adrock1976
Established Member
I have outlined what a possible timetable could look like on this route at some point in the future. I have included Headbolt Lane (assumed it is at the junction of Dale Lane), and for the station site in Skelmersdale, I have used the former Glenburn College site rather than Railway Road/Ormskirk Road.
I have also assumed eliminating the single track section between Rainford Junction and Kirkby, and have also based this on future electrification from Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate. I am not sure if the upcoming new fleet of trains for Merseyrail will be designed for battery or another form of propulsion should if Kirkby - Wigan Wallgate does not see overhead wires (unlikely south of the Thames style third rail DC will be allowed for an extension that long). I have noticed by looking at a map that the curves from Rainford Junction towards Ormskirk and St Helens are at the Liverpool end, meaning that for the route to Skelmersdale, a new alignment needs to diverge at the Wigan end.
Furthermore, for something that is ambitious and is not part of the Merseyrail network at present but may be worthy of further study, is that I have tagged on a future Skelmersdale - St Helens Junction route via Rainford Junction and Village, St Helens Central, St Helens Hospital, and Sutton. This came about as I was looking at a map and the original formation from Rainford Junction seems to be mostly intact and passes through some heavily built up areas. Perhaps this could be a tram system rather than conventional heavy rail? Also, assuming space at St Helens Junction, there could be an additional platform built that would be specially dedicated to the Skelmersdale services.
On a final point, I am aware that Skelmersdale is a New Town designated as an overspill for Liverpool. However, it is allocated a WN postcode, which is centred around Wigan. Is there an even split between Liverpool and the Wigan direction, or is it mainly Liverpool and east towards St Helens (which is allocated a WA postcode, which is centred on Warrington)?
I have attached the file below.
I have also assumed eliminating the single track section between Rainford Junction and Kirkby, and have also based this on future electrification from Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate. I am not sure if the upcoming new fleet of trains for Merseyrail will be designed for battery or another form of propulsion should if Kirkby - Wigan Wallgate does not see overhead wires (unlikely south of the Thames style third rail DC will be allowed for an extension that long). I have noticed by looking at a map that the curves from Rainford Junction towards Ormskirk and St Helens are at the Liverpool end, meaning that for the route to Skelmersdale, a new alignment needs to diverge at the Wigan end.
Furthermore, for something that is ambitious and is not part of the Merseyrail network at present but may be worthy of further study, is that I have tagged on a future Skelmersdale - St Helens Junction route via Rainford Junction and Village, St Helens Central, St Helens Hospital, and Sutton. This came about as I was looking at a map and the original formation from Rainford Junction seems to be mostly intact and passes through some heavily built up areas. Perhaps this could be a tram system rather than conventional heavy rail? Also, assuming space at St Helens Junction, there could be an additional platform built that would be specially dedicated to the Skelmersdale services.
On a final point, I am aware that Skelmersdale is a New Town designated as an overspill for Liverpool. However, it is allocated a WN postcode, which is centred around Wigan. Is there an even split between Liverpool and the Wigan direction, or is it mainly Liverpool and east towards St Helens (which is allocated a WA postcode, which is centred on Warrington)?
I have attached the file below.