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North Wales & North West England Infrastructure

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sw1ller

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But there have been at least 2 WG-funded projects to reduce journey times/raise line speeds.
The first was c2000, just as the 175s were coming in, which was supposed to upgrade the track between Chester and Llandudno Jn to 90mph.
This cost WG £20m, but left several sections at 75mph, including Saltney-Connah's Quay, supposedly because of signal sighting issues.
Then c2005 there was a resignalling project over that stretch (into Chester PSB), removing all the semaphores, but still no speed increase.
Now we have a third project, resignalling Connah's Quay to Colwyn Bay, which does seem to have completed the 90mph upgrade on that section.
But still nothing Saltney-Connah's Quay, a dead flat and almost straight section.
And then there's the weird case of bits of new 90mph mixed with old 60mph on the newly doubled Saltney-Rossett line.

I think they just ran out of money on the up direction, you can hear the section of jointed rail not long after the 60. An absolute shambles of a project.
 
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The Informer

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It’s in the down direction but the units take an age accelerating to 90 heading north once passed Rosset Jnc anyway. Max I’ve witnessed was 77mph before braking for the 60 section. I doubt they’d actually even hit 90 before braking for Saltney Jnc even if it was relaid!
The up is good for a solid 90mph run to Rossett Jnc but then it’s 60 up the bank to Wrexham.
 

driver_m

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It’s in the down direction but the units take an age accelerating to 90 heading north once passed Rosset Jnc anyway. Max I’ve witnessed was 77mph before braking for the 60 section. I doubt they’d actually even hit 90 before braking for Saltney Jnc even if it was relaid!
The up is good for a solid 90mph run to Rossett Jnc but then it’s 60 up the bank to Wrexham.

Surely they could get to 90?! I know it's different traction but I've got a 221 going 80+ before having to start braking after the warning for the 60 PSR. The main issue there is that the signals don't really give you a clear run at Rossett as there's usually a yellow aspect preventing you opening up.
 

snowball

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Press release

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...work-to-bring-new-signalling-system-into-use/

The weekend of 24-25 March marks a milestone in the £50m North Wales railway upgrade project, when a state of the art signalling system between Shotton and Colwyn Bay will come into use for the first time.

Over the weekend, engineers will be carrying out final testing and commissioning of the new signalling system. The work forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan and will increase the resilience and reliability of the railway for passengers in North Wales.

Network Rail is working in partnership with Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains to minimise disruption during delivery of the North Wales railway upgrade project. Replacement bus services will be in operation between Llandudno Junction and Chester on Sunday 18 March, Saturday 24 March, Sunday 25 March, Sunday 8 April, Sunday 15 April, Sunday 22 April, Sunday 29 April and Sunday 13 May. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

Richard Evans, programme manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “I would like to thank residents and passengers for their patience during the installation of the new signalling system.

“We will be working closely with Arriva Trains Wales and our industry partners to minimise disruption to passengers and residents as we complete this essential work.”

Bethan Jelfs, Customer Services Director for Arriva Trains Wales said: “Upgrade work on the railway in North Wales is excellent news in terms of running reliable and efficient services for our customers now and in the future.

“We are working closely with our partners in Network Rail to ensure this valuable work impacts as few of our customers as possible. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and ask passengers to check before they travel.”

As well as the new signalling system, the North Wales railway upgrade project also includes the installation of new track along the railway line in Flint, Rhyl, Mostyn and Abergele. The project is set to be completed by the summer 2018.
 

snowball

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Another press release, on track work at Abergele this weekend:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/north-wales-railway-upgrade-continues-in-abergele/

Network Rail engineers will begin track upgrade work in Abergele this month as part of the £50m North Wales railway upgrade project.

Preparatory work began in March and the core track upgrade work will commence on Sunday 8 April. This work, all part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, involves cutting and removing old track, replacing old ballast and laying new track. The work is expected to be complete by June 2018.

Paul Armitage, project manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “The track upgrade work at Abergele is part of our plan to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway for passengers in North Wales.

“We are committed to working with our partners Arriva Trains Wales to do all we can to keep disruption and noise to a minimum. I would like to thank residents and passengers for their patience during the work.”

The £50m project has already seen a state of the art signalling system installed between Shotton and Colwyn Bay, four miles of new track installed in Mostyn, as well as track upgrade work completed in Rhyl and Flint. Abergele and Pensarn station has also undergone enhancement work, and Tyn y Morfa level crossing has been upgraded to a manually controlled barrier with CCTV.

Bethan Jelfs, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “Investment in the north Wales infrastructure will help us continue to deliver the best service possible for our customers now and in the future.

“Projects like this are vital and we work closely with our partners in Network Rail to ensure the disruption caused to our customers is minimal.

“It is very important for customers to plan ahead and use journey checking websites and apps to ensure they have the most up to date information for their journey with us.”

The core works for this project and other track works in the area are being carried out during weekends, with replacement bus services in operation between Llandudno Junction and Chester on Sundays between 8 April and 13 May. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Track and recovery works will continue over the coming months along the North Wales coast including at Holywell, Talacre, Rockcliffe Hall and Llandudno. The upgrade project is set to be completed by the end of summer 2018.
 

sw1ller

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Ahh,I’m glad they’re ripping out the points. I hate going over them at 75. I know they’re locked, I have complete faith they are too. I still hate going over them.
 

Welshman

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Ahh,I’m glad they’re ripping out the points. I hate going over them at 75. I know they’re locked, I have complete faith they are too. I still hate going over them.
I can't understand why they've been left in for so long.
The platform loop has been removed for some time now.
I would have thought they'd have been taken out when the down line was relaid to allow the platform to be widened.
 

driver_m

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A few updates that may be worth mentioning. In the notices , the Garston Allerton curve is being formally singled judging by some of the work going on over the bank holiday weekend. Halton jn should also be getting its OLE runoff fitted as well.

Anyone know when any of the TSR's are due for lifting on the N Wales mainline? (Still effectively running at previous speeds)
 

driver_m

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Some updates for you that may be of interest. Halton Jn has been demolished. There have been a few replacement LEDs gone in around Allerton and Speke, and the ROC at Manchester should be taking over these boxes in the new year as part of stage 2 resignalling. No word on Ditton & Edge Hill though as yet
 
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