Manchester - Liverpool Electrification

[Geeves]

They were out in force last night at Vic, about 5 Roadrailers and plenty of orange on the lines through 5 and 6.

 

[8A Rail]

Is Huyton signalbox to be demolished in the July blockade, or will it linger a while? Is the box even closed yet?

The box is currently open otherwise no trains running! As for afterwards and from what I've read line operation transfers to the new operation centre at Ashburys.

 

[L+Y]

The box is currently open otherwise no trains running! As for afterwards and from what I've read line operation transfers to the new operation centre at Ashburys.

Ah: I wasn't sure if transfer over the L&M had already transferred to somewhere else, you see. Would you happen to know when closure is scheduled for? Is it imminent, or will the box operate alongside the wires and EMUs for a couple of years?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Ah: I wasn't sure if transfer over the L&M had already transferred to somewhere else, you see. Would you happen to know when closure is scheduled for? Is it imminent, or will the box operate alongside the wires and EMUs for a couple of years?

It's possible the box will be demolished immediately after the old signalling is switched off at the start of the blockade on 5 July.
It is probably in the way of the OHLE kit and the new signalling gear.
Not sure of the fate of Rainhill box, it might not be in the way of anything.

 

[Llama]

Huyton box will likely be demolished quickly when the blockade starts. Signalling will transfer to Manchester ROC, ID prefix LL, of all of what are now Huyton's signals, and a few others.

 

[WatcherZero]

Unless their listed not a good idea to leave abandoned signal boxes, a big arson target.

 

[AidanCroft]

Unless their listed not a good idea to leave abandoned signal boxes, a big arson target.

Sadly even the listed ones are a target

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Huyton box will likely be demolished quickly when the blockade starts. Signalling will transfer to Manchester ROC, ID prefix LL, of all of what are now Huyton's signals, and a few others.

LL = Liverpool to Leeds? Or just LiverpooL?

 

[8A Rail]

Not sure of the fate of Rainhill box, it might not be in the way of anything.

There is a Grade Two Preservation Order slapped on it, no thanks to some do-gooders committee at Rainhill (Rainhill Historical Society or something to that effect). As there is Grade Two Preservation Order on the Station Buildings, Footbridges, etc, RHS decided that the box should be also included when it was closed!! Bad mistake unfortunately, as RHS have no access to the box and of course NR have done minimal work on the box since!!

Had RHS, kepted their noses out, the signal box would of survived at the Ribble Steam Railway as arrangements had already been made upon closure to transport the whole box to the railway - at least they would of used it and looked after it! Sadly, I doubt the signal box will survive eventually.

LL = Liverpool to Leeds? Or just LiverpooL?

My understanding it is Liverpool.

 

[The Planner]

Liverpool workstation at Manchester ROC.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Liverpool workstation at Manchester ROC.

Ready for all the lines radiating from Lime St then.

 

[Llama]

Liverpool *Lines* workstation at Manchester ROC.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Liverpool *Lines* workstation at Manchester ROC.

Ah, that makes more sense! Similar to Leeds signals retaining their 'LXXX' numbers after control shifted to York.

 

[snowball]

I don't know whether this was already known, but Tony Miles in Modern Railways (July, page 20) reports that the local council is not objecting to the land take for the fourth track at Huyton and there will be no public inquiry.

Nevertheless it gives winter 2017 as the completion date. I always hate it when they say that - it could mean the first quarter of the year or the last. In my experience they usually mean the last.

 

[8A Rail]

I don't know whether this was already known, but Tony Miles in Modern Railways (July, page 20) reports that the local council is not objecting to the land take for the fourth track at Huyton and there will be no public inquiry.

I did not expect any objections or a public enquiry for this as it is really not necessary. The local council (Knowsley MBC) are fully supportive of the whole scheme and have been more or less from the outset.

 

[PDG1949]

There is a Grade Two Preservation Order slapped on it, box will survive eventually.

According to the current St. Helens Council Listed Building database, only Rainhill Station buildings (and the skew bridge) are classified as a Grade 2 listed building - the Rainhill signal box is NOT listed neither here or on the English Heritage website:
-----------------------------------------------------------
LB/RAINH/15 1391885 502149 RAINHILL STATION Rainhill Railway Station Ticket Office And Buildings, Station Road, Rainhill,
L35 0LL
GRADE 2 23/02/2007
-----------------------------------------------------------

 

[8A Rail]

According to the current St. Helens Council Listed Building database, only Rainhill Station buildings (and the skew bridge) are classified as a Grade 2 listed building - the Rainhill signal box is NOT listed neither here or on the English Heritage website:
-----------------------------------------------------------
LB/RAINH/15 1391885 502149 RAINHILL STATION Rainhill Railway Station Ticket Office And Buildings, Station Road, Rainhill,
L35 0LL
GRADE 2 23/02/2007
-----------------------------------------------------------

Please dont take my quote out of context, as that is what I not actually wrote! May be its in the "buildings" part of the documentation but be rest assurred it is listed otherwise Network Rail would of knocked it down by now or gone to a preservation railway.

 

[a1a.a1a]

....rest assurred it is listed otherwise Network Rail would of knocked it down by now or gone to a preservation railway.

Anyone know what the guidelines are on when a listed structure has to remain in it's original location?

I note for example that the box at Billingshurst, which had been listed, but was removed to a local museum a week after closing thus it will be said allowing 'safety improvements' to be made to facilitate the new crossing and equipment.

 

[Ploughman]

Listing of a structure does not mean it cannot be moved or worse demolished.
Just that you have to go through more paperwork to achieve your aim.
If it could be relocated to Ribble Steam at Preston then that would be a lot better than being left to the attention of the local youth.

 

[a1a.a1a]

Listing of a structure does not mean it cannot be moved or worse demolished.
Just that you have to go through more paperwork to achieve your aim.

Lets hope a move occurs then, can't see any point / future in it being where it is... ?

Ta for all the gen on this thread, loving the pictorials on OHLE.

 

[DJH1971]

Another OHL structure is now in place at St Helens Junction. Going into Liverpool this morning, it appears that return wiring is now at Wavertree Technology Park station.

 

[Geeves]

Theres a nice poster gone up in the signing on point in Victoria of some OHLE at Wavertree (I think). Apparently its in the wrong place and will have to come out again... Opps!

 

[Llama]

That is a stanchion on the platform at Lea Green that appears to be non-compliant and will need to be relocated.

 

[PDG1949]

Listing of a structure does not mean it cannot be moved or worse demolished.
Just that you have to go through more paperwork to achieve your aim.
If it could be relocated to Ribble Steam at Preston then that would be a lot better than being left to the attention of the local youth.

Speaking of of listed buildings/structures, NR 's just got the go-ahead for the Sankey Viaduct

http://llpgport.oltps.sthelens.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=100656

See bottom part of 'Images' section

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Speaking of of listed buildings/structures, NR 's just got the go-ahead for the Sankey Viaduct
http://llpgport.oltps.sthelens.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=100656
See bottom part of 'Images' section

Great - is 10 days enough notice for NR to do the work in the July blockade?
The approval of some "methodology" still seems to be required.

 

[DJH1971]

That is a stanchion on the platform at Lea Green that appears to be non-compliant and will need to be relocated.

Uh ho.... :cry:

Does this have the potential to delay the whole shebang or can it be easily remedied?

 

[snowball]

Theres a nice poster gone up in the signing on point in Victoria of some OHLE at Wavertree (I think). Apparently its in the wrong place and will have to come out again... Opps!

I assume it's the OHLE that will have to be moved, not the poster!

 

[Llama]

Uh ho.... :cry:

Does this have the potential to delay the whole shebang or can it be easily remedied?

Easily remedied in the grand scheme of things, not the first time supports have been put in the incorrect place as the station ceiling at Manchester Victoria testifies by its scars in places...

 

[Geeves]

Haha, yes the metal work rather than the poster its self!

A nice shot by Mr Bigland showing the forest of OHLE outside the west end of Vic. They also put up a few more on 5 and 6 lines over the weekend too

http://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p75955891/h21d7fcb2#h33ab4823

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Not much new to report from a tour today.
Sleepers for the 3rd track at Huyton have now been laid from the east up to the new station platform (P3).
It can't be completed through P3 until the temporary footway providing access to P2 is demolished during the upcoming blockade.
The bus-shelter buildings on P2 have been demolished, so there is no protection from the elements at all.
The station subway has closed again after being briefly open while the town subway was rebuilt.
Passengers from the south now face a long detour to reach P2.
Meanwhile P3 at Huyton still looks a long way from public use; P3 at Roby looks much closer to completion.

Lots of work going on between Salford Central and Victoria, but there is still a lot of steelwork missing.
Some big excavations are in progress, and a lot of concrete still has to be poured before wiring can start.