Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

Joseph_Locke · 4 Dec 2015

swt_passenger said:
I had a quick check through the photos but didn't see anything, but presumably there was a fairly normal six foot drain laid in the tunnel before the ballasting started? Although I expect the actual tunnel lining will be fairly waterproof though, so perhaps there might not be a need for anything major?

A fairly huge sixfoot drain that runs all the way from Moses Gate ...

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swt_passenger · 4 Dec 2015

Joseph_Locke said:
A fairly huge sixfoot drain that runs all the way from Moses Gate ...

Thanks. Just the luck of the draw that it never showed up in a picture then.

Joseph_Locke · 4 Dec 2015

swt_passenger said:
Thanks. Just the luck of the draw that it never showed up in a picture then.

You can see the catchpits though?

swt_passenger · 4 Dec 2015

Joseph_Locke said:
You can see the catchpits though?

Yes, outside the tunnel the blue gratings are showing, so that should have confirmed for me that the normal setup would be in place. I was just originally wondering why there had been nothing visible around about (for example) picture 5422d and its neighbours, I'd have thought a few catch pits might have been visible there as well. unless they don't bother with them within the tunnel?

Not a big deal though, no need to drag this point out really...

LDECRexile · 4 Dec 2015

I'm especially pleased that Joe Callaghan has felt well enough to get down to Phythians Bridge (known locally as Darley Footbridge or just plain Darley Bridge) for the first time for a while.

He's sent four shots which I've added to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651953947345

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Welcome back Joe, and thank you.

Joseph_Locke · 5 Dec 2015

LDECRexile said:
I'm especially pleased that Joe Callaghan has felt well enough to get down to Phythians Bridge (known locally as Darley Footbridge or just plain Darley Bridge) for the first time for a while.

Welcome back Joe, and thank you.

Ta muchly!

GRALISTAIR · 5 Dec 2015

joseph_locke said:
ta muchly!

ditto :d

snowball · 5 Dec 2015

Many thanks to all photographers and to LDECR as compiler.

It wasn't until I looked at these most recent pictures of Joe's that I noticed that the temporary services bridge at Cemetery Road has gone.

Looking back I see it's already missing in 5454e and g taken on 2 Dec.

As luck would have it you then have to go back to pictures of 25 Nov such as 5422a-b and 5418m to see its presence or absence (it was present). As the caption comments, you can see in 5414i that most or all of its services have gone.

Its removal is probably the reason for the hitherto mysterious nocturnal visit of the big crane in 5438i-m.

LDECRexile · 5 Dec 2015

Farnworth Station to be Renamed "St Clements" Shock!

Joe has followed through on his shots from yesterday by noting that Photo 5462k includes 28 Orangemen and one Lemon Man.

I reckon he's gone bananas.

Good to have you back Joe.

mr_jrt · 5 Dec 2015

Random question. In most of these shots the lines into the new tunnel look to have slight curvature; the alignment of the line that currently passes through the small tunnel will have when realigned though the new tunnel even more so.

Is this just a trick of perspective, and if not, I was just wondering why the platform was not cut back to permit a straighter alignment into the new tunnel whilst that side of the station was closed given that the new tunnel is much, much straighter and 100mph-proof?

Joseph_Locke · 5 Dec 2015

mr_jrt said:
Random question. In most of these shots the lines into the new tunnel look to have slight curvature; the alignment of the line that currently passes through the small tunnel will have when realigned though the new tunnel even more so.

Is this just a trick of perspective,

Yes. The current single line alignment is extremely tight and couldn't be run at a much higher speed that the current 15mph, whereas the new alignment is much closer to straight.

... and if not, I was just wondering why the platform was not cut back to permit a straighter alignment into the new tunnel whilst that side of the station was closed given that the new tunnel is much, much straighter and 100mph-proof?

The platform has been completely rebuilt. If you went further there would still need to be a reverse from the Kearsley end straight into the tunnel and then back again onto the straight to Moses Gate.

Since the highest achievable speeds for trains stopping at Bolton are a midges under 100mph at Farnworth station and the current design alignment fits through Phythians at 100mph anyway, why make it a longer, flatter, reverse? That would just entail more work, more disruption and more cost.

LDECRexile · 6 Dec 2015

Joe Callaghan has sent an encouraging shot of action on Cemetery Road bridge today.

I've added it to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157651953947345

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Joe

snowball · 7 Dec 2015

mr_jrt said:
Is this just a trick of perspective, and if not, I was just wondering why the platform was not cut back to permit a straighter alignment into the new tunnel whilst that side of the station was closed given that the new tunnel is much, much straighter and 100mph-proof?

Joseph_Locke said:
The platform has been completely rebuilt. If you went further there would still need to be a reverse from the Kearsley end straight into the tunnel and then back again onto the straight to Moses Gate.

As evidence that the platforms have been realigned, just look at the kink in the present route throught the narrow bore, and reflect that wasn't there before the current work started!

HowardGWR · 7 Dec 2015

snowball said:
As evidence that the platforms have been realigned, just look at the kink in the present route throught the narrow bore, and reflect that wasn't there before the current work started!

I assume the track is canted for the maximum speed?

Howardh · 7 Dec 2015

When the line is electrified, what will the max speed be between Bolton and Salford Crescent, how long should a journey take and how much quicker will it be than in the past?
Thanks!

LNW-GW Joint · 7 Dec 2015

First run round for a few weeks.
I was just getting ready to repeat the "no progress" mantra when I realised there were actually 4 masts up just south of Adlington.
They are complete with registration gear, and on the Down side at least.
So somebody somewhere is getting on with the job.
I always think when the masts start going up is the sign that things are really happening.
Hooray!

(I expect Mr Locke will be along shortly to say they have been up for ages...)

Joseph_Locke · 7 Dec 2015

LNW-GW Joint said:
First run round for a few weeks.
I was just getting ready to repeat the "no progress" mantra when I realised there were actually 4 masts up just south of Adlington.
They are complete with registration gear, and on the Down side at least.
So somebody somewhere is getting on with the job.
I always think when the masts start going up is the sign that things are really happening.
Hooray!

(I expect Mr Locke will be along shortly to say they have been up for ages...)

I had heard that they (Carillion) might be doing some trial erections (titter ye not) in this area but I had no idea when. There may not be any more going up until January now.

snowball · 7 Dec 2015

Does that mean there's now a contract?

Edit: time overlap with Joseph!

Joseph_Locke · 7 Dec 2015

snowball said:
Does that mean there's now a contract?

As far as I know, yes.

LDECRexile · 7 Dec 2015

LNW-GW Joint said:
First run round for a few weeks.
I was just getting ready to repeat the "no progress" mantra when I realised there were actually 4 masts up just south of Adlington.
They are complete with registration gear, and on the Down side at least.
So somebody somewhere is getting on with the job.
I always think when the masts start going up is the sign that things are really happening.
Hooray!

(I expect Mr Locke will be along shortly to say they have been up for ages...)

Yippee!

Lots of trades swarming on Farnworth station, tarmac going down, bushes being planted, all sorts going on.

Final brickwork being laid on southern parapet of Cemetery Rd bridge, but one green services conduit still outside the bridge to the north. Green conduit, but contains wires.

No work in progress in the tunnel, Down (northbound) track laid through the tunnel, it ends at the tunnel's ends. Orange Inspection party doing the rounds, body language not negative.

A 'Stump' in place where I think the signal will go southbound immediately north of Cemetery Rd bridge, will a signal post be stuck on it?

I asked a supervisory Orangeman "OK for Monday?" he smiled, nodded and said "Yes."

Visited Joe who says work is going on 24/7, he can feel it as well as hear it and see it!

Moses Gate looks close to ready, handrails being installed, everyone else was having their snap.

Orlando St bridge, all the clearing up I photographed last week is done. Now very little to see, as the works are all up top, screened by solid boundary fences and high parapets.

Photos later.

PS: Reminder- track and signalling being connected this weekend. I won't be around to shoot any of this one-off work.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Joe has kindly sent this:

http://www.cornerstoneprojects.co.uk/index.php/tag/underground-pipe-colour-codes/

snowball · 7 Dec 2015

LDECRexile said:
Final brickwork being laid on southern parapet of Cemetery Rd bridge, but one green services conduit still outside the bridge to the north. Green conduit, but contains wires.

That reminds me, is the services bridge at Blackrod still there?

Joe has kindly sent this:

http://www.cornerstoneprojects.co.uk/index.php/tag/underground-pipe-colour-codes/

There seems to be some variation in the code. For example this was once posted by user "boing_uk" on SABRE:

Yellow for Gas.
Grey or Green for telecommunications companies
Black or Red for Electricity
Blue for Water
Purple for mixed communication and related power supplies
Orange for Street Lighting and Traffic Control

ALX400 · 7 Dec 2015

Blackrod is pretty much boxed off now, just a few civils to re instate and road re surfacing again as there seems to be an issue with some service covers in the road and it keeps sinking, not on the bridge just off.

1978NWUK · 7 Dec 2015

You'd be right it was a trial, but it wasnt they!!

LDECRexile · 8 Dec 2015

Photos added to Combined Volume here:

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

Will add captions tomorrow evening.

Philip Phlopp · 8 Dec 2015

Anybody ID the trees being planed at Farnworth in 5484w ? They surely aren't a deciduous species, I hope. What sort of growth rate would they have (so how long before they could upset the new OLE) ?

AM9 · 8 Dec 2015

Philip Phlopp said:
Anybody ID the trees being planed at Farnworth in 5484w ? They surely aren't a deciduous species, I hope. What sort of growth rate would they have (so how long before they could upset the new OLE) ?

No smiley shown on your post. Those trees are about 7-10m from the platform edge so even if they were leylandii or willows, it would take many years of total negligence for them to impinge on any thing at 25kV.

Philip Phlopp · 8 Dec 2015

AM9 said:
No smiley shown on your post. Those trees are about 7-10m from the platform edge so even if they were leylandii or willows, it would take many years of total negligence for them to impinge on any thing at 25kV.

It's not just about them impinging on the OLE, they can be blown over or branches can fall/be blown into the OLE or pantographs, and more immediately, wheelslip in leaf-fall season at a station as a direct result of trees planed at that station during rebuilding is something only the railway in this country could manage.

It's tiny little things like this that add up to big bills and trip up the railway big style.

ironstone11 · 8 Dec 2015

Philip Phlopp said:
Anybody ID the trees being planed at Farnworth in 5484w ? They surely aren't a deciduous species, I hope. What sort of growth rate would they have (so how long before they could upset the new OLE) ?

Since they have no leaves at this time of year, I would say that they are deciduous.

As for species, some type of maple perhaps?

snowball · 8 Dec 2015

New press release, not much new info but has a picture of the completed track in the tunnel:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...n-manchester-and-bolton-on-monday-14-december

LDECRexile · 8 Dec 2015

Spurred on by LNW-GW's good news of masts near Adlington, Bill "Intrepid" Morton has been and found them and sent us five shots.

I've added them to his 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/72157648767927083

Thank you Bill.

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