Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[GRALISTAIR]

Thank you thealexweb

No -thank you Dave and thank you all - outstanding. I have a feeling this thread will go down as outstanding when all is finished.

Great work by all and especially Dave. Please can I buy you a pint when I am home and we can go for a day out over the sites when I am home.

 

[LDECRexile]

No -thank you Dave and thank you all - outstanding. I have a feeling this thread will go down as outstanding when all is finished.

Great work by all and especially Dave. Please can I buy you a pint when I am home and we can go for a day out over the sites when I am home.

Dear Graham

It's great to hear from you again and especially encouraging to get your continued support and kind remarks.

People started contributing photos and film from the off and have continued to do so, with others taking the plunge as we go along. This dunnarf increase the continuity and richness of coverage, especially when folks chip in local and historical knowledge.

I'd be dismayed if we didn't go on tour again. That pint sounds good, too.

Sithee

Dave

 

[samj]

I see that the majority of the Northern stopping services between Blackpool and Manchester are still 2 carriage units during the day. The 1719 Man Vic-Blackpool has been a 6 car unit on many occasions since May 5th. Anyone know why Northern haven't been doubling up the services in the day, surely this must lead to major overcrowding? Or are there plans to change this once the new timetable commences?

 

[LDECRexile]

Paul and I visited several bridges along the line today.

Plenty of photos of this tour and Paul's visit to Dean Clough on Saturday will follow in due course. Family commitments mean they may dribble out over several days.

The important warning to give out is that Dean Clough's new span will NOT be craned in this weekend (16/17 May) because the forecast is for wind too strong to permit lifting. It has therefore been postponed for a week.

This info was given by John, an Orangeman at Dixon Fold. John also did us the kindness of taking my camera on a tour of the site, which is showing tremendous progress and looks a good bet to be open on time this month. Thank you very much John.

John, the photos and films taken so far on the Manchester to Bolton and Blackpool electrification can be found here:

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

There whole lot is organised by date and place, with the most recent first. if you trawl backwards you'll find several sets taken at Dixon Fold, Dean Clough and the footbridge near the golf course at Lostock (complete with Roe Deer!)

 

[snowball]

A few pictures taken from a train and posted by Johnny de Rivative on Skyscrapercity:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=123967567&postcount=2824

The temporary services bridge at Cemetery Road bridge, Farnworth, can be glimpsed in the fourth picture.

 

[LDECRexile]

Herewith a proper write-up from yesterday.

1. Oldfield Road bridge: looks well on the way to opening on time.
2. Broughton Road bridge: Orangemen on site said they hope to have it open in June rather than the planned July
3. Agecroft: no visible change
4. Dixon Fold footbridge: tremendous progress, both new and original coping stones largely in place. Orangemen confident that the end of May reopening will be met. Bad infestation by invasive weeds beside the western approach path.
5. Kearsley and Farnworth Tunnel Southern end: lots happening, diggers going at it hammer and tongs above, Orangemen visible near portal. Some Northern trains 4-car, others 2-car. No sign of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) yet.
6. Farnworth station and tunnel northern portal: Orangemen involved in 'de-veging' (removing trees and shrubs) station and Cemetery Road bridge both inaccessible within the worksite. Southbound platform edging work only towards its northern end.
7. Dean Clough/Overdale Drive bridge: Orangemen hard at it preparing the northern end for vehicular access. I don't know if the new span(s) and abutments will be 7.1 brought in by road or rail and 7.2 whether the crane to be used will be road or rail. Does any contributor know? As reported above, craning them in is now set for the weekend of 23/24 May. Locals call the bridge "First Bridge" with Ladybridge (Ladybridge Lane) bridge being "Second Bridge."
8. The rural pedestrian footbridge photographed in Series 3638 is earmarked for action before long. The existing bridge will be craned out and the new structure craned in by rail-borne cranes.

Does anyone know if Rawlinson Lane bridge reopened as planned on 8th May?

Photos in due course.

 

[ironstone11]

Herewith a proper write-up from yesterday.

Does anyone know if Rawlinson Lane bridge reopened as planned on 8th May?

Many thanks for the comprehesive report.

According to pic.twitter.com/z15HEZ93PY posted on 11 May, the answer is most probably yes, two weeks early. It doesn't actually state the opening date.

 

[snowball]

Also on the Northern Programme Twitter feed, there's a new picture of works at the Kearsley portal taken from above the tunnel:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP

(I don't know how to link to individual Twitter pictures as ironstone has just done.)

Presumably preparing the site where the tunnelling machine will be placed to start its drive.

Edit: although, come to think of it, there are other things to be done there first, like filling the up tunnel with concrete.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've snatched the chance to wang photos on from yesterday's Dixon Fold footbridge visit.

I've added those taken by Paul to his album here:

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

I've added them and a fabulous set, kindly taken by John, one of the contractors on site, to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Paul and John

 

[ironstone11]

Also on the Northern Programme Twitter feed, there's a new picture of works at the Kearsley portal taken from above the tunnel:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP

It's at:- pic.twitter.com/Zn6B8Gu7WG

I have a Twitter Add-on for Firefox and copy and paste the link from there.

 

[ALX400]

Herewith a proper write-up from yesterday.

1. Oldfield Road bridge: looks well on the way to opening on time.
2. Broughton Road bridge: Orangemen on site said they hope to have it open in June rather than the planned July
3. Agecroft: no visible change
4. Dixon Fold footbridge: tremendous progress, both new and original coping stones largely in place. Orangemen confident that the end of May reopening will be met. Bad infestation by invasive weeds beside the western approach path.
5. Kearsley and Farnworth Tunnel Southern end: lots happening, diggers going at it hammer and tongs above, Orangemen visible near portal. Some Northern trains 4-car, others 2-car. No sign of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) yet.
6. Farnworth station and tunnel northern portal: Orangemen involved in 'de-veging' (removing trees and shrubs) station and Cemetery Road bridge both inaccessible within the worksite. Southbound platform edging work only towards its northern end.
7. Dean Clough/Overdale Drive bridge: Orangemen hard at it preparing the northern end for vehicular access. I don't know if the new span(s) and abutments will be 7.1 brought in by road or rail and 7.2 whether the crane to be used will be road or rail. Does any contributor know? As reported above, craning them in is now set for the weekend of 23/24 May. Locals call the bridge "First Bridge" with Ladybridge (Ladybridge Lane) bridge being "Second Bridge."
8. The rural pedestrian footbridge photographed in Series 3638 is earmarked for action before long. The existing bridge will be craned out and the new structure craned in by rail-borne cranes.

Does anyone know if Rawlinson Lane bridge reopened as planned on 8th May?

Photos in due course.

Yes Dave Rawlinson opened early, Station Road at Blackrod Tomorrow Friday, welcome relief round here for these..

 

[LDECRexile]

Yes Dave Rawlinson opened early, Station Road at Blackrod Tomorrow Friday, welcome relief round here for these..

Fab, thank you.

There's a Special Bonus Point for action photos of either.

Now, if that isn't incentive enough, then I'll eat Paddy Ashdown.

 

[AM9]

Fab, thank you.

There's a Special Bonus Point for action photos of either.

Now, if that isn't incentive enough, then I'll eat Paddy Ashdown.

Ooo-er!

 

[42626]

Yes Dave Rawlinson opened early, Station Road at Blackrod Tomorrow Friday, welcome relief round here for these..

Getting close:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/17026666093

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/17647044485

 

[LDECRexile]

I have processed Paul's photos and films of the demolition at Dean Clough last Saturday. Please note that they are in reverse date order so they appear as set 4072 BEFORE the material from Sunday, Monday and yesterday.

I have added them to Paul's album here:

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

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Paul.

I am off to Skipton early tomorrow until Saturday evening to meet some distant Canadian kin. I will process the remainder of yesterday's material, and any anyone else sends me, after I get back.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Getting close:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/17026666093

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/17647044485

Hello, welcome to the site.

Are you Ian Fitter or are you alerting us to Ian's material on flickr?

Ian has in the past linked some of his shots to the Combined Volume so he keeps full credit but increases his exposure - win-win as far as I'm concerned.

Without his express permission I would not even attempt such a thing even if I knew how.

 

[LDECRexile]

Bridgeoscope updated below.

 

[snowball]

Is Spencers bridge finished? It looks finished in the picture in the article linked from #943 on page 63.

 

[LDECRexile]

I looks finished indeed.

The article implies it's finished.

I'm just waiting for someone to tell me it's finished or show me it's finished (eg photo of a tractor on it) or see it with my own eyes.

PS: In he Bridgeoscope I missed the fact that Kearsley Foot crossing is now finished, ie the west side gate has been permanently fenced. The old gate barrier and danger signs are still in place though, the one on the east side is an all-concrete affair..

 

[42626]

Hello, welcome to the site.

Thanks, although I don't understand why I only show one post. I joined a few years ago but I was sure I'd posted a few times before.

Are you Ian Fitter or are you alerting us to Ian's material on flickr?

Yes, it's me.

Without his express permission I would not even attempt such a thing even if I knew how.

I have no issue with anyone linking to any of my photos. That's why they're there, as record photos.

Full set of photos, both before and during the bridge works are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/sets/72157650681739108

Does anyone know why, when all three bridges were sandstone, Rawlinson Lane and Railway Rd, Adlington were replaced with sandstone faced parapets, but Station Rd, Blackrod gets a less attractive grey brick facing?

Ridgway 'before' photos are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/sets/72157650688129930 I haven't had a chance to nip down and photograph the new bridge yet.

 

[LDECRexile]

Thanks, although I don't understand why I only show one post. I joined a few years ago but I was sure I'd posted a few times before.

Yes, it's me.

I have no issue with anyone linking to any of my photos. That's why they're there, as record photos.

Full set of photos, both before and during the bridge works are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/sets/72157650681739108

Does anyone know why, when all three bridges were sandstone, Rawlinson Lane and Railway Rd, Adlington were replaced with sandstone faced parapets, but Station Rd, Blackrod gets a less attractive grey brick facing?

Ridgway 'before' photos are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfitter/sets/72157650688129930 I haven't had a chance to nip down and photograph the new bridge yet.

Great!

You linked the Ridgway photos last time. I don't know how to do it for Blackrod from my end, could you please tell me how?

Kind regards

Dave

PS The Rainhill footbridges still have plywood screens in place!

 

[DJH1971]

PS The Rainhill footbridges still have plywood screens in place!

So does the footbridge west of St Helens Junction.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've added a further 28 of the photos Paul and I took on Monday. There are more to come tomorrow to complete that tour, then I'll ad those I've been sent while I've been away, notably of Blackrod along with the news that Blackrod's Station Road bridge did open on the evening of Friday 15th as promised.

Please note that the dollop I've just added are series 4102 to 4090 and they appear immediately after Dixon Fold set 4106.

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

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

and all the shots to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Paul.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm now just about up to date.

I've processed the rest of the material Paul and I took on Monday, ie Oldfield Road Bridge, Broughton Road Bridge and Agecroft North Junction.

I've added Paul's material to his album here:

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

I've added ALX400's shots taken at Blackrod on Friday to his album here:

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

and added all of these, plus my own from Monday to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Paul and ALX400.

Material remaining is:

1. Linking Ian Fitter's Blackrod set to the Combined Volume, I don't know how.
2. Some I took at Allerton Depot yesterday whilst passing on our way home.

Any 'action' photos of reopened bridges, such as vehicles crossing, would put the tin hat on each one very nicely.....

Gardening beckons.

ALX400 has duly obliged with shots of Blackrod bridge in use.

I've 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

Back to gardening.......

 

[42626]

Couple of photos of the completed bridge added to the Station Road album.

Photos of completed bridge added to Ridgway Bridge album.

Both include action shots for you Dave. I have linked to your combined album from both album descriptions. Problem is that Flickr no longer shows this description fully unless you click on more.

 

[LDECRexile]

Couple of photos of the completed bridge added to the Station Road album.

Photos of completed bridge added to Ridgway Bridge album.

Both include action shots for you Dave. I have linked to your combined album from both album descriptions. Problem is that Flickr no longer shows this description fully unless you click on more.

Fab, thank you.

You say you have linked to the Combined Volume (CV) from your albums. This is very welcome.

Some time ago you linked from a shot in the CV to your smashing Ridgway Bridge album. This meant that anyone reading the description of the photo in the CV could click on a word and jump to your album. I thought this was great, as it enhanced the user's experience no end and preserved the integrity of your product. Can you do that again for CV's latest Ridgway and latest Blackrod? Even better, can you please tell me how to do so?

Cheers

Dave

 

[42626]

Even better, can you please tell me how to do so?

Easiest to point you to Flickr's page on how to. You can use this in comments, descriptions etc. If you're still stuck, let me know.

 

[thealexweb]

A few more I took of the bridge work near Ladybridge for the group album. Taken today.

 

[ironstone11]

A few more I took of the bridge work near Ladybridge for the group album. Taken today.

Thanks for the pictures.

Isn't this the work that was supposed to have been postponed from this weekend?

I think this is Dean Clough, by the way.

 

[thealexweb]

Thanks for the pictures.

Isn't this the work that was supposed to have been postponed from this weekend?

I think this is Dean Clough, by the way.

No problem. I had not heard about any postponing of the work and it seemed to be fairly busy there today. I have lived with the area for over 20 years and still get muddled myself.

 

[LDECRexile]

A few more I took of the bridge work near Ladybridge for the group album. Taken today.

This is great, thank you.

I must confess to some miffage here, I was told in the week that the lift this weekend was cancelled and publicised that accordingly. It's a good job you didn't believe it!

Thank you

Dave

 

[thealexweb]

This is great, thank you.

I must confess to some miffage here, I was told in the week that the lift this weekend was cancelled and publicised that accordingly. It's a good job you didn't believe it!

Thank you

Dave

No problem. I will hopefully get some more photos when its finished.