Crewe station P1 roof

[Signal Head]

While passing through Crewe today I spotted that the roof trusses towards the north end of Platform 1 have been propped, and this section of platform blocked off. This is presumably the problem referred to in the recent 'hot weather' thread.

2 of the spans look like they are cast iron beams, so presumably original LNWR, and susceptible to cracks, but the southernmost one is rivetted plates (wrought iron?)

 

[185]

Last Tue after lunchtime, the hot weather caused the platform on 6 to actually buckle (Dwayne the Rock Johnson jumped out apparently, see the film). Shortly later, a loud cracking noise was heard by a driver waiting near the coffee hut on P5 who mentioned the pillar next to P1 moved - not inconceivable given the shifting platforms in the heat.

 

[py_megapixel]

Where are the Northern stoppers going?

 

[david l]

Some were running out of Plat 6 last week. However Plat 1 appears to be in use today (but the reversing siding at the n end of 1 shows as blocked)

 

[185]

Where are the Northern stoppers going?

Top end of P1, beyond the corden. Occasionally from 5 or 6.

 

[Ediswan]

Noting that the props are at the ends of the beams, I wonder if it is the connections to the pillars which are suspect, rather than the beams themselves.

 

[Signal Head]

Noting that the props are at the ends of the beams, I wonder if it is the connections to the pillars which are suspect, rather than the beams themselves.

I wondered that myself. There is also propping on the trusses between Up Fast and Up Slow (Platform 5) that's been there a while. All of that is under cast beams. The top end of the columns look very rusty, and possibly cracked. All this was painted during the 1985 remodelling, it doesn't look like it's been maintained much since then.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Noting that the props are at the ends of the beams, I wonder if it is the connections to the pillars which are suspect, rather than the beams themselves.

It's the pillars themselves, so if they do fail the props are supporting the ends of the beams.

It's the thicker pillar that is of most concern, it's warped/buckled quite considerably despite its 'chunkiness'

 

[Trainfan2019]

I took the photos below of the heat damage when I was back in Crewe last week.

From what I can see in the cordoned off area on platform 1, it looks like at least 1 of the upright columns is now starting to slope. There is definitely some rust at the bottom of the wider upright in the photo but when I zoom in, it looks a lot worse at the top of the red painted section where it meets the girder going across. These uprights were all repainted a few months ago but I think it was only the blue and white parts.

Yes, can confirm as others have said, Northern are using the far end of platform 1. The only access for Northern passengers at the far end of platform 1 is now via platform 3 as the cordoned off area extends along platform 1 to the slope leading to the subway.

 

[Signal Head]

This the propped section between the Up lines. I noticed that some of the trusses further south are also of riveted plate, I wondered if these were replacements for the originals after failure. A few of the columns appear to be of a different design, possibly this is strengthening that has been added over the original at some point owing to failure, or some apparent weakeness. I've no idea how old all this stuff is, I don't know much about the development/expansion of Crewe from its original days.

 

[Recessio]

Would be somewhat symbolic if Crewe is chosen as GBR headquarters and then the roof immediately collapses.

 

[M60lad]

Considering what's happened at Crewe is there any plans now to fix any of the damage caused as surely they can't leave a platform semi out of use for a lengthy period of time?

 

[Iskra]

I think the maintenance of the roof at Crewe needs a serious rethink. There’s a load of trees growing out of it too! It’s not much of an advert for the railway or town.

 

[yorksrob]

It's a very attractive roof which ought to be properly maintained. Probably be replaced with some modern monstrosity.

 

[Brush 4]

is rebuilding Crewe part of the HS2 plan?

 

[Trainfan2019]

Agree about the roof maintenance at Crewe. Awful condition in parts where it rains in around platform 1 and 3. Then there's the section of platform 3 where there's the roof with no roof on.

 

[The Planner]

is rebuilding Crewe part of the HS2 plan?

Crewe station is nothing to do with HS2, but its part of the NR plan to refurb.

 

[Statto]

Is the EMU siding back in use, otherwise they need to repair the damage quickly so the Manchester stopper can access the EMU siding when out of service, as given how long the Manchester stopper lays over at Crewe that can cause issues with other trains.

Another thing, anyone know what's going on with Crewe P10, it's has nogo, on signal diagrams for the last couple of weeks (before the recent heatwave), seen the Chester shuttle arriving 40 minutes late, because waiting for the AWC Voyager on P9 to depart, the Chester shuttle would have gone onto P10 normally?

 

[The Planner]

Is the EMU siding back in use, otherwise they need to repair the damage quickly so the Manchester stopper can access the EMU siding when out of service, as given how long the Manchester stopper lays over at Crewe that can cause issues with other trains.

Another thing, anyone know what's going on with Crewe P10, it's has nogo, on signal diagrams for the last couple of weeks (before the recent heatwave), seen the Chester shuttle arriving 40 minutes late, because waiting for the AWC Voyager on P9 to depart, the Chester shuttle would have gone onto P10 normally?

Knackered set of points I think, waiting for replacement.

 

[Statto]

Knackered set of points I think, waiting for replacement.

If that is the case, hope they can get the replacements quickly.

 

[Sheridan]

If that is the case, hope they can get the replacements quickly.

The incident occurred at the start of June so it’s not been very quick so far!

 

[MalaiseForever]

The whole station needs a good refurbishment. As well as the obvious repairs mentioned to the roof, platforms, and points at P10.

It really is a bit of a tip now.

 

[The Planner]

The incident occurred at the start of June so it’s not been very quick so far!

Depends how standard the S&C is.

 

[Signal Head]

Depends how standard the S&C is.

I believe this was the result of a 'run through' (train running through wrongly-set points in the trailing direction, for those that aren't familiar with the term), which can do all sorts of damage, depending on the type of switch and point operating equipment involved.

The turnout concerned looks like it might be part of a 'tandem lead' (where two turnouts are interleaved), so there are likely to be some non-standard bits in there.

 

[Sheridan]

Indeed, (and I realise we’re getting slightly off-topic here), the points are the ones highlighted in the photo attached, with platform ten being the line going off to the left (with the 15mph board and arrow).

 

[Watershed]

Indeed, (and I realise we’re getting slightly off-topic here), the points are the ones highlighted in the photo attached, with platform ten being the line going off to the left (with the 15mph board and arrow).

Do we know the circumstances surrounding the run-through?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

This the propped section between the Up lines. I noticed that some of the trusses further south are also of riveted plate, I wondered if these were replacements for the originals after failure. A few of the columns appear to be of a different design, possibly this is strengthening that has been added over the original at some point owing to failure, or some apparent weakeness. I've no idea how old all this stuff is, I don't know much about the development/expansion of Crewe from its original days.

Those pillars have been supported for a little while now, think last Spring time. It's all very old and asset management have decided to not look into replacing at this point in time. Presumably they are looking at HS2 funding to help

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2022 ==

I took the photos below of the heat damage when I was back in Crewe last week.

From what I can see in the cordoned off area on platform 1, it looks like at least 1 of the upright columns is now starting to slope. There is definitely some rust at the bottom of the wider upright in the photo but when I zoom in, it looks a lot worse at the top of the red painted section where it meets the girder going across. These uprights were all repainted a few months ago but I think it was only the blue and white parts.

Yes, can confirm as others have said, Northern are using the far end of platform 1. The only access for Northern passengers at the far end of platform 1 is now via platform 3 as the cordoned off area extends along platform 1 to the slope leading to the subway.

View attachment 118256View attachment 118257

Just to clarify, the post of Platform 1 that is of concern is the one at the right of your first photo with the signs on. Can't see from that angle but it's warped if you look from the right side of it

 

[FuzzyDuck]

Another thing, anyone know what's going on with Crewe P10, it's has nogo, on signal diagrams for the last couple of weeks (before the recent heatwave), seen the Chester shuttle arriving 40 minutes late, because waiting for the AWC Voyager on P9 to depart, the Chester shuttle would have gone onto P10 normally?

Recently I've seen a Voyager on P9 become blocked by a pair of 153's that would normally go to P10.

 

[Sheridan]

Recently I've seen a Voyager on P9 become blocked by a pair of 153's that would normally go to P10.

Yep, the TfW usually goes into 6 instead but if that’s not available they’ll put it on top of the Avanti. Long walk for the passengers to the main concourse!

 

[Trainfan2019]

Back at Crewe and platform 1 is more accessible now the barriers cover a smaller area. Close up photo of the damaged upright.



It might be my eyesight but I'm sure the upright to the left of the one above is leaning a bit.

The damage to platform 6 is now fixed.