Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[LDECRexile]

I also noticed this morning an impromptu wooden guard erected at the footbridge (near St Anne's Primary School) to protect against the wires.

Were you able to take any photos? I seem to remember you routinely have your phone/camera with you.
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Today is admin and wanging on day.

I'm very pleased that I've both taken and received loads of photos and a couple of films on and since Monday, as well as hearing from the very welcome new source in the Manchester area cited above.

I am delighted that Dixie Dean has sent some more shots of the Huyton Junction area, which I have added to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649752701067/

and to the Combined Volume as Series 3198.

I am further delighted that Phil Wieland readily agreed to contact the person who sent him the photos of the Bryn accident on the night of 26th/27th Nov which Phil published on his excellent 'nw-sparks' website.

That led to Andrew Jones equally readily sending me the shots for publication. I have created an album for Andrew's work here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650884918375/

and added them to the Combined Volume in their chronological place as Series 1840.

The Combined Volume is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/

Warm thanks to Dixie and Andrew for their material and to Phil for his help.

 

[Olaf]

The CP5 Enhancements Delivery plan update for December 2014 has been uploaded:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/cp5-delivery-plan/cp5-enhancements-delivery-plan.pdf

Covers a number of changes to Milestones - with the exception of the electrification east of Manchester Vic which still has not been updated.

 

[LDECRexile]

I have received even more material from Manchester. I hope people find it as informative and interesting as I do.

'1. At Man Vic the coping stones are still being done [..] - the difference in the width [..] can be seen where there are still some to do - the workers seem to have started in the middle of platforms 5 & 6. Tactile strips have been added too for the visually impaired.

2. As far as testing of the OHLE is concerned, that isn't something that is easy [for me] to find out about, obviously the notices are published in advance warning that the OHLE is live and dangerous etc even before the infrastructure is even fully in place in some instances, this is partly to deter cable thieves and also I would suppose as belt and braces so that OHLE permits have to be obtained for work on the OHLE.

3. Initial driver instructor (DI) 319 training for Manchester Victoria DIs has been slightly delayed from recent proposals to start the course this coming Saturday, and is now likely to start in about a fortnight. Wigan and Blackpool driver instructors are likely to start slightly sooner once rostering can be sorted so there is a good chance of a 319 being sent up to Preston for the static training and then being used on a path between Preston and Carnforth for the practical handling training. The first few courses might however still be based around Allerton and have the practical handling done between there and Crewe as has been the case so far.

When the Manchester Victoria drivers are being trained there will be a single 319 sent to Stockport Carriage Sidings for the static training and the practical handling will either be done between Stockport and Liverpool or Stockport and Crewe, that seems to change by the day.

Once the selected instructors are trained then training courses can commence for the drivers themselves, it is planned that the 319 course will take six days, with mostly classroom based training on days 1 & 2, static training (prep, disposal, coupling & detaching, faults & failures, system isolation) on days 3 & 4 and practical handling on days 5 & 6, with a final assessment by a driver manager on day 7.

It is a big operation with 90ish drivers at Wigan Wallgate, 70ish at Blackpool and 180ish at Manchester Victoria all needing the course. Piccadilly drivers won't be trained on 319s for the foreseeable, although because they already sign 323s the training would be much less for them - one or maybe two days at the most.'

Warm thanks for this.

 

[DJH1971]

Were you able to take any photos? I seem to remember you routinely have your phone/camera with you.

I did, and here you are:

 

[bluenoxid]

Manchestet!

 

[DJH1971]

Manchestet!

Oops!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The CP5 Enhancements Delivery plan update for December 2014 has been uploaded:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/cp5-delivery-plan/cp5-enhancements-delivery-plan.pdf

Covers a number of changes to Milestones - with the exception of the electrification east of Manchester Vic which still has not been updated.

It is still a work of fiction as far as electrification projects are concerned (countrywide).
It claims the Huyton routes were completed in Dec 2014.

 

[Elecman]

Not sure that wooden hoarding complies with the requisite standards

 

[DJH1971]

Not sure that wooden hoarding complies with the requisite standards

Thinking that myself.

It is rather impromptu to say the least, but due to there being a primary school on the other side.

 

[snowball]

It is still a work of fiction as far as electrification projects are concerned (countrywide).
It claims the Huyton routes were completed in Dec 2014.

At the top of page 43 it still says "last updated September 2014".

 

[LDECRexile]

I did, and here you are:

This is great!

I have downloaded your smashing photo of the bridge and the Mk 1 guard.

Please may I add it to the Combined Volume?

You may have seen how I ensure contributors are given due recognition. If not, I will be pleased to show you examples.

If you're happy for me to use it I will use the name you have used on flickr, unless you tell me otherwise.

Dave
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I have now processed the photos Paul and I took on our joint jaunt on Monday.

I have added Paul's shots to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649792560381/

and added his and mine to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/

Thanks Paul for a smashing day out and for your generous contributions.

 

[childwallblues]

On the St Helens bound platform at Eccleston Park yesterday was a sign saying Danger Live Overhead Electric Wires. Are they live yet?

 

[AM9]

Not sure that wooden hoarding complies with the requisite standards

I agree. To be compliant as a sheild against live conductors, it would need to be grounded. A sheet wood screen would still allow electrocution or burns, should a wire or some other conductive part at 25kV touch the other side.

 

[LDECRexile]

I am delighted that Ann Paulett has kindly supplied two photos and a film of 319 362 at Liverpool South Parkway. I have added them to her album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650048381910/

i have also added them and a poor shot of my own to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/

Thank you Ann.

Apart from hearing for DJH1971 whether I may add his Mk1 wire guard I think I'm now up to date.

Thanks to all contributors for their cheery help.

Dave

 

[Starmill]

There's a pre-recorded announcement of a lady saying something like what's on the Special Notices screen playing at Oxford Road.

 

[DJH1971]

This is great!

I have downloaded your smashing photo of the bridge and the Mk 1 guard.

Please may I add it to the Combined Volume?

Feel free to do so.

 

[martynbristow]

I have received even more material from Manchester. I hope people find it as informative and interesting as I do.

'1. At Man Vic the coping stones are still being done [..] - the difference in the width [..] can be seen where there are still some to do - the workers seem to have started in the middle of platforms 5 & 6. Tactile strips have been added too for the visually impaired.

2. As far as testing of the OHLE is concerned, that isn't something that is easy [for me] to find out about, obviously the notices are published in advance warning that the OHLE is live and dangerous etc even before the infrastructure is even fully in place in some instances, this is partly to deter cable thieves and also I would suppose as belt and braces so that OHLE permits have to be obtained for work on the OHLE.

3. Initial driver instructor (DI) 319 training for Manchester Victoria DIs has been slightly delayed from recent proposals to start the course this coming Saturday, and is now likely to start in about a fortnight. Wigan and Blackpool driver instructors are likely to start slightly sooner once rostering can be sorted so there is a good chance of a 319 being sent up to Preston for the static training and then being used on a path between Preston and Carnforth for the practical handling training. The first few courses might however still be based around Allerton and have the practical handling done between there and Crewe as has been the case so far.

When the Manchester Victoria drivers are being trained there will be a single 319 sent to Stockport Carriage Sidings for the static training and the practical handling will either be done between Stockport and Liverpool or Stockport and Crewe, that seems to change by the day.

Once the selected instructors are trained then training courses can commence for the drivers themselves, it is planned that the 319 course will take six days, with mostly classroom based training on days 1 & 2, static training (prep, disposal, coupling & detaching, faults & failures, system isolation) on days 3 & 4 and practical handling on days 5 & 6, with a final assessment by a driver manager on day 7.

It is a big operation with 90ish drivers at Wigan Wallgate, 70ish at Blackpool and 180ish at Manchester Victoria all needing the course. Piccadilly drivers won't be trained on 319s for the foreseeable, although because they already sign 323s the training would be much less for them - one or maybe two days at the most.'

Warm thanks for this.

I assume this driver training will take years not weeks mentioned above as otherwise the drivers won't be able to keep up with the traction will they :/

 

[LDECRexile]

I am delighted that David J Hilton has given the green light to adding his shot of the remarkable temporary footbridge guard to the Combined Volume.

I have created an album for David and put the shot in it here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/15955288704/in/set-72157648573451694

I'm also delighted that Paul Gaskell has sent two more shots taken at St Helens Central. I've added them to Paul's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649792560381/

I've added all three to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/

Thank you both, David and Paul.
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I assume this driver training will take years not weeks mentioned above as otherwise the drivers won't be able to keep up with the traction will they :/

I'm sorry to be thick yet again, but I can't see where it says that the process will take weeks. Could you please point it out for me?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[snowball]

I agree. To be compliant as a sheild against live conductors, it would need to be grounded. A sheet wood screen would still allow electrocution or burns, should a wire or some other conductive part at 25kV touch the other side.

Perhaps its purpose is just to stop people reaching out towards the conductors?

 

[DJH1971]

Perhaps its purpose is just to stop people reaching out towards the conductors?

That would be the case, but it is certainly something of a makeshift effort.

 

[snowball]

Maybe they've only just noticed the need and the present barrier is temporary, to allow the juice to be switched on for testing.

 

[DJH1971]

Maybe they've only just noticed the need and the present barrier is temporary, to allow the juice to be switched on for testing.

Staying on the subject, wonder when the test train will start?

 

[LDECRexile]

Does anyone know if any form of testing took place earlier this week?

 

[L+Y]

Does anyone know if any form of testing took place earlier this week?

No idea from my end: although given all the fanfare that accompanied testing on Phase 1, I imagine we'd have heard something by now if there had been? Could easily be wrong though.

 

[Magicake]

Someone earlier mentioned they thought mentor might be involved in early testing. I was under the impression it was still broken following the incident with the pantograph last year. Does anyone know if this is the case or will it be available?

 

[Olaf]

It is still a work of fiction as far as electrification projects are concerned (countrywide).
It claims the Huyton routes were completed in Dec 2014.

The CR005 project status has not been updated. The "Phase 2 (a&b) – Edge Hill to Earlestown & Huyton to Wigan Electrification" milestone is showing the date of December 2014 for the GRIP6 completion, but that milestone has not actually been marked as completed. The project status has not been updated since November (for September 2014).

There has been scheduling adjustments to a number of projects with one or two put back by two years, and a few have now been put back by one year. In a few cases it is mentioned that the project milestones have been amended/are subject to amendment due to ORR Cost Adjustments.

However, the current status of the NWE work has not been reported on, nor have a number of other active projects. I'm guessing that NR was short of a few hands following the recent work and with having to provide a report on the failures to the ORR, but that is no excuse for delivering a worthless status report.

 

[LDECRexile]

Someone earlier mentioned they thought mentor might be involved in early testing. I was under the impression it was still broken following the incident with the pantograph last year. Does anyone know if this is the case or will it be available?

It was photographed running through Huyton and again at Lime St on 29th Dec. Please see the photos in Series 2446 in the Combined Volume.

 

[caliburn53]

Guard on the train back from lime street recons sometime in March for testing another on lime street said April so probablly be May

 

[DJH1971]

Guard on the train back from lime street recons sometime in March for testing another on lime street said April so probablly be May

In other words, no one is sure.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Guard on the train back from lime street recons sometime in March for testing another on lime street said April so probablly be May

In other words, no one is sure.

sounds about right
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It was photographed running through Huyton and again at Lime St on 29th Dec. Please see the photos in Series 2446 in the Combined Volume.

And I can confirm because even though you have not put the photo with me stood next to Mentor - I was there with you Dave when you took the photos sandwiched between two Class 37s - a great day out indeed. In fairness it was running "pants down" IIRC.