Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[wrinkley]

There was quite a bit of engineering work on the westhoughton line, the Up line looks to have been replaced. An EWS 66 was waiting with a ballast train on the Down line and the Up line was lifted. This was between Lostock Jn and Westhoughton station, viewed from the A6 road bridge.

That will be the ballast train that went back to Crewe via Crow Nest Junction.

 

[Geeves]

They appear to be running about 6 months late on that schedule, but I doubt that is the current plan.
About 20 masts went up between Lostock and Horwich in a spurt before Christmas, but no more steel since then.
Nobody has really explained where a year has vanished in the original schedule.
None of the much-publicised GW issues are relevant here.

I am going to hazard a guess that a lot of the delays would be down to paper work issues. Balfour Beatty pretty much packed up their gear and left with about a months notice. I am sure it was planner or Joseph Locke who also said they hadn't finished surveying the line and what little they had done they didn't share with the next company, hence all the new bases etc. Then there was the issue with the European directive on wire heights.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I am going to hazard a guess that a lot of the delays would be down to paper work issues. Balfour Beatty pretty much packed up their gear and left with about a months notice. I am sure it was planner or Joseph Locke who also said they hadn't finished surveying the line and what little they had done they didn't share with the next company, hence all the new bases etc. Then there was the issue with the European directive on wire heights.

I don't really buy the Balfour Beatty issue.
They are still hard at work for NR on Crossrail GW wiring, so NR can't have a policy of not using them.
I believe they are also still engaged in some way on the NW project (design?).
So the year's hiatus seems to have been pointless.
Contract disputes usually have two sides, and we've only heard the NR side (unofficially).

There is a big contrast between the Bolton and Fylde route electrification in terms of PR.
Fylde is getting the whole PR treatment (first pile and all that), while the Bolton work has never been publicised or explained.
Meanwhile the tunnel and arches work, and now Ordsall Chord, have had the full treatment.
Fylde also seems to be working weekends and making use of all the engineering possessions, while Bolton seemed to slumber on while weeks of possessions passed without any electrification work.
No doubt there is an explanation.

 

[Elecman]

First piles now installed between Preston and Blackpool

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

First piles now installed between Preston and Blackpool

It's actually a lot more dramatic.
I counted 26 piles installed on the Up, and 13 on the Down, east of Salwick.
Some are only partially inserted.
At Salwick, the works site looks in full use, with its own stock of piles.
The mainline connection to the old sidings has also been plain-lined.

I'm pretty sure there is another stock of piles at an access site just east of Poulton.

For a long time, the "green footbridge" west of Lostock station has marked the end of the run of bases from the west.
Today I noticed a couple of new piles east of the footbridge, closing the gap with the new ones east of Lostock a little.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's actually a lot more dramatic.
I counted 26 piles installed on the Up, and 13 on the Down, east of Salwick.
Some are only partially inserted.
At Salwick, the works site looks in full use, with its own stock of piles.
The mainline connection to the old sidings has also been plain-lined.

I'm pretty sure there is another stock of piles at an access site just east of Poulton.

This is outstanding. I am home weekend of February 24th - 27th and I will take a quick couple of hours and drive to Sidgreaves/Darkinson Lane and take a butchers as well as some photos and get to Dave.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.77529,-2.772172,17z


I will also take a quick gander to Salwick and Lea Lane Bridges.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.7790237,-2.8067369,17z



Sounds like plenty going on. Poulton will be a bridge too far - pun intended.

 

[snowball]

Pictures including the first pile on the NP Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/networkrailnp

 

[PDG1949]

I don't really buy the Balfour Beatty issue.
They are still hard at work for NR on Crossrail GW wiring, so NR can't have a policy of not using them.
I believe they are also still engaged in some way on the NW project (design?).
So the year's hiatus seems to have been pointless.
Contract disputes usually have two sides, and we've only heard the NR side (unofficially).

There is a big contrast between the Bolton and Fylde route electrification in terms of PR.
Fylde is getting the whole PR treatment (first pile and all that), while the Bolton work has never been publicised or explained.
Meanwhile the tunnel and arches work, and now Ordsall Chord, have had the full treatment.
Fylde also seems to be working weekends and making use of all the engineering possessions, while Bolton seemed to slumber on while weeks of possessions passed without any electrification work.
No doubt there is an explanation.

I have been asked to pass on the following:

"I am most disappointed to see there are some sections of the Euxton to Manchester line where there are no piles at all.

Yours Truly

Emma Royd (Mrs)
South Wales"

 

[Elecman]

The old loop at Salwick has now been completely lifted

 

[LDECRexile]

LNW-GW Joint kindly sent two photos he took on his Blackpool trip yesterday.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649960023396

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you LN.

 

[furnessvale]

LNW-GW Joint kindly sent two photos he took on his Blackpool trip yesterday.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649960023396

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you LN.

Worrying to see part driven piles. Hope they haven't started to find GW style unrecorded cable runs!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Worrying to see part driven piles. Hope they haven't started to find GW style unrecorded cable runs!

About half of them were like that, particularly at the Preston end.
You can also see some recent ones on the Bolton route too.

 

[QueensCurve]

I have been asked to pass on the following:

"I am most disappointed to see there are some sections of the Euxton to Manchester line where there are no piles at all.

Yours Truly

Emma Royd (Mrs)
South Wales"

Don't pile on the agony.

 

[furnessvale]

About half of them were like that, particularly at the Preston end.
You can also see some recent ones on the Bolton route too.

Possibly the machine that initially places them is not man enough to finish the job on tougher ones?

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Worrying to see part driven piles. Hope they haven't started to find GW style unrecorded cable runs!

About half of them were like that, particularly at the Preston end.
You can also see some recent ones on the Bolton route too.

Possibly the machine that initially places them is not man enough to finish the job on tougher ones?

I don't think there's anything to worry about. During the electrification of the Chat Moss route there were plenty of piles initially installed this way. Why this occurred I don't know but I don't recall it ever being referred to as having caused any delays.

 

[swt_passenger]

Possibly the machine that initially places them is not man enough to finish the job on tougher ones?

It's done to stop great crested newts falling in the holes in the dark, I expect

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

It's done to stop great crested newts falling in the holes in the dark, I expect

While I appreciate this comment was made in jest I suspect it's roughly correct. I don't recall seeing any fully driven pile not having an OLE baseplate attached. The suggested precaution would protect more than just Great Crested Newts.

 

[Ploughman]

LNW-GW Joint kindly sent two photos he took on his Blackpool trip yesterday.

I've added them to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649960023396

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you LN.

Photo 40501
The "Chargeman" is actually using a Laser receiver picking up the beam from the laser mounted on the tripod up the bank. This job used to be carried out by a Tech Officer responsible for ensuring levels are correct.
He will use this wander pole around the site to determine if the dig depth or ballast level is right. Bigger versions are mounted on the Dozer blades.

 

[Ploughman]

Worrying to see part driven piles. Hope they haven't started to find GW style unrecorded cable runs!

Stops them being nicked.

 

[LDECRexile]

Photo 40501
The "Chargeman" is actually using a Laser receiver picking up the beam from the laser mounted on the tripod up the bank. This job used to be carried out by a Tech Officer responsible for ensuring levels are correct.
He will use this wander pole around the site to determine if the dig depth or ballast level is right. Bigger versions are mounted on the Dozer blades.

Thank you Bryan, I've added your explanation to 4050l as a "Comment".

Dave

 

[PDG1949]

Stops them being nicked.

...or somebody could've wrecked 'em....

 

[furnessvale]

While I appreciate this comment was made in jest I suspect it's roughly correct. I don't recall seeing any fully driven pile not having an OLE baseplate attached. The suggested precaution would protect more than just Great Crested Newts.

It still seems strange to me. Not driving the pile to its finished depth means a second visit with the pile driver with all the extra cost that involves.

A pile driven to its final depth could always have a temporary cover fitted until the mast was attached later.

 

[QueensCurve]

Photo 40501
The "Chargeman" is actually using a Laser receiver picking up the beam from the laser mounted on the tripod up the bank. This job used to be carried out by a Tech Officer responsible for ensuring levels are correct.
He will use this wander pole around the site to determine if the dig depth or ballast level is right. Bigger versions are mounted on the Dozer blades.

I gather this is a reference to this photo.

I would be grateful if people referring to these online photos could provide the direct link to the photo to help us finding it.

 

[deltic08]

It's done to stop great crested newts falling in the holes in the dark, I expect

But there isn't a hole. It is at the same level inside as outside.

 

[LDECRexile]

I travelled "our" line from Salford Central to Blackpool North and back today, with Mk1 pen and paper in hand.

I was pleased to see progress.

Headlines:

1. Lots of bases Preston-Salwick
2. Bases along the first few hundred yards from Lostock Jct towards Westhoughton
3. Over 100 more bases in place than in the Autumn
4. Zillions of scrapes:
4.1 some sprouting yellow and red pegs north of Preston
4.2 some sprouting unpainted pegs between Salford and Euxton Jct
4.3 some looking fresh but pegless
4.4 some looking old and pegless
4.5 some along the Clitheroe line at Bolton station
5. Trackwork in progress around Poulton
6. One track being laid between the to-be-reinstated platforms at Salford Central

Progressometer below.

Photos to follow.

Yippee!

Dave

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

2. Bases along the first few hundred yards from Lostock Jct towards Westhoughton
4.5 some along the Clitheroe line at Bolton station

I never thought of looking on the "branches", but they have to do the overlaps of course.
Anyway, it's a bit of the Wigan line done...

 

[LDECRexile]

I've added today's photos to the Combined Volume here:

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

 

[WatcherZero]

I never thought of looking on the "branches", but they have to do the overlaps of course.
Anyway, it's a bit of the Wigan line done...

Even If they've done only 100 yards that's still almost 1% of the 6.5 mile distance

1 down 99 more to go....

 

[Ploughman]

Following on from a comment the other day about some piles being inserted and others not.
As in this photo.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/32819043731/in/album-72157661069863633/

It may be preferable to plant them, even partially, to prevent the possibility of them being placed across the tracks by those up to no good.

We were always being reminded that short rails and other materials, if left on site, should be secured in some fashion.

 

[LDECRexile]

Following on from a comment the other day about some piles being inserted and others not.
As in this photo.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/32819043731/in/album-72157661069863633/

It may be preferable to plant them, even partially, to prevent the possibility of them being placed across the tracks by those up to no good.

We were always being reminded that short rails and other materials, if left on site, should be secured in some fashion.

I'd always assumed, based on no experience or evidence, that if a crew was doing a piling session and they knew they only had time to get one partly in before having to hand possession back it would be better to do that and return later to finish off, rather than waste that bit of time.

This doesn't contradict your suggestion.