Planned bustitution this coming Saturday and Sunday between Rhyl and Chester, so, presumably there is also still work to be done on signalling the Chester/Saltney Junction section.
The railway will be closed between Wrexham and Rhyl, with rail replacement bus services operating on the weekends of 7/8 November and 14/15 November.
The railway will be closed between Wrexham and Chester, with rail replacement bus services operating between Monday 9 and Friday 13 November
Great. I wonder what "revised scheme" means...?
Planned bustitution this coming Saturday and Sunday between Rhyl and Chester, so, presumably there is also still work to be done on signalling the Chester/Saltney Junction section.
If I had a ticket bought in advance for a rail journey from Wrexham to Chester, would I be entitled to insist on a journey by rail from Wrexham to Chester up to Bidston, across to Hamilton Square and then down to Chester. Ok the time it would take would be way over the top and the distance just plain silly, but could I insist on travelling by rail instead of by road.
Remaining single where the dual carriageway overbridge only gives clearance for a single track?
The short answer to your question is no.If I had a ticket bought in advance for a rail journey from Wrexham to Chester, would I be entitled to insist on a journey by rail from Wrexham to Chester up to Bidston, across to Hamilton Square and then down to Chester. Ok the time it would take would be way over the top and the distance just plain silly, but could I insist on travelling by rail instead of by road.
The short answer to your question is no.
There's still to be a single-line section though isn't there, it isn't a full redouble? I assume the remaining single bits will be due to unfortunately narrow bridges.There's two tracks under there.Remaining single where the dual carriageway overbridge only gives clearance for a single track?
There's still to be a single-line section though isn't there, it isn't a full redouble? I assume the remaining single bits will be due to unfortunately narrow bridges.
There's still to be a single-line section though isn't there, it isn't a full redouble? I assume the remaining single bits will be due to unfortunately narrow bridges.
The single track bridge over the A483 at Gresford is the obvious stumbling block, but it seems the job of redoubling from Rossett up Gresford bank would also have been a big job to meet current standards.
It would also have required signalling changes at the Wrexham end, which are not required in the present scheme.
The track under the A483 further north at Balderton has already been doubled and is just waiting for its signalling in the next week or so.
It's only about the first four miles from Saltney Junction that's being doubled, the rest remains single all the way to Wrexham. The original plan extended the double track north of Wrexham as well, just leaving single track for the most difficult few miles, which include a bridge over the dual carriageway that was only built wide enough for single track. Those plans were however watered down.
Thank you both for the clarification. A shame that the bridge over the A483 was only single-track even though the A483 bridge over the railway apparently allowed for double-track underneath.The single track bridge over the A483 at Gresford is the obvious stumbling block, but it seems the job of redoubling from Rossett up Gresford bank would also have been a big job to meet current standards.
It would also have required signalling changes at the Wrexham end, which are not required in the present scheme.
The track under the A483 further north at Balderton has already been doubled and is just waiting for its signalling in the next week or so.
Thank you both for the clarification. A shame that the bridge over the A483 was only single-track even though the A483 bridge over the railway apparently allowed for double-track underneath.
From what i'm hearing this project won't be finished before spring.
Interestingly enough, we'll be squeezing 2tph in both directions over the line this weekend, whilst Crewe-Shrewsbury is shut for engineering work. Some of the extra northbound services have lengthy waits at Wrexham though. Wrexham will also temporarily gain an hourly direct (well, no changes at least) Manchester service.
Through next week also.
Through next week also.
Managed to get some more information on this project. The line speed enhancement between Wrexham North Junction and Saltney is as follows:-
60mph from Wrexham North Junction to Rossett - 90mph from Rossett to Balderton - 60mph from Balderton to Saltney and 50mph over Saltney.
From Saltney to Wrexham North Junction:-
Saltney to Rossett 90mph - Rossett to Wrexham North Junction 60mph - 50mph.
The jointed track from Balderton to Green Lane crossing is remaining as there is not enough money to replace it hence the 60mph from Balderton to Saltney
The enhanced speeds from Gobowen to Shrewsbury have not been passed as the line is not in a good enough condition for the speed increase, also NR will have more in maintenance costs with a 90mph run so are not too excited in the increase so therefore as far as I have been informed the increase will not go ahead.
The completion date for the redouble is February next year supposedly unless the workforce can get a lengthy block to complete the works quicker.
shame for the passengers, will it have much benefit when it's complete?
Taking Crewe Gresty Lane box out of use, apparently.
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2015/nov/signalling-updated-Crewe-Shrewsbury/
Ha ha, modern signalling system at Crewe, the one that is being life extended. I do love our spin.
Ha ha, modern signalling system at Crewe, the one that is being life extended. I do love our spin.
I did wonder about that! That said, I'd take it over the shiny brand new signalling it integrates with at the other end in Nantwich. 3 months it took to get it to not treat every train as an all stops local rather than a 90mph express....I don't believe the drivers are happy about their retinas getting seared every night either.
£25m investment to modernise signalling the traffic light system of the railway as part of Network Rail's Railway Upgrade Plan