Mystery track (Liverpool)

[tony_mac]

On google earth, you can see a short (20-30m) section of disused track, in some sort of yard, next to the cutting approaching Liverpool Lime St. (Off Mason St.)

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4044212,-2.9582576,77m/data=!3m1!1e3
There's also a few other bits of sleepers and track laid out in the yard.
I can't make any sense of it, does anyone have any idea why it might be there?

Thanks.

 

[kermit]

Don't know, but it turns out to be quite close to this fascinating place;

https://williamsontunnels.com/

 

[AlterEgo]

Could it be a yard where people go to learn PTS?

 

[t_star2001uk]

P Way training Centre???

 

[steevp]

Surely it is the former freight only branch to the Knotty Ash treacle mines.....
(I'll get my coat!)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

P Way training Centre???

Possibly the Philatelic Traders Society?....

 

[D Foster]

P Way training Centre???

Probably

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Don't know, but it turns out to be quite close to this fascinating place;

https://williamsontunnels.com/

Wouldn't those tunnels be great for a new subway line.

 

[Elecman]

That's a 3rd party yard and nothing to do with the operational railway which sis some 10 metres down in the cutting.

 

[RailAleFan]

Same location on Bing Maps / Bird's Eye view shows various buildings, including a shed where the straight section of track lies;

https://binged.it/2fmjNqx

Bing maps aerial view shows the site clear

https://binged.it/2fFrfRp

Google street view from the road along side appears to be some way between the two, buildings gone but some bits of track can be seen, and a couple of shipping containers.

 

[tony_mac]

From Google Earth historical imagery, the tracks were put in sometime around March 2012 (image attached). They looked in reasonable shape in 2015, but falling apart by 2016.

I don't know what a training centre looks like, but I would have expected something that looked a little more substantial.

(Regarding Williams Tunnels - it's quite likely that they aren't tunnels at all, but were arches, built over quarries in order to reuse the land for housing. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54199a46e4b05afa19b4e68c/t/54577005e4b05903c3d1ffcb/1415016453152/2+Lucas.pdf )

 

[najaB]

I know the likelihood is almost zero, but it does look like there's some yellow equipment on the track in the cutting below. Could they be assembling track panels and then lowering them to the site beneath?

 

[Elecman]

No as I have said its private land and nothing yo do with the operational railway

 

[kevjs]

From Google Earth historical imagery, the tracks were put in sometime around March 2012 (image attached). They looked in reasonable shape in 2015, but falling apart by 2016.

I don't know what a training centre looks like, but I would have expected something that looked a little more substantial.

(Regarding Williams Tunnels - it's quite likely that they aren't tunnels at all, but were arches, built over quarries in order to reuse the land for housing. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54199a46e4b05afa19b4e68c/t/54577005e4b05903c3d1ffcb/1415016453152/2+Lucas.pdf )

One in Nottingham isn't very substantial at all - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9...4!1ssS_gXyp3CjLyas4r8hRkxA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 and there services include "Permanent Way Training" http://www.bridgeway-consulting.co.uk/training.aspx - Presumably enough to include all the equipment needed to do the basics of training before going anywhere near the real railway?

 

[8A Rail]

Looking at it closely, it appears to be a P/way training yard. There used to be one although a lot smaller along side the station building at Prescot Station.

To NajaB - although I understand the reasons you come with your suggestion, but in reality any relaying will come in by rail via Edge Hill Station. Also you have overhead wires to content with to make it impossible. HTH.

 

[najaB]

To NajaB - although I understand the reasons you come with your suggestion, but in reality any relaying will come in by rail via Edge Hill Station. Also you have overhead wires to content with to make it impossible. HTH.

That's why I thought it unlikely. Thanks.

 

[Parham Wood]

Talking of PW schools there is the remains of a wartime one under Bristol Temple Meads station. It can be seen if you go on one of the tours. However I think the whole complex is being redeveloped possibly as part of the electrification.

There is a short section of track with lots of tools and fittings left leaning against the walls.