Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[PhilipW]

Was it an April Fool, that only Preston to Poulton-le-Fylde is getting wired?


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Yes, but then knowing the DfT, as we do, even that can seem to have a modicum of plausibility about it.

 

[roversfan2001]

I don't know if this has been mentioned but I counted 16 masts on the southbound side (don't know which is Up/Down) north of Horwich.

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[Trackman]

I've been past today but only on foot and in the car.
Masts at Moses Gates towards Farnworth now have some cross beams on the top (or whatever the technical term is)
Heard that the skywalk/bridge thingy at Bolton has a bridge section in place

 

[PDG1949]

Yes, but then knowing the DfT, as we do, even that can seem to have a modicum of plausibility about it.

It's as bad as removing rail loop 'f'........

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Masts at Moses Gates towards Farnworth now have some cross beams on the top (or whatever the technical term is)

Boom.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I don't know if this has been mentioned but I counted 16 masts on the southbound side (don't know which is Up/Down) north of Horwich.

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Wigan side is Down, Pennine side is Up, so Up.

Strictly speaking the alignment of the line at Horwich is virtually east-west ...

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I don't know if this has been mentioned but I counted 16 masts on the southbound side (don't know which is Up/Down) north of Horwich.

Yes, that's about right.
About half of them have gained TTC booms, which explains the absence of bases on the other side.
Same between Horwich and Lostock.
There are now 18 masts through Moses Gate, some of which are full portals.
More bases south of Farnworth tunnel, mainly south of Clifton station overlooking the old canal lock.
The Fleetwood branch is now disconnected, with the junction plain-lined.
112 bases west of Fylde Jn (Up side), with 42 now in 2 tranches between Kirkham and Poulton.

 

[QueensCurve]

Around Vienna, they put them on the sides of trains, so they are easier to photograph...

Isn't that a Wiesel?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Isn't that a Wiesel?

You mean weasel?
I doubt our intrepid photographer actually captured a meerkat, which are natives of southern Africa.
I don't think it was a stoat or a ferret, but I'm happy to be corrected!
It definitely wasn't a polecat, mink or wolverine...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel

 

[Ploughman]

You mean weasel?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel

WIESEL is what it says on the vehicle.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

WIESEL is what it says on the vehicle.

And being Vienna Austria that would make sense

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

WIESEL is what it says on the vehicle.

Yes but that's German for weasel...

 

[LDECRexile]

Guided by texts from LNW-GW on his tour I scored a lot today, in sunlight, to boot.

Photos in the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you LN

I also called on Joe Callaghan who was in good form.

 

[LDECRexile]

I've been past today but only on foot and in the car.
Masts at Moses Gates towards Farnworth now have some cross beams on the top (or whatever the technical term is)
Heard that the skywalk/bridge thingy at Bolton has a bridge section in place

1. "Skywalk/bridge thingy" hereby enters the lexicon as SBT. Nice one!

2. This is offset by having to tell you your informant has committed a terminological inexactitude. As photos show, no section was in place today.

 

[snowball]

Guided by texts from LNW-GW on his tour I scored a lot today, in sunlight, to boot.

Photos in the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Things have reached the point where one has to get one's head around the fact that it's actually happening.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Things have reached the point where one has to get one's head around the fact that it's actually happening.

Indeed. Reminds me of when we were at this stage in the Liverpool -Manchester Scheme. Checking up regularly for photos and progessometers etc.

I am absolutely certain I will see steel work on the Preston - Blackpool section when I am home in the UK May 25-29th. Really great news all round. Thanks to all. Team work - 'tis a wonderful thing.

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Lots of masts lying down in Burnden work area as I passed yesterday, but as previously mentioned MASTS STANDING UP between BON & MSS, Fantastic!
Also SFD is currently a sea of orange when I get off in the morning, serious amount of steel going up there. (although I realise a lot of that is chord related, but impressive nonetheless)

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Lots of masts lying down in Burnden work area as I passed yesterday, but as previously mentioned MASTS STANDING UP between BON & MSS, Fantastic!
Also SFD is currently a sea of orange when I get off in the morning, serious amount of steel going up there. (although I realise a lot of that is chord related, but impressive nonetheless)

There must be some logic to the need for a long row of full portals either side of Moses Gate, on the 2-track route.
North of Horwich is going to be a similarly long row of TTCs.
The tree clearance towards Clifton is huge too, much more than is needed to keep foliage off the OHLE.
And from the photos P5 at Bolton suddenly looks a goer now they have removed the cars and dismantled the sidings!

On the Blackpool line, while NR has been busy installing piles between Kirkham and Poulton, a developer has installed a huge solar panel farm alongside the railway, on the marshy stretch.
A long stretch of the line through Poulton has now been completely relaid to just west of the signal box, severing the Fleetwood line completely.
Plenty of signs of preparations for the new signalling too, though oddly not at Kirkham or BPN.
The lineside scenery is changing fast.

 

[snowball]

Press release

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...weekend-work-in-poulton-is-completed-on-time/

Network Rail has today (Tuesday 4 April) thanked neighbours and passengers for their patience after railway upgrade work was completed through Poulton-le-Fylde over recent weekends.

The work to upgrade the railway is part of Network Rail’s £1bn+ Great North Rail Project which will allow electric trains to travel between Preston and Blackpool, helping to deliver better, more reliable journeys in Lancashire from May 2018.

Engineers worked round the clock during 10 weekend closures between Preston and Blackpool North and South stations. New drainage to improve reliability was installed in Poulton-le-Fylde before tracks were realigned beneath a number of road bridges near the station. Improvements to the tracks were also made near Salwick station.

The work will allow overhead lines to be installed in the area in preparation for greener and quieter electric trains.

Alison Rowley, programme manager for Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their ongoing patience while we carry out this vital work. The upgrade and wider investment will result in a better, more reliable railway that will serve passengers for decades to come.

“I’d also like to thank local residents for their understanding. The work we carried out near to their homes was at times noisy but I know the local community will experience the benefits that a better railway will bring which will help boost the economy across the north of England.”

The work, being delivered with VolkerRailn and part of the national Railway Upgrade Plan, will see tracks into Blackpool and Kirkham & Wesham stations remodelled, with major changes to platforms. The changes to track, signalling and the platforms will allow trains to run more efficiently and reduce delays, providing better services for passengers.

Sharon Keith, regional director for Northern, said: “The past 10 weeks have been extremely disruptive for our customers and we appreciate the patience and understanding they have shown as the work has progressed.

“Network Rail has, however, made great progress and the work carried out to upgrade the line will complement our own modernisation plans which will see the introduction of new and refurbished trains, improvements at stations across our network and enhancements to the services we offer.”

Further work to complete the upgrade, which will require a closure of the railway, will take place later in the year. Network Rail is working closely with Northern and Virgin Trains to manage this and will have more detail on the impact later in the year.

There is more information on the upgrade of the railway between Preston and Blackpool at www.networkrail.co.uk/blackpool

 

[Trackman]

1. "Skywalk/bridge thingy" hereby enters the lexicon as SBT. Nice one!

2. This is offset by having to tell you your informant has committed a terminological inexactitude. As photos show, no section was in place today.

I've text my friend today about the SBT™, I think I misread the original message!
Q: So where is the bridge then?
A: As I said, the bus station, you know where the taxi rank is.
Mystery solved!

 

[LDECRexile]

I've text my friend today about the SBT™, I think I misread the original message!
Q: So where is the bridge then?
A: As I said, the bus station, you know where the taxi rank is.
Mystery solved!

Sorry, but this is too cryptic for me, please explain. Please bear in mind that most readers, including me, aren't local.

 

[deltic08]

Wigan side is Down, Pennine side is Up, so Up.

Strictly speaking the alignment of the line at Horwich is virtually east-west ...

Not heard it described that way before. Easier to remember that way.

I was told as a child that towards London was always up wherever you were in England but living in Gloucestershire was still confused as the line to Paddington was up adjacent to a line to Derby where up was in the opposite direction away from Paddington.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Not heard it described that way before. Easier to remember that way.

I was told as a child that towards London was always up wherever you were in England but living in Gloucestershire was still confused as the line to Paddington was up adjacent to a line to Derby where up was in the opposite direction away from Paddington.

To get a fuller picture requires some knowledge of railway history as Down lines tended to lead away from the city where a company had its head office. So Midland Railway routes were originally all down away from Derby but when the London extension to St Pancras opened the convention of down away from London, where so many other railways had their head office, was applied to it. So if you know the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway was based at Manchester Victoria you can understand why all lines are down away from that station. But if you want to get a proper headache try following the history of route mileage conventions!

 

[edwin_m]

To get a fuller picture requires some knowledge of railway history as Down lines tended to lead away from the city where a company had its head office. So Midland Railway routes were originally all down away from Derby but when the London extension to St Pancras opened the convention of down away from London, where so many other railways had their head office, was applied to it. So if you know the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway was based at Manchester Victoria you can understand why all lines are down away from that station. But if you want to get a proper headache try following the history of route mileage conventions!

I've often seen that said on forums but never seen a definitive source - if you have one please advise! Reversing Up and Down would be a major undertaking involving changing all signalling drawings etc, and with a risk of causing confusion to staff.

 

[edwin_m]

I was told as a child that towards London was always up wherever you were in England but living in Gloucestershire was still confused as the line to Paddington was up adjacent to a line to Derby where up was in the opposite direction away from Paddington.

Regarding the parallel Midland and GWR tracks in the Gloucester area you are correct. The Midland was Down from Derby all the way to Bristol and still is on the surviving part. This led to the directions aligning with the LNWR at New Street and the GWR at Bristol, but not the GWR around Gloucester.

 

[Sox]

I was at one of the Network Rail community presentations at The Well Baptist Church, Farnworth last night.

Only a smallish affair but the chappie said that Phase 4 (MCR to PNE) was due to finish Dec 17 and Phase 3 (MCR to BPN) is due to finish May 18.

...and, although numerically counter-intuitive, phase four finishes before three.

 

[furnessvale]

I've often seen that said on forums but never seen a definitive source - if you have one please advise! Reversing Up and Down would be a major undertaking involving changing all signalling drawings etc, and with a risk of causing confusion to staff.

No doubt it has changed now, but for some years the line from Blackburn to Preston changed from Up to Down and back again several times in its 10 or so miles, despite most of the junctions causing such changes having been lifted.

 

[snowball]

Only a smallish affair but the chappie said that Phase 4 (MCR to PNE) was due to finish Dec 17 and Phase 3 (MCR to BPN) is due to finish May 18.

I take it that's Dec 2017 and May 2018 rather than specific dates in those months. In other words, no change.

The official date for Phase 4 is at last beginning to look almost believable.

...and, although numerically counter-intuitive, phase four finishes before three.

That's been the case for a few years, ever since resignalling and remodelling were added to Phase 3. If I remember correctly the margin was at one time more than it is now.

I haven't seen a date for Phase 5 (Stalybridge) recently. The last official date is still the same as for Phase 4. Paonessa admitted in a letter to Modern Railways that it won't be met.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I haven't seen a date for Phase 5 (Stalybridge) recently. The last official date is still the same as for Phase 4. Paonessa admitted in a letter to Modern Railways that it won't be met.

Timetabling for the Phase 3/4 electrics (and anything via the new Chord) will be constrained without even anywhere to shunt east of Victoria, let alone extension to Stalybridge.

 

[edwin_m]

Timetabling for the Phase 3/4 electrics (and anything via the new Chord) will be constrained without even anywhere to shunt east of Victoria, let alone extension to Stalybridge.

There's presumably also a shortage of power west of Manchester, given that much of it is supposed to be supplied by the new feeder east of Stalybridge (which will connect at Stalybridge itself via Mr Locke's "extension lead"). This may manifest as an increased risk of power loss if another feeder goes out of action rather than a limit on number of electric trains.