northwichcat
Veteran Member
One thing I noticed today that stands out on the Witch Way bus livery is "EVERY 15 MINS" which is perhaps Transdev getting ready for when Northern Rail say their new service is faster than the bus service at peak times.
Todmorden Curve completion date still realistic, say Network Rail bosses
SIGNALLING systems are now being installed at the Todmorden Curve as the project to bring the railway track back into use nears completion.
The £8.8million scheme to breathe new life into that section of the railway line remains on track to be completed by May 12, according to bosses at Network Rail.
The project would slash rail times between Burnley and Manchester, with the service also calling at Blackburn, Accrington, Rosegrove and Todmorden.
As these pictures reveal, work on the curve is continuing to progress rapidly.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: The majority of the heavy engineering work associated with the Todmorden Curve has been carried out and we continue with the installation of the signalling systems.
Work is progressing well and we are due to complete the project, as previously outlined, on May 12.
The Todmorden Curve peels off the main line to the north of Stansfield Road and extends for 500 yards to near Burnley Road in Todmorden.
Campaigners have been calling for that section of the line to be reopened for a number of years, with service times between Burnley and Manchester Victoria reduced to only around 45 minutes as a result of trains being able to use the Caldervale Line into the city.
But despite work on the reinstating of the Todmorden Curve nearing completion, there remains a question mark over when the line will be fully operational.
A lack of rolling stock, as revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph last year, means the service is unlikely to be running until later this year at the earliest.
I wonder if part of the reason the chord closed in the first place was the faffing about getting crews to run the trains?Bit of an old picture as the actual curve has been complete for some time. They were working on the signaling last week so there is no reason to doubt it will not be ready for May.
The timetables are already done and the curve will be in use from said date, albeit just for turning stock around for the long slog back to Wigan via Atherton.
Theres no way (even if they magically found the trains to run the service) they could run it mainly because the drivers and guards needed to run it have not had chance to learn the route. Vic men do not sign up that way but I guess Leeds men could do it but even then its a long shot. Blackpool crews do not sign through Rochdale either only the East Lancs line and onwards to Leeds.
Does anyone have any new images anywhere please???
Theres no way (even if they magically found the trains to run the service) they could run it mainly because the drivers and guards needed to run it have not had chance to learn the route. Vic men do not sign up that way but I guess Leeds men could do it but even then its a long shot. Blackpool crews do not sign through Rochdale either only the East Lancs line and onwards to Leeds.
Was it the knowledge that no rolling stock was available to run the service that made Northern Rail not give the drivers and guards the opportunity to learn the route at an early date.
....a second train will also be released to run on the newly reopened Todmorden curve.
From the Government web page linked above:
Well that's useful - a single train. If that is meant to be taken literally that's enough rolling stock to provide one train every three hours. I don't think the bus operators will be quaking just yet!
Well that's useful - a single train. If that is meant to be taken literally that's enough rolling stock to provide one train every three hours. I don't think the bus operators will be quaking just yet!
Perhaps our contributors who decry the 15-minute Lancashire Witch X43 bus service, saying the train will be far quicker, will now be at pains to extol the generosity of a rail service than sees a train every three hours, should that be the case.
Yes - I'd failed to take into account the fact that it's just the extension from Todmorden to Blackburn that will change from December. However, I don't believe a unit can get from Todmorden to Blackburn and back in under an hour, which means it'll still need more than one extra unit. (Unless I'm being really dumb - something I cannot rule out!) Are other units to be freed up by Northern's planners squeezing yet more drops of blood out of the proverbial stone? They do seem to be very good at that!
In the May TT, the trains which terminate at Todmorden have a 25-minute turnaround - 85 minutes should be enough to get to Todmorden and back (Hall Royd Jn-Blackburn is currently about 33 minutes on the Blackpool-York) with about a 15-minute turnaround at Blackburn.
It'll be a train every hour. As I pointed out in response to the same comment by Darren R in another thread:
The services showing terminating here or starts here on this list: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/TOD/2014/05/19/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt will become trains to/from Blackburn at the December timetable change.
The detailed proposals will dual the single line sections of line from Clitheroe, Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton to the city bringing 14 extra trains a day and a half-hourly service from between rush hours.
They ensure the track will be doubled for its full length between Blackburn and Bolton, with the single-line Sough Tunnel south of Darwen and Farnworth Tunnel in Bolton upgraded.
Construction will start in May 2015 with the major capital works completed by the autumn for the every 30-minute services introduction in December 2016.
The upgrade will prepare the line from Bolton to Clitheroe for the future completion of proposed electrification between Manchester and the town.
Investment in Entwistle, Clitheroe, Whalley, Ramsgreave and Wilpshire and Langho stations is included.
A RIBBLE Valley man has launched a campaign for two train stations to be refurbished and reopened after a 25-year wait.
Peter Brass, 53, from Clitheroe, is calling on the borough council, Lancashire County Council and the government to re-open the stations in Gisburn and Chatburn after the idea was first mentioned in the late 1980s
I wonder if part of the reason the chord closed in the first place was the faffing about getting crews to run the trains?
If I had a pound for each time the Lancashire Telegraph has reported that full re-doubling is to happen between Blackburn and Bolton I'd have... well, two or three quid anyway!
The information from those forum members in the know is that full re-doubling is not on the cards - just extensions to the passing loops at Darwen; quite enough to run a robust half-hourly timetable.
I think the Telegraph (and possibly the council too) is getting a little carried away.
What's this, the Lancashire Telegraph's speaking nonsensical gibberish? Well I never!
Looking at the Blackburn Council document in question, scope of works is:
Extension of passing loop at Darwen 1410 metres to the south and 1310 metres to the north of the existing loop. 5km of new track, 5km tamping, 1.3km of track sluing, 7 new signals, 5 replacement/modifications of existing signals, 2 full bridge redecks, 3 retaining wall modifications, telecoms upgrade. Four upgrades by Northern at rail stations north of Blackburn (Clitheroe, Whalley, Langho, Ramsgreave) and at Entwistle to improve the overall business case and bring them up to the average Lancashire standard. In addition TfGM will pay for the upgrade of Bromley Cross and Hall i'th Wood. TfGM has been advising Blackburn/Lancashire on NR rail schemes process and costs.
NR have presented a fixed cost price and an emerging process price to Lancashire County Council, the emerging process price is based on 10,000 passes of a rail risk model and an 80% confidence level. TfGM has advised to choose the emerging cost option and Todmorden, Ormskirk and Buckshaw were all previously done on the emerging cost option by Lancashire CC. The emerging cost option offers presently at least a £808k (5.8%) saving with the prospect of further savings being identified and based on advice from Lancashire CC and TfGM is the reccomended option for Blackburn council to choose.