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Platform Extensions on the Atherton (Wigan - Manchester) line.

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Eccles1983

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The Atherton line stations are all being done at the minute.

With the exception of hag fold and moorside.

Which links in with the Southport stopping pattern for potentially 158-769 double trains.....
 
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Llama

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Hag Fold is meant to be done by April (both platforms lengthened from 96m to 121m).

Strangely Moorside apparently isn't being done despite all the other stations on the Atherton line itself being done. Ince isn't listed to be done either.

It seems odd to me that of all the stations being lengthened, only approximately one coach length (20-25m) is being added to each platform. Those that could take 3x 23m vehicles are generally being lengthened to say 100m give or take a few metres, and those that can accommodate 4x 23m are generally being lengthened to 120m +/- a few metres.

Riding Mill is an exception though, quoted in a document I have as being lengthened from 90m to 94m. I don't know that area.
 

Howardh

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Hag Fold is meant to be done by April (both platforms lengthened from 96m to 121m).

Strangely Moorside apparently isn't being done despite all the other stations on the Atherton line itself being done. Ince isn't listed to be done either.

It seems odd to me that of all the stations being lengthened, only approximately one coach length (20-25m) is being added to each platform. Those that could take 3x 23m vehicles are generally being lengthened to say 100m give or take a few metres, and those that can accommodate 4x 23m are generally being lengthened to 120m +/- a few metres.

Riding Mill is an exception though, quoted in a document I have as being lengthened from 90m to 94m. I don't know that area.
Would the case be that the train exceeds the platform by, say, a door so pax are told to use more central doors? If so it seems a good compromise and saves on the cost of further extensions. Rather have a longer train with more chance of seating and get off more centrally!
 

Llama

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Full door release can't be given with any doors not accommodated at the platform, so dwell time would have to be extended or some other compromise, eg. another guard rostered to the train to act as a steward at the rear door - this used to happen at Cottingley years ago on the 0658 from Man Vic before the platforms were lengthened in about 2011/12 - that train was booked a 3-car 158. If no other guard was available arrangements were made for the train not to call at Cottingley.
 

Bungle965

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Full door release can't be given with any doors not accommodated at the platform, so dwell time would have to be extended or some other compromise, eg. another guard rostered to the train to act as a steward at the rear door - this used to happen at Cottingley years ago on the 0658 from Man Vic before the platforms were lengthened in about 2011/12 - that train was booked a 3-car 158. If no other guard was available arrangements were made for the train not to call at Cottingley.
Similar to if a 4 car train calls at Moston (I think it used to be the 0823 of Victoria before the last May timetable, 1*158/7+153).
Because of the freight train smashing into the platform the unit is too long for the platform so the rear door was locked out, however I don't believe there was any requirement for another member of staff.
Sam
 

Mathew S

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Over the last few weeks, I've noticed platforms at Hindley and others on the Atherton line being extended. (Actually reclaiming long since unused and overgrown platform from the wilderness).

Does anyone know why this is happening? And, if it's to accommodate longer trains, what these trains may be?

Cheers :)
 

Glenn1969

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It is part of a wider programme of platform extensions that also includes local stations on the Calder Valley, Glossop/Hadfield, Tyne Valley and Transpennine Main routes. Think it may be to link in with Northern and TPE's new rolling stock being introduced ?
 

bengley

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I think the main aim is to allow a 5 car 195 to fit in the platforms on the Atherton line. A 5 car will be 115 metres long give or take, yet the down platform at Atherton is only 99 metres long. The up platform is 119m, so should not need extending.
 

Eccles1983

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Similar to if a 4 car train calls at Moston (I think it used to be the 0823 of Victoria before the last May timetable, 1*158/7+153).
Because of the freight train smashing into the platform the unit is too long for the platform so the rear door was locked out, however I don't believe there was any requirement for another member of staff.
Sam


4 cars fit on just about, if the driver puts his cab beyond the 6 car stop boards but keeps the door behind him on.
 

Glenn1969

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They are also supposed to be doing Bescar Lane and New Lane on the Southport Line now as well

Then the last phase of Platform Lengthening will be Sheffield line local stations (on the Manchester and Huddersfield lines), Humphrey Park, Mouldsworth and stations on the Clitheroe and Kirkby Lines- presumably for service enhancements/ stock upgrades planned for December?
 

Mathew S

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I think the main aim is to allow a 5 car 195 to fit in the platforms on the Atherton line. A 5 car will be 115 metres long give or take, yet the down platform at Atherton is only 99 metres long. The up platform is 119m, so should not need extending.
Five car 195s would be one heck of a capacity increase on that route (needed, but surprising to say the least). And yeah, they're not extending them by much - Hindley by about 10m I reckon, for example.
 

Llama

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Similar to if a 4 car train calls at Moston (I think it used to be the 0823 of Victoria before the last May timetable, 1*158/7+153).
Because of the freight train smashing into the platform the unit is too long for the platform so the rear door was locked out, however I don't believe there was any requirement for another member of staff.
Sam
It's not permitted to lock an end door out of use in that situation. The guard did wrong if that's what happened.
 

bengley

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Five car 195s would be one heck of a capacity increase on that route (needed, but surprising to say the least). And yeah, they're not extending them by much - Hindley by about 10m I reckon, for example.
Some interesting looking work going on at Swinton at the moment too. I'll try and get a picture. Might just be access for the platform lengthening but it almost looks like they're preparing to put another platform in.
 

Llama

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That's a compound/access for the machines, and a row of the prefabricated concrete supports for the platform edge which will be put at the Pendlebury end of the existing platforms.
 

bengley

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That's a compound/access for the machines, and a row of the prefabricated concrete supports for the platform edge which will be put at the Pendlebury end of the existing platforms.
Cheers for the info
 

geoffk

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I read that the 2-car class 195 is 48.05 m long, and the three-car 71.4 m, so both are longer than the equivalent class 158 (46.42m and 69.63m). Not all the platforms being extended are due to have class 195 calling there and none are scheduled to run on the Atherton line but I suppose it's better to cater for all possibilities (engineering work diversions, for example).
 

Llama

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Have seen that happen a few times on the Clitheroe line with 4-car 156s.
The guard can lock out the rear vehicle or rear unit so long as it is taken out of use and all passengers removed, but leaving anyone in a vehicle with an end door locked out of use in those circumstances is a cardinal sin and would result in tea and biscuits.
 

Mogster

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Strangely Moorside apparently isn't being done despite all the other stations on the Atherton line itself being done. Ince isn't listed to be done either.
.

The platforms at Ince are vast, acres of unusedness. Measuring on Google earth there’s 120m or so maintained length with at least another 50m disappearing into a developing forrest.

I assume the platforms were built to serve the large community that existed before the mining closures and the 60s slum clearances. Not much round there now.
 

Xenophon PCDGS

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The Atherton line stations are all being done at the minute. With the exception of Hag Fold and Moorside.

Hag Fold was one of those stations that were opened of "lightweight" style construction towards the end of the last century and some of these began to show signs of deterioration after about twenty years of life. How well did Hag Fold fare in this respect and have remedial works ever been required to be carried out on it?
 

Mogster

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With it’s all wood construction Hag Fold station has always had something of the Wild West about it. All board for the last train to Deadwood...

Given the location it fits right in :lol:
 

Mathew S

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Hag Fold was one of those stations that were opened of "lightweight" style construction towards the end of the last century and some of these began to show signs of deterioration after about twenty years of life. How well did Hag Fold fare in this respect and have remedial works ever been required to be carried out on it?
I don't think any work has ever been done to 'upgrade' Hag Fold. It gets cleaned and re-painted every so often, but that seems to be about it. Given where it is, though, more extensive works might not be the most long-lived of investments!
 

bengley

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With it’s all wood construction Hag Fold station has always had something of the Wild West about it. All board for the last train to Deadwood...

Given the location it fits right in :lol:

I live on the estate, albeit in a house which I own and one which has never been council owned. The estate appears crap from the train but really isn't any worse than most council estates. I enjoy living there.
 
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The guard can lock out the rear vehicle or rear unit so long as it is taken out of use and all passengers removed, but leaving anyone in a vehicle with an end door locked out of use in those circumstances is a cardinal sin and would result in tea and biscuits.

This happened to me once, I boarded a four car 156 at Manchester Victoria in 1996-The train was the 20.38 to Oldham mumps via Rochdale- EX Blackpool north. I pressed the door in the end carriage to get off at mills hill and it wouldn't open, The guard shouted to me to come down the train to get off at the next door-I carried my bike over my head to get off-I was told the platforms were too short to open the rear carriage doors.
 

Llama

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This happened to me once, I boarded a four car 156 at Manchester Victoria in 1996-The train was the 20.38 to Oldham mumps via Rochdale- EX Blackpool north. I pressed the door in the end carriage to get off at mills hill and it wouldn't open, The guard shouted to me to come down the train to get off at the next door-I carried my bike over my head to get off-I was told the platforms were too short to open the rear carriage doors.
I remember that train well, routed via Wigan NW and Atherton from BPN I think, usually two sets, 2x 156 or 156+153. Mills Hill was only lengthened to fit 4x23m about ten years ago.
 

ed1971

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The platforms at Ince are vast, acres of unusedness. Measuring on Google earth there’s 120m or so maintained length with at least another 50m disappearing into a developing forrest.

I assume the platforms were built to serve the large community that existed before the mining closures and the 60s slum clearances. Not much round there now.

There have been lots of housing developments there over the past two and a half decades. There isn't a huge amount of green land left once you have walked a little from the station. The main road through it, Manchester Road is often very busy even at off peak times. In the early weekday evenings there are traffic jams right through from Wigan to Hindley. More people have been using the station in recent years and it is not uncommon for around ten people to be waiting for a train.
 

Elecman

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With it’s all wood construction Hag Fold station has always had something of the Wild West about it. All board for the last train to Deadwood...

Given the location it fits right in :lol:

When it was being built the locals acquired a very big bonfire pile !!
 
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