Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[QueensCurve]

Network Rail has just issued a press release identifying work to start in the new year.

The Northern Programmes project, part a £1bn+ investment across the north has already delivered the electrification of the line linking Wigan with Manchester and Liverpool, allowing extra services to run and boosting train capacity. The next phase will upgrade the track and improve drainage on the line between Poulton-Le –Fylde and Salwick. Work will also be carried out to prepare the line for electrification.
To deliver this major upgrade there will alterations to train services for ten weekends from 21 January 2017. This means that buses will replace trains between Preston and both Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations. Passengers are advised to plan ahead and to check before travelling.

 

[cool2005]

Network Rail has just issued a press release identifying work to start in the new year.

so on weekends from blackpool to preston will it just be busses for 10 weeks?

 

[snowball]

Video about Preston-Blackpool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ger__jpB18&feature=youtu.be

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Video about Preston-Blackpool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ger__jpB18&feature=youtu.be

Clever stuff.
The open route sections simulation shows all twin-track OHLE cantilevers (so half the number of bases needed).
A substantial upgrade at Kirkham with new platform and lifts.
Two long platforms at Blackpool and one island removed on the north side (leaving 6 platform faces).
The map promisingly still shows phases for Windermere and Wigan.
And what seems to be a 350 providing the passenger service...

 

[Roose]

Excellent animation!

 

[PDG1949]

In the interim, a bi-mode solution is being put in place between Manchester and Blackpool.....:grin:

 

[Ploughman]

A proper KETTLE.

 

[Trackman]

Piling in the Bolton area, I don't know where
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news...g_noise_coming_from_Queens_Park_/?ref=mr&lp=1

 

[QueensCurve]

In the interim, a bi-mode solution is being put in place between Manchester and Blackpool.....:grin:

Wartime swiss prototype. superb.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Bolton-Lostock stretch is being readied for piling (trial holes and pegs etc), but I would say most of that is further west than Queen's Park, in the Heaton area.
There's a work site nearby though, I think it was last used when the track was lowered through the series of bridges/short tunnels west of Bolton station.

 

[edwin_m]

There's a work site nearby though, I think it was last used when the track was lowered through the series of bridges/short tunnels west of Bolton station.

Is that recent or back in the 70s/80s when it was reduced to two tracks? Most of those structures have two arches, and I recall noticing then that each track was aligned through the centre of one of the arches. So I'm not sure if any lowering would have been needed either then or since.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Is that recent or back in the 70s/80s when it was reduced to two tracks? Most of those structures have two arches, and I recall noticing then that each track was aligned through the centre of one of the arches. So I'm not sure if any lowering would have been needed either then or since.

Bolton West, through the tunnels, was lowered in 2014/15, for electrification. The track under Frederick Road in Salford, Mayor Street in Bolton and just south of Chorley have also been done. Do keep up...

 

[Ianno87]

Bolton West, through the tunnels, was lowered in 2014/15, for electrification. The track under Frederick Road in Salford, Mayor Street in Bolton and just south of Chorley have also been done. Do keep up...

I always presumed the the 1980s re-modelling of Bolton (as part of resignalling into Manchester Piccadilly) deliberately placed the running lines west of Bolton in each direction into the middle of the previously twin track tunnels as a precursor for BR-era electrification?

I appreciate that today's electrification works would need to go above and beyond any provision that may have been made in the 1980s (i.e. track lowering)

 

[QueensCurve]

I always presumed the the 1980s re-modelling of Bolton (as part of resignalling into Manchester Piccadilly) deliberately placed the running lines west of Bolton in each direction into the middle of the previously twin track tunnels as a precursor for BR-era electrification

\I think that would be "passive provision" for electrification. If the track was being rationalise it would have been sensible to make the most of the existing clearances.

 

[Foggycorner]

The tracks west of bolton were moved into the center of bridges and tunnels to allow more ballast to be dropped to give greater depth without having to dig down deeper, nothing to do with possable electrification at some time in the dim and distant future the Pway don't think that far ahead.
the access point is the old Bullfield West yard access also giving access to the sidings leading into the gas works.

 

[MarkLong]

I think NR should provide monthly update for their projects just like Crossrail did. So every one can supervise whether they can deliver project on time.

 

[edwin_m]

The tracks west of bolton were moved into the center of bridges and tunnels to allow more ballast to be dropped to give greater depth without having to dig down deeper, nothing to do with possable electrification at some time in the dim and distant future the Pway don't think that far ahead.
the access point is the old Bullfield West yard access also giving access to the sidings leading into the gas works.

Interesting. I thought Manchester-Blackpool electrification was a very real prospect at the time Bolton was remodelled.

 

[QueensCurve]

Interesting. I thought Manchester-Blackpool electrification was a very real prospect at the time Bolton was remodelled.

It has been "a very real prospect" since 1974 but it has never happened. The big stumbling block was always Farnworth Tunnel but that is now dealt with.

 

[LDECRexile]

Good news!

Wrinkley has sent shots of piles in place and scrapes (investigative earthworks) between Bolton and Lostock Junction.

His accompanying message says it all : "A sudden spurt of activity after months of very little. Bases in on both side of Mayor Street bridge and also both sides of Dean Clough bridge. That explains the overnight hammering heard in Bolton.

Markers in place around the Ladybridge, but no piles yet."

I've added his shots to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157654034635234

and to the Combined Volume here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157661069863633

Thank you Wrinkley

 

[YorkshireBear]

It may have already been discussed but it just struck me does Farnworth Tunnel have the required clearances to the new standard.... And in fact the other new bridges associated with that project.

 

[QueensCurve]

It may have already been discussed but it just struck me does Farnworth Tunnel have the required clearances to the new standard.... And in fact the other new bridges associated with that project.

It will be a pretty pass if it doesn't.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It will be a pretty pass if it doesn't.

It seems to be a large-diameter bore, so should be OK.
There's still the issue of clearance around bridges near Bolton though.

 

[CAF397]

Good to see piles, as described above, between Bolton and Lostock.

Also very good to see 'scrapings' between Salwick and Preston, with blue cones marking the positions of the masts. First bit of 'ground' work I've seen (not including the bridges) on the Blackpool line.

 

[Inox]

noticed the pilings too this morning. Apparently people were complaining of a strange noise in the vicinity of Queens Park during the night for a few nights.

It's on Bolton News website. Now wash your hands.

 

[CAF397]

Doesn't anyone know how the metal piles are driven into the ground? Are they hit in with a large hammer machinery, or vibrated in under pressure?

 

[superkev]

Doesn't anyone know how the metal piles are driven into the ground? Are they hit in with a large hammer machinery, or vibrated in under pressure?

Quite a lot on youtube usually hammered depending on ground condition.
It's a puzzle why progress seems so slow here when the YouTube video each pile tajes about 10 min each.
K

 

[LDECRexile]

Quite a lot on youtube usually hammered depending on ground condition.
It's a puzzle why progress seems so slow here when the YouTube video each pile tajes about 10 min each.
K

Hello superkev, welcome.

Could you please give us a link or two so we can have a look?

Thanks

Dave
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Is Chorley station done and dusted?

If so, please can anyone send me any photos?

Thanks

Dave

 

[snowball]

Doesn't anyone know how the metal piles are driven into the ground? Are they hit in with a large hammer machinery, or vibrated in under pressure?

Hammered, if the sound in the video in #3428 is relevant.

 

[LDECRexile]

Concern and disappointment were expressed recently that Philip Phlopp has gone quiet.

I've had a look round and he's chipping in his two pen'north Down South, so he's alive and kicking.

Best wishes to him

Dave

 

[superkev]

Hello superkev, welcome.

Could you please give us a link or two so we can have a look?

Thanks

Dave

Dave

Try
https://youtu.be/VMfIyXHXWKw
https://youtu.be/mWySWEi4XtU
Many more
K