Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[42626]

There are three stations with one or more bases in place - Adlington, Moses Gate and Salford Central.

Clifton has at least one (as of yesterday)

 

[LDECRexile]

At least three of us were out and about today, I expect photos and news to come in thick and fast this evening.

Until then please be aware that at least four people who have kindly agreed to link their flickr albums to the Combined Volume (CV) have added material recently.

To make it easier to draw these to your attention I have edited eight of the ten link headers to begin with a number 01, 02, 03 etc. Like many things in life that will be Greek by description and obvious when you see it, which I will show how below.

Before doing so, will Ken Ward and 141trackman please edit their "Comments" in the CV to begin with "06" (Ken) and "10" (141trackman)? When you see the others it should be clear what I'm on about.

These albums are available to users 24/7 by:

going into the CV, then clicking on the very first image, then going down the links in the "Comments" section.

Those with new material are numbers 01, 06 (between 05 and 07!) and 10 (the last one.)

I don't undertake to go regularly through them and report, I do so in this instance for the benefit of new users. If and when other people see material has been added perhaps they could put out a notice?

As always, the Combined Volume is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

 

[42626]

Clifton has at least one (as of yesterday)

IMG_1242 by Ian Fitter, on Flickr

A few more including the worksite in the album

 

[Geeves]

I noticed a couple of gents taking in all the sites of Salford Central west end when I passed through on the 13:49 to Southport. I presume they might be on here. Its all coming on now. I noticed one of the track moving trains was sat on its own private railway with some very 1800 looking rails

 

[LDECRexile]

Paul, Wrinkley and I went out and about today. (Paul and I were on Salford Central around then, Geeves, pity we missed you.)

Lots of sudden and very welcome progress Bolton to Salford Central inclusive.

I've added Paul's shots to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649792560381

I've added Wrinkley's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157654034635234

and all our efforts to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you Paul and Wrinkley.

Updated Progressometer tomorrow.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Lots of sudden and very welcome progress Bolton to Salford Central inclusive.

Am I seeing that right (7080 i/k/m)?
Masts (and cantilevers) on the Farnworth side of Moses Gate?
That was quick.
They weren't there on Monday!

 

[LDECRexile]

ALX400 has kindly sent shots he took at Skew Bridge at 01:00 today on his way home from work.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you ALX.

 

[LDECRexile]

Am I seeing that right? Masts (and cantilevers) on the Farnworth side of Moses Gate?
That was quick.
They weren't there on Monday!

Yep, you're right on all counts.

Bonzer, innit?

D

 

[simond]

Hi guys. Is there any plans to add tilt to the Preston to Blackpool section? I realise the majority of the line is gently curved and probably not fast enough to warrant the investment but presumably Pendolino's will be making their way down the line once everything is up and running. Forgive me if I've asked a dumb question.

 

[AndyW33]

Hi guys. Is there any plans to add tilt to the Preston to Blackpool section? I realise the majority of the line is gently curved and probably not fast enough to warrant the investment but presumably Pendolino's will be making their way down the line once everything is up and running. Forgive me if I've asked a dumb question.

I think you've got it in one. There's little advantage to be gained for the expense. This is a double track railway nowadays. Between Preston and Kirkham there will be at least 6 other trains an hour that wouldn't be capable of tilting anyway. Many of these stop at Kirkham (9 miles from Preston), some at Salwick. There's little point in enabling tilt on a pretty straight alignment if the minimal time it saves over this distance is wasted in signal checks because you've caught up the train in front. Kirkham is being remodelled, not before time, and this will make a real improvement to speeds for non-stop trains, but there won't be any way of overtaking other trains to/from Blackpool North.
Then there's Poulton, 6 miles further on, with a speed restriction through the station area due to curvature. but London trains stop there anyway, and will likely continue to. After that it is only 3 miles more to Blackpool North and the end of the line.

 

[Chester1]

Hi guys. Is there any plans to add tilt to the Preston to Blackpool section? I realise the majority of the line is gently curved and probably not fast enough to warrant the investment but presumably Pendolino's will be making their way down the line once everything is up and running. Forgive me if I've asked a dumb question.

Currently there is no plans to increase the Virgin trains service from 1 train per day and Arrivas Grand Central open access service of 6 trains per day due for December 2018 may not happen because rolling stock has not been ordered yet. Even 7 trains per day would probably not justify the cost, North Wales has a similar service level of Voyagers and none of the line is tilt enabled.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Hi guys. Is there any plans to add tilt to the Preston to Blackpool section? I realise the majority of the line is gently curved and probably not fast enough to warrant the investment but presumably Pendolino's will be making their way down the line once everything is up and running. Forgive me if I've asked a dumb question.

The line speed will still apparently only be 75mph, so not really much point in adding tilt.
Improvements to the layout and signalling at Kirkham and Poulton, and approaching Blackpool, should reduce journey times for all trains.

 

[SodTheDrummer]

At Moses Gate the lone base (so far) is behind the southbound platform.

Isn't there one at the s/b end of the s/b platform too? Sure it's in the combined vol but limited internet (changing providers ) so can't check.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Red Moss area (7008, 7031):
As the photos show, the run of masts from there goes up to the M61 overbridge.
There is also a single mast on the Blackrod side of the M61 bridge, on the Down.

 

[LDECRexile]

Isn't there one at the s/b end of the s/b platform too? Sure it's in the combined vol but limited internet (changing providers ) so can't check.

Yes, it's off the southbound end as you describe. I wasn't including it "in" the station, but that wouldn't be something I'd go to war over.

Events have moved on apace, Paul noted masts north of Moses Gate yesterday, so Wrinkley went out again today to look see. There are indeed.

I've added them to Wrinkley's album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157654034635234

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Well spotted Paul, thank you Wrinkley.

 

[LDECRexile]

Red Moss area (7008, 7031):
As the photos show, the run of masts from there goes up to the M61 overbridge.
There is also a single mast on the Blackrod side of the M61 bridge, on the Down.

That's progress since last Saturday, then. When I visited Red Moss foot crossing on Sat there was just one mast north of the crossing.

Onwards and upwards!

 

[LDECRexile]

Progressometer attached.

In cells N12 to O80 Yellow background signifies a change.

In cells N89 to O102 Green background signifies a rise, red a drop (which is usually good news, eg bare bases have masts wanged on)

 

[42626]

A few more added to the Clifton Album

 

[LDECRexile]

A few more added to the Clifton Album

Classy stuff, as always.

8394 appears to show two bases, a six-bolt concrete one on the far (northbound) side and a metal piled one further away on the near (southbound) side.

Together with the scrapes you show so clearly and the bases north of the station there has been significant progress hereabouts in a matter of days.

Thank you for sharing so readily.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

----there has been significant progress hereabouts in a matter of days.

Yes I am looking forward to my trip home for Spring Bank Holiday late May - I will get train to and from the airport and have a shuffty myself. Of course, I will also do a car photo run Fylde Jct to Kirkham North Jct. I really do feel progress.

Looks like they will get this done and then - Man Vic -Staly for the power boost. Focus, focus, focus.

 

[42626]

8394 appears to show two bases, a six-bolt concrete one on the far (northbound) side and a metal piled one further away on the near (southbound) side.

Yes, I'm assuming the metal piled base is to replace the concrete one which has been there for a long time (Balfour base?)

 

[deltic08]

The trouble with that bridge is it's a hybrid. The upper level connecting to the shops may be enclosed but the lower level which serves as the station footbridge is not and can be as unpleasant as any other footbridge in the rain. [/OT]

In summer it is a swimming pool and in winter is a skating rink. Network Rail and Harrogate Council seem to think there is nothing wrong and is not a deterrent to using rail.

No canopy on the Leeds bound platform is an equal deterrent when you are walking ankle deep in snow on a platform not cleared because the London morning train uses the other platform with a canopy. Replies to numerous letters of complaint say that NR have spent £1m enlarging the bus shelter on this platform to wait in.

 

[PhilipW]

I've just seen the new Press Release from the DfT announcing that due to continuing rising costs the electrification from Preston will only go as far as Poulton-le-Fylde. The electrification into Blackpool North has been paused pending further analysis.

The DfT also announce that they working with train operators to lease a small fleet of bi-mode trains so that passengers will still experience all the benefits of this multi-million pound investment in the railways from May 2018 as planned.

No doubt a statement will follow from Network Rail and the train operators saying that this is a sensible approach to improving the railways at an economic cost.

That's Britain's railways in 2017 !

 

[Senex]

I've just seen the new Press Release from the DfT announcing that due to continuing rising costs the electrification from Preston will only go as far as Poulton-le-Fylde. The electrification into Blackpool North has been paused pending further analysis.

The DfT also announce that they working with train operators to lease a small fleet of bi-mode trains so that passengers will still experience all the benefits of this multi-million pound investment in the railways from May 2018 as planned.

No doubt a statement will follow from Network Rail and the train operators saying that this is a sensible approach to improving the railways at an economic cost.

That's Britain's railways in 2017 !

..... as seen from the DfT (and not just on 1 April either!).

 

[Moonshot]

I've just seen the new Press Release from the DfT announcing that due to continuing rising costs the electrification from Preston will only go as far as Poulton-le-Fylde. The electrification into Blackpool North has been paused pending further analysis.

The DfT also announce that they working with train operators to lease a small fleet of bi-mode trains so that passengers will still experience all the benefits of this multi-million pound investment in the railways from May 2018 as planned.

No doubt a statement will follow from Network Rail and the train operators saying that this is a sensible approach to improving the railways at an economic cost.

That's Britain's railways in 2017 !

I wonder if that would have happened if Network Rail was in the private sector , and this project had no influence from the DFT

 

[LDECRexile]

This has been swiftly countered by a statement from Holyrood attacking it as yet another plot by the Westminster Government to do the Scottish people out of their rights. They have revived the 1854 plan to run steamers from Fleetwood to Govan, with a connecting service from Poulton hauled by Flying Scotsman burning gaelic-speaking coal. Donalds Tusk and Trump have both backed it, but Vladipops says it would be yet another NATO provocation.

Meanwhile, Beyonce has given birth to triplet Bassethounds on Buckingham Palace lawn.

 

[childwallblues]

This has been swiftly countered by a statement from Holyrood attacking it as yet another plot by the Westminster Government to do the Scottish people out of their rights. They have revived the 1854 plan to run steamers from Fleetwood to Govan, with a connecting service from Poulton hauled by Flying Scotsman burning gaelic-speaking coal. Donalds Tusk and Trump have both backed it, but Vladipops says it would be yet another NATO provocation.

Meanwhile, Beyonce has given birth to triplet Bassethounds on Buckingham Palace lawn.

Anything that that woman does must be fishy!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Wow - Google maps is still showing a May 2009 date for Darkinson Lane bridge - cant believe how low the parapets were

https://mapstreetview.com/#w0l94_-1ngeb_y.0_7f45

 

[LDECRexile]

ALX400 has kindly sent shots of Bolton and Blackrod which he took today.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you ALX

 

[Whistler40145]

Was it an April Fool, that only Preston to Poulton-le-Fylde is getting wired?


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