Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[WatcherZero]

I thought we were using a new design on electrification rather than the BR design that's been used up to now? Therefore I'd expect them to look a bit different to what we're used to. Also they're still missing some bits, unless I'm mistaken they don't have registration arms yet.

Wasnt it the low speed lines would be done in a minor improvement on the previous NR standard while GW would use a new imported European approach?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Wasnt it the low speed lines would be done in a minor improvement on the previous NR standard while GW would use a new imported European approach?

Liverpool - Manchester is Network Rail's Series 2 OLE, maximum speed 100mph. It is an Auto-transformer system for most of its length.

 

[Ploughman]

I would have thought that the lineside vegetation would have been cropped back.
Pre mast erection between Leeds - Skipton we were given a remit of 6m out from rail and 6m up to be cleared.
Some spots were not possible but that site at Kenyon looks like it should have been done to that standard.

 

[tom1649]

I would have thought that the lineside vegetation would have been cropped back.
Pre mast erection between Leeds - Skipton we were given a remit of 6m out from rail and 6m up to be cleared.
Some spots were not possible but that site at Kenyon looks like it should have been done to that standard.

Some of it will have to be cropped back won't it? Doesn't there have to be a minimum clearance to cut out the chances of flashover occurring (electricity can jump quite a distance at 25kv)?

 

[HSTEd]

Some of it will have to be cropped back won't it? Doesn't there have to be a minimum clearance to cut out the chances of flashover occurring (electricity can jump quite a distance at 25kv)?

The railway group standards only list a minimum static clearance of about 250mm.

 

[themiller]

The railway group standards only list a minimum static clearance of about 250mm.

This is a clearance for static structures like bridges not dynamic ones such as trees which have a habit of closing clearances all by themselves!

 

[DXMachina]

... such as trees which have a habit of closing clearances all by themselves!

But usually only the once

 

[Durham Ox]

You would have thought that planning application included the full viaduct? Or when you say planning issues do you mean regarding Network rail trying to find a gap to put the gantries up? I know the last series could only go up during the Christmas shut down

anyways

Couple more in here, not my photos btw but thanks to the photographer!

http://mark5812.smugmug.com/Trains2012/August-2012/24506236_pcF2Pv#!i=2005787677&k=wcS2nGD

The remaining gantries to go up on Castlefield apart from the two over the river are more substantial structures as they are tying into existing equipment and consequently require more robust foundations than for those already erected.
The bracket type fixings used so far are unsuitable and the original design for the next phase was concrete foundations in the ground although Transport For Greater Manchester (TFGM) objected to these as they are proposing to redevelop beneath the viaduct at the Deansgate end and didnt want the masts in the way of their proposed pedestrian route. An alternative design was then submitted but this involved much more visible, larger bracket works on the face of the viaduct and the local authority planning officers have rejected that now so its back to negotiations with TFGM.

 

[Durham Ox]

Elevated photo of Castlefield taken back in March.

 

[Durham Ox]

& a couple more.............

 

[boing_uk]

You would've thought something a little more architecturally sympathetic would have been designed... well, as architecturally sympathetic as OLE can be..

 

[WatcherZero]

Perhaps someone could persuade NR to paint them black, would probably blend in better.

 

[Nym]

Painting them black or a dark battleship grey would actually work quite well, but the only less offensive ways of doing it I can think of are more expensive cylindical posts, or using brick uprights.

 

[HSTEd]

Does anyone, out of interest, how much the actual electrification and the like is actually costing per mile, as opposed to speed and capacity upgrades being done at the same time?

So if they were just electrifying but leaving the service pattern and speed limits exactly as they are now.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Does anyone, out of interest, how much the actual electrification and the like is actually costing per mile, as opposed to speed and capacity upgrades being done at the same time?

So if they were just electrifying but leaving the service pattern and speed limits exactly as they are now.

Err, that's what is happening. There are no timetable changes associated with this electrification, nor any changes to speeds or line capacity.

 

[DJH1971]

I noticed whilst on the train to Manchester last Saturday that between Astley signal box and level crossing to where the line crosses the M62 that theere were large cylindrical objects by the sides of the track and some of these were even placed upright as a type of mast.

Looks like there is sign of activity around the Chat Moss area at last!

Furthermore, between Eccles and Ordsall Lane Junction (where the line runs in parallel with the M602) where mast bases are now in place, they now appear to be in the process of putting masts up here.

I saw a number of masts placed alongside the track and a couple of masts were already up.

 

[DJH1971]

Since then, a considerable number of masts have now been erected betwen Patricroft and Ordsall Lane Junction.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The OHL mast foundations are now going in across Chat Moss.
About 30 are in place between Astley and Patricroft (south side at least).
They seem to be driving long metal cylinders (about 5 metres at a guess) as the base, about the usual distance from the track.
Some are standing sentry along the line, do doubt waiting for the pile driver.
These cylinders are in other places along the route as well, so maybe they intend to use these where the ground is not suitable for the simpler square bases.
There is a large stockpile of these cylinders, and OHL steelwork, at Edge Hill where there seems to be lots of activity.
Some signs of very big holes near Ordsall Lane Jn, probably for the kit that will span all 4 tracks there.
I'm sure there is better engineering-speak for all this!

 

[Joseph_Locke]

The OHL mast foundations are now going in across Chat Moss.
About 30 are in place between Astley and Patricroft (south side at least).
They seem to be driving long metal cylinders (about 5 metres at a guess) as the base, about the usual distance from the track.
Some are standing sentry along the line, do doubt waiting for the pile driver.
These cylinders are in other places along the route as well, so maybe they intend to use these where the ground is not suitable for the simpler square bases.
There is a large stockpile of these cylinders, and OHL steelwork, at Edge Hill where there seems to be lots of activity.
Some signs of very big holes near Ordsall Lane Jn, probably for the kit that will span all 4 tracks there.
I'm sure there is better engineering-speak for all this!

The tubes are tubular piles, by Aspin or someone like that. Much quicker, cheaper and safer than any other form of base construction. They'll probably go in everywhere they can be used.

 

[DJH1971]

I noticed today that work on the railway bridge (on the Huyton to Wigan line)over the A580 East Lancashire Road at Carr Mill near St Helens now seems to be taking place.

There is plant equipment and work portable cabins by the side of the road (by Birse rail) and notices warning of 'blasting work ahead'.

I wonder if there are in the process of preparing to put up OHL gantries over the bridge?

 

[DJH1971]

And some new overhead gantries have now appeared around Ordsall Lane junction.

 

[8A Rail]

I noticed today that work on the railway bridge (on the Huyton to Wigan line)over the A580 East Lancashire Road at Carr Mill near St Helens now seems to be taking place.

There is plant equipment and work portable cabins by the side of the road (by Birse rail) and notices warning of 'blasting work ahead'.

I wonder if there are in the process of preparing to put up OHL gantries over the bridge?

I doubt it - they are shot blasting the complete bridge prior to repainting in whatever they repaint it in. Standard practice covering a bridge when they do that type of work. The OH probably wont go in until later next year after most of the work has been done on the Newton le Willows to Manchester section as that is due to go "live" this time next year.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There are now 4 (out of something like 12 needed) portal structures up at Ordsall Lane, plus some new ones at the Castlefield end of the viaduct where the existing wires run in.
Steelwork is now going up between the M62 bridge and Astley, and there are also some tubular piles in place west of Astley (but still a fair gap before the masts start again west of Glazebury).

The only sign of activity on Phase 2 west of Earlestown is a stretch of contractor's blue fencing on the north side of the line, stretching west from Huyton for something over a mile, well past Roby station.
This is over the stretch where the current lines occupy the south side of the old 4-track solum. I suppose this is the start of the 3/4-tracking project.
Looks like the current signalling and cable route will have to be moved out of the way first.

 

[Harlesden]

I'd be well chuffed to see these structures appearing in the Scunthorpe-Barnetby-Habrough area. Pantograph Power.

 

[507 001]

There are now 4 (out of something like 12 needed) portal structures up at Ordsall Lane, plus some new ones at the Castlefield end of the viaduct where the existing wires run in.
Steelwork is now going up between the M62 bridge and Astley, and there are also some tubular piles in place west of Astley (but still a fair gap before the masts start again west of Glazebury).

The only sign of activity on Phase 2 west of Earlestown is a stretch of contractor's blue fencing on the north side of the line, stretching west from Huyton for something over a mile, well past Roby station.
This is over the stretch where the current lines occupy the south side of the old 4-track solum. I suppose this is the start of the 3/4-tracking project.
Looks like the current signalling and cable route will have to be moved out of the way first.

I was hoping that was the start of the 4 tracking.

I noted rather a lot of cable conduit at huyton last night.

 

[DJH1971]

I was hoping that was the start of the 4 tracking.

I noted rather a lot of cable conduit at huyton last night.

I've a feeling that the four-tracking could happen more sooner than we think.

 

[25Kv]

New Series 2 equipment (Development of Mk3D). Standard open route Aluminium cantilevers, made by Bonomi/Omini - Italian.

 

[ole man]

New Series 2 equipment (Development of Mk3D). Standard open route Aluminium cantilevers, made by Bonomi/Omini - Italian.

Looks good kit and easy to maintain, tube sizes are lot bigger, though one concern is the size of the split pins

 

[DJH1971]

And upon looking at a blog called Northwest Sparks (just google it for further info), it notes that a small stretch of caternary has now been erected between Castlefield Junction onto the Castlefield viaduct.

 

[Peter Gl]

Thanks for that link to Northwest Sparks DJH, it's an interesting site.

Pete