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Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

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Manchester77

Manchester77

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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

LNW-GW Joint

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Manchester77 said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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DJH1971

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LNW-GW Joint said:
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.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it, especially within my neck of the woods! 8-)

Any more news of the Parkside to Ordsall Lane energisation yet?
 
Phil6219

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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 8-)
 
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YorkshireBear

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Phil6219 said:
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 8-)
Click to expand...

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

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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

LNW-GW Joint

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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 ---
Phil6219 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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"
 
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507 001

507 001

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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!
 
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steverailer

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507 001 said:
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!
Click to expand...

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
 
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Eagle

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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.)
 
nw-sparks

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

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!
 
DJH1971

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nw-sparks said:
Well, it ran! About 15 minutes early across Chat Moss.

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!
Click to expand...

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 ---
nw-sparks said:
Well, it ran! About 15 minutes early across Chat Moss.

I hope someone was out to confirm it was actually electric!
Click to expand...

Looks like the second test train is doing good too.

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

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

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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.
 
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