Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[PDG1949]

the last snippet I heard was that were doubts about what Pilkingtons were doing with their connection to the north of the station.

Pilkington NSG have launched a new Industrial Park on redundant land at the Cowley Hill site and are offering RAIL LINK ACCESS ! See photo

 

[DJH1971]

Pilkington NSG have launched a new Industrial Park on redundant land at the Cowley Hill site and are offering RAIL LINK ACCESS ! See photo

Wonder if that will get wired too?

 

[PDG1949]

Dunno

May be this will be a good promo video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rfNsq6JrU

 

[The Planner]

Wonder if that will get wired too?

Doubt it as it is more than likely a private siding with a connection agreement, someone would have to cough up for it.

 

[8A Rail]

Doubt it as it is more than likely a private siding with a connection agreement, someone would have to cough up for it.

Cowley Hill has a siding already in situation - a single line with two sidings on hardcore. Chances are it will need some maintenance work on it though, replacement sleepers, rail etc.

In the meantime, been to Roby Station yesterday and took some more images of latest work being carried out, see last six images - http://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 Lift shaft's / column's now steadily rising, platform work on going although it seems definite that Platform 3 IS shorter than 1 and 2 - strange indeed. Still no sign of any masts - in fact some bases still need to be done. The third line is well and truly laid and ballast accordingly - just need connections at both ends. Also noted the strenghting work they have done for Roby Embankment, see last image in above link. Finally noted some more masts gone up around Whiston includling one on the station itself.

 

[ianhr]

In the meantime, been to Roby Station yesterday and took some more images of latest work being carried out, see last six images - http://picasaweb.google.com/104517932653927762904/LMElectrificationWorkMerseyside2014 Lift shaft's / column's now steadily rising, platform work on going although it seems definite that Platform 3 IS shorter than 1 and 2 - strange indeed. Still no sign of any masts - in fact some bases still need to be done. The third line is well and truly laid and ballast accordingly - just need connections at both ends. Also noted the strenghting work they have done for Roby Embankment, see last image in above link. Finally noted some more masts gone up around Whiston includling one on the station itself.

Thanks for those. It looks now as though the canopy might survive, which would be good, just cut back a bit to clear the OHLE and hopefully re-glazed.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Lift shaft's / column's now steadily rising, platform work on going although it seems definite that Platform 3 IS shorter than 1 and 2 - strange indeed. Still no sign of any masts - in fact some bases still need to be done. The third line is well and truly laid and ballast accordingly - just need connections at both ends. Also noted the strenghting work they have done for Roby Embankment, see last image in above link. Finally noted some more masts gone up around Whiston includling one on the station itself.

One of the new lift shafts at Huyton has "KNOTWEED CONTAMINATED" emblazoned on it!
This week there was also a new switch assembly sitting on the new third track, between Roby and Huyton.
Although that is not the site of any new S&C as far as I can tell.
I also don't understand the large black plastic pipes now running through the area.
They seem to be for cable conduit rather than drainage.
I hope they redecorate the Roby subway - the colourful children's murals (shown in your pic) are looking a bit sad just now.

 

[8A Rail]

Thanks for those. It looks now as though the canopy might survive, which would be good, just cut back a bit to clear the OHLE and hopefully re-glazed.

Not sure about that as yet, as from appearances, they have not started on the lift shaft / column which should be located somewhere in the station building. So there is bound to be some alteration of some sort or another. Given that Monday, 14th July should I think be the start date of the new remodelled track, including the use of the new Platform 3's , then there seems to be still a lot of work to be carried out or have I got this all wrong?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

One of the new lift shafts at Huyton has "KNOTWEED CONTAMINATED" emblazoned on it!

Because the policy on eradication of this plant is very stringent, hence the display of this signage, have the relevant authorities issued eradication guidance measures ?

 

[Olaf]

Since this thread concerns any infrastructural works connected with the electrification of the line from Liverpool to Manchester, I am somewhat at a loss to know why both your posting and the one to which you have responded to have been made upon this particular thread...hock:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1809830&postcount=1812
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Luckily NR has just bought a Traffic Management System (TMS) for its ROCs, so we're OK!

The recently announce contract is only for the Cardiff and Romford ROCs; I don't think that they have selected a supplier (one of three shortlisted) for the Manchester ROC yet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Indeed so. Planning can cover an extremely wide range of topics and our respected personage with the username of "The Planner" has no rail connotations either attached to or implied by the use of this forum username.

My personal username is one that I use in the context of personal self-reflection and has categorically absolutely no connection whatsoever with one of the Polish generals who was involved with the fighting of the historical wars between Poland and Sweden; a historical matter that was so intimated to me in a PM received a couple of years ago by a fellow forum member....

Just a little off-topic.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It will go into Manchester ROC from July, ie straight away.

If that is the TMS, which system will it be?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The recently announce contract is only for the Cardiff and Romford ROCs; I don't think that they have selected a supplier (one of three shortlisted) for the Manchester ROC yet.
If that is the TMS, which system will it be?

Yes, what I meant was that NR is intent on rolling out its chosen TMS to the ROCs and by the time the Ordsall Chord is built it should be running on the Manchester ROC to aid signalling decisions.
I should think the local conflicts between the junctions at Orsdall Lane, Castlefield and Salford Crescent, plus the new chord, will be exactly what it is meant to address.

 

[The Planner]

If the area is planned properly then TMS should only be required in perturbation.

 

[SteveRainhill]

Thanks for those. It looks now as though the canopy might survive, which would be good, just cut back a bit to clear the OHLE and hopefully re-glazed.

There's nothing in the 'Prior Approval' request submitted to Knowsley Council about alterations to the canopy. I imagine it's been temporarily removed because the props supporting it needed to make way for the works to raise and resurface the platform.

 

[HUY2ROB]

It looks like they are working on the pointwork and the start of the fourth track west of Roby today.It's near the Pilch Lane bridge.

 

[8A Rail]

It looks like they are working on the pointwork and the start of the fourth track west of Roby today.It's near the Pilch Lane bridge.

Cannot be anything significant as the line has been open today (Sunday) and trains operating as normal.

 

[DJH1971]

Travelling into Liverpool this morning, I have noticed that there is now a stretch of return wiring on place just to the west of Broad Green to Olive Mount Junction.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Cannot be anything significant as the line has been open today (Sunday) and trains operating as normal.

It looks like they are working on the pointwork and the start of the fourth track west of Roby today.It's near the Pilch Lane bridge.

It's true, the switch from 3rd to 4th track is now in place (not yet connected to the main line).
There's also a lot of new pointwork piled up on the 3rd track between Roby and Huyton (and at Huyton Jn).
As DJH1971 says, return wire is now up through most of Olive Mount cutting.

Edit: And a set of masts has gone up within 100yds of the platforms at Victoria.

 

[LDECRexile]

I went for my monthly tour Lime St-Wigan NW-Roby-Earlestown-Lime St today and found the following, of which I think the length of return wire between Eccleston Park and Prescot may be new info.

Structures visible from trains on stated date
Mast= upright steelwork. An arch counts as two
Base= concrete ground structure on which a mast will be placed
Scrape= preliminary groundwork where a base will be built
mbs= collective term for masts, bases and scrapes

Edge Hill to Huyton 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14 09/06/14
Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park
Masts 0 0 0 3 3 3 7
Bases 2 5 7 5 7 7 3
Scrapes 3 2 1 0 2 2 2
Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green
Masts 0 0 32 34 35 35 41
Bases 21 29 3 6 9 11 5
Scrapes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Broad Green to Roby
Masts 0 0 15 20 22 22 22
Bases 17 21 5 7 11 15 17
Scrapes 1 3 4 9 6 5 3
Roby to Huyton
Masts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bases 0 0 0 0 6 6 6
Scrapes 0 0 0 11 5 5 5
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Masts 0 0 47 57 60 60 70
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Bases 40 55 15 18 33 39 31
Edge Hill to Huyton Total Scrapes 4 5 5 20 13 12 10

Huyton to Earlestown 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14 09/06/14
Huyton to Whiston
Masts 0 0 0 0 0 28
Bases 6 45 50 59 59 33
Scrapes 21 15 10 2 2 0
Whiston to Rainhill
Masts 0 0 0 0 0 37
Bases 51 63 63 63 64 28
Scrapes 6 2 2 2 1 0
Rainhill to Lea Green
Masts 0 0 11 50 67 78
Bases 78 95 85 46 31 20
Scrapes 18 3 2 2 2 2
Lea Green to St Helens Junction
Masts 0 0 29 46 56 62
Bases 53 62 34 17 7 1
Scrapes 8 1 0 0 0 0
St Helens Junction to Earlestown
Masts 0 0 20 37 38 58
Bases 80 100 93 78 77 68
Scrapes 22 3 2 10 12 6
Huyton to Earlestown Total Masts 0 0 60 133 161 263
Huyton to Earlestown Total Bases 268 365 325 263 238 150
Huyton to Earlestown Total Scrapes 75 24 16 16 17 8

Huyton to Wigan NW 08/01/14 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14 09/06/14
Huyton to Prescot
Masts 58 58 60 61 61 62 64
Bases 2 3 3 19 22 21 18
Scrapes 2 1 0 0 0 0 1
Prescot to Eccleston Park
Masts 40 44 46 46 47 49 49
Bases 3 3 2 2 1 0 0
Scrapes 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eccleston Park to Thatto Heath
Masts 19 19 21 26 26 26 28
Bases 4 5 3 4 4 5 3
Scrapes 2 1 2 1 1 0 0
Thatto Heath to St Helens Central
Masts 51 71 75 75 76 81 82
Bases 21 7 6 6 9 5 4
Scrapes 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
St Helens Central to Garswood
Masts 116 127 137 151 161 180 188
Bases 50 42 50 52 44 27 19
Scrapes 15 16 10 4 6 4 4
Garswood to Bryn
Masts 37 46 52 52 52 53 54
Bases 10 7 2 2 4 12 12
Scrapes 6 8 10 10 10 1 0
Bryn to Wigan North Western
Masts 32 32 39 54 55 80 119
Bases 7 51 56 56 58 41 28
Scrapes 45 10 17 3 0 0 0
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Masts 353 397 430 465 478 531 584
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Bases 97 118 122 141 142 111 84
Huyton to Wigan NW Total Scrapes 71 37 40 19 18 5 5

Overall Totals 29/01/14 24/02/14 17/03/14 14/04/14 12/05/14 09/06/14
Overall Total Masts 397 477 582 671 752 917
Overall Total Bases 441 502 484 438 388 265
Overall Total Scrapes 117 69 55 47 34 23

Overall Totals	                29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05	09/06
Overall Total Masts		397	477	582	671	752	917
Overall Total Bases		441	502	484	438	388	265
Overall Total Scrapes		117	69	55	47	34	23

Notes: Electrification
Edge Hill to Wavertree only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Bryn to Wigan NW only new mbs shown, older masts also exist
Ince Moss branch bases visible, but no masts yet
mbs in stations not shown, eg Prescot has two large "arch" masts
The rock 'canyon' N of Eccleston Pk will have side fixings, not mbs
Bases & scrapes east of Sankey viaduct, both sides of tracks
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Edge Hill-Broad Green
Extensive work on northbound platform at Bryn
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Bryn-Wigan
Lineside equipment installed (signalling?) Huyton-Whiston
Substantial electrical gear in place at Huyton Quarry
Substantial lengths of "Return Wire" hanging nr Garswood and Bryn
Substantial lengths of "Power Wires" hanging nr Garswood and Bryn
Length of "Return Wire" hanging in Olive Mount cutting, Liverpool
Length of "Return Wire" hanging between Eccleston Pk & Prescot
New signals lying beside track nr Collins Green & nr Whiston
Trackwork and signalling at Earlestown appears complete

Notes: Re-quadrupling Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Jct
Third line in position from near Roby Jct-to-be to Huyton Stn
Extensive platform edging changes at Roby and Huyton
3rd & 4th platform edges largely in place at both Roby & Huyton
More progress on lift shafts at Roby, towers up, staff confident
Lift shaft progress at Huyton, all 3 towers up, being faced with brick
Subway immediately north east of Huyton Stn now capped
Sleepers stacked between Huyton Stn & Jct, cwr in the 4 ft
Lots of ballast tipped on 3rd trackbed between Huyton Stn & Jct
New building erected immediately west of Roby Stn bridge
Greaser at Earlestown definitely on back of flange against checkrail
Orange Army working en masse at Huyton Station
Awning roof at Roby removed, reason unknown
New signal erected East of Roby between tracks 2 and 3
Pointwork and track stacked in readiness at Roby Jct-to-be

 

[OxtedL]

I went for my monthly tour Lime St-Wigan NW-Roby-Earlestown-Lime St today and found the following, of which I think the length of return wire between Eccleston Park and Prescot may be new info.

Presentation improved (I'm not going to do it again - it took all of 5 minutes, but actually makes the data readable):

[I][B]Edge Hill to Huyton[/B][/I]
[B]	08/01	29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05	09/06[/B]
[B]Edge Hill to Wavertree Tech Park[/B]							
Masts	0	0	0	3	3	3	7
Bases	2	5	7	5	7	7	3
Scrapes	3	2	1	0	2	2	2
[B]Wavertree Tech Park to Broad Green	[/B]						
Masts	0	0	32	34	35	35	41
Bases	21	29	3	6	9	11	5
Scrapes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
[B]Broad Green to Roby[/B]							
Masts	0	0	15	20	22	22	22
Bases	17	21	5	7	11	15	17
Scrapes	1	3	4	9	6	5	3
[B]Roby to Huyton[/B]						
Masts	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bases	0	0	0	0	6	6	6
Scrapes	0	0	0	11	5	5	5
[B]Total[/B]
Masts	0	0	47	57	60	60	70
Bases	40	55	15	18	33	39	31
Scrapes	4	5	5	20	13	12	10
							
[B][I]Huyton to Earlestown[/I][/B]
		29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05	09/06
[B]Huyton to Whiston[/B]							
Masts		0	0	0	0	0	28
Bases		6	45	50	59	59	33
Scrapes		21	15	10	2	2	0
[B]Whiston to Rainhill[/B]							
Masts		0	0	0	0	0	37
Bases		51	63	63	63	64	28
Scrapes		6	2	2	2	1	0
[B]Rainhill to Lea Green[/B]							
Masts		0	0	11	50	67	78
Bases		78	95	85	46	31	20
Scrapes		18	3	2	2	2	2
[B]Lea Green to St Helens Junction[/B]							
Masts		0	0	29	46	56	62
Bases		53	62	34	17	7	1
Scrapes		8	1	0	0	0	0
[B]St Helens Junction to Earlestown[/B]							
Masts		0	0	20	37	38	58
Bases		80	100	93	78	77	68
Scrapes		22	3	2	10	12	6
[B]Total[/B]
Masts		0	0	60	133	161	263
Bases		268	365	325	263	238	150
Scrapes		75	24	16	16	17	8
							
[B][I]Huyton to Wigan NW[/I][/B]
	08/01	29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05	09/06
[B]Huyton to Prescot[/B]							
Masts	58	58	60	61	61	62	64
Bases	2	3	3	19	22	21	18
Scrapes	2	1	0	0	0	0	1
[B]Prescot to Eccleston Park[/B]							
Masts	40	44	46	46	47	49	49
Bases	3	3	2	2	1	0	0
Scrapes	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
[B]Eccleston Park to Thatto Heath[/B]							
Masts	19	19	21	26	26	26	28
Bases	4	5	3	4	4	5	3
Scrapes	2	1	2	1	1	0	0
[B]Thatto Heath to St Helens Central	[/B]						
Masts	51	71	75	75	76	81	82
Bases	21	7	6	6	9	5	4
Scrapes	0	1	1	1	1	0	0
[B]St Helens Central to Garswood[/B]							
Masts	116	127	137	151	161	180	188
Bases	50	42	50	52	44	27	19
Scrapes	15	16	10	4	6	4	4
[B]Garswood to Bryn[/B]							
Masts	37	46	52	52	52	53	54
Bases	10	7	2	2	4	12	12
Scrapes	6	8	10	10	10	1	0
[B]Bryn to Wigan North Western[/B]							
Masts	32	32	39	54	55	80	119
Bases	7	51	56	56	58	41	28
Scrapes	45	10	17	3	0	0	0
[B]Total[/B]
Masts	353	397	430	465	478	531	584
Bases	97	118	122	141	142	111	84
Scrapes	71	37	40	19	18	5	5
							
[B][I]Overall Totals[/I][/B]
		29/01	24/02	17/03	14/04	12/05	09/06
Masts		397	477	582	671	752	917
Bases		441	502	484	438	388	265
Scrapes		117	69	55	47	34	23

 

[8A Rail]

The following stations are currently mast free, Rainhill and St Helens Junction with one mast only visible at Whiston Station. Either side of the stations is a different story though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The following stations are currently mast free, Rainhill and St Helens Junction with one mast only visible at Whiston Station. Either side of the stations is a different story though.

Nothing on the Liverpool platforms at Earlestown either (or west over Sankey Viaduct to Collins Green bridge).
I expect the week's closure in July will change things a lot.

 

[Peter Gl]

My nearest station is Patricroft, can I ask a simple question, does anyone know when I'll be able to catch an electric train to Manchester or Liverpool?

Thanks,

Pete.

 

[Llama]

Between Manchester & Liverpool from December. But not stopping at Patricroft. Try May 2015 for that.

 

[Peter Gl]

Okey Dokey thanks Llama, not too far away now.

Pete

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Between Manchester & Liverpool from December. But not stopping at Patricroft. Try May 2015 for that.

Why not?
One of the few 319s could be on the Victoria stopper just as much as the Wigan, Warrington or Man Airport services.
That's assuming the wiring into Victoria is ready.

 

[PDG1949]

Nothing on the Liverpool platforms at Earlestown either (or west over Sankey Viaduct to Collins Green bridge).
I expect the week's closure in July will change things a lot.

Network Rail Press Release today (11th) on the forthcoming early July Huyton Blockade
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...estment-in-the-north-west-continues-20ac.aspx

Interesting to note that it talks about "Edge Hill to Bryn" and "Edge Hill to St. Helens Junction" rather than through to Earlestown or Wigan NW, Given the current timetable as regards LB planning permission for the Sankey Viaduct I can possibly understand that, but why Bryn when wiring seems to be in place beyond towards WNW?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Network Rail Press Release today (11th) on the forthcoming early July Huyton Blockade
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...estment-in-the-north-west-continues-20ac.aspx

Interesting to note that it talks about "Edge Hill to Bryn" and "Edge Hill to St. Helens Junction" rather than through to Earlestown or Wigan NW, Given the current timetable as regards LB planning permission for the Sankey Viaduct I can possibly understand that, but why Bryn when wiring seems to be in place beyond towards WNW?

I think the press release just refers to station closures for the week, it's not really a work plan.
Interesting that the platform subway at Huyton must be reopened on Monday 16 June so that they can close the public subway for a week to build the 3rd/4th track formation over it.

 

[PDG1949]

The listed building planning application for Earlestown station has just been submitted to the local authority (St. Helens) by NR (see 'Images')

http://llpgport.oltps.sthelens.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=100855

Doesn't show any proposals for the single track Liverpool curve - is that short run not intended to be electrified ?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Isn't there a generic grumbling about the North thread? Why don't you guys (especially in the WYT/GMPTE areas) pay the same fares and generate the same patronage figures?

What on earth is this anything remotely concerned with infrastructural works that are connected with the Liverpool to Manchester electrification project....hock:.....This thread is on the Infrastructure and Stations forum.

You make a note of another thread which is there to deal with the matter to which you allude.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Doesn't show any proposals for the single track Liverpool curve - is that short run not intended to be electrified ?

I believe the west-to-south curve is being wired as part of the NW scheme.
However there are no buildings on Platform 3, which is just a bare platform.
I think this might mean that there are no heritage issues on this curve.
Currently the outlook from the bi-directional P3 is a complete dump, facing the abandoned Warrington-Liverpool platform.
Even the main station building on P2 is very sad, with no facilities other than a PIS screen, and everything boarded up.
The canopy at least keeps passengers dry.
Hopefully it will be spruced up for the new electric services.
Looks like a simple TTC (twin-track cantilever) is proposed on P1, as at Prescot and other similar stations with old canopies on the opposite platform.