Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[Elecman]

I would think they all fall into the difficult category

 

[furnessvale]

Am I right in saying there were in the region of 2,000 to do over the whole route? If so, good progress. However, presumably many of these 93 are the ones which are particularly hard to do?

If anything like track relaying, they will be the odds and sods created when a piece of plant fails to complete its work during an allotted possession. You then end up with numerous little bits scattered along the length of the line which need to be completed by extra small possessions.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

If anything like track relaying, they will be the odds and sods created when a piece of plant fails to complete its work during an allotted possession. You then end up with numerous little bits scattered along the length of the line which need to be completed by extra small possessions.

And some (like Crescent P2) are hung on complex design issues and consents issues with Salford Uni, who own land adjacent.

 

[furnessvale]

And some (like Crescent P2) are hung on complex design issues and consents issues with Salford Uni, who own land adjacent.

Agreed, but I wonder how long these issues have been known and how much management effort has been put into them.

There used to be Critical Path Analysis (no doubt superceded by modern computer programs) which highlighted such matters, so I can only presume these complications are newly discovered.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Just 93 mast foundations to be completed twixt Euston Junction and Ordsall Lane Junctions

Manchester Victoria - Preston; State of Play, 9th April 2018
Do let me know if I've missed anything!

Before reading your posts, I did a run round this morning, and was guessing about 100 unfinished foundations, so not far out.
I've run out of types of fingers to do actual counts any more!

One thing I noted was registration gear fixed to the walls of the cutting which supports the flying arches west of Chorley tunnel.
Nothing yet on the spikes of the lintels on top of the wall adjacent though.
No wiring progress in the last few weeks, though they may have been busy on the Blackpool line instead.
While much of the route is bristling with registration gear and SPS, they still seem to be at a very basic level with foundations in several spots, including between Lostock and Buckshaw which otherwise looks well advanced.
Nothing different around Salford either, but at least we now know why P2 is not being worked on at Crescent.

I took some passing pictures of the monster ziggurat at Lostock, sent to Dave.
At least they painted it green!
I also seem to remember it took a long time to fit out its equivalent at Wavertree, but no doubt there's a reason for that (interfacing to the 1961 electrification?).

 

[snowball]

One thing I noted was registration gear fixed to the walls of the cutting which supports the flying arches west of Chorley tunnel.

Was that within the stretch where the arches are (i.e. meaning the kit won't be supported from the arches themselves) or merely on the approach to the arches?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Was that within the stretch where the arches are (i.e. meaning the kit won't be supported from the arches themselves) or merely on the approach to the arches?

No, it appears to be fixed directly to the cutting wall, separate from the arches, much like how it was done at Thatto Heath (St Helens).
I only got a glimpse though, passing at speed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

No wiring progress in the last few weeks, though they may have been busy on the Blackpool line instead.

I have it on pretty good authority that is exactly what is happening. Finish to Blackpool - energizes this weekend. Always good to get something complete IMHO - psychologically if nothing else -politically definitely. Then more reinforcements from that project to help out Euxton -Salford. We are already seeing much accelerated progress even though there still maybe worrying gaps.

 

[seaside14]

Lots of activity around Poulton station today, Station Road side. In addition to work shown in the photos, a team were working on the bridge parapet. My walk took me via Carleton crossing too, nothing obvious happening there but a few Orangemen about.

 

[furnessvale]

Have the platforms at Poulton been cut back so they are no longer suitable for a Pendolino?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Lots of activity around Poulton station today, Station Road side. In addition to work shown in the photos, a team were working on the bridge parapet. My walk took me via Carleton crossing too, nothing obvious happening there but a few Orangemen about.

View attachment 44958 View attachment 44959 View attachment 44960

Wow those shots really do show the extent of devegging that has taken place. Confirms wires etc all complete and that looks like fencing to stop people walking off the end of the platform. Seems like Orange is just putting all the finishing touches in place before return to service Monday. Thanks for posting.

 

[LDECRexile]

Lots of activity around Poulton station today, Station Road side. In addition to work shown in the photos, a team were working on the bridge parapet. My walk took me via Carleton crossing too, nothing obvious happening there but a few Orangemen about.

View attachment 44958 View attachment 44959 View attachment 44960

Nice shots, I'll wang 'em on the flickr albums this evening. You say nowt much was happening at Carleton crossing. Unless it has been called something else I'm pretty sure we haven't any shots of that location, so if you took any shots there please let us have it/them. I might be in a minority of one, but I'd find them interesting.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I might be in a minority of one, but I'd find them interesting.

Make that a minority of 2

 

[LDECRexile]

I did a tour today, my first for nearly a fortnight. On that basis, together with Wrinkley's superb coverage of the installation at Lostock, LNW-GW's report and 59CosG95's very welcome "Grandson of Progressometer" (GSoP) (Post #6784) I've updated the worry list, from which two items have disappeared as "Sorted":

1. Missing bases Salford Crescent Platform 2 "Hung on complex design issues and consents issues with Salford Uni, who own land adjacent."
2. Missing bases Pendleton Old to Cockrobin Bridge
3. Missing bases North of Agecroft Road bridge
4. Staff access walkway south of Clifton station. Work has started on this next to Bridge MVE1/16 off Lumns Lane.
5. Power lines oversailing between M60 and Kearsley? Reported to be done, informed confirmation would be welcome.
6. Foot crossings either side of M60 Work under way diverting the footpaths to meet at a new footbridge which has ben erected, expected completion late April 2018.
7. Sorted
8. Missing bases Farnworth station footbridge to Rawson St bridge.
9. Lever Street footbridge, demolish, replace, leave as is? New electric wires warning signs suggest the bridge is expected to survive past electrification.
10. Sorted
11. Sorted
12. Missing base(s) between Bullfield Tunnel and Newport Street, Bolton.
13. Sorted
14. Incomplete footbridge Anderton Hall Lane Bridge complete but not signed off by NR, therefore not yet open.
15. Red Moss foot crossing between Horwich and M61 Work has started on a replacement footbridge, but has been stopped supposedly because of a land dispute.
16. Missing bases on Yarrow viaduct south of Chorley Work well advanced on fixings ("bases") on the outside of the structure
17. Stalactites in Chorley Tunnel? I'm losing the plot, did someone kindly report these as in place?
18. Major problem base south of Lever Street footbridge?

This complements the GSoP. The notion of "worries" in this context is things containing too many unknowns. I maintain that if solid bases are in place the remaining work is under control. I do not for one second diminish the skill, effort or responsibility of people putting up masts, hanging wires and the like, but those tasks are handling "knowns", largely under control, unlike drilling into the earth.

The GSoP is a superb contribution, thank you. I look forward to chipping in my two 'pennorth as we go forward, pleased that the task is in safe hands consistent with everything we've been trying to build in this thread.

Photos later.

 

[Fylde Coaster]

Have the platforms at Poulton been cut back so they are no longer suitable for a Pendolino?

Cut back a while ago as a maintenance cost saving measure by Network rail or its predecessor as the full length not being used at the time. This was before use of a Pendolino/electrification upgrade was envisaged. Ironic really as the platform used to be one of the longest in the country. Ref. The plaque at the Station entrance.
Recently spoke to a Network Rail engineer who said that re-extending the platform wasn't in the electrification budget. He did say it wouldn't be a hard/big job to extend it but it needs somebody?? to come up with the budget. Nobody is pushing at the moment by the sound of it or to engineer some additional car-parking space at Poulton.
Incidentally, with only 6 days left before the line re-opens I haven't heard/seen any engines/units/trains doing any commissioning/snagging runs prior to re-opening.
I'm not from a railway engineering background so unsure as to what is the "normal" procedure prior to re-opening a much altered/upgraded stretch of line?

 

[LDECRexile]

I've added seaside14's photos to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157667331377788

and LNW-GW Joint's to his album here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/albums/72157649960023396

and all our contributions today to the Combined Volume here:

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

Thanks to both of you.

 

[seaside14]

Nice shots, I'll wang 'em on the flickr albums this evening. You say nowt much was happening at Carleton crossing. Unless it has been called something else I'm pretty sure we haven't any shots of that location, so if you took any shots there please let us have it/them. I might be in a minority of one, but I'd find them interesting.

Aye that's the level crossing at Carleton, where Blackpool Road meets Blackpool Old Road. One of the demolished signal boxes stood right by the crossing. Didn't snap anything today but will do my best to get back there a bit later this week and take some.

 

[furnessvale]

Cut back a while ago as a maintenance cost saving measure by Network rail or its predecessor as the full length not being used at the time. This was before use of a Pendolino/electrification upgrade was envisaged. Ironic really as the platform used to be one of the longest in the country. Ref. The plaque at the Station entrance.
Recently spoke to a Network Rail engineer who said that re-extending the platform wasn't in the electrification budget. He did say it wouldn't be a hard/big job to extend it but it needs somebody?? to come up with the budget. Nobody is pushing at the moment by the sound of it or to engineer some additional car-parking space at Poulton.
Incidentally, with only 6 days left before the line re-opens I haven't heard/seen any engines/units/trains doing any commissioning/snagging runs prior to re-opening.
I'm not from a railway engineering background so unsure as to what is the "normal" procedure prior to re-opening a much altered/upgraded stretch of line?

That's a real pity. Reinstatement now, involving possessions and working around live OHLE would put the cost through the roof, so it aint going to happen.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Cut back a while ago as a maintenance cost saving measure by Network rail or its predecessor as the full length not being used at the time. This was before use of a Pendolino/electrification upgrade was envisaged. Ironic really as the platform used to be one of the longest in the country. Ref. The plaque at the Station entrance.
Recently spoke to a Network Rail engineer who said that re-extending the platform wasn't in the electrification budget. He did say it wouldn't be a hard/big job to extend it but it needs somebody?? to come up with the budget. Nobody is pushing at the moment by the sound of it or to engineer some additional car-parking space at Poulton.
Incidentally, with only 6 days left before the line re-opens I haven't heard/seen any engines/units/trains doing any commissioning/snagging runs prior to re-opening.
I'm not from a railway engineering background so unsure as to what is the "normal" procedure prior to re-opening a much altered/upgraded stretch of line?

Don't Pendolino's have some form of SDO?

 

[snowball]

Twitter feed has a picture of a new trainwash at Blackpool North carriage sidings:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/983350462522052609

 

[furnessvale]

Don't Pendolino's have some form of SDO?

I would hope so, although it looks like, at least initially, no effort is being made by Virgin to serve Poulton (or for that matter Kirkham).

 

[Joseph_Locke]

I'm not from a railway engineering background so unsure as to what is the "normal" procedure prior to re-opening a much altered/upgraded stretch of line?

The signalling was tested and commissioned months ago, the track will have had all its post-installation surveys by now and the OLE might be undergoing section proving and height / stagger checks this week. The only thing outstanding might be points heating, as not needed until November now. So, a bit of route learning and Bob's your uncle/aunt.

 

[snowball]

As long as the electrics don't blow up when switched on, as I believe happened twice to a transformer on Crossrail.

 

[59CosG95]

The GSoP's been updated to add mileages and chainage from Man Vic. I'm posting it here, replacing the initial GSoP post (no. #6784) for ease of use.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSoP Post 1.1
Manchester Victoria - Preston; State of Play, 9th April 2018. Now with added mileages!
Just 93 mast foundations left to install between Euxton Jct & Ordsall Lane Jct.
All mileages from Manchester Victoria.
Man Vic Station (West End) - Man Vic West Jct - Deal Street Jct; 0m 0ch to 0m 32ch
Fully wired 2013-15.

Deal Street Jct - Salford Central (East End); 0m 32ch to 0m 59ch
Fully masted, wired half way as overlap.

Salford Central; 0m 59ch
Fully masted, most SPS up. No wires.

Salford Central (West End) - Windsor Bridge South Jct; 0m 59ch to 1m 46ch
All bases in place, mostly with masts, no wires.

Windsor Bridge South Jct - Windsor Bridge North Jct (inc. Salford Crescent); 1m 46ch to 1m 70ch
Many bases in place, some with masts, no wires. No bases in Salford Crescent P2. S Jct looks ready for wiring, but mast gaps still present at N Jct. Lots of SPS up immediately north of Salford Cres.; all stalactites up beneath the bridge at the south end on all lines.

Windsor Bridge North Jct - Clifton (South End); 1m 70ch to 4m 57ch
Many bases in place, some with masts, no wires.
Dangly bits up near Agecroft.
Pendleton retaining wall being cut back to make room for masts; bases going in on the southbound side at Pendleton Old station site.
Between Frederick Rd & Broughton Rd bridges, most masts are up, except for the "problem base" just south of Broughton Rd. 3 more problem bases being tackles between Broughton Rd & Cockrobin Bridges.
Structure going up between Agecroft Rd bridge and Clifton, nr Lumns Lane; no work on missing bases in the walled stretch north of Agecroft Rd though.
Lot of masts with SPS up on the southern approach to Clifton.

Clifton Station; 4m 57ch
All bases in place, 1 boomed TTC, no wires. SPS up on the TTC.

Clifton (North End) - Kearsley (South End); 4m 57ch to 7m 57ch
Most/all bases in place, large no. of masts, no wires.
Concrete slab base curing north of the former Dixon Fold station site; most/all masts up there, with lots of stovepipes up.

Kearsley Station; 7m 57ch
All bases in place, no masts, no wires.

Kearsley (North End) - Farnworth (South End); 7m 57ch to 8m 31ch
Some bases in place, some masts (with booms), no wires. Farnworth tunnel (8m 25ch) has all its registration arms in place.

Farnworth Station; 8m 31ch
All bases in place, 1 or 2 masts, no wires.

Farnworth (North End) - Moses Gate (South End); 8m 31ch to 9m 06ch
Most bases, most masts, no wires. Fully boomed and partially bedanglied TTCs up between Rawson St & the Balustraded Bridge. No bases (and no masts) between Farnworth Station footbridge and Rawson St Bridge.
"Base of the century", of the gravity variety, going in just south of the Squeeze Belly Entry footbridge.

Moses Gate Station; 9m 06ch
Fully masted, no wires

Moses Gate (North End) - Bolton (South End); 9m 06ch to 10m 50ch
Many bases, many masts, no wires. SPS and Tensorex drums appearing on some masts/cantilevers around Burnden Jct (10m 09ch). Weston St to Moses Gate looks almost ready for wiring.

Bolton Station; 10m 50ch
Many bases, some masts; P1 & the north end of P5 among them. New bases have gone in at the NW end of P3. The 3 missing bases around P5 have now been piled in. The fencing at the SE end of the station (opposite the S end of the P1/2/3 island) made permanent; perhaps non-rail plant work done. Platforms 98% open to public. Work going on with P2 buffers. Canopies look complete. Settlement Monitoring equipment between P3 & P4.

Bolton (North End) - Lostock (South End); 10m 50ch to 13m 52ch
More masts (approx. 6) up between Bolton Stn and Newport St bridge. Bullfield Tunnel bedanglied throughout, with a concrete slab base at the southern end.
Also, masts (including 2 TTCs) and bases in place on the line to Blackburn as far as Bradshawgate Tunnel.
Most masts up around Dean Clough Bridge, with cantilever assembles affixed (and folded out of place).
Just south of Lostock, outstanding short, fat bases are being driven, augered out, rebarred and then concreted; this process is also being used on the overrun for the Wigan lines, via Lostock Jct (13m 39ch). A UTX (aka. "Dalek") has been installed in the "vee" in Lostock Jct, for buried service access.

Lostock Station; 13m 52ch
Some bases in place, no masts, no wires. Switchgear box delivered 6th April '18.

Lostock (North End) - Horwich Pkwy (South End); 13m 52ch to 15m 50ch
For a mile between the stations, all wires up from Lostock Footbridge to half a mile south of Horwich Pkwy. All masts appear to be in place with SPS for the remaining sections between the two.

Horwich Parkway Station; 15m 50ch
Some bases in place, no masts, no wires.

Horwich Pkwy (North End) - Blackrod (South End); 15m 50ch to 17m 14ch
All bases in place, mostly with masts. Earth/AT wires linking 9 masts together between the 2 stations, heading north from immediately north of the M61 bridge (on the Up side). 5 short lengths of earth & AT wiring (3 on the Up, 2 on the Down; none linking more than 10 masts) between Horwich and Buckshaw. SPS appearing on portals near Blackrod.

Blackrod Station; 17m 14ch
Some more bases in place, no masts, no wires. Empty mast base at the northern end.

Blackrod (North End) - Adlington (South End); 17m 14ch to 19m 15ch
Lots of masts up just north of Blackrod. Some base replacement work occurred over 17th/18th Feb to replace failed bases. Successful bases have masts up with SPS on.

Adlington Station; 19m 15ch
Some bases in place, 1 mast up (Down side), no wires.

Adlington (North End) - Chorley (South End); 19m 15ch to 22m 20ch
2 short stretches of wire on the s'bound track.

Chorley Station; 22m 20ch
Some bases in place, no masts, no wires.

Chorley (North End) - Buckshaw Pkwy (South End); 22m 20ch to 24m 39ch
Many bases, some masts, 1 or 2 wires. No fittings up yet in Chorley Tunnel (23m 20ch to 23m 25ch). Bespoke mast fixings going up on Yarrow Viaduct; 3 of the 4 are in place.

Buckshaw Parkway Station; 24m 39ch
Some bases in place, 2 masts up (both on Down side), couple of wires.

Buckshaw Pkwy (North End) - Euxton Jct; 24m 39ch to 25m 31ch
Almost fully masted; about half the wires up until halfway to Euxton, then fully wired the rest of the way. Still gaps in the mast runs with new bases appearing here and there.

Do let me know if I've missed anything!

 

[Jamesrob637]

So why not just shut it all for 2-3 weeks and get it all done for May 20? The Blackpool stretch is perfect proof that things will be achieved with few to no interruptions

 

[Bertie the bus]

The Blackpool line has been closed for 5 months and they are 3 weeks late. Finishing eventually isn’t an achievement. It’s inevitable unless they just give up.

 

[InOban]

So why not just shut it all for 2-3 weeks and get it all done for May 20? The Blackpool stretch is perfect proof that things will be achieved with few to no interruptions

Because these fancy gravity pads take three weeks to cure?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The issues with the Salford-Euxton line are deep-seated and not conducive to blitz tactics.
It's all in the ground conditions and how they are tackled.
Preston-Blackpool was "easy" by comparison.

 

[rebmcr]

As long as the electrics don't blow up when switched on, as I believe happened twice to a transformer on Crossrail.

That's because Network Rail's feed for the GEML was left connected while unfinished.

 

[LDECRexile]

I have been updated by an authoritative Orangeman that:

1. Kirkham to Blackpool North will reopen next Monday, 16th April
2. MENTOR will run sometime before 20th May when the electric service starts.

S/he will update me when a precise date for MENTOR is known. I will publish it.