Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Joseph_Locke]

3922x Dixon Fold Footbridge and others - "overman" = Crane Controller (formal title, with armband).

That's a "little" Kirow (pron. keerov) 250 in use, I think.

 

[LDECRexile]

3922x Dixon Fold Footbridge and others - "overman" = Crane Controller (formal title, with armband).

That's a "little" Kirow (pron. keerov) 250 in use, I think.

Fab, description duly improved.

Thank you.

Dave

 

[PDG1949]

3922x Dixon Fold Footbridge and others - "overman" = Crane Controller (formal title, with armband).

That's a "little" Kirow (pron. keerov) 250 in use, I think.

"overman" - would that be the same as on a civils, non rail, site as a "banksman" ?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

"overman" - would that be the same as on a civils, non rail, site as a "banksman" ?

Not really; a more general name would be Crane Supervisor. Banksman would also cover the railway competence of Machine Controller and, in certain limited scenarios "on-track machine lookout".

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The mast base progress this week seems to have been between Blackrod and Adlington.
I counted 51/47 on the Up/Down (was 42/43, so 13 more overall).
Maybe one more on the Down near Agecroft, making 12.
Signs of preparations for bases between Windsor Bridge South and Ordsall Lane.
I was probably wrong about an electrification depot west of Bolton.
It's probably connected to the P-way upgrade going on.

Considering the big upheaval on the route is less than a week away, timetables seem in very short supply.
Lots of useless "until 16 May" booklets and nothing else.
Northern's timetable booklet 27 is entitled "until 16 May" but only has times until 1 May, with no hint of the upcoming work.

 

[WatcherZero]

Few online.

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/timetables/20150502/11.pdf

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/timetables/20150502/12.pdf

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/timetables/20150502/14.pdf

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/timetables/20150502/27.pdf

Files dated 2nd, 8th, 17th of April, and one 9th April revised 16th April so seem to have been produced very late possibly explaining why they haven't been distributed very widely.

 

[NORMAN471]

Plenty of all engineering work timetables available at Preston and Manchester Oxford Road last Friday.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm delighted that Joe Callaghan has sent another photo. This one shows a new signal erected north of Farnworth Tunnel.

I've added it to Joe's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Thank you Joe.

 

[PDG1949]

Not really; a more general name would be Crane Supervisor. Banksman would also cover the railway competence of Machine Controller and, in certain limited scenarios "on-track machine lookout".

Thanks Josef, oops.. sorry, Joseph; think I see the difference.

 

[LDECRexile]

The current edition of 'RAIL' (RAIL Issue 773, 29th April 2015, pp14 & 15) carries a nicely written summary of what's in store at Farnworth.

Although they are only tangential to our thread there are also pieces on Blackburn-Bolton and the Todmorden Curve, both on p18.

 

[ironstone11]

Readers may be interesting in looking at the plans for Farnworth Tunnel enlargement.

They are to be found here:- http://www.bolton.gov.uk/website/Pages/Searchforaplanningapplication.aspx

Click on "Search planning applications", then "Advanced" and enter 93252/14 into the Application Ref. box, then click Search.

As is usual with planning portals, it is not possble to quote a static link to the relevant page(s).

Realising that this may not be the most appropriate thread for this reply, so Mods feel free to move it to one of the Farnworth Tunnel threads.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm delighted that following some eagle-eyed research ALX400 has been to Blackrod as promised and sent three shots of a passing piece of On-Track Plant (OTP.)

I share his surmise that it is engaged in looking at track quality, alignment and so on, but does anyone in the know know what's what?

I've added the shots to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651121057352/

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

Thank you ALX400

 

[snowball]

Readers may be interesting in looking at the plans for Farnworth Tunnel enlargement.

Thanks, that's wonderful.

 

[LDECRexile]

Readers may be interesting in looking at the plans for Farnworth Tunnel enlargement.

They are to be found here:- http://www.bolton.gov.uk/website/Pages/Searchforaplanningapplication.aspx

Click on "Search planning applications", then "Advanced" and enter 93252/14 into the Application Ref. box, then click Search.

As is usual with planning portals, it is not possble to quote a static link to the relevant page(s).

Realising that this may not be the most appropriate thread for this reply, so Mods feel free to move it to one of the Farnworth Tunnel threads.

I opened this and read the Summary and Further Information and felt a bit 'OK, glad it's approved, but we knew that'-ish.

I've now revisited it and have been richly rewarded by clicking on Documents (36) in the middle of the screen. It leads to an Aladdin's Cave of maps, drawings and the like.

Thank you Ironstone.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I'm delighted that following some eagle-eyed research ALX400 has been to Blackrod as promised and sent three shots of a passing piece of On-Track Plant (OTP.)

I share his surmise that it is engaged in looking at track quality, alignment and so on, but does anyone in the know know what's what?

That's a Tamper; if it was going very slowly (seems likely since all its working lights are on) that it is probably either a) doing a measurement run following the recent weekend's work or b) running within a possession to a worksite (e.g. Bullfield Tunnel drainage). The path to Blackrod only on RTT may indicate the possession limit was near there.

 

[LDECRexile]

That's a Tamper; if it was going very slowly (seems likely since all its working lights are on) that it is probably either a) doing a measurement run following the recent weekend's work or b) running within a possession to a worksite (e.g. Bullfield Tunnel drainage). The path to Blackrod only on RTT may indicate the possession limit was near there.

As usual, clear and helpful, thank you.

I've improved the descriptions with the shots accordingly.

 

[Darren R]

I would surmise that this (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U36114/2015/04/30/advanced) was the Tamper returning to Blackburn from Lostock Junction this morning.

 

[ALX400]

That's a Tamper; if it was going very slowly (seems likely since all its working lights are on) that it is probably either a) doing a measurement run following the recent weekend's work or b) running within a possession to a worksite (e.g. Bullfield Tunnel drainage). The path to Blackrod only on RTT may indicate the possession limit was near there.

Cheers Joseph, all good stuff, only a few weeks away from the bridge opening at Station Road at Blackrod, do you know when the first masts will appear or is that a while away yet ?

 

[LDECRexile]

I've added a photo of Hindley and a set of Ince to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648767927083/

 

[Joseph_Locke]

It would appear that the bi-directional layout was commissioned on time this morning.

 

[ALX400]

It would appear that the bi-directional layout was commissioned on time this morning.

I was thinking of nipping down to Farnworth Station today to see what's going on are you and your merry gang there?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I was thinking of nipping down to Farnworth Station today to see what's going on are you and your merry gang there?

I wouldn't; Clifton, Kearsley, Farnworth and Moses Gate stations are all now shut.

Our merry gang finished on site at 0600 this morning having commissioned the temporary signaller's panel and all the telecoms - this site is now Buckingham's.

 

[ALX400]

I wouldn't; Clifton, Kearsley, Farnworth and Moses Gate stations are all now shut.

Our merry gang finished on site at 0600 this morning having commissioned the temporary signaller's panel and all the telecoms - this site is now Buckingham's.

Ok Coolio cheers, nipped down to Blackrod yesterday that's scheduled to be open on the 15th, aft get a wiggle on there's a bit to do there but most of it is utility based from what I can see, it's still a bit of a mess

 

[LDECRexile]

I wouldn't; Clifton, Kearsley, Farnworth and Moses Gate stations are all now shut.

Our merry gang finished on site at 0600 this morning having commissioned the temporary signaller's panel and all the telecoms - this site is now Buckingham's.

Well done Merry Men.

Can't we still legally and safely get to the footbridge between Kearsley Station and the tunnels?

 

[Holly]

When all this is finished are there going to be Liverpool - Blackpool electric trains?

 

[Whistler40145]

Yes they will be EMUs, but not until Blackpool to Preston is wired up.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Well done Merry Men.
Can't we still legally and safely get to the footbridge between Kearsley Station and the tunnels?

Not much to report on the mast base front today.
Maybe 6 more on the Up between Chorley and Adlington, making 32 on both sides.
Signs of some preparations a bit nearer Chorley.
No change elsewhere. They are falling behind.

The single-line working at Farnworth seemed to be going like clockwork around 11am today.
Not much sign of Northern trains being strengthened to cover for missing TPE capacity, though today is not typical.

Plenty of orange activity around Farnworth tunnel. The track in the north tunnel is still there at the east end but seems to have been lifted at the west end.
The south bore is about half covered with sprayed concrete, by no means finished.
I took some pictures of the old Up line from the train as we passed (point and hope for the best...).
The first three are approaching the east portal, the last is leaving the west portal.
A tall wooden barrier has been erected between the tracks at the east portal, which obscures the "business end".
You can see the end of the barrier in the 3rd photo.
Apologies for the low (phone) quality.
Maybe you eagle-eyed types can spot what is going on.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

No change elsewhere. They are falling behind.

Errrr ... no? It's all going to plan; don't forget we're 18 months off commissioning and there are still some hefty bits of work to come.

Well done Merry Men.

On behalf the Orange Army that was out over the weekend, thank you.

Can't we still legally and safely get to the footbridge between Kearsley Station and the tunnels?

The main early excitement will be clearly visible from the Grandstand erected just north of Kearsley, which is a public right of way (the bridge is part of the cunning Farnworth plan, as you will discover when they muck shift starts).

At the north end, Phythians Footbridge (no idea; it links Bridge St. and Railway St. at the end of Darley Grove - there should be a new supply cubicle on the western corner) will remain open throughout, unlike Cemetery Road which will be demolished and rebuilt later on.

The should also be some action visible at Moses Gate station (from the Bolton Road Bridge) as this station is being rebuilt as well.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Errrr ... no? It's all going to plan; don't forget we're 18 months off commissioning and there are still some hefty bits of work to come.

Well of course I hope so. I know it's early days, and all about possessions and resources.
I was counting Stalybridge and Blackpool as also mostly "to do" during this same period (the bigger picture).
Otherwise other milestones will slip.
I've been on the wrong end of project reviews myself!
There's still a bit of AT wiring missing at Huyton...

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I was counting Stalybridge and Blackpool as also mostly "to do" during this same period (the bigger picture).

Phase 4 (Preston to Manchester) is some way ahead of the other two phases you mention ...