Lostock- Wigan electrification

[Bovverboy]

Bearing in mind that Springs Branch is being trumpeted as the new principal base for the 319s, does anyone know what the future holds for Allerton?

Allerton is the main depot for the electric fleet on the west side - Springs Branch will be a servicing point, in the same way as Blackpool is.

I see that, according to Wikipedia, Springs Branch is going to provide 'maintenance, fuelling, and train washing facilities'. What sort of 'maintenance' is likely to take place?
I'm certainly dubious when it comes to the totals quoted, i.e. facilities for twenty-four EMUs and eight DMUs. Twenty-four EMUs implies that the entire Northern 319 fleet is going to be based there, which, according to AMD (above), it is not. Eight DMUs, well that's pretty well the total which currently stable at North Western/Wallgate/Up Sidings. I would have thought that DMU stabling would be increased by at least 50%, to eliminate unnecessary running which now takes place between Newton Heath and various points to the west.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigan_Springs_Branch_TMD

 

[Greybeard33]

I see that, according to Wikipedia, Springs Branch is going to provide 'maintenance, fuelling, and train washing facilities'. What sort of 'maintenance' is likely to take place?
I'm certainly dubious when it comes to the totals quoted, i.e. facilities for twenty-four EMUs and eight DMUs. Twenty-four EMUs implies that the entire Northern 319 fleet is going to be based there, which, according to AMD (above), it is not. Eight DMUs, well that's pretty well the total which currently stable at North Western/Wallgate/Down Sidings. I would have thought that DMU stabling would be increased by at least 50%, to eliminate unnecessary running which now takes place between Newton Heath and various points to the west.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigan_Springs_Branch_TMD

The Wikipedia article references this Manchester Evening News story, dated April 2018, as the source. That stated:

Network Rail is adapting an existing freight yard at Springs Branch railway sidings in Ince-in-Makerfield to stable and maintain 24 electric and eight diesel trains.

I suspect that "eight diesel trains" meant the eight 769s, rather than 15x DMUs. So implying the plan (at that time) was to dedicate Springs Branch to the stabling and light maintenance of the fleet of 32 x 319s/769s (128 carriages).

I do not think that implied that every unit would be stabled there every night, nor did it rule out heavy maintenance remaining at Allerton.

And plans may well have evolved over the intervening 15 months....

 

[WatcherZero]

Light maintenance generally means external and internal cleaning, emptying and flushing of effluent and other fluid tanks, refuelling and possibly an inspection pit/shed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Any news on this- any activity at all?

 

[Glenn1969]

A post on another thread mentions March as a possible date for the 769s to enter service but I doubt we are going to see Lostock to Wigan wired any time soon

 

[Gathursty]

I imagine if Wigan Wallgate tunnel/bridge etc.. had a higher clearance, electrification would be a formality. I imagine that's why it's put in the 'too hard to fix right now' pile.

To raise the height of Wallgate at the station, you'd basically have to rebuild the southern entrance to Wigan town centre affecting several buildings and businesses, not to mention probable issues with access to Wigan North Western and utility works.

 

[WatcherZero]

Any news on this- any activity at all?

Its in the new list of NR CP6 Enhancements as a first stage scheme (Project initiated but not developed to a full business case) so while it seems to have regressed from previously having an approved business case and budget it is still 'in the running' so to speak.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...840709/rail-network-enhancements-pipeline.pdf

 

[ic31420]

O

I imagine if Wigan Wallgate tunnel/bridge etc.. had a higher clearance, electrification would be a formality. I imagine that's why it's put in the 'too hard to fix right now' pile.

To raise the height of Wallgate at the station, you'd basically have to rebuild the southern entrance to Wigan town centre affecting several buildings and businesses, not to mention probable issues with access to Wigan North Western and utility works.

I believe the Wallgate bridge suffered a minor collapse a fee years back and is currently propped.

About 20 years ago my old man was a site engineer for a railtrack subbie. One job he worked on was around Wallgate. I remember him saying then that the bridge was knackered. When I told him about the props he reiterated it. He thinks the buildings atop and either side are owner by the railway and let. It was proposed then to slowly not renew he leases and complete significant works in partnership with the council who harbour(D)a desire to regenerate that area. A lot has changed since then

 

[WatcherZero]

Props were put in because of cracks, yes NR owns the buildings on top.

 

[Mathew S]

O


I believe the Wallgate bridge suffered a minor collapse a fee years back and is currently propped.

About 20 years ago my old man was a site engineer for a railtrack subbie. One job he worked on was around Wallgate. I remember him saying then that the bridge was knackered. When I told him about the props he reiterated it. He thinks the buildings atop and either side are owner by the railway and let. It was proposed then to slowly not renew he leases and complete significant works in partnership with the council who harbour(D)a desire to regenerate that area. A lot has changed since then

The aspiration is that both stations, and the adjoining buildings and infrastructure, will be extensively rebuilt alongside / as part of HS2. Honestly, I cannot imagine anything major happening until then.

 

[a_c_skinner]

It is certainly an area that would benefit from regeneration. Surely the climate change/air quality agenda will tip the balance for projects like electrification to Southport?

 

[Bertie the bus]

Unfortunately regeneration doesn't just happen because an area needs it. See the Preston Tithebarn redevelopment as a classic example.

Slightly more on topic, I thought the electrification was going to North Western.

 

[Elecman]

Slightly more on topic, I thought the electrification was going to North Western.

That was the original plan indeed not to go to Wallgate at this stage

 

[Glenn1969]

But is there any plan to electrify this line at present? Thought it had been cancelled when the Windermere branch wires were cancelled ?

 

[Mathew S]

But is there any plan to electrify this line at present? Thought it had been cancelled when the Windermere branch wires were cancelled ?

I don't think it was ever actually cancelled, because I don't think it was ever actually confirmed as going ahead.

 

[td97]

I don't think it was ever actually cancelled, because I don't think it was ever actually confirmed as going ahead.

It was announced as NWEP Phase 7, but never officially cancelled. Assumed to have been placed in the 'deferred' pile.