Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[Manchester77]

Thank you for your replies and explanations.

What is involved in increasing line speeds then? Is it a case of strengthening the foundations beneath the track bed where necessary and then realigning the track itself to shake at as many kinks as possible?

Could a form of 'factory train' be designed to perform these tasks and we one day see a rolling scheme of linespeed improvements as we are currently seeing with electrification.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2...-slashes-years-off-electrification-programme/

Network Rail have one it's being used for the Great Western program.

 

[The Planner]

100mph was considered but wasnt worth the cost for what it gave you.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2...-slashes-years-off-electrification-programme/
Network Rail have one it's being used for the Great Western program.

That machine is for the electrification work, not for route upgrades.
NR has used factory-type trains on the WCML for line speed upgrades, but the route was mostly pretty strong to start with.
Lines like the L&M, although built solidly, have been let slide as secondary routes for decades.
It isn't just track, the structures, cuttings and embankments are key to route quality.
The number and type of level crossings are also key, although the L&M seems only to have one awkward level crossing, at Astley.
The early lines had lots of over/underbridges for grade separation, but the later lines tended to have more level crossings because it was much cheaper to build.

 

[Bald Rick]

That machine is for the electrification work, not for route upgrades.
NR has used factory-type trains on the WCML for line speed upgrades, but the route was mostly pretty strong to start with.
Lines like the L&M, although built solidly, have been let slide as secondary routes for decades.
It isn't just track, the structures, cuttings and embankments are key to route quality.
The number and type of level crossings are also key, although the L&M seems only to have one awkward level crossing, at Astley.
The early lines had lots of over/underbridges for grade separation, but the later lines tended to have more level crossings because it was much cheaper to build.

The only 'factory' trains are the high output ballast cleaners, high output track renewal systems, and high output electrification train. These can be, and are, used as part of a linespeed improvement programme, but don't have to be.

At the risk of boring regular readers there are over eighty factors that each have to be considered, checked and confirmed acceptable for an upwards change in line speed. Plain line track alignment, condition and specification are three of those. Overhead line alignment (incl vertical gradient), specification and condition are three more. There is much, much more to consider.

 

[LDECRexile]

I made my monthly tour Lime St-Wigan NW-Roby-Earlestown-Lime St today and found the following.


Structures visible from trains on stated date
Mast= upright steelwork. An arch counts as two
Base= concrete ground structure on which a mast will be placed
Scrape= preliminary groundwork where a base will be built
mbs= collective term for masts, bases and scrapes

Edge Hill to Huyton 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park
Masts 0 0 0 3 3 3
Bases 2 5 7 5 7 7
Scrapes 3 2 1 0 2 2
Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green
Masts 0 0 32 34 35 35
Bases 21 29 3 6 9 11
Scrapes 0 0 0 0 0 0
Broad Green to Roby
Masts 0 0 15 20 22 22
Bases 17 21 5 7 11 15
Scrapes 1 3 4 9 6 5
Roby to Huyton
Masts 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 0 0 0 0 6 6
Scrapes 0 0 0 11 5 5
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Masts 0 0 47 57 60 60
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Bases 40 55 15 18 33 39
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Scrapes 4 5 5 20 13 12

Huyton to Earlestown 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Huyton to Whiston
Masts 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 6 45 50 59 59
Scrapes 21 15 10 2 2
Whiston to Rainhill
Masts 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 51 63 63 63 64
Scrapes 6 2 2 2 1
Rainhill to Lea Green
Masts 0 0 11 50 67
Bases 78 95 85 46 31
Scrapes 18 3 2 2 2
Lea Green to St Helens Junction
Masts 0 0 29 46 56
Bases 53 62 34 17 7
Scrapes 8 1 0 0 0
St Helens Junction to Earlestown
Masts 0 0 20 37 38
Bases 80 100 93 78 77
Scrapes 22 3 2 10 12
Huyton to Earlestown Total Masts 0 0 60 133 161
Huyton to Earlestown Total Bases 268 365 325 263 238
Huyton to Earlestown Total Scrapes 75 24 16 16 17

Huyton to Wigan NW 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Huyton to Prescot
Masts 58 58 60 61 61 62
Bases 2 3 3 19 22 21
Scrapes 2 1 0 0 0 0
Prescot to Eccleston Park
Masts 40 44 46 46 47 49
Bases 3 3 2 2 1 0
Scrapes 1 0 0 0 0 0
Eccleston Park to Thatto Heath
Masts 19 19 21 26 26 26
Bases 4 5 3 4 4 5
Scrapes 2 1 2 1 1 0
Thatto Heath to St Helens Central
Masts 51 71 75 75 76 81
Bases 21 7 6 6 9 5
Scrapes 0 1 1 1 1 0
St Helens Central to Garswood
Masts 116 127 137 151 161 180
Bases 50 42 50 52 44* 27
Scrapes 15 16 10 4 6 4
Garswood to Bryn
Masts 37 46 52 52 52 53
Bases 10 7 2 2 4 12
Scrapes 6 8 10 10 10 1
Bryn to Wigan North Western
Masts 32 32 39 54 55 80
Bases 7 51 56 56 58 41
Scrapes 45 10 17 3 0 0
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Masts 353 397 430 465 478 531
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Bases 97 118 122 141 142 111
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Scrapes 71 37 40 19 18 5

Overall Totals 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Overall Total Masts 397 477 582 671 752
Overall Total Bases 441 502 484 438 388
Overall Total Scrapes 117 69 55 47 34

The St Helens Central to Garswood figure marked "44*" for 14th April is a correction of a transcription error I made in my April bulletin.

Notes: Electrification
Edge Hill to Wavertree only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Bryn to Wigan NW only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Ince Moss branch bases visible
mbs in stations not shown, eg Prescot has two large "arch" masts
The rock 'canyon' N of Eccleston Pk will have side fixings, not mbs
Now 12 scrapes east of Sankey viaduct, north of tracks
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Edge Hill-Broad Green
Extensive work on northbound platform at Bryn
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Bryn-Wigan
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Huyton-Whiston
Substantial electrical gear in place at Huyton Quarry
Substantial lengths of "Return Wire" hanging nr Garswood and Bryn
Trackwork and signalling at Earlestown appears complete

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Jct
Third line in position from near Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Stn
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Lots of progress on lift shafts at Roby, staff confident of progress
Even more lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 lift towers up
Foundation work in progress immediately north east of Huyton Stn
Excavation work in progress between Huyton Stn and Junction
Lots of ballast tipped on 3rd trackbed between Huyton Stn & Jct
New building erected immediately west of Roby Stn bridge
Greaser at Earlestown definitely on back of flange against checkrail
Extensive work on realigned subway in progress NE of Huyton Stn

On this and previous visits I was increasingly puzzled by the work on Roby and Huyton platform edges which has 1) taken them upwards - but not as far as train level, sort of half a job and 2) laterally away from trains - ie introducing a gap of about eight inches, a ready source of accidents. I was pleased to be told by a guard that the tracks will subsequently be relaid so the end result will be better both horizontally and vertically.

 

[8A Rail]

On this and previous visits I was increasingly puzzled by the work on Roby and Huyton platform edges which has 1) taken them upwards - but not as far as train level, sort of half a job and 2) laterally away from trains - ie introducing a gap of about eight inches, a ready source of accidents. I was pleased to be told by a guard that the tracks will subsequently be relaid so the end result will be better both horizontally and vertically.

I had noticed the gaps myself today but I put it down to the fact they are going to relay the tracks in due course - the guard has obviously confirmed that. I also notice the canopy roof at Roby Station is being dismantled too, I assume to make part way for the lift shaft and bridge to be placed and make be part of the canopy roof will return in due course? What puzzles me more though is the new platform three which seems to be a short four car length rather than following the usual lengths of Platform 1 and 2. Looking at the new platform 2 length at the east end (which takes account of the lost bit at the west end), it is clear it is not being stretched to go over towards the third line which I find a little unusual. OK I accept, still a lot of work to be done and things could change but current appearance would suggest platform 3 is a shorter platform than the rest. Strange?

 

[LDECRexile]

I had noticed the gaps myself today but I put it down to the fact they are going to relay the tracks in due course - the guard has obviously confirmed that. I also notice the canopy roof at Roby Station is being dismantled too, I assume to make part way for the lift shaft and bridge to be placed and make be part of the canopy roof will return in due course? What puzzles me more though is the new platform three which seems to be a short four car length rather than following the usual lengths of Platform 1 and 2. Looking at the new platform 2 length at the east end (which takes account of the lost bit at the west end), it is clear it is not being stretched to go over towards the third line which I find a little unusual. OK I accept, still a lot of work to be done and things could change but current appearance would suggest platform 3 is a shorter platform than the rest. Strange?

Thank you for taking this trouble.

Roby Canopy Roof: I apologise for missing this from my resumee. I don't know why it has been removed. The lift shaft is inside the building, so I can't see how that would directly affect the awning roof, though it indirectly does so in that the whole canopy has been propped up for some time because the lift shaft work affects the roof of the building proper and the canopy and wall might topple onto the tracks unless temporarily supported. I don't know of any bridge-to-be there.

Roby Platform Lengths: I find them confusing, too. I've put it down to my ignorance. It will indeed be rum if the new ones end up short.

I also missed from my resumee that a new signal, currently bagged, has been erected at the East end of Roby station, between tracks 2 and 3.

 

[edwin_m]

Canopies often don't provide enough clearance from the OLE, and even if they do they may need to be modified to avoid danger if the wire breaks and touches the canopy. However I guess it's also possible it is being removed permanently.

 

[507 001]

I had noticed the gaps myself today but I put it down to the fact they are going to relay the tracks in due course - the guard has obviously confirmed that. I also notice the canopy roof at Roby Station is being dismantled too, I assume to make part way for the lift shaft and bridge to be placed and make be part of the canopy roof will return in due course? What puzzles me more though is the new platform three which seems to be a short four car length rather than following the usual lengths of Platform 1 and 2. Looking at the new platform 2 length at the east end (which takes account of the lost bit at the west end), it is clear it is not being stretched to go over towards the third line which I find a little unusual. OK I accept, still a lot of work to be done and things could change but current appearance would suggest platform 3 is a shorter platform than the rest. Strange?

Thank you for taking this trouble.

Roby Canopy Roof: I apologise for missing this from my resumee. I don't know why it has been removed. The lift shaft is inside the building, so I can't see how that would directly affect the awning roof, though it indirectly does so in that the whole canopy has been propped up for some time because the lift shaft work affects the roof of the building proper and the canopy and wall might topple onto the tracks unless temporarily supported. I don't know of any bridge-to-be there.

Roby Platform Lengths: I find them confusing, too. I've put it down to my ignorance. It will indeed be rum if the new ones end up short.

I also missed from my resumee that a new signal, currently bagged, has been erected at the East end of Roby station, between tracks 2 and 3.

Please tell me that the new signal isn't one of those awful looking lightweight signals?

 

[8A Rail]

Please tell me that the new signal isn't one of those awful looking lightweight signals?

Two aspect digital type and yes it does look lightweight too - currently bag over signal. This will be for east bound line (platform 3). HTH

 

[Llama]

Most of the new ones down there (Earlestown area thus far) have been VMS lightweight signals so I would be surprised if it isn't. And yes, they are despised by drivers for being far too bright, the glare on approach means nothing else can be seen.

 

[The Planner]

Roby Platform Lengths: I find them confusing, too. I've put it down to my ignorance. It will indeed be rum if the new ones end up short.

Existing platforms should be the same, new ones 100m. Same goes for Huyton. Passive provision to extend to 6 car.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Existing platforms should be the same, new ones 100m. Same goes for Huyton. Passive provision to extend to 6 car.

Some of what you can see won't necessarily be operational length.

 

[driver_m]

Most of the new ones down there (Earlestown area thus far) have been VMS lightweight signals so I would be surprised if it isn't. And yes, they are despised by drivers for being far too bright, the glare on approach means nothing else can be seen.

I'm surprised that there are drivers who don't like these signals. After seeing these signals around Earlestown they seem fine to me, I personally dont like the ansaldo ones on the south Manchester box area, they can be very good when new but go awfully dim after some time.

 

[Bayum]

I made my monthly tour Lime St-Wigan NW-Roby-Earlestown-Lime St today and found the following.


Structures visible from trains on stated date
Mast= upright steelwork. An arch counts as two
Base= concrete ground structure on which a mast will be placed
Scrape= preliminary groundwork where a base will be built
mbs= collective term for masts, bases and scrapes

Edge Hill to Huyton 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park
Masts 0 0 0 3 3 3
Bases 2 5 7 5 7 7
Scrapes 3 2 1 0 2 2
Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green
Masts 0 0 32 34 35 35
Bases 21 29 3 6 9 11
Scrapes 0 0 0 0 0 0
Broad Green to Roby
Masts 0 0 15 20 22 22
Bases 17 21 5 7 11 15
Scrapes 1 3 4 9 6 5
Roby to Huyton
Masts 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 0 0 0 0 6 6
Scrapes 0 0 0 11 5 5
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Masts 0 0 47 57 60 60
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Bases 40 55 15 18 33 39
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Scrapes 4 5 5 20 13 12

Huyton to Earlestown 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Huyton to Whiston
Masts 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 6 45 50 59 59
Scrapes 21 15 10 2 2
Whiston to Rainhill
Masts 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 51 63 63 63 64
Scrapes 6 2 2 2 1
Rainhill to Lea Green
Masts 0 0 11 50 67
Bases 78 95 85 46 31
Scrapes 18 3 2 2 2
Lea Green to St Helens Junction
Masts 0 0 29 46 56
Bases 53 62 34 17 7
Scrapes 8 1 0 0 0
St Helens Junction to Earlestown
Masts 0 0 20 37 38
Bases 80 100 93 78 77
Scrapes 22 3 2 10 12
Huyton to Earlestown Total Masts 0 0 60 133 161
Huyton to Earlestown Total Bases 268 365 325 263 238
Huyton to Earlestown Total Scrapes 75 24 16 16 17

Huyton to Wigan NW 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Huyton to Prescot
Masts 58 58 60 61 61 62
Bases 2 3 3 19 22 21
Scrapes 2 1 0 0 0 0
Prescot to Eccleston Park
Masts 40 44 46 46 47 49
Bases 3 3 2 2 1 0
Scrapes 1 0 0 0 0 0
Eccleston Park to Thatto Heath
Masts 19 19 21 26 26 26
Bases 4 5 3 4 4 5
Scrapes 2 1 2 1 1 0
Thatto Heath to St Helens Central
Masts 51 71 75 75 76 81
Bases 21 7 6 6 9 5
Scrapes 0 1 1 1 1 0
St Helens Central to Garswood
Masts 116 127 137 151 161 180
Bases 50 42 50 52 44* 27
Scrapes 15 16 10 4 6 4
Garswood to Bryn
Masts 37 46 52 52 52 53
Bases 10 7 2 2 4 12
Scrapes 6 8 10 10 10 1
Bryn to Wigan North Western
Masts 32 32 39 54 55 80
Bases 7 51 56 56 58 41
Scrapes 45 10 17 3 0 0
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Masts 353 397 430 465 478 531
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Bases 97 118 122 141 142 111
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Scrapes 71 37 40 19 18 5

Overall Totals 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14
Overall Total Masts 397 477 582 671 752
Overall Total Bases 441 502 484 438 388
Overall Total Scrapes 117 69 55 47 34

The St Helens Central to Garswood figure marked "44*" for 14th April is a correction of a transcription error I made in my April bulletin.

Notes: Electrification
Edge Hill to Wavertree only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Bryn to Wigan NW only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Ince Moss branch bases visible
mbs in stations not shown, eg Prescot has two large "arch" masts
The rock 'canyon' N of Eccleston Pk will have side fixings, not mbs
Now 12 scrapes east of Sankey viaduct, north of tracks
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Edge Hill-Broad Green
Extensive work on northbound platform at Bryn
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Bryn-Wigan
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Huyton-Whiston
Substantial electrical gear in place at Huyton Quarry
Substantial lengths of "Return Wire" hanging nr Garswood and Bryn
Trackwork and signalling at Earlestown appears complete

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Jct
Third line in position from near Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Stn
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Lots of progress on lift shafts at Roby, staff confident of progress
Even more lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 lift towers up
Foundation work in progress immediately north east of Huyton Stn
Excavation work in progress between Huyton Stn and Junction
Lots of ballast tipped on 3rd trackbed between Huyton Stn & Jct
New building erected immediately west of Roby Stn bridge
Greaser at Earlestown definitely on back of flange against checkrail
Extensive work on realigned subway in progress NE of Huyton Stn

On this and previous visits I was increasingly puzzled by the work on Roby and Huyton platform edges which has 1) taken them upwards - but not as far as train level, sort of half a job and 2) laterally away from trains - ie introducing a gap of about eight inches, a ready source of accidents. I was pleased to be told by a guard that the tracks will subsequently be relaid so the end result will be better both horizontally and vertically.

It is times like this that I wish forums had fables in which to post information.

 

[Starmill]

Please tell me that the new signal isn't one of those awful looking lightweight signals?

Two aspect digital type and yes it does look lightweight too - currently bag over signal. This will be for east bound line (platform 3). HTH

Most of the new ones down there (Earlestown area thus far) have been VMS lightweight signals so I would be surprised if it isn't. And yes, they are despised by drivers for being far too bright, the glare on approach means nothing else can be seen.

Does anyone have a picture of the sort of 'over-bright' signal? Is it one of the ones where the signal heads are entirely flat? Similar to the ones recently installed on the East Suffolk Line?

Picture Source

 

[LDECRexile]

It is times like this that I wish forums had fables in which to post information.

...and spell checkers?

 

[507 001]

Please tell me that the new signal isn't one of those awful looking lightweight signals?

Two aspect digital type and yes it does look lightweight too - currently bag over signal. This will be for east bound line (platform 3). HTH

Most of the new ones down there (Earlestown area thus far) have been VMS lightweight signals so I would be surprised if it isn't. And yes, they are despised by drivers for being far too bright, the glare on approach means nothing else can be seen.

Does anyone have a picture of the sort of 'over-bright' signal? Is it one of the ones where the signal heads are entirely flat? Similar to the ones recently installed on the East Suffolk Line?

Picture Source

Sounds like it, although we currently have 4 aspect signalling so seems a bit if a backward step.

There's nothing quite like watching a proper bulb lit 4 aspect signal step up from red through to green..... Sad aren't I!

 

[swt_passenger]

Sounds like it, although we currently have 4 aspect signalling so seems a bit if a backward step...

If it was 4 aspect, it will almost certainly still be 4 aspect. The term 'aspect' can be confusing with LED signals, because on the new hardware one aspect usually shows either red, yellow or green, and the other 'aspect' shows only the second yellow.

Hence a three aspect area has single LED 'devices' and a four aspect area has two LED 'devices', which are separated by the distance required for the double yellow.

However if LEDs are retrospectively installed in an existing signal head as replacements for the four separate lamps, then they'll usually use four separate LEDs.

(Interesting that the chap who writes the 'track watch' section in Modern Railways is quite inconsistent about this, he sometimes refers to LED 'searchlight style' signals - which I think translates to 3 aspects on one head.)

 

[Emyr]

It is times like this that I wish forums had fables in which to post information.

...and spell checkers?

Fable is a valid word in English.

Fables might also be an engaging format for some types of information. I'm all for it.

 

[LDECRexile]

Fable is a valid word in English.

Fables might also be an engaging format for some types of information. I'm all for it.

The Traveller and His TOCs, by eSop

A traveller, using a TOC which gave him poor service
and many late trains made a petition to The DfT to be released from
his present service and provided with another. The DfT,
after warning him that he would repent his request, caused him to
use DOR. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had
fuller trains and even more delays, he
petitioned for another change of TOC. DfT, telling him
that it would be the last time that he could grant his request,
ordained that all TOCs be renationalised. The traveller found that he had
fallen into worse hands, and noting his railway's preoccupations,
said, groaning: "It would have been better for me to have been
either delayed by the one, or to have been overcrowded by the
other of my former providers, than to have been subject to my
present service."

He that finds discontentment in one place
is not likely to find happiness in another

(" AN ASS, belonging to a herb-seller who gave him too little food
and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from
his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter,
after warning him that he would repent his request, caused him to
be sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had
heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field, he
petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter, telling him
that it would be the last time that he could grant his request,
ordained that he be sold to a tanner. The Ass found that he had
fallen into worse hands, and noting his master's occupation,
said, groaning: "It would have been better for me to have been
either starved by the one, or to have been overworked by the
other of my former masters, than to have been bought by my
present owner, who will even after I am dead tan my hide, and
make me useful to him." Aesop)

 

[OxtedL]

It is times like this that I wish forums had fables in which to post information.

There are ways you can improve presentation of data currently, for instance in [CODE] [/CODE] tags .

e.g.

Edge Hill to Huyton	08/01	29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05
[B]Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park	[/B]					
Masts			0	0	0	3	3	3
Bases			2	5	7	5	7	7
Scrapes			3	2	1	0	2	2
[B]Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green[/B]						
Masts			0	0	32	34	35	35
Bases			21	29	3	6	9	11
Scrapes			0	0	0	0	0	0

That took me about 30 seconds lifted straight from a quote of the original post.

Incidentally, quoting the whole thing was also quite unhelpful here - you only needed a little bit!

 

[LDECRexile]

"There are ways you can improve presentation of data currently, for instance in CODE /CODE tags ."

This is helpful and constructive, thank you. I'll have a go at rejigging the original later this evening.

That said, I actually agree with Bayum, I would love to be able to link both the parent spreadsheet and my photos to the forum, but don't know how to do either.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I've now spent a while experimenting with code and /code and can't reproduce your layout or close to it. So I'll leave it be until I can find where such tags might sensibly go.

I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

 

[OxtedL]

I've now spent a while experimenting with code and /code and can't reproduce your layout or close to it. So I'll leave it be until I can find where such tags might sensibly go.

I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

It's just using tabs to align things, so quite unsophisticated really.
What I did was:

• Lifted the data complete with tabs [ie the thing given by the key above caps lock] and spaces from your post as you made it before.
• Put code tags around it
• Removed the /14 from the dates to make columns narrower
• Threw in a couple of extra tabs at the start of later columns so they matched up with the headers.

Don't know if that helps.

 

[macka]

Google has a online spreadsheet editor with very similar functionality to Excel. You could import an Excel file into the editor if you wish. If you save it online you can choose to share it via a link - anyone who clicks that link will open up the spreadsheet even if they do not have an account. It's a rather nice way to share tables and I've seen it used often on other forums.

 

[LDECRexile]

Attempted improved layout to visit findings 12th May 2014

Structures visible from trains on stated date
Mast= upright steelwork. An arch counts as two
Base= concrete ground structure on which a mast will be placed
Scrape= preliminary groundwork where a base will be built
mbs= collective term for masts, bases and scrapes

[B]Edge Hill to Huyton[/B]     	29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05

Edge Hill to Huyton Total Masts	0	47	57	60	60
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Bases	55	15	18	33	39
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Scrapes5	5	20	13	12
						
[B]Huyton to Earlestown[/B]		29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05

Huyton to Earlestown Total Masts 0	0	60	133	161
Huyton to Earlestown Total Bases 268	365	325	263	238
Huyton to Earlestown Total Scrapes75	24	16	16	17
						
[B]Huyton to Wigan NW[/B]	        29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05

Huyton to Wigan NW Total Masts	397	430	465	478	531
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Bases	118	122	141	142	111
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Scrapes 37	40	19	18	5
						
[B]Overall Totals[/B]		        29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05

Overall Total Masts	        397	477	582	671	752
Overall Total Bases	        441	502	484	438	388
Overall Total Scrapes	        117	69	55	47	34

Notes: Electrification
Edge Hill to Wavertree only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Bryn to Wigan NW only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Ince Moss branch bases visible
mbs in stations not shown, eg Prescot has two large "arch" masts
The rock 'canyon' N of Eccleston Pk will have side fixings, not mbs
Now 12 scrapes east of Sankey viaduct, north of tracks
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Edge Hill-Broad Green
Extensive work on northbound platform at Bryn
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Bryn-Wigan
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Huyton-Whiston
Substantial electrical gear in place at Huyton Quarry
Substantial lengths of "Return Wire" hanging nr Garswood and Bryn
Trackwork and signalling at Earlestown appears complete

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Jct
Third line in position from near Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Stn
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Lots of progress on lift shafts at Roby, staff confident of progress
Even more lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 lift towers up
Foundation work in progress immediately north east of Huyton Stn
Excavation work in progress between Huyton Stn and Junction
Lots of ballast tipped on 3rd trackbed between Huyton Stn & Jct
New building erected immediately west of Roby Stn bridge
Greaser at Earlestown definitely on back of flange against checkrail
Extensive work on realigned subway in progress NE of Huyton Stn
Awning roof at Roby removed, reason unknown
New signal erected East of Roby between tracks 2 and 3
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Google has a online spreadsheet editor with very similar functionality to Excel. You could import an Excel file into the editor if you wish. If you save it online you can choose to share it via a link - anyone who clicks that link will open up the spreadsheet even if they do not have an account. It's a rather nice way to share tables and I've seen it used often on other forums.

Thank you very much for this helpful tip.

I had a go at setting up a Google login but it insisted on me replying to what seemed like 4 million progressively intrusive questions, so I'm afraid I gave up. I may try again when I'm less knackered.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Bayum]

There are ways you can improve presentation of data currently, for instance in [CODE] [/CODE] tags .

e.g.

Edge Hill to Huyton	08/01	29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05
[B]Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park	[/B]					
Masts			0	0	0	3	3	3
Bases			2	5	7	5	7	7
Scrapes			3	2	1	0	2	2
[B]Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green[/B]						
Masts			0	0	32	34	35	35
Bases			21	29	3	6	9	11
Scrapes			0	0	0	0	0	0

That took me about 30 seconds lifted straight from a quote of the original post.

Incidentally, quoting the whole thing was also quite unhelpful here - you only needed a little bit!

Thank you, I'll have to check this out tomorrow.

I generally only check the forums when I'm on my phone, and trying to edit the amount of information in the quotation brackets is horrendous. I tried yesterday and found myself unable to get the bits I wanted so gave up.

Possibly something for the site admin to look at, something like spoiler tags that drop down should someone want to see the whole quotation.

It is times like this that I wish forums had fables in which to post information.

...and spell checkers?

YES.

Tables AND spelling checkers.

I don't know what is wrong with my phone at the moment. It just tried to correct spelling to special, and whole to hole before...

 

[8A Rail]

Uploaded another five images taken around Roby Station last weekend - click here = https://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 last five images.

 

[deltic08]

Uploaded another five images taken around Roby Station last weekend - click here = https://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 last five images.

Much appreciated by those who can't get there to see first hand. Thank you.

 

[DJH1971]

Here's 3 new pictures taken this morning at St Helens Junction, facing east.