London Euston

i'll look forward to the videos and photos of the testing.

 

[LDECRexile]

I might walk round to Blackrod Station

I'm in London grandadding, back north tomorrow. I bag Kearsley and Clifton for the first pair of runs. Wrinkley has bagged Lostock.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I think after 4 12hr shifts finishing tomorrow, I'll be in bed early tomorrow night, so it'll be the wee hours of Friday's run I'll see if anything. Least if Thursday's wee-hours run goes to plan, Friday's wee-hours run is (theoretically) more likely to run.

 

[Buck Shaw]

If I find myself awake in the early hours I might have a trip up to BSV.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Presumably the Pendolino used will be one that has arrived from London Euston

Indeed, there is a Pendolino arriving at 23.50 on platform 4, and the test train is leaving at 00.05 also from platform 4. Perhaps someone from Railforums could hide in the toilets and make it onto the run?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

is it going to be the same pendolino that they tested on the blackpool line with 390152?

Presumably the Pendolino used will be one that has arrived from London Euston

It will need to be one of the 390s with OHLE monitoring cameras.
There are a few of those, but no means all of them.
Some 350s also have them, and most recently delivered fleets (eg 80x, 385).

 

[Whistler40145]

It will need to be one of the 390s with OHLE monitoring cameras.
There are a few of those, but no means all of them.
Some 350s also have them, and most recently delivered fleets (eg 80x, 385).

Presumably the monitoring cameras are housed near each Pantograph on Pendolino?