Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[driver9000]

Looking at Network rail reopening is scheduled for 25th March just 5 weeks away.
Is this date for only diesel train operation?
K

Yes. The electric service starts in May.

 

[snowball]

Looking at Network rail reopening is scheduled for 25th March just 5 weeks away.
Is this date for only diesel train operation?
K

Yes, when the closure was first announced it was made clear not to expect electric running until the May timetable change.

 

[Class 170101]

Presumably there will be electric running in test mode between 25 March and May timetable change though? Including Pendolinos?

 

[LDECRexile]

Presumably there will be electric running in test mode between 25 March and May timetable change though? Including Pendolinos?

Indeed, I hope people with info on where and when will put it on this thread so we can attempt to film it. Such co-operative action meant we got some fab night shots of the Liverpool-Manchester test trains.

 

[childwallblues]

Can I ask if the stabling sidings at Leyland have been used whilst the Preston - Blackpool section has been worked on? I may be wrong but I thought there was some comment a while ago about using the old Leyland works sidings.

Thanks again to all the contributors to this best of threads especially LDECRexile for all his coordination of the information as it comes in..

I pass regularly and there are often units stabled.

 

[LDECRexile]

ALX400 has shot a lot of piling action near the Anderton Hall crossing.

I've added his photos to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you ALX.

 

[LDECRexile]

After talking to ALX and looking closely at his latest photos it seems that the on-track plant is supplied by:

https://www.van-elle.co.uk/sectors/Rail/

I haven't noticed this firm doing anything on either Liverpool-Manchester or Blackpool-Manchester electrification schemes. The kit is unfamiliar to me, too.

 

[ALX400]

After talking to ALX and looking closely at his latest photos it seems that the on-track plant is supplied by:

https://www.van-elle.co.uk/sectors/Rail/

I haven't noticed this firm doing anything on either Liverpool-Manchester or Blackpool-Manchester electrification schemes. The kit is unfamiliar to me, too.

Thats them Dave

 

[Ploughman]

Details of all R/Rail equipment and On track Plant should be available on this website:-
http://www.ontrackplant.com/
Van Elle in particular are on this page.
http://www.ontrackplant.com/road-railers/van-elle

You may need to register to view though.

 

[mwmbwls]

Looking at Network rail reopening is scheduled for 25th March just 5 weeks away.
Is this date for only diesel train operation?
K

Yes - IIRC Diesel trains until the Bolton Salford line electrified.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Great set of shots.

 

[LDECRexile]

Reg and ALX400 have kindly sent more shots which they took today. It looks like weekends are being put to good use.

I've added ALX400's shots to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157651121057352

I've added Reg's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863

and both their contributions to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you both.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Is the line through Bolton closed weekends until the other side of Easter? I can only see bus replacements until 11 March in RTT

 

[reg]

Is the line through Bolton closed weekends until the other side of Easter? I can only see bus replacements until 11 March in RTT

Bolton station is plastered with posters advising weekend closures till summer 2018.Will get photo off to Dave.

 

[snowball]

Yes - IIRC Diesel trains until the Bolton Salford line electrified.

I haven't seen any announcement putting it in those terms - just diesels until May. Are there any non-Manchester services that could switch to electric from May? Or Manchester via Wigan?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Bolton station is plastered with posters advising weekend closures till summer 2018.Will get photo off to Dave.

Thanks. My current job sees me get a few weekdays off anyway so no issue for me to (occasionally) follow progress

 

[LDECRexile]

Reg has sent his photo of the poster which states that weekend closures will continue until the Summer.

He also points out that the on-track plant in the Bolton/Burnden area has been around for some time.

I've added the photo to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157671732263863

and to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thank you Reg.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

After a 3-week gap, I had a run from Manchester to Leyland and back today.
It's really difficult to assess progress.
There's about a mile of completed wiring between Lostock and Horwich (stopping well short of the stations).
Between Horwich and Buckshaw there are 5 short lengths of partial wiring (earth and AT), 3 on the Up and 2 on the Down, none linking more than 10 masts.
Beyond Buckshaw, there is partial wiring to about half way to Euxton, with the last bit fully wired.
While much of this stretch looks ready for wiring, there are still gaps in the mast runs and signs of new piling or the first steps in base construction.
No obvious progress in the Chorley Tunnel area.

Lostock-Salford is progressing, but still with major work on foundations going on in many places.
Through Pendleton, it looks like the big retaining wall on the east side is being demolished at intervals to make way for bases to go in.
The electrification work sites also still have plenty of piles in store.
If they all have to go in, it will take them a while.
The most dramatic progress seems to be in de-greening the route.
Many embankments are bare, and a lot of mature trees have been sharply cut back (eg around Clifton).
Views have been revealed that frankly were better hidden (metal recycling plants and the like).
Windsor Bridge South Jn looked ready for wiring, but still some mast gaps at the North Jn.
There were fixings under the A6 bridge over the station, but still no sign of anything for P2 wires.
Most of the steelwork through Salford Central looks to be up.

 

[snowball]

First earth wire at Blackpool carriage sidings?:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/965614236310290432

 

[kaiser62]

They're going to use the carriage siding to refuel the electric trains.... hmmm

Are Northern doing a crafty switch to battery operated EMUs, or did someone in marketing not like trains as a kid?

 

[IanXC]

They're going to use the carriage siding to refuel the electric trains.... hmmm

Are Northern doing a crafty switch to battery operated EMUs, or did someone in marketing not like trains as a kid?

I raise you a 769

 

[Karl]

I raise you a 769

I'll see you with an 88?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I'll see you with an 88?

Top 'n Tailed with a 68

 

[jyte]

Top 'n Tailed with a 68

Can a 68 and 88 share motive duties on diesel? In that case...top and tailing a 68 and 88 might be a good idea? You get over 5000bhp under the wires and about 4500bhp off them....or is my blue sky thinking too blue?

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Registration arms up in Farnworth Tunnel now.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Registration arms up in Farnworth Tunnel now.

Absolutely awesome news - thanks for posting sir

 

[CAF397]

Wires now up towards Horwich as far as MG24/19, about 1/4 mile shy of the Lostock side of the station. This extends the previous run under Lostock Lane bridge.

 

[snowball]

From the Twitter feed, a picture of Preese Hall footbridge:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/966310387930030080

 

[CAF397]

registration arms also up in Moor Lane Tunnel, both lines.

 

[ALX400]

As scheduled Poulton Signal Box is no more and was demolished today.

New mast has appeared on the down next to Harper’s Lane Bridge in Chorley looks like a TTC one