Blackpool - Manchester Electrification

[reg]

Bolton- a couple of new masts have gone up on the Lostock line, between the station and Bullflield tunnels.Pics later.

 

[driver_m]

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

Yeah the 11 cars do. How long are the platforms there? 9 car is 217m/11 is 266m approx

 

[Codville]

The platforms are long enough to fit a Voyager.

 

[31160]

Would we be able to guess at this point what services will be EMU's on the 20th

 

[59CosG95]

Would we be able to guess at this point what services will be EMU's on the 20th

Until next Monday, that seems to me like you're putting the cart before the horse!

I'd wait until diesel services resume first; then any last-minute creases can be ironed out.
Ones I'd guess that would be EMUs are the VT services that run non-stop to Preston.

 

[Elecman]

The only thing outstanding might be points heating, as not needed until November now.

The points heating is indeed not yet ready due to delays with the DNO not having done thier works at Blackpool and Kirkham. Delay NOT due to NR/Volkers, but purely to DNO internal issues.

 

[Ploughman]

DNO means what?

 

[Elecman]

Distribution Network Operator, the electricity board supplier that owns and operates the local area electricity distribution networks from Low Voltage to 132KV .

 

[InOban]

If experience in Scotland is anything to go by, it can be several weeks after the wires are energised before the ORR authorisation for use in passenger services.

 

[snowball]

If experience in Scotland is anything to go by, it can be several weeks after the wires are energised before the ORR authorisation for use in passenger services.

I seem to remember that with the previous phases of NW electrification there was very little time between NR (or its contractors) fixing the last problems with the overhead line and the running of the first electric test trains. I don't know why this was so different from Scotland.

 

[totally]

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).

As I have noted previously, this is a big mistake. The direct service to London will not be viable just running from Blackpool North. Poulton and Kirkham need to be served to attract the off peak custom which the southbound service clearly needs.

 

[LDECRexile]

As promised, Reg kindly sent photos of masts at Bolton.

I've added them 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.

By the way, I've noticed that this Combined Volume has passed the 5000 image mark, the 1945 to 2015 Manchester-Blackpool album contains just over 3000 images and the Liverpool-Manchester album stands at 3500.

Phew!

 

[InOban]

I seem to remember that with the previous phases of NW electrification there was very little time between NR (or its contractors) fixing the last problems with the overhead line and the running of the first electric test trains. I don't know why this was so different from Scotland.

Yes to test trains, but running trains in public service requires authorisation by the ORR.

 

[Chrism20]

As I have noted previously, this is a big mistake. The direct service to London will not be viable just running from Blackpool North. Poulton and Kirkham need to be served to attract the off peak custom which the southbound service clearly needs.

Are they running to primarily attract passengers to/from Blackpool or are they running to ease the loadings on the fast Glasgow’s as far as Preston and Blackpool just happens to be a suitable place to run them to rather than find space at Preston for them to sit for a couple of hours?

 

[Realfish]

Are they running to primarily attract passengers to/from Blackpool or are they running to ease the loadings on the fast Glasgow’s as far as Preston and Blackpool just happens to be a suitable place to run them to rather than find space at Preston for them to sit for a couple of hours?

I fear that it must be the latter. VTWC had said that they were looking at a 'cost effective' solution to allow calls at Poulton and Kirkham but the service pattern doesn't seem to include this. Also the timings and calling patterns seem not to bear any relationship to potential customer / visitor demand for Blackpool with no 'down' calls along the Trent Valley apart from the final service of the day at Stafford then Crewe. That service calls at Rugby as do the remainder which then run non stop to Warrington. Historically there were always calls along the TV at Tamworth, Lichfield TV and Stafford (were passengers from the industrial West Midlands would connect - Rugby is not an option for them).

While Alliance have pledged to call at Poulton and Kirkham, non tilt means that their original proposal for calls further south will no longer work. In the Midlands it looks like Nuneaton will now be the only calling point. Again useless for West Mids visitors.

(BTW: Is the timetable still work in progress? There are some odd arrival and departure times. RTT shows four down and three up VT services from / to Euston - RTT shews arrivals from Euston at 09:37, 11:56, 13:20 and 19:30 with southbound departures at 13:53, 15:59 and 17:59. Any idea what happens to the 19:30 BPN arrival for example? There seems to be no balancing departure south that day. I can't see VT wanting their sets idle for those lengths of time)

 

[LDECRexile]

An Orangeman has kindly authorised me to publish this:

"Some work should now have taken place at the bridge off Lumns Lane preparing the embankment for the concrete foundations for the new staircase. The foundations are precast units that will be lifted into place soon, probably on Saturday. It should be a good watch so feel free to spread the word."

Lumns Lane runs parallel to the track south of Clifton station. A public rough track runs at right angles eastwards from the lane and through a tunnel-like underbridge under the railway. Views should be good, weather permitting. The track runs off Lumns Lane at the following location which you can copy and paste into an on-line maps such as Bing: 53.517223, -2.310683

 

[DJH1971]

I fear that it must be the latter. VTWC had said that they were looking at a 'cost effective' solution to allow calls at Poulton and Kirkham but the service pattern doesn't seem to include this. Also the timings and calling patterns seem not to bear any relationship to potential customer / visitor demand for Blackpool with no 'down' calls along the Trent Valley apart from the final service of the day at Stafford then Crewe. That service calls at Rugby as do the remainder which then run non stop to Warrington. Historically there were always calls along the TV at Tamworth, Lichfield TV and Stafford (were passengers from the industrial West Midlands would connect - Rugby is not an option for them).

While Alliance have pledged to call at Poulton and Kirkham, non tilt means that their original proposal for calls further south will no longer work. In the Midlands it looks like Nuneaton will now be the only calling point. Again useless for West Mids visitors.

(BTW: Is the timetable still work in progress? There are some odd arrival and departure times. RTT shows four down and three up VT services from / to Euston - RTT shews arrivals from Euston at 09:37, 11:56, 13:20 and 19:30 with southbound departures at 13:53, 15:59 and 17:59. Any idea what happens to the 19:30 BPN arrival for example? There seems to be no balancing departure south that day. I can't see VT wanting their sets idle for those lengths of time)

I know this is slightly off-topic, but is there any latest regarding Alliance's plans?

 

[snowball]

From the Twitter feed, picture of wires being adjusted at Blackpool:

https://twitter.com/TheGNRP/status/984018626968739841

 

[Bertie the bus]

Good response from Ian to that tweet about the Blackpool North - York service being discontinued. In fact it is now just Preston - Leeds.

I would have thought by now though he would have realised North in GNRP and Northern Powerhouse refers only to Manchester.

 

[totally]

I fear that it must be the latter. VTWC had said that they were looking at a 'cost effective' solution to allow calls at Poulton and Kirkham but the service pattern doesn't seem to include this. Also the timings and calling patterns seem not to bear any relationship to potential customer / visitor demand for Blackpool with no 'down' calls along the Trent Valley apart from the final service of the day at Stafford then Crewe. That service calls at Rugby as do the remainder which then run non stop to Warrington. Historically there were always calls along the TV at Tamworth, Lichfield TV and Stafford (were passengers from the industrial West Midlands would connect - Rugby is not an option for them).

While Alliance have pledged to call at Poulton and Kirkham, non tilt means that their original proposal for calls further south will no longer work. In the Midlands it looks like Nuneaton will now be the only calling point. Again useless for West Mids visitors.

(BTW: Is the timetable still work in progress? There are some odd arrival and departure times. RTT shows four down and three up VT services from / to Euston - RTT shews arrivals from Euston at 09:37, 11:56, 13:20 and 19:30 with southbound departures at 13:53, 15:59 and 17:59. Any idea what happens to the 19:30 BPN arrival for example? There seems to be no balancing departure south that day. I can't see VT wanting their sets idle for those lengths of time)

You make some very good points. The 19:30 arrival at Blackpool North is a Voyager and ran before the closure last November. After arrival at Blackpool North it runs empty stock back to Barton under Needwood for routine maintenance. Given this I have never understood, partiularly given the time of day why it could not run back in service to Crewe, there would be patronage at that time of day. I assume but do not know that the previous arrangements will continue.

In terms of Patronage you are clearly correct. Northbound only the 10:36 departure from Euston is an Off Peak train, suitable for the leisure market. The first two are at 0653 and 0853 they and the 1633 are all peak services. It appears to be a story of missed opportunities for the leisure market both aiming for Blackpool and Southbound from the Fylde Coast because most of that market does not exist in Blackpool itself rather at the more up market stations in Poulton-le-Fylde and Kirkham and Wesham.

 

[Codville]

Good response from Ian to that tweet about the Blackpool North - York service being discontinued. In fact it is now just Preston - Leeds.

I would have thought by now though he would have realised North in GNRP and Northern Powerhouse refers only to Manchester.

I don't believe its a permanent change.

 

[Bertie the bus]

In terms of Patronage you are clearly correct. Northbound only the 10:36 departure from Euston is an Off Peak train, suitable for the leisure market. The first two are at 0653 and 0853 they and the 1633 are all peak services. It appears to be a story of missed opportunities for the leisure market both aiming for Blackpool and Southbound from the Fylde Coast because most of that market does not exist in Blackpool itself rather at the more up market stations in Poulton-le-Fylde and Kirkham and Wesham.

Trains run all year. The leisure market from London and the West Midlands to Blackpool on a Tuesday in February is going to be nobody at all and with 6 trains per hour between Preston and Blackpool changing at Preston really isn’t an inconvenience.

If Blackpool is to have direct trains to London then the 06:46 ex Euston is an excellent service as aids business travel. Having trains from Blackpool – London at business times does nothing at all for the region, except make life a bit more convenient for a handful of residents, but aiding business travel to the region could produce economic benefits.

 

[Sheepy1209]

If only Blackpool could have the same off peak restrictions as Lancaster....the service would make a lot more sense then!

 

[swanhill41]

I have read that there will a sort of "full train service" this weekend between BPN and Preston to refresh/train up drivers etc on the line,as of course large parts of it are not as was pre shutdown...Obviously this does not mean passengers are carried...Fun to see what diesel multiple units they use.
A bit off subject,is that there was a "tendering" by Network Rail of the old name boards on 5 signal boxes and internal display boards,which ended at 12.00 hours 11/04...Prices not known,but my bids were too low to win.!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I have read that there will a sort of "full train service" this weekend between BPN and Preston to refresh/train up drivers etc on the line,as of course large parts of it are not as was pre shutdown...Obviously this does not mean passengers are .!

Yep exactly what I heard and posted a week ago. Drivers need a refresh

 

[Halish Railway]

What's going on here? - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/BPS/2018/04/14/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

It looks like all the Preston shuttles from Blackpool South have been deleted.

 

[CAF397]

Having refreshed Manchester - Preston via Bolton yesterday I was disappointed with the lack of progress since I was last over the route.

One thing that did stand out is there are two registration arms on each line fixed through the Flying Arches at Chorley.

 

[swanhill41]

I have read that there will a sort of "full train service" this weekend between BPN and Preston to refresh/train up drivers etc on the line,as of course large parts of it are not as was pre shutdown...Obviously this does not mean passengers are carried...Fun to see what diesel multiple units they use.
A bit off subject,is that there was a "tendering" by Network Rail of the old name boards on 5 signal boxes and internal display boards,which ended at 12.00 hours 11/04...Prices not known,but my bids were too low to win.!

Ref my info....It seems as though it was rubbish!....There is a hybrid timetable published for 16th to 20th April where most of the services are bus ,and in effect only one train an hour!.....That's official,so another 5 days of RRP!

 

[snowball]

And here's the press release to confirm it:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/blackpool-to-preston-railway-to-reopen-following-major-upgrade/

• Re-introduction of train services to Blackpool North from Monday 16 April

The railway between Preston and Blackpool North is set to reopen next Monday (16 April) as the transformation of train travel across the north of England continues.

As part of the multi-billion pound Great North Rail Project, the line will reopen following 22 weeks of work to upgrade the tracks, station platforms and signalling system.

Train services between Preston and Blackpool North will resume from Monday 16 April 2018 initially with one train per hour allowing time for driver training on the route.

From Monday 16 April, Northern will operate one train per hour between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport – via Preston – and will continue to supplement this with two stopping and two express bus services every hour between Blackpool North and Preston. The hourly service between Blackpool South and Preston will continue to operate but with many services extended to operate to/from Colne.

Also on Monday 16 April, Virgin Trains on the west coast will reinstate its direct service to Blackpool North, which departs London Euston at 16.33.

The closure of the line was extended in March to complete the route upgrade following severe weather and the breakdown of critical machinery used to install new overhead line equipment.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “During the closure we’ve worked round-the-clock to upgrade and electrify the line to provide passengers with better services on this important route later this year.

“This work will allow greener, quieter and more reliable train services to run between Preston and Blackpool North when the new timetable is introduced on 20 May.”

Sharon Keith, Northern regional director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to once again start running trains between Blackpool North and Preston. The electrification work, carried out as part of the Great North Rail Project, will enable us to run greener and more reliable electric trains from Blackpool as part of our May timetable change, giving our customers more comfortable journeys and more journey options.

“On Monday 16 April we will introduce an hourly service on the route while we carry out essential driver training in preparation for the May timetable changes. I am asking our customers to plan their journeys carefully when travelling to and from Blackpool. Timetables from Blackpool North will be updated as more services are introduced, whilst a full rail service will continue to operate from Blackpool South.”

Michael Stewart, general manager at Virgin Trains on the west coast, said: “At Virgin Trains we’re pleased to be returning to Blackpool with our northbound service from London Euston to Blackpool North. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, whilst Network Rail has worked to electrify the line between Blackpool North and Preston as part of the Great Rail North Project.”

As part of Blackpool’s rail upgrade Network Rail has rebuilt 11 bridges, remodelled 11 station platforms, replaced 11,000 metres of track, installed 200,000 metres of overhead power line, upgraded railway drainage systems and installed 84 new modern signals.

The brand new signalling system, controlled from Network Rail’s operating centre in Manchester, will help to reduce delays and improve railway performance.

When the railway reopens, upgrade work will continue into spring during overnight shifts when trains aren’t running.

Passengers should keep checking www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.

Maybe they've discovered some extra work that needs to be done on Sat/Sun and precludes running route learning trains before Monday?

 

[seaside14]

For LDECRexile & GRALISTAIR et al: a few shots at Carleton crossing today, hope these are of use. Work going on on the Poulton side as per 4th photo. Two Orangemen stationed at the crossing as they were earlier in the week, guessing this is permanent for safety reasons and to operate the crossing for the track vehicles as and when required?

First shot on the approach from the Carleton side looking towards Blackpool Old Road. New road sign warning of overhead wires and stating safe height of 16' 6" / 5m. There's another on the far side, opposite side of the road (can see the back of it to the left of the lamp post).
Second shot from the same side, towards where the signal box used to be, Blackpool "side". You wouldn't really know it had ever been there! Again new / upgraded warning signs on the fence.
Third shot, longer view of track etc towards Blackpool.
Fourth shot, long view towards Poulton, track vehicles working.
Last shot looking back from the Blackpool Old Road side again to where the signal box used to be.