Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[The_Engineer]

I understood that the timetable change would not be until May.

There's scope within the present timetable for existing services to be gradually handed over to electric operation as soon as the electrification is complete and authorised for use. Dependant on driver training, etc. I believe from previous posts on here from Northern staff that this is their intention....

 

[td97]

I understood that the timetable change would not be until May.

NR published this earlier in the year
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...s-on-reliability-for-decembers-new-timetable/

The majority of operators will introduce a new December timetable. Others will continue with their May timetable, which will still require additional work to be done. Where this is the case, minor adjustments and small locally based changes that have limited wider impact may be made if possible.  

And I think the TT change date is 9th December as the current one is valid until 8th.

 

[InOban]

As you say, that was earlier in the year, when they were still claiming that the project would be completed well before now.

 

[Trackman]

Farnworth about 10 mins ago

 

[TBSchenker]

Do any services currently get a 158 on the line? IIRC not all Barrow services have been 185 operated since May. The 185 Barrow service might benefit, depending on whether the non-MU limits have also been raised. Might not make too much difference for the 142/150/156 services.
Definitely encouraging progress though!

Only a handful of single 158 services, some 158s operate coupled to 156s so still limited to 75mph.

185s can’t run at MU speeds so will be limited to 80mph on the increased sections where the speed limit has an MU differential.

 

[Greybeard33]

There's scope within the present timetable for existing services to be gradually handed over to electric operation as soon as the electrification is complete and authorised for use. Dependant on driver training, etc. I believe from previous posts on here from Northern staff that this is their intention....

Within the current timetable, the Manchester Victoria - Buckshaw Parkway services appear to be worked by standalone diagrams, so could be handed over to EMUs without a timetable change.

Regarding the Piccadilly - Blackpool North via Chorley services, two of the diagrams include portion working between Piccadilly and Preston, with the other portion to/from Windermere. So I presume these diagrams will have to remain diesel until May, in order that Windermere retains direct services to the Airport. The other two diagrams appear to be standalone, so could be handed over to EMUs without a timetable change.

Regarding the Manchester Airport - Preston via Chorley services, there appear to be two standalone diagrams, which could be handed over to EMUs without a timetable change. But some services are worked by 185s, as part of diagrams that include workings between Manchester Airport and Barrow. These will have to remain diesel until May.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Not entirely the thread to discuss train compositions, but relevant to the topic, I (probably like many others on this forum) would simply suggest, like Greybeard's above post, just convert whatever they can to electric post-December, even if just a few peak-time services at first, and cascade Sprinters to strengthen the remaining 2-car diagrams. There are still far too many 2-car diesel workings for this day and age around Manchester and Leeds (and they're not short forms either as I've been checking Journey Check). 319s are more than adequate for now, but the new trains will represent a massive step up in quality. At least an electric diagram can't be 2-car as there are no 2-car electric units!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The wiring from Euxton to Salford looked visually complete today (down side), except for some temporary sling connections at the west end of Bolton station and through the tunnels, also a short stretch of same near Clifton (2-3 masts-worth).
There was some lineside digging going on just north of Horwich and at Windsor Bridge South Jn, difficult to tell whether that was electrification related.
There are a couple of masts without wires in the bush alongside the sidings at Agecroft, leading to a terminal gantry with very odd attachments.
Maybe these are now redundant in the design, unless the sidings are going to be wired.
P1/2 at Victoria also not wired.
But overall, it is developing that "finished" look at last.

 

[DJH1971]

The wiring from Euxton to Salford looked visually complete today (down side), except for some temporary sling connections at the west end of Bolton station and through the tunnels, also a short stretch of same near Clifton (2-3 masts-worth).
There was some lineside digging going on just north of Horwich and at Windsor Bridge South Jn, difficult to tell whether that was electrification related.
There are a couple of masts without wires in the bush alongside the sidings at Agecroft, leading to a terminal gantry with very odd attachments.
Maybe these are now redundant in the design, unless the sidings are going to be wired.
P1/2 at Victoria also not wired.
But overall, it is developing that "finished" look at last.

Surely testing cannot be too far off now?

 

[59CosG95]

GSoP Post 25.0
Manchester Victoria - Preston; State of Play, week beginning 22nd October 2018.
All wire runs up! LIVE (from Euxton Jct to Buckshaw Parkway; and from Windsor Bridge South Jct to Ordsall Lane Jct/Deal St Jct) as of 1st October.
As wiring is not completed between Windsor Bridge South Jct & Buckshaw Parkway, testing has been postponed.
All mileages from Manchester Victoria. Bridge mileages are approximated where noted.

1. Man Vic Station (Platforms 3-6) - Man Vic West Jct - Deal Street Jct; 0m 0ch to 0m 32ch
Fully wired and energised 2013-15.
(N.B. Platforms 1 & 2 at Man Vic have now been bedanglied; more masts may still need to be installed at the east side of Man Vic before wires can go up over all lines; however this is not considered as part of this programme.

2. Deal Street Jct - Windsor Bridge South Jct; 0m 32ch to 1m 46ch
Fully wired and LIVE as of 1/10/18. Wires overlap into the CEMEX sidings (Hope Street). At Salford Central, the westbound (Down) platform has had RSC ducting installed at shin height.
Protruding roof beams were also cut back to facilitate the addition of wires. With Salford Central now wired, all wires are up from Manchester Victoria & Manchester Piccadilly to Euxton Jct.

3. Windsor Bridge South Jct - Windsor Bridge North Jct (inc. Salford Crescent); 1m 46ch to 1m 70ch
All lines through Salford Crescent are wired; all wires east and south of Windsor Bridge South Jct are LIVE (as of 1/10/18). P1 (and the avoider) now have Section Insulators.
Repairs to the wooden fence on the eastern side have/are taken/taking place.
The crossovers at Agecroft South Jct, and Windsor Bridge North Jct are also fully wired. Wires are also up on the overruns along the Atherton Line.

4. Windsor Bridge North Jct - Bolton (South End); 1m 70ch to 10m 50ch
Aside from temporary fixings (2 to 3 masts' worth) at Clifton, all registration works are complete from Salford Crescent to Bolton.
At Agecroft, there are a couple of masts (sans wires) in the bush alongside the sidings, leading to a terminal gantry with very odd attachments.
At Clifton, Drainage manhole modules are awaiting installation; temporary covers are over their future homes.
Bridge MVE1 27B (immediately NW of the M60 overbridge) is fully erected, but unopened, and work on the walkway is not yet finished.
The Platform 5 Line is fully wired (C&C) from the points at Weston St to Orlando St Bridge; C&C wires have now gone up through P5, under Newport St bridge to a Tensorex drum nr Morrisons.
South of Lever Street footbridge, the Up Line now has ATF wires installed; ATF wires appear to all be up from Salford Crescent to Euxton on the Down side.

5. Bolton Station; 10m 50ch
All masts in the station area are now in place. Earth wires now in. Canopies look complete, and platforms now fully open. The number of temporary fixings on the OLE is now minimal; only a few remain at the western end.
Platform 1: Wires now up through the platform. It is assumed they continue onto the Blackburn overrun, parallel to their comrades on P3.
Platform 2: Line is fully wired (C&C) from the points at Weston St to the SSA (Self-Supporting Anchor - aka "the wicketkeeper"). Insulators have yet to be installed on the wicketkeeper. Buffers look finished.
Platform 3 (Up Bolton): Wired from Orlando St Bridge, through the station, and onwards to Lostock & the WCML. The majority of fixings used are permanent (some are still temporary).
Platform 4 (Down Bolton): Wired from Weston Street through P4 and onwards to Lostock & the WCML.
Platform 5: UTXs wait to be installed in the works compund west of the track. C&C wires through P5 now look fully complete.

6. Bolton (North End) - Lostock (South End); 10m 50ch to 13m 52ch
All lines heading north out of Bolton are now wired: P1 & P3 to the end of the Blackburn overrun, and P3-5 towards the Bullfield Tunnels and thence to Lostock & the WCML.
The crossover NW of Newport Street has not been wired yet.
Cable ducting troughs laid in the Down Side Cess between Bolton Station, past Newport Street, under Soho Street, Black Horse St & New St, and through Bullfield Tunnel.
The overrun along the line to Blackburn (as far as Bradshawgate Tunnel) has now been wired from P3; they have yet to reach there from P1.
Earth wire up on the Down side west of Moor St Tunnel.

Between Moor Lane & Lostock, Earth wires have already been strung.
Autotransformer wires now all up between Moor Lane & Mayor St. Bridges, and between Lostock & Ladybridge (on both lines); they have now gone under Dean Clough Bridge & the Ladybridge on both sides.
A UTX has been installed in the "vee" in Lostock Jct; this now takes the ATF wires for both routes at Lostock Jct.
Most (if not all) wires are now up over Lostock Jct itself.
All masts now up on the Wigan overlap; earth wires now up too, in varying lengths on both sides. C&C wires also up on the overlap on both lines until the Limit of Wiring. Some dangly arms and all the termination insulators have not yet been installed.

7. Lostock Station; 13m 52ch
Switchgear box delivered 6th April '18. Over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, the two Autotransformers (AT1 & AT2) were delivered.
Both Preston Lines wired through the station to connect with the existing wires north of "Golf Course" footbridge.
Platform extension/resurfacing work complete on the Down platform and the Up platform.
ATF wires are in through the UTXs around the station; none are yet connected.
The arrangements at Lostock were designed to support the electrification to Wigan, so the UTX should be sized to take four feeder cables to the proposed neutral section located towards Westhoughton. Two feeders for each track, one each side of the NS. Wigan-Lostock has no AF, classic boosterless only.

8. Lostock (North End) - Euxton Jct; 13m 52ch to 25m 31ch
Two more UTXs have been installed in the "vee" between the Preston & Wigan lines, to the north of Lostock station; one takes the feeder wires for the Wigan Line, the other does the same for the Preston Line.
Immediately north of Lostock, the closest TTCs to the platforms have now sprouted part of their switchgear kit.
ATF wires appear to be finished (at least on the Down side), from Salford Crescent up to Euxton Jct.
Orangemen at work on the footpath at the foot of the northern steps of Heath Charnock FB.

Do let me know if I've missed anything!

 

[Trackman]

confirmed today NR are going a close a lane of Bridge street near Farnworth station in a week. To quote: 'The single lane will be closed to prevent any vehicles from accessing the track if approaching the Network Rail boundary ... closure is necessary to mitigate any risk due to electrification of the railway and increased linespeed. '
Temporary barriers are up already to stop cars overshooting and it's going to take them 2 months to sort it all out.
makes me think what is going to happen to that motorway bridge...

 

[wrinkley]

There is still work to do around Lostock.
One autotensioner still not connected, the wire is fastened to the mast by a strap and the insulator is missing.
One wire connecting catenary to contact wire is still adrift.
Part of a registration arm mid platform is missing and the C&C is held up by a pully.
Two registration arms attached to the bridge two weeks back are still not connected to the C&C.
Most importantly there are six 25kV cables which have still not crossed under the track to be connected to the six cables in the ducting by the car park. Time marches on and there has not been much visible change in the last three weeks apart from digging a hole opposite the UTX in the vee and burying one end of some ducting in it. If Lostock is to be treated as live by Sunday, there are only four nights and a day to complete everything.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There is still work to do around Lostock.----- If Lostock is to be treated as live by Sunday, there are only four nights and a day to complete everything.

I bet they partially energize - I would think Buckshee to Blackrod? And then coming the other way, current limit through to --- not sure?

 

[PN27]

I bet they partially energize - I would think Buckshee to Blackrod? And then coming the other way, current limit through to --- not sure?

Wasn't it the case that Blackpool was to be treated as live several weeks before any switches were flicked? Indeed, it makes sense for everyone to treat the wires as live for a period before they're actually dangerous.

Some pictures attached. The first was taken at Adlington a month or two ago, showing the wire suspension arrangement that replaced the temporary pulleys- does anyone know the proper term?

The second is a fully-wired pic of Huyton viaduct, for completeness, and a fully-wired photo of Chorley.

The sides of the pedestrian bridge on Railway Road, Adlington appear to be being replaced- the photo shows progress as of today. And finally, an example of the level of backside covering required in modern society...

 

[reg]

Bolton- as far as I could see all OHL temporary fixings now replaced looking south from the station (towards Manchester),to the north there are still a dozen or so in the Bolton west/Bullfield area to be replaced.Work on the ATF troughing in this same area is all but finished.

 

[LDECRexile]

I toured Southport to Salford Crescent via Bolton by train today.

1. Salford Crescent looks juiceable to my lay eyes, assuming the missing trackside thingy north of Windsor Bridge North Jct doesn't prevent this.
2. Progress overhead at Bolton, but not yet finished. No insulators in contact or catenary wires at end of Platform 2, a few temp pulleys and straps here and there.
3. Orange team installing a replacement gas pipe opposite Platform 5, apparently to enable heating in the Platform 4/5 island waiting room.
4. Lots of Orangemen working on the troughing NW of the station.
5. The terminating wires above the Wigan-bound overlap at Chew Moor now have insulators.
6. Crewed, substantial digger in evidence by the ziggurat at Lostock.
7. Footpath on the western side of the tracks leading from north and south to the new footbridge immediately north of the M60 crossing looks a lot more done.
8. The trackside thingy between Squeeze Belly Entry footbridge and Moses Gate still missing (akin to 1, above.)

Orangeman said that power will be tested on the Up and Down Bolton southwards from south of Bolton station as from this weekend.

Layman Alert. I reckon overhead wiring looks close to done, but trackside cabling appears to be some way off.

Photos later.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

As always Dave thanks for the update.

 

[TBSchenker]

They’re still touting a weekend block up to November 4th, so they’ve two more full weekends to finish everything. Full switch on must be within these next two weeks.

 

[Muenchener]

So with the finishing line almost within sight; does anyone know what detailed work would still require to be completed, post 04th Nov, once the line has been successfully tested and, at some point, submitted for sign off by the DfT?

 

[LDECRexile]

I have added the images kindly posted on this thread to PN27's flickr album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671803749438

Likewise I've added Mark's recent mage to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157669932299228

Finally, I've added both sets plus mine form today to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Mark and PN27.

 

[Fougasse]

Some pictures attached. The first was taken at Adlington a month or two ago, showing the wire suspension arrangement that replaced the temporary pulleys- does anyone know the proper term?

Picture shows twin contact arms with wire stays (V-dropper). This arrangement is used for contenary and contact at over bridges.

 

[wrinkley]

Orangemen out in force at Lostock, starting to put the 25kV cables under the track. Will get more shots later today and send all to Dave.

 

[reg]

From the Bolton end it looks like they are ready for a pull through of the ATF cable, with all covers removed from the troughing for some considerable distance towards Lostock.Lever street footbridge has had additional wire mesh and signage installed making it look like the worlds biggest rabbit hutch. Photos later.

 

[Elecman]

I toured Southport to Salford Crescent via Bolton by train today.

1. Salford Crescent looks juiceable to my lay eyes, assuming the missing trackside thingy north of Windsor Bridge North Jct doesn't prevent this.
2. Progress overhead at Bolton, but not yet finished. No insulators in contact or catenary wires at end of Platform 2, a few temp pulleys and straps here and there.
3. Orange team installing a replacement gas pipe opposite Platform 5, apparently to enable heating in the Platform 4/5 island waiting room.
4. Lots of Orangemen working on the troughing NW of the station.
5. The terminating wires above the Wigan-bound overlap at Chew Moor now have insulators.
6. Crewed, substantial digger in evidence by the ziggurat at Lostock.
7. Footpath on the western side of the tracks leading from north and south to the new footbridge immediately north of the M60 crossing looks a lot more done.
8. The trackside thingy between Squeeze Belly Entry footbridge and Moses Gate still missing (akin to 1, above.)

Orangeman said that power will be tested on the Up and Down Bolton southwards from south of Bolton station as from this weekend.

Layman Alert. I reckon overhead wiring looks close to done, but trackside cabling appears to be some way off.

Photos later.

The missing ‘Thingies’ in post 1 and 8 above are presumably the Motorised switching equipment for the OLE

 

[LDECRexile]

The missing ‘Thingies’ in post 1 and 8 above are presumably the Motorised switching equipment for the OLE

That's them, thank you. I've edited the photo captions accordingly.

 

[142Pilot]

Question.

What are the new black box things in the 4ft in-between central and crescent? I thought they were apc's but I am not sure now.

 

[Elecman]

APC magnets would not be in the 4 ft but in both the Cess side and 6 ft close to the respective rails.

You got a pic of the ones youve seen in the 4 ft?

 

[142Pilot]

APC magnets would not be in the 4 ft but in both the Cess side and 6 ft close to the respective rails.

You got a pic of the ones youve seen in the 4 ft?

Unfortunately not.

That's why I thought they couldn't be apc's.

It looks like a black brick - can't help any more than that

 

[TBSchenker]

Don’t look like this do they? (Photo not from Salford)

 

[LDECRexile]

Reg and Wrinkley have kindly sent photos of progress at Bolton and Lostock respectively.

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

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

and Reg's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863

I've added both sets to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you both.

I will be away from tomorrow (Monday) to Wednesday, then again from Friday to Sunday. On Thursday I will have the chance to process any photos sent by then, otherwise it will be next Sunday night, 4th Nov, before I can do much, certainly not visit "our" line.

I hope this has the effect of spectacular progress!