Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[Manchester77]

Another test train?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U95926/2013/12/06/advanced

 

[The Planner]

Screams RHTT to me.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Another test train?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U95926/2013/12/06/advanced

It's the same sort of diagram the previous test trains used.

 

[Manchester77]

What provides traction for the test train?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

What provides traction for the test train?

The formation I saw at Piccadilly was 3-4 Mk2s with Test Coach Mentor at the front, all in NR yellow, sandwiched between a pair of 67s (Royal Train types).

 

[Manchester77]

Cheers, got the royal seal of approval then

This might be a stupid question but what does the test train do is it just checking the OHLE works or does it shock the positioning and stuff?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Cheers, got the royal seal of approval then
This might be a stupid question but what does the test train do is it just checking the OHLE works or does it shock the positioning and stuff?

You'll need an expert for that.
The timings only allow for a single pass of about 15 minutes each way Parkside-Ordsall Lane, so whatever it does it must be doing it at speed!

I imagine the plan for using a VT Pendolino is to use one of the couple which are fitted with pantograph monitoring equipment.
This has been invaluable for checking OHLE quality on the WCML on a daily basis using normal service trains.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Progress noted today:
There are now a couple of mast bases east of St Helens Junction on the Up as well as the Down.
Excavations in advance of concrete bases extend further east, and have also started in the cutting between Huyton Quarry and Whiston.
On the Wigan branch, masts extend a short way east of Bryn on both lines, with excavations beyond (and on both platforms at St Helens Central).
There is also serious groundwork going on at Springs Branch Jn, on the west side of the WCML.
This might be for electrical switchgear for the line towards St Helens.
Roby station has gained some ugly jacks to hold the P1 canopy up; it's not obvious if they are temporary for the duration of the station upgrade or not.

 

[Manchester77]

Cheers would have been weird to see a pendo running through Eccles!

 

[DJH1971]

You'll need an expert for that.
The timings only allow for a single pass of about 15 minutes each way Parkside-Ordsall Lane, so whatever it does it must be doing it at speed!

I imagine the plan for using a VT Pendolino is to use one of the couple which are fitted with pantograph monitoring equipment.
This has been invaluable for checking OHLE quality on the WCML on a daily basis using normal service trains.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Progress noted today:
There are now a couple of mast bases east of St Helens Junction on the Up as well as the Down.
Excavations in advance of concrete bases extend further east, and have also started in the cutting between Huyton Quarry and Whiston.
On the Wigan branch, masts extend a short way east of Bryn on both lines, with excavations beyond (and on both platforms at St Helens Central).
There is also serious groundwork going on at Springs Branch Jn, on the west side of the WCML.
This might be for electrical switchgear for the line towards St Helens.
Roby station has gained some ugly jacks to hold the P1 canopy up; it's not obvious if they are temporary for the duration of the station upgrade or not.

Glad to hear it, especially within my neck of the woods!

Any more news of the Parkside to Ordsall Lane energisation yet?

 

[Phil6219]

It is indeed a test train booked to run on Friday No idea what's on it but it should be once again testing the OHLE.

What little remains of Seedley station can be seen from Langworthy Road bridge, all that's left is a little bit of concrete and brickwork on the embankment. I only know of it as that's where I spent quite a bit of time as a youngster watching the trains with my Grandad.

Out of interest how are things progressing with the Bolton electrification?

Phil

 

[YorkshireBear]

It is indeed a test train booked to run on Friday No idea what's on it but it should be once again testing the OHLE.

What little remains of Seedley station can be seen from Langworthy Road bridge, all that's left is a little bit of concrete and brickwork on the embankment. I only know of it as that's where I spent quite a bit of time as a youngster watching the trains with my Grandad.

Out of interest how are things progressing with the Bolton electrification?

Phil

Bolton, think the contracts have been let for bridge and structure amendments.

 

[edwin_m]

Mentor is a converted Mk1 coach with a pantograph and observation windows. It has probably been updated several times since I visited it in the early 90s and I would guess it now has equipment to monitor the OLE geometry and to record it on high speed video. Thus it can confirm that the OLE position is within spec, probably with or without a rasied pantograph though not both at the same time.

What it probably can't do, unless the modifications have been drastic, is act as a load bank to check that the OLE and power feeds work correctly when close to their maximum rated current.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

For what it's worth, there are a couple of TP Class 350 ECS trips booked in the early hours of Saturday 7 December (Ardwick-Carnforth and back, 5T01/02).
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N19341/2013/12/06/advanced
And one late on Sunday 8 December (Ardwick-Preston, 5T91).
Search for "Astley" and "Non-passenger" and you should get the details of the odd-ball workings via Chat Moss.

All the similar planned workings up to now have been cancelled.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It is indeed a test train booked to run on Friday No idea what's on it but it should be once again testing the OHLE.

The test diagram does not seem to have been activated today, although I suppose there's still time.
EDIT: "Cancelled at the request of the customer"

 

[507 001]

Don't think the line has been energised yet, when I drove along the M602 last night they were still fiddling with the wires using cherry pickers!

 

[steverailer]

Don't think the line has been energised yet, when I drove along the M602 last night they were still fiddling with the wires using cherry pickers!

The line is energised, just switched off at night and work done under a 'C' form, same as the rest of the electrified rail network:roll::roll:

They'll be 'fiddling' with it for another couple of months at least, its called snagging. The line is safe for use, its just little niggly adjustments and the such like

 

[nw-sparks]

Three test runs tonight??

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y80214/2013/12/08/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N65415/2013/12/08/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N26833/2013/12/09/advanced

Were loaded into the timetable database on Friday.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Three test runs tonight??

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y80214/2013/12/08/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N65415/2013/12/08/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N26833/2013/12/09/advanced

Were loaded into the timetable database on Friday.

Loaded in Friday i guess it must finally be time!

 

[nw-sparks]

5T91 is on the move. Fingers crossed!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

5T91 is on the move. Fingers crossed!

If it is being electrically worked as planned, it will have secured a few bonuses tonight.

 

[Manchester77]

Well it's certainly on the newly wired route now and it says its timed for a 350, surely it is a 350

 

[Eagle]

It wouldn't make sense if it wasn't a 350. What would be the point of running a 185 like that? (Drivers already have route knowledge and clearance over that route.)

 

[DJH1971]

Just checked on the link and it has cleared Golborne.

It's looking good!

 

[nw-sparks]

Well, it ran! About 15 minutes early across Chat Moss.

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!

 

[DJH1971]

Well, it ran! About 15 minutes early across Chat Moss.

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!

I think there will be someone out there!

A new era has started!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It's now arrived at Wigan.

Just need confirmation now that it was a 350.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well, it ran! About 15 minutes early across Chat Moss.

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!

Looks like the second test train is doing good too.

It went past Astley a few minutes ago according to the link.

 

[Eagle]

Looks like the second test train is doing good too.

It's the same train, coming back.

 

[Geeves]

Heading back to Preston at 00:33. Finally we have joined the modern age, now for the rest of the un electrified lines

 

[DJH1971]

It's the same train, coming back.

And that mission is now also complete!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And 5X91 has just passed Astley.

Things are now coming along!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Well isn't this all exciting! Be interesting to see what happens now! Testing to become more regular i imagine they have to make sure its right before chucking passenger services on it.

 

[Manchester77]

She's off to Preston now!!

Left MCO at 0007 despite being timetables to leave at 0023 iirc, looking gooood!

 

[1D53]

It was 350401.