Headbolt Lane progress updates

[Railsigns]

How much will the new station increase the length of the Merseyrail side of the line by?

By 1297 metres according to the signalling plan (distance between the existing and new buffer stops).

 

[mcnw35282]

Small addition to the above - the walkway under the sandstone bridge has been completely removed now. The tracks next to platform 2 have been lifted and looks like the ground is being prepared for the points and new twin tracks. Lots of concrete sleepers stacked ready to go.

 

[LPJOHN]

I was told at a drop in session by a member of the project team on the 27th March; in Kirkby town centre, that if things go to plan, then a test run by a 777/1xx to Headbolt lane will be on 2nd May (2023).

 

[mrd269697]

So is Kirkby going to only have one platform or are they going to build a new one adjacent to the Liverpool bound one?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

So is Kirkby going to only have one platform or are they going to build a new one adjacent to the Liverpool bound one?

Kirkby is retaining its single Merseyrail platform.

 

[KevinTurvey]

Presumably then the former Northern platform will just be abandoned with a pedestrian barrier at the bridge line. Removal of the western buffers gives about 1/2 coach extra length to the Merseyrail platform to the bridge.

 

[LPJOHN]

They appear to be making good progress.

Photo taken this morning.

Most of the rubble under the bridge has been removed.

 

[Geeves]

Great to see how fast things are progressing!

Here's the final layout for anyone interested. How likely is it two trains will be up there at the same time?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Great to see how fast things are progressing!

Here's the final layout for anyone interested. How likely is it two trains will be up there at the same time?

Based on the fact that Merseyrail got an extra 777 due to Headbolt, I think it'd be quite likely.

 

[mcnw35282]

All traces of the walkway between the Liverpool and Wigan platforms has been removed.

Great to see how fast things are progressing!

Here's the final layout for anyone interested. How likely is it two trains will be up there at the same time?

What do the yellow square signals denote?

 

[Elecman]

fixed distants?

 

[snowball]

What do the yellow square signals denote?

Others will know, I'm only guessing, but I assumed signals that permanently show yellow.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

What do the yellow square signals denote?

Based on a search I found this:

Yellow Squares are almost certainly Reflectorised Fixed Distant boards. See at the bottom here: https://www.railsigns.uk/sect2page7.html It warns the driver to expect to Stop at the next signal. They are 'fixed' at Yellow/Caution because the next signal is 'fixed' at red/danger. Because the red signal will never be cleared, it is a Stop Board rather than an actual signal. Because the red can never be cleared, the caution signal can also similarly be fixed as a board.

I think it's this which matches with the situation

 

[mcnw35282]

Ahhh, that would make sense…with Headbolt being a terminal station. For some reason, I thought they were pointing towards Kirkby! ‍♂️

New 2nd track now seems to be continuous to Headbolt Lane. (Difficult to tell from where the photo was taken…but since the track was already partially laid from Headbolt Lane to the bridge over County Road, it’s fair to assume it’s now continuous). Ballast looks in place, just needs tamping I think. Could well be on for that 777/1 test run in May!

It’s looks as if they’re keeping a small walkway under the bridge at Kirkby, judging by the new retaining wall in photo 2. For engineering access perhaps? The waiting shelter has also been removed from the former Wigan platform.

 

[mcnw35282]

All the furniture (lighting poles, signage and PIS screen, as well as miles and miles of galvanised conduit) has been dismantled and put into neat piles ready to be removed. The walkway under the bridge seems to have been replaced with a drainage channel

The "temporary" (for the want of a better word) platform at Headbolt looks to be more or less in place when I drove past yesterday.

Also, the blockade to rejoin the track will be from Friday 28/04 until Tuesday 02/05…it was originally planned to be a full week. I guess they’ve clawed some of the time back!

 

[Scouse77]

Anybody taking photos of this weekend's work? They should be reconnecting the rails through the bridge this weekend for the first time in 46 years.

 

[mcnw35282]

Anybody taking photos of this weekend's work? They should be reconnecting the rails through the bridge this weekend for the first time in 46 years.

Funny you should ask…

Will be stopping by tomorrow and Monday as well too check on progress.

The track is now continuous from Headbolt Lane to Fazakerley, although the conductor rail hasn’t been replaced through Kirkby station just yet. (The insulators are in place tho)

 

[Geeves]

Does this mean for a very short period the full line is one from Wigan Wallgate to Liverpool again or has it been cut further on?

Thank you for the photos, great to see it coming on!

 

[mcnw35282]

Yes, and no. Yes, the track will be continuous between Liverpool Central and Wigan Wallgate, but no because the ‘temporary’ walkway between the two Liverpool platforms at Headbolt Lane will be built over the top of it, effectively splitting the line again like at Kirkby.

 

[LPJOHN]

I took this photo on my walk this evening.

 

[Wezz]

History was made at Kirkby today, a Network Rail tamper became the first non-crashed train to travel under the bridge since 1977.

Taken by a colleague and friend of mine.

 

[MR-507508]

Great to see how fast things are progressing!

Here's the final layout for anyone interested. How likely is it two trains will be up there at the same time?

Is this signalling map (from quoted post above), covering the section of track past Kirkby to Headbolt Lane station, viewable on any sites does anyone know?

 

[Geeves]

I don't think it's anywhere on the regular internet sites at present.

 

[Wezz]

Great to see how fast things are progressing!

Here's the final layout for anyone interested. How likely is it two trains will be up there at the same time?

Not very likely tbh, not until the network is extended beyond Headbolt lane anyway, I suspect Platform 2 will mostly be used in emergencies similar to Hunts Cross.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not very likely tbh, not until the network is extended beyond Headbolt lane anyway, I suspect Platform 2 will mostly be used in emergencies similar to Hunts Cross.

Thought it required a diagram to be added to Kirkby, which as Kirkby to Headbolt is so short did result in a layover over 15 minutes? Or is the extra all at the Central reversing siding so it can charge?

 

[Scouse77]

The layover is at Headbolt Lane. Both platforms will be in regular use.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The layover is at Headbolt Lane. Both platforms will be in regular use.

Thanks. I thought so!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Not very likely tbh, not until the network is extended beyond Headbolt lane anyway, I suspect Platform 2 will mostly be used in emergencies similar to Hunts Cross.

Wasn't the 777 order increased by 1 unit so that both platforms will be used.

 

[Scouse77]

Wasn't the 777 order increased by 1 unit so that both platforms will be used.

Yes it was. Also if it was operationally feasible to turn around within a reliable timescale they wouldn't have specified it as a 3 platform setup.

 

[ste238]

Yes it was. Also if it was operationally feasible to turn around within a reliable timescale they wouldn't have specified it as a 3 platform setup.

I thought the 3 platform layout was created with extention to Skelmersdale and Wigan in mind which would have made Headbolt just a standard 2 platform station then?