East Lancs expansion??

[The_Rail_WAy]

I believe that there are plans under way to expand the ELR a little further on from Heywood to Castleton, about a mile or so which is fantastic news.

But I believe there are other options for expansion available to the ELR, these being:

(1) Short running line (app 0.5 mile) to Buckley Wells.
(2) A branch running to Helmshore (although a lot of work would be needed.)
(3) Expansion beyond Rawtenstall (again would require re-routing and a major engineering work.)
(4) Options to run 'light-rail' over Metrolink metals via Radcliffe etc.

I was wondering what other members thought about such proposals.

 

[STANDISH]

The best one for bring more passengers on to the line would be to go Castleton, with the mainline connection.

 

[Phil6219]

I'm not really able to comment on much, mainly because I've not heard some of these ideas but...

3 is a none starter, there are a few ideas going around about adding another platform along the runaround loop which is a fairly simple thing compared to some other ideas. It would mean extending the "platform" which is currently just covering the headshunt, the groundframe will probably go and be controlled by Rawtenstall West which is currently only in control of the crossing. The main problem with this idea is that there is the slight issue of acquiring the land, the benefit though is an increase in capacity.

1 & 4 are very close in terms of the idea. The one I've been hearing for a while is running through Buckley Wells to a new halt/metrolink station where passengers can change directly from the tram to our services, the idea being that a shuttle would run between the halt and Bolton St.
Obstacles with this are predominantly the crossing at Baron St which are currently secure gates, then there would be the extra trains running through the yard which really wouldn't be too much of an issue however sometimes we are working on stuff in the yard which would be adjacent on either side of the road in use by the shuttle. Not sure where Metrolink stand on having another station on their network either... It would however help with accessibility for the ELR both in terms of not having to walk through Bury and also disability and pushchair users as Bolton St does not have facilities to go from the booking office to the platform without leaving the station and going down the side of the station.

2 - Never really heard of this one, would be nice though. It'd also be nice if we could head out towards Ringley and Clifton again since it's just a dirt path (or it was last time I was there) but we would have to stop short of the motorway as there is no longer a suitiable bridge there. Nice thought but never really going to happen.

The Castleton expansion is something which has been on the cards for years, if it's finally going ahead then great. I've not heard anything new about this one yet but here's hoping

The new station at Burrs is on the way by the sounds of things, which in my view is a shame but oh well. Ideally it would have gone at little burrs with a fenced footpath running to the current foot crossing. Not seen the plans so can't say for definite what's going on, just shed gossip really :/

Phil

 

[simple simon]

Will the ELR be getting one of the T68's when they are finally withdrawn?

Or will Metrolink retain one for 'heritage' purposes? If so then maybe to ensure grandfather rights over the network at least one T68 should (at some stage) over all the extensions whilst still in normal passenger service at some stage before the fleet is finally withdrawn.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

4) Options to run 'light-rail' over Metrolink metals via Radcliffe etc.

Has anyone discussed this matter with those charged with operating the Manchester Metrolink system and if so, how much disruption to those Metrolink services would be envisaged ?

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I hope the Castleton extention does get built. (I did hear that they wanted to go further to Rochdale, but that may just have been wishful thinking).... The ELR is a nice line though anyway.

 

[edwin_m]

Has anyone discussed this matter with those charged with operating the Manchester Metrolink system and if so, how much disruption to those Metrolink services would be envisaged ?

The idea has surfaced in various strategies and plans over the years and TfGM commissioned a feasibility study about five years ago. I think the problem is that through running would only be at limited times of day because the ELR would wish to run heritage trains for part of most days and running the two together is probably impossible. This in turn means that the amount of benefit is also limited.

 

[MK Tom]

Can someone fill me in about Burrs station?

I can't see how the Metrolink and ELR could share metals. I would've thought Metrolink speeds and frequencies would prevent that. As for Castleton, would that include a cross-platform interchange with the main line?

 

[Jonfun]

Burrs is a proposed (unstaffed) station set to be located adjacent to the caravan park just North of Bury, primarily to serve the caravan site and the country park. Not been round that neck of the woods in a couple of months but I believe work's beginning soon to prepare the site for the station. Should be very beneficial; the railway's very popular with the caravanners.

Current Metrolink trams and East Lancs trains sharing track won't happen. There was talk at one point of a potential tram-train type concept which would be able to run on both networks to allow a service from Rossendale (the area around Rawtenstall, at the North end of the line) directly into central Manchester, but it's unlikely to happen. The idea of having a Metrolink station at Baron Street was also suggested at one point, with a shuttle North from there, but again unlikely.

Castleton; eventually the ultimate ambition is for a cross-platform interchange, however the current strategy I believe, is for an ELR platform on the Heywood side of the road bridge with a level access route between the two stations.

Will certainly be interesting to work when it's all done

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Castleton; eventually the ultimate ambition is for a cross-platform interchange, however the current strategy I believe, is for an ELR platform on the Heywood side of the road bridge with a level access route between the two stations.

The document that Rochdale Council put out concerning the Castleton area is one that I cannot access for some reason, but I understand the proposed site of the ELR platform is said to be shown somewhere in this document.

 

[Jonfun]

I'm aware of one for a couple of years back, when the ambition was to completely redevelop the area, including a marina bit on the canal; as far as I know the plans have been scaled back since then, although if you do come across a copy of a more recent document it would be very interesting to read

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Thanks for the response, especially Phil - great to find out such info - its looking likely that Castleton station is looking most likely/viable.

Its a great line, local to me and has come so far in the last 15/20 years. So proud.

 

[dfurn]

The document that Rochdale Council put out concerning the Castleton area is one that I cannot access for some reason, but I understand the proposed site of the ELR platform is said to be shown somewhere in this document.

I think this is the document if others want to have a read.

http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/...tleton-and-Heywood-Masterplan-Autumn-2010.pdf

 

[12CSVT]

Will the ELR be getting one of the T68's when they are finally withdrawn?

Or will Metrolink retain one for 'heritage' purposes? If so then maybe to ensure grandfather rights over the network at least one T68 should (at some stage) over all the extensions whilst still in normal passenger service at some stage before the fleet is finally withdrawn.

Maybe a T68 could find a home at Heaton Park.

 

[Phil6219]

This was announced a few days ago and is some exciting news for us, regarding the old BQ shed.

http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/news/?item=81

It would seem that Riley are relocating and the ELR are taking back the space in the depot, for those of you not familiar with BQ the shed is divided, the ELR have roads 4 & 5 and IR have 1-3 though most of theirs have been removed for insertion of equipment and workshop space, one road still exists for the length of the shed though.

This is great news as we desperately need more shed space, especially from a diesel perspective (all our steam locomotives are stabled in shed whereas the only diesels in a proper shed are having work done on them). It would be grand if we could still push ahead with plans for a proper diesel depot which would help unite the diesel dept which have been spread out between three sheds and a yard...

It's also intriguing to read the final sentence

The ELR also forsees opportunities arising for undertaking contract works for other heritage railways and locomotive owners.

which could be a great thing in terms of bringing in money to the organisation which would help fund other projects.

Phil

 

[455driver]

It's also intriguing to read the final sentence which could be a great thing in terms of bringing in money to the organisation which would help fund other projects.

Phil

IR have got the cotract to finish the overhaul on that over rated kettle* thing!



* Thats Flying Scotsman.

 

[theblackwatch]

It's also intriguing to read the final sentence which could be a great thing in terms of bringing in money to the organisation which would help fund other projects.

Presumably Riley using the space at present brings in money in a similar way?

 

[Geeves]

Where are Ian Riley moving too?