Wigan Wallgate–Southport Resignalling?

[Chrius56000]

. . .A thought has just occurred to me!

. . .Since it looks like modernization of the signalling is being undertaken between Wigan Wallgate and (at least!) Crow Nest Junction as part of the Wigan–Bolton electrification scheme, what about the signalling at Wigan Wallgate itself and onwards to Southport?

. . .Is there a scheme mooted for Wigan–Southport, and if so, would provision be likely to be incorporated in such a scheme for possible reopening of the Burscough Junction curves?

. . .What is the likely future signalling plan for Ormskirk–Preston – Are Rufford and Midge Hall signalboxes likely to last out until ETCS, etc., can replace them, or will some sort of conventionally–signalled I.E.C.C. scheme supervised from Sandhills be needed for Ormskirk–Preston in the not too distant future?

 

[Pinus contorta]

They did some work in February on the Wigan to Southport line in a 9 day closure. Not sure if parbold cabin was closed as part of this.

 

[childwallblues]

They did some work in February on the Wigan to Southport line in a 9 day closure. Not sure if parbold cabin was closed as part of this.

Correct. Parbold Signal Box was closed at that time. Not sure who controls that section now but I had assumed Manchester ROC.

 

[sportzbar]

Wigan to Southport was re-signalled but remains absolute block with colour light signals. Parbold box remains but controls Chapel lane crossing (now an upgraded obstacle detector crossing or MCB-OD). The cabin at Chapel Lane is now gone.

Further down the line Wyke Cop and Pool Hey have also been upgraded to MCB-OD controlled from Burscough Bridge box

 

[Elecman]

Correct. Parbold Signal Box was closed at that time. Not sure who controls that section now but I had assumed Manchester ROC.

Don’t think Parbold closed, Chapel Lane Ceosding box closed though ( and has been removed)

 

[Efini92]

Don’t think Parbold closed, Chapel Lane Ceosding box closed though ( and has been removed)

That’s a shame, im sure the crossing keeper from four lane ends went in there when that was converted to OD.

 

[Geeves]

Correct. Parbold Signal Box was closed at that time. Not sure who controls that section now but I had assumed Manchester ROC.

So far as I know the sphere of influence west from ROC Manchester is Ordsall Lane in Manchester, I know it controls Lime St itself now I assume up where Warrington takes over but there's a gap in control.

I assume Wallgate station box will be consumed before the boxes further west.

 

[Lucy1501]

In conjunction with the MCB-OD works, Burscough Bridge has received a new panel with an extra signal section between itself and Merseyrail IECC. Not a huge capacity increase, but certainly will be helping.

 

[175001]

The extra section between Burscough and Meols Cop has definitely improved reliability and timekeeping in the Southport direction. If the stopper was late ahead of us, we'd be waiting for it to reach Sandhills' first stop signal which is basically the distant for the entry platform signal for Southport.