Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Foggycorner]

Is it possible to give a better location for these ''grey box's'' other than on the blackpool north line as it will aid identification

 

[TBSchenker]

I saw them between Kirkham and Preston, all through Salwick. Probably at least every 400 yards if not closer. All situated on metal spikes about 12 inches off the ground in the Up side cess. Some with clear plastic bag still on, some without, some with cables coiled around the bottom, some without cables.

Incidentally they are also in place along the Bolton line in various places, Adlington, Bolton and Agecroft are a few of the places I have seen them. They may or may not be TCAIDs, but they definitely linked to the signalling/track circuit work going on

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Re: the Massive bases installed at Bolton - also saw more of these on the ground at Burnden on Friday - how big are the masts going to be? And is there a particular reason for this that can be shared?

Another question, how come some masts are mounted on piles and some on concrete? Is this down to ground condition? And which base type is preferred given 'perfect' ground?

 

[PDG1949]

I saw them between Kirkham and Preston, all through Salwick. Probably at least every 400 yards if not closer. All situated on metal spikes about 12 inches off the ground in the Up side cess. Some with clear plastic bag still on, some without, some with cables coiled around the bottom, some without cables.

Incidentally they are also in place along the Bolton line in various places, Adlington, Bolton and Agecroft are a few of the places I have seen them. They may or may not be TCAIDs, but they definitely linked to the signalling/track circuit work going on

Anything like this ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/33769362233/in/album-72157661069863633/

(7284m Salwick on the Flickr NW Electrification 3,4 & 7 2015 - present)

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Re: the Massive bases installed at Bolton - also saw more of these on the ground at Burnden on Friday - how big are the masts going to be? And is there a particular reason for this that can be shared?
Another question, how come some masts are mounted on piles and some on concrete? Is this down to ground condition? And which base type is preferred given 'perfect' ground?

I don't think there is a simple answer.
The first NW contractor (Balfour Beatty) preferred concrete, but even they used piles across Chat Moss, presumably because of ground conditions.
On viaducts (eg in Salford) they have large-footprint but thin concrete bases built up in layers like a stack of pancakes, presumably to spread the forces over a wider area.
The new contractor evidently prefers piles, and on the Lostock-Euxton stretch some of the original BB concrete bases have been joined by piles in much the same place.
But there still some new concrete bases going in in places.
The Blackpool line is nearly all piles, as are all the other electrification projects at the moment, so I would say piles are now the standard installation.
Some of the GW ones in fact consist of multiple piles (4-6 at a time), on which a large metal platform is fixed, on which a massive portal mast is fixed spanning 4 or more tracks.
There are several of those around West Drayton.
Nothing like that in the NW yet, but Victoria-Miles Platting might need something like that.

I think it's a bit like asking why some motorway surfaces are constructed from concrete, and others from tarmac.

 

[Elecman]

On motorways it's due to poor subsurface conditions requiring the load to be spread over the entire surface area rather than more locally which is what happens with an elastic surface material like tarmac

 

[SodTheDrummer]

But there still some new concrete bases going in in places.|

That was the reason for my question - I've noticed quite a few new concrete bases appearing amongst the piles, and the new portals between Bolton and Moses Gate seem to be installed on both. Just wondered why..?

 

[TBSchenker]

Anything like this ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/33769362233/in/album-72157661069863633/

(7284m Salwick on the Flickr NW Electrification 3,4 & 7 2015 - present)

That's them

 

[Foggycorner]

The grey box's would seem to be a general use disconnection box for Track circuits,AWS,TPWS and even signals
without a closer look I am only giving you an educated guess from personal experience and as I am now retired from the S&T dept I no longer have legal access trackside other than looking from platforms and out of the train windows

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That was the reason for my question - I've noticed quite a few new concrete bases appearing amongst the piles, and the new portals between Bolton and Moses Gate seem to be installed on both. Just wondered why..?

May I refer you to the Stick at the top of the page and the excellent post by Bevan Price. I know one of the Youtubes referenced (the 1st one) is a bit long >40 minutes but it really is worth a watch. It explains quite well with old mine workings why in some places there are steel piles, some places concrete piles and some traditional bases.

Here is a link to that page. http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2996935&postcount=19

 

[LDECRexile]

ALX400 has kindly sent shots of masts old and new near Ridgway Bridge (aka Gibbs Farm Bridge).

I've added them to his album here:

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

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you ALX.

 

[SodTheDrummer]

May I refer you to the Stick at the top of the page and the excellent post by Bevan Price. I know one of the Youtubes referenced (the 1st one) is a bit long >40 minutes but it really is worth a watch. It explains quite well with old mine workings why in some places there are steel piles, some places concrete piles and some traditional bases.

Here is a link to that page. http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2996935&postcount=19

That's superb! Thank you for that. I only wish the conferences I get dragged into were that informative!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Mast count north of the M61 bridge is now 9/11/9 to Blackrod/Adlington/Chorley stations (Up line).
There are then 3 east of Buckshaw and about 20 round to the WCML.
There are a couple of bases at the start of the Blackburn line at Bolton, as well as the monster pile between P3/4.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That's them

 

[LDECRexile]

Bill Morton has kindly sent photos of foundation works on the footbridge which will replace Bradshaw Fields foot crossing in Adlington.

I've added them to Bill's album here:

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

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Bill

 

[Geeves]

I was working up at Lostock today. Rumworth Rd is now closed they are currently moving services from the old bridge although curiously the bridge they are working on is the Westhoughton line bridge rather than the Preston lines. The bridge at the station looks very low to me, are both being replaced?

They have built a scaffold structure so far on the Westhoughton line to carry the pipes and what not. Few big holes in the road. Plenty of fresh ballast but no sign of any OHLE works around the station so far as I could see.

 

[snowball]

Previous discussion established that they are only doing the Westhoughton line, which has to be wired for a short distance as a possible overrun site. It would seem there must be enough clearance on the Chorley line.

 

[LeylandLen]

It cant be easy working on the Ordsall chord linking to Manchester Victoria knowing that 22 were killed and many injured just yards away.

 

[childwallblues]

It cant be easy working on the Ordsall chord linking to Manchester Victoria knowing that 22 were killed and many injured just yards away.

It must be even worse for staff at Manchester Victoria Station.

 

[TBSchenker]

Next week sees some signalling and Pway changes.

From Tuesday 0440 the Down Bolton line from the former Moses Gate Jn to Bolton will be skewed towards the traxkbed of the former Down Passenger Loop.

The former points from the Down Bolton to the DPL will be recovered.

A new trailing crossover from the Down to Up will be installed, but out of use.

The signal gantry near Burnden Jn will be recovered and a new 4-aspect signal and post installed.

Platform 2 will be taken out of use (if it hasn't already)

On Wednesday from 0040 the new signals between Blackrod and Euxton Jn will be brought into use on both the Up and Down Bolton lines.

Chorley line speed increases to 75mph (meaning it is 75mph throughout from Euxton jn (excl) to Bolton (excl)).

Anderson Hall, Bradshaw Fields and Heath Charnock foot path crossings all officially close and the whistleboards associated with them will be recovered.

A few signals move location and some get a 3-state banner repeater.

 

[thealexweb]

Platform 2 will be taken out of use (if it hasn't already)

Permanently? Or just until until the work is completed.

 

[Railrover700]

Does anybody know if there will be any further line speed increase between Euxton Jn and Bolton?

 

[thealexweb]

Does anybody know if there will be any further line speed increase between Euxton Jn and Bolton?

Most of the route will eventually be 100mph running. Through Bolton town centre the limit will remain 15(?) and through Chorley town centre the limit will remain 75mph.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Next week sees some signalling and Pway changes.

Is this the point when the ROC takes over that stretch from PIccadilly, or is just new signals on the old interlocking for now?
Presumably Preston PSB still controls the northern end of the line.
It's impressive most of the new signals are just raised from their horizontal position and get switched on.
It wasn't obvious how advanced the resignalling was beforehand.

 

[Railrover700]

Most of the route will eventually be 100mph running. Through Bolton town centre the limit will remain 15(?) and through Chorley town centre the limit will remain 75mph.

Thanks, I was hoping that would be the case.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Next week sees some signalling and Pway changes.

...

A new trailing crossover from the Down to Up will be installed, but out of use.

...

If the cunning plan has worked, this should be the 40mph one that was temporarily at the Kearsley end of the Farnworth single line.

 

[LDECRexile]

Next week sees some signalling and Pway changes.

From Tuesday 0440 the Down Bolton line from the former Moses Gate Jn to Bolton will be skewed towards the traxkbed of the former Down Passenger Loop.

The former points from the Down Bolton to the DPL will be recovered.

A new trailing crossover from the Down to Up will be installed, but out of use.

The signal gantry near Burnden Jn will be recovered and a new 4-aspect signal and post installed.

Platform 2 will be taken out of use (if it hasn't already)

On Wednesday from 0040 the new signals between Blackrod and Euxton Jn will be brought into use on both the Up and Down Bolton lines.

Chorley line speed increases to 75mph (meaning it is 75mph throughout from Euxton jn (excl) to Bolton (excl)).

Anderson Hall, Bradshaw Fields and Heath Charnock foot path crossings all officially close and the whistleboards associated with them will be recovered.

A few signals move location and some get a 3-state banner repeater.

Wonderfully clear and informative, thank you.

 

[TBSchenker]

Is this the point when the ROC takes over that stretch from PIccadilly, or is just new signals on the old interlocking for now?
Presumably Preston PSB still controls the northern end of the line.
It's impressive most of the new signals are just raised from their horizontal position and get switched on.
It wasn't obvious how advanced the resignalling was beforehand.

It appears to just cover the Preston B Panel signals for now, so no resignalling just new signals.

 

[TBSchenker]

If the cunning plan has worked, this should be the 40mph one that was temporarily at the Kearsley end of the Farnworth single line.

The Kearsley points were stored just south of Kearsley station, and the Moses Gate points at Moses Gate. Both points have not been there for several weeks so I'm hoping they were taken away and refurbished.

 

[TBSchenker]

Just been informed that the work to remove the crossings and whistle boards at Anderton Hall, Bradshaw Fields and Heath Charnock will not take place this week. Unsure of the reason.