I travelled Southport-Bolton-Salford Crescent and back by train today, pausing at Bolton.
First, the bad news: I have been saying for a while that there is a base still to install opposite Platform 5 at Bolton. I've paced it out today and I now fear there are at least two bases still to install there, possibly even three. I would welcome second opinions.
Now the poor news:
I couldn't see any evidence of work on missing bases at:
1. Salford Crescent Platform 2
2. Walled stretch north of Agecroft Road bridge
3. Rawson Street to Balustraded bridge, Farnworth
I've no idea what's what on the power line oversail(s?) south of Kearsley
Finally, the good news:
1. the siding serving the Tarmac plant (it may be a different company now, please advise) opposite the waste disposal site at Agecroft was shiny for the first time I've seen it for ages. Is that traffic back on rail?
2. Definitely action on the very difficult base locations on the southbound side near Pendleton Old station site, a way to go, but clear progress.
3. Lots of de-veging throughout, including Bolton-Lostock
4. Weston St to Moses Gate looks close to wire-ready
5. Burnden area mastier and danglier
6. Clear work in progress on the footbridge and footpath to replace the foot crossings near the M60 bridge
7. More orange on show than the last couple of times I've done this trip, not a lot, but a decent sprinkling
8. Huge cast slab bases with concrete curing at southern mouth of Bullfield Tunnel Bolton, north of site of Dixon Fold, in the vee of the junction immediately north of Salford Crescent and on the east side of the tracks near that vee
9. Bolton platforms 98% open to the public, just two tiddly fenced off areas. Canopies look done and dusted. Work in progress near Platform 2 buffers, but I couldn't tell what.
10. Fencing at southeastern end of the station made permanent, suggesting no further access needed for non-rail plant
11. More masts up between station and Newport St bridge
12. Half a dozen Orangemen working on the Ziggurat where the mega electrical thingy will go at Lostock
Some of these observations may repeat things others have said, if so apologies.
Photos later.