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Trackside lights(?) on approach to Preston

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Ken H

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On the way into Preston from the north, and again on the way out going South, there are what look like lights on permanent looking poles set in concrete or attached to lineside structures.
I say lights. they were about 18 inches long and looked like an array of LED's. The lights look to be about 2 -4 ft above the ground.
Am I right thinking they are to illuminate the track during night time maintenance?
And why there and no-where else (or have i just not noticed them)?
None on the Blackpool line that i noticed.
 
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swt_passenger

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Ken H said:
On the way into Preston from the north, and again on the way out going South, there are what look like lights on permanent looking poles set in concrete or attached to lineside structures.
I say lights. they were about 18 inches long and looked like an array of LED's. The lights look to be about 2 -4 ft above the ground.
Am I right thinking they are to illuminate the track during night time maintenance?
And why there and no-where else (or have i just not noticed them)?
None on the Blackpool line that i noticed.
Click to expand...
They are for night maintenance, usually at areas of complex S&C, and are found in a number of places on the WCML. I think the oldest are possibly getting on for 10 years old.

This thread from 2015 mentions Preston, and a few other places:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-is-this-trackside-equipment-not-datum-plates.120262/
 
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Ken H

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Elecman

Elecman

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Ken H said:
On the way into Preston from the north, and again on the way out going South, there are what look like lights on permanent looking poles set in concrete or attached to lineside structures.
I say lights. they were about 18 inches long and looked like an array of LED's. The lights look to be about 2 -4 ft above the ground.
Am I right thinking they are to illuminate the track during night time maintenance?
And why there and no-where else (or have i just not noticed them)?
None on the Blackpool line that i noticed.
Click to expand...

Definitely maintenance lighting for Points and crossings, they are very prelevant on the WCML at virtually all the junctions ( there are about a hundred at Crewe alone) other older locations use lights on 5-8 metre columns depending on location complexity.
 
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edwin_m

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I believe the idea was to allow quick inspection at night without the extra time needed to set up and dismantle portable lighting. Inspection during the day is increasingly difficult on busy routes due to lack of time for access.
 
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