Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[samj]

6 car unit on the 1723 Man Vic-Blackpool. Will this be common practice until October?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

6 car unit on the 1723 Man Vic-Blackpool. Will this be common practice until October?

If the stories we read are true, it might turn into a 4-car 156 set from May 17.
Northern then introduce more EMUs out of Liverpool and cascade the current 156s to TPE for Airport-Blackpool services.
TPE also send 171s to Chiltern and divert the current Blackpool 185s to the 171 services (Hull etc).
We'll see...

Edit: Sorry you were talking about Victoria services - ignore the above.
Might still change on May 17 as Northern shuffles its available DMU sets.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

6 car unit on the 1723 Man Vic-Blackpool. Will this be common practice until October?

Yes, that is what all the temporary platform extensions at Blackrod, etc., are for, and where all the displaced DMUs from the Chat Moss, St. Helens, etc. should be...

Curses, beaten to it by LNW-GW Joint

 

[LDECRexile]

Yes, that is what all the temporary platform extensions at Blackrod, etc., are for, and where all the displaced DMUs from the Chat Moss, St. Helens, etc. should be...

Curses, beaten to it by LNW-GW Joint

temporary platform extensions at Blackrod, etc???

How much more does it cost to make permanent platform extensions?
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I'm delighted that Joe Callaghan and Richard Buckley have sent photos for publication.

I have added Joe's photo to his album here:

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

I have added Richard's photos to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649960023396/

I've added all four shots to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe and Richard.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think I read somewhere that the platform extensions are temporary to negate the need (and associated costs/delays) for planning permission. Of course the platforms are likely to be extended permanently at some point, though.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

temporary platform extensions at Blackrod, etc???

How much more does it cost to make permanent platform extensions?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm delighted that Joe Callaghan and Richard Buckley have sent photos for publication.

I have added Joe's photo to his album here:

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

I have added Richard's photos to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649960023396/

I've added all four shots to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe and Richard.

4050m - railway signals show a yellow aspect, not amber!

 

[LDECRexile]

4050m repainted

Progressometer updated

 

[Joseph_Locke]

temporary platform extensions at Blackrod, etc???

How much more does it cost to make permanent platform extensions?

It's the things that permanent platforms need that temporary ones don't:

• Compliant lighting (including fixing any existing non-compliances on the existing platform)
• CCTV coverage
• PA system coverage
• Foundations
• Signage
• Fencing
• Seats
• Possible bridge alterations (one site)

All the stations north of Bolton plus Farnworth and Moses Gate are due to be extended in CP5.

 

[Viscount702]

All the stations north of Bolton plus Farnworth and Moses Gate are due to be extended in CP5.

As these just temporary or permanent

 

[thealexweb]

It's the things that permanent platforms need that temporary ones don't:

• Compliant lighting (including fixing any existing non-compliances on the existing platform)
• CCTV coverage
• PA system coverage
• Foundations
• Signage
• Fencing
• Seats
• Possible bridge alterations (one site)

All the stations north of Bolton plus Farnworth and Moses Gate are due to be extended in CP5.

Extended to what? And to 23m per carriage?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Extended to what? And to 23m per carriage?

On the CP5 list I can see only Moses Gate on that line mentioned, as being extended to 4x23m.
There are other stations in the region (not on the Manchester-Blackpool route) going to either 4x23 or 4x24, and a few to 6x23 (Liverpool S P (fast lines), Widnes, Warrington C and Newton le Willows).

This all seems to be driven by deployment of 23m vehicles (2/3-car 156/185).
The enhancements are not geared to 20m vehicles (ie 4-car 319/350).
Oxford Road is due to go to 8x23m when it is rebuilt.

 

[snowball]

Farnworth station is of course to be rebuilt as part of the tunnel works. Either the GRIP 3 report that somebody linked, or the planning application documents that somebody else linked, mentioned what lengths the platforms will be.

 

[Karl]

It seems one of the new replacement bridges hasn't been received favourably by residents of Heath Charnock.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/new-bridge-is-catastrophic-1-7243982

07:21Tuesday 05 May 2015

Residents have labelled a new bridge a ‘catastrophic mess.’

Residents in Heath Charnock, near Chorley, have slammed Network Rail’s decision to replace a small wooden bridge, off Bolton Road, with a larger concrete structure they claim is an eyesore.

The rail firm said the bridge needed to be replaced as part of the ongoing electrification works on the network.

Resident Alix Porter said the bridge used to be made out of wood and blended in with the ‘rural’ area.

She said: “It’s a catastrophic concrete mess, it’s a real eyesore and it doesn’t blend in with the surroundings. We want the bridge to be covered in stone, at least that will 
improve it.”

A spokesman from Network Rail, said: “Spencer’s bridge was built of various different materials and it couldn’t be raised as it was. So we needed to replace it completely with a new, safer, stronger and higher bridge with solid parapets. “We don’t usually build new bridges out of wood as it needs replacing after about 15 years.”

 

[swt_passenger]

It seems one of the new replacement bridges hasn't been received favourably by residents of Heath Charnock.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/new-bridge-is-catastrophic-1-7243982

Residents have labelled a new bridge a ‘catastrophic mess.’

Love the comment under the article: "It's a bridge get over it..." Intentional?

But anyway, isn't the time to question the detailed design at the planning stage, there's little point in expecting significant change once it is built. A coat of green paint wouldn't harm it though.

 

[AM9]

It seems one of the new replacement bridges hasn't been received favourably by residents of Heath Charnock.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/new-bridge-is-catastrophic-1-7243982

07:21Tuesday 05 May 2015

Residents have labelled a new bridge a ‘catastrophic mess.’

Residents in Heath Charnock, near Chorley, have slammed Network Rail’s decision to replace a small wooden bridge, off Bolton Road, with a larger concrete structure they claim is an eyesore.

The rail firm said the bridge needed to be replaced as part of the ongoing electrification works on the network.

Resident Alix Porter said the bridge used to be made out of wood and blended in with the ‘rural’ area.

She said: “It’s a catastrophic concrete mess, it’s a real eyesore and it doesn’t blend in with the surroundings. We want the bridge to be covered in stone, at least that will 
improve it.”

A spokesman from Network Rail, said: “Spencer’s bridge was built of various different materials and it couldn’t be raised as it was. So we needed to replace it completely with a new, safer, stronger and higher bridge with solid parapets. “We don’t usually build new bridges out of wood as it needs replacing after about 15 years.”

Would the local rag have made all this fuss if the footbridge was replaced over a road widening?

 

[swt_passenger]

Would the local rag have made all this fuss if the footbridge was replaced over a road widening?

Yes, you'd probably have to assume that would be treated differently.

 

[spongsdad]

Would the local rag have made all this fuss if the footbridge was replaced over a road widening?

I do agree that the local press have a habit of making a big story where none actually exists. In particular I am always amused by the "fury" of local residents about things of which they, in reality, mildly disapprove.
Nonetheless I think we can be permitted a small regret that today's modern constructions - with very few exceptions - lack the architectural merit of some of their predecessors.

 

[Ploughman]

It seems one of the new replacement bridges hasn't been received favourably by residents of Heath Charnock.


A spokesman from Network Rail, said: “Spencer’s bridge was built of various different materials and it couldn’t be raised as it was. So we needed to replace it completely with a new, safer, stronger and higher bridge with solid parapets. “We don’t usually build new bridges out of wood as it needs replacing after about 15 years.”

In 1994 an older stone bridge at Cononley near Skipton was replaced with a new bridge.
That bridge was built of HARD WOOD over an electrified route. Is that bridge still in place after 20 years?

 

[Class 170101]

If NR can get rid of a structure and replace it unsympathetically then I am afraid they will. I asked the same question about this structure in Carmuirs Scotland which I believe looks better than the structure that replaced it.
https://vimeo.com/116253630 (see start of video)

Their tweet in response was

Bridges are functional, designed to be efficient to install maintain. Also considerations around weight make it right choice

 

[snowball]

An NR press release announcing early reopening of two of the bridges and confirming the reopening dates of two more. Also confirms that Grimeford Lane will be done later this year:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...schedule-as-railway-electrification-continues

- Stump Lane, Chorley: originally due to open 12 May – reopened on Tuesday 5 May

- Rawlinson Lane, Adlington: originally due to reopen on 22 May - due to open on Friday 8 May

- Station Road, Blackrod: on track to reopen as planned on 15 May 2015

- Chorley Road, Heath Charnock: on track to reopen as planned on 19 June

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Great news - NR needs some positive press.

 

[LDECRexile]

I'm delighted that Bill Morton has sent photos of Rawlinson Lane Bridge and Skew Bridge.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157650900509369/

and added them to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Bill.
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I'm delighted that Joe Callaghan has sent several shots of Farnwoth Tunnel from both north and south.

I've added them 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.
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I'm delighted that ALX400 has sent photos of Dean Clough bridge demolition and Blackrod bridge reconstruction, all for publication.

I have added them 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]

Today I visited Oldfield Road and Farnworth.

At Oldfield Road, pedestrians have been re-routed back from the temporary bridge to the rebuilt main bridge. On the north approach the road has been brought up to the new level of the bridge. This has still to be done for the south approach. The road is due to reopen at the end of this month.

At Farnworth an excavator was demolishing the edge of the up platform, starting from the Bolton end. Cemetery Road bridge was closed both to vehicles and pedestrians and a temporary bridge for services was being put in place.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Good progress in the last week on mast bases between Lostock and Euxton.
A half-mile run of new bases (12) has gone in on the Down line just west of Lostock, extending the run from Horwich.
There are 5 new ones opposite on the Up, not quite connecting with the previous set to the west.
Overall that's 40 on the Up and 46 on the Down between Lostock and Horwich.
At the western end, a new run of 5 bases has gone in either side of the Yarrow/L&L viaduct approaching Chorley, on the Up (no new ones on the Down).
That makes 36 between Adlington and Chorley (Up).
No change elsewhere, although I didn't check south of Salford Crescent.

My Hazel Grove train was made up to 4-car today, but I didn't see any other strengthened Bolton line trains.
Maybe things will change next week when the 319 cascades are implemented.
All going smoothly at Farnworth.

 

[dggar]

Report in Rail Engineer on the boring machine

http://www.railengineer.uk/2015/05/11/boring-boring-boring/

Also posted on Farnworth Tunnel options thread

 

[thealexweb]

Earlier today I took some photos of the bridgework going on near Ladybridge. If they are of any use to you LDECRexile feel free to add them to group album.

 

[snail]

At the north end, Phythians Footbridge (no idea

Phythian is a common surname in the Wigan and Liverpool areas, so it's just a name, like Spencer's Bridge near Chorley.

 

[LDECRexile]

Earlier today I took some photos of the bridgework going on near Ladybridge. If they are of any use to you LDECRexile feel free to add them to group album.

Warm thanks.

As I (mis?)understand it, this bridge is known to the railways as Dean Clough bridge and to the local authority and highways people as Overdale Drive bridge.

The next bridge west towards Lostock is Ladybridge or Ladybridge Lane bridge.

Ladybridge bridge (?) will be rebuilt when Dean Clough bridge has been reopened.

They both carry a healthy traffic of healthy pedestrians.

 

[snowball]

Phythian is a common surname in the Wigan and Liverpool areas, so it's just a name, like Spencer's Bridge near Chorley.

I had an English teacher called Brian Phythian when I was at school in Manchester in the 1960s.

 

[LDECRexile]

I am delighted that thealexweb has sent shots of the bridgeless bridge which follow from ALX400's of the tidying up work the day before.

Paul Gaskell spent some time there on Saturday during the demolition. I hope to add Paul's shots on Wednesday evening.

I have created an album for thealexweb here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157652232138430

and added them to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you thealexweb