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Manchester - Liverpool Electrification
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LDECRexile
Established Member
I am delighted that Tom Needham, a serving railwayman working on 'our' electrification project has kindly submitted seven photos for publication.
As with all contributors I have created an album specifically for Tom's pictures, here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649779776988/
I have added them to the composite album, into which I have also inserted Photo 2021a, an afterthought to the trip Paul and I undertook on Monday. They are accessible here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/
Welcome aboard Tom.
As with all contributors I have created an album specifically for Tom's pictures, here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649779776988/
I have added them to the composite album, into which I have also inserted Photo 2021a, an afterthought to the trip Paul and I undertook on Monday. They are accessible here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/
Welcome aboard Tom.
DJH1971
Established Member
I don't think it will be needed in North Wales for the foreseeable future!
Mutant Lemming
Established Member
It may be on here somewhere but I can't quite find it. What are the likely service patterns going to be post L & M electrification ? Will there still be through services Liverpool to Blackpool or beyond Victoria ? .... and what will the likely stopping patterns be ?
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/..._adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-903&va=charlie+hebdo
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/..._adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-903&va=charlie+hebdo
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Nothing definite said so far.
Nothing beyond Victoria till 2017 of course, until the wires reach Stalybridge.
From today's vague announcement, it looks like Liverpool-Blackpool will be cut back to Preston later this year, so as to use 319s as far as Preston and free up a few more DMUs.
The future of the Warrington BQ stopper is also unclear - it might be diverted/extended to Victoria. Or not.
PDG1949
Member
If the SHJ < > SNH link were still in place it might've gone there as it did decades ago....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Maybe they're worried about being caught with their 'pants' down ? !
Whistler40145
Established Member
Why has it now been decided to run Class 319s from Preston to Liverpool Lime Street instead of DMUs as had previously been discussed? Is this a ruling by DfT?
To allow Northern to lend TPE some units on a daily basis when the 170s go starting in May
Whistler40145
Established Member
Thanks for the info.
DJH1971
Established Member
Either way, this looks like a real embarrassment for them.
Lots of work again last night by the orangemen between Lea Green and St Helens Junction.
0200 hrs they appear to be levelling out the hangers that hold the two copper cables above the track. I'd noted that many are not parallel with the ground. Looks fixed this morning....could have done without the hammering on steel work before an 0600 get up for work.
0200 hrs they appear to be levelling out the hangers that hold the two copper cables above the track. I'd noted that many are not parallel with the ground. Looks fixed this morning....could have done without the hammering on steel work before an 0600 get up for work.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Toured Lime St-Wigan NW-Roby-Man Vic-Rainhill-Lime St today.
1. Looked for gaps: most if not all reported before, this is an 'audit'
1a) one crossbarless portal at Roby Jct
1b) one missing mast and crossbar east end of Huyton station
1c) one mastless base south side of tracks almost smack opposite where Dixie Dean took his shots the other day at Huyton Jct
1d) pair of mastless bases between St Helen Central and Carr Mill, on east side adjacent to the 'Burgies' pond. The pair are adjacent, not on opposite sides of the tracks, I would wager your pension that one is a mast base and the other is a one to which a 'guy rope' will be attached. All the metalwork lies on the opposite side of the tracks in readiness.
1e) only two mastless bases at Springs Branch Junction now, with five armless masts. This represents significant progress.
1f) Sankey Viaduct's easternmost portal still by trackside.
1g) three of the four masts (still bare stumps at this stage) have been erected at the east end of Man Vic platforms. The most northerly still a hole in the ground.
2. Significant progress at Rainhill station, I won't attempt to put proper names to the wires and clobber now aloft, but they will become clear with photos later. Masts and signs now set in tarmac, Harris Fencing was removed whilst I was there.
3. Alas still no working lifts at Roby, but characteristically very pleasant Orangemen doing paint jobs on the subway and erecting a substantial Info screen on Platform 4.
4. Some danglies have appeared on the Bamfurlong Branch, but no wires.
5. Unscientific, but I reckon there are fewer temporary fixings on show in the St Helens Junction area, which fits with budge's disturbed night.
6. Full wiring extends 12 masts south from Wigan Branch M57 viaduct, both sides of track.
7. The two wires over the southbound track north of Pilkington Sidings do extend uninterrupted to St Helens Chamber as presumed.
Photos later, including another superb set from Tom Needham.
Dave
1. Looked for gaps: most if not all reported before, this is an 'audit'
1a) one crossbarless portal at Roby Jct
1b) one missing mast and crossbar east end of Huyton station
1c) one mastless base south side of tracks almost smack opposite where Dixie Dean took his shots the other day at Huyton Jct
1d) pair of mastless bases between St Helen Central and Carr Mill, on east side adjacent to the 'Burgies' pond. The pair are adjacent, not on opposite sides of the tracks, I would wager your pension that one is a mast base and the other is a one to which a 'guy rope' will be attached. All the metalwork lies on the opposite side of the tracks in readiness.
1e) only two mastless bases at Springs Branch Junction now, with five armless masts. This represents significant progress.
1f) Sankey Viaduct's easternmost portal still by trackside.
1g) three of the four masts (still bare stumps at this stage) have been erected at the east end of Man Vic platforms. The most northerly still a hole in the ground.
2. Significant progress at Rainhill station, I won't attempt to put proper names to the wires and clobber now aloft, but they will become clear with photos later. Masts and signs now set in tarmac, Harris Fencing was removed whilst I was there.
3. Alas still no working lifts at Roby, but characteristically very pleasant Orangemen doing paint jobs on the subway and erecting a substantial Info screen on Platform 4.
4. Some danglies have appeared on the Bamfurlong Branch, but no wires.
5. Unscientific, but I reckon there are fewer temporary fixings on show in the St Helens Junction area, which fits with budge's disturbed night.
6. Full wiring extends 12 masts south from Wigan Branch M57 viaduct, both sides of track.
7. The two wires over the southbound track north of Pilkington Sidings do extend uninterrupted to St Helens Chamber as presumed.
Photos later, including another superb set from Tom Needham.
Dave
DJH1971
Established Member
Good work as always.
Thank you for the update and already noted the new images. Another opportunity missed as I was off today and a cup of tea / coffee could of been on offer! Rainhill only 5 mins away!
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LDECRexile
Established Member
Thank you for the update and already noted the new images. Another opportunity missed as I was off today and a cup of tea / coffee could of been on offer! Rainhill only 5 mins away!
Aaargh! I thought you worked on a Friday. Should've texted you anyway. Next time....
I am delighted to have added a further eleven photos kindly submitted by Tom Needham, this time of Carr Mill Viaduct. I have put them in his album here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157649779776988/
I have also put them in the overall album, along with 23 of my own, here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127646831@N03/sets/72157648494725811/
Thanks Tom.
Thank you for the update and already noted the new images. Another opportunity missed as I was off today and a cup of tea / coffee could of been on offer! Rainhill only 5 mins away!
It appears that quite a few local posters are meeting on the route. Could a time and station be pre-arranged for more to meet on the first day of 319 operation?
DJH1971
Established Member
Sound like a good idea, if the date of 8/9 February as mooted earlier is the case.
LDECRexile
Established Member
I've had great pleasure in meeting others recently, but it might be better to pool info of timings and spread out, perhaps meeting later in the day. That way we'd get different shots of a unique event.
Dave
Northern have posted a good video on You Tube recently of refurbishing the Class 319s, would be nice to see if they would take an official cab ride video of the first (daylight) trip. Anyone got any contacts with them? Doesn't have to be expensive equipment as can be seen from my most recent trip in Switzerland which was taken on my phone taped to the windscreen of the loco! (with official permission I might add): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx9-LXdeIM4
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LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
I have my doubts about a first electric passenger working on 8 February (just 4 weeks away).
There just seems too much to do.
Huyton is still missing some steelwork, and there's still plenty of wiring adjustments to do at various places towards Earlestown.
Huyton Jn-Roby Jn remains on the critical path for me - I don't think the viaducts will be the problem.
There appears to be some complex switchgear in that section (neutral section?), hence the giant gantries.
Then there is testing/acceptance/route training etc.
Happy to be proved wrong of course...
All quiet at Edge Hill today - do they work Sat night?
There just seems too much to do.
Huyton is still missing some steelwork, and there's still plenty of wiring adjustments to do at various places towards Earlestown.
Huyton Jn-Roby Jn remains on the critical path for me - I don't think the viaducts will be the problem.
There appears to be some complex switchgear in that section (neutral section?), hence the giant gantries.
Then there is testing/acceptance/route training etc.
Happy to be proved wrong of course...
All quiet at Edge Hill today - do they work Sat night?
DJH1971
Established Member
I have my doubts about a first electric passenger working on 8 February (just 4 weeks away).
There just seems too much to do.
Huyton is still missing some steelwork, and there's still plenty of wiring adjustments to do at various places towards Earlestown.
Huyton Jn-Roby Jn remains on the critical path for me - I don't think the viaducts will be the problem.
There appears to be some complex switchgear in that section (neutral section?), hence the giant gantries.
Then there is testing/acceptance/route training etc.
Happy to be proved wrong of course...
All quiet at Edge Hill today - do they work Sat night?
I have doubts too, but this is just only what I heard a couple of weeks ago from a bloke working for Northern.
Plus the final portal at Sankey Valley Viaduct is expected to be put up any day now.
Or they could be emergency Sunday blockades, just like they have announced for between Huyton to Wigan.
As usual some great photos! With 2031 you ask if the earth mover is clearing a future car park for Huyton Station. The answer, unfortunately, is no. The site is a former garage workshop and haulage yard which has been sold for housing. I believe two blocks of apartments are being built.
It's an opportunity lost as this would have made an ideal car park. Some time ago I asked if the Roby storage site will be considered as a car park and the answer is no to that, too. This will be returned to green field.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Thanks for the kind remark and clear, if regrettable, info. At least more apartments means more potential customers.
DJH1971
Established Member
Just been for a quick look around Sankey Valley Viaduct.
No sign of the fourth portal yet.
No sign of the fourth portal yet.
LDECRexile
Established Member
Wow, thank you for telling us.
DJH1971
Established Member
Just thought there would be. Any day now at least, especially with only 4 weeks to the rumoured start of electric services to go.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
A date of Jan 14 was given in post #3503.
DJH1971
Established Member
Sorry, but went and had a look on the off-chance!
childwallblues
Established Member
If the Liverpool to Blackpool North service is cut back to Preston this could create major problems at Preston. The through service is well used by families especially in the summer and lights seasons. To force everybody off at Preston on to Platforms 1/2 could create a safety problem as these platforms are so narrow.
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