Wigan-Bolton electrification. Construction updates only please

[Nottingham59]

A Wigan based Northern conductor I asked said he’d been told they power changeover is being moved to Hindley soon.

some Northern staff I've spoken to don't reckon they'll be doing 769 power changeover at Ince. Keeping it to Bolton as it is now.

In which direction? Or both?

 

[thealexweb]

In which direction? Or both?

Both I assume.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

A Wigan based Northern conductor I asked said he’d been told they power changeover is being moved to Hindley soon.

Much point wiring it all the way if there not going to changeover at Ince

 

[thealexweb]

Much point wiring it all the way if there not going to changeover at Ince

I think it's because the Southport trains don't generally call at Ince at present. Would a whole new recast be needed to add the extra stop?

And about 5% of trains terminate at North Western currently so they will be pan up the whole way.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Would a whole new recast be needed to add the extra stop?

No, in fact it's in effect from the next timetable change.

 

[Starmill]

I think it's because the Southport trains don't generally call at Ince at present. Would a whole new recast be needed to add the extra stop?

And about 5% of trains terminate at North Western currently so they will be pan up the whole way.

As @pokemonsuper9 says the call at Ince has been inserted to cater for this. If you take a look at the journey planner or open data site of your choice for a random day after 18 May you'll see the calls.

A Wigan based Northern conductor I asked said he’d been told they power changeover is being moved to Hindley soon.

It's possible this could happen for services prior to 19 May which as noted below almost all aren't booked to stop at Ince.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Hindley will (presumably) need Pan up and pan down signs for to/from the Atherton line as well (Salford Crescent has similar ones), so having them the other way around will presumably work fine.

I believe all 769 changovers are done at changover signs at the moment, not sure if they're 'required' as such.

 

[stan claire]

I find it rather odd how they’ve increased the service at Ince from 1 tph to 3 considering it’s not much of a well used station?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I find it rather odd how they’ve increased the service at Ince from 1 tph to 3 considering it’s not much of a well used station?

Sparks effect?

 

[darylyates17]

I find it rather odd how they’ve increased the service at Ince from 1 tph to 3 considering it’s not much of a well used station?

Almost certainly a temporary thing until the 769s get replaced and the electrified services swapped to terminate at WGN.

 

[Starmill]

I find it rather odd how they’ve increased the service at Ince from 1 tph to 3 considering it’s not much of a well used station?

I guess they may as well call for passengers if they've no choice but to stop to change mode anyway.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I find it rather odd how they’ve increased the service at Ince from 1 tph to 3 considering it’s not much of a well used station?

I don't think adding the stops there does any harm, it may well encourage more usage!

 

[DJH1971]

Gone a bit quiet.

Any word of test trains?

 

[Gricer99]

Gone a bit quiet.

Any word of test trains?

Absolutely none, but it sounds like they aren't going to change the timetable to December 2026.

 

[DJH1971]

Absolutely none, but it sounds like they aren't going to change the timetable to December 2026.

So, what does this mean for this newly electrified line?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Gone a bit quiet.
Any word of test trains?

Absolutely none, but it sounds like they aren't going to change the timetable to December 2026.

Suppose you are a politician. Would you authorise more electrification if the infrastructure did not get used? I understand there is a system but when money is spent the assets should get used as soon as is practical in my opinion.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

So, what does this mean for this newly electrified line?

The 769s will use it once avaliable, as mentioned before, all Southport services will stop at Ince from the timetable change, this means that once tested and approved, 769s will be able to operate in Electric from/to Ince (a saving of ~8.6 miles each way).

(Data taken from Realtime trains, in Miles)
Oxford Road - 10.56 -> 19.375 of 37.8375 (from 28% to 51%)
Stalybridge - 18.4 -> 27.075 of 45.43 (from 41% to 60%)

Quite a significant increase.

 

[Starmill]

Suppose you are a politician. Would you authorise more electrification if the infrastructure did not get used? I understand there is a system but when money is spent the assets should get used as soon as is practical in my opinion.

It will be used by 769s.

 

[geoffk]

It will be used by 769s.

Aren't the Wigan terminators being switched to North Western?

 

[Starmill]

Aren't the Wigan terminators being switched to North Western?

They already go there on Sundays. Unless you mean something else?

 

[geoffk]

OK. I read somewhere that Northern didn't want to pay for the use of Avanti dispatchers at WNW, also that only Wallgate had ticket gates (but as both stations have them now that's no longer an issue).

 

[pokemonsuper9]

OK. I read somewhere that Northern didn't want to pay for the use of Avanti dispatchers at WNW, also that only Wallgate had ticket gates (but as both stations have them now that's no longer an issue).

Previously the Leeds - Wigan services went into Northwestern instead of Wallgate, but switching to Wallgate has been (From a passenger perspective) mostly positive, it used to often be delayed waiting to go towards Ince.

 

[Gricer99]

They already go there on Sundays. Unless you mean something else?

Currently, no 769s run on Sundays!

 

[Starmill]

Currently, no 769s run on Sundays!

Indeed. They're not really needed. And certainly wouldn't be for Sundays either when a 323 could be used anyway.

OK. I read somewhere that Northern didn't want to pay for the use of Avanti dispatchers at WNW, also that only Wallgate had ticket gates (but as both stations have them now that's no longer an issue).

Oh, the Atherton line? Yes they could do, but there are no wires via Atherton.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Anyone heard of any plans for the Atherton line? It's now an island and not that long in length. Would there be any complicated clearences or structure rebuilds?

 

[absolutelymilk]

Which electric-only services will use it from December 2026?

 

[Starmill]

Which electric-only services will use it from December 2026?

Depends on the taskforce outcomes... Nobody knows.

 

[Springs Branch]

I'm wondering if anyone on the ground in the Wigan area (or passing through Hindley by train) can report how the raising & re-opening of Deep Pit footbridge west of Hindley station is proceeding?

Local Youtuber Simon Rhodes has been uploading periodic videos during the bridge's closure.

His latest post was dated 1 March 2025 and at that stage there didn't seem to have been any progress since January in finishing the access ramps either side.

In fact the construction site was looking pretty much abandoned, with the iron bridge just perched up in the air on its new supports.

Closure of the bridge & associated public footpath was initially from 1 July 2024, or thereabouts, and meant to be for 6 months. Is the job anywhere near done yet?

 

[GhostManDN91]

I passed through there on the train yesterday and it's still the same. No work being done it looks like to add the sides to the bridge.

 

[Gricer99]

I live close by. Only activity is security and kids trespassing on the bridge misbehaving. This is made easier by inadequate fencing and Network Rail leaving the access ladders in place on both sides (we informed them of that and they ignored it). So far we know of at least one train that hit a log thrown from the bridge. It will only get worse with the longer nights and the forthciming school holidays.
Meanwhile a notice posted on railings nearby informed us that the cut off date for objections to the accessways is May 15th. After that we might see some activity.