Fiddlers Ferry Power Station

[F2002]

On my daily exercise I decided to go down the canal and past Fiddlers Ferry when I noticed how rusty the rails are.

The signal box looked active and I could see a digital screen was on but I don't believe any trains are currently using this stretch of line between Warrington and Ditton?

The plant ceased generating in March with the last coal delivery well before that so I just wanted to check if this line was actually seeing any traffic at all?

 

[Far north 37]

To be honest the track doesn't look that bad seen a lot worse.

 

[mcmad]

tracks look to be fairly well used, not the shiny running band in the centre of the head.

 

[800002]

On my daily exercise I decided to go down the canal and past Fiddlers Ferry when I noticed how rusty the rails are.

The signal box looked active and I could see a digital screen was on but I don't believe any trains are currently using this stretch of line between Warrington and Ditton?

The plant ceased generating in March with the last coal delivery well before that so I just wanted to check if this line was actually seeing any traffic at all?



View attachment 77678

Were you crossing what is there Up and Down Goods lines between Ditton East Jn and Arpley Jn? (EDIT: Gave incorrect junction.)
Ss the signal box at fiddlers Ferry still controls part of this artery of line (IIRC).

That may explain why the ironwork is still looking like its used, but infrequently.

 

[F2002]

Were you crossing what is there Up and Down Goods lines between Ditton East Jn and Acton Grange Jns (Aroley Jn)?
Ss the signal box at fiddlers Ferry still controls part of this artery of line (IIRC).

That may explain why the ironwork is still looking like its used, but infrequently.

I was coming at it from the Warrington end and was near the canal when I crossed.

Here's a pic of the signal box.

Digging into it i've read this may be used for HS3 and the council are keen to reserve it just in case but I was wondering if anything was actually using the line or when the last loco was that used it?

I

 

[PHILIPE]

There are a lot of "Q" paths over the route not used regularly and there was a movement from Arpley to Ditton and return last Wednesday so there still appears to be use even without any trains to and from the Power Station.

 

[800002]

I was coming at it from the Warrington end and was near the canal when I crossed.

Here's a pic of the signal box.

Digging into it i've read this may be used for HS3 and the council are keen to reserve it just in case but I was wondering if anything was actually using the line or when the last loco was that used it?

I View attachment 77680

There has been movements recently on that stretch of line.
Using RTT and seeing for 'Fiddlers Ferry S.B. For the past seven days, I see:

024U 0816 Arpley Sidings to Ditton Foundry Ln(Ahc-ews)
Departing on 6th May 2020

058W 0816 Arpley Sidings to Ditton Foundry Ln(Ahc-ews)
Departing on 7th May 2020

030Z 1320 Ditton Foundry Ln(Ahc-ews) to Arpley Sidings H.S.
Departing on 8th May 2020

041B 0816 Arpley Sidings to Ditton Foundry Ln(Ahc-ews)
Departing on 9th May 2020

All of the services on that stretch of line are 'Q' run as required paths, so it may not be obvious if / when one the above light loco movements will occur next week if you wanted to go see.
Note at least one of them (030Z) ran 87 minutes early!

 

[800002]

There are a lot of "Q" paths over the route not used regularly and there was a movement from Arpley to Ditton and return last Wednesday so there still appears to be use even without any trains to and from the Power Station.

Yes - see my above post.
I listed them for the last 7 days for ease 9f viewing, moments after your reply.

The Signal Box does still control the lines movements I believe.

 

[800002]

As an aside, having looked up the compendium (signal box opening times)
Fiddlers Ferry is listed as open 24 hours 1800 Sunday through to 0600 the following Sunday.
With the following note attached:

Opens at 18:00 on Sundays at FLHH expense to allow 4F01 to run. When this train ceases to run the times will revert to a 22:00 opening on Sunday

 

[F2002]

You've been an awesome source of information 800002!
The reason for asking if the line was still seeing some use was I wanted to see if I could catch any of the workings.

 

[800002]

You're more than welcome!
Just be safe in that level crossing... Social distancing applies to trains to. (jokes, with a semi serious laugh).

As an educated guess (others may wish to guide me here) and depending on how long it takes you to get there, naturally, I would recommend looking out for those arpley Jn - Ditton foundry lane light loco workings. All the other traffic hasn't run in the last week (at least!).
At, Ditton Foundry Ln(Ahc-ews), on RTT look out for arrivals from 'Dollands Moor' as the loco which passes FF S.B. Comes of of that.
And in the return (Ditton Foundry Ln (Ahc-ews) to Dollands Moor) departures, a loco comes from Arpley Jn (sidings).
Note, neither ran on Monday (last) and just the down working from Dollands Moor ran Tuesday.
Both ran on Wednesday though.

So, Tursday (12th) keep an eye on these services running down from Dollands Moor as in all likely hood you'll get a light loco move from the Foundry across to Arpley.
0104 Dollands Moor - Ditton Foundry
0124 Dollands Moor - Ditton Foundry

I say Tuesday as the Monday arrival from Dollands Moor, departing 0104 Monday (about 90 minutes) time hasn't been activated yet. If it does get underway, I'll be sure to let you know.