Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[Bevan Price]

For anyone using the rail replacement buses at Huyton, today they were using Huyton Bus Station, instead of the usual pickup/setdown location near the station.

 

[LDECRexile]

That seems a standard sequence for recent platform edges done with block work. I've a number of photos of exactly the same stages with the new platforms at Reading. The wall goes up 'vertical', and then they use this to retain the backfill while they do all the service trenches and stuff. Then they add what are known as 'oversail blocks' and finally the coping slabs. Some areas at Reading went through a phase of a few weeks with the oversail blocks in place, but without the coping slabs, and a temporary fence in position - I assume the copers are the final thing that affects gauge clearance so usually get fitted at the last possible opportunity, especially if alongside an operational track. A standard design always using the same components achieves the required safety space under the platform - (IIRC theoretically there is room for someone to avoid passing bogies if they roll out the way and press themselves up against the wall).

Helpful and interesting, thank you.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I went from Lime St to Chesterfield today using the excellent Norwich service.

1. Edge Hill sidings contained lots and lots of wire drums and mast segments, mainly in latticework.

2. Allerton Depot has "our" 319 at the furthest line from the running lines to the east of the depot building. Not easy to do more than glimpse because of trees in the way.

3. Lots of trackwork going on in the depot, is it anything to do with "us", directly or indirectly?

 

[Geeves]

I've noticed from a pic someone put on Skyscraper City Forum that the old Exchange station footbridge is now history - possibly the final remnant of Exchange to be demolished..

That was me! Yes not much left of the old Exchange these days. Platform 6 line has gained a few more bits of metal over night, nearly reaching the station now.

 

[8A Rail]

Without wishing to fall out over this, the fact that the blockage is in place is in this case the route source of the problem. It's all very well for NR to repudiate liability because they don't organise the replacement bus service, but NR could also have a duty of care responsibility for the safety of passengers using the railway at all times and in this case other road users.

I think its called "collective responsibilty" - may be in the eyes of the law, this is how they could see it? Well, regardless hopefully everyone using the services will be safe and sound. Shall we get back onto topic?

 

[Wavertreelad]

I think its called "collective responsibilty" - may be in the eyes of the law, this is how they could see it? Well, regardless hopefully everyone using the services will be safe and sound. Shall we get back onto topic?

Exactly on both counts.

 

[DJH1971]

Well, it appears Huyton signal box is no more.

 

[LDECRexile]

I visited Roby and Huyton stations at 19:20+ this evening.

1. Striking progress, notably re Roby Jct and signalling
2. Lots of activity and Orangemen on view

Detailed notes follow, new things (to my reports) in italics.

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Junction to Huyton Junction
New Roby Junction in place, Tracks 1 & 2 joined, 3 slewed
Third line in position from Roby Jct to near Huyton Jct
Points splitting 3rd line east of Huyton in place
3rd line, major kink round site of Huyton 'box removed
Third line temp footbridge in Huyton Stn removed
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Platform 4 lift shaft at Roby, tower up, "ready to instal lift"
Platform 2/3 lift shaft at Roby, tower up, shuttering removed inside
Platform 1 lift shaft at Roby, base installed, lining to be done
Huyton Plat 4 electonic display, nameboard and noticeboard erected
Platform 2/3 shelter erected, unglazed, at Huyton
Major signal gantry erected immediately W of Roby over lines 1&2
Major signal gantry erected immediately W of Huyton over lines 1&2
Construction staff at Huyton confident of progress and prospects
Lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 towers up, largely faced with brick
Lift mechanisms being installed at Huyton
Public subway at Huyton open to the public, but steps incomplete
Eastbound platform at Huyton from south involves 150 yd detour
Eastbound platform at Huyton from south now step-free
Public subway under new tracks much better lit than under old
New building erected west of Roby Stn bridge now heavily fenced
Orange Army working en masse at Huyton & Roby Stations
Orange Army working en masse on signalling at many places
Awning roof at Roby removed, reason unknown
New signal erected East of Roby between tracks 2 and 3, LL3590
One base in place between tracks 2 and 3 West of Roby
Tracks 1&2 lifted east of Huyton Station, works train on Line 3
Works train on line 3 between Roby and Huyton
Huyton Signalbox completely demolished
New signal lying between tracks 2 and 3 just West of Huyton
2 new signals erected at eastern end of Huyton station
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Yesterday I reported that:

Tracks 1&2 lifted east of Huyton Station, works train on Line 3
Works train on line 3 between Roby and Huyton

The more easterly train was 1. Class 66-hauled and 2. being loaded with spent ballast from lines 1&2's trackbed.

The more westerly train was Class 70-hauled.

Later observations yesterday evening recorded on the excellent "nw-sparks" website show the Class 70-hauled train dropping ballast on lines 1&2's trackbed, in much the same position the Class 66 had occupied earlier in the evening.

This sequence means that there must have been egress from the site either towards Prescot and Wigan or along Chat Moss towards Earlestown (or both) for the Class 66 and spent ballast to have got away. It is impossible from publicly accessible places to see the relevant rails.

Missing from my report yesterday were:

The new third line west of Huyton has not been final tamped and aligned yet.
None of the new signals referred to was showing any light yet.
Brick cladding on lift shafts has progressed at both Roby and Huyton.

 

[Dunc108]

That was me! Yes not much left of the old Exchange these days. Platform 6 line has gained a few more bits of metal over night, nearly reaching the station now.

You do get about Geeves!

 

[L+Y]

I'm sure I saw somewhere on this thread that the fourth line is being laid from Roby Junction as far as Huyton during the blockade, although it won't come into use until the land has been transferred from the bus station. Is that correct: and if so, is there any sign of the fourth track being laid?

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm sure I saw somewhere on this thread that the fourth line is being laid from Roby Junction as far as Huyton during the blockade, although it won't come into use until the land has been transferred from the bus station. Is that correct: and if so, is there any sign of the fourth track being laid?

I can't say I remember reading such a thing, but there may have been something.

I've seen no shred of evidence of it so far.

Please see: http://nw-sparks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/huyton-roby-extra-tracks.html for diagrams of Phase 1 and Phase 2.

This fine, locally produced, site makes no mention of track 4 now, as far as I can see.

Maybe someone knows better?

 

[The Planner]

That was the original plan so we don't have to go back in later with overly disruptive blocks to put the fourth track in.

 

[Wavertreelad]

I can't say I remember reading such a thing, but there may have been something.

I've seen no shred of evidence of it so far.

Please see: http://nw-sparks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/huyton-roby-extra-tracks.html for diagrams of Phase 1 and Phase 2.

This fine, locally produced, site makes no mention of track 4 now, as far as I can see.

Maybe someone knows better?

The answer as far as I know is that part of the 4th line will be laid within existing railway confines, with remainder being completing in 2016 or 2017 depending on which version of the press releases are read.

The press release on the link below states.


What do we need consent for?

The proposed fourth track is approximately 2km in length. The majority will be built on existing Network Rail land. However we will need to construct a small section (approx 240m) on land we don't currently own between Huyton Telephone Exchange and Huyton Bus Station. To build this element of track, we will need consent through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).

We’re consulting on this element of the proposal and would like to hear your views


http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/northern-hub/projects/huyton-roby/

 

[Geeves]

They dont need to consult as the council was and still is obviously in favour of the improvements and has signed the land over already.

No timewasting consulations required!!

 

[DJH1971]

They dont need to consult as the council was and still is obviously in favour of the improvements and has signed the land over already.

No timewasting consulations required!!

So, hopefully the work will be done quicker then?

 

[Geeves]

Im not sure. I would imagine they had already done the plan for blockade long before the land was signed over so quickly. I hope they at least get all the point work done, but who knows?!

 

[snowball]

They dont need to consult as the council was and still is obviously in favour of the improvements and has signed the land over already.

No timewasting consulations required!!

I don't understand all the legalities but if you follow the link in Wavertreelad's post you'll see that the consultation has already happened - the deadline was April.

I don't think the T&W Act Order has been granted yet, and I'm not clear whether or not the council's consent as landowners removes the need for the Order. I suspect it doesn't.

 

[Wavertreelad]

I don't understand all the legalities but if you follow the link in Wavertreelad's post you'll see that the consultation has already happened - the deadline was April.

I don't think the T&W Act Order has been granted yet, and I'm not clear whether or not the council's consent as landowners removes the need for the Order. I suspect it doesn't.

The T&W Act Order is explained in the following link

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...file/273359/twa-orders-summary-guide-2013.pdf or in the pdf attached.

I suspect the plans may have changed several times, perhaps because of changing to the funding etc., and the original intention may have to install the fourth line at a later stage which would have allowed sufficient time for the planning consent and T&W Order to take place after all the studies had been carried out.

 

[nw-sparks]

Please see: http://nw-sparks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/huyton-roby-extra-tracks.html for diagrams of Phase 1 and Phase 2.

This fine, locally produced, site makes no mention of track 4 now, as far as I can see.

Maybe someone knows better?[/QUOTE]

Blush.

I've seen no signs so far of rails on track 4. I wonder if the space is more useful for truck access at the moment. Perhaps it'll go in during the string of Sunday closures in August and September? Of course, the wall needs to be demolished past the telephone exchange and the bus station before they can do that bit. It will be interesting to see whether the points to line 4 are installed at Roby Junction this week. Has anyone seen any evidence?

This morning the works train was on the newly replaced line 2 (Down Chat Moss Slow) pouring ballast onto the trackbed for line 1 (Down Chat Moss Fast).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

This sequence means that there must have been egress from the site either towards Prescot and Wigan or along Chat Moss towards Earlestown (or both) for the Class 66 and spent ballast to have got away. It is impossible from publicly accessible places to see the relevant rails.

A quick scan of the timetable database seems to show the access is via St Helens Central, e.g.
Train 1947123 (B30397) 05:07 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to St Helens Central
which ran this morning.

 

[DJH1971]

I wonder if more OHLE steelwork has gone up since the blockade?

 

[8A Rail]

Visited both Huyton and Roby Station sites as far as possible either from Church Road bridge at Roby or the public footpath that runs along side the line east of Huyton Station. 70002 was in Huyton Station with a ballast train on the new Down slow line. Noted signal's in place were lit with obviously red aspects. About 200 yard section of the Down fast line still to be put into place from the new crossover for the Down lines to the far end of Huyton Station. Both new signal gantries mentioned previously at Huyton and Roby Stations have only a single signal controlling the Down slow line. New signals for the Down fast lines are at the end of Platform One at both stations. Anyway, I have taken some images from today's observation's and please click here to view them - http://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 - see images 43 to 57, taken today, 10th July 2014.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Visited both Huyton and Roby Station sites as far as possible either from Church Road bridge at Roby or the public footpath that runs along side the line east of Huyton Station. 70002 was in Huyton Station with a ballast train on the new Up slow line. Noted signal's in place were lit with obviously red aspects. About 200 yard section of the Up fast line still to be put into place from the new crossover for the Up lines to the far end of Huyton Station. Both new signal gantries mentioned previously at Huyton and Roby Stations have only a single signal controlling the Up slow line. New signals for the Up fast lines are at the end of Platform One at both stations. Anyway, I have taken some images from today's observation's and please click here to view them - http://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 - see images 43 to 57, taken today, 10th July 2014.

Nice pictures, it gives a good timeline of the changes going on.
I'm feeling a bit directionally challenged with the new Ups and Downs.
Isn't the missing bit of line on the Down Fast through P1?
The Up Slow will be the P4 line still to be laid?
Looks like the mast bases in the centre of the layout were for the new signals rather than OHLE.
And the shabby P2 bus stop shelters have been demolished and replaced by identical bus stop shelters!
Nice weather for the engineers, for a change.
I'll have a good look round myself on Monday...

 

[LDECRexile]

I visited Roby, Huyton, Huyton Quarry, Whiston and Prescot today.

The footpath adjacent to track 1 East of Huyton station was opened (at least from the eastern end) whilst I was there, which helped no end.

Nothing visibly happened or happening at Huyton Quarry or Whiston.

The "return wire" previously noted between Eccleston Park and Prescot now extends southwards through Prescot station, I've no idea how far, the track curves out of sight.

Back at Huyton, from the footpath mentioned I had the good luck to be only feet from the spectacle of two Kirow cranes and a track gang dropping a set of points comprising four track panels into place and temporarily tying them all together. I really take my hat off to these guys; men and machines working together in close harmony. Wow!

Detailed notes follow, new things (to me) in italics:

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Junction to Huyton Junction
New Roby Junction in place, Tracks 1 & 2 joined, 3 slewed
Third line in position from Roby Jct to near Huyton Jct
Points splitting 3rd line east of Huyton in place
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Platform 4 lift shaft at Roby, tower up, "ready to instal lift"
Platform 2/3 lift shaft at Roby, tower up, shuttering removed inside
Platform 1 lift shaft at Roby, base installed, lining to be done
Huyton Plat 4 electonic display, nameboard and noticeboard erected
Huyton Platform 2/3 shelter erected and glazed
Signal gantry erected immediately W of Roby over lines 1&2
Signal gantry erected W of Huyton over lines 1&2, showing red
Construction staff at Huyton confident of progress and prospects
Lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 towers up
Brickwork complete on Huyton lift shafts Platforms 2/3 and 4
Lift mechanisms being installed at Huyton
Public subway at Huyton open to the public, but steps incomplete
Public subway under new tracks much better lit than under old
New building erected west of Roby Stn bridge now heavily fenced
Orange Army working en masse at Huyton & Roby Stations
Orange Army working en masse on signalling at many places
Awning roof at Roby removed, reason unknown
New signal East of Roby between tracks 2 and 3, LL3590, now lit
One base in place between tracks 2 and 3 West of Roby
70002-hauled ballast train on track 2 E of Huyton Station
Kirow cranes E of Huyton placing points between tracks 1 and 2
Huyton Signalbox completely demolished
New signal erected between tracks 2 & 3 W of Huyton, showing red
New signal erected beside track 1 W of Huyton, showing red
2 new signals erected at eastern end of Huyton station, unlit.

Finally:

I could see nothing at all at either Roby or Huyton to suggest that any of track 4 is likely to be laid in this blockade.

 

[8A Rail]

Nice pictures, it gives a good timeline of the changes going on.
I'm feeling a bit directionally challenged with the new Ups and Downs.
Isn't the missing bit of line on the Down Fast through P1?
The Up Slow will be the P4 line still to be laid?
Looks like the mast bases in the centre of the layout were for the new signals rather than OHLE.
And the shabby P2 bus stop shelters have been demolished and replaced by identical bus stop shelters!
Nice weather for the engineers, for a change.
I'll have a good look round myself on Monday...

May be its me with the Ups and Downs not being correct, in fact it is sorry.

Yes the missing bit is the Down Fast through Platform 1. The Up slow for platform 4 is the missing line and currently not being laid in any form what so ever. HTH?

 

[Geeves]

Some great shots there!

I notice on your last photo... Is that the retaining wall that was causing the hold up of line 4 now seemingly constructed? It looks to be in the right place.

If so thats great news!

 

[8A Rail]

Some great shots there!
I notice on your last photo... Is that the retaining wall that was causing the hold up of line 4 now seemingly constructed? It looks to be in the right place.
If so thats great news!

Thank You. Yes is the answer to your question but I think there is still some work to be carried out to the right of the picture. One thing for certain, no fourth line is being laid what so ever at this current time.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some great shots there!
I notice on your last photo... Is that the retaining wall that was causing the hold up of line 4 now seemingly constructed? It looks to be in the right place.
If so thats great news!

I think the new wall covers the rebuilt subway underneath, and was railway land already.
The widened section being purchased is I think a bit further east.

 

[LDECRexile]

I visited Roby, Huyton, Huyton Quarry, Rainhill, Eccleston Park and Thatto Heath Stations today. Detailed observations follow, new things (to me) in italics.

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Junction to Huyton Junction
New Roby Junction in place, Tracks 1 & 2 joined, 3 slewed
Third line in position from Roby Jct to Huyton Jct
Track 1 W of Roby Stn being clipped and welded together
All points east of Huyton seem in place
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
Platform 4 lift shaft at Roby, tower up, "ready to instal lift"
Platform 2/3 lift shaft at Roby mechanism being installed
Platform 1 lift shaft at Roby, base installed, lining to be done
Roby platform 2/3 shelter and stairs shelter installed
Roby platforms 1 & 2/3 surfaced in tarmac
Huyton Plat 4 electronic display, nameboard and noticeboard erected
Huyton platform 2/3 shelter and stairs shelter installed
Signal gantry erected immediately W of Roby over lines 1&2
Signal gantry W of Huyton over lines 1&2, showing red and yellow
Some construction staff at Huyton confident of deadlines
Some construction staff at Huyton unsure of deadlines
Lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 towers up
Brickwork complete on Huyton lift shafts Platforms 2/3 and 4
Lift mechanisms being installed at Huyton
Public subway at Huyton open to the public, but steps incomplete
Public subway under new tracks much better lit than under old
Fencing being installed around new structures NE of Huyton Stn
New building erected west of Roby Stn bridge now heavily fenced
Orange Army working en masse at Huyton & Roby Stations
Orange Army working en masse on signalling at many places
Awning roof at Roby removed, reason unknown
New signal E of Roby between tracks 2 and 3, LL3590, red and yellow
One base in place between tracks 2 and 3 West of Roby
Tampers E of Huyton on track 2
Axle counters and track signage being istalled E of Huyton Station
Tracks 1 & 2 E of Huyton Stn awaiting weldiing together & clipping
Huyton Signalbox completely demolished
Fence between track 1 and footpath E of Huyton reinforced
New signal erected between tracks 2 & 3 W of Huyton, showing red
New signal erected beside track 1 W of Huyton, showing red
2 new signals erected at eastern end of Huyton station, red & green
No shred of evidence of any of track 4 being installed.

Huyton Quarry: stacks of sleepers, but little else. Two masts missing on S side of tracks.

Rainhill: since the bridges were altered no electrification work on the station, though masts are in place in both directions from the platform ends.

Eccleston Park: masts in place through the station from the South and from approx 200 yds north of the station as far as the eye can see. The 200 yard gap is a mystery. Signallers working N of station.

Thatto Heath: return wire in place from immediately N of station. Masts through station, gaps southwards.

I looked from trackside and overbridges between Carr Mill and Garswood. Couldn't see any signs of recent activity.

 

[DJH1971]

I know I've said it before, but they really now do need go get a move on with the rest of OHLE and wiring.

With just 5 months left, the lack of progress in parts (especially Sankey Viaduct) is worrying.

 

[snowball]

According to #2004 planning permission for wiring Sankey Viaduct was only given on 25 June.

 

[DJH1971]

According to #2004 planning permission for wiring Sankey Viaduct was only given on 25 June.

That is close, they need to go all out as Network Rail is still showing December 2014.

Could have done with a longer or another blockade.